Building a layout at an older age and considerations

[Eriediamond]

Ok, maybe I should be waiting for those men in the white coats, maybe I'm just not thinking straight anymore but this idea is nagging me. To be blunt here, I'm 64 years young and going into my third or fourth childhood. I'm fixing to start a new layout in N scale and it will be an around the wall, not arrached to the wall, but an L-girder with bench work supporting it, or foam based and free standing. My thoughts are to build this as kind of a modular type layout. Reasons being that when I take that final train ride, all my railroad stuff will be left to the club I belong to. I know it will requie a little more work, but I want it to be easily taken down, moved and put back up with a minimum of trouble. My question to all this is has anyone else thought along these lines or done this and if you have, your thoughts on it. Ken

[MisterBeasley]

I'm 58, not that far behind you, but I'm not thinking in those terms yet. I'm more worried about the "downsizing" move out of the family home. I was at a club open house a couple of days ago, and one of the members said that few of them even had an in-home layout - lack of basements and attics in Florida. Their models had all migrated to the club. I suppose that explains the eclectic mix of engines and rolling stock, and the 3 nice roundhouses on the layout.

My guess is, though, that it would be very hard to move a significant chunk of a layout and re-integrate it with another layout, unless both were designed to true "Modular" specifications, like the ones for shows. That might be an option worth looking into. It's one that I'm considering once I fill up my assigned space in the family room.

I went to that open house with my father-in-law, by the way. He's in his late eighties, still fully in control of everything but his wife, and not even close to pushing up daisies. At 64, you've got a lot of track still ahead.

[steveblackledge]

Hello Ken, you could go down the trak route that is used by the modular builders and adopt the Ntrak module dimensions, that way it will fit in with any other members who run to Ntrack standards, im an HO scale modeller as my eyes and fingers don't do N scale very well (and i'm only 38)

This is the website of the Ntrak club http://www.ntrak.org/

[John Busby]

Hi Ken
Toy trains at your age really[:D]
Getting serious for a moment.
Yes a layout in sections if that's your plan is a good idea but plan it like a heavy duty exhibition layout rather than using a modular system like N track.
If its going to a club later they may curse you when they move it but will appreciate the ease of taking it apart and putting it back together in its new home.
after all it has to survive the trip.
Remember you are building it primarily for your enjoyment not for the club so
That takes priority in all except making sure it comes apart easy and goes back together easy..
I did this sort of thing once but it never survived to get moved I took it down sold all the stock and changed to a much larger scale it did get moved about a bit in the room it was in as it grew and I can tell you it came apart and went back together
easy enough and that is what you need to aim for.
Just remember the layout is for your benefit
regards John

[Anonymous]

I'm 64 and my new layout (3yrs old) is firmly attached to the wall around the 12' X 15' room. When I'm gone I don't care what they do with it - I enjoyed it.

I've seen a lot of donated layouts taken apart because the person in control didn't think this, or that, was done right.

[cnw4001]

As noted, I think you should really build for yourself as when it is removed because you're no longer around it could well not fit in with the needs of those who get same.

Taking that approach they will be able to use what they want/need and you won't be compromising what gives you enjoyment by speculating on the future. This is after all, a hobby not a legacy maker.

I'm right up with you in the age bracket.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

I'm 64 and my new layout (3yrs old) is firmly attached to the wall around the 12' X 15' room. When I'm gone I don't care what they do with it - I enjoyed it.

I've seen a lot of donated layouts taken apart because the person in control didn't think this, or that, was done right.

I agree! Don't build you layout for someone else, build it for yourself. Nobody else will appreciate your design and your construction the way you do and as Teffy said, they will likely dismantle it and re-use what they can in different ways.

Build it so you have fun wiuth it, and then let the club members worry about what to do with it later. But making it easy to get out fo the house is still sensible anyway!

