Route building
Or route creation, now that depends on whether the layout is prototypical or fictional. I have done both.
I got fed up with fiddling about with odd bits that were not really working out well so went for a long proto main line, well fairly long for the UK anyway, from a start at Paddington and aimed at Penzance. But then Marky started the Penzance end (which I am very glad about) so that saved me a whole mass of work. The trouble with long proto routes is they get boring after a year, especially modern UK ones because a lot of the branch lines have gone the way of the Dodo. So for big prototypicals be prepared for the long stay and as has been said, they take over your lfe, if you ever want to get them finished that is, and with any amount of accuracy.
Then there are the branch lines, many of which have long since gone to that big rail yard in the sky as stated. They are at least a reasonable proposition in time scale and effort because usually they are reasonably short and often only single track, although in the UK many were double.
One big problem that will face you is the correct content, especially stations and very noticable buildings close by the tracks. So you would most probably need to learn either gmax or Blender. I did not and had to ask and beg for people to make them for me, which in the main they did, all except one flyover I needed.
The WCL sections are still in the process of being made after a start made on WCL 1 in TRS 2004 when it first came out, so that gives you an idea of time involved. Now I am up to section 3 and still plugging away, but sadly my time on a PC is getting limited due to eye problems.
Then there are all the fictional routes I made. Some came from an idea and some from tabletop plans, but others began life as just as experiment on gradients, Overhills & Faraway being one of those routes. I was fiddling about with a spiral that ended up as a long gradient and then the two deep gorges appeared and it went from there, so it began life if the middle and worked outwards at both ends, now how is that for bad planning!
Some started with the idea of a name and a route that kinda brought that name to life, again maybe not the best way to plan ahead.
But in all cases these fictionals were fun to make, more fun that a long proto because those become a bit of a slog in the reality of the situation that ruins your overall perspective of what Trainz is all about and gives you a kind of 'tunnel vision' of the capabilities of this great program.
Then I got involved in gmax and the routes went by the board for a long time as I made the ascent up that long learning curve and into the realms of the fairyland called content creation. I don't regret this move and it has giving me a lot more insight into Trainz than I originally had and a big helping of pleasure (and agony/frustration), so I can recommend it, but it has the downside of stopping work on whatever you are doing as far as routes go for some considerable time. I should spend more time in gmax because I have still only just scratched the surface and there is so much more to learn, but at my age I don't think I have that amount of time left so plod on with what I have and try to split my 'free time' between section 3, gmax and carp fishing.
So there you have it. Perhaps the message is enjoy Trainz and all that comes with it. Do your best but don't put your first route up because you will eventually regret it. Why? Because as time passes your abilities will improve a great deal and when you look back at the first steps into Trainz you will winch. It was about 2 years before I felt good enough to tackle anything that might be put on public display, so practice and then practice some more. Get advice from a Trainzy friend and more importantly their honest opinions about your level of work and proficiency. Ask for a bald and honest opinion and don't be offended if it isn't a glowing report. Take on board what is said to you and try harder. I have done this with gmax work and it has helped me a lot.
Mainly good luck and make a lot of new friends.
Angela