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 build grandiose wooden benchwork, I don't hand-lay track, I don't sculpt and carve majestic mountain ranges, I don't plot and plan every bush, rock and blade of grass, I don't scratchbuild magnificent structures, 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 since the hardscrabble 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.
