Rebuild or Start Over?

[pschleck]

I have a 12'x17' (2 level) layout in my basement that is about 12 years old. I built it using L-girder construction, with Homasote sub-roadbed supported on risers, ballasted cork roadbed, Atlas code 83 flex-track and Walthers turnouts. Scenery is virtually complete. Although the track plan was adapted from a branch line design, I am more interested in mainline operations with modern equipment.
Operationally the layout is a nightmare with frequent derailments on curves and at turnouts, especially when operating multi-locomotive consists.
I am considering alternatives for rebuilding such as new sub-roadbed (ideas?), changing to code 100 flex-track or Kato Unitrak for the main line and changing the track plan to eliminate some of the problem areas.
On the other hand, perhaps I should start over with a more suitable layout design.
Any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

You could always plan the new layout on paper as if you were going to start over and see what you come up with. Maybe that process will help you decide. Maybe you'll be really jazzed about the new layout concept and decide its worth tearing down the old layout, or come to the conclusion that you'd be better off stickin' with whatcha got.

John

[camarokid]

No need to start over if you are able to fix the problems. Curves can be realigned and turnouts tweaked to perform better. The final decision will be yours soooo think about what you want done and the best solution will just pop right up and shout at you.
Archie

[Anonymous]

I see a shout for the main track to be replaced at the problem areas. But it is drowned out by the crowd wanting modern equiptment and possibly a different way to railroad.

If it was me, I would fix the track I would hate to tear something like your layout down.

Examine possibilites for a second part of the layout to be added. Such as a Upper deck or even going into another section of the room. Expansion may be what you are looking for.

The modern equiptment can still be run, it will change the apparent "Time" on your road. However I will concede that driving a monster modern engine across a trestle made for a shay may be kind of "not quite right"

Inspect your layout from below, do you find any water damage or other problems that may cause you grief in the future? Do you have any "Favorite" scenic aspects that you really like? Would it be difficult to recreate? Or even incorperate into a new layout?

Finally I guess I would look at the costs. After finding a plan and realizing the potential for new track, wiring etc etc etc.. are you able to devote a little time each week to have a goal of having the new layout up and running? Even a loop of mainline to run a train is a big motivator to keep going.

Also look at your equiptment. Which ones are giving you the most problems? I read somewhere in MR that you can place a marker at the site of a derailment and once you gather three markers you should either have one car that derailed 3 times or three totally different trains at the same spot on the track. Or anywhere in between.

My two cents

[Anonymous]

Wow this reminds me of a similar situation of mine almost one year ago now. See I had bought a 4x8 layout from this dude in Northern Connecticut and all the track was down but had very very little scenery done. So I decided to purchase it for $325 and take it home and hook the scenery up. Well I worked for a month hard as hell on it and it came out very nice. I just couldnt wait to run a nice UP AC4400 on that layout. I had two problems with this layout once I was ready to run trains, SO I THOUGHT!!!!! I took a six axle to the track and it would not stay on anywhere man. I was whining like a baby of what to do. I was wondering if I should expand the curves on this but there were too many of them and they were litterally like 15inch curves and one or two smaller!! Not only that!! The layout was a DC layout and I was so baffled with how to even run the train he gave me for the layout. It had 13 switches, Reverse polarity switches, and what not. I struggled with what to do for about two weks when I said damn it I am going to build my own empire and it will be bigger than this!! Oh Plus I wanted to have my train run for a distance not be at point A in 20 seconds as that layout was like. So here is what I had in my basement a year ago and two pictures of what I have now. Take a look at the curves on layout #1. Good luck with your decision.






This was my first mountain I built. I used chicken wire and plaster cloth