sold the layout and included the house

A long time ago I read in MR about someone who sold a house with a layout to another hobbiest. Wonder how they got together? I’ve just built a new house and will soon vacate one with a Lionel layout about 20’ x 20’. I plan to take the buildings and rolling stock with me, but think it may be hard to take up and re-use nearly 300’ of Gargraves trackage and much of the scenery. Sure would be cool to find someone who needs a big house in Hillsborough, NC and would actually understand and appreciate it.
All clues about meeting such a person will be gratefully received!
John Hartwell

[#welcome] John Hartwell to the forum ! I remember that story, But I think those two guys were neighbors. Today most Real Estate agents want the layout removed before they start to sell the house. At least it was the case here a while back with a friend of mines’ layout & house. They said the layout made the basement look small, & made it hard to sell the house. I had to help remove everything & the house sold immediately. It’s probably different everywhere, though. Let us know how it goes & are you going to have a layout in the next house ?
Thanks, John

I agree that an in-place layout makes the home more difficult to sell, and most real estate agents will strongly encourage the present owner to remove the thing. Keep in mind that the number of folks who are “into” model railroading comprise a VERY small part of the total population of potential home buyers.

Where’s the Chief???

A house in NC with a layout already in it! He needs to make you a deal!

He can sell all his well aged layout lumber and finance the purchase!!! [}:)][swg]

I recall a story like that somewhere in my video collection, but don’t remember which one it was now. It does happen.

George

Roy - Great idea for Chief[:D][^][:O]

Now that is a deal. Only problem. It is in Orange County and they are GUN CONTROL FREAKS!!! Too close to UNC-CH. [;)]

AH CHIEF with a couple of 45s and a 4WD they’ll never mess with you those poddle walkers.
laz57

[#ditto]

Page 43 of December 05’s MR has an ad for an 11,000 sq ft home in Tuscon AZ…with layout. Oh…never mind…it’s HO! You’d think there’d be room somewhere in a monster house like that for O gauge.
In case you’re interested, Chief go to…
www.janelljellison.com

Bruce Webster

BW, 11,000 sq ft is about my size. [;)] AZ is not bad becasue if you can afford a 11,000 sq ft house, you can afford the A/C bill too. Bet my youngest would move her junk there and try to fill it up. [:(] Wife and I just discussed all that junk. Wife is trying to help me get it gone. [:)] We’ve got her Snow Babies collection, Cabbage Patch Kids and furniture collection and her Barbie collection. Wonder how many trains I could buy with the proceeds from EBay? [;)][}:)]

Whew! 11,000 sq ft! At 5800 mine is too big for a li’l old man and a li’l old woman. (She doesn’t want to clean it and I don’t want to maintain it.) Of course there will be a new version of the Eno River Railroad in the new digs.

Your right about it being close to UNC-CH. And it’s actually a little closer to Duke. If you haven’t noticed, the local boys take enough time out from walking poodles to get pretty good at basketball.

John H.

Chief…there is mention of a guest house and an 8 car garage. I’d say that’s sufficient room for all the relatives and their belongings with enough space left over for one honkin big layout. Imagining what could be done with an outdoor layout on 3.3 acres is mind boggling. I can picture myself out on the patio, running trains while sipping on a margarita…and picking off diamondbacks that wander onto the track with my 45. [;)]

Bruce Webster

JW, you must live out in the country. Got friends that live in Hillsborough. Nice town. I just think the Orange Co. folks are too liberal for me. Son was a UNC-CH cop for a while. He got so mad with the OC DA as they would let everyone go. Especailly on drug charges.

BW, think that would be the life. [:D]