Layout How finished are you?

Fifer · September 18, 2011, 07:26:41 PM

I know all stages of layout construction are fun but I am just curious, if you were to rate your layout as TOTALLY FINISHED, where are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Even though mine looks nearly complete there are many details to finish and tie up other projects on the layout.

Also maybe how many layouts have you actually TOTALLY FINISHED?
For me NONE. I have always started over before one is completed.

Mike

port perran · September 18, 2011, 07:44:27 PM

I have just one 6ft X 3ft Cornish Branch Line layout (plus fiddle yard). Started it approcx 21 months ago as a long term project. On a scale of 1-10 ptobably 6.5/10 complete.
It will be finished but as to whether I will be totally happy, who knows ??

Newportnobby · September 18, 2011, 07:45:50 PM

Interesting thread, Mike. My last layout got to about stage 4 before I moved house - now I am back to 1

From everything I've seen and heard, nobody has ever finished. I'm not sure I'd want to even get to TOTALLY FINISHED

tadpole · September 18, 2011, 08:12:54 PM

I'd say 3, but I don't think I've ever got past 4, so by my standards it's 75% finished.

4x2 · September 18, 2011, 08:15:20 PM

Quote from: Fifer on September 18, 2011, 07:26:41 PM
I know all stages of layout construction are fun but I am just curious, if you were to rate your layout as TOTALLY FINISHED, where are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Even though mine looks nearly complete there are many details to finish and tie up other projects on the layout.

Also maybe how many layouts have you actually TOTALLY FINISHED?
For me NONE. I have always started over before one is completed.

Mike

I'm useless... Got as far as a 4 i reckon, anyone else see a pattern here ?

Alex · September 18, 2011, 08:20:03 PM

Mmmmm...good question. I was at stage 7 but I've just added and removed some parts so I guess I'm back to 4 or 5.

Alex

Fifer · September 18, 2011, 08:22:40 PM

Quote from: 4x2ybecauseican on September 18, 2011, 08:15:20 PM
Quote from: Fifer on September 18, 2011, 07:26:41 PM
I know all stages of layout construction are fun but I am just curious, if you were to rate your layout as TOTALLY FINISHED, where are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Even though mine looks nearly complete there are many details to finish and tie up other projects on the layout.

Also maybe how many layouts have you actually TOTALLY FINISHED?
For me NONE. I have always started over before one is completed.

Mike

I'm useless... Got as far as a 4 i reckon, anyone else see a pattern here ?

It is not the destination but the fun or the trip !!!

Sprintex · September 18, 2011, 08:24:34 PM

About 4 here, long way to go yet

However, I(we) will get it pretty much finished eventually. In my teens I totally finished at least two different layouts satisfactorily and I don't give up easily on things - even if it kills me!

Paul

longbridge · September 18, 2011, 09:01:04 PM

I have built many layouts but never considered any of them as finished, personally I think you could keep improving layouts indefinitely.

Mustermark · September 18, 2011, 11:55:51 PM

I am about 2 years into a mammoth project that is probably about 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is everything looks finished (scenery on all of it looking about done). I think it will take 10 years to get to 10.

In two years I have so far done the baseboard (1/10) and laid 90% the track (2/10). Currently installing signals and sensors. I think ballasting will take me a year or so!!!

I reckon I will take about a year for each number on the scale, so another 8 years before I'm just tinkering with the cars and people.

I don't think I'll stop at 10/10 though...

I think there will always be detailing, weathering and changing of the scenery because that's the bit I enjoy and want to spend the next 30 years or so doing.

poliss · September 19, 2011, 12:09:50 AM

I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

Newportnobby · September 19, 2011, 03:17:00 AM

I always find that everything comes to a halt as soon as I have trains running

If I could only teach myself that trains will NOT RUN until the layout gets to maybe 7 or 8, things would be hugely different but I just can't, 'cos things have got to be tested........haven't they??? $:-\$

longbridge · September 19, 2011, 03:54:24 AM

Quote from: Mustermark on September 18, 2011, 11:55:51 PM
I am about 2 years into a mammoth project that is probably about 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is everything looks finished (scenery on all of it looking about done). I think it will take 10 years to get to 10.

In two years I have so far done the baseboard (1/10) and laid 90% the track (2/10). Currently installing signals and sensors. I think ballasting will take me a year or so!!!

I reckon I will take about a year for each number on the scale, so another 8 years before I'm just tinkering with the cars and people.

I don't think I'll stop at 10/10 though... I think there will always be detailing, weathering and changing of the scenery because that's the bit I enjoy and want to spend the next 30 years or so doing.

Sounds like a great reason to invite a few friends over for a working bee.

Bikeracer · September 19, 2011, 09:13:13 AM

My first and current layout was made as I went along without much thought other than to lay some track to run trains round,big mistake. I'm now trying to fit scenery to what space is available.

I'm busy making card buildings at the moment and I'm gaining experience as I go,which means I'm consigning most first attempts to the waste paper basket

At least with the Scalescenes series I can just print another one out.

Once I've finished getting most of the scenery done my intention is to pull it all up and start again with a properly planned layout,probably early next year.

Allan

4x2 · September 19, 2011, 09:26:40 AM

Quote from: newportnobby on September 19, 2011, 03:17:00 AM
I always find that everything comes to a halt as soon as I have trains running If I could only teach myself that trains will NOT RUN until the layout gets to maybe 7 or 8, things would be hugely different but I just can't, 'cos things have got to be tested........haven't they??? $:-\$

We should invent a name for this problem, I've got this problem - really bad !