Where have you made the most improvment in your modeling skills?

Good thread, Michael. For me, I think that it has been in the initial overall design phase. With my last layout, I was able to think it out before I started the benchwork and do the design to reflect what I really wanted out of the new layout. Having gone through this before, I learned a great deal from my past mistakes.

So, I would recommend you take as much time as you need and think out what you want in your new layout. DRAW IT ALL OUT BEFORE YOU BEGIN CONSTRUCTION.

Michael, I went from colored sawdust and trees that looked like brushes in my early days of layout building to numerous ground coverings, rock molding, realistic bushes and trees and new mountain building techniques.  It was an overall learning experience for me from the ground up. 

I recommend taking your time and build a small diorama experimenting with ground cover, plaster cloth, rock moldings and colors before using the new scenery technology on your layout.  This way you have some experience.

Construction of a layout, to me, is half the fun of the model railroad hobby.

Steve, Lady and Tex

The biggest improvement in my scenic skills came from being more observant of how scenery was in real life. Views of waterfalls, mountains, hills, streams, rock formations and the conditions along the tracks tell a story that can be incorporated into a model train layout. In addition to OGR, I also subscribe to magazines that feature trains of the past. Real life scenes can be a big inspiration for a model RR.  

My biggest improvement has been in applying hydrocal. But the time I'm done with rebuilding mine I'll have applied about 325 lbs. of it. I was a lot like you when I first started too, I think we all are.  My biggest help has been in watching YouTube and videos I purchased.  Model Railroader video plus is very helpful as well.  Run a search on YouTube for O scale layout update and see what the others are doing.  But before you do anything Plan Ahead, give it a Lot of thought as to what you want to accomplish this time around and explore more than one way to attain each of your goals.  Don't just jump on the first idea that comes into your head.

Michael,

I also think you started an excellent thread.  I've made a lot of improvements in my skill set since starting my first permanent layout - the PRR Panhandle.  I'm still working on it and don't know if there will be a move in my future.  But if there is, I will also make a number of improvements and changes.

For myself, improvements have been:

• Better research skills and a reduction in the use of the "Ready, Fire, Aim" approach.

• I now tend to look at the prototype to determine to do something or for how something should look rather than just dream it up.

• Much improved scratchbuilding techniques (I was a complete novice at first).  I'm willing to attempt things that would have scared me off earlier.

• Improved electrical and wiring skills.

George

This is a great thread!

Like others, I was so excited to get trains up and running that I didn't really plan well with respect to wiring. 

My track plan was well thought out and everything was within reach but then I got the bug to expand.  I really wanted a 3rd loop but adding 5" extensions around my 5x14x9 layout meant I couldn't reach everything and I had operating accessories (sawmill, oil drum loader) out of reach..not good.   I've recently decided that since I wish to expand the layout more I will be doing 2 things.

First, I will redo the small industrial switching area which is presently out of reach and make it into a scenic small lake and recreation area.  The few operating accessories will be the likes of a playground and tire swing so I don't have to worry about logs or oil drums going all over the place.  

Second, I will also be ripping out all the wiring and redoing with larger gauge wire and it will be labeled and organized to a degree fitting someone with OCD (which I have.  I guess my meds just worked to well.  I will think of going off them as I do the re-wire..lol) 

I've also gotten better at scenery and this will give me opportunities to replace some of the existing scenery as well.

It's going to be a lot of work but well worth it in the long run.

-Greg

This has made me think.   Most of you have promoted "planning, planning, planning".  I beg to differ a little.  I'll begin by quoting one of my favorites:  "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

I started my permanent layout 7 years ago.  It began as a Christmas Layout 4'X7' 28 sq. ft.  It is now 10x that size.  I never dreamed it would become this large and this important in my life.  My beginnings were very humble and it is only through excitement and reading that I have moved this far.  I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned, adjusted, tore down, re-laid track, added more dimensions and have, in my humble opinion a pretty fun but, incomplete, layout.  And, it always will be.

If I were to start all over, then yes, I would plan from the ground up based upon my developed knowledge of the hobby.  (Don't forget the quote!")  No way am I going to start all over!!!!  So for those of you who are having fun and aren't afraid to modify just let your imagination roam and find a way to make it fit....

No one's layout is perfect.  Hopefully, we will always be learning new skills and techniques.  There is always something you want to redo,or build or modify.  Have lots of fun doing just that!!!!

My layout has a lot of electrical items, lights and operating accessories.  The wiring has become a real mess.  Whenever anything electrical goes bad I find that I need to hunt down the individual wires in order to see where they go.  Here are a couple of videos that show the progression of my layout and control panel from the beginning 7 years ago to its mostly finished state about a year ago.