I had to smile to myself about you talking about tearing down layouts. I myself started with a 3ft x 8ft layout on two 'saw horses" behind a couch in our "video room". I loved the layout as it was. And I am still using it. But then my children started to move out one by one, allowing me to use larger rooms. and NO, I did not tear out a wall to expand! (yet) But I did build the benchwork for another layout in one room and was about to start putting my new plan into action when another child moved out! And as I was contemplating the larger room, and how to move and modify the already built benchwork for my NEW planned layout, my last child moved out of the room he had shared with his brother, as he had joined the U.S. Navy! And yet another, even larger area, became available. So now, after a couple years of still using the unfinished original layout, I have benchwork in one room, emptied a space for another, and I am in the middle of planning the next NEW layout to go into what is my last available space! So yes these things happen to us all! But I was lucky enough to have taken my time to plan out each new area, as you suggested. So tearing down layouts was not a problem even though I still have my 3x8 set up and use for now lol And a room full of well planned, stable benchwork. If there had been even a few more months between the time I started to plan each stage, I would have had begun my layouts and would ;be doing exactly what you warned about! So think carefully about what you want in a layout, and DONT hurry to expand too fast! Both of these you mentioned and are very sound advice! Think ahead to what may be possible soon, and use what you have if your happy with it, until those future opportunities arise! It gives you ample time to plan the perfect layout as I believe I have done and will soon be starting. Thanks for your videos! And although I am just getting back into the hobby within last few years, I do remember when there were no videos to show us how to do even the simplest things. Magazines with pictures were about the limit of the knowledge passed on unless you actually knew somebody within the hobby. My first layout was from the book "HO Railroad That Grows" that taught step by step how to expand a simple 4x8 layout from a basic "loop" into an operational small layout. It's amazing how far we have come since those days? DCC is quite an advancement from DC. Although DC works just as well if not better than ever. And now, battery operated Motive power is coming out, and will one day replace wiring altogether and again the hobby will expand! The future of Model Railroading is shining bright! Thanks again for your hard work on these tutorials! And caring enough to share your knowledge :) Honestgbfan at the Panther Valley Railroad! P.S. My better half just read this and she said she wants to have a yard sale and empty out the 14ft x 20ft storage shed? Hmmmm?
The good ol' days of photos in the magazine. I still refer back to them on occasion even with all the technology. I don't know how many times I attempted to build my layout when I had the room but not the time.Finally was able to start my layout in 2012 in a spare room and was going full bore until I got hurt at work and ended up retiring about a year after I started. Now I have all the time in the word but nowhere near the funds to do exactly what I had planned.
You can plan away until you are blue in the face, but when it comes to the "do", plans usually have to change on the way. However, I've learned one valuable lesson which, over the years has saved me both money, and time - thats, dont fix in place until you are sure its where you want it to be, and that applies to track, buildings and wiring alike. I've just spent 6 months working with Railmodeller Pro software, and everything fitted a treat, but I hate to mention how many times Ive substituted one turnout for another or rebent lengths of flexitrack getting stuff to conform to my "ideal" - easier to get your sections right first before you cut and have to rejoin track. Now on the "do" stage, and testing with most unreliable loco, longest coach, and widest truck load to ensure power joints, clearances and curves are as "hoped for". Still nervous about combining light and semaphore signals - in 50 years, only ever done the latter.... Great vids Tom - keep them coming...dunno what some folk whinge about, I'm a brit, and I understand your "philly" easily. Wonder if these folk who complain about regional accents are as ready to criticise UK colloquialisms as readily to peoples faces?
Thank you Graeme for your information. I always drew out my plans on paper then when laying track my well thought out plans never looked right so I ended up changing almost everything. I sometimes lay EZ Track down before I lay out my good track so I get a feel of what it would look like. I wish they had 3D software when I was planning my projects, but I probably would have reverted back to the drafting board anyway. It'a amazing how so many people criticize ones videos when they have nothing to show for themselves. I also get quite a few comments about my hands being in the way of the details or one of the cameras not being in focus for a few seconds.
