Advice on a major decision updated (July 13 update)

18 X 25 is a substantial amount of space.  Since you are 50% complete why not make that the showcase.  Bigger isn't always better especially if it may take years to get back to the point where you are now.  As far as showcase layouts, check out the Black Diamond RR by another forum member.  32 x 12 space, as much a showcase as any layout I have seen.

Just my opinion, but with a larger layout you can do something like Eric Siegel has: a large yard, with multiple industries all around the room, such as a coal mine, lumberyard, etc. You can also have something like a 3 track main around the perimeter of the room with a nice large town. Have you thought about modeling a real life line, like a section of it? 

"I now have quite a large group of train friends that regularly visit and hang out."

 

Sounds like you will have some help!  It's a lot of fun to get together and work on a layout.  A bigger layout also means longer trains.  On my 12 x 12 layout, I often wish I could run a 20 ore car train (got the cars!) but I'm limited to about 7 car trains.

 

If I were approaching a big layout build, I would plan a modular plan, adding sections once some were in place.

 

"...she likes the trains and even the people who visit."  Sounds like you have a workable situation, an interested wife, and friends to help. 

 

Go for it!

Being all I can have is 6.5x13 and then it's just a table, I'd love to have a half finished 18x25.

Some pictures might help forum members come up with ideas.

 

Art

Go for it. We had a 6 by 11 ft but my wife gave my son and I the go ahead on a bigger layout. So the old came down and we had to do a lot of work to prep the new room. It was slow at first but running smooth now. No regrets. Plus we learned a lot of not to do on the 1st layout.

Good luck.  Nick

Necrails - The current layout is 18 x 15 if it was 18x 25 I could live with that.  The room that it is in now can't be opened up and the layout is hidden in it.  When people come to visit only 1 person width between the layout and the wall.

 

ES44AC - I agree the around the room is more of the way to go, as I get older I know getting on top of the layout will become more of a challenge.  3 track mainline would be a definite.

 

eddiem - I agree and that is what has me most excited running a my 18+ autocarriers down a long straightaway.

 

pappy- I agree and if there was someway to add onto the one I have now that would be the way to go.  Its just that the way the basement is configured it is pretty much a start over or live with what I have.

 

 

 Current Layout room and layout.

 

New Area that I could have

My vote is the same as Stroker McGurk's in Hot Rod Magazine years ago.  "if some is good, more is better, and too much is just enough."  I also vote for doing the layout in sections so that you can run trains right away and keep your interest high.

 

I make layouts (track  only) on the floor, and make them rather complex.  Two bedrooms in a 3 bedroom townhouse with 50 022 switches.  This is not prototypical, but I can get bored with trains just running around loops.  This is just me.  Do what you want and like with the layout.

Bryan,

 

   Is there any way to remove wall and expose layout to the living space?

 

Art

Do it.  It looks like we like the same stuff - layout shrinkers. You really gotta have long runs and big curves to make those look really great.  

 

I wonder if you can't save some of what you already have done in tear down.  That way you could reassemble and run trains while you build an expanded around the room style layout. 

 

I dove into my massive undertaking last spring -  I wish I'd planned mine in sections - had I done that, I might be running trains already. While my goal is to have one mainline up-and-running by Christmas, I doubt that will happen.  - If you can save what you got and use it as an operating layout until it must be incorporated into a larger layout, do that. 

Bryan, maybe the dilemma is not of starting over but the work involved. Tearing down is fast and easy. Building a new layout is the big task at hand. But moving past that look at the outcome you will achieve. A larger layout. Myself if I was in your shoes I would opt for new. You can add so much more. You have some great scenes you built that could possibly be incorporated into the new layout with care. And I would rather see the red light district come out of the darkness and into the light LOL. Most layouts evolve over time and some get to a point where they complete the layout only to tear it up and start a new one...................Paul

Unfortunately, the room with the layout has all the HVAC and 2 hot water tanks.  The other wall is the concrete block has the staircase leading to the garage next to it.  There is no real way to expand that room.  Thanks for the idea though.

Bryan,

 

I say go for it, you will not regret it. It really gives you more options when running your trains. 

