I have been on vacation since last Friday tearing out my layout.
.
I just removed th last piece of the “Spare Bedroom” version of the STRATTON & GILLETTE from my house. This room will now become the guest bedroom. It was actually a relief to get rid of it. I was never happy with this layout because it was temporary from the beginning. Everything about it was a compromise and I never really enjoyed working on it all that much.
.
STRATTON & GILLETTE #6 will begin construction in about a year as soon as the new layout room renovation is complete. This will be the last layout I build. John Allen spent 20 years on the final GORRE & DAPHETID, and I plan to copy his effort as best as I can.
.
Heaven willing, I have probably 20 years left. I can’t quite afford to retire early, but I have saved money and can move to a less demanding position next year and free up a ton of time. I have collected probably 90% of what I need to build the layout already. The house is paid for. Time to enjoy the next two decades.
.
This is exciting for me. My lifetime goal is about to start becoming a reality.
.
-Kevin
.
Do as you will and do as you like.
Out with the old and in with the new. If you were never happy with it, now you can change all the things that were wrong and make the new one better than the old.
As they say in radio, “Time to change formats”.
If the old format failed, drop it, and try something else.
So your layout is based on John Allen’s Gorre and Daphited?
Be sure to update us on your layout progress!
Kevin!
I’m happy to see that you are “goin’ for it!” I wish you success!
On a personal note, my wife and I have been talking about doing some rather costly renovations that we have been contemplating for quite some time (i.e. ever since we moved into the house 29 years ago!). When we were talking about a budget she raised the issue of adding in my layout costs, as in “put that in the budget too”. I am forever grateful for having her in my life!
Dave
.
No, not at all. I appologioze for being unclear. I am trying to duplicate John Allen’s approach to the hobby during the last 20 years of his life. He remodelled his house (well, excavated and changed the basement), made time available, and put tons of energy into his empire. I hope I can do the same thing.
.
The only thing the SGRR layout has in common with the G&D is that it is being designed with as many photo opportunities/locations in place as possible.
.
Mostly, John always looked like he was having fun. That is something missing from the hobby today. None of the prominent MR contributers really look like they are having the time of their lives working on their railroads.
.
I plan for this to be the most fun time of my life. Model Railroading is Fun!
.
-Kevin
.
.
My wife is also wonderful. Our 30th anniversary is next year. She has always accepted the trains (and the cameras, wargaming, junk cars, etc).
.
We are remodeling a 4 bedroom 3 bath house into a 2 bedroom 2 bath just so I can have my 12 by 22 layout room. We have also had this house over 20 years. I bought it to retire in. It will be the only house I ever own.
.
My wife is getting her dream bathroom, and the new master suite will be much nicer also, but the main consideration since the beginning has been the train room.
.
-Kevin
.