Huh . . . I don’t think I’ve ever made any mistakes! NOT!!! Haha. I think I’ve made every mistake you mentioned. And I agree about money is not the main concern. Yes if you are planning a ginormous layout, but if your starting out you should always start small and grow from there. This is a Hobby aka to be enjoyed and to have fun with! Always enjoy your videos!!
Your pretty much right on except at the end, sometimes I feel that when I get so far in an area, I find there's something I just got to do over or change for the better. So then I just try too keep the mayhem down too the minimum. LoL!
I've been digging through videos like this left to right because I'm 'stuck'.... call it a fear of commitment... I have 2x12 foot shelf ready to go... but what to do with it... ARGH.... but I watch these and learn.
Thanks Tom for another great informational video, and like most I jumped in feet first, thrown together benchwork layed track without a track plan, and now, oh well it's all fun and costly lol. Thanks for sharing
Join the club Randy. We've all done that and more starting out. I'm guilty of these 5 and the first 10 I talked about a few weeks ago. We all learn from our mistakes. Us old timers didn't have RUclips to help us out. lol
#5: Indecision...BINGO! That’s me. Been a modeler since I was in diapers (42 y/o now). Started in HO, switched to N when I was 9 or 10. Can’t stick to a track plan, era or specific locale. Want to model my native state of Michigan, but do I do logging in either peninsula around the turn of the century, one of the dozens of short lines that came out of the dumpster fire that was the Penn Central, a Grand Trunk secondary in the 70s and 80s, Soo Line/C&NW in the Upper Peninsula, NYC/C&O in the Lower Peninsula, or a free-lanced branch of the Ann Arbor, Detroit and Mackinac or DT&I? So may options!
That's my big one also. I still can't make up my mind. I tore out a section of my layout over a year ago and still haven't made up my mind on the way I want to re do it!
Tom thank you for the videos. I have been working on my layout for a little over a year and have not made to many mistakes, mostly because I have been watching your videos and others on you tube. Keep up the good videos, because there are us newbies out here that need the wisdom of the veterans. I know all make mistakes but I have made less thanks to guys like you. Paul
I can't decide where to store my track cleaner. Beside my wires? Thanks for the shout out! You're too kind. I'm really liking the green screen effect. Are you planning a how-to video soon? -Mark
Your welcome Mark. Next to your Wire Wizard!! That way you can use Tidy Track! That's a good idea about the green screen tut. I thought you already did one.
Yeah...... I've never done any of those..... *NOT!!!* 😫😱😜 Tom, in my 42 years in the Hobby, I can GUARANTEE that I've done ALL 15, plus several others! My worst offense? No. 5 on this list. I may have ripped out MORE Layout, than I've built!! 😬😬 Of course, that adds up to an *enormous* waste of money, time, AND Product. That's something that I try to stress to newer Modelers. It's OK to leave the "Plywood Central" intact, at least until you're sure of what you want. Also, on compatibility..... You have mentioned in other videos, that nearly ANY brand of Decoder will work with any DCC System. That should have been brought up. However, you are SO right about DCC *control components.* Stick with your preferred Brand with those, and save a lot of headaches! 😊 Thanks for what you're doing!! Carmine 🚂
I would have to do a few more videos to cover all the mistakes I've done through the years. Maybe a full length feature film. lol Thanks for sharing your worst offence. I've done that one many times also.
Hi Tom, I upgraded my layout to dcc as I was impressed by its advantages. My points remain dc operated, recently my points control has failed and I’ve tried to use a multimeter to diagnose where the fault is but after two weeks I still can’t find the problem, using the multimeter is not strongest point. Can you advise me on the correct method to solve my problem. Thanks John Fairley
When I was 15 I made my entire layout into an amusement park, with buildings and rides made of cardboard or styrofoam. However I lit the layout with grain of wheat bulbs in a series wiring that I attached to my big Lionel 4-train transformer. Unfortunately the wheat bulbs were low power, so they would blow out very quickly. What types of lighting do you recommend?
