Taking down the layout...Tears in my eyes.... Now with pictures

[Anonymous]

  

Well the tears are from cataract surgery last week   but I am de constructing my layout. What a shame ,it was about 80% complete after 2 1/2 years. Just had a little scenery left to do. The size is 12 x 24 u shaped, so I have been packing up a lot of trains in the last few days, and selling several thousand dollars worth on Ebay. I am only keeping what I really like.

I have found that as I go through this hobby, myself and the hobby is constantly changing. I am sure many of you like myself started years ago and wanted every piece ever made. Well 40 years and many trains later, I have re focused to only buy the things that I can fit into my own personal grand scheme.

  The trains will go into storage for at least 1 year while I complete my new house, where I have a 15 x 25 room planned for all my stuff. A lot of the track, scenery I will be able to salvage, but a lot of stuff will no go back on the layout. I have found through the years that I simply like to run the trains, and build the scenery, so the new layout will have very few operating accessories.  I plan a small town and an exploding refinery, since I have tons of tank cars, and for some reason really like them. I am also considering getting rid of my ZWs and Vws and going with the newer ZWs ...probably 2 of them. And since I'm updating, probably the new Lionel Legacy, once I read up on it some more.   Gargraves track and ross switches are definate, but lets face it , I have plenty of time to think it through.

I'll let you know how things progress in the coming months....... Meanwhile I'll be lurking about.............................Tim

 

[traindaddy1]

Tim: Think twice before you let some stuff go now. Unless you need the $, I would hold a few of the older items back (even if you don't really like them) until you get into your new house. By then, if you still want to sell them, they may be worth a few $ more that you can spend on the new layout.  All the best!

[laz 57]

Thanks TIM for the update.  Some things are just meant to be.  I took down my whole layout with about 5 years worth of work in it, hated it but knew the new one was going to be bigger and better.  Good luck on building your new house and for sure your next layout will be better then ever.  Keep us posted.

laz57

[thatboy37]

look at it this way you are getting a new, and bigger layout with the new house. you cant beat that with a broom stick. now all the stuff you wanted on the last layout you will beable to incorporate it in the new one. plus you learned from all the mistakes you made with the old layout that you probably want make with the new one. so good luck, and congratulations on the new house and train room. let the tears of tearing down this layout get you ready for the tears of joy that will come while you are building the new layout. words of inspiration from me as i received words of inspiration aobut me loosing my job and looking for a new one.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Tim, Can you show us one more time those great bridges on your layout?

Hurry up and get the new house done so we can see another great layout.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Tim, Can you show us one more time those great bridges on your layout?

Hurry up and get the new house done so we can see another great layout.

I'd like to see those too.

[csxt30]

Tim, Can you show us one more time those great bridges on your layout?

Hurry up and get the new house done so we can see another great layout.

I'd like to see those too.

ME TOO !! And get back to The Coffee Pot before The Chief writes you up or something !!

Good to hear from you & hope the house gets done soon !!

Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

 

Thanks for the support guys....Heres some pics..Yes the bridges will be re used.

Tim

 

and

and

and

and finally the granddaddy

[darianj]

Sorry to hear that your layout has to come down, but it definitely will pay off in the long run.  I would think twice before selling off everything too.

[lionelsoni]

Tim, I hope the cataract surgery went as well for you as it did for me.  In case you have had only one eye operated on so far, ask your doctor about monovision if you haven't already investigated it.  You get one eye corrected for distance and the other for reading.  I had done it for years with contact lenses and was so satisfied with the result that I had the same corrections implanted.  It seems like one would get messed up vision at any distance that way; but in fact the brain picks out the sharper image no matter what you look at; and everything looks quite natural and in focus both near and far.  You can try it out with contacts before commiting to it.

[Anonymous]

 

  Sorry if I gave the impression that I was selling off everything, only the stuff I really did'nt care for. I still have enough trains packed up to fill a closet 3x8x8. Just culled a bit, and kept the favorites.

  I will ask my optometrist about the monovision...Thanks...Tim

[trainwrekd]

I would sell nothing Tim, trust me, I sold off 75% of my 20 year collection due to a move and now am spending a small fortune trying to get some of it back. Store it until the new house is built....when you are ready to rebuild, it will be like christmas opening up all those stored boxes

Best of luck

[ChiefEagles]

Tim, glad to see you post.  Figured you were snowed in and also working on new house [if weather permitted].  Really miss you.  You have done some great upgrades.  Now Marty E has discovered that RR Electric has some good boards for upgrades and gives you "cruise" without flywheel tape.  Your "unfinished" layout is/was an outstanding one.  Do us a favor, try and visit us more often.  God bless.  [BTW: I'm off of the floor now]