Having a 27 inch by 56 inch layout is quite the squeeze, hopping to get a second fold up table in the future to double the width. (Hence why I do my best to get only O-27 compatible).
I built a 12' x 16' C shaped Fastrack Legacy equipped two level layout for a guy in six days. Two loops, the second level was a reversing loop. Basic scenery with Woodland Scenics green paper on plywood and homasote. Landscaped on the rise to the second level, buildings installed and lighted, twelve switches, a bridge, etc. Installed a Millhouse turntable and an Atlas roundhouse a week later. I had a thread on here. It was in 2011. Six days fully operational with basic scenery. I built the benchwork at home for two days then broke it down and loaded it in my pickup. It was fun, but a tad stressful. I got paid $16,000. It's called work. Gee, what a concept. Or sit on your duff and stare at your boxes of unused expensive trains.
Michael Hokkanen posted:wild mary posted:My biggest obstacle is ME. We moved into our house 5 yrs ago and I had great plans for my railroad. WE own the house with no mortgage payment. We have no credit card debt, no car payments, just sold my boat and slip at the marina and am retired with nothing but time on my hands. I have all the trains I'll ever need and have a nice finished 12' X 17' room in the basement that's heated in the winter and a/c in the summer. To top it off my wife has been on my back to get started on the layout. I can't use the excuse of not enough money, nor can I say I don't have the time or space so YES, my biggest obstacle is ME. How do I get past ME?
Maybe enlist the aid of a friend who might enjoy spending time with you building the railroad? It could be a process interrupted by an occasional burger burn or cold drink break.
Looks like that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Burn a burger or two, crack open a few cold ones and maybe even get some work done - yep sounds good to me.
Kinda harsh, there, William. 
After all, it's just a hobby. Maybe deep down the poster doesn't really want to get this going. A few things I've procrastinated on now I'm glad I didn't follow through.
Too many control systems
The THIRD Rail!
Good morning, I think for me is the fact where do I store all the items that I have on my existing layout ???
From engines to rolling stock to buildings and track.
I am looking track plans for next layout which will not be a table top like I have now. I want my next layout to be no wider than 6 or 7' so I can reach things in the middle. if the area is wider than this I want o be able to have access on both sides.
For me although the track plan is important for running trains and train operations, the scenery on the layout is what gives it the wow factor.
Wanting to start a two rail O layout more? 
For me it was all the HO stuff I still have. Boxes and boxes of good HO engines, cars, and passenger sets. But HO got too small for my eyes and hands to work with. All it took was a Lionel Polar Express set in O for Christmas and I was in! Now I have filled every spot on a 12x6 layout. Nowhere to park the engines and rolling stock I have. Onto building shelves??? : )
Jim
Cleaning out the BASEMENT, i.e. "Ambition" !!!
Knowing what I wanted. My kids laugh every time I decide to change things up. It's been 12 years since I got my childhood trains back from my brother and 8 layouts. I've pretty much figured out that I enjoy buying selling and building more than running.
Spouse/Space/$auce
For many of the folks reading this Thread, you might think that $$$$$ is the biggest Obstacle Keeping Men, Women, Boys, and Girls from jumping into this really Multifaceted Hobby....And, You might also think Space is Another Obstacle keeping the same folks from getting in the Hobby....ITS NOT, it's In Our Mind, A Dream of something wanted, but, Our Mind just Thinks, It does not do the Actual Work.... WELL, THE ANSWER IS, My Suggestion, Make a few friends in Your Local Area, possibly in the same Town/County that You live in, check out their Train Layout or Display, or Possibly a Club Layout, or Display, also, Attend a Local Train Meet, TCA, LCCA Meet, and Get EXCITED!!! In our area, Nashville, Tn., Clarksville, Tn, Madisonville, Ky., Evansville, in., Owensboro, Ky., We have 25 to 40 folks interested in O Guage, HO Guage, N Guage, with different aspects of the Hobby...Some just like running trains, some carpentry, some like electrical, some painting and kit bashing.....It's Multifaceted....If you do not have space, a dedicated room, You can build around the Walls, Yes, above your Doors....Also, fastrack works on the Floor. So, if you want to get into this Great Hobby, Get Started....Once you make friends with other folks in this hobby, you will really find a satisfaction that is very rewarding....Enjoy...
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Space, and more space...
#Leapinlarry great post and you are right, it's more fun sharing salute ����
Money - lots of it will solve most problems.
After many years as a scale fanatic in HO and On30, I got burned out. Then one day I stopped looking down my nose at 3 rail O-gauge when I realized I just wanted to run trains.
For me, the biggest obstacle to 3 rail O-gauge was being a slave away at doing things the "right" way. LOL
Now with O-27, in 39" × 80" I can run 2 trains at once. Wouldn't even had considered an HO scale layout that small.
Not starting.
I would guess that most of us started with an easy oval around the tree or on a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 plywood. You will learn a lot with an easy start. No need to try to duplicate the fabulous pics seen here and in the mag. That will be later or maybe never.