Thanks for your question Mike. I have a series of videos on using LED's on your model railroad. They work much better than the small light bulbs. Check out my playlist page for more videos on this subject.
When I start my model railroad, I plan to go DCC. I plan to buy the NCE powercab, at least that's the plan. Will all decoders work with NCE? Are there some makes that won't, or is there a place I can go that will list what works and what doesn't? Nice helpful advice video! Thanks.
Hi Tom, loved this video and the other on the 10 most comment mistake made. I am relatively new to the World of Model Railway, and I know I have made some of the mistake you have mentioned...Simon
A lot of factors involved; price, condition, size, and your level of expertise in case you have to work on it for it to be usable. I once bought an N scale layout(Not my scale) in hopes to expand on it. I ended up scraping it and keeping the 20+ working turnouts that were on it. The parts were more than worth what I paid fot it!
Tom, love your channel, you obviously care about the new hobbyist's experience deeply; but with all due respect, money is always the problem keeping me from enjoying this hobby more. Sure I can sift backyard dirt, etc. but I don't have enough extra cash to buy the sifter or even a can of paint right now; and I'm about to run out of dollar store PVA. Prices go up but wages stay the same. Cheers from pink foam land!
That's true Scott, but I was referring to an entire section of a layout. I'm always tweeking sections whenever I add scenery or buildings. Sometimes you just have to see what it looks like to make sure it's right.
Thanks for your interest Allan, you can get to my video page from this link: ruclips.net/channel/UCE1TsLOIG2wxBZ7fe8512qwvideos?disable_polymer=1 From the Playlist Tab, you can see the same videos grouped in categories.
Thank you , like I said I'm 73 , and a life long lover of trains , I have 5 0gauge , 11 HO , 4 N train sets and now I want to do something more than set up a few sets for Christmas and put them away again , so I'm a novice at making layouts , want to start before no longer able too .
As far as DCC two wires to the track will work with a bus wire and feeders dropped every 8'. IMHO there is too much concerned with track cleaning. Even with my DCC and DCC/Sound locomotives I clean track once a month if it needs it.
I had to smile to myself about you talking about tearing down layouts. I myself started with a 3ft x 8ft layout on two 'saw horses" behind a couch in our "video room". I loved the layout as it was. And I am still using it. But then my children started to move out one by one, allowing me to use larger rooms. and NO, I did not tear out a wall to expand! (yet) But I did build the benchwork for another layout in one room and was about to start putting my new plan into action when another child moved out! And as I was contemplating the larger room, and how to move and modify the already built benchwork for my NEW planned layout, my last child moved out of the room he had shared with his brother, as he had joined the U.S. Navy! And yet another, even larger area, became available. So now, after a couple years of still using the unfinished original layout, I have benchwork in one room, emptied a space for another, and I am in the middle of planning the next NEW layout to go into what is my last available space! So yes these things happen to us all! But I was lucky enough to have taken my time to plan out each new area, as you suggested. So tearing down layouts was not a problem even though I still have my 3x8 set up and use for now lol And a room full of well planned, stable benchwork. If there had been even a few more months between the time I started to plan each stage, I would have had begun my layouts and would ;be doing exactly what you warned about! So think carefully about what you want in a layout, and DONT hurry to expand too fast! Both of these you mentioned and are very sound advice! Think ahead to what may be possible soon, and use what you have if your happy with it, until those future opportunities arise! It gives you ample time to plan the perfect layout as I believe I have done and will soon be starting. Thanks for your videos! And although I am just getting back into the hobby within last few years, I do remember when there were no videos to show us how to do even the simplest things. Magazines with pictures were about the limit of the knowledge passed on unless you actually knew somebody within the hobby. My first layout was from the book "HO Railroad That Grows" that taught step by step how to expand a simple 4x8 layout from a basic "loop" into an operational small layout. It's amazing how far we have come since those days? DCC is quite an advancement from DC. Although DC works just as well if not better than ever. And now, battery operated Motive power is coming out, and will one day replace wiring altogether and again the hobby will expand! The future of Model Railroading is shining bright! Thanks again for your hard work on these tutorials! And caring enough to share your knowledge :) Honestgbfan at the Panther Valley Railroad! P.S. My better half just read this and she said she wants to have a yard sale and empty out the 14ft x 20ft storage shed? Hmmmm?