John

[Anonymous]

You're probably smart to build it in easy-to-move sections, but Teffy is right, because someone will probably take it all apart after that move. That's human nature, and it's probably why so many people have private layouts and don't join clubs. They can do their own thing. Anyway, pros and cons of clubs aside, you should also keep it simple in N scale, unless at your age you still have eyes like a fighter pilot's. That stuff will get smaller and smaller and smaller as the years go by. Have fun.

[retsignalmtr]

i'm 56 and have been modeling in n and ho on and off most of my life. each layout that i started i became discouraged with and packed it up after a while. two years ago i started another n scale layout. it's an around the walls layout based on the one track modular system. it's one foot wide and has a mainline lenght of 70 ft. the tops of the rails are only 38" from the floor and i would have liked 48" but it would have blocked some windows. part of the layout is on plywood with 1x4 frames. the rest is on foam with 1/2"x 2"x48" framework held together with 2" removeable pin utility hinges. if i ever have to move it i can just cut through the rails and pull the hingepins. reassembly should be just as easy. i'm using dcc so each module has a two wire buss with jumpers at each end for power. hand throws from caboose industries are on all the switches. the framework sits on a 6" shelf that goes all around the room. the only place that i have had to fasten it to the wall is where i have a lift out section at a doorway into the room. the layout is designed for continious running but now that i'm using my woodstove for heat i have to remove the piece behind it because of the high temperature there. i also belong to a club that has ho and n layouts. my equipment will probably go to them if the club is still in existance when i go which i hope will not be for a while, but one never knows, do one.

[oleirish]

Not to worry,I'am allmost 64,and keep hopeing for my bother-inlaw to find a new girlfrend and move out so I can have my train room back,so at the present I'am makeing do with a small 42"X10' in my main bedroom!!Your never to old!

JIM

[CP5415]

Ken, what are you trying to say?
That you're old?

Bah!

You're still breathing arn't you? [:D]

Gordon

[twhite]

Well, I'm going to be 66 in a couple of weeks and just went back into teaching after a year and a half of 'retirement' and my model railroad is built permanently in the garage (California basement), so right now I feel pretty viable. I'm not particularly interested in what happens to the layout after I'm gone, though I have a grandson and grand-nephew who are pretty interested in the locomotives and rolling stock. I built it for me, and if my relatives have any interest in the physical layout itself, it can be broken down into several large sections fore removal. But that was not a mitigating factor when I built it, it just so happens that I built it in several 'sections'. I'd like to see several of my favorite locomotives stay in the 'family' as long as possible, but if the locos and rolling stock are either sold or given away after I've made my journey, all I can hope for is that they bring other people as much pleasure as they've brought me over the years.
Tom

[ARTHILL]

I'm 70 and I am building what I want. Never could afford it before. I will let my kids decide to move it or dismantle it or what ever. I won't care then, but I do now. I don't know if I have a day or a decade, but today I get to build my railroad my way.

[SpaceMouse]

I agree that you should build it for yourself. Sure donate it to the club, but let them pick and choose from the structures and turnouts and engines and rolling stock. The can salvage a lot, and you won't have a ton of extra work making something movable that people won't care as much for as you do.

And keep this in mind. How many people do you know that know how to move. IN my opinion there are very few most are walking damage machines. And the way I figure it, those are the ones that volunteer most often.

Build it for yourself, but let the salvage later.

[loathar]

I'm only 41, but having died and been resusitated once already I did figure this into the new layout I'm building.( I got the diabetes bad) When my brother came over to help me with my benchwork I made sure he knew how to take it apart for resale should I take an untimely dirt nap. I'm not doing it to any modular standards. I'm doing what I want. I made sure my brother knew the value of my stuff so as to get a fair price for it later. It would kill me (a second time) to look down and see some one offer my brother $200 and "I'll haul it away for you". If someone got away with that, I'd have to haunt my old trains and make sure they never ran right again.[:-,]

[cmrproducts]

Well I’m 58 and have been working on my retirement layout for 5 years now. It is in a 25 x 75 foot basement and the complete basement is filled with layout. I am working in HO and with 2700 feet of track down so far and there are no plans on slowing down.