 

Yes I know it's a pain to tear down the existing layout but you and your freinds will enjoy the new layout immensely. Besides what you have learned from your existing layout ( good and bad) can be put to use on the new one. 

 

Remember a layout is never finished. So do it young man and keep us posted. 

Paul, how did I know you would be in favor of building new. 

 

For those that have been reading Paul is one of my train friends that comes over from time to time.  Those guys are the ones that have been working on my wife for some time to allow her to consider the switching of rooms. 

 

I believe I can save most of the layout and reuse it.  Also I will be able to leave it up and run trains while building the benchwork to the new layout.   

Thanks David, 

 

On a side note that building you sold me is fantastic, and the MU cars work perfectly. 

Absolutely! More layout space is an opportunity that only comes once in a life time.

Do it!

"I believe I can save most of the layout and reuse it"

 

If you can save that trestle corner, I'm even more sure you should do it!

 

Ed

"Some say risk nothing, try only for the sure thing,
Others say nothing gambled nothing gained,
Go all out for your dream.
Life can be lived either way, but for me,
I'd rather try and fail, than never try at all, you see."

by William F. O'brien

 

 

I say, go for the new layout......

ABSOLUTELY DO IT! I wouldn't even think twice about it.

I would opt for the larger space. The amount of new scenic products continues to grow every year e.g.. the beautiful Woodlands Scenics buildings. If you plan on any MTH or Lionel accessories in addition to a turntable with ample storage tracks or a transfer table you will soon realize that the larger the space the better. The accumulation of rolling stock and locomotives over the years will demand ample yards and sidings. I believe it is better to store these on the layout where they can be run rather than "trophy" cases on the walls. From your avatar photo you look like a young man. Think about the layout lasting 25 or more years. Time flies and the older you get the less likely will you be inclined to tear down a smaller layout in favor of a larger one. Besides, the best part of the hobby in my opinion is building the layout. The skills you acquire including benchwork, track work, wiring and scenery are priceless. Take your time and make your decision carefully with the "long haul" in mind.

I visited several O gauge layouts during the 2015 Portland convention where the builders did exactly what you are proposing.  A couple of the layouts had been moved from CA to Portland.

 

On fellow had a lovely O 3-rail layout in a "family" room where he had a couch, easy chair, large screen TV, and a full bath off to the side.  It is the kind of layout room that I wish that I had.  All of these folks were glad that they moved their layouts into a larger space.  

 

A larger space doesn't mean you will necessarily build a "much bigger" layout.  A larger space gives you space for aisles and better access to the layout.  Too many model railroads use all the room space for the layout and really don't accommodate "real" people comfortably.  Four foot aisles are tight when you get several people operating.  Six foot aisles are better.  I find that having a comfortable layout to run is just as important to the layout's enjoyment as is having more track as I get older.

 

I believe you will be happier in the long run with the layout in the larger area and where it is more central to your family life.

 

Good Luck,  NH Joe

Another thought is to keep the layout in the small room, and have a smaller addition in the large room, accessible through a cut-out in the drywall (if you have it) between studs.  This will leave much of the sitting room intact.

Thanks guys your giving me lots of good advice and suggestion.  I agree about having "real size" people seeing the layout.  When I started this in 2013 I didn't belong to any groups and was just building the layout for me so I went almost to the walls with it.  Now that I have a lot of friends (btw: really makes the hobby better) coming and visiting it would be nice to have more room for viewing.

 

As someone who turned 40 I appreciate the young man comment even if my back doesn't agree with you.  It reminds me of sitting down to breakfast at the hotel I stayed in this past week at York.  I swear I lowered the average age by 20 years just walking in but the stories the old timers had and shared were priceless.

I think you should go for the larger layout.  Things to consider:

• You're young enough to do this fairly quickly.
• You can get your friends involved in building the layout.  That is really a lot of fun and makes it go pretty fast.  You can also build it in stages to get something running quickly.
• You've learned what to do and what to avoid from building the first layout.  Building the second will be faster and yield a better outcome.
• You have your wife's blessing.  Act now!!!!!

Best of luck,

 

George

I say go for it. The experience you gained building the first layout will just make the next one better.

I'm in the exact spot you are in only I'm half-way through tearing down the old layout.  Rip it up and move on.  You'll be glad you did.  If you really were satisfied with the way things are now you wouldn't be entertaining these thoughts.

