| Think carefully when planning construction of a | | | | connect with the rest of the system. |
| model train layout. Stop, and think before you | | | | Even a very large model train layout must |
| rush in doing something you might later regret. | | | | compromise, with the need to 'disappear' off the |
| Many model railroaders begin with the urge to see | | | | edge of the recreated world. That is why many |
| model trains running as soon as possible, and rush | | | | layouts simply model a stretch of line with the |
| in to construct the first type of layout that | | | | 'rest of the world' at both ends. This type of |
| occurs to them. | | | | layout can be made to look very realistic. |
| Trouble is; they find out too late that they have | | | | You may want to build a specialist layout with one |
| committed themselves to a design which is not | | | | major source of traffic, for example a steel mill, |
| going to be of long term interest. Worse still, they | | | | brewery or saw mill. In this case, you most |
| discover halfway through construction that they | | | | definitely need to study the subject in order to |
| would have been better off to have adopted a | | | | model it correctly. If you love the subject, this is |
| different plan, even to have constructed a | | | | the sort of train layout you should consider |
| different railroad altogether. | | | | building. |
| The best and most satisfying layouts are almost | | | | You may prefer to construct a more generalist |
| always the result of a considerable amount of | | | | layout where almost anything goes. A sea port |
| planning. This can appear frustrating at first, | | | | for example could realistically be expected to |
| however most model railroaders soon discover | | | | send and receive almost all kinds of freight cars. |
| that planning and research can be a lot of fun. It | | | | A generalist model train layout allows for flexibility |
| is usually well worth the time and effort involved | | | | which for many railroaders is a good reason to |
| in getting things right from day one. | | | | choose this kind of layout. |
| It is almost impossible for even the largest model | | | | Whatever you decide, think carefully before you |
| railroad setup to model an entire line. Most, if not | | | | get started. It is well worth the effort and a way |
| all, interesting lines would 'go off' somewhere to | | | | to avid frustration later. |