Who's getting tired of their layout?

I'll hopefully never get tired of my layout mostly because it will always be a work in progress. Change things around, add new details will keep me going.

Rod Miller 

When I get tired of my layout, I go and buy another restoration project, or build a midget layout to drop off at a museum or raffle or something.

I'm not tired of my layout per-say, I'm frustrated with certain aspects of it that just don't work right. I'm looking at a take everything off and redo everything soon. But it is summer, so we aren't really playing with it too much right now.

I may go from O27 to O at the same time, but we'll see.

I'm sorry..

But I'm sitting here in the train room watching Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood and I see you say "Howong"

and I can't help falling out of my chair laughing.

Thanks for the giggle, and no I'm not bored with my layout.

Larry

I'm definitely bored with mine, but that is to be expected, it is a simple 4' x 8' sheet 2ith two  ovals. This is just enough to suffice until we found a new house with a dedicated train room.

John Z

Livesteam1987 posted:

Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself.  I have been into the railroad hobby since I was born.  I am into both O gauge and live steam engine.  I currently have a small oval and run legacy.  I have been trying to build up my collection little by little.  I do have a lot of older Lionel rolling stock, engines , tracks and accessories which I will post at some point for sale.  Right now I am into the modern o scale trains.  

I noticed that you posted this comment about three months ago in a different thread. If all you have is a small oval, it sounds like you need a more interesting layout to maintain interest - which may need more space. If you don't have space for more than an oval layout, maybe O-scale wasn't a good choice.

Some hobbyists can maintain interest by adding more detailed scenery and buildings to a small layout, but others (like me) really want adequate track mileage to run a variety of different trains with different routing options.

Great Question, I am not bored at all, in fact, do to working I have very little time to operate the System. In the near future, first of the year, I plan to retire and go back to working on the Layout. The way we built my layout its different from each side, so it never gets boring. I plan to connect all the wiring of accessories, make all the track adjustments and Yes, one day send Pictures to OGR THE MAGAZINE. My layout is not large, 38 by 17 with 5 levels and twin Helixes. If you are ever in Tennessee, come See Me.  Happy Railroading......from, Leapin Larry's Looney Lines RR.....

Of my train never, of my layout few time so I dismantled it ansd rebuild it again, so far 4 times!!

Andre. 

All the loops (6) that will fit on 2 levels working: several dollars in accessories that need to be connected so all the lights/signs will work The layout is in the garage and in the Dallas area (Rockwall), work/play time is limited to the late afternoons during the summer, most of the work time for me is in the spring and fall. Bama is watched most Saturdays during the fall.

Brent

My layout is 34 years old and I will never get tired of it.  Plan it right and build it right.   I have seen many layouts get torn down but not for the reasons I mentioned.  

Im not bored with mine. Just wanting more! Current layout 8x8. I have a big unfinished basement but never planned on staying in this home long term so built layout in a spare bedroom. Fortunetely (and unfortunately) i will probably get my wish soon.  

House is going on the market soon  and will have to tear it apart and start over again. Hopefully with more room. Downside- a lot of work, more $ to expand. But end result will be worth it!!

Wish I had one.  My layout had to be torn down two years ago for my home foundation repair.  I have the lumber to start a new layout, but my back will not forgive my work ethics of 45 years before retiring.

Dennis

I never tire of my layout,always trying to improve it.

Mikey

I got tired of mine and am in the process of ripping it up, cleaning out the basement, and building a new one.

It's going much slower than I'd like but will be worth it in the end.

-Greg 

Rolling Thunder, 4 AC6000 CSX Diesels Rolling Down grade.....

Sorry for duplicate pictures, just learning how to post pictures....Now you can see why I am Not Bored With My Layout......

I wouldn't say I'm tired of my layout, but I am making some changes that I will post pictures of at another time. At some point I'm going to redo all of the track and get rid of all my 036 curves and replace them with 048 and move the town around.

Aldovar posted:

I'm not tired of my layout per-say, I'm frustrated with certain aspects of it that just don't work right. I'm looking at a take everything off and redo everything soon. But it is summer, so we aren't really playing with it too much right now.

I may go from O27 to O at the same time, but we'll see.

I feel your pain.. No more Lionel track and switches for me.. My current layout, 4'x11', I built using all Lionel stuff and it seemed that my road crew (me) was always dealing with derailments through the turnouts.. Fortunately I will be building a new and bigger layout.. I will use all GG and Ross track and all Ross turnouts.. I would do the same thing if I were refurbishing my current layout!! I'm also going to Kadee couplers and weight the cars to NMRA standards: 5oz plus 1oz per inch of length of the car..

