to rip out or not rip out

[Anonymous]

I am unsatisfied with my current yard
and I am debating on ripping it out and starting over

[Seamonster]

I hear you! I just ripped out and modified about 20-25% of a 16 sq. ft. yard (in N). I didn't like the way it was wired and I had to remove quite a few turnouts, add more in different places and change block boundaries, so I ripped out all the wiring and am painfully replacing it. I keep telling myself that I'll be happier with the new yard when it's finished. I didn't like the control panel for the yard either, so I'm replacing it too--when I get finished the wiring. Oh well, it keeps me off the streets at night. [:D]

[howmus]

Hey! Go for it.... I am constantly riping up stuff that I put in years ago that no longer pleases me. Each time I change something, I learn something new. Hopefully what I replace it with will be better. Nothing in this life is forever. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Definitely a good idea. if your unhappy with the operations, or whatever the problem is, go for it. Make sure to plan well so its right this time. I recently did the same and am happy with the result.

[selector]

Change is good, and even better when initiated by the subject who identifies the need.

I can see that my layout, though spanking new, will stand some modification in the months ahead, maybe sooner if I develop problems. It's what keeps us, our layouts, and the hobby, alive!

Yes, Sean, get that flat-tipped screwdriver and your shop-vac going. It'll go a lot better if you have a firm plan for a replacement.

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

I've done several changes to an already "completed" area. Sometimes what looked good on paper din't work in practice. If you have noticed that things don't work the way you planned, don't frustrate yourself, make the change.

[Adelie]

I'm in the construction stage, and decided to build the upper level by first laying the subroadbed, complete with track lines drawn, in large sections just so I could give them a good look before I committed roadbed and track. My bet was I was going to tear out a section or two, anyway, so I might as well make it as easy (and cheap) to do as possible.

That idea will work, as long as I don't get carried away and spend all my time tearing out and redoing and never get around to roadbed and track laying.

[davekelly]

If it isn't making you happy, go ahead and do it over. You've got nothing to lose!

[Anonymous]

Ok, if it is nothing but trouble, start over again. However what have you learned that you won't do again?

[DMNolan]

Let me jump on the rip it out bandwagon. I just took out 35' x2' of benchwork and track I was unhappy with and replaced it with a better track configuration and better benchwork. The time and effort you spend improving your layout will be worth it in the long run.

[jwar]

The old saying of " the only thing that stays the same, is change itself" fits model railroading to a tee. I have changed my yard three times this last time I did not wire in a lot of feeders, to be sure I like it before going further.

As the above guys stated, your the COE, do it your way, today..if ya yauuunt too. Best of luck on your track plan...go for it....John

[Anonymous]

I'm currently on track plan number (letter) "F", starting from "A"... There are a couple of spots I wish I would have changed earlier than I did, but was too lazy at the time to do what was necessary...

IMHO, when you question a section of track on how it's laid (form a functionality standpoint) or from an aesthetic standpoint (how it looks), I step away from it overnight and come back and see if I feel the same way.... At which point I start yanking up track if need be.

[Anonymous]

Never one to waste anything, be it material or effort, let me take a different approach and ask if you can cut the section free & recycle all or some of it as staging or an industrial yard elsewhere.

Wayne

[sailor38]

By all means RIP IT OUT! Before I go away making it sound like no big deal, let me explain... This layout is your kingdom. If you have even the tiniest dissatisfaction with any aspect of it, you'll never be completely pleased with it's looks, performance, etc. The sooner you sense some lack of satisfaction, the easier it is to remedy it. The longer you wait, the more trouble and work it will be. As time goes by, you'll have added more scenic elements and structures. Then you might have to remove an entire mountain, creek bed, etc., only to learn that the removed elements won't fit the new environment. On the plus side - every ripout is: a learning experience, an improvement, a mistake not to be made again and, FUN. Go for it, and reli***he improvement!

Chuck

[Seamonster]

Wayne, I'm re-using as much of the track as possible. Some of the flextrack is hard to straighten out completely, but it can be cut up or used in branch lines or industrial tracks. With the prices of things the way they are, recycling is the answer, especially for turnouts.

[siberianmo]

The layout is meant to please - if it doesn't, change it until it does. It's as simple as that - rip it out!

I constructed a room in my basement about 14 years ago just for my HO layout. It wasn't a large space - 22 x 10 ft - just enough to run my stuff. I never was fully happy with it and wound up taking it all down - everything - throwing out the stuff that wasn't worth hanging onto and boxing up all the rest.

Then, a friend came along - put the "bug" in my ear - and now at least half the basement is a trainroom - a bona fide trainroom with the layout of my dreams. Started from scratch - built it the way I wanted to and I'm happy as a clam (if clams know about being anything other than clams that is!).

Go for it!

See ya![tup]

[Anonymous]

My suggestion would be to work on something else for a while and come back to the issue after some time has passed. Time does put things in a different light and you will get some space to adjust to the idea of tearing out stuff that took a long time to build. It took me a year to come to grips with tearing out my old layou ( sceniced, highly detailed 4' x 16'). During that time I built rolling stock, structures and other stuff that I could use on the new layout. Still hurt a little to start tearing up stuff. Ultimately it was for the better.....