The house is our retirement home and I have no plans on moving South or West. With all of the nice weather the south is having I think I will stay in Northwestern PA, as there is never anything going on here.

With 3 years, 4 months and 3 days to go I hope to have all of the bench work, track and most of the rolling stock bought so I can just scratch build the many buildings needed and have my OPTUDs (OP Till U Drop) sessions twice a year.

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

When my Dad got to retirement, he took up making ornate hanging stained glass windows, which at the time, I thought was an unusual pasttime given his tradtional hobbies. Years later, it finally dawned on me what he was thinking... he made each of the family members a very fine piece of artwork that would always be displayed, cherished and handed down as heirlooms. He was quite correct.

I have no expectations that my layout, my finest scratchbuilt item or most detailed locomotive will ever attain that status... but then that's not the reason I'm in the hobby.

Design it keeping in mind your needs and abilities, build it for your own enjoyment - but let your children or your stained glass be your legacy.

[Anonymous]

Hi

I'm 61and semi retired, and live in Central Africa. I have been building my British outline layout for 3 years! I originally considered n gauge but eventually decided on British 00 as n seemed too small. Progress has been delayed by deciding to go DCC earlier this year

I have the advantage of 2 young grandsons living only 50 yards away. Despite being only 4 and 2 they have already developed an interest.

My layout is not portable at all, but I would hope that in the event of my demise they will have reached an age where they are either in a position to use or assist in dismantling.

Good idea to keep all the boxes for locos,etc, which could make things easier for those left behind who want to dispose of everything.

However I am being positive and hope to have many years of enjoyment from my layout.

[XMarine]

I am a disabled retired Marine who is starting his sixth layout [:D] (biggest I ever attempted). I am building it for me. My will spells out what to do with the trains and removable items (vehicles, buildings, etc..)[V]. As for the layout itself - let the heirs decide![}:)] I figure that they will not like my design and would not want it, so why waste time planning for them to have the layout when it is meant for me now and hopefully for a long time in the future.[(-D]

[ICRR1964]

I'm only in my 40's and kind of understand what you are trying to say. I had a freind of mine that I had done a kitchen remodel for him and his wife a couple of years back! He had a huge setup in his garage that took up all the wall space. He was in his 80's and took great pride in his layout and work that was done on it. He died one Sunday afternoon at his work bench working on a loco. At least he died doing what he wanted and loved. It was weeks after the funeral that his wife contacted me and asked me to come down to her home and look at something. After arriving I had seen this huge pile of sections of layout, freight cars, loco's and building all busted up and thrown by the street curb! There sons did not want it and felt it was junk, the widow did not approve of her sons actions, but wanted to get into a smaller home and leave everything behind her. I called my wife and we gathered everything up"they used a chainsaw and hammers to get the layout apart to". I ended up selling almost everything to 3 LHS for a grand total of about $5000 and gave it to Sams wife, she thanked me and we parted company.

This left an impression on me that scared me! I made an inventory up on the computer of all my items I have and am leaving everything to freinds who enjoy MR, and donations to my wife are expected from them. Otherwise it will all be sold on ebay by my daughters. I don't want all my MR items to go to the junk man!

[cnw4001]

Here's another thought. You're talking about the layout being disposed of 20-30 years into the future and by then the stuff you find of interest may well be antique for those doing the disposing.

Thus you're going to get more value from the layout by building it for your peace of mind instead of being concerned that someone in the future will be interested in the past.

[johncolley]

I'm 68 and the eyes and hands don't compute with N guage, so I'm doing HO Free-mo modules because I love operations, big curves, and big turnout numbers like 8's and 10's. I also figure to donate my efforts to the Free-mo NW group when I move on, so to speak. Meanwhile, I will continue to haul my modules to set-ups and enjoy the cameraderie of like-mided souls as long as I am able. And I love sound, running them at about 40-50% volume is enough with my hearing aids, and I don't need to blast everyone else out of the room, eh?.

