The College Kid Layout Building Saga - End?

[Smudge617]

Good Old Loctite Super Glue Gel. Probably not the most professional solution but it was what I had on hand. lol

Hey! If it works, it works.

 

[logandsawman]

For inquiring minds, here is the update.

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I ended up ripping up this one section of track. I noticed the trains were always stalling at this joiner so I ripped it up. In the process I ripped up the plastic Atlas ties that the rails were holding onto(Uh oh). So I went and made my own ties with some spare Dollar Tree wood I had lying around. I painted them up and glued em down. It may look odd in this one section and part of me thinks I should've gone black to match the rest of the ties but what the heck, this section has a bit of realism to it I guess. Anyway this fixed the issues I have been having with the layout. It also gave me some time to spruce up the scene a bit and I am happy I did it.

I also made a quick video of a train running on the layout in celebration of this remodeled section being done. Check it out:

Final thing to note, my summer job hunt has been abysmal but I am going to apply to the local hobby shop. I want to see how well I do being around trains all of the time. Hopefully I can get something there and continue to learn more about the hobby. If not, then the hunt continues. Like always, any feedback, tips or tricks are always welcome! Excited to see what you have to say.

As far as the summer job goes, the hobby shop is a little dangerous. However, I wish you well in whatever turns up!

My summer jobs during college were all Federal employment: Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. I had to travel west and the pay was nothing to brag about, but it was a great experience. You have to apply in the winter so that may be something you may want to check out next year.

I did work Hamburgers (a place called Burger Chef) as well. It was more fun than you might think.

Dave LASM

 

[Jacob Z]

Update:

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I printed out the track plan and laid it out on the two boards. It is looking good so far. The track has been a little bit tough to lay but I am learning as I go. I tried to go grab some more of the coasters from the dollar store but I guess I didn't buy them from there since they didn't have any. I am probably going to Hobby Lobby to search for some tomorrow. If I don't find anymore I might just use the leftover poster board for roadbed.

How did you print out the track plan full size like that? I think I need to do the same.

 

[Guilford Railman]

How did you print out the track plan full size like that? I think I need to do the same.

Same here! New layout going up and doing this would really help!

 

[catnippertom]

How did you print out the track plan full size like that? I think I need to do the same.
Same here! New layout going up and doing this would really help!

You can make your layout in SCARM and there is an option to print a 1:1 version of your track plan. It helped a bit but still lining things up can give you a bit of trouble. I think getting rid of margins while printing could help as well. I don't remember exactly what I did when I printed, since this was a while ago, but hopefully this helps.

 

[zzr1200guy]

Looking good.

 

[catnippertom]

Hello Forum! I am reviving this thread about the layout to ask the question: is it time for the layout to hit the scrapyard?

The layout has sat dormant for a while, and I feel like it might be time to get rid of it. As time has passed, the track issues have persisted, and the electric connection in the track hasn't been that great. I haven't been running it at all because of these issues. Also, as my time in grad school is starting to come to a close, I will no longer be a college kid building a layout. It could be time for a newer, bigger, better one. There are just so many things that I am unhappy with about this layout, and as much as I would love to keep aspects of it and save money, I think it might be time for a big reset.

I have to move out at the end of June and go wherever I end up finding a place, and start my new job in September. It just feels like time to kiss the college kid layout good-bye.

What do you guys think? Should I be getting rid of this, or should I not? Do you guys have any tips in regards to tearing down a layout? What should I keep, and what should I scrap? Let me know your thoughts in the replies.

 

[Rico]

I think you’ve already answered your question.
If it has problems I’d take what you’ve learned and start again.
Possibly using what you can from this one but if the track is an issue maybe time for an upgrade.

It’s been fun following along and best of luck with your next adventure !

 

[troyphoto]

Box up the structures, trees, and anything that can be removed. Install them on the next layout, and then the next. That way it will continue to live on.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Given you’re having issues with the track work, I’d say salvage what you can in terms of structures, trees, etc… and start fresh when you get settled in to your new place.

