DONATE to a disabled vet
hominamad Years ago I embarked on my first model railroad construction attempt. Over the course of a year, I put countless hours of hard work into it. It was a modified version of the 4x8 Virginian layout, which I converted into a 5x9. All the benchwork was meticulously done... track work done as well as possible. Even started installing the turnouts... and got to the point where I could finally run trains around it.Then... I realized that I was going to need the space for something else. It really wasn't the end of the world. In fact I stopped working on it 3 years ago.. Work, life, kids, all took precedence. Now I have a 50% completed build, with no scenery, and am trying to figure out how to phsycially and emotionally deal with taking this thing apart.I know I could sell the individual parts on Craigslist or eBay, but it would make me feel so much better if someone would come take the whole thing and finish it and get pleasure from it. The thought of taking a saw and destroying all my hard work is too much to bear!Has anyone been here before? What should I do? Should I take it apart gently and stick it in the attic, hoping that one day years from now I'll finish? Or should I just rip it off like a bandaid and not look back?Curious to know what others have done in this situation.Thanks for reading...H
Years ago I embarked on my first model railroad construction attempt. Over the course of a year, I put countless hours of hard work into it. It was a modified version of the 4x8 Virginian layout, which I converted into a 5x9. All the benchwork was meticulously done... track work done as well as possible. Even started installing the turnouts... and got to the point where I could finally run trains around it.Then... I realized that I was going to need the space for something else. It really wasn't the end of the world. In fact I stopped working on it 3 years ago.. Work, life, kids, all took precedence. Now I have a 50% completed build, with no scenery, and am trying to figure out how to phsycially and emotionally deal with taking this thing apart.I know I could sell the individual parts on Craigslist or eBay, but it would make me feel so much better if someone would come take the whole thing and finish it and get pleasure from it. The thought of taking a saw and destroying all my hard work is too much to bear!Has anyone been here before? What should I do? Should I take it apart gently and stick it in the attic, hoping that one day years from now I'll finish? Or should I just rip it off like a bandaid and not look back?Curious to know what others have done in this situation.Thanks for reading...H
I might suggest you contact a veterans group. I had occassion somewhat recently to run across a fellow who was trying to gather to gather some trains for his disabled friend into a hobby. I mailed them out a considerable amount of my misc 'stuff'.
The small size of your layout makes this a possibility.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
I'm having to dismantle my old (30 years or so) layout as my parents have moved into town and I don't figure that I will get out to the ranch with any regularity. I also don't figure that I will ever have any place big enough to set it up again. Most of the benchwork will not be saved. I will however save a section that has the beginnings of the lake. I will also save the buildings and all the turnouts I can. (None of them were ballasted.) I also have saved all the equipment that I have collected over the years. (150-160 piecces or so.)
I am starting on a new layout that is shoehorned in my bedroom. The pieces, including the already mentioned section, were all pieces that were planned for the old layout. The main section was a planned yard expansion that will never attach to the old layout but will form the basis of the new layout. The only thing that had to be done with done components had to be trimmed. (The lake section was shortened and a corner secction was narrowed.)
I have lived in this house since 1995, and my plan is to take my last breath in this house. I will let my daughter figure out what to do with my layout when the time comes. when I am gone, my layout is someone else's problem.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
hominamad What should I do? Should I take it apart gently and stick it in the attic, hoping that one day years from now I'll finish? Or should I just rip it off like a bandaid and not look back?
What should I do? Should I take it apart gently and stick it in the attic, hoping that one day years from now I'll finish? Or should I just rip it off like a bandaid and not look back?
In my mid 40's, I began building my "serious" layouts - the 3rd & 4th ones; each time, convincing myself that we were in our "forever" home. Both these layouts progressed to the completed Plywood-Pacific stage when the relo monster gobbled them up.
Since I had a dedicated train room in each house, I always designed my layouts to maximize the utility of the space. This meant I could include the large majority of my wish-list items. It also meant that moving it was not going to be an option.
