I was looking in my local traders paper when I came across a 4 by 8 layout. It is pratically finished, and comes fully loaded. The central theme is an Air Force base that has a runway with around a 20 plane hangar. The rest of the area is scenery and housing area's. There are 6 locomotives and about 30 pieces of rolling stock, 3 unassembled buildings, a lot of extra track and accessories, two power packs (I think they are tech 2's) and some more extra's. All of this is priced at $200. I am 99% sure I am going to get it, they are sending me a tape of the layout to get an idea of what it is like. It will be a 5 hour drive (one way) to get it, so with everything set up, I am looking at around a $300 final prices, all expenses included? Should I do it? The layout is only around 2 years old, and it is an older gentleman who built it and he assures me he paid attention to every detail of the layout, and runs it at least once a week to keep everything in shape. He's selling it because he and his wife is moving to a small apartment so they can live without the tassles of a full sized home (that has a 9 acre yard) and they can't take it with them. So, should I do it?? All input is gladly accepted.
Thanks, beegle55.
Well,
About a year ago, there was a garage sale about 7 miles from where I live. In the paper it said there was a "fully treed (as in it has scenery) 4X8 layout for sale. $200". We went over there, and knew we wanted it right away. It was a bunch of yard tracks, all with cross-over switches, and a roundhouse and shop.
The switches were all Atlas Nickle-Silver Wye, and other switches. All powered. The transformers were MRC Tech II's (my favorite) the roundhouse was Hejan, the powered turntable was Walthers, and the shop has a 2 stall Walthers car shop. All powered, and sceniced. We got the price down to $75, and we got it. They said it was from a hobby shop in Wisconsin Rapids.
Whatever you think is a good deal. If the scenery looks good, and they are better-then-Life-Like engines, I say it might just be worth the drive. Your decision. Since Gas is only $1.99 here, it might be a good time to do it, too. I say get it.
Phil
If everything is really not much more than 2 years old, then the price of the engines, rolling stock and power packs should be about worth the cost. I'm assuming they're not DCC equipped, since the layout has power packs and no mention of a DCC system. So, I don't think you're getting a bad deal. If everything is in like-new condition, upgraded with metal wheels and Kadees, so much the better.
But is it a good deal? Well, that's one of the things you'll have to answer for yourself. What do you want out of a model railroad? Personally, I like building things myself, and I wouldn't be all that interested in an already-built layout just to run, unless it were way bigger that what I've got now and came with a house to put it in.
Consider whether the era and theme of the layout match what you're interested in, and whether the track plan is enough to keep your interest operationally.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the reply. I am going to get a video of the layout, and thats going to give me some good ideas about what I want, I think the locos might be Atlas and Bachmann, but he didn't pay much attention to the roadnames and brand, but I will see if I can get some more specific details.
*beegle55
If you want a 4x8 and you like the track plan, get it. If it is a good deal depends on the quality of the track, engines, rolling stock and buildings. You can get some pretty cheap stuff at a flea market.
Probably it is worth the effort just to get the pieces. If you like the layout, it will be a plus. If you don't like the layout, using the $300 to start to get what you really want, might be a better deal.
Keep us posted.
I like building things myself, but I thought it was just a good deal with what is involved in the deal, and I thought I could rebuilt it to my like in the future if it didn't fit in.
I already have a 15 by 5 layout, but it doesn't feature a major industry center or much in the way of housing, so I figured a 4 by 8 would be a great add-on, but the way it sounds, I think it would be a nice add to my layout. It also has a upper and lower track, and he used the lower track for his grandkids. I have a 2 1/2 yr old niece who would definatly enjoy the lower track. Thanks for the replys!
Beegle,
To be honest, it's really entirely up to you. Seeing the layout via video will be a good thing. Seeing it in person would be better because the cinematographer will more than likely miss something or some things that you would and should see, if you were seeing it in person.
Things to consider:
Beegle, one more thing I want to mention before I finish this up. One of the joys of model railroading for me is learning new things and how to do new things. This includes learning how to plan and contruct a layout. If I were to buy someone else's layout, it would always feel like someone else's layout.
My concern for you, Beegle, is that - since you will not have built this layout yourself - you will quickly lose interest in it. And, you will have spent $300 (plus moving expenses) for a layout that you will find less enjoyment in, than if you had conceived, planned, and built it yourself.