The good ol' days of photos in the magazine. I still refer back to them on occasion even with all the technology. I don't know how many times I attempted to build my layout when I had the room but not the time.Finally was able to start my layout in 2012 in a spare room and was going full bore until I got hurt at work and ended up retiring about a year after I started. Now I have all the time in the word but nowhere near the funds to do exactly what I had planned.
Thank you for these tips. Some of the most helpful and reassuring
Glad it was helpful!
You can plan away until you are blue in the face, but when it comes to the "do", plans usually have to change on the way.
However, I've learned one valuable lesson which, over the years has saved me both money, and time - thats, dont fix in place until you are sure its where you want it to be, and that applies to track, buildings and wiring alike.
I've just spent 6 months working with Railmodeller Pro software, and everything fitted a treat, but I hate to mention how many times Ive substituted one turnout for another or rebent lengths of flexitrack getting stuff to conform to my "ideal" - easier to get your sections right first before you cut and have to rejoin track.
Now on the "do" stage, and testing with most unreliable loco, longest coach, and widest truck load to ensure power joints, clearances and curves are as "hoped for". Still nervous about combining light and semaphore signals - in 50 years, only ever done the latter....
Great vids Tom - keep them coming...dunno what some folk whinge about, I'm a brit, and I understand your "philly" easily. Wonder if these folk who complain about regional accents are as ready to criticise UK colloquialisms as readily to peoples faces?
Thank you Graeme for your information. I always drew out my plans on paper then when laying track my well thought out plans never looked right so I ended up changing almost everything. I sometimes lay EZ Track down before I lay out my good track so I get a feel of what it would look like. I wish they had 3D software when I was planning my projects, but I probably would have reverted back to the drafting board anyway.
It'a amazing how so many people criticize ones videos when they have nothing to show for themselves. I also get quite a few comments about my hands being in the way of the details or one of the cameras not being in focus for a few seconds.
All 15 have been very helpful. Thanks! It's helping me to figure out how to plan in the future!
Great to hear! Glad I could help.
Thanks, Tom. I especially appreciated the part on organization.
Glad it was helpful!
Huh . . . I don’t think I’ve ever made any mistakes! NOT!!! Haha. I think I’ve made every mistake you mentioned. And I agree about money is not the main concern. Yes if you are planning a ginormous layout, but if your starting out you should always start small and grow from there. This is a Hobby aka to be enjoyed and to have fun with! Always enjoy your videos!!
Thanks Curtis. Having fun is the most important part of the hobby.
I'd have to do a few more videos to cover all the mistakes I've made. lol
A common mistake I think is out there is beginners typically think only in ginormous layouts - either huge or nothing.
I think I pointed that out in the first 10 mistakes. Although, I could be mistaken. lol
The Lofty N-Scaler. We all make mistakes I think I made some
Your pretty much right on except at the end, sometimes I feel that when I get so far in an area, I find there's something I just got to do over or change for the better.
So then I just try too keep the mayhem down too the minimum. LoL!
Thanks for sharing!
I've been digging through videos like this left to right because I'm 'stuck'.... call it a fear of commitment... I have 2x12 foot shelf ready to go... but what to do with it... ARGH.... but I watch these and learn.
