There’s an old joke that model railway layouts are never finished, modellers just keep adding to them.
My little shunting layout is finished.
It’s definitely finished.
How do I know?
Well, I feel I’ve done everything I want to and I want to start the next project.
The second part of that sentence is the key part… I want to move on… so this layout must be finished.
It’s only a small layout, the baseboard measures roughly 650 x 300 mm (25.5 x12 inches), yet it took me 14 months to go from the initial idea to the completed layout.
It seems a long time for such a small area, but in that time I’ve done the baseboard, track, electrics, lighting, scenery, and made a loco and eight wagons. Plus there were a few diversions along the way 🙂
I reckon 14 months for a layout is pretty good progress for me.
It’s taught me that I’m happier making smaller projects.
Anything bigger and there’s a danger I’ll loose interest or motivation along the way.
When I make that room / garage / house filling layout it will have to be broken down into small pieces. That’s unlikely to happen though – I don’t have the space 🙂
If you are interested you can read all the steps of building the layout here: https://009adventure.blog/category/layout-apadobe-mine/
Or, if you are pressed for time, you can watch this 22 second video that’s a ‘run past’ of all the Apadobe Mine stock.
Yes, 14 months of work distilled down into just 22 seconds !
Steve's Narrow Gauge Adventure 
I think that’s excellent and as finished as you want it to be. I’m with you on the small layouts. Many of mine have been micros but … they do have a tendency to grow like topsy. Both my first 009 layout, Nottery Quay and Compass Point were just intended to be a single board, about four feet long but both double in length by the time they were finished. I doubt you’ll have that problem with Apadobe Mine, as it’s a continuous run, but beware if you start off with a terminus to fiddle yard layout!
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Thanks Chris – that’s a real compliment coming from a great layout builder like yourself.
I’ve read your warning and all I can say is “Oh no ! my next project is a fiddle yard to terminus layout !!”
Who knows in 10 year time it might have taken over the whole house 🙂
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Same here, start a new project is always much more fun than finish an old one.. 😀
Still i like what I see, it looks complete.
Henrik
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Thanks Henrik, I’m pleased it looks complete to you!
Yes, the thrill of something new is always more attractive to me too 🙂
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Dear Steve
Layout looks good those 422 wagon bodies look good with the rest of the stock in the train they blend in nicely and they look the right size. I bought a lot of bits from this seller doing the same as you I see they do a wooden wagon now that I will get. I am pleased for you the overall look’s so good, and runs well, anyway onwards and forward to the new layout and revitalize your layout building skills.
Roger S
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Hi Roger
Good the hear from you. Glad you like the little layout. I’m very happy with how it came together. It’s a lot of fun – definitely not a ‘serious’ layout.
For this layout the stock is mostly from Unit Models kits which are sold by Frizinghall Models. Here’s a link. You’ll have to scroll through to find the O9 stuff: https://www.modelrailshop.co.uk/b/232/UNIT-MODELS
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