Hitting the Wall (Re-working the Layout)

I am having problems with re-working my layout. I have come to think that all I live for on my layout is to re-tool every two months or so. What do you do when you have a decent layout and you want to change it?

It seems that as soon as I get things the way I want them, they change. What is the easiest way to overcome this feeling?

John

Sorry, thought I was posting in the Inspection Pit. Oh well, since it's here let it be.

 

I have had quite a few layouts. Every time when I was not satisfied with the operation possibility I scraped it and built a new one. Now I've started with modules, there's no lost!

Wolfgang

 

A very sensible solution, too, Wolfgang.

I would counsel our asker to step back and do some serious thinking about what he wants in a model railroad...if a model railroad is what he really wants. It may be that the manifestation of your desires or interests are most readily realized in building the way you are doing it, but I feel strongly you are not achieving the outcome you desire...hence my advice to stop, down tools, and re-think your approach to this project.

First, if you are constantly changing parameters, it suggests to me that you haven't identified something with which you can identify and stick. You have missed an important step somewhere back a many month ago. If we assume that model railroading is not itself the problem, then we should conclude that your knowledge, skill-set, or your plan/vision is deficient in some way.

Have you researched and planned a specific function or theme for your layout? Is it entirely fanciful or is it to be a reasonably close approximation of a prototype? The fewer constraints you place on yourself before you start the less likely that you are going to find yourself shaking your head well into the construction and realize you have seduced yourself in some way. Stop the seduction...or the self-delusion!!!!

Your goal is not clearly defined, and you eventually panic and elect to retrace your steps however far that ends up being for you. My point is you are not finding success, and therefore you have no security or contentment in what you are doing. You lack a cohesive vision and the security that comes from a sure footing and a clear plan with specifics in it.

I would urge you to stop and think about what you need in order to complete your project. If you just enjoy building and then starting over when you get bored with your theme, then you need to change nothing. If you are genuinely concerned about your lack of progress and that your levels of frustration are rising, allow yourself to accept the sober truth that you have no idea what you are doing? Is that so hard? Is that to be a permanent reality for you, or do you think you could alter your circumstances and get oriented to a reasonable and achievable end-state?

If you desire the latter state, then you must begin to generate a list of pointed questions for your own good, and to then seek the specific answers to them so that you can identify what your railroad will be able to do, and then how it is to achieve that capability within the confines of money, space and time.

What era? Now, war time, Civil War, early 1900's, late 60's to early 80's?

Which functions should my railroad be capable of providing? Passenger only, freight only, mixed, short line, Class 1?

How many industries should I have as a reasonable set of tasks/customers for my model railroad?

Formulate a list of absolutes without which you will be unhappy with your project. these are what are called givens. Then list several "druthers" that would be neat to have, but not showstoppers if they can't be shoehorned into the space without making your otherwise nice layout look toy-like or contrived in some way.

Maybe your bench is all wrong for the space, and that is the source of underlying satisfaction...you can't bring yourself to start it all over from way back there. Considering what you want to accomplish, and how long you should be able to use and enjoy it, I would have no compunction about gashing a very nicely constructed bench that was just a horrible mistake in the first place. Life's too short.

I hope this hasn't been a harangue, and unnecessary for you. If I have overstepped and not served to help you at all, please accept my apologies now.

-Crandell

 

I often find myself reworking things and getting stalled and just letting it sit there.
Right now the culprit is switch machines. I have a plan, but It's not going as smoothly as I hoped and I can't scenick anything until the switches are done.

Sometimes, I think the best thing to do during this time is to tidy up and maybe work on a model or something. Then go back to it.

 

I have layout melt down about once a month. My new approach is to just leave it alone for a bit. So far I've managed to keep my layout for years and it's really turning into something I like.

I think part of it is investment. The more you put into it the more you get back. It's easy to see a half finished layout and decide it's no good. Just work on it some more maybe change some things, but keep molding it toward what you would like.

The only things I really worry about is when I have a layout where trackwork is poor and nothing runs. Good trackwork is the core of a good layout. So if you have lots of bad track, I say get some markers like stick pins and just run a train and mark the bad spots. You can pin little notes with the pins. Then methodically go back and fix what needs fixing.

Once you get everything rolling, the happy feeling comes back.