I want help so I can convince my parents to Allow me to build a layout in one of our extra rooms in the house!

Ask for the living room and dining room lol we did and it worked 

When  I was in middle school (then called jr. high),

I had to settle for the laundry room for my 4 foot by 4 foot N scale layout..

Now I have a 4 bedroom house and I still do not have room for a good size layout.

But I do have a small 6 foot by 8 foot layout in the dining room.

Be careful for what you wish for you may get it.

Well,  first develop a plan for the layout.  with an estimate of size, and items you may need. The plan should include a track plan, and a schedule for its construction. Rome was not built in a day, start small and show how it will grow over time.  Present it like its a business proposal, with the end goal in mind.  

Include solutions to  any concerns  (like your parents may need that space sometime, or we may move some time).  Explain why running trains on a carpet is not the same as a detailed layout.  

 Some of the material you may find cheaply.  For example, old, used doors, sometimes can be found at stores that sell custom doors.  Hollow-core doors are light weight, two doors would make a great start for a layout. Design the layout so it can be expanded,  but also portable so it could be taken down quickly.

For benchwork, old kitchen or bath cabinets can be used. Ask around to see if anyone you know is going to have some remodeling done.  Old bookcases can also be used.  

Be creative.   For example, if you make a mountain,  make it such that you can remove it easily,  I did that using foam core as a base.  

Keep us posted and good luck.

Tell them you want to build a "portable" layout. Mine is 5x8, very detailed (took me 2 years to complete the scenics), yet it sits on 4 saw horses, and could be taken down and packed up in a day or two.

rattler21 posted:

How old are you and where do you think you will be in four years?  Why do you mention that money is not an issue?  Are you going to have someone come in a erect an eight thousand dollar layout?  John

Just to show that I am just trying to convince my parents and money isn't an issue on building the layout. I wanted to simply get the idea across. So it was easier for the people who read my comment to respond.

Brewman1973 posted:

Well,  first develop a plan for the layout.  with an estimate of size, and items you may need. The plan should include a track plan, and a schedule for its construction. Rome was not built in a day, start small and show how it will grow over time.  Present it like its a business proposal, with the end goal in mind.  

Include solutions to  any concerns  (like your parents may need that space sometime, or we may move some time).  Explain why running trains on a carpet is not the same as a detailed layout.  

 Some of the material you may find cheaply.  For example, old, used doors, sometimes can be found at stores that sell custom doors.  Hollow-core doors are light weight, two doors would make a great start for a layout. Design the layout so it can be expanded,  but also portable so it could be taken down quickly.

For benchwork, old kitchen or bath cabinets can be used. Ask around to see if anyone you know is going to have some remodeling done.  Old bookcases can also be used.  

Be creative.   For example, if you make a mountain,  make it such that you can remove it easily,  I did that using foam core as a base.  

Keep us posted and good luck.

 

Thanks! I was planning on making it easy to be transported like you said! That's probably the big thing that I'm going to work on! I will tell you how it goes!

I think Dave B, from Tacoma, WA nailed it.  Develop a very detailed plan including benchwork, trackplan, bill of materials (including, possibly, where the materials will be purchased along with prices), wiring diagrams, etc.

A sufficiently detailed -- and realistic -- plan will show your parents that you are serious about and committed to your endeavor.  A detailed plan will also show that you have the persistence to stick with it.

Please also answer this question that was posed earlier: "How old are you and where do you think you will be in four years?".  The answer to this should be consistent with your plan.

Good luck with it.  Please keep us advised concerning your progress.  Any number of people here would be happy to help you with your plan.

 Steven J. Serenska

I think your best bet is to point out the skills you can learn building a model train layout.
I learned many things that have helped me throughout my life as a homeowner and car owner.
So have both of my sons.

In order to build a layout you learn design / drafting. You can also learn something about physics as you think about the forces (mostly weight) that will be at play on your layout and how to construct it.
You'll learn how to cut a piece of wood accurately and square.
You'll learn basic electricity.
If you get into the modern electronic stuff, you may learn something about electronics too.

That is what comes to mind right now, I am certain others can add more.

Hey Alex,

Does Dad allow you to assemble and run his trains on the carpet on your own? Can you use one of his sets?

Building a layout is not a simple as it appears. It takes time. You should demonstrate to the parents that you have the time to dedicate to the process and not let your school work, sports and other commitments fall short. Also, that you can and will complete the project.

Is your grandfather handy with tools and fixing things? Can you enlist him as a partner? Can Dad/Mom spare any time to assist?