 

[migalyto]

Congratulations on finishing grad school!

I'm with the others, It has probably served its purpose, and now you can take your experience and apply it to a new layout.
Salvage what's good and start fresh in your new chapter in life.

Be sure to let us know what your up too I second what was said about it being fun to watch this layout
evolve.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Marlin338MX]

I'd say keep the things from this layout that you value enough to use on your next layout. If it turns out that you kept some things that you don't use on your next layout, then you can sell or give those items away. I too have enjoyed following this layout project.

I've kept all of the model train stuff that I got from my dad. Now I've identified the things that I won't be using on my layout, and I feel good about getting rid of those items.

Congrats on finishing grad school. Best of luck as you start a new chapter in your life.

 

[Smudge617]

Congratulations on finishing Grad school and Good Luck in your new employment whereever that may be.

I'm with the others, take anything that can be re-used and store it away ready for it's next adventure.

You have learned several new skills with this layout which means your next layout will be easier as you avoid the pitfalls that you learned from this one, so your next layout will no doubt be bigger and better.
I wish you well for the future both workwise and as a Railway modeller.

And don't forget to come see us, even if you don't have a layout.

 

[Jacob Z]

I hope we'll get a new thread, The Post-Grad Layout Building Saga

 

[PMW]

Looks like we all agree.

I'm actually in the same boat. I had a lot of time and effort invested in my 11' x 12' layout but like you, there were some regrets that comes with being a beginner. When circumstances required I break down some of the layout I took the opportunity to salvage everything I could and move on having learned some important lessons!

First layouts may be a lot like first jobs... everyone quits them

 

[catnippertom]

Thanks to all of the responses on this. I think I will make one last video saying goodbye to the layout and begin the tear down. I have been collecting Bachmann ez track(Nickel Silver obviously) and thinking about some layout design ideas that could fit in a new place. But nothing is set in stone quite yet. I am considering getting rid of almost everything and starting from scratch. I might even downsize my fleet at the same time. If you want to buy some crappy locomotives, let me know, lol. It should be a fun process to document, so I will be putting some videos out on YouTube and updating the forum on what is to come.

 

[catnippertom]

I am thinking an around-the-room or dogbone/folded dogbone could be the best bet for me, so if you know any trackplans that use ez track, let me know.

 

[Jacob Z]

I am thinking an around-the-room or dogbone/folded dogbone could be the best bet for me, so if you know any trackplans that use ez track, let me know.

I wanted to do a folded dogbone for my layout, but the curves were just too tight for the space I had. Next time...

 

[Iron Horseman]

Also, as my time in grad school is starting to come to a close, I will no longer be a college kid building a layout.

What are you studying? Are you doing a Thesis or one of those Capstone project type degrees?

My high school layout lasted through all those degrees and about 25 years into career (the latter degrees overlapping the career part). I wish I had not let it go, but it was a bit more elaborate than yours. So, yeah I think I would let that one go. Take what you've learned and make once settled make another more to your evolved skills and tastes.

 

[catnippertom]

What are you studying? Are you doing a Thesis or one of those Capstone project type degrees?

My high school layout lasted through all those degrees and about 25 years into career (the latter degrees overlapping the career part). I wish I had not let it go, but it was a bit more elaborate than yours. So, yeah I think I would let that one go. Take what you've learned and make once settled make another more to your evolved skills and tastes.

I am working on a Master of Accounting at the moment. There is no huge thesis or anything like that, just a lot of work on projects and a deeper understanding of the profession. Getting ready to begin my CPA exam journey in the Summer. That is kinda like a big thesis in a sense.

On the layout side of things, I would like to keep it, but it has been giving me too much of a headache in recent months, which has just made me fall out of love with the layout. It would be fun to incorporate parts of it, but at this point, I just want to get rid of it. I have lots of documentation of it on the internet(and as some say, the internet is forever) and on my phone, so its memory can live on without existing physically.