Is the desire to expand ever satiated?

Hi Scott R, I would offer these thoughts which I have considered, off and on, since I began my layout in 1995.

I think most(?), many (?), some (?) of us are disappointed once the layout which we planned and even ad-libbed as we went along, became "done" or "completed".

I think it is the "loss" or ending of all that creative satisfaction that disappoints. So, we alter, and modify, and change, and perhaps, even expand what exists.

Yet, there was a point in time when I had had enough and just sat back and enjoyed the sharing of the layout with others, either in-person, inviting guests to the trainroom, and/or sharing certain versions of the layout through OGR Runs (Runs: 163; 168; 221; 224; 230; 285), and/or sharing photos and viewpoints here on the OGR Forum, which has been very satisfying.

I discovered that sharing the layout with others had become as rewarding and important to me as sitting at the bank of ZW's by myself and zooming the trains and one trolley around their ten loops of track. I loved the creativity. And I loved the sharing.

So, I am suggesting that you relax. Do whatever you can and want, let yourself play, and have a creative blast. There are few rewards like creating a layout, I would imagine.

FrankM, Moon Township, USA.

No

I know one thing for sure- you have most everyone on this forum Googling the living he77 out of the 

word "satiated"- BTW Trains are like beautiful women...you can't get enough. Nick

Never! The layout, like the Universe, is meant to expand forever.

LOL, Arnold

Never so what do you do?

I love both sides of the hobby..... Building and Operating so I have changed the theme of the layout over the years and in had two major rebuilds over 40 years.

I have a 30 X 30 feet room and I started with a small section of New York Harbor complete with a scratch built Float Bridge and worked and researched that for 10 years then I decided to build a Military base having a military background and really enjoyed that for a number of years but the operation of switching endless cars in and out of the military Base got not boring maybe tedious is the word so I looked for a large industry that could virtually do everything and found it! A Steel Mill! of course I spent a lot of time maybe years researching the Steel Mill Industry and scratch building a furnace in O scale was a testing time but I got there in the end and never regretted it now at 76 years old I have enough modelling and operation with the Steel Mill to last me for the rest of my life and am very happy with the railroad the way it is. I still have plenty of ideas for expansion and changes I don't think it will happen even though my health has never been better but who knows what your destiny is ! Never make excuses, just do it, has been my motivation over the years if you run out of money get a second job to finance it you will find a way I did. And I admire your family 8 children! Way to go, we had 4 and now have 9 grandchildren good stuff. Roo.

Rockstars1989, Your reply made my evening 😁   Thanks for the laugh!

"Is the desire to expand ever satisfied?"

Scott, Assuming that you are talking about layouts, not waistlines, my answer is "No".

Check out my "About Warrenville" narrative on my website and you will see what I mean

Roo posted:

Never so what do you do?

I love both sides of the hobby..... Building and Operating so I have changed the theme of the layout over the years and in had two major rebuilds over 40 years.

I have a 30 X 30 feet room and I started with a small section of New York Harbor complete with a scratch built Float Bridge and worked and researched that for 10 years then I decided to build a Military base having a military background and really enjoyed that for a number of years but the operation of switching endless cars in and out of the military Base got not boring maybe tedious is the word so I looked for a large industry that could virtually do everything and found it! A Steel Mill! of course I spent a lot of time maybe years researching the Steel Mill Industry and scratch building a furnace in O scale was a testing time but I got there in the end and never regretted it now at 76 years old I have enough modelling and operation with the Steel Mill to last me for the rest of my life and am very happy with the railroad the way it is. I still have plenty of ideas for expansion and changes I don't think it will happen even though my health has never been better but who knows what your destiny is ! Never make excuses, just do it, has been my motivation over the years if you run out of money get a second job to finance it you will find a way I did. And I admire your family 8 children! Way to go, we had 4 and now have 9 grandchildren good stuff. Roo.

What a great as attitude you, Roo, have about your empire.

I don't think the desire ever goes away.  I could have a layout the size of the one at the club and the desire to expand would still be present.  I don't think our creativity ever stops.

-Greg

I have a 15x20 layout at home and a huge club layout to play with, I am always wishing I could expand the home layout, I don't because it would get out of hand.

I get my large train fix at the club and run the trains at home that navigate the 048 and 060 curves I have, and an overhead 2 track 027 shelf train that stretches out my coal cars and grain train.

