Well I just sold my Parker Subdivision earlier this afternoon to someone on the Westcoast! It's an 11' x 26' layout built originally on 8 tables that did get joined in the process. I've got a plan of how to attack the extraction, but would love to hear if anyone has any experience moving a layout of this size and some good tools and/or techniques. Any suggestions would be great.
Layout Page Link: http://www.thesolutionfarm.com/mbrx/mbrx.html
Comments & questions always welcome! Have great day! Bakoart
Mark the only reason I could see you selling such a beautiful layout is that you must have plans for something bigger and better. As far as moving the layout goes I just visited a club here in NJ last weekend the Patcong Model railroad club. They moved intot heir present location an old railroad station in Richland, NJ from their old building whihc was being demolished. I spoke to one member who built a fantastic saw mill scene whihc was quite comples and quite large. The other guys in the club told him no way was he going to be able to get it out the door. His reply was am I am paraphrasing now watch me as he grabbed a sledge hammer and proceeded to take out the door from and part of the wall. I'm not suggestion you get that drastic but if it means gaining a few more inches remove the door fromaes they aren't that hard to re-install.
I myself would approach the packing of the railroad such as we did when a friend moved into a new larger home.After about two weeks of removing and packing structures it went sort of like this. His sections were each 8' long. Once we separated the sections by removing the carriage bolts from under the layout which held each section together we cut the rails with a dremel cut off wheel and actually made each section into a self contained box by screwing plywood to each side and we used 1x4 pine boards to span across the top and attached another piece of plywood as a top. The things actually looked like coffins when were were finished, could only imagine what the neighbors must have thought when they saw us carring them out of the basement. We loaded I believe9 boxes in the back of my pick up truck and the rest in my enclosed motorcycle trailer. The set up in the new house was much easier as he had a stand alone building built for his trains.
Good luck
Hey Allegheny2-6-6-6
We have our home on the market and I figured the was no better time to sell it. If the home doesn't sell then I'll build something new. Sold everythign but the trains.
There will be no problems with getting it out the door...like I said it originally was built on 8 tables. I'm going to install new legs and make new tables out of easy to cut areas and remove the old legs...maybe move new legs over to the next grid one way or the other so I cut on straight sections of track and rebrace stuff underneith. Dremel, Razor and a thin saw and a surgeons approach. - Mark
Well...I feel a little sorry for you but then feeling sorry won't help you none.You have a most challenging task ahead of you and since you don't have a choice,let's say it's feasible.This is how I would approach the problem...
First,I'd identify all the table joints at the top surface as accurately possible.That would allow me to carefully remove all non separable items (builidings,bridges,turnouts,etc) from the cutting areas.Then I would cut the tracks at these joints and remove about an inch both sides of the cuts so that they don't get damaged any further during the cutting and transport.A Dremel tool with a cutting disk does great for this.This way,only small lengths of flex track will be needed upon reassembly.
Secondly,I would identify all the wiring that are across the table joints.If the layout was at some time wired for block control,there should be a lot of wires under it.If the future user is going DCC,then it's a good occasion to remove that wiring and doing it over as it may be much simpler to go this way.Then cut the wires at the separation joints.
Thirdly,I believe all your tables are free standing by their own.However,it is most possible (more likely probable) that you have intermediate sections that are simply held at their ends between two tables.If so,I would see that they are supported (jack stands,etc)during the cutting.Then comes the real work...removing all the nails and screws (and other devices) that hold the tables and supported sections together so that only the scenery keeps them in place.
Then,using the slimmest possible blade,I'd cut vertically from under between the tables through the scenery.Foam won't be a problem but plaster,depending on thickness,might give you some hard time.But with patience,the scenery should separate without too much damage so that it could be fixed upon reassembly.
Depending on the vehicle that will carry the layout,it may be possible that you don't have to separate all the joints.If weight allows (someone will have to lift this),bigger pieces may be carried together.Then I suggest that you strengthen the benchwork so that the scenery isn't damaged by the flexing.Simple 2X4's screwed lengthwise under the tables would probably do a good frame so that it can be lifted safely.
I believe very few layouts are built with moving in mind so when such occurence happen,it is a daunting task to move,if not impossible in some cases,without major damages.Some are probably totally torn down and started all over at the new adress,that is if the modeller still has the courage to undertake the new layout.I've seen your pictures and I find it a great looking layout and it would be a shame if it didn't survive the move.But with planning,patience and careful handling,I think it can be done nicely.Good luck.
I don't know how you were able to let go of that layout! It's absolutely georgeous!
Dismantling a layout is a messy procedure. It's difficult to do without incurring severe damage to the layout. Have you talked to the buyer about the dismantling? He may have suggestions for dismantling depending on how he's going to re-construct it.
If it were my layout, I would be heartbroken. Looking forward to building a new layout would only ease the heartbreak a little.
Darrell, quiet...for now
Mark,
you must have had your reasons to sell both layout and house. I know how difficult it is to give up a dream - I was forced to do so not so long ago, as my business was a victim of the global financial crisis.
Moving such an extensive layout requires thorough planning.
Many years ago there was an article in MR on how to move a layout and not destroy it. The author suggested getting a rental truck that has the tie off rings inside to keep loads from shifting. The basic idea is that you use ropes to make slings that the railroad can ride on. This isolates the railroad from a lot of the shock associated with trucks due to the stiffer suspension. the hard part is you need to put the bottom layer in first and then add layers with sufficient separation so you will be ducking under or over ropes until they are all loaded. They should also be centered in the truck so that the sections don;t hit the cab wall or doors on starting and stopping.
There has been some important and detailed suggestions. I would like to encourage you to think about putting it back together. I would print a track plan if you have one. Show where each section begins and ends. Number each section. Then number and letter each section. For example section one would have an A and B end. Section two the same. When reassembling section 1 B will connect to section 2 A. Maybe do something similar for the wiring.
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
Being at heart a positive person I would say that if you didn't design your layout in the first place with the prospect of moving it I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for your chance of disassembling and moving it without troubles developing somewhere along the line.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Thanks to all of you who have repied to this post. I've read them all and have considered your suggestions, cautions and comments. I'll be starting the extraction tomorrow and posting the daily details with photos on my blog at http://modelrailroadlayouts.blogspot.com/
Once again thanks for your assistance. Mark - Bakoart
What a beautiful layout! If you dont mind me asking, approximately how much did you sell it for? I can guess as to the materials, but was curious about the "sweat equity" you put into it.
Mark
Is there a track plan available? I see elements that I want to incorporate into the layout that is in the planning stage.
Alan
PS
Really nice layout; like the idea of an inverted track arrangement bringing the scenery and operations to the forefront.
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/