Glad to help
Thanks Tom for another great informational video, and like most I jumped in feet first, thrown together benchwork layed track without a track plan, and now, oh well it's all fun and costly lol. Thanks for sharing
Join the club Randy. We've all done that and more starting out. I'm guilty of these 5 and the first 10 I talked about a few weeks ago. We all learn from our mistakes. Us old timers didn't have RUclips to help us out. lol
#5: Indecision...BINGO! That’s me. Been a modeler since I was in diapers (42 y/o now). Started in HO, switched to N when I was 9 or 10. Can’t stick to a track plan, era or specific locale. Want to model my native state of Michigan, but do I do logging in either peninsula around the turn of the century, one of the dozens of short lines that came out of the dumpster fire that was the Penn Central, a Grand Trunk secondary in the 70s and 80s, Soo Line/C&NW in the Upper Peninsula, NYC/C&O in the Lower Peninsula, or a free-lanced branch of the Ann Arbor, Detroit and Mackinac or DT&I? So may options!
That's my big one also. I still can't make up my mind. I tore out a section of my layout over a year ago and still haven't made up my mind on the way I want to re do it!
Tom thank you for the videos. I have been working on my layout for a little over a year and have not made to many mistakes, mostly because I have been watching your videos and others on you tube. Keep up the good videos, because there are us newbies out here that need the wisdom of the veterans. I know all make mistakes but I have made less thanks to guys like you. Paul
Thank you for the kind words Paul
I can't decide where to store my track cleaner. Beside my wires? Thanks for the shout out! You're too kind. I'm really liking the green screen effect. Are you planning a how-to video soon? -Mark
Your welcome Mark. Next to your Wire Wizard!! That way you can use Tidy Track! That's a good idea about the green screen tut. I thought you already did one.
Very good warnings Tom. Thanks.
Your welcome Rodolfo
Yeah...... I've never done any of those..... *NOT!!!* 😫😱😜
Tom, in my 42 years in the Hobby, I can GUARANTEE that I've done ALL 15, plus several others!
My worst offense? No. 5 on this list. I may have ripped out MORE Layout, than I've built!! 😬😬 Of course, that adds up to an *enormous* waste of money, time, AND Product.
That's something that I try to stress to newer Modelers. It's OK to leave the "Plywood Central" intact, at least until you're sure of what you want.
Also, on compatibility.....
You have mentioned in other videos, that nearly ANY brand of Decoder will work with any DCC System. That should have been brought up.
However, you are SO right about DCC *control components.* Stick with your preferred Brand with those, and save a lot of headaches! 😊
Thanks for what you're doing!!
Carmine 🚂
I would have to do a few more videos to cover all the mistakes I've done through the years. Maybe a full length feature film. lol
Thanks for sharing your worst offence. I've done that one many times also.
THANK YOU...for sharing.
Your welcome Gary
I feel like you have been with me during my layout builds the whole time. Ive done all of those lol
I'm an expert on what not to do. I've made all the mistakes several times over.I'm a slow learner!
Hi Tom, I upgraded my layout to dcc as I was impressed by its advantages. My points remain dc operated, recently my points control has failed and I’ve tried to use a multimeter to diagnose where the fault is but after two weeks I still can’t find the problem, using the multimeter is not strongest point. Can you advise me on the correct method to solve my problem. Thanks John Fairley
Send me an email with details of what your tried and what the results were!
great video Tom , thanks good info.
Thank you Jim
Thinking about building a HO layout but not sure to use DC or DCC. Also what is best lubricant. Thank you joe
Whatever your most comfortable with and can afford.
ruclips.net/p/PLjjhnrIKSTShrzvkLrtppcNJ0zObTcDyv
When I was 15 I made my entire layout into an amusement park, with buildings and rides made of cardboard or styrofoam. However I lit the layout with grain of wheat bulbs in a series wiring that I attached to my big Lionel 4-train transformer. Unfortunately the wheat bulbs were low power, so they would blow out very quickly. What types of lighting do you recommend?
Thanks for your question Mike. I have a series of videos on using LED's on your model railroad. They work much better than the small light bulbs. Check out my playlist page for more videos on this subject.
