Which is more fun - building a layout or running trains?

     I like building the layout my dad likes running them. Choo Choo Kenny

Running it and enjoy having friends run it. Besides, I'm now too old to do all that construction & wiring again anyway.

Building the model RR.. Here is the latest.. City of Hampden that is being built in

the model shop and once 'complete', will be delivered upstairs to the model 

RR and inserted with the rest of the city.. 

DB

 

 

I love run trains them with my grandson but I also love sitting back running them by my self sipping a jack and coke and thinking about future projects.

 

Paul

Personally, I think repairing trains is more fun than anything. Anyone who ever saw my plywood railroad would know that! There is nothing better than getting a balky or non-functioning loco or whatever, and getting it back to operating as designed, or even better. This is how I enjoy the hobby. That, and running prewar and 40's postwar trains. 

I guess for me it's the planning stage.  Drawing the track plan on computer.  I suppose that's why I have about a thousand diagrams of track plans and no layout.  LOL

 

For the carpenter in me, I would say that building it would be the most enjoyable aspect of the hobby as I worked as a carpenter for several years.  However, running trains is like the icing on the cake to me.

 

Rick

My vote it for running trains. I need to reengage and finish laying track so I can start wiring. It gets to be a grind after a certain point.

 

Gilly

Q: Which is more fun - building a layout or running trains?

A: Yes.

I liked building and expanding the layout for the first 10 years of its existence. The next 10 years I've enjoyed operation, making improvements to the layout, and maintaining the fleet.

 

I'm still making changes in the train room, as I am in the process of converting an old sink cabinet into a train display case.

Hi Art, For me it is a flip of the coin. 

 

I started out as an operator and then I joined this forum and saw how much more I could do to improve the layout.  I still love running the trains and whenever I get into a big project that requires tearing up a section of track my main priority is to get it done so I can run the trains again.

 

But, right now I have so much work to do and enjoy modeling and improving the layout.  It is quite intriguing to learn new techniques for modeling and then perfecting them on the layout.  I hope to get the layout "finished" and then I'll be like Hotwater - "...too old to do all of that wiring and construction."  LOL

 

Both sides of the equation are lots of fun and really what this hobby is all about.

Since my layout is tiny (7'x 9') and is against a corner (accessible only from the front and one side) I have only a one sided town!  I enjoy running way more than layout work.  If I had the room, I'd be into layout work, you betcha.  My least favorite thing is wiring and getting down and dirty with spiders and other train-dungeon wildlife.  Thousand leggers are the worst!  Great thread!

 

Rich   

That's a tough question Art. I really like both aspects of the hobby. I still have a fair amount of construction left, but it is winding down. When I'm done with the track in a few months, I'll be getting heavily into wiring. Then the operating will kick into high gear. Looking forward to that!

Hi Art, I get pleasure from all sides of the Hobby, Friends over running trains, Family over running trains, Friends over helping in building and wiring and then Running the trains. Its especially fun watching these big engines going through the scenery and the sidings, and the stations, up and down the Helixes, and just plain Fun with all aspects of the Hobby!

Having breakfast with Art once a month!

Aw, gee, do I have to choose????

 

OK, yes, then.

 

Both.

 

But right now I'm on a building binge...That pile of rainy/snowy day project kits must be reduced in size!

 

Of course, the layout will never be done, really.  I'll be 'done' (the fire will be dropped from my own boiler) before the layout is, anyway. 

 

It's all therapeutic....and FUN!

 

KD

I enjoy building much more than just running the trains.

 

 

 

    Building!

YES!!!

Definitely a runner first, but definitely dream of a good layout.  Just that little matter of time & money....  Usually I tend to invest my funds in the trains themselves first.  Even running a simple loop around the Christmas Tree is entertaining, or, at least, relaxing. 

Chugman,

   I like doing both but if you forced me to pick one or the other, it would be doing the engineering and building different layouts, that keeps my interest in the O gauge hobby,  however I have dreamed of running my trains via remote control sense I was a little boy, DCS & Legacy are also a big part of why I still love the O Gauge Hobby. 

PCRR/Dave

 

The latest Multi level DCS/Legacy controlled Christmas FasTrack Layout.

Running !

Great question, Art. And to me there is no perfect answer.

 

A model railroad is an evolution of sorts. First the planning (lots of fun to brainstorm), then the construction phase, and finally you get to enjoy what you have built. If you do it right, there is equal enjoyment at each step of the way. 

 

I would not dread the time when you are essentially done, as you will continue to fine tune the layout based upon regular operations. And if you ever do get to a finished point, just increase the number of operating sessions to suit your needs. It is all good.

I can't even count how many different displays I've gone through in the last eight years. I enjoyed them all but at some point the urge to construct takes over and out comes the hammer down goes the old display and new construction begins. I guess demolition is the most fun followed by construction and then running the trains.