Just me ..
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage wrote: Things to consider: How you are going to transport the layout back?Will you rent a truck? Or, do you have/know someone who has a van that is big enough to handle a 4 x 8 layout?
Yes, You don't want to throw it in the back of a pickup and have the wind beat it to a pulp on the drive back home. This is one of the main reasons I own vehicles like Chevy Suburbans & Ford Excursions. Both can easily carry a 4x8 INSIDE.
P.S. well, I don't know about the newly re-designed Suburbans or Yukon XLs.
Now that I've read your other responses, I have a better understanding of your situation and intentions. From a pieces parts or add-on stand point, it might be worth it. How well will the theme fit in with the rest of your layout? Or, does that not really matter much?
tstage,
1) Me and my father used to drag race, and we know people who have enclosed trailers that we can borrow to transport the layout, or rent a U-haul.
2) We are going to measure a couple of the space in our vehicles, and if need be we will rent a U-haul.
3) $300 will pay for the layout, gas, and the rental costs (if neccesary).
4) The legs just screw off and the layout will be ready to load in the trailer.
5) Wiring should be fine the way it currently is.
6) I am definatly going to get an enclosed trailer no matter what happens to transport it, and I will have the layout securly fasened down to prevent any damage, and if some scenery needs repair, I have just got finished restoring my layout, so I should be able to repair most any of the scenery that might come unglued.
7) My layout room is in a 60' by 40' add on to our house that we have all our toys, a bar, and my layout in, so space (other than convincing my dad that I need to take it over) is not an issue.
I understand the part about it always being someone else's and its true, but I have constructed my own layout before, but tore it down for the better of my current layout and to satisfy my dad. I am going to have to learn to do something when I invest in a DCC system if I can convince myself into doing so.
I am going to add this layout onto my curent layout to make it a 23' by 5', and I am going to make this layout to my taste, using what is currently already there, not just leave the layout the way it already is.
Thanks for the reply.
Texas Z.
We have a Cadillac Escalade, which is very much like a Tahoe or Suburban, but we haven't measured to see if it will fit yet. I am definatley getting something enclosed to transport it.
tstage-
I am going to add it on, and the time period is really close to mine, so I think everything will work out perfectly, thats why I am so interested in it, even thought its 250 miles away.
Thanks,
Thanks for the replys everyone. ctf, I know where you are coming from, but this isn't $700, its $200 and I will still have around $200 of my budget left over to make changes I wan't to accomadate the new layout. I am not going to buy it if I am not completely satified. I feel someday I might face the DCC delima, but until then I'm going to enjoy it how I can. The reason I am going to have a problem with the DCC is because my dad bought my current layout for me for Christmas when I had already gave up on the hobby, and that got me back into it. So in all honesty, I would rather have the money he paid for the layout to create my own, but I do not have that option, so I have to work with what I already have, and in that case, I think this new addition will satisfy me.
Thanks, beegle55
beegle55 wrote: I was looking in my local traders paper when I came across a 4 by 8 layout. It is pratically finished, and comes fully loaded. The central theme is an Air Force base that has a runway with around a 20 plane hangar. The rest of the area is scenery and housing area's. There are 6 locomotives and about 30 pieces of rolling stock, 3 unassembled buildings, a lot of extra track and accessories, two power packs (I think they are tech 2's) and some more extra's. All of this is priced at $200. I am 99% sure I am going to get it, they are sending me a tape of the layout to get an idea of what it is like. It will be a 5 hour drive (one way) to get it, so with everything set up, I am looking at around a $300 final prices, all expenses included? Should I do it? The layout is only around 2 years old, and it is an older gentleman who built it and he assures me he paid attention to every detail of the layout, and runs it at least once a week to keep everything in shape. He's selling it because he and his wife is moving to a small apartment so they can live without the tassles of a full sized home (that has a 9 acre yard) and they can't take it with them. So, should I do it?? All input is gladly accepted. Thanks, beegle55.
It is best to see it before you buy, which means you must invest in some travel money before you make the decision. Almost anyone will tell you how much detail or care they put into a project, but you will know when you see it.
Yea that is the truth. He is sending me a video of running the layout, and if I like it, Im going to put final thoughts together and make a decision!