So I've finally gotten managerial approval to build a "railroad shop" which will be a giant heated/cooled sealed up garage for nothing but a layout. Hopefully a big one depending on what I finally decide on. That being said. My dad and I have been building a 12'x18' donut-ish layout in my garage. This will have to go. It was our first layout in 40 years and while it's very nice, we learned a lot and are looking forward to a 40'x60' shop with miles of track to work with instead of the constraints of what we can fit in the garage. The question is.....where does it go? I've thought about donating it but there doesn't seem to be much interest. Do you guys have any idea? There's not a lot that would be salvageable off the current layout and frankly, I want to start completely fresh. I don't want to try to get things to work just to reuse things. I want to start 100% fresh and move forward.
Any ideas you guys could share? I thought about trying to sell it for a serioulsy discounted amount but then who wants to try to move a layout that big? And would anyone really buy it?
I don't want to chopsaw it up and the move it a little bit off so I have time.....just trying to figure out what to do with the old. Appreciate the input,
Mike
We've had similar thread before related to other themes, what happens when I die? or specific famous model railroads.
As you rightly point out, if the layout wasn't built with the idea of moving it, it is an albatross to move.
At least one person here, "salvaged" the parts off someone elses model railroad, meticulously taking reuseable parts. Maybe an ad on Craigs List would find someone who doesn't have much money that would be willing to take parts off of it. Whether they would be willing to take the whole thing is doubtful.
If your track is attached with water soluble glues and the turnouts aren't snap switches, there is no reason why you couldn't salvage those and the longer pieces of track. If there are L-girders, they can be reused. I saved mine for 14 years and threw them away 2 years before I got back into model railroading.
Blame that on my new grandson.
Good luck but I think you will be researching roll off dumpsters.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Paraphrasing what's been said:
Remove what you want
Offer free stripping rights to a club or etc
Have dumpster delivered--do physical exertion
Done
Ed
In my experience there is generally very little interest in someone else's layout per se, and with good reason as it is rare for them to be reassembled in good working order.
However there MIGHT be interest in the plywood and lumber, given the decreasing quality of both from most local sources. But even then I'd be surprised if there was much interest in buying it from you. Someone would be going to a fair amount of work, including physical work, and they'd be doing you an enormous favor to get it off your hands, frankly.
Do you have an NMRA division nearby and if so do they have a publication where you could advertise it as "free to a good home" - but with the understanding that it really DOES have to be moved out. You don't want the project started and then walked away from. Let them decide if they want the wood or the actual layout.
You might even make new model railroading friends in the bargain.
Dave Nelson
Three questions... any pictures, trackplan, and what general area do you live... If it's free I possibly could be interested... Thanks!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
I live in Oregon. and I'd have to get some track plans or take some screen shots of my Anyrail layout I designed it in if you are interested. Still haven't started the new shop yet either so it could be a little bit. I'm just trying to prepare.
I do not have any local NHRA type organizations that could help. I started with them first.
I'm going to contact one of the local clubs to see if they want it for their annual Christmas thing. Even if I do give it away I'll want some tax info for it since I do have quite a bit of money rolled up in it. At least be able to get a tax write off for it. Thanks for the input guys.
What's the dimensions? Can you palletize it? And some photos and a track plan would help...
What region does it model?
5150WS6Even if I do give it away I'll want some tax info for it since I do have quite a bit of money rolled up in it. At least be able to get a tax write off for it.
Maybe get a blank reciept, like Good Will gives out, when you make a donation to them. You fill in the amounts.
I would strip everything that I wanted and that can be reused, like track, bridges, reusable trees and shrubbery, buildings, etc., and scrap the rest. What would be left? Scenery stuff like hills, etc.,? Alot of foam, cardboard, plaster, paint, etc., etc.
Mike.
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