Ok. A poll. Who has a completed layout? Who doesn't? Click "Yes, I have a completed layout" if you have a finished layout. Click "No, I do not have a completed layout" if your layout is not completed. I would fall in to the "No" category.
What about completed NTRAK modules? I have enough to make a complete layout if I choose to do so. It's just that I don't have a place to do it in my house. Hmm......there is always the driveway and the street out front. Nah, might rain. Lets see, they don't use the Astrodome for much these days after the Red Cross wrapped up their shelter operations.
I voted yes- but is a layout EVER completed? I still have a backdrop to install and an electrical thing to adjust. I also have to populate my layout and add buildup to the bases of some structures to make the seams invisible, add telephone poles, end of track bumpers and if I sit here long enough, I will list about 40 other things. In short, I voted incorrectly.
Well, completed will never happen. Substantially completed. Now it's time to upgrade everything scenic.
I agree; it goes on and on. Bill and Wayne Reed have the philosophy that nothing on their layout is so good that they couldn't improve it. The Belmont Shore layout has been under construction for over 30 years. How is any layout ever finished if you want to keep modeling?
I voted completed as I have a 3’ X 5’ layout completed. It only took me 8 years to do it. There wasn’t any way to vote twice but I also have a new 18’ X 12’ layout that is a long, long, long way from being completed. But, then I have only been working on it a year.
I have never "completed" a layout. Have never tried to attain that specific goal. There's always been something I wanted to tweak. A change I thought would add enjoyment value, and so forth. So there has always been something happening. Maybe I could describe them as 95+% finished. Boxcab E50
r_i_straw: This does include NTrak modules. Everyone else: Ok. What I mean is "completed to an outsiders point of view. I know there is never a "completed layout" But I think you know what I mean. Right?
I feel a layout can never be completed. You are always upgrading scenery, detailing. The basics of a layout might be considered completed. I can work on the JJJ&E for another 10 years and it never will be completed. Stay cool and run steam....
My sole remaining NTRAK module, is stripped bare, and presently, very slowly, under rebuild. Maybe some time next year, I'll lay some track.... Boxcab E50
Technically, mine is completed if you look at it. The track, wiring, structures, and scenery are all tied together and working. But is it really finished? Nope....I'm building more structures and have plans to add more spurs. Maybe a yard extension. Will it ever be finished? Just like the expanding real world society around us, no.
No I have not completed a layout, but hopefully by spring my 10' x 12' trainroom will be ready to put a layout in. As soon as I get time and a RI account I will post photos.
Like many of you, I'm not sure a layout is ever "finished". After my kids left home I decided to build a layout for all the N scale stuff I had collected over the years. I wanted to build a large layout, but my wife suggested I build a small one first to learn all the "how to's"....and I'm glad I did due to learning curve issues. Tearing up a small area to fix is a heck of a lot better than having to tear up and repair a large area. I started with a 3' x 4' area and began building. I had all the how to books but learned very quickly that it wasn't what they told you that gets you, it's the stuff they DON'T tell you that gets you. So I struck out on my own for the most part. When it was about half "completed", my wife and I went to our first train show, and two weeks later our second show. Two things struck me: 1, my layout was at least as good as those at the show, and 2, it looked like it was a lot of fun to participate. We decided to show our layout when it was "complete". It required considerable re-construction, such as making it mobile and reinforcing the framework. I was also able to extent the size to 3'5" x 4'8" and still have it fit in my pick-up truck. We first showed the unit in 1996 and have been showing it ever since, and yes, we have made modifications from time to time as new items became available. We still enjoy participating in train shows and have met many, many very nice people and it's fun to share information with them. We named the layout the "Piute Flats Branch of the D&RGW" but my son says I should have named it the "Never Ending Railroad". I think he might be right.
Mine is also finished but not completed. I'm in agreement with everyone that believes a layout is never really complete, but I have recently found space to build a slightly larger layout so my current one will be undergoing demolition in the next few weeks, so it is definitely "finished"
I fall into the majority with completed layouts - but never REALLY finished. When people visit, it looks finished, no bare spots or anything - but I know where I'd like to do more. That's not gonna happen at this point because the Oakville Sub has maybe six months left to live. In that time, it'll either go to the new home owner or into a dumpster, their choice. In the meantime I'm looking for a minimum 1,000 square foot basement around Franklin, TN. At the moment I'm photographing everything using Helicon Focus and will update the web site when I'm done. There WILL be a new Oakville Sub, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all.