The first lesson will be in planning a project.

We look forward to your responses. You'll find a lot "train friends" willing to help you.

Good Luck!

#ALEX Trains:  Great topic, and I hope that you don't mind if I follow along. We downsized after the kids moved out, and my wife is less than thrilled about my train enthusiasm (and my spelling, apparently).

Great answers from guys that care!! This bunch is amazing, Alex. I totally agree, make it a "business plan"... oh, and have a "Prenuptial" when it comes time to marry your sweetheart. MIKECT has a great catch there.... Luck to you!

My beginnings, in a corner, on carpet, with-a- speaker- in- the- way. I need to visualize, and see what I have. Has to be portable, and yet, I want to make a mountain to drive through/around. I was thinking of a modular set. I need room for a Girafffe pen and a "Caution Giraffe Herd Crossing", and a few switches to run, and, and, cliffs and tunnels, and Hump Yard, and HELIX and Cardnials in the trees, and and...... (Elliotts fault. )

Do what I did when I was sixteen and wanted a motor scooter.  Hound them 'til they are tired of hearing you.....LOL

Pull a Joe McDoakes. Set it up in the family room, totally in the way, sound to max, smoke on max and run it only when someone is watching TV. Then set it up on the table and serve dinner with the trains. 

When you drive them nuts enough, you'll get a spot to work thats out of the way. Your demands of running something of reasonable size does not seem unreasonable. 

#Boilermaker

Has a great point, remember, when you find a wife, "Sometimes better to ask forgiveness thatn to ask permission.."

You are very lucky to even have a space like that to ask for.  I would respectfully suggest to you, as others, I would construct it in smaller sections that will allow you to transport.  At your age, you are going to be moving a lot, before you are ever situated somewhere.  The average American moves every 3 to 5 years.

Also, you have arranged track to fit the space...so what is is suppose to be?  A growing number of very well done and impressive layouts are DESIGNED so that they depict something real (prototype) or are based on real life railroading.  

Any plan is more interesting if it has a back-story--even if its made up.  A DESIGN should include the:  Who is the railroad?  Where is the railroad?  Why is the railroad there--what is it doing?  And most importantly, what are you, and others doing, to be actively engaged in the operation of the railroad?

People have discovered that when they provide opportunities for others to operate the train (I'm not talking about turning the power on then standing there and watching) by actually controlling it picking up/dropping off cars and sharing common track with other trains, a layout is more challenging, interesting and fun to operate.

I read that when I was a teen and it took about 20 years to finally sink in.

Good luck...I'd use the old:  Mom and dad, I really love this hobby and I really want to do this.  May I please?  Please goes a long way.  I hate it when my kid uses it on me, because it works about 99% of the time.

Just ask'em if they are saving that room as a nursery for a new baby. That will scare the daylights out of 'em, and they will clear it out wall to wall.....

Take up the Clarinet or violin instead..... Won't be long and you'll have a train area.

Gregg posted:

Take up the Clarinet or violin instead..... Won't be long and you'll have a train area.

If that doesn't work, try an accordion......

mwb posted:

Gregg posted:

Take up the Clarinet or violin instead..... Won't be long and you'll have a train area.

If that doesn't work, try an accordion......

And finally, if no luck with the above two suggestions, there's always drums.....LOL

Moonman posted:

Hey Alex,

Does Dad allow you to assemble and run his trains on the carpet on your own? Can you use one of his sets?

Building a layout is not a simple as it appears. It takes time. You should demonstrate to the parents that you have the time to dedicate to the process and not let your school work, sports and other commitments fall short. Also, that you can and will complete the project.

Is your grandfather handy with tools and fixing things? Can you enlist him as a partner? Can Dad/Mom spare any time to assist?

The first lesson will be in planning a project.

We look forward to your responses. You'll find a lot "train friends" willing to help you.

Good Luck!

Thanks! I have many trains and my dad is a handy man and is into trains. Both of my grandparne Are very big into trains as well! Here is a photo of my current set up.

Miggy posted:

#Boilermaker

Has a great point, remember, when you find a wife, "Sometimes better to ask forgiveness thatn to ask permission.."

 

My dad lives by that quote lol! He's into guns btw

Boilermaker1 posted:

Pull a Joe McDoakes. Set it up in the family room, totally in the way, sound to max, smoke on max and run it only when someone is watching TV. Then set it up on the table and serve dinner with the trains. 

When you drive them nuts enough, you'll get a spot to work thats out of the way. Your demands of running something of reasonable size does not seem unreasonable. 

