Advice on a major decision updated (July 13 update)

I say go for the bigger space and layout.

 

You will gain the space for larger curves and it looks like you run larger modern equipment, so that will make it look better.   

 

I personally like single track mainlines with passing sidings.    And I like having staging that may or may not be visible to store whole trains that can enter and leave the layout.

Bryan, you have the best of both worlds:  operating trains on a somewhat smaller layout that enables you to "scratch the itch" of running trains; and, planning a much larger layout.  Go for the larger layout--it's an easy choice provided you take into account worst case financial issues you may face in the future.

You know I opened this thread thinking it was a keep the wife or keep the trains scenario?  Sounds like you got a good thing going.

If she's up for it I would do the bigger layout.

Just don't tear down the old one until you have track power on the new one.

 

Is is possible to incorporate all the furniture into the new layout area?

Raise the TV up higher, put a G gauge line in to serve drinks and chips to everyone's position in the room, pass the remote around ?

I'd go for bigger as long as you have the energy and time to work on it.  Bigger is better.  You can have larger curves and yards, industry, downtown, etc. etc.

.....

Dennis

Yes, I had finished my basement and my wife did a land claim - part of it because kid territory - relegated to the smaller portion. Built a layout with was more like 90% done. Hated what I had but lived with it - Happy Wife and a happy life -- kids hated the basement so I demolished the old one quickly, reclaimed the entire basement - built a new one had it for 10 years and now building my 3rd layout.

 

As Nike say's == Just Do It

Hi Brian,
I would go for the larger layout
That space looks perfect for it

Thanks
Alex

Brian,

 I would do it, I have similar situation. just my opinion if you can keep some of the living area and have wider aisles make the trains part of the finished room, it looks great for entertaining train buddies. Plus keeping the couch and the nice finished area will keep your wife happy.

 

I have a fairly large finished attic with HVAC. 2 rooms. One 16'x26' and The smaller 14'x16' room houses a couch &  TV. Wife gave the green light and I was going to take down a wall dividing the two rooms when my brother in law suggested cutting a hole in the wall and using scenic express tunnel portals. The smaller room will feature a peninsula with either scenery or a turntable and a small narrow 2-3' x10' along the wall yard. The larger rooms seem big until you add real estate eating large curves! 

 

All the time keeping the couch and tv area intact, a Happy wife happy life, kids happy, win win for you too.

 

 

Everyone,

 

I truly appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions both on the forum and off.  The consensus is "GO FOR IT".  As most alluded to I am younger and will not be moving until after retirement age and even then we will probably do the Ohio in summer and Florida in the winter scenario.  My wife is wonderful and fully supportive and obviously trains are just a distraction from real life and what really matters is family and friends so without her blessing this wouldn't even be an option.  Financially, I am in a good situation so this added expense will not affect our futures or cause us to change our lifestyles.  Time commitment is doable since I am a teacher/coach and have summers off.  We also finished buying and renovating our last rental property this past summer and have no plans to purchase anymore so this summer time wise is ideal to start this; and no the Bahamas trip was planned before she gave me this surprise.  Although a nice piece of jewelry purchase will be made as a thank you. 

 

So with that said the layout will start coming down after I have my last open houses in the beginning of November and after reconfiguring the basement benchwork should start June of 2016.  This gives me plenty of time to figure out the track plan and areas without just rushing into it.  I am sure I will be getting suggestions on the great forum during that time.  Below is the dimensions of my new area.

 

    

 

Great! Have fun, I'll be watching the progress. 

Brian,

 

This is great!!!

 

Keep us informed as you go along. Good luck !!!!!

 

Alex

Brian,

    Just start building the bigger layout and have fun doing it.  Unfortunately I needed the work space in our home/office and took down my larger 5 level layout, wish I had the space in our old home to accommodate a permanent large layout again, it was so much fun and the people really loved it especially at Christmas time, when I actually had 2 layouts, one in the formal living room, and one in the game room/office.   Go for the bigger layout if you have the space, which it looks like you do.

PCRR/Dave

Good morning Bryan

 

Thats a nice area you have to work with. If you don't mind more suggestions.

 

#1 Make curves as large as possible, 096min. ?

#2 On track storage of trains for you and your friends. Hidden trackage can be under table or in an adjoining room.

#3Modular bench work.  My bench work is on is its fourth layout or configuration.

 

These may have been mentioned already.

 

Clem k

 

Bryan...just do it...oportunity knocks...ive revised mine 5 times it always got better now im just out of room !! crj

I know I am late to the party but I am glad you have made your decision. I am with it. In 1983 I had a decision simular to yours, We got burned out so to take down the smaller lay-out was not an option but to build new in the same room or across the hall in a bigger room was. I went with the bigger room and was glad I did. Do alot of thinking how you will build your new layout and don't be so quick to take down the old lay-out though. In short plan first then take down the old lay-out if that option time wise can work. The advise on making sure the room is ready first is very good and like said above concider the backdrop to the lay-out area to make your room more outdoorsie and make your lay-out have distance.

 

Will be watching for your lay-out journey. 

Time to move

definitely go for it!- i started the home layout in 1979.... its taken 30+ years and a lot of careful planning to get to the current 26x 50' basement layout. its something that i dont get bored with....good luck.-Jim

I will say this, - if you don't move in to the larger space you will always wonder what could have been.