No the desire for more seems to be there no matter what for me.   but I have filled all the available space, so I have to settle for little changes.

Now as to how long, my layout was started 30 years ago.    It was designed for operation and I have never been bored with it and the overall concept.    As I said small changes have been made, but the mainline is as it was designed.   

I have built 3-4 previous layouts and the ones that were loops no matter how detailed, did get boring once they were complete.    But once I learned about car card operation, I have been very happy with this layout and the previous one.

At best, one can only  think  they are satisfied.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Never! The layout, like the Universe, is meant to expand forever.

LOL, Arnold

One more thing. Like Jim, I've filled all available space in the basement for my O gauge layout, but I plan to design and build a new layout in S Gauge in another location: the mud room in the house. This will begin in the Spring when I get rid of stuff in that mud room in the next bulk trash pick up.

The reason for me sharing this is not just to express my excitement. It is also to share that for us old timers, who may be empty nesters, you may be able to use another room or rooms in the house. This may involve some careful negotiation with your spouse. Arnold

Scott;

It took me until I was 60 and retired to finally start building my first layout although I was buying trains since early in college. As for my desires ever being satiated, the desire is always there, but space is finite (although I am considering a future build UP!!!). If I remember my college management studies correctly, the term that might apply is satisficing... (that should up the google hits!!!). To paraphrase something someone told me about home improvements... building a layout never ends... it can only be stopped   

ogaugenut posted:

No

Yes.

(However, it is often replaced by "I wish that I had done that, instead of this". Indeed, the "wish I had done X, Y or Z differently" can even include "smaller".)

I'll usually open my wallet for a "better" mousetrap.  I'm very space-limited, and already have most of everything that I ever wanted.  But... if someone builds a loco that runs better (slower), lower gear ratio, a better mechanical design that's easier to customize or repair, etc., then I'll bite.  Electronics upgrades don't count-- putting a Becker Grand Prix stereo in a Chevy doesn't make it a Mercedes!

Problem is, the manufacturers tend to rest on their laurels.  When Lionel re-introduced back-drivable gears ten years ago, that was huge!  The perfect mechanism hasn't been offered in O scale yet.  Hopefully new technologies like 3D printing will make continued innovation possible in the face of this hobby's declining demographic.

The static grass is always greener on the next layout.

Rusty

Thanks for the many thoughtful replies.  Given my limited time and space, the incremental, measured approach to layout expansion is working for me.  I'm having lots of fun and the anticipation of next new build is keeping interest high.  Also, looking forward to my first York in a few weeks!

YES; once you run out of money! 

Rod

"Is the desire to expand ever satiated?"

Not only that, but it's never satisfied, either.

Andre

About six months ago, I completed a 10'-by-5' layout that was the subject of the cover photo and an article in OGR Run 304.

I spent five years building the layout and still have room and tracks in place for an expansion that I had planned from the beginning. But, although I would like to build the expansion, I have not been able to get myself going on it. This, despite the fact that I'm unhappy not to be building a model railroad. One reason I have been delaying is that construction of the layout was a lot of work from which taking a break is a relief. But, I do hope to get started eventually because my desire to expand has not been satiated...

MELGAR

Scott,

Great thread and question. Everyone has said it, NO! I think anyone passionate about the hobby will never be satisfied 100%. With the internet, sites like these, books, and just going near your neighborhood railroad ideas are constantly put in our minds. If I see something I like I often say I wonder if I could do a rendition of that on my layout. Lately, the answer has been no do to space constraints.

I am in the scenery stages on my layout which is very exciting and have watched it change before my eyes. Because I didn't plan out the details, as I should have, I truly can say I don't know how many areas on the layout will turn out. I guess that keeps it even more exciting. Even though the layout is not "finished", I will look at a section and say I need to re-do that. A great modeler told me that I should keep moving forward to complete the entire layout then go back and re-visit a certain section if I had issues with it. This has to happen or a layout will never have a sense of being finished.

With the fine details I want to accomplish on my layout there's enough to keep me busy for a few years. Once I have achieved the level of detail I want I will sit back and enjoy it for a while. I believe at that point my satiation will be at an all time high. NEW LAYOUT!

Dave

Yes, in 2008.

When the layout gets too big to operate easily with more effort than fun, it's time to make it smaller. I've gone from 6'x16' down to 4'x12' and tend to run my trains more than I had. It's all personal preference.