When I start my model railroad, I plan to go DCC. I plan to buy the NCE powercab, at least that's the plan. Will all decoders work with NCE? Are there some makes that won't, or is there a place I can go that will list what works and what doesn't? Nice helpful advice video! Thanks.
Any decoder should work with any system.
Thanks!
Hi Tom, loved this video and the other on the 10 most comment mistake made. I am relatively new to the World of Model Railway, and I know I have made some of the mistake you have mentioned...Simon
Thank you Simon. I have to admit I've made them all, some more than once.
Thx Tom
Your welcome Rob
Is it a good idea to buy a layout already done
A lot of factors involved; price, condition, size, and your level of expertise in case you have to work on it for it to be usable. I once bought an N scale layout(Not my scale) in hopes to expand on it. I ended up scraping it and keeping the 20+ working turnouts that were on it. The parts were more than worth what I paid fot it!
i have a Powercab NCE Controller and im planning on switching over to Digitrax
Good move to Digitrax. I started out with Digitrax, good system!
Tom, love your channel, you obviously care about the new hobbyist's experience deeply; but with all due respect, money is always the problem keeping me from enjoying this hobby more. Sure I can sift backyard dirt, etc. but I don't have enough extra cash to buy the sifter or even a can of paint right now; and I'm about to run out of dollar store PVA. Prices go up but wages stay the same. Cheers from pink foam land!
Thank you for the kind words.
I dunno; on that undecided thing, sometimes the only way to be sure you want to do it is to try it; otherwise it is more hypothetical than not.
That's true Scott, but I was referring to an entire section of a layout. I'm always tweeking sections whenever I add scenery or buildings. Sometimes you just have to see what it looks like to make sure it's right.
Starts at 2:00
Information starts at 0:00 #1 Starts at 1:56
how do I find all your videos < right from the first , I'm 73 and need to cram up on what to do ?
Thanks for your interest Allan, you can get to my video page from this link: ruclips.net/channel/UCE1TsLOIG2wxBZ7fe8512qwvideos?disable_polymer=1
From the Playlist Tab, you can see the same videos grouped in categories.
Thank you , like I said I'm 73 , and a life long lover of trains , I have 5 0gauge , 11 HO , 4 N train sets and now I want to do something more than set up a few sets for Christmas and put them away again , so I'm a novice at making layouts , want to start before no longer able too .
Allan Blossom what ever you do, Have Fun!
Indecision can usually be avoided by proper planning
So true
great info Tom... i'm sure i have made a few of those... hahaha... vinny
+bnsf6951 Thanks Vinny, I've made those and then some
How to I learn about wiring for an o scale set up
Sorry I took so long to answer Tom. You can check out this channel: ruclips.net/user/trainroomgary
He's the expert in O Scale
Ware can you find 6 pine phone connections cables
Any electrical/electronics web site or Amazon
rail pro dcc is obsolete ?? im thinking of going rail pro wireless
Good idea Michael
Ahh you always make good sense
Thanks Don. I made a lot of mistakes too. lol
If you don't make a mistake your not doing anything
How do u avoid shorts?
+TGSGAMER360 short answer, wire your layout correctly. If you give me a little more detail about what you want, I can give you a more detailed answer.
+Toms Trains and things ok but that was all i had a big problem with shorts when i started but since i posted that i fixed the wiring
+TGSGAMER360 glad you were able to find the problem.
will digitrax power supply connect to kato unitrack
Command stations can be hooked up to any track. It's not advisable to mix electronic components.
Nice green screen
Thanks, I use it a lot
As far as DCC two wires to the track will work with a bus wire and feeders dropped every 8'. IMHO there is too much concerned with track cleaning. Even with my DCC and DCC/Sound locomotives I clean track once a month if it needs it.
That's good nformation
number 6 ,, pay attention to the wife ,, otherwise its not the roundhouse but doghouse you be in,, what you think?
Wow, I think that should be #1. Good point.
heard it many times in the appearin late night chat
We all have made mistakes
Yes we have Mathew, and I made them all!