[JohnT14808]

Sh-h-h-h-h....don't say anything to my spouse, but I've been thinking it's time for a move back into town, in a house with a basement....A retirement layout...You betcha!! The kids will both be in college in three years, and it'll be time for a move to smaller but with a basement type of house!! Who cares what your age is. Go for it...and if you get some special items, then make provisions for those items in your will, or make certain your spouse knows what to do with the items.

[IRONROOSTER]

I told my kids, keep what trains and buildings you want and make sure the rest doesn't go cheap. The real problem with a layout is it needs maintenance and a place to store it that's climate controlled. Not very practical unless you know someone who wants a layout and yours fits his/her scheme of things. Still I am building my layout in sectional fashion. I do this in case I have to move it, but it will also allow someone else to do so after I can no longer model railroad.

Recently I visited the late John Armstrong's layout, Canadaigua Southern, for it's last open house before dismantling. On the one hand it's kind of sad that it can't be preserved intact (which would have to have been done in place). But maybe it's better that it not be. A model railroad is a personal expression and the inevitable deterioration would be a sad end to a famous railroad. Remember it through pictures and video.
Enjoy
Paul

[Wdlgln005]

It may be more important to build something reliable & easy to operate. As you get older, you can add any little details, but the basic trackplan would be set up. Building modular could mean building a section at a time. I'm thinking of ways to get a railway up & running as soon as possible, getting all the heavy benchwork out of the way. You may find helpers to do the carpentry & some of the electrical work. No duckunders.

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw4001

Here's another thought. You're talking about the layout being disposed of 20-30 years into the future and by then the stuff you find of interest may well be antique for those doing the disposing.

Thus you're going to get more value from the layout by building it for your peace of mind instead of being concerned that someone in the future will be interested in the past.

Agreed! It's like climbing mountains. It is so personal an experience that it is almost boring for others to have to listen to you talk about it. They have to live it themselves, and model railroading is no different. Twenty years from now, your "personal journey" up the mountain that is building your layout will be a dusty old tale, most likely, and the tracks and trains will be substantially altered by advances in both the technology and the whimsy of the current breed of modelers. Hobbies are for the here and now, to my way of thinking.

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

I'm about six weeks away from 62 and I'm building what I want and can afford right now. I am trying out several construction techniques along the way. I plan to take what I learn with all this experimenting and start over on "the perfect layout" (for me) in a few years. I am thinking of creating an inventory of the locomotives, rolling stock, and structure kits so that if I leave the planet my survivors can decide on appropriate values for those things. The layout itself will probably be of very little or no value to anyone. Their tastes and preferences are bound to be different than mine.

[saldana17]

I will retire next year and plan on building a FULL 1:1 scale layout. I just don't know how long it will take to get my first power unit. The track is already laid except it is in Green Bay. Probably have to get some kind of paper work to run it. Nice part is I won't need a transformer.
I would likr to get a GP-30 or a GP-20. Logo and paint work is laid out. Have to find a body shop to paint it.
Well this saves alot of track laying and wiring.

[John Busby]

Hi all
I only know of one preserved model railways.
The Madder Valley Railway its an English one but it is about as much use as a
stuffed and mounted steam locomotive.
It does not run very often now because of its age.
For those in the UK that know the name it is at the Pendon museum if any
one visits the UK well worth a look to see the Pendon layout.
They have a web site but I don't know what it is.
regards John

[DALCruiser]

I'm 59, and have been waiting until retirement to start building a serious layout. I didn't have an extra room available when I was working and my Corvette takes up the garage. Now that I am retired, I have taken the guest bedroom for my train room. I most whole heartedly recommend you build the layout for YOUR enjoyment. Build it to work the way YOU want and forget about how others would use it.

As stated earlier, the club you wi***o leave it to will probibly just tear it apart to salvage parts for their projects. They will not try to preserve it, it's too much work and it probibly would not survive the transportation to the club location.

Remember WHY you are building it in the first place. TO HAVE FUN!! [8D]

ENJOY IT FOR YEARS TO COME!!!

Dave