I've learnt from yours, please learn from mine

Using TOMA to build a layout is a great approach because it allows you to make all your mistakes on one module, rather than your entire railroad. And while I'd like to think that I learnt from the mistakes of others, please let me share with you some of my own.

Testing awesome New Techniques at the Front of the Layout only to realise I am not awesome at it yet and should probably practice elsewhere

After my HO scale CFNR layout sat and collected dust for a couple years, I decided to give some mainline action of the modern day BNSF in Arizona a try. After researching parts of the Seligman Sub and the Phoenix Sub, I was intrigued by the Kingman, Az. area and the entire Phoenix Sub. I picked up a couple locomotives and pieces of rolling stock to test my weathering skills in such a small scale and saw some success. I next built a 1'x4' diorama set in the Arizona desert and again saw some success.

I've spent so much time focusing on my Richlawn Railroad layout that I had overlooked the very important fact that I haven't protected the room.  We live in Florida (the Hurricane state - NOT the sunshine state) and we had a hurricane hit our area (central Florida) last year.  During the last hurricane we lost some shingles and our outdoor garbage can enclosure so it wasn't that bad.