Helping out a friend

[Munster518]

A close friend of mine recently told me that he's selling his house and the layout that has been in the works for about 20 yrs is going to have to come down. He's an "Older" gentleman but I felt like Ive known the man all my life, so I volunteered to help him break down the layout. This will also give me a chance to learn some things about layout construction and disassembling wiring, scenery, track etc etc.The neat part about this layout is that all of the switches are powered by air, which Ive never seen before on a layout[:)].

This also gave me some time to learn about some of the history behind some of the prewar and postwar trains in his massive collection. The decontruction of the layout hasn't begun yet, so I figured I'd share some pics I took of the layout before it was all gone[;)].

John[:D]

[wrmcclellan]

Thanks for sharing John. Looking forward to more on this.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Can you please send more info and possibly a pic or two of the switches that run on air?.Id like to see them.Thanks for sharing[tup]

[Anonymous]

Wow! What an awesome layout! It's sad to see that it will soon be no more. Will this gentleman be moving somewhere where he has the space to start over again on another layout?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Port Lines has air operated switches. If the layout does not have a new home a local train club may be open to expansion and welcoming. If he is moving into an assisted living facility, the facility may be open to an operating layout on site.

As an operator, I don't like seeing trains and accessories in boxes, unless I'm buying them!

[Munster518]

Richard-

I will have to get back to you about more information on those air operated switches, as I only took one picture at that moment. He also told me that he was featured in a magazine years ago about that just dealt with the air operated switches[:)].

Stergeon Phish-

At this point the layout is still intact, he's in not much of a ru***o dismantle as I would feel the same way being an operator. He might be interesed in selling the layout as a whole but without the accesories and trains itself? But to what club I woundn't know one off hand?. I know he plans on moving into a larger home with a basement, but Im not sure as to what the size might be.

I forgot to mention also that this layout also continues through the wall and into another room were it wraps around the walls and becomes a major yard area for switching, then connects back to head into the main train room. Ive got some pics of this room that I have to share, thanks[:)]

John