It's Now All Gone

On September 22, 2011 I started what would generally be known as, "the basement layout"; this layout, actually (note that this is a different layout than the NS modern shelf layout I've been posting about more recently).

It was intended to be an On30 road based on an Iain Rice track plan, "Blue Hills and Yonder".  Over the past 2 years it transformed into many things and even changed scales a number of times, but one thing it never did was become a working railroad.

Two weekends ago I tore down the last bits of it.  It is now completely gone.  It's a story all to common, and before it's completely gone from my memory, I wanted to write down some lessons I've learned about model railroading over the past several years.  Some are big and others are small, but hopefully the next time I get some grand vision, I can have a bit of a "reality check" with what I've written here.

Lessons Learned:

• It's possible to measure what chance you have of actually finishing a layout you imagine.  Simply sit down and write a step-by-step list of what tasks need to happen for it to be built.  The more specific you can make the list, the better chance you have of actually finishing it.
   
• Looking at pictures of someone else's successful layout does not automatically give you the skill to do the same.  As with everything else, it takes a lot of practice in the times the camera isn't take pictures.  Invest time in practicing model railroading skills.
   
• The trains have to run.
   
• A layout's theme is much less important than the time and money you have on hand.
   
• Track plans are only half of the story.  A scenery plan is the part that's easy to miss.

• RTR vs. scratchbuilt is somewhat irrelevant.  The real magic is in finishing (detailing, painting, weathering, etc.)
   
• Use magazines, articles, forums, and blog posts as a starting point, but don't spend too much time researching any one thing.  It's usually better to just try it out yourself to see if it works than spending hours reading if other people think it works.


• Invest in the right tools.  They make a big difference.  Given the choice between waiting 6 months to do something right so that you can buy a good tool to get it done, versus doing it now, it's generally better to just wait.

• If you're planning a layout, at a minimum, you should be able to answer how many structures your layout will have (and be accurate within 2 or 3).  If you can't, you probably don't have a solid scenery plan.
   
• Build a structure kit and keep track of how long it takes.  Multiply that by how many structures you have on your layout, and figure out how long it will take to build structures for the whole layout.  Make sure you're comfortable with that final number.
   
• If you're planning a layout, you should probably own 1/3 of the structures kits and rolling stock before you start the layout.  If you don't, you run the risk that you might realize that structure kits and rolling stock for your layout theme are a lot harder to come by than you initially thought (or they're a lot more expensive than you thought).
   
• If you're planning a layout with mostly scratchbuilt buildings and scratchbuilt rolling stock, you should have at least 1/3 of those structures and rolling stock built before starting on the layout.  If you can't commit that much to it before even starting the layout, then chances are you probably won't get past the benchwork and track.
   
• Pick a more glossy paint for the fascia.  It's far less resistant to looking horrible when you accidentally brush scenery material against it.  It also doesn't need to be forest green.
• Tortoise turnout controls are loud as heck.  And slow.
   
• Make the fascia detachable.  The seamless look is nice, but the functionality of being able to detach the fascia vastly outweighs it.
   
• Layout's are difficult to move between spaces.  Don't stress out too much about making the layout so it can be moved to a new home or new room.  Do take time to consider has you can preserve work in scratchbuilt structures when the move does happen though.
   
• Suitcase connectors are awesome.  They cost more but make wiring so much more pleasant.
   
• Figure out and install the lighting before you build the layout, unless the layout is portable, in which case build the layout first to gain momentum on the project.
   
• Making videos or taking pictures of your progress helps you and others.  It's a good source of feedback and if you ever forget what you've accomplished, it can be encouraging to look back and see.
   
• Don't use pine boards or "furring strips".  They're going to warp, every single time.
   
• Foamcore is an amazing planning tool.
   
• If you're not retired, it's probably not a good time yet to start on that basement empire.  Projects with a smaller scope can be just as interesting.  Smaller doesn't necessarily mean pocket sized either.