 

--Greg

Bryan,

 

Here are some thoughts.. 

 

One, I would take advantage of the new space and the opportunity to turn the area into an entertainment environment. 

 

With that, as you move forth, keep these design ideas in mind.

 

-lighting, make sure you have good lighting installed before the layout is up

-electrical. all wall plugs, switches in place.

-any WIFI and cable for the TV.. etc. computers.. etc.

 

Then, with ref to the model RR.

 

-I would think of the top five scenic venues you want to model and try to model/fit them

into the new layout room. Then have another five and another five. Scenes from maybe when you were a kid and remember to something you want to model of a place you visited and have a good vibe about. This will keep you interested in still wanting to 'play with the model RR." you won't get stale. The model RR won't get stale and become a bench to hold other items. 

 

-I would try to build your model RR in modules. Get each one done and then do the next

one. This way, areas get done. Not just stay unfinished.

 

Anyhow, good luck and whatever decision you make, you still model railroading.

 

Dan

Brian, 

I didn't read the whole thread but for sure there is a lot of good advises.

my advice is

Start small, always leave a piece of track to connect the new module and keep that way.

I start when I was 10 YO as 0-27 today I am 2 rails. Layout are in constant development, so make it grow with you than make it limited. You don't know what do you will want in 6 month.

Nice to see you at York!!

Andre.

 

More great advice this forum is a wealth of knowledge.  People always ask how I got into model railroading because I never had trains growing up.  I just remember my high school baseball field had a train line that ran next to left field at the park we played at.  I always said I wanted to model that when I got older and could have a hobby.  Great advice on modeling different scenes and that is what I am trying to do. 

 

Andre, great meeting you and if I do go this route I know many more of your buildings will be on it.

Go for it--before she changes her mind!!

I would opt for a new larger layout. Like all of us building layouts we learn things we did right and we learn things we did wrong. I'm sure you look at your layout and see things you could have done better or differently. Every layout I have build is better than the last one. We were in kind of the same boat when we moved. Suddenly I had double the space as my old layout. I made a list of things I wanted to improve over my old layout. So far I'm doing well in staying with that list. Your young and have plenty of time. I feel you will be glad you go for the larger space. Keep us posted. Don

Go for it! That space is huge and has great potential! 

From my periodic perusal of posts on this forum, esp. this thread, I think it's apparent that you're 1) in the hobby for the long haul, and 2) have the commitment to see a layout through, even though the first one's not finished.  Therefore, I'd say go for the bigger layout.  That you can use all or part of your old layout, as-is, is a great bonus and all the more reason to expand before you completely finish.  Not only will the auto carriers & other long cars/engines you purchase look great w/long straights, but they'll look better w/wider curves if you can manage that, too.  

 

I'd also jump at the chance since your wife is on board.  I'm still trying to figure out how to sell an "around the walls" idea to my wife and get her to trade 12"-15" (albeit more in the corners) of her around the walls space for some of my center space in our yet-to-be renovated basement room....

Thanks guys we are going down to the basement now to discuss some issues and what we plan on doing/moving.  She actually finds the basement creepy because there are no real windows (she grew up with a walkout) and doesn't spend much time down there so I really think this might be a go. 

Grab your ruler and start measuring for your new layout. You will be glad you did.

Bryan,

 

Good lighting will solve that issue of the basement being errie... I use fluorescent T-8 bulbs which give off sun light effect to the eye.(you won't get a headache from them and the usual fluorescent lights do) Also, make the back drops higher with sky blue.. hence, it will feel like the room is bigger and the room won't feel that small/enclosed

plus the sunlight effect from the lights and the sky blue will make the environment feel welcome. Plus, you will want to stay down there to model longer. 

 

Dan

well...how about doing it without committing?

 

Most layouts start with a plan.  So start planning.  That part only requires time and imagination.  Take your space into consideration.  What can you do?  What would you do? Take your current layout into consideration.  What works well with it?  What doesn't work well?  What do you like about it?  What would you change?  Start dreaming and drawing potential layouts.  All of that can happen without changing anything you have already done.  When you get to the point where the dreaming is done and it's time to start making things real, I bet your gut will know what the right direction is.