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.