Really Ugly Layouts

That's definitely not an ugly layout, it just hasn't reached its full potential yet. The baseboard is painted and it doesn't have miscellaneous materials scattered all over it. It looks like you can run trains on it.

There are lots of layouts like this which the owners enjoy tinkering with. We shouldn't have to apologize for average home layouts that aren't award-winning!

I don't see no ugly layout. 

Richie

Bob, your layout looks like a lot of fun. Way better than my first one. Don

That doesn't look bad at all

Not so fantastic Thats the beauty of this hobby, what ever YOU like is whats best.

It doesn't matter if its postwar on the carpet, or vision line stuff on a scenicked layout its hard to tell its not real.

The goal is the same, if YOU enjoy it thats all that matters. We all share the same "goal"  and we each achieve it differently based on our personal tastes.

That layout looks like alot of fun!

If it runs trains and you have fun with it, it ain't ugly.

.....

Dennis

Okay, Bob, you've shown us the one you're having fun with, now show us the ugly one.

Agreed....looks like a great start!

That's not ugly, but I do recall one that was.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures.  Saw it at a train show one.  I think it was used as part of a club's modular layout.  Guy had a number of modules totaling about 20 linear feet.  It was mostly a few tracks set against a backdrop of mountains and cliffs.  The rock work and molding was really well done, but it was painted all pink.  Apparently the guy let his granddaughter pick the paints.  Kudos to him for involving his granddaughter and having the patience to let her run with it while willing to let it be shown in public, but it sure stood out and not in the best of ways.

That's pretty close to ugly.  I tried to take some photos of mine but the camera mysteriously locked up. 

It seems like an ideal layout for reversing loops.  Why did you take them out?  I really like the way your design provided easy access to all the trains and track.

Bob, I don't see anything wrong with your layout and it certainly isn't ugly. Although I would definitely consider re-installing at least one switchable route which allows for reversing your train. Where's that elevated track going? 

I know of 12";1' layouts:

1.  Penn Central

2.  Souther Pacific before the Yellow Borg assimulation!

I've sure I heard some say that the only ugly layout is the one that the owner doesn't want to continue with~

I'll bet there are millions of kids who would call that "beautiful".

(lots of adults also).

See my answer to Jerry about the reversing loops.  I could idle an engine there, becausse I had blocks, but could not keep it running.  Maybe I could add a connection from the inner oval track and go back to a double switch at the "horseshoe."  Don't know if I can engineer that.

Ugly? Not at all! That looks to me like a great "clean slate" to try out trackwork. I like the split configuration -- you have the start of some point-to-point operations between the two sections there. Have fun!

Bob,

Someone coined the phrase "crappy basement layouts," and mine is in that group. My railroad will never rise to magazine quality, but it is one of my favorite pass-times and it is a wonderful stress reliever. Nothing else I have lets me drift into a fantasy, only my railroad does that. I love it!

I am doing scenery now, but no matter how hard I try my efforts will not match most of the layouts that appear on this forum. No matter, I like it and my grandchildren like it, and my friends like it.

My railroad will forever be a "Crappy Basement Layout!"

I don't like the terminology or the negative connotation of "ugly Layouts". Not all hobbyists are rich nor are they skilled landscape artists. Not all train hobbyists have large basements/homes or are they millionaires, although most model railroaders are rich.

  A model train enthusiast builds or puts up something that fits his skill level and budget. As such I appreciate each layout for what it represents. A while back I was an 11 year old kid or modest means, with a floor level 5 x 9 ping pong board Lionel layout with two switches, one train set, two locos, a few accessories and a ZW. Back then my friends thought that this layout was great. Today people might not have the same opinion. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

BOB

A few building and trees and everything will come to life, sure NOT UGLY.   

Very well put, Ace.  Any layout where you can run trains has a beauty all its own, and the potential to be beautiful, at least in the owner's mind's eye, eventually.

looks a-ok to me bob.thats my kind of layout for sure.as long as your having fun is what really matters.

hopefully you will post more pics as your layout progresses.

thop.......

No such thing as an ugly baby or an ugly layout. I do have a pug that has a better looking tail end than its face.

OK, I put the reversing loop back in.  Haven't been able to do much lately - back problem.  Also put a block in between switches in town area.  Thought I had it blocked before, but didn't.  Block remains after exit switch from top of town area.  Fed up with MTH track, but have so much I'll make do.

Don't like the bridge to nowhere, so I will take it out and make a mountain road there.  I'm limited to running one train at a time in conventional mode - it'll be more fun that way.  So I will have to make an exit at top left of country area to park some engines and cars.  Having the MTH T&P engine repaired after I fried it.

Forgot to add pictures.

Looks and reads like you're having fun and enjoying your hobby... isn't that what model trains are supposed to be about?

Keep on having fun!

I am trying to become a member of the crappy basement layout society, but work has been a pain in the a-s lately and working me to death. I will have some time this weekend if the wife will leave me alone to work on my own version of a big ugly layout.

 I'm also a member of the "crappy basement layout society" for about 20 years now 

 But your layout doesn't qualify for membership ,yours shows potential Bob.Mine has gone around a section of 4x9 with one reverse loop it's entire life !

 I've had plans for 20 years to utilize my 12x30 finished room downstairs but it's never come to be....yet 

 Oh,my layouts so ugly I'm ashamed to show everyone a picture of it

sure isnt ugly to my eyes.it looks like a fun layout to run trains on.some bldgs,scenery,and perhaps an upper level loop would vastly improve your layout.

by all means run your trains and enjoy your layout.tnx for posting your pictures also.

thop......

The only ugly layout that I know of is one that sits unused, unfortunately it's in my basement.

That's OK though, I will be able to spend the time on it that I wont for the next few weeks.

I would take a picture of it the way it sits now but I'm afrade you guys might smack me when you see me at York.

I think you guys are being pretty hard on yourselves....I like every one of the photos above for different reasons!!  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Alan

A lot of cool comments on here....enjoyed reading this thread. Good guys run trains 

I agree, these layouts aren't ugly . A few might not be finished yet but Rome wasn't built in a day either.

As a side note, an Ugliest Layout Contest might be fun. Intentionally build a truly butt ugly layout, rusty track, broken mismatched rolling stock, boxes and cans for structures, scrap lumber for framework, etc.

Jerry

Jerry, great idea. Don

Hey Don,

This is an ugly layout

Even without this I think could win the ugly layout contest. I don't own many cars without flaws, and could do a rusty double figure 8 in O-27(snowman loop) and not use two of the same type track sections. The layout..why? The train bug skipped a generation. Dad thought it made a great storage area though. Its 75% cleaner now, couldn't see it last year, No bio-hazard, mostly just new stuff never used. I will begin filling it up with track again...?...sometime this winter, after the holidays. Building a ceiling layout to keep me busy only took a week or so no hurry on this one. 

Bob, that is definitely NOT an ugly layout. In fact it looks good to me.

Well I've seen it all now...

Coyote Ugly

Ugly Betty,

Ugly girl friends

Ugly jobs

Ugly cars

and the trains that only a mother could love...

Now the Ugly layout... is this a contest? Cause I am sure on some of my unfinished areas I could win a few awards.