It is 9 months since I started work on my first N gauge layout, and have made so many mistakes I only hope I learn from them and don't make the same ones again.

A) I put the baseboard down before wiring the underside for electric point motors.
B) I laid ballast without gluing it down and it jammed up the motors of a few of my engines.
C) I didn't properly test the track before adding buildings and scenery.
D) Got ballast or something stuck in the points stopping them working properly.
E) Starting dismantling inoperable locos before I really knew what I was doing.
F) Got the incline wrong on my Up & Over track, necessitating re-doing it.
G) Bought locos & rolling stock without thinking what would best suit my layout.
H) Made mistakes in choosing the right Suppliers who could deliver to me in Tenerife.
I) Didn't think the Layout through properly, causing lots of further changes to be made.
J) Didn't realise it would become an addiction that would burn a big hole in my wallet.

Anyway, I have got 5 days respite in the U.K. looking after some of the Grandkids before I get back to fixing what is wrong. My current to do list includes :-

1) Replacing a number of "duff" points with ones that work.
2) Trying to repair broken engines with new chassis or bogies (cl37 X 2, cl66, cl73).
3) Re-wiring and adding some new (side mounted) electrical point motors.
4) Adding some new track & points to the layout.
5) Adding further power connections  to track.
6) Photographing & videoing the Layout in operation when finished.

I shall be calling in at Dutfields whilst in Chelmsford for some bits & pieces to bring back with me, and maybe the break away from my Layout will do me some good.
Looking forward to spending some time with our latest Grandchildren - Leah who is nearly 3, and Luke who is just 8 months old.
Luke being our one and only Grandson - so someone who might appreciate being left my model railway when it is time for me to depart this World (but not just yet I hope).

I know exactly how you feel. I've made some mistakes too but fortunately they are not major ones, yet.

I have to add 2 dropper wires to a short section of track I I had missed and discovered yesterday when a loco stopped dead. I also have a double crossover (peco) that I'm powering 4 point motors off 1 switch using a CDU. The CDU says up to 4 point motors but it will only reliably throw 3. Sometimes all 4 but mainly just 3. I'll split them up and put the 4 motors through 2 switches. Other than that everything seems ok.

Jamie

We've all done some if not all of those things, I have a layout named 'Trial & Error' for that reason. 

I remember a saying.
A person who hasn't made mistakes, hasn't made anything worthwhile. So long as we learn from mistakes, we improve.

I forgot about holes for point motors, so mine are all side mounted, which means I don't get the luxury of frog switching.

Sounds like we are all in good company. I have never had an issues electrically but I'm on my fourth layout and I have rebuilt it four times having had a few rethinks re the track plan and it's operation.
But you know what is still has been an enjoyable learning curve
Bart

Definition - An expert is someone who has already made every possible mistake in a limited field.

Old saying - Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from making bad judgements.

Alas, we have all been there and done that. 

You are allowed to make every mistake once, so long as you learn form it...

It's when you keep repeating the same mistakes you start to look a bit silly... 

Since I retired a year ago, I've finally admitted to myself my mind is not working as sharply without the constant pressure it was under. I found I was making stupid mistakes on my main layout so have put it on hold while I build a smaller end to end and put into practice all the necessary modelling jobs. In another thread someone asked if we were on the forum too much rather than 'doing', but I find I learn something new every day from the forum which I can transfer to the layout. When I finish something to my satisfaction, only then will I transfer that knowledge to the main layout.

Been there done that got the tea shirt for it it is only way you learn in this great hobby of ours the mark two or three will always be better but i still make the odd mistake
kevin141

As Martink says, you only learn by making mistakes. If it was easy, it would be boring. Having said that, it would be nice if things worked first (or even second) time.

I've been through a similar learning curve - mainly through my own impatience of wanted to get the trains running quickly

I think most of us have been there, I certainly have, impatience causes a lot of work in the end.   

Been playing trains for 52 years, n gauge for 41.  Still make mistakes.
The universe has an infinite number of unique mistakes just waiting for you to try out.

CFJ

Quote from: Malc on June 28, 2014, 04:33:57 PM
As Martink says, you only learn by making mistakes. If it was easy, it would be boring. Having said that, it would be nice if things worked first (or even second) time.

Yeah... like puttin' lotto numbers on. If it worked once that'd be enough, thanks!!