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Post by ptc on Jan 7, 2020 21:06:28 GMT
I can speak volumes about this. You go through your initial build, do the track work, finish the scenery, and you think you are done. Wrong! Over time, two things happen to change the "completed" outlook. First, there are areas of the layout that after having lived with it for awhile, you want to change and make better. The second item is new products that have come onto the market that you want to incorporate.
It didn't take long to figure out that the area on the Polar Express side of the layout in the front center, did not sit well with us. Had to be changed. To what, it took a little while to figure it out. We decided to make it into a Town Center with a large Christmas tree with benches surrounding it for the elves to be able to congregate and to enjoy the new area.
Then those dastardly vendors kept coming out with new accessories and trains that we wanted to add. D56 and the Singer Building, the Menards new Church and Village Christmas tree, Harry Hieke's new Crossing Shanty, and new vehicles to be added.
And that's not all, Miller Engineering with the new North Pole sign and toy soldier, winter related vehicles that I just found, and I am sure there is more coming down the pike.
But, this is what the hobby is all about. Take what you have and make it better. So you dastardly vendors, bring it on.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2020 2:38:29 GMT
Even custom-built layouts are never complete. This winter I have plans to remove the standard gauge shelving on the one end of my layout that sits behind a fairly long stretch of arch bridges. At the time of layout construction, it was Clarke's idea to have some Standard Gauge trains on display. However my initial plan was to have some sort of vertical rock scenery and/or gorges behind the arch bridges and pier supports. And after 2 years, I'm ready to go back to "Plan A". Fortunately, the shelves can be easily removed. And then it's up to yours truly to do some serious scenic redesign. I'm excited to get started, and I have grand visions of what vertical rock scenery will do for this end of the layout. It stands to be quite a scenic focal point if done as I'm picturing it in my mind. Wish me luck!!!!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 15:08:34 GMT
As most know by now I recently tore down my first layout build and started on a new one. The new one gives me more room in the long run area but in the old layout had more room at the main area. Sometimes I look back and wish I would have just modified the old layout to fix what I didn't like.
I guess as I build the new layout I can build up or take away some of the open areas. It would be great to get to the point of adding roads and figures!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 15:37:46 GMT
Even custom-built layouts are never complete. This winter I have plans to remove the standard gauge shelving on the one end of my layout that sits behind a fairly long stretch of arch bridges. At the time of layout construction, it was Clarke's idea to have some Standard Gauge trains on display. However my initial plan was to have some sort of vertical rock scenery and/or gorges behind the arch bridges and pier supports. And after 2 years, I'm ready to go back to "Plan A". Fortunately, the shelves can be easily removed. And then it's up to yours truly to do some serious scenic redesign. I'm excited to get started, and I have grand visions of what vertical rock scenery will do for this end of the layout. It stands to be quite a scenic focal point if done as I'm picturing it in my mind. Wish me luck!!!! I really like your layout David. Can't wait to see what you have in your mind's eye.
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Post by josef on Jan 8, 2020 16:00:44 GMT
I hope mine is never complete. I enjoy changing things around or adding items or improving something, be it structures or scenery or even rolling stock. That's what makes this hobby so enjoyable. Besides running trains, it's the ongoing improvements.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2020 16:12:39 GMT
Thanks for the well-wishes, Marty. The layout itself will stay intact. I'm just converting the Standard Gauge shelving at the one end to some vertical rock scenery, which is what I had envisioned from the get-go. I will post progress shots here as the project moves forward. In addition to creating the scenery, my other goal is to maintain to the integrity of the layout's "module structure" (i.e., portability). Not that I'm planning to ever move, but we just never know what life has in store for us... so I want these new additions to be "portable" as well. I was originally thinking of having Dunham Studios take on this project. But scheduling issues arose, and I decided to tackle it myself. Clarke is in his early 80's now, and I sense Team Dunham is transitioning to a different phase of life. Over the years, they delivered a good 50+ layouts to private residences, as well as quite a handful of commercial ventures. Back in the 1980's, Clarke pioneered this business of building gorgeous layouts in a studio and then knocking them down to transport them to their new destination. I'm just glad to have had the opportunity to receive one of those layouts during Christmastime 2017. It made me feel like a kid again that year in the truest sense of the word.
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Post by ptc on Jan 8, 2020 16:15:48 GMT
"I guess as I build the new layout I can build up or take away some of the open areas. It would be great to get to the point of adding roads and figures!"
I believe you made a smart move in starting over, RJ. You get to fully correct those areas of the old layout that bugged you.
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 9, 2020 19:35:58 GMT
I agree Brian, even a finished layout, like David's, yours or mine, really isn't finished. While there are no bare spots and the layout looks finished to visitors, there are many improvements that will keep us busy for years to come, and I think that's a good thing. I love running trains on my finished layout but I'm often looking for ways to make it better. Even as I improve the scenery and add details I'll still be looking for ways to make it better.
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Post by ptc on Jan 9, 2020 19:48:28 GMT
By large measure, it is all about the "hunt". We are never totally satisfied and that's a good thing. It is what is down the road that keeps things interesting. Many of us have all of the trains we will ever need, but we keep looking. Accessories, probably the same situation.
We like going to the York Meet just for this reason, the "hunt". Nothing particular on our York Meet want list, but that will not stop us from going through all of the halls. 
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 2:11:04 GMT
By large measure, it is all about the "hunt". We are never totally satisfied and that's a good thing. It is what is down the road that keeps things interesting. Many of us have all of the trains we will ever need, but we keep looking. Accessories, probably the same situation.
We like going to the York Meet just for this reason, the "hunt". Nothing particular on our York Meet want list, but that will not stop us from going through all of the halls. You have trained me in the "hunt"! My layout has benefited from your hunting skills many times. The NYC Superliners, the Genesis locomotives, the Canadian Pacific, the K-line passenger cars, the Midnight Chief and don't forget that beautiful Amtrak Surfliner. Thank you Passenger Train Collector. 
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