What happens when the layout is "finished?'

I was unaware that one could 100% complete a layout; generally by the time one gets close to an end point, one has learned enough to be dissatisfied with some aspect(s) and go back to upgrade, improve, change, replace, etc.

Although, for many just running the trains is the end point.

Some tear it all out and start over,

Finished? How can your layout be "finished"? Is your scenery all complete? Have you then begun to add small details like, fire hydrants, broken couplers in the yard, "junk" around the engine terminal, etc., etc., etc.?

I run trains every night for two hours, it has a relaxing effect. I try to focus on staging trains to avoid boredom. 

Cab you add staging to your layout?

My bench work is complete. And all the track is laid, however the details and the scenery will long continue.

Hello,

I agree with all the replies. In truth, the model railroad is never completed because you will always think of details to add or minor (or major) changes that had not thought of.

I equate "finishing a layout" to reaching the end of the Internet.  Just not possible. Nice idea though. 

Ed

1. Your never really done like everybody said. 

2. Coming home from work the first thing I did was run the trains. Helped me unwind and relax.

3. Refer to # 1. 

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

If you really think your layout is "finished" dismantle it and build a better one using the knowledge you accumulated by building the first one.

Pete

Texas Pete posted:

If you really think your layout is "finished" dismantle it and build a better one using the knowledge you accumulated by building the first one.

Pete

I could not say it any better

This is why many people design layouts with some kind of railroad operation in mind. Just a few industries open up a whole world of switching possibilities.

Try this topic.

If you are still interested in the hobby, you can upgrade everything you have.  Cardstock buildings replaced with scratch built or kit bashed buildings.  MPC cars can have details added or replaced with more detailed models.  Passenger cars can be replaced with scale models.   Add a track switch for a spur to a new industry.   John

a layout is like Disneyworld ---- it is never complete

Bob C.

Robert Coniglio posted:

a layout is like Disneyworld ---- it is never complete

Bob C.

Yup and there's always addons . I gonna move the furnis for the next one!

What did I do? I joined a modular group where the layout always changes.

As j Daddy said, run your trains.  Isn't that why we build layouts ?   Granted, there is always something to do, even on a "Finished" layout.  To me, a finished layout is one of those on display at malls.  They're set up, run for the public, then either taken down or remain a mainstay for years.  

Finished layout? ... To me it sounds like bragging

Layouts are never finished. My last one was 99% finished so I started going back to fix things I didn't like anymore. You learn as you build so there's always things you can improve. Don

Finishing is sort of like reaching the peak of the mountain. You're only there for a short bit of time and then the descent begins. That's when you start finding all of the aspects that you'd like to change. 

There is no way a layout can ever be finished, even though it looks completed, there are many things left to do, special wiring for special effects, scenery, weathering effects, adding sidings, adding new Vision to your layout may include, VisionLine Products, Legacy, or LegacyL Command, its simply not ever possible to 100% Complete a Model Railroad.....???????? This is why the old saying goes, "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, "That's Why they call it The Present".....Keep those trains rolling.

I do know of two decent sized well executed layouts that when "done", the owners were so bored they tore it out and quit the hobby. 

Something needs replacing, cleaning, a better spot for a building, it is never complete.

100 % agree with all the comments above

Brent

As the saying goes, "A Layout Is Never Finished". There's always for more possibilities for more real-estate and industry and scenery. A layout is something that is fun and never is finished, accept to a point where your satisfied. But even then someone or myself will come up with an idea and then add to that spot or move another building to add another building. Also the saying, "The Possibilities Are Endless".   

When the layout is "finished" you run the train on it a few times, take note of bad spots or areas you took short cuts on, then rip those areas apart and update them. After the updates, you repeat the process. At some time, you dump the whole "finished" layout and start over. That's why a layout is never "finished".

I still think about a re-design on a very large section of the club layout, but the work involved would have the layout down for weeks. If this was a home layout, I would have already had half of that section ripped out for a re-work. We ripped out a 40-foot section of track because it paralleled the benchwork edge. Took the entire day, but we removed, relaid, and re-wired 80+ feet of track. We did it on a Sunday when the club was closed, but the results were much more satisfying. The original section had been laid by a member who was a civil engineer (who was a toy train guy and enamored with laser-straight track).

Buildings go up, buildings come down, cars get driven around and parked.

Parades of people meet to play football in everyday dress, and car shows.

On empty streets, tumbled barrels, benches, and slapstick accidents.

The scenery at east changes some when I blow off dust getting ready to vacuume.  

