I do now see that you have a reason and a new purpose for the room. Good luck and hop you post some pics here.
Our tabletop(s) layout is designed to be dismantled and reassembled.
Wiring is all labelled and can be disconnected at table joints.
Mind you, the five tables are quite large. Most joints have sectional or flex track across which can be removed and reinstalled.
Big difference for us is no scenery as yet. That’s the trickiest part to dismantle for re-use.
My new layout is planned as modular on shelf brackets. We’ll see how that works out.
One thing I wonder about is whether there might be a market for a layout. When dismantling a large layout why not cut it into sections that someone might reassemble? Building a new layout from scratch is a lot of work. Maybe somebody would prefer to rebuild a layout from already completed sections.
It sounds like you have a well-thought-out plan in place.
I have it on good authority that the angels in Heaven have a fantistic layout! [angel][tup]
Jim
There is no market for used layouts.
The only exception I have seen is unscenicked modular layouts that are ready to install, but even then, having the pieces that match someone’s available space is highly unlikely.
Hobby items installed in houses, not just model railroading, destroy a house’s market appeal and make it a very hard sell.
-Kevin
I just sold my first Item on Ebay 3 days ago. The process is very easy and Ebay walks you though the whole thing! I had the locomotive packed and in the mail with the funds in my bank in 1 day. That was after waiting a week of bidding wars to see who would buy it!
I heard there are disputes on what scale to use and whether DC or DCC (which can “soon” become outmoded).
We are on a waiting list for a retirement community in Pennsylvania and have been downsizing for a while now. This summer I decided the N-scale layout in the garage needed to be dismantled. At first I was mehtodical about the process thinking I would keep enough to be able to still run some trains. But then the “rip off the bandage” phase hit and the whole layout was just a memory in a very short time. Very liberating.
There is a silver lining. The retirement community has a three scale train room for residents. Of course, the time schedule has slowed down due to the situation we are tired of hearing about!
Cheers and be safe.
Why not get a nice comfy chair, with wheels on it. Sit in the chair, roll under, and then stand back up once beyond the clearance point? Would that work?
John Mock
John, that was one of my early ideas last year, using a mechanics chair (very low), but “I wouldn’t fit”. But in any case, the layout is coming down…
Had 3 sessions yesterday and removed all the lower 1x2s and got them to the garage, cut to a reasonable size, and taped into bundles for the trash guys. They are fine with taking anything (2 x a week) as long as its not “of size”.
All the cars are safely in plastic storage cases - with the exception of the unique freight cars and the ATSF & IC Walthers passenger cars. It looks like we will get some sun today (after 3 days of rain) so it will help getting decent pictures.
I’ve also been removing stuff from under the layout. Some goes to the garage, some goes to the trash, and some is saved for sale or for hobby later use.
The first hard part (to me) will involve removing the duck under so as to facilitate easy access to the rest of the layout. First I’ll remove structures and trackage and tear out the wires underneath. I might be able to unscrew that section, but suspect the trusted Craftsman recipricating saw will come into play. We will see.
Here is a pic taken awhile back. I’m relearning how to post them, so I may screw this up…!https://i.ibb.co/VVnMK2B/DSCN2409.jpg
No screw ups. The photo is visible. The blowup version is a bit fuzzy, but that happens a lot with third party software.
Rich
mobilman44
Thanks for the heads up on your forum posting describing the take-down of your wonderful layout.
As you know, I too had to take down a much smaller layout a couple of years ago and it is very difficult, physically and emotionally. The photos of the take-down will be interesting and I’m very sorry you are going through this.
I had one of your photos of a Santa Fe ABBA unit on my train room wall for years. When my layout was being torn down that photo was the first thing that was taken down. And I still have it along with all those wonderful memories.
Take Care,
Your friend in Montana!
It looks like you relearned perfectly. I can see the pictures fine.
Like I said before, I have removed many layouts. Since you are the person that installed it, you should not have any problems. Trying to figure out how things were put together can be a problem.
What are you doing with the structures and large scenic elements?
Do you have help available for heavy pieces?
-Kevin
That was a nice layout indeed. Very nicely done scenery.
Perhaps you might consider downsizing to something like a 5’ x 9’? Still have the ability to run some trains for awhile yet? I know for many of us who have larger runs and big curves it might be hard to imagine, but I could see myself reverting back to something “easily removed” like that. My goal would be to run the trains as long as I could. For me it is about the trains themselves…and I just enjoy running them even if it would have to be in a simple oval. For me it is relaxing.
John
Thanks all for the good words!
I built the entire layout, every facit of the thing, by myself. And, I’ll be taking it down entirely by myself. With the help of the recipricating saw, and a couple of DeWalt cordless drills, the pieces will be small enough to fit in a trash bag and carried downstairs to the garage.
I have no thoughts of building another layout. That said, I do have a sizeable Lionel collection and might put up something small and portable down the road.
Mobilman44 (sorry, I don’t know your real name),
I have about a dozen “used” buildings from layouts of people I knew that are going to be repurposed on the next STRATTON AND GILLETTE layout.
If you want a small structure, something special to you with no resale value, to live on in this collection, I would be honored to include it.
-Kevin
Just a short update…
I spent yesterday cleaning out the hoard under the layout. It was amazing as to how much varied stuff was under it. Looks like about half hit the trash, some things (cans of paint, tools) went to the garage, and the rest will be sold or held for future modeling projects.
While under the layout - which is a bit more difficult than when I built it 12 years ago - I realized that I definitely “over built” the benchwork. Being 225#, and having the need to get on the layout during construction, I more than made sure it was solid and supportive. I don’t regret doing that, but I realize there is that much more framing pieces to remove.
Oh, thanks for the offer to memorialize one of my structures, and I will keep that in mind.
Today is to be sunny, and final pics should be taken…
Be safe out there!
Oh, I’ve always been Mobilman44 online, but you can call me “Bill”…
Hi mobilman44. When I first started to read about the taking down of your railroad. I thought ‘How sad’. I then thought about ways of suggesting on keeping your layout operable. A lift out bridge like I have was a thought.
Then I realised your mind was set on ‘taking it all down’ any suggestion of saving was pointless.
I have to smile when you say the benchwork is more solid and supportive. Mine is also. I am sure mine would take my weight (though I have not fully tried it.) [(-D]
I do hope that later you will be able to make a small portable style layout and we will see it. Here in the UK there is a plan of a layout called ‘Inglenook Sidings’. The original was built in 1924 an has ‘stood the test of time’.
Take care, ‘Bill’ whilst dismantling and ‘thank’ each section for the joy it has brought you.
David
Same here, David. All of my layouts have been built with 2x4 framework and 1/2" plywood surfaces. The 2x4 legs are all reinforced with 2x4 angle bracing. I have actually stood and/or crawled on it several times to perform layout chores. I believe that it could support the weight of an elephant. LOL.
What I don’t envy is mobilman’s task of not only dismantling his layout, but also transporting it all to the garage on the way to the curb for garbage pickup. Been there, done that. Not fun.
Rich
I have been CU190 (SeeYou190) for more than thirty years, online and off.
It has only been in the past year that I have been changing back to “Kevin” again.
-Kevin