Is your layout too big?

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Is your layout too big?

  • No. My layout size is perfect

    Votes: 45 26.5%

  • No. My layout is too small

    Votes: 97 57.1%

  • Yes. My layout is too big

    Votes: 7 4.1%

  • Yes. I am reducing the size of my layout

    Votes: 4 2.4%

  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 17 10.0%
  • Total voters
    170
Cjcrescent said:
Yes a layout does take years to finish, but isn't that really the goal? To have a hobby where you take your time, build at your own pace, (to avoid burnout), to your own satisfaction, to your own timeline. This isn't a race, its a hobby. I've been in this hobby now for 50 years, and have really never had a "burned out" period. There were times where I did nothing but read and build kits, for months, but never have been truly burned out.

Right now, I'm building what I call my last layout. I figure that it will take me approx 10 years to get all track down, (I'm 7 years into it, and could start some operating sessions on it now, but that would slow down the construction), 1 year for basic scenery, and then the rest of the 20 year construction plan, detailing, improving and refurbishing what is there. By then I'll be in my late sixties and will be ready to stop construction and enjoy just operating it to its fullest.
Click to expand...

My goal is to have an operable layout that I can run my models on and operate with friends. I figure now that I'm at that stage, scenery will follow over the course of a couple years. What I was getting at though is that if a layout is too big it could take you too much time to get the benchwork and track up and never get it operable. So much work that it become a daunting task and you scrap what you have done and start over on something smaller that you can even have the hope of running one day. If you're really into layout constructing then a large layout could be fun..But while I enjoyed building my layout and watching it come together, I enjoy it more now that its operating and I had my moments of, "oh boy am I ever going to get this up and running."
 
My layout is 60' x 30' multi deck and I like it. I've got plenty to do for the rest of my life, so this is going to be the last one. Scenery is about 40% done. All track work is done (although I do change some at times) and we have about 15 operating sessions a year. This big is something I just always wanted to do and had a chance to do it, so I did.
 


You didn't mention it, but one thing I liked about the Clinch Valley was the backdrop of (mostly) hills and sky with clouds. I though it hit the right spot between totally blank and deflecting the viewer's interest away from the railroad.
 
when i do layouts, i always think of getting a big space. at least if it ends up small, i can still add plans on extending it.
 
Y'know, there's another factor besides size of the layout. I keep running into the fact that costs have increased dramatically on some things (like track) in just a few years. Sometimes I get frustrated on the cost. Yes, a bag of talus is 4.95 - but add to that every little thing... they nickel and dime you to death! and then when you look at your available space and think of the cost...

(Okay, rant over) ... you go ahead and build the bigger layout anyway!:D
 
OCN Guy said:
Y'know, there's another factor besides size of the layout. I keep running into the fact that costs have increased dramatically on some things (like track) in just a few years. Sometimes I get frustrated on the cost. Yes, a bag of talus is 4.95 - but add to that every little thing... they nickel and dime you to death! and then when you look at your available space and think of the cost...

(Okay, rant over) ... you go ahead and build the bigger layout anyway!:D
Click to expand...

That is for sure, prices (especially wood) have really gone up since I started my layout. No way today could I do this at these prices.
 
BN8002 said:
My goal is to have an operable layout that I can run my models on and operate with friends. I figure now that I'm at that stage, scenery will follow over the course of a couple years. What I was getting at though is that if a layout is too big it could take you too much time to get the benchwork and track up and never get it operable. So much work that it become a daunting task and you scrap what you have done and start over on something smaller that you can even have the hope of running one day. If you're really into layout constructing then a large layout could be fun..But while I enjoyed building my layout and watching it come together, I enjoy it more now that its operating and I had my moments of, "oh boy am I ever going to get this up and running."
Click to expand...

I knew what you were saying, Kevin. I can start having op sessions right now, except I haven't set up the computer system for car forwarding. I've thought about setting up a limited system based on waybills, but for right now, I can wait another year and start full blown ops.
 
Other

When you spend more time maintaining it, or rebuilding it, than running it, to me its too big. Either that, or you don't have enough friends.
 
Actually, big layout really does not require that much time. We moved into our house in 2001, I started the layout in 2002 and had the first op session in the spring of 2003. Took a couple of years off for medical reasons, so I'd say I have about 6 years of construction done. Getting benchwork and track done was first so we could operate. No scenery until ops showed what needed to be changed. Now I work on it as I feel like it, no rush to do much of anything necessary. I'm into signals now, so started on that. I did a walk around tour of the layout, no trains

http://www.youtube.com/user/ClinchValleySD40#p/u/6/EPdw9Gr-Gt0

There are plenty of other videos (lots from op sessions) and photos on the links below. Altogether I'm glad I did this, we have lots of fun operating.
 


I think mine is just about right. 35' X 55', full basement, utilities and stairway in the center of the basement, no breaker box to have to mess with. Years of experience in building large layouts so as I begin this project, I can do it all the right way from the start, i.e. drywall, power access, lighting, benchwork, yard, staging yard, work bench area, etc.
 
Actually I'm learning that the layout is just right, but some sidings are too short.
Of course it's not written anywhere that you have to have every railcar you own on the tracks at the same time... or is it?
 
Mine is just about right, but after 2 years of building it, I want more space. So I'm building into a spare bedroom next to the main layout room.

I have a half basement. Including the expansion room, I have a 15'x22' layout.

Rico, if I had to put every railcar and locomotive I own on the layout, I wouldn't be able to operate it. That's what staging and storage bins are for!
 
My layout is gonna be really big, but not too big... ;)

IMG_5570.jpg
 
Well mine is just getting started (kind of) in the loft of my house measuring 12x33. I am making the benchwork in 8' long modules so that it is removeable when I sell this house next year and build my shop so then I can have my layout on a 2nd story. The shop I am thinking of building is 40x60 and I think I will be using about half of that for a layout. Gonna have to invest in a fleet of track cleaning cars...
 
Well after having this thread going on for so long it came as no surprise that the stats show that most people would like a big layout.

I'll generalize here, what is interesting is that most people who would like or want a huge layout are americans, while European not so much unless they belong to a club or build a modular layout. Seems that Canadians, and I know quite a few ;) seem to fit in the middle somewhere (Well, I know of four huge personal basement empire layout right here in my area)


Another observation is that most European layout have stunning realistic life-like and award winning scenery.Not just in magazine mind you, but the one I saw in the flesh: Real craftmanship. I have lots of admiration for what they accomplished. Something that is not the rule on big layout in North America.

In regards to my poll (which I thought would disappear in oblivion not long after I originally posted it) I have kept my layout the same while there is room for expansion. What I have done is re-do/renovated part of the layout instead (Track laying, scenery and such) more to my liking and what I am trying to accomplished.

I have found that while operating on a huge layout (my ops group) is lots of fun I could not commit the time and energy to maintain something that big.
And it does need lots of TLC.

In conclusion I would say what is best is what works for you, what pleases you, and what can be enjoy in this lifetime:):p

cheerio
 


Very well stated, MLW. I also believe in general, large, private, USA layouts are much less detailed than those smaller ones in Europe. On large layouts, we (USA) tend to use more selective detailing in small areas than trying to detail the entire layout. I would guess that this is largely dependent on cost/time....it is in my case. I have to wonder how many dreamers have done the math on just how much it cost to have a large layout ( $30,000++ ); how much time; how much upkeep. If you got it all...go fer it! ;):)
 
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