A Year in Retrospect

It's just past a year since I made the momentous, earth shattering, foolish perhaps? first purchase of a G Gauge loco on Ebay.

This was followed by a rapid sale of my O gauge rolling stock to fund the "G" disease.

Looking back on the year with the benefit of hindsight there are more than a few things that I wish I'd done differently...

* Discovered the various Forums before I got too far into the hobby (especially this one).
* Not bothered buying secondhand track
* Used nickel silver rather than brass rail
* Been scrupulous about track gradient and getting at least one loop absolutely level
* Realised that Live Steam was an option in this gauge
* Splashed out on a Dimax rather than MTS Central Station ( I will upgrade)
* Decided on a specific theme rather than ad hoc purchase of LGB stock
* Had the opportunity to visit other peoples railways before starting my own
* Not built my line under trees, particularly apple trees with falling fruit.

But these regrets are but a few compared with the pleasure of getting involved in Garden Railways - a pleasure which I hope will continue for many years to come.

I wonder what regrets others have had looking back on their own invovement with the hobby?

• Not having installed rail joiners everywhere from the beginning.
• Having purchased a Bachmann product.
• Not having purchased several LGB items when they were still available (rack e-lok, Mallet…)
• Not having saved enough money for the hobby for the last ten years !!!

Jean-Pierre

"Regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention..." actually, that would make a good line for a song lyric I think

I think the biggest regret I have is not getting into the hobby a damned sight sooner - I got into it back in 2002-ish, as prices of the kit were starting to climb.

In terms of what I currently have, my main regrets are:

1. Not paying more attention to supplying power for lighting around the line - for buildings and so on.

2. Not clamping/joining the rail sections better to keep the electrical connection problems down to a minimum - that problem plagues me on a regular basis even now.

3. I wish I had space for more stock too, but that's just being greedy I guess!

There was a time when I was envious of people with large gardens; my perception was that bigger garden = better railway. However, as I have been fortunate enough to see several beautiful layouts down the years, some of those in gardens smaller than mine, I have been almost fully cured of that.

I'm going to try and be positive about this;
1 Glad i spent 6 months thinking about it
2 glad i decided not to use all of our available space!
3 Glad i didnt build under the walnut trees
4 Pleased we built a tramway 'cos tight bends were OK
5 Pleased I bought 95 per cent track from ebay
6 Glad we gave ourselves the challenge of an historical period.

Finally I would say that if i had 5ooo euros i didnt need and then bought everything railway needed. i wouldnt still be in this hobby. no challenge, no fun (for me)

Mikey

My regret is that after just over a year I still don't have a clue about where/what/how to lay some track.

Next I wish that I could actually finish a job/project

Then I still need to make up my mind over era/power/country.

I have spent far too much money on something that has not come to fruition.

I have no skills to plan/construct/implement.

I have gained about 1.5 stone

Positive aspect - I stopped smoking and my baby has just got into Nottingham University.

Hmm.........

No regrets as such.
I spent a year indoors in 2006 before I ventured outdoors.
By the time I went out in the garden in December of 2006, I had read loads in various forums and also asked lots of questions, and my mates in this area taught me a lot - either by setting a good example or answering my questions.

I must admit, I had worries about getting my precious stock "dirty"
Happy in general with my lot.

For the future - adding robust details to various small parts of the line to do.

Maybe a live steamer for my 50th in January ?

No regrets as such again. This is my second garden railway.
I was concerned about the size to do it, lots of space is a much of a problem at a small space.
I look at it as an ongoing construction project it has so far taken two years with a year before thinking and planning.
It will probably be another year before the basic structure is completed, but at least trains are now running after some 3 years on the shelf.
Then hopefully I will be fiddling with it for a good few years.

Four years ago I swore I would do it on my own, dipping in to websites, reading Garden Rail and joining the G Scale Society. All strictly one way - what help was there for me? Always wanted a garden railway in France that would look French - before that, I spent lots of time reading French modellers' mags (if it ain't HO and strictly prototypical, forget it!) reading about French local railways and looking for the remains. Started my railway. Learned to install and programme chips. Looked at the other channel and decided that I preferred the information to the people. Found Carl's website and his bits on Troy's Trams. Joined CGT and felt at home. In the past twelve months, I've seen Carl at two exhibitions: took the plunge and went to Geoff's weekend; visited Brian and hosted Brian and Van at my place. I am looking forward to the next twelve months very much...Je ne regrette rien!

Phil

Not starting my railway during the:

Coldest winter....

...and wettest year.

In recent Tennessee history.

Also do not start a railway when the Mrs. throws a major house remodelling project and the purchase of a new* Honda RA1 Odyssey (Shuttle to you all in Europe) car.



* new = 14 years and 140K miles to sort out