Biggest layout mistake(s) ?

Limited access to the fluorescent lights above the layout. Even with a top creeper they are almost impossible to change.

Terry

I remembered nothing good about inclined track from my layout as a boy.  Everything is flat now.  Too many switches on my first adult layout.  I now have a couple of loops, elevated with no switches, just to run.  The lower has some,  but am more into scenery now than prototype operating.  Not labeling wiring.  Another mistake is charging into a project without letting it sink in for a few days.  Still do that though. 

Not listening to the advice of “no duck-unders”!

What are you using as a silencer?

Built a ceiling parimeter shelf layout, with grades, parallel to the crown molding. Problem was ceilings aren't always level! 6.8 grade on one side of the room with Lionel graded arches.

-OR-

  Sharing a main line section between two loops, without using anti-derail, and automatic block turnout switching.

Bob,

How does that look?

Actually, I like the look of the track on the cork.  What brand of track and cork is this?

It's Atlas 3R track on standard O gauge cork. Pretty sure the cork is Midwest Products. Don't think anybody else makes it. The grey pieces are also cork painted with Floquil "gravel" paint cut into strips and slid into place. The grand plan is to do the whole layout that way.

S

 Years ago Model Railroader published an artice about layout construction with a focus on removing those bothersome house basement support beam so you could put that yard and those curves exactly where you wanted them.  After considerable effort I managed to modify the house to permit the removal of the supports and I started working on the layout.  One evening about a year into the layout construction the power went out, the motor to the air compressor died, and the house, which had been floating on a cushion of compressed air collapsed into the basement. 

  We salvaged what we could from the wreck and, after moving into a new house, I went back to look at the Model Railroader article to see what I had done wrong. It was only then I realized the article had appeared in the April issue for that year.

What is it that you are using between the ties?

Dale H

1. A duck-under to access the layout;

2. Failure to drill holes for wiring in bench work before erecting it;

3. Not enough train storage sidings.

Robert,

Next time use solid air. It is more stable and won't lose its buoyancy when power is off!

1) Tearing down my old tubular layout

2) Buying Atlas O Track and Switches. 

Cork roadbed painted with Floquil Gravel Gray spray paint. Then cut into strips. Take a little off the length on the square end so the bevel end lines up with the end of the ties and the slide into place. It's a very neat look. So far, what you see is all I have done. The grand plan is to do the whole layout. Will take a while but it's a small layout and I have plenty of time. Just not ready to glue little rocks all over the place just yet. I had enough trouble getting my Atlas switches to work as it is.

A good idea ,I will give it a try. thanks for the reply Scott. I have K-line Shadow rail,hate to mess with glue.

Dale H

Hi Dale,

A while ago on the forum someone was selling something called the "Chopper". Basically looked a hi precision paper cutter but for hobbyists. Would be ideal for cutting the pieces to the right dimensions. Also the angle cuts needed for curves.

S

Scott,

Good idea on the cork strips

I've tried modeling clay, but it was too messy and left gummy feeling residue on the track.

I've also used True Scene Modeling's Fusion Fiber, by pressing it down in between the ties AFTER the track was laid (Bill Dimenna recommends put the fiber down 1st).  Once the Fusion Fiber dries it becomes a bit hard and I think transmits more noise.

Maybe rubber strips painted with some Krylon "Make It Stone" textured paint (like their Charcoal Sand color) that could be inserted between the ties.  The rubber may help hold down noise.  But inserting them would take some time.

Here are my top 10 lessons learned..using these on my new indoor G gauge logging road..Overall, avoid haste in planning and compulsions in buying.Haste makes waste.

1. Create a carpet layout to test the operations of a proposed layout before “nailing it down” What looks good on paper can be a disappointment  operationally. The old measure five times and cut once applies. Often I missed out on a arrangement of tracks that only came to me after running on the test layout.

2. Avoid dual tracks on mainline to have more real estate which always seems to be in short supply afterwards.

3. Avoid straight lines in trackage. Makes layout seem smaller.

4. Use switches only when necessary for yards or spurs, Storage yards are another real estate issue and often screw up sight lines. Interchanges are preferable as to avoid dead storage versus an operational feature.

5. Don’t buy anything just because it looks good or is a bargain.

6. Don’t skimp on switch quality.

7. Avoid sectional track in favor of flex..less rail joints to get finicky.

8. Keep wiring organised and color coded.

9. Use the broadest curves possible.

10. Pick a time period and stick with it before buying everything or anything that appeals just based on looks alone.

Stop buying things I "might" use someday.

Stop buying all the things we couldn't afford when I was a kid, or that my friends owned and I didn't.

Determine which is better a walk around or against a wall.

Realize I only want to run New Haven and stop buying the ones I don't want to run anymore.

No such thing as either a perfect layout or a finished layout.

Decide on which track type is best for me . I have gone from 0-27 to Atlas to  Real Track to Fast track(i'm happy now!).

Go back and read this thread from the beginning at least once a week!

86TA355SR, your post is not only helpful, it is HILARIOUS!  Great fun!  Thanks for posting!

 Not building a permanent layout while my Dad was alive .

 His experience,intuition and plain smarts would have been a great help .

I am glad you enjoyed it!  

Like I said, all of those things actually did happen.  There were a few others but I decided to keep it clean for the audience. One example, a magazine I 'cleverly' hid in a Lionel grain elevator.  Found by my mom, it required a trip to confession.  Dad took me, told me on the way home he was relieved it was a girly magazine and not something else.  I didn't understand at the time, but funny now.  And, it was the first time I thought my dad was cool, a great moment!

And, that is what this is about-having fun with trains...

..and the occasional dual-purposed item of scenery.

I enjoyed both your reples. I have no idea why, but as I was reading your first list, I started picturing the movie, "A Christmas Story," since it began to seem like what you went through might have fit that household, too.