jwhittenHow much money you got? You gonna live here too? What's the rest of the setup?
jwhittenwho's gonna CLEAN the place and MOW the yard???
Texas Zepherjwhittenwho's gonna CLEAN the place and MOW the yard???That's what 7 children and some really cool miniature John Deere tractors (garden tractors) are for.
Before reading this comment I was going to suggest that you keep the gym and find some young guys in the neighborhood that will mow the yard in exchange for use of the gym. I was a basketball junkie until the 30s hit me like a sack a bricks. When I was a kid, I know I (and my friends too) would have gladly helped with upkeep for access to a nice gym.
But, with 7 kids and equipment for them to use, I guess that point is moot.
Regardless of what you decide, have fun. You've got a clean pallet from which to make something truly remarkable and unique, both in terms of the model railroad and the live quarters. Just think everything through before you dive in. (I know, that will be difficult.)
Good luck,Bergie
Hi Texas Zepher,
I built my rather extensive layout in the 24'x24' loft of my garage. After seven years, it is still not complete. I am also helping to build a 16'x16' Historical Model Railroad. The point is,"Do you have time and finances to build a huge layout?" I built my pre-planned layout in four stages, with dead switches placed in anticipation of my pre-planned expansion. Have you considered making your huge space, available to a model railroad club, that could set up layouts in various scales ? Bob Hahn
If it were me the choice would be very easy goodbye B ball hello railroad. To have thatmuch open space without restrictions is a model railroaders dream but hey if your into shooting hoops then so be it. Just remember old guys can still play with trains they don't shoot too many baskets..........lol The next and other best choice would be the 24'x48' space. sp what you have a closet with an electrical panel in the center of the room, how many of us have to work around hot water heater, furnaces, washers & dryers and the other unnecessary things that clutter our train rooms. As long as you have decent acess to the space and also depending on what type of layout you want to build lets say around the room perhaps that would be enough space to house a really nice sized layout. Why go smaller when you have nice big spaces like that to take advantage of.
If you've got that many kids you might want to keep the gym so they have a place to play. (I'm not sure how old they all are, but a gym to play sports at home would help keep them out of trouble)
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
The old science room with the hood could be a paintshop/work house? Perhaps you can rig up an airbrush with proper ventilation for all the fumes to go outside. This also provides a nice large area to work in.
The old gym sounds like a good exhibit space. Check to see how level it is. Then check for a doorway to provide easy access from a van. Then you have a good home for a modular group.
With such a large area, it seems a shame not to make it available for a club or modular group. Could be a good place to meet & work on modules in between mall shows.
Is the ceiling in the gym high enough to add a second floor in all or part of it? Even half of it was make a good sized model railroad.
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
Wdlgln005 The old science room with the hood could be a paintshop/work house?
rclanger Is the ceiling in the gym high enough to add a second floor in all or part of it? Even half of it was make a good sized model railroad.