N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JulianO on December 01, 2025, 03:12:11 AM

Title: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: JulianO on December 01, 2025, 03:12:11 AM
This might have been done before, but as there are comments that the Forum is quiet lately..

I wondered who might be the slowest layout builder on the Forum.

I am going to start by nominating myself, as my current layout was started in 1977 and is still very unfinished, though it has been extended several times.

I started with 2 Lima Class 31s and a Peco Hymek kit on an Arnold chassis, with Lima, Peco and Minitrix stock.

Later went through Minitrix Class 27 and 42 before starting to acquire Farish diesels once they became available.

The layout is now intended to be roughly 1970 to 1985 blue diesel era with a few anomalies, eg I like Maroon Westerns and Warships.

I am now running everything from a 1982 vintage Farish Class 47 up to the latest Rapido Class 44. Stock also varies from 1970s vintage up to current production.

Is anyone out there slower than me?

Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Bealman on December 01, 2025, 04:42:40 AM
I'm pretty slow, but you've got ten years on me. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Sharkey51 on December 01, 2025, 07:30:16 AM
I started https://youtu.be/m_bkciU72-8 in about 1977, it took till 2023 to get close to completion!
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Bealman on December 01, 2025, 07:41:59 AM
Lovely layout, which I've seen here before. :thumbsup:

Couple of questions, though...

Is the layout still operational, and is the Trainsetta still working?

Update, please!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Sharkey51 on December 01, 2025, 07:54:16 AM
Hello, George,
Trainstacka Mark II was commissioned about a month ago. It overcomes several lessons learned in v1 and sports 15 storage tracks. It can also be controlled by DCC as well as from the manual panel.
All 15 locos have been sound fitted since the video and I'm about to start on ambient sound as described in the latest N Gauge journal.
So, the layout is very much still operational.
=Robert=
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Bazza on December 01, 2025, 07:54:42 AM
Layout building is not a competitive race. I prefer to enjoy the journey and the crafting aspects of actually making something. Take pride in your modelling endeavours and enjoy what you create regardless of how long it takes.
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Jim Easterbrook on December 01, 2025, 09:45:54 AM
I haven't even started yet. Still procrastinating (and I have a fear of woodwork).
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: Newportnobby on December 01, 2025, 09:55:34 AM
I'm quite shockingly glacial in my modelling and hit the buffers (soz) when it comes to wiring :-[
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: alypar11 on December 01, 2025, 11:38:04 AM
I've tried a few bits and pieces and have a couple of baseboards built for shelf layouts but are currently making quite good shelves above my workbench!
I'm enjoying planning and researching different ideas and putting together nice eras of locos and rolling stock. I think that it will have to be switchable modules now to make sense of Grouping to Sectorisation ideas ( with a small German township to run my Railbus obsession on).
Thank goodness for Kato track or else nothing would turn a wheel other than the rolling road. I will get there eventually as I hope to retire next year.
Just enjoy the journey and exploring of ideas, it's a pastime after all.
Title: Re: Slowest Layout Builder?
Post by: alypar11 on December 01, 2025, 11:43:49 AM

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/156/1773-011225114244.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=156428)

Sort of a shelf layout!