Confessions of a Mediocre Modeler


I wish my model railroads looked like these, but the fact is, they don't.

Regardless, I love building model railroads and (despite my limitations) I've somehow managed to put together a number of them over the years. No, I don't do scratchbuilding, I don't build grandiose wooden benchwork, I don't hand-lay track, I don't sculpt and carve magnificent mountain ranges, I don't plot and plan every bush, rock and blade of grass, I don't model "prototypes". Hell, I don't even "operate" my railroads - I just like to watch my trains run around in circles. In short, I am a mediocre modeler.

The good news is that the model railroading industry has come a long way in the past thirty-some years, and there are now many quick and easy short-cuts designed for the great mediocre majority. Even limited modelers such as myself can now stumble along and somehow cobble together model railroads that are, well... I dunno... Adequate? Respectable? Not completely laughable?

I've documented some of my layout-building experiences on the pages below. Hopefully you'll find some inspiration and some ideas. And if not, chances are you'll at least be amused by some of my various frustrations, misadventures, misdeeds and screw-ups.


First Model Railroad
(circa 1973)
N Scale Model Railroad #1 N Scale Model Railroad #2
The Scenic Ridge Project
N Scale Model Railroad #3
Flat and Industrial
N Scale Model Railroad #4
The Ultimate Roundy-Rounder
N Scale Model Railroad #5
Shay Stadium


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