The surprising speed of some layout builders

I'm with you. My trainroom has a "BLT 6/10" I stenceled on the wall. Still no track laid.  I just plug away at building "something" whenever there aren't 100 other things waiting to be done, first. Someday, someday....

I've been working on mine for almost 8 years now. I have the track work mostly done, the wiring mostly done and fraction of the scenic done. Many years to go!

I think a lot has to do with the size of the layout and the time we have to build.

 

I am building a medium to small layout.  8.5' by 13 foot.  I am ready to do scenery in some areas.  I have been building for just over a year now.  I do plan to put on a major expansion next month for the car ferry but it will only add a few square feet.

 

I have a 5 year plan for the layout and plan to have it 100% complete in 5 years.  

 

If you have a fairly large layout with a little bit of time to work on it then it will take you a very long time.  

It's just a matter of priorities. IMHO And time management. My wife gets excited with each little addition to our layout. 

If you engage a professional layout builder, it should be accomplished rather quickly as this is their living and they do not like to stretch projects out.

 

I also agree with the above poster about the size of the layout and the amount of detail you want in terms of the time it requires to finish a layout (if it ever is really done).

 

The third part of the equation is how much available time do you have to put into building the layout.

 

All of these factors play a part in completion time. While building my layout, I was commuting a long distance to work and had limited time to work on it. It took five years to get it into a finished product and then we recently remolded the layout. recently.

I for one am also not in a hurry to get "DONE". Most of my fun is designing the next area and building "whatever" I need for that. Not saying that it will "never" be done, just having fun right now putting it together.

Having all the right materials available immediately will speed-up building everything. 

 

 

Andrew

My friends can vouch for my layouts never getting finished.  As I build my layout, I seem to think of something else to place in area already complete.  Yes, I do get razed at times by my no imagination friends, but that is part of the hobby for me.

Al

I can understand slow, but how does one go 8 years and not even hit the point of scenery?

 

What have you been doing, cutting down and hand hewing trees for the benchwork?

I was so obsessed with the velocity of my layout building, I would stare at it for 30 minutes, push in a tree, stand back, admire it from several angles and then take a nap.

It's so easy to feel left behind in this process as you see other's progress out pace your own.  Over the years I have built some very modestly sized layouts fairly quickly (less than 6 - 8 months).  Now I am working on what I call my "permanant layout" which is about 8' by 25'.  To say that I am taking my time is an understatement.  Although I have made good progress, most of it was in the first two years and I began construction in October of 2007.  Track is mostly down but I have been (very slowly) adding some wooden trestles and preparing the area underneath for a river.  I also ended up adding a double track EL in my city area which I had not originally planned for.  The bottom line is my job and home life do not allow for a lot of time to work on the layout.  But I keep doing what I can and am determined to finish in the not to distant future.  The big push for me is to get the track and switched completed and wired with the bridges in place.  Then test runs for clearance and finally scenery.  Keep going and build in a day or two for "the big push" to get to the next phase and progress will come.  That is my summer goal  BigRail

Another thing is to just do a little bit every day or every few days.  Check out the "What did you do on your layout today?" thread.  I said I would spend 10 minutes every day doing something on my layout, and no I havent been able to do that every single day but 5 out of 7 days I do.  Sometimes it is lay down some plaster cloth, sometimes it is fix a switch or something, and sometimes it is do maintenance on a locomotive or rolling stock.

 

A little bit each day adds up to a lot of time on the layout quickly for those of us with busy lives and kids.  

Well, for years I have looked at "completed" layouts written up in a variety of magazines, and wondered if they were built at abandoned auto factories with thousands

of laborers gluing on a tie or a spot of ballast  as the layout frame rolled down the assembly line?  And the thought always is, "How'd they get so much done that quick?"

 

I have been working on a 30 X 30 double deck layout since 2008. The biggest road block is myself. Somethings I can get off my rear and do in one night and others I keep chiseling at it until its done. Some items like adding a spot lamp fixture that I know is going to be a pain I have put off for years... (this will come back to bite me)

The point is you have to realize what is stopping you from completing your goals, address that issue and move on.

 

I think the biggest kick in the pants is to host a open house or invite some train friends over to run trains on your layout... that will get you moving!

I get asked that all the time.

 

Two answers:

1. Retirement

2. My train room sign that says, "I did this while you were watching television."

 

 

Jim

"I did this while you were watching television."

          .  .  .  .  .  Jim "Quick as a cat" Policastro

I love it

I love it

I have also built a number of layouts over the years and am now building my "dream layout". I have made a few discoveries during this time.

