From the Dome Car: Train 11 Track 6 (July-August, 2002)

 

My turn to do the Dome Car again! This time I reflect on building my second—my dream—layout, a two-level model railroad in a 21 by 27-foot room with a storage room for a helix. (Or “rectix,” as I called it.) I acknowledged that building a layout of any size can be a challenge for some, but—to borrow the Nike slogan—I encouraged people to “just do it!” I don’t know if building a layout is easier or harder today; after building four layouts since 1988, my layout building days are over. And there are different challenges related to cost and lack of room if you don’t own a house. What do you think?   

Getting started in our great hobby is relatively easy, as most people know. It all begins when you buy that first locomotive or piece of rolling stock at the local hobby shop or attend a local train show. But getting that layout started is sometimes a different matter! 

For some, the reasons are obvious: They live somewhere that really has no room for one, or they prefer to belong to a club that features a club layout. But for others, it seems to be a matter of energy and effort. 

The obstacles will vary from person to person. For some, it could be time. For others, it could be worry about lack of skill. But I think for many it could simply be that the task seems too daunting. 

They stare at the empty layout room and are immobilized by the size of the task—how could they ever build all that benchwork, lay all that track, string all that wire or build all that scenery? For some reason, they just can't get over whatever obstacle that is in their way when it comes to building a layout or just putting together a couple of modules to display things on. 

Some start by a very simple module, a way to develop skills and try methods. Some, like me, just dive right in and begin building benchwork, learning as I go.   

For me, the local hobby shop was my best source advice; it was there I bought a copy of How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork by Linn Westcott. That’s where I learned about L-girders, which I employed in both of my layouts. 

For me, the key was to work in small steps. I planned to have a certain task done by a certain day. I did scenery and wiring on small portions of the layout at a time. I did the lower level of my two-level layout first. Little by little it added up. 

Sometimes, keeping up progress on the layout is a problem. After starting construction, things can get stalled. There are lots of things in life that can keep us out of our layout rooms (work and family being the two most common). But sometimes it's a matter of waning interest and enthusiasm. 

The best way I know to keep up my enthusiasm and energy is by viewing my layout as a long-term project. And to vary the tasks; I enjoy scenery, but doing too much of it seems to take all of the joy out of it. And I don't work at the layout all the time; sometimes, I just like to run some trains. 

By getting away from working on it for a time, I can rebuild my energy and desire to do more scenery. (Although no amount of time can make me want to do more wiring!) 

Finally, I keep up my enthusiasm by being part of our local train club. Through the club I can see layouts owned by others, and draw inspirations from their efforts. Plus, if I need help with a problem, I have somewhere to tum for advice. 

A long time ago, Al Kalmbach, founder of Model Railroader, stated that while building and collecting models was a worthwhile and enjoyable activity, the essence of model railroading was building a layout and running trains. His words are still true today.