I'm sure many others have been in this situation. After years and many layouts at various homes, I think I finally figured out what my big layout problem is. I am "stuck" in an old mindset, and keep trying to build something with all the traps that "I'm used to".
I'm stuck in the box. Literally. I keep building 4 x 8 tables and putting them together, just like I remember when I was a kid. I'm constantly boxed in. This is by no means a small layout, as I am up to at least 13 of those surfaces connected, but I keep connecting the rectangles and stay disappointed with the results. No wonder. It finally dawned on me that as I look at the really nice layouts folks have posted so many pictures of, that the look has a lot to do with just using the wood you need under the tracks. Not the square look of tables, but rounded, custom cut bases that take care of the need and give the best look.
I guess I have that bad old habit that's more of a 50's post war kind of thinking. It depends on what you want in the end, because those traditional table looks are done very well is a lot of cases. It's just not where I want to be anymore, and it's time for some new thinking - to find my way out of the boxes. What I am learning in the process is that I just have a hard time thinking that way. I am a creature of habit, and keep repeating the same old things with the same old feelings of disappointment.
But as I thought about this, I get the sense that I can't be alone - hence this post, and my request for feedback to see what others have done to get out of the trap. I have mostly done perimiter layouts in previous homes. Build along the walls, going all the way around. It works, but this time I wanted to be able to walk around, yet have the big layout as I dreamt it. I'm just not happy with it and it has me so stuck I refused to do the landscaping or continue with lighting and accessories, etc. The basement is big enough to do things either way, so as I think about some major reconstruction, I have some options.
The thing about perimeter layouts is you can have a nice open middle area, and "walk into' the middle of the layout. That draws the visitor in, and allows great access to everything. Right now, I can walk around, or crawl under a small gap, affording me access to a long 2 foot walkway in the middle. That's a pain, and I'm just to old to put up with the crawl anymore. A big open middle with large swooping turns at either end seems like a better plan. As I was tinkering with RRT software, it really occured to me for the first time that I am trapped by the 8 x 4 table concept. If I am building a curve-back with O-72 and maybe O-81 track, that meant I drew a pair of big tables for the long sweeping curves. Tons of square lost space results from that thinking.
So - my "ask" is, how do I get out of the box. What did some of you need to do to break the trap? I really do NOT want to hire a layout builder, and I can cut some wood. Thanks in advance!
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