I can relate to your feeling defeated. In 2008 I started a huge project that runs through 3 rooms with a 3 year plan to build. Year one was to buld the base boards, lay the track and get trains running. Year 2 was to build the scenery in one of the scenic areas and year 3 was to build the scenery in the other scenic room. As we approach the end of 5 years, I have a working layout, and one room has some scenery built. Earlier this year, I decided to break down the scenery even further and concentrate on specific areas and get these finished. I made significant progress on one section, then changed my job and have hardly touched it since. Don't know what the answer is, I agree that a large layout is needed to enjoy running something like prototypical trains, I suspect it is either a life long project for one, or a job for several.

Hi Andy1963,

I do have one major advantage - being retired, but I think one has to have breaks. Old men's stories, but I remember a hectic time at work, starting early, finishing late and working weekends. When I stopped to think I realised that I was slowing so much from tiredness of the grind that the extra hours were not producing the extra work. Went back to normal and found I was getting at least as much done in a day !!

This has no deadline although is supposed to be running unfinished as an under-construction layout at the clubs exhibition in February !!

Dad-1