Lance Mindheim previously wrote in this column about how, in his opinion, some people are dismissive of smaller layouts (December 2024, “The Words ‘Just’ and ‘Only’”). I thought Lance made some good points and I agree you should never have to apologize for your efforts, regardless of size. There has long been a debate in the hobby about what is better: a big, basement-filling layout or a smaller, shelf layout that can fit in a spare room.
Having built large and small layouts, I understand both sides of this debate. The main question to ask yourself is: What are you trying to accomplish? If you want to operate with a group of friends, you need a larger layout to comfortably accommodate them. If you want to model a significant portion of a railroad, with operations featuring long trains running between major terminals, you’ll need a larger layout to includes those main lines, yards, and industries.
Building a large layout is a significant undertaking and should not be taken lightly. You should be motivated to complete the project, and enjoy the process, or the task will quickly become overwhelming. The resources needed are substantial, including time, space, and money. When Mike Sparks and I worked on our latest layout, we realized it cost about four times what we thought it would and took twice as long as we had anticipated. But we kept going because we knew what we were after.
I also know too many people who have tried to build large layouts, and once they got past the benchwork and track, their motivation to finish the project died. If you’re contemplating a layout of any size, I encourage you to build a small section to completion first. This will show you what skills are involved and how long it takes, which will help you extrapolate the necessary resources to complete your project. Plus, seeing a finished portion of your layout will encourage you to finish the rest!
Among my friends with large layouts, there are many common characteristics. For example, when I visit Tony Koester’s Nickel Plate Road or Neil Schofield’s Canadian Pacific (September 2021 RMC), I am always amazed by what they have accomplished since my last visit. Everything they do is focused on working efficiently to meet the end goal in mind. They are not afraid to make mistakes and don’t hesitate to remove and replace work that doesn’t meet their expectations.
What about motivation? Sometimes the “monster in the basement” is dormant for weeks, and other times it becomes the subject of an all-out blitz. You never know when inspiration will strike, so it’s essential to have materials and a plan of action at the ready.
However, a break can also be beneficial to recharge. I took a five-year break from our layout when my kids were in high school. When I got back to it, I was refreshed and highly motivated, and things progressed rapidly. It is important not to let the layout take over your life, however. Family and work have to come first, but if you want to make steady progress, you have to make the time. I always made a point of going down to the basement every night after work for at least 15 minutes. Many times, that 15 minutes turned into three hours or more, and I ended up getting a lot done and feeling good about it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help and learn from your friends’ areas of expertise — whether it’s benchwork, laying track, wiring, or scenery and structures.
Another obstacle you will have to overcome is that not everything will be perfect. I worked in the construction industry for 50 years, most of that in project management, and I always told clients that they can have either speed or quality; but not both. That doesn’t mean doing substandard work, but you have to pick your battles and focus on what is important to you.
One thing that I don’t think is discussed enough is the maintenance of large layouts once they are completed. It is more work than anyone thinks. Every large layout owner I know says they underestimated how much work it takes to keep it clean and running well. While the tasks may be mundane or boring, stay on top of it or it can get out of hand quickly.
There is a saying that goes something like this: “If you think you can build a large layout or think you can’t, you are right either way.” Whether you want a large or small layout, the most important thing is to do something! Just talking, wishing, or thinking about it will not get you anywhere. I admire any layout that is well done regardless of size, but I especially enjoy large layouts because I know what an accomplishment and journey it is to reach the finish line.
—Randy Laframboise