That's Great! Lol

I will definitely take all of your suggestions (Very Funny). I also forgot to mention my brother is going to college next year so I may be able to move a few things from my extra room into their to make room for the layout! I will keep you guys posted on the progress! God Bless!

Want to get permission to set up a train layout?  Tell your parents that you need to have a hobby by setting up a layout to keep busy. If they refuse, indicate your interest in taking up music and that you will be going out to purchase a set of drums. If it comes to the drums, keep those sticks pounding, play them all day every day. That should soften them up!

This layout was originally done in a small bedroom.  It did expand to the next room.  Blue line is the room, note the closet area, bottom.  The door to the room is lower right.  About 12' X 12'

The expansion.

One more addition.

Slideshow.   Click on the underlined phrase.

Dan Padova posted:

mwb posted:

Gregg posted:

Take up the Clarinet or violin instead..... Won't be long and you'll have a train area.

If that doesn't work, try an accordion......

And finally, if no luck with the above two suggestions, there's always drums.....LOL

really not a bad thing to consider this as a career .ive always regretted passing up the chance to be a professional musician .one of my uncles was in the union,played sax in a well known cleveland,oh polka band....was very good income for him. i dont understand why there are comments to punish the parents with music...........that might lead to a rewarding career in the future.....

Modules, modules, modules!  Build a nice 2x4 module.  Take a short break.  Let them get used to it.  Then build module number two!  Take a short break.  Then build . . . . . . Get the picture?    Russ

I would suggest pointing out the alternatives as to what you could be doing instead, such as:

-knocking up random girls

-developing an addiction to controlled substances

-drag racing/crashing

and ask for some space to keep you busy and entertained. If you can make your layout modular in your plan pitch, so that it is "portable", they will probably accept the idea.

Jim Berger posted:

 i dont understand why there are comments to punish the parents with music............

There is music and then there is noise, and then there's the noise/music that makes you reach for a spoon to jam in your ear to make the pain go away....

#ChiloquinRuss PURE GENIUS! Module, rest, add a Module. <Salute>

Gregg posted:

Take up the Clarinet or violin instead..... Won't be long and you'll have a train area.

Better yet, drums.  (Maybe Dave Minarik could provide lessons.)

As a backup plan, I also know some people who bust kneecaps.

Promise them the WORLD to get them to let you build this layout.In the long run ...you will find out that you will be willing to give it to them anyway.Nick

Tell them we are all coming over for dinner if they don't agree.

Hey Alex,

 Still not sure if you gave your age yet? I grew up in a basement space where I had my second layout on a ping pong table. That was HO. Not sure what gauge you are planning on. If O gauge, not sure the ping pong table would be sturdy enough (at least the one I had). 

Lots of good advice and some funny stuff like what El Classico said which is exactly what I was thinking, too.

If you nicely explain that maybe it is something you can do to be closer with your grandfather (or any other interested relatives) and learn some history, about electricity, some carpentry, etc. 

Good luck,

 Tom

Thanks for all the great ideas and replies! It's definitely making me come up with some new ones!

George S posted:

Tell them we are all coming over for dinner if they don't agree.

And we are bringing all of our family members LOL

Hi Alex 

How much room do you think you have ? 

A sectional layout can be taken apart when space is needed , as others have stated . 

The ping pong table is cool two . 

either way good luck .  Keep us posted on your progress . 

Alex:

When I was in the 9th grade our English teacher said "tomorrow come in with a good reason why you can not hand in your homework. The best answer gets no homework the next day." Well everyone comes in the next day with two or three pages of complicated scenarios that Miss Porter shot holes through with no effort at all. All except this one kid. His answer - "I put my books on my dad's car and turned to get my bike. My dad zoomed off to work." Needless to say who had no homework that evening.

Moral of the story - make your effort to convince you parents short, sweet and to the point! Maybe tell your folks they have right all along and you will go to college and become the doctor they want you to be............and working on trains will help prepare you to be a better surgeon. If they ask how - your on your own!

Good luck

Joe

"If they ask how - your on your own!"  That's easy, hand - eye coordination, spatial analysis, deductive reasoning, and 'just because'!    Russ 

Alex...........you're getting great advice here!  I would make it a small-ish layout and either portable or easy to disassemble. The reason is as you get into your late teens, all sorts of other "priorities" take over...........mainly called a significant other. But it should be easy from what I have read about your  'rents and grandparents being pro-trains. and of course all the skills you will learn and retain and rely on the rest of your life.

Just remember what Red Green says...............(this one you'll have to look up)!