 

1. It's more fun to build the layout than it is to admire the finished product.

2. Once the track work is complete, the pressure is off.

3. Completing sections of the layout allows you to enjoy all aspects of the hobby and not get so burnt out on any one aspect.

4. You will always discover changes or additions you want to make.

5. Having company scheduled is a great motivator to get things done.

 

Above all, have fun and don't stress about it.

 

Art

Art,

 

You and I are about at the same place with our layouts.

I agree with everything you have said.

Particularly, number #1 !!

 

Eliot

The pace you operate at should be your own. It can be dictated by who you are and what you want to accomplish. Not time bound unless that is who you are. I like to run trains and operate accessories, not do scenery. David56

 I have to agree overall that this is the biggest. We can all get into a groove and things would go faster if everything was available.

 I don't want to ever add up the dollars spent building these. There are limits to what I can get my hands on and track and switches were a big problem. I'm on a ten year plan that's gone past a few decades. I now blame it on switching scales 3 times......

.... and all you guys selling me too much stuff!

I shall brag a bit, if I may. I built a fully functional U shaped 16' X 20' Legacy equipped 2 story layout up to the green paper without fascia or a box for the power equipment in 6 days.  4 days building the benchwork in my garage and 2 days to install in the customer's basement.  On the seventh day I rested.  That was a trip, in more ways than one.  He had his layout for the March Jewish holiday, which I can't remember the name of, but that was my directive.  And I delivered, completely solo, the design, build and install.  Which was nice...

My last layout was almost finished but it took me more than eight years. This one I'm doing in finished sections. Track, electric and landscaping. Getting close to finishing the first. Don

You all have made me feel so good!!! 

 

Some times reading this forum can make you feel a little "less than".  We are surrounded by talented hobbyists and it can be daunting to see their amazing accomplishments.  If you let it daunt you.  Today you have shared your angst about not getting it done fast enough...  Nice to know you!  I feel the same way, but we have accomplished something, which is enjoying the process and what we have. 

 

I love my layout,  I have learned so much here.  All of the posters are generous with their ideas.  Some a little cocky, but that's just human nature.  The success is not measured in "gettin' her don'" but in learning a new skill and finding a nice place to use it.  Here's the really bad news - It will never be done!

 

Thanks so much for all you share on this forum.

Wood, I've had five layouts and never finished any of them. When I came close to finishing my last one I slowed way down. I really enjoy building more than running. The one I'm building now is going to be a lot of work so I'm progressing at a good pace. I've poured 125 lbs of plaster just in one section. Don

 You cut me Jim!

It's tough when people you look up to and like, say stuff like this. It's great because it's what's needed for me to get motivated. I'm assuming you made that sign Jim.

 There are treasures here on the forum that keep it well rounded. I like the guys with the experience that coach us. Some are tough S.O.

 I try to obey the chain of command.

I've had five layouts and never finished any of them. When I came close to finishing my last one I slowed way down. I really enjoy building more than running.

 

Don, I so understand that statement.  I have one layout that has grown in 3 stages.  Only the first stage was planned.  When I finished that I kept saying what's next.  The building is my obsession.  When I have a vision, I can't wait to get home at night and work on the project.  

 

A short story.  I ride bikes for exercise and 4 years ago I was pushed over in a race and pretty badly bruised my shoulders and rib cage.  The doctor gave me good drugs and told me to stay home and rest.  After the third day, I headed on down to a NAPA auto shop and bought a mechanic's roller sled and used it under the table to do all the wiring on my next stage.  Obsession, really what's that???  Ha Ha  

Interesting topic.  I've seen people who "hire it done" and get one or more people in to work full time on a layout: A "pro" - someone who knows how to do things well, and fast, can really build out a layout in a surprisingly quick time. The people hring them want the layout done. 

 

 I've made a study of and work to find short-cuts and ways to do things quickly myself, but I have no deadline.  It probably makes a difference but in my case I'm seven years into a 330-odd square foot layout and its only, maybe, 80% complete. And when and if I finish it, I would tear up parts and start all over anyway . . .

A common observation I have read here is that more than quite a few forum members enjoy the building of a layout considerably more than having a finished product. I just do not see the necessity of making what is enjoyable for many, in effect, a speed contest. I don't even see how you equate speed to any of this..I enjoy taking my time. Especially since retirement..I don't feel that anxiety of trying to fit 15 hours into an 8 hour day. To me the best work is done slowly and carefully.

Any time I rushed a job there were more screw ups.

Bruce