Through Observation

Joe,

Interesting subject.  I've seen these questions asked over and over again in the course of the time I've been on. My opinion on is that these questions are asked because the new guy wants to get involved in a conversation on the forum. It then makes him/her feel like a part of the membership.

Bernd

Right on Joe!

I've stated previously that much of my former railroad ended up in the garbage - and that wasn't because I had to move!  I am a great believer in testing / practice in modeling.  I used your exact suggestion on my new version of the Richlawn Railroad for determining my benchwork height.  I've used testing in layout design, water features, rock carving, and many other areas.  I test / practice off of the layout in most cases and usually my first try is good enough for the garbage. Testing is an invaluable add to the modeler and should be used whenever possible.

Asking questions from those more experienced ...

... is seldom a bad thing; and with today's Internet connectivity it is easy enough to do.  For a lot of the types of questions listed by Joe, I don't think the person asking the question is looking for a definitive answer; rather they are looking to get a 'feel' or 'sampling' of what others are doing and perhaps avoid a blunder.

Sure, you can 'experiment' and find the answer for yourself, but then you may be unaware of a more suitable option that another has used, had you simply asked the question.  Once you get your answers your 'experimentation' will be more focused and you may avoid 'dead ends' or 'false starts' that others have discovered previously.

Guilty as Charged

However, I knew as I was asking the question what I was getting into, and as Dave O stated above, I wasn't looking for the definitive 'end all, be all' type of answer.  I've been a member of several R/C modeling forums for many years and have seen similar thread topics come up.  Thankfully, MRH members genuinely reply with helpful information and experiences rather than bashing the newbie (though I can certainly understand also how open ended some questions can be).

No worries TJ ...

... I have learned something from your question (or rather the replies that it generated).  I've often seen references to the Atlas, ME, and Peco track and turnouts; and while many have personal favorites, it seems that any of those brands would likely work in most applications.  But, I had also noticed a curious lack of folks recommending the Shinohara turnouts ... but, now I think I have a much better understanding of why that may be.  

Living in Sri Lanka, I can't simply go down to the LHS and 'look' and compare them; only way to get a sample is via mail order and shipping and duty/customs pretty much doubles the price ...

Asking Questions and searching for answers....

I am beginning to see Joe's point of view on this 1.2.3.. thing!! I am working on designing my S gauge layout and a million questions have come up. So I start to search for answers and am finding this only creates MORE questions or creates more confusion. In my youth I would just lay down track any old way and run trains with lots of fun. After searching for the past several years for just the right layout with the perfect look, (just like the magazines), I have come to realize how much time I have wasted looking for that perfect layout when I could have been running trains.

So I have decided to start building bench work that fits my sitting or standing needs with a foot or two between the decks and make something to run my trains. I have probably downloaded gigabytes of pictures and articles on how to get started NOW I just need to get started..

Thanks Joe and crew for a great e-magazine!!

John Frankforther

The Chainsaw Layout

Testing, 1, 2, 3 ?

 I've got a question. Why does the site sometimes make me re-sign in right when I'm trying to post a new comment then if I sign in when asked the site throws away the comment? At that point it's either re-type the whole thing or just forget it and let some guy's question go unanswered. Anyone else have a problem with this or is it just me?...DaveBranum

It's rare

I've seen that issue, but it's rare (at least for us). I think it depends on the browser you're using and if you've made mrhmag.com and model-railroad-hobbyist.com a trusted site. If you want to know how to make us a trusted site, just google your browser name and "trusted website".

Great Point Joe

I've done a 180 since I first started in this hobby.  I used to proceed very carefully (hence slowly) trying to make sure everything was just right the first time.

Now I do mockups or purchase samples to test just about everything.  I can then proceed with total confidence. No surprises and no little voice in your head casting doubt on your decisions.

Of course I also ask others for their opinions too.  You can learn a lot that way. Usually more than what you were originally looking for!

Chris Heili

Mullan Pass Railway

It's not either-or

It's not either-or: do you test yourself or do you get opinions? It's both. More data is always helpful, of course. My main point in the editorial is that in many cases, some personal experimentation will often get you that missing data you need, especially when opinions vary (ford vs chevy type answers).

Hello, test . . .

Much of my best work has been of the "proof-of-concept" sort: Can I do this? Do I have the chops? Because nobody ever told me I was too young, too small, too weak, to inexperienced, otherwise unable, I've found that I can fumble my way to some very satisfying conclusions. As Yoda said to Luke, "Do or do not; there is no try." Of course, hanging around with others more experienced in matters shortens the learning curve a lot, and teaching others really tests someone's grasp of a matter.

Do, or Do Not; There is no try.

I love that quote, but as you also said, hanging around with others with more knowledge and experience shortens the learning curve.  I'm known for sitting in front of the computer for hours on end watching YouTube videos and searching the web for as much information on a subject as I can find before setting off half-cocked on a project.  The more knowledge I have going in, the quicker, and better my results usually are.

"Do or do not; there is no try."

haha, Yoda's just a salesman. All he does is put the try's into the  do not column..DaveB

Structures

Do or do not, there is no try

I know the "try" = "do not" comment was made somewhat in jest, but it does bring up what "try" means. Can try be "do" as well as "do not" ...?

Try, as Yoda would see it, would be a half-hearted attempt to do a task with the intent not being to really go after it, but more to sooth your conscience that you didn't just sit on your hands. In other words, you get to declare that some effort was applied, with the outcome to be you'll say, "See, we tried it and like we expected, it didn't work." 

The other kind of try that Yoda would call "do" would be an attempt to go for broke or at least to try with the intent to see how far you can get - in other words, learn as much as possible so you're a leg up on future attempts. While you may not succeed, the intention is to succeed if you can, and if you fail, it's only temporary.

I think that's the difference - the half-hearted "try" (do not to Yoda) sees failure as likely and permanent, while the "give it all you've got" try (do to Yoda) sees success as likely and any failures as only temporary. For the "do" version of "try", failure is called "experience" and it's the foundation on which mastery is built.

Luke looks upon a huge layout Yoda has built and says...

"I, I don't believe it".

Yoda replies.. "That is why you fail!"

Yoda references

always remind me of Raising Arizona where he's describing the jammies of the kidnapped baby....DaveBranum

Testing...1,2,3

I have learned, the hard way, that just jumping in with both feet, after a recommendation (in a Print Magazine) about a certain brand of turnout kit.  They had much to offer, being flexible, so they could be curved, were from a company that formerly made some excellent Trucks and looked quite good.  They were fairly easy to layout, and I bought enough to do my entire layout.  Not a good idea!  After I got started installing them, I found the points were a real bugger to build, and they have a plastic frog.  They don't work with small, (0-6-0)  type engines, of which I have three.

To make a long story short, I have ended up tearing out these turnouts, one by one, and replacing them with Fast tracks.  I now have  the benefit of a close friend who had already tried Fast Tracks and was quite satisfied.

So, this time, when I have been hearing a lot of good stuff about Sergent Couplers, I decided to go a more cautious route.  I bought a small sample to build and actually test on some cars.  They work!  Voila!

The point of this is, don't jump in with both feet, stop and do some testing, first.  It will greatly increase your satisfaction with your hobby, and save a lot of frustration, i.e. Turnouts that won't allow small engines to pass with out a nudge from the ol' 0-5-0.

As I read somewhere in the distant past, "Model Railroading is Fun", and it is, mostly.  VBG

Mike Van Hove

Columbia, MO

"and replacing them with Fast tracks"

  Why not just replace the plastic frog with metal? Seems like a lot of work for the frog improvement when you lose the tie plate details too? ......DaveB