This is a reminder to users that it is against the rules to buy and sell things via this Forum. It's perfectly fine to offer advice, arrange a giveaway, share offline contact info (unfortunately chat doesn't work any more), but not to discuss items for sale. Thanks for complying.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Our Father passed away at 91 and left an amazing train layout. It was in featured in Model Railroader magazine twice. First was June, 2003 and again in July, 2007.
This train layout was our Dad's Mona Lisa and we want to preserve it if possible. Our first choice was to donate it to a Children's Museum and hope a railroad club would operate and maintain the layout. The big problem we seem to be facing is the size of the layout. It is 40 feet by 30 feet and was not built to be moved. It is not modular. We really are not interested in selling off pieces of the layout.
Another option would be a club looking to operate a layout in their facility.
My mother is planning on moving and if you want to live in Flint Township, Michigan selling the house to a train lover would be choice number 3.
I'm very open to great ideas and leads to a home for the train layout. My family is willing to support the move and rebuild of the layout.
Thanks in advance for your help and ideas. I'm sure the members of this forum understand exactly how we feel about preserving our Dad's masterpiece.