starting too small

[brubakes]

Growing up I always had a 4x8 layout and eventually turned into 8x8. Nothing to in depth about the set i was happy just to run the trains. now that im older and am coming back into the hobby i need to start all over again. lots of books and magazines i have read say to start small with a 4x8 layout while you get into the hobby and in my case, relearn everything. my fear is that if i start with a 4x8 will i quicklly grow out of it and want to toss it for something bugger? Has anyone here started too small and ended up regretting it?

 

[SpaceMouse]

Start with a layout that can be expanded as you grow.

But the main reason people grow out of their layouts is because the layout has no purpose and they get tired of running laps. A small railroad with purpose trumps a large railroad without purpose.

Then make the small railroad with purpose a piece of a master plan.

My Rock Ridge and Train City is in a 10 x 10 room, but it is set up so it can be expanded in two directions and is the key to the larger layout. It can stand alone as an operational layout though and if it takes the 5 years I think it will take, to look the way I want it. I can build it out to 6 times the size.

I look at it as Phase 1.

 

[SpaceMouse]

One additional note. A 4 x 8 is not sacred. It is a piece of plywood. It is in fact a very hard shape to make work. Think outside the rectangle.

 

[Dougget]

I'm just getting started again too. Definately going with a 4x8 (because I already have the table). But thinking about putting in some dead end spurs that can be 'rennovated' in the future and linked with a point-to-point section to another area. For an extra $20 it's worth it to add the turnouts now.

Enjoy,
Doug

 

[OldGettysk]

I have a 4x8 layout and if I had to do it over I would have went outside the normal layout and done it diffrently !

 

[Selector]

It is a trite saying, but it has meaning that applies to your circumstances. "Think outside the (4X8)". Have a clear and open-minded look at your space, and figure out a track plan and bench that gives you a lot of bang for the buck. It would really help if you had a list of first-priority requirements to help you do this. So, think about what you want out of a model train layout first, and then use those bits of information to begin to plan something that will fit and that will keep you from yawning too much on your 30th session running trains.

Time spent on thinking and planning is seldom wasted.

 

[okrlroads]

I think most of us have started like that. In my case it was good , because it has been used to learn how to do scenery, wiring, building kits, ect. It is just a step in the learning process. If like you say, you're coming back into the hobby, you already have some of the basics. Now add some planning to the idea about what you want from this hobby and build yourself something to have fun with.