Now I'm retired, and on my 5th layout, so it appears I'll be able to finish it (to the extent that it ever happens!). But having gone through the distress of tearing down years of work, my outlook on mid-life layout design has changed.
With 20-20 hindsight, for anyone who is some years from receiving Social Security, I'd recommend building a modular/sectional layout, perhaps based on 2' x 6' units and supported on a room-specific L-girder sub-frame. When its time to move, remove the layout sections, rebuild the sub-frame to fit the new location, install the sections and fill in the gaps with new sections.
The trade-off is portability vs. maxmizing utility, but your layout could be up and running in its new home a few weekends. Also by preserving your past work, you can make progress on the loco roster, car fleet and structures.
So, to your question - I recommend salvaging what you can from the old layout and packing it away, then begin tinkering with what-if sectional plans starting with 8' x 8' and 10' x 10' rooms. When time, space and interest coincide, start building your first layout section.
Jim
Much of my layout is in 8' or 10' sections, but a sawzall might be needed to cut the scenery. There are some sections which I wouldn't bother trying to move or save whole, but might salvage the material. Getting even the sections mentioned out of the layout room whole might be difficult or impossible due to access restrictions...longish pieces of lumber, with care, went into the room okay, but even shorter sections of layout, obviously with more width than a board, and depth, too, might not make it.
Wayne
I took down my layout.last September thanks to a divorce. It took a lot of time to build, and I am not sure if I will have time to build another. But, it's disassembled and in storage so I've got a chance. But, I don't have a home with a train room, so it's all on hold. I'd like to run my trains again. There are issues I'd like to fix, too.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
a John Armstrong ObservationYesterday I was sorting thru some old documents, etc I had saved, and I ran across this old (1995), "Conversation with John Armstrong" from Model Railroad Planning.
At the end of the article he is asked,
"One last question. If you had to move and wanted to salvage part of the CS for a new layout, would you save the yard, and build new staging?"
John's reply:" Oh gosh. I think I'd probably just lie there and die. There are some things you just don't want to think about. "
Erie-diamondHere's another alternative. If there is a model rr club near you, visit them and maybe they would take it off your hands and you will know it will be put to good use.
Honestly, as a member of several model railroad clubs, I have noticed little interest from the club as a whole. They might offer to put your layout in their club newsletter.
Individual members may be interested, but the club as a group typically doesnt want someone else's unfinished layout hanging around the clubhouse (if there's a clubhouse, there is probably already a layout in there). One of the clubs I am in actually used to specifically state on the contact us page that we dont buy train collections/layouts. We would still get people who dont read the contact us section. If you do go down the route of talking to local clubs, make sure they dont specifically state that they are not interested on their website.
My personal experience with this is the layout gets disassembled anyway (not many vehicles fit a 4x8, 5x9 or larger layout in one piece), and the track, lumber, salvageable cork, and buildings get parted out separately to different new owners. As others stated, for pennies on the dollar.
There are a few very specific cases where a whole layout will net you some money, but its not the typical experience.
Your mileage may vary.
bearmanI have lived in this house since 1995, and my plan is to take my last breath in this house. I will let my daughter figure out what to do with my layout when the time comes.
.
My exact plans with only two minor differences. You have had your house a couple years longer than I have, and I have three daughters that will be encumbered by dad's stupid thing he built in the house!
I am extracting all the fun I need from my hobbies while I am still breathing. After I am gone, take it all to the landfill.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
mikeGTWI just went down and took a look at mine Decided it's time to disassemble gonna take some time it's 25 x 36 in part of the basement. I haven't touched it in 6 mo and no one has seen it for years
Thats a big layout. What caused you lack of interest to move forward? Perhaps in time you may change your mind? Got some photos?
It's about half the basement Double main two helix the second helix is in the other room so you don't know it's there and a narrow upper shelf on two sides for continoues runs.
I guess I'm just burned out after 40+ yrs this was my 5th or 6 th layout
and after reading some things postd here I think i should get rid of it myself rather then just go in a dumpster.