There's "train orders". Proto operations should could be tried too. With or without switching, train assembly.  Shuffle some file cards, 1 for each car and just move town to town by loop count per-X mile (300m Det-Chig.=30laps at 10miles) each a loop. Add other factors as you chose. You might have just a small a log too, or a complicated logistic system.

You know, it is a railroad - and meant to be operated, to some degree of realism (that can vary a lot - it can be casual or very involved; somewhere in-between is usually the most entertaining scheme).

Also, if you find watching trains boring, why did you build it?

you run your trains and something will break and need fixing.  you will get a good idea about adding something and then have to remodel the layout to add the item.  someone will suggest, why not make that building with flashing lights a burning building with smoke. 

by this time the layout will need cleaning.

it is a never ending process.

Wow.  You're almost done?  Whats your secret?

Terry Danks posted:

Just watching trains go round and round will not hold attention very long. Expansion will not be possible.

Don't have a layout go round and round. Nothing, I've noticed, will kill your interest in a layout faster than having it run in a loop. You can only see them go around a finite number of times before you get bored. Then, it's only good to show off to others.

Operation, I've found, is the key to keeping a layout interesting. Car cards, building up trains and switch lists, having 'crews' come over and actually running trains to real destinations, that's what a real RR does. It doesn't have to be so detailed that it starts to feel like work but I promise it'll open a whole new world for those in the hobby who've never done so before if they like how real RRs work...

My layout was designed specifically for that, even though it's in a small room... I can run a couple of trains through, with just 2 guys, and a couple of hours have gone by before you know it.

P51 has it right, loops are boring and interest is lost quickly.  My layout is 38 yrs old and I am still adding features, latest was a operating gantry crane.  I just added another track around the turntable.  I also picked up a couple of 4-4-0 Generals after turning my nose up on them for years.

My layout was designed to be complicated and is full of action, all to keep it interesting and challenging.  Three transformers, five train operation at a time (two per circuit via relayed blocks), 27 switches, turntable, and at least 10 operating accessories.  The layout is in the middle of the room with tracks everywhere.  I am always getting ideas to add, change or improve the layout.

Model trains are not my only hobby and they get more attention in the winter.  For years the layout was on the floor in the family room from Nov until Mar or so.  Trains is a part time hobby for me and I enjoy fixing up cars engines and making improvements as much or more than operating.

Charlie

PS  I plan to start a thread on my layouts evolution over the years soon.

Here is what happened to mine just today......

Donald

Train layouts are like the Las Vegas Strip always buildings under construction or being demolished.

Install a car card system, write up a train schedule, and start up operating sessions.

Keep adden on.

Not possible for me.  I have been building my layout for over 12  years and I figure I'm about 1/8 done.  It also is interesting enough to really enjoy running and switching trains.  I guess the secret is to not build a boring layout.

Dennis

In my case P51 has it wrong.  Haven't tired of loop running in over sixty years.  I find it to be an excellent relaxation/meditation tool.

If I wanted to "operate" a railroad I would have put in an application with MoPac many years ago.

Pete

Ah, you enjoy running your trains.  It's a no brainer.

3rail 2 posted:

Here is what happened to mine just today......

Donald

Donald, is that your basement, garage or attic? I ask because I see all three aspects in the pictures you posted, LOL! I see the garage along with pulldown stairs and then the othe two which I'm assuming is your basement. Pretty Cool! Out here in Cali- attic is totally out of the question(think about the Twilight Zone episode of the earth moving too close to the sun-LOL!), a basement is totally out of the question, when Mother nature likes to turn over in her bed she pulls all the covers and everything come crashing down! And unfortunately I really do need the garage for my cars. So for right now I am classified as a collector. Good Luck with the re-build, I would love to see pics when you're through.

I agree with MWB and Pete, in particular. Every layout is going to be, one way or another, a loop or loops within a limited amount of real estate. I can't even tell you how many times I have re-done my layout, though absolutely happy with each effort. There have been scenes on the layout, within it s limited dimensions, that I really liked, but, sometime later, craving the creative adventure of it all, ripped it out and totally re-crafted the same space. Why not? Let's play!

See example, here: top2 photos circa2006; bottom 2, same real estate 2016...

FrankM, also, OGR Run 285

Finished? (Playoffs?) Finished? (Playoffs?) Don't talk to be about being finished ! (Don't talk to me about the playoffs!)

Finished? (Playoffs?) Man, a layout ain't never finished. (The season ain't over)

I think you might be better off pondering something that has more of a chance of happening, such as whether you'll ride bareback or with a saddle after you catch a unicorn.

SJS

P.S. FWIW, I really am enjoying the replies to this thread, particularly "I was unaware that one could 100% complete a layout...".