Being limited to 8 X 5 space allows me to enjoy it all when ever a particular urge hits.

I'm in a planning process now for a new year round display.

I enjoy both aspects.  Then again, running means I'm not covered with or sweeping up sawdust!

 

Rick 

I like Operating much more than building a layout.  by operating I mean moving the cars to specific industrial sidings according a switchlist of some sort.    And classifying the yard for outgong trains and then sending them off to staging.    I like working a local passenger train setouts and pickups  up express cars along its route.    

 

I like the layout as a stage to do the operating.   I don't like bare plywood, so I force myself to do scenery which is my least favorite chore on the railroad.    My layout is large and there is always some project or maintenance to do, so I don't anticipate tearing it down until or unless I move.  

 

I like building models and painting and lettering stuff.   I like working on the locos and cars much more than on the layout.     I am always trying to make my models more and more prototypical as I learn more.

I like to turn out the room lights and watch 'em run.

 

Pete

BOTH EQUALLY

Interesting question. I like building model trains the most. Then building structures, then tracks and wiring. I am from the old school. I am into 2 rail rapid transit. When I started there were no RTR  for me at all. I started building from scratch using Northeastern wood, file folders and as Van Jones put it scrounging. I use styrene and brass. I love building cars from scratch, kit bashing and buying junk cars and rebuilding them. I also convert MTH cars to 2 rail. I run on predominantly Atlas 2 rail with a dummy outside third rail. I am now rebuilding some of my old equipment that is being attacked by Mother Nature and Father Time. I then run the cars on my never finished layout to test them and to keep them alive. No sound or dcc just 12 volt DC with Arista hand held remote. 

That being said, I have been doing this all my life and will continue to do so as long as I can. I have met some wonderful people doing this along the way. I cannot imagine what else I would to with my time. There is no better hobby than model railroading!

Nate

At one time both.  But now pushing 70 with some serious

health problems in the last few years, running trains is

a great way for me to enjoy this great hobby.

 

Many thanks,

 

Billy C

Actually, the best is when you can do both, when enough of the layout is done that you can run trains, but there is still a lot of work to do on the layout.  

 

But of the two, for me, building the layout, absolutely.

Running trains is the 'Icing on the Cake'.

Designing, Engineering, Building, I enjoy, but it requires allot of thought and patience.

 

If you push the bar in the latter the icing just taste even better.

 

I think one of the great parts of this hobby is its many different facets. A little carpentry, a little wiring and planning it all with a little drafting topped off by sitting back and letting them run.........oh darn now why did it derail there#@#@!!!

I read something a while back that said, when constructing your layout, get a train up and running as soon as possible.  that way, you won't lose interest or get discouraged when you have a lot left to do.

 

I rarely had anything larger than a 4x8 foot table, except the past couple years i had a layout when I added a 4x4 foot extension to make it an "L".  so I never did any real scenery, just k-line/plasticville style buildings, premade trees, half painted/unpainted people, and some diecast cars.  If I got annoyed at stuff falling over I hot glued it down.  maybe two or three times a year I was changing the track plan, but I was always up and running.

 

So, i'd say running (while working on small projects around the layout)

 

On a scale of 1-10:

 

1. I rate running trains with friends as 10.

 

2. Next I really enjoy the designing and planning stage.  I'll give that a solid 8.

 

3. Least favorite are those all important steps of building the layout.   I'll give this a 2.

 

In item #3 there are no short-cuts.  Benchwork, laying track, wiring, scenery and so on and so on.  I am my own worst critic and always want everything to be perfect.  As a result, my many year project of building a too large HO layout in the basement ends this week.  Not because I am finished and ready to run trains.  But because at this rate by the time I am 143 years old it will be a-l-m-o-s-t finished and most of my friends and their grand children will be dead.

 

I belong to a great O gauge club and we can run our trains 4 days each month,  ALWAYS with friends.  

 

See item #1 above.

Me too.

 

Richie

Running trains.

Originally posted by SantaFeJim:

 

1. I rate running trains with friends as 10.

 

2. Next I really enjoy the designing and planning stage.  I'll give that a solid 8.

 

3. Least favorite are those all important steps of building the layout.   I'll give this a 2.

 

My sentiments exactly. Except I do enjoy building structures too.

I like both about equally.  I am with those who say they like it best when the layout is done enough to make running trains interesting, but there is still a lot I want to build.

Art,

I agree with Brian (PTC) as there is no perfect answer. To be truthful, I prefer to test run a freshly restored piece. After doing so they're placed on a shelf. Then, it's time to start in on another pre 1934 Lionel. Be it Std or O-Gauge .

 

God Bless,

"Pappy"