Larry, that is a beautiful layout.   Great pictures.

leapinlarry posted:

Great Question, I am not bored at all, in fact, do to working I have very little time to operate the System. In the near future, first of the year, I plan to retire and go back to working on the Layout. The way we built my layout its different from each side, so it never gets boring. I plan to connect all the wiring of accessories, make all the track adjustments and Yes, one day send Pictures to OGR THE MAGAZINE. My layout is not large, 38 by 17 with 5 levels and twin Helixes. If you are ever in Tennessee, come See Me.  Happy Railroading......from, Leapin Larry's Looney Lines RR.....

 

Thank you for posting the photos - great looking layout - gave me some ideas!

leapinlarry posted:

Rolling Thunder, 4 AC6000 CSX Diesels Rolling Down grade.....

Hello Larry............

My goodness, what a GREAT looking layout you got there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiffany

Tired of working on it

I wouldn't say bored, I enjoy the construction, even the wiring. I've changed things around or redone accessories placements. Even started a second layout. (See weekend photo fun) 

No reason to be bored if you can modify your layout from time to time.

Semi-permanent layout allows for changes/modifications to layout.

This approach uses benchwork that can be easily reconfigured. Although it would not be considered a "modular" layout it does provide for expansion of the overall size by adding new sections to the layout.  All wiring is made using color coded wiring harnesses which permit plug and play interconnections. All connections to the track use 16 gauge "bullet" style disconnects.  Each cable also has a wire designation label that corresponds to very detailed wiring diagrams. This makes trouble shooting and modifications easy.

Bullet style disconnect (16 gauge shown):

"Modular" style benchwork. No nails are used.  All attaching hardware uses #10 hexhead bolts and nuts. Table construction uses 1x4 and 2x4 lumber. All benchwork is "color coded" so that matching sections are easy to identify.

Not me. Though, my engagement with it is definitely seasonal. As others have said, your level of engagement with the hobby depends on what areas you enjoy in it. And those can change too. Personally, I like rearranging the trackage and creating little vignettes around specific themes. I also like just plain running trains. Knowing myself, and recognizing my interests have changed over the years, I don't tack down the track since I change it, and I leave plenty of space for scenery. I see it as sort of a canvas to work on... I also try to keep things clean and in working order, so when I are ready to run things, things are ready to run...

I am tired of NOT having a layout!! Tore my layout down a few years ago and still have all the track and plenty of trains. Just need a space to do a layout. Luckily I have a couple great friends that have small layouts that welcome me over to run my trains. However.... nothing beats having your own layout! 

Last five years or so I have been cycling through different layouts, not by design, just following what is fun.

A.  6X12 basement layout

B. 2X3 Z scale layout

C. 4X8 dining room layout

D.  Now doing a ceiling O layout in the dining room.

E.  Then back to the basement layout to redo it, or redo the Z layout.

I try to change engines or rolling stock from one train to another. Or maybe I will run a passenger train on the outer track instead of a freight train.

I have done H.O trains and H.O. don't give the space that you think it might give. Most H.O. curves start at 30 inches and go up. I have put an 027 loop inside an H.O. loop once to see how it fits and it was close, so I am staying with O gauge trains.

N scale might give you the space but it is very small and my eye sight is not getting better as I am near 60 now.

Lee Fritz

I (like many others) am tired of not having the space. I have a 10X10 with two levels and I just need larger especially with having scale trains and 072 curves.

I think if we all had the right amount of space we would never get bored. But there's only so many times you can watch them go in a circle before you want to engage in yard switching and other operations-type tasks.

Until I get the adequate space, I keep myself interested by working on project trains and upgrading the layout here any there along with working on the small N scale layout I have. No one ever said you only have to have interest in one scale. I have 3!

 I have one spot where I plan to try my hand at making decent scenery, and I'm kind of stuck there. I like the rest of it. My bigger problem is that I am unhappy with certain aspects of the finishing job I did on my basement, especially the ceiling, lighting and wiring. If I get bothered enough to address it, then the layout will have to come down for the reconstruction. Right now there is no money around to do the job, so my layout is safe.

For sustaining my interest the track plan has to "neat" and interesting. Simple loops will get boring real fast, no matter how well the scenery is done. Track planning is the most over-looked aspect of the hobby, and one doesn't need mega-real estate to accomplish it. It takes careful planning and thinking outside of the norm, and after many years I finally was able to devise a great plan for my basement. If I am fortunate to keep my job and health it'll keep me busy having fun during cold-winter nights for years to come.

If you are bored with your layout, you have a bad design.

You need to build a modular railroad. Modules of 2'x4' for the straight sections and modules of 3' x 3' for the wide radius curves.

Assemble numerous modules in such a way that the track and the trains have places to go. Find at least 20' x 10' to assemble the modules.

If you are bored with the scenery then you have to change the terrain and the structures.

Andrew