I thought a report on taking down my layout might be of interest. The 5' x 10' layout was built in place upstairs and not assembled to take down into moveable modules. So I always knew it would at some point get demolished. We are moving this year, relocating and downsizing, so I do not plan to build another layout, unless a module for a club use. I'm ok with that as the current layout has been a very satisfying journey, but I realize that a very large amount of work was involved and I'm inclinded to persue the hobby in a scaled down way; e.g., a club membership.
I started the layout in 2012. I got it mostly done but did not complete ballasting and final scenery until 2020. One photo following shows the overall layout before scenery completion and the second photo post scenery (other than a stream added later at the lower right corner).
20190712_083658 (2) by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
20200424_083744 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
The layout got its last run over the holidays with the grandkids visit. A nice memory. I had already sold off rolling stock and vehicles except my 4 favorite locos, a passenger set and some favorite freight cars.
I started the layout unwinding Friday by removing and packing the structures which I am donating to the local train museum (they sell donations at the semi-annual show). I also removed signals, Tortoises, details and such for the museum. Next came rescuing the DCC components. I was too lazy to rescue all the barrier strips. Then came destructing the hills and rocks, a bit of a challenge w/o making too much interior mess (it got dusty). Then the track came up. I thought I might rescue the turnouts but found that much more difficult than I was willing to handle, so the trackage is tossed. Next the cookie cutter plywood surfaces were removed, the toughest part. Last, the benchwork was disassembled (also for the dump). It all took most of four days, a bit easier than I anticipated. Glad I had the right tools!
20220103_121603 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
20220103_140640 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
20220103_152608 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Overall, there were some mixed emotions. But the overall feeling was of accomplishment, learning, and enjoyable time spent. I look forward to a next but different phase. And I will be chasing the UP Big Boy or #844 whenever they pass through Texas.
Happy New Year.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Having gone through this about 20 years ago I know it can be traumatic. Getting the room back for other things helped. Then 10 years later I started building a shelf layout after going through some of my train boxes. I had held on to most of the stuff. Much simpler design around the walls with a lift up section at the entrance. Commercial track and turnouts this time. I followed the KISS principle. Wouldn't you know it but soon I dug out my CMRI stuff and setup some signals. Then I got into Arduinos and automated my grade crossings. So much for KISS.
The message is, never think that was your last layout.
I took down my layout several years ago. I tried to save large pieces, hoping to re-assemble it fairly quickly. That was a mistake. It was actually impossible to move the largest section to the new train room, so that ended up a total demo job.
Reassembly is just daunting.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Nice, well built layout Paul. Sorry to see it go.
I've partially built and dismantled many layouts over the years, mostly due to my somewhat nomadic lifestyle. Dismantling was always ith mixed emotions - sadness at unrealized plans, and excitement at the next fresh start.
Good luck with your next modeling phase!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
I just cannot imagine tearing down my layout and not building another one. My current layout is 4 years old and way too big at 45' x 25'. I have been downsizing, however, selling locos and rolling stock to trim my roster. In the next few years, I plan to get down to just a few locomotives and some rolling stock. That way, when I kick the bucket, my kids will have little to sell and the layout itself can be readily demolished, sorta like the OP is doing.
Rich
Alton Junction
Sorry also to see the work get dismantled. The breaking down can get emotional. All the blood, sweat, and tears can now get applied to a new layout!
I did that with my 1st one. While initially hard, I looked forward to the 2nd (current) pike. I kept most of the structures, all of the rolling stock, and some track. Not bad salvaging what I could.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I considered this when I built my HO layout in my basement.
It is 6 feet wide and 24 feetlong.
However I built it on three 6x8 foot frames, built of a lightweight bed lattice type frame, and then set 4x8 x2 inch foam in place then custom cut another 4x8 foam sheet into 2x8 strips and fit them into place to arrive at three 6x8 foot foam beds I built my layout on. All three tables bolt together, so if I ever did move which I hopefully never will , the tables can first cleared off, then unbolted and easily go up the basement stairs and out the door to the garage which is slightly offset from the basement stairs door. Two guys can easily manipulate the three tables up the basement stairway and out through the garage.
I had seen several basement layouts that had to be cut up and destroyed by cutting them up beyond repair when the owner moved.
The legs that hold my tables up are also bolted on, so dismantling it could easily be done without damage, moved and put back together elsewhere.
A bit time consuming , but watching years of work being destroyed just did not set well with me.
I do have a bit more room if I want to add to my layout, but I feel I need to finish what I have now before adding to the work I need to do now.
I do have the luxury of a large basement, of which the layout takes up less than half the basement.
ON the otherside of the basement I have a large workshop, with a portable Skil 10 inch table saw, a CRaftsman 12 inch bandsaw, a CRaftsman Contractor heavy duty scroll saw, and a CRaftsman 10 inch radial arm saw so I can cut any type of lumber to any dimensions needed.
I also have a professional foam cutter to make any find of foam structures I might need.It's called a Tekoa Feather cut system.
It also comes in handy for my other hobby which is RC model aircraft as do all my other power tools.
I cut all my wood to build my train tables myself, then assembled them.
When I was younger I was raised in a fiberglass boat business family and learned the safe use of many power tools.
This is heartbreaking to see, but by the looks of it, it was in a satisfying state of completion. I feel the happiness is putting it all together vs total state of completion. But as you pointed out, dismantling can result in a lot of losses, particular pricey items like track and switches.
I hope we see more refinement in modular layout design. I've been working to create engineered connections between panel joints that not only lock the panels in place but provide electricity of varying voltages and have track positioners so there's no transition pieces. My hope is that in the likely move 2-3 years down the road, there will be minimal demolition.