Do You Ever Finish Making Your Railway?

[Mountain Goat]

I am one who needs to finish a model railway as I just get so many new ideas taking form that I love to explore which prevent me from finishing what I have, so I don't think I have ever fully finished a model railway even though I enjoy nearly every aspect of the process of building it.

Is it just me or is it common for others to have the same?

[Walkingthedog]

I consider I finished my OO layout. There was nothing more I could do and I had sort of lost interest, so that was why I got rid of it.

[Hound Dog]

I have to admit that finishing the layout build does worry me - I sometimes find I get bored relatively easily when running trains, but presently I put this down to an unfinished layout and no formal running plan etc + I get frustrated with things like coupling issues that I have not had the time to focus on but which impact the flow and enjoyment of running sessions.

I stumbled into two running eras ( Green / Maroon diesels and BR Blue) and at times would like to settle on either, but instead keep the two as I anticipate that this will bring the opportunity for freshness when there is “only” running trains……. I would also like to get proficient at rolling stock painting and weathering when the build is complete, so that I am still doing something creative ( and to allow Steve M to retire - LOL).

[Steve M]

Retire?
Tried it once, didn’t get on with it. Will be giving it another go this time next year - evening job anyway.
The arthritis will probably get me first!

[IanS]

The process of planning and laying track (mainly set-track) and revising the layout plan seems to be as far as I get. I've multiple side yards (probably best described as shunting layouts as they're end-to-end with lots of points) that haven't had trains on them! I've also got hooked on buying older trains and converting them to DCC ready. I had a shock earlier in the week when I counted how many I had bought just this year!

Wiring is the most difficult part of this hobby for me, mobility restricts how much I can do and therefore need to sit to do most of it. Getting under the layout is impossible for me as I'd never get up again. I'm currently checking the large layout is actually suitable to run trains on (ie the track is level(ish) and the joints of track don't present a problem. In doing so I of course have found many problems and 'need' to change the layout track plan!

[Walkingthedog]

This is why I don’t have a fixed layout plan, just a general idea. I then lay some track then run a loco over it to make sure it is OK. Some people spend eons planning a layout on a PC, then find the track doesn’t fit, change it, then find the locos don’t like it.

[Mountain Goat]

This is why I don’t have a fixed layout plan, just a general idea. I then lay some track then run a loco over it to make sure it is OK. Some people spend eons planning a layout on a PC, then find the track doesn’t fit, change it, then find the locos don’t like it.

I never have made a layout via a PC or a planbook. It has always been to try it with real track method. Even when I tried a new scale I would buy a few items of rolling stock and some track to experiment with. Things like the sharpest curves or the type of gradients the models will climb etc.

[Mountain Goat]

I have to admit that finishing the layout build does worry me - I sometimes find I get bored relatively easily when running trains, but presently I put this down to an unfinished layout and no formal running plan etc + I get frustrated with things like coupling issues that I have not had the time to focus on but which impact the flow and enjoyment of running sessions.

I stumbled into two running eras ( Green / Maroon diesels and BR Blue) and at times would like to settle on either, but instead keep the two as I anticipate that this will bring the opportunity for freshness when there is “only” running trains……. I would also like to get proficient at rolling stock painting and weathering when the build is complete, so that I am still doing something creative ( and to allow Steve M to retire - LOL).

May I suggest building a small 0-16.5 layout as a break from 00 as you describe the point that I had reached in the past where the joys of the hobby had turned into frustrations due to boredom and needing something new.
I don't suggest spending much money as keep it simple and build an oval on a 2ftx4ft or something like that. Just something to have fun on which is a new adventure to take a modelling break by trying something new?

[sandy]

Well I have still got lots of droppers to do and wiring to finnish but still comming up with other addons all ready. Not even started with the scenics.
The answer must be, when there is nothing more to do or no more space left to do anything. Then it is time to build a new one.

[glencairn]

Sometimes I think my layout is 'finished'. Just a 'few' fiddly things to add. Then I decide to freshen up some scenery.
Researching for a background to the model railway and why it is as it is brought great fun. Following on from that I am now a member of The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Society. Thus finding out the types of traffic on the Railway.

Yes the layout is finished (as such). I have just branched out in another direction with it.

Glencairn