 

I am doing the exact same thing. And, it will be a lot of work taking down the old layout.

Jim and Michael,

 

I agree with everything you guys have said and I am definitely doing this.  This past weekend I made another investment in more Atlas Track (40 straights, case of 72 curves, and 8 more switches) in anticipation of the new layout.  I have been playing around with Scarm software for the last week designing and redesigning what I want.  Lucky for me my wife is getting more excited than me (probably because I have to do all the heavy lifting and reconstructing the basement) because she is getting the old layout room for a home workout room.  Some of the train budget is going for rubberized flooring for her gym and to close off the HVAC from view.  I will admit having the support of a spouse is a great thing.  She even had her friend stop by this weekend to show off the layout 1 final time and to show her everything that we are planning on doing.  I had an NMRA open house last Saturday and everyone agreed the new space is going to be so much better and they can't wait to see that long line of auto carriers on a huge straightaway and sweeping 108 curves. I am hosting again tonight and Friday for my train friends and then Saturday starts the major renovation.  Don't worry I will keep everyone up to date that is interested. 

did something similar here, but when I went for it I decided to extend existing layout from 3 4*8 to a two plus mile scale mainline.  Left a good part of the original in place.

Go for it.  I would do around-the wall, not deeper than 30".  I would get a track design determined and lay some track, temporarily, I'll guarantee you'll be moving/readjusting it soon enough.  I wouldn't put in any scenery or ballast until you're satisfied with the track plan.  Determine what industries, buildings, etc you require and start on those and let the scenery fit around them.

 

I say this because I've relocated track at least once for each of the past 5 years.  I'm not fond of mountains and tunnels, but I do like a nice bridge.  Figure out what you "likes" and "dislikes" are and go from there.

 

But don't wait too long either, before you know it you'll be too old and decrepit to get under or on the layout

Oh yeah...try Bill Dimenna's FusionFiber, makes some nice ground cover

Since the layout also serves as a social outlet, I would not take down any of the old one before the new one can be operated.  Second, I would design the benchwork to act in harmony with the room including lines of sight to the layout, other seating where friends are bound to be, and things like a TV, etc. 

 

Personally, if it were my house, I would actually build two moderately sized, separate layouts instead of one huge one.  Maybe one high rail and one tinplate or whatever.  It makes it easier for people to move around, it gives more vantage points, and it increases the number of guests who will be able to operate the layout instead of just watch.  

Bryan,

 

You have an opportunity to think bigger not just in terms of the size of the room, but larger curves, switches, and a larger yard that may now include some features you couldn't have before, like a turntable or transfer table. When you let yourself dream, you will fill that space in no time! Best of luck, and I'll be looking forward to your progress. 

 

Andy

There is only one choice...build it bigger!!! Bigger curves, bigger yards. Dr. Seuss may disagree, but in this case I vote for biggering as much as possible.

 

My only suggestion would be to keep a small layout up while you are building the new one. This way you can have some operating fun and test any new acquisitions.

 

Enjoy!! And of course, keep the photos coming of the progress.

I would go big in a heartbeat and wouldn't look back.

 

And I grew up in nearby Chesterland....so I can't possibly steer you wrong!

Bryan,I live in Cleveland I am a good worker a good helper..I want to be one of your new train friends hahaha!Send me an e mail!Nick

Nick,  I belong to a few groups that get together regularly and hang and see each others layouts.  I am hosting this Friday you are more than welcome to stop over.  I will send you info to your email. 

Beware the large layout. Of course, all of us railroaders want Union Pacific size layouts.

DO all your calculations to understand what is involved BEFORE you leap. Time, cost, complexity, time and cost. Did I mention time?

 

Scrappy

 

Go for it Bryan, the bigger the layout the better you will like it.

Bryan

 

I have been doing what you are talking about. Not anywhere near the size you are contemplating. I have no help and with any luck I'll never finish it. I like having something to do during the winter months especially.

 

 

I think Scrappy has the correct advise:

 

Time, cost, complexity, time and cost. Did I mention time?

 

Additionally, If it starts to turn into a JOB and the fun fades away you will fail in the project I think.

 

Sure nice your wife is in to it.

 

 

Larry

Thanks for your thoughts Scrappy,  Trust me I wouldn't be doing this without the support of a very understanding wife.  I think she rather enjoys knowing where I am and I think she is rather excited judging from some of her comments over the last few days for this to start.  Time I have this summer; as a teacher I have the summer off and I don't have any rental properties or home projects so time should not be an issue.  As for the other issues I have quite a bit of experience with the remodeling that has to be done (renovated 10 houses the last 4 years) so that should be okay. Cost, we have been careful over the years with our finances and it is time to start enjoying some of the fruits of our labor.

Bryan....**** the torpedos...full speed ahead....neh sayers accomplish nothing ! were from OHIO !

 

Bryan,

 

We were in a similar situation in 2009-2010 when we bought our dream house. Well, it better be, because we have moved 13 times, are retired, and do not look forward to yet another house or move.

 

The new house basement was unfinished (one of the conditions to buy the 1-1/2 year old house), was large (about 2300 Sq Ft) and had nine-foot ceilings. After much consideration, I divided the basement to allow for a nice workshop, study, exercise room, full bathroom, and utility room. This left a 33 x 38 space for the train room.

 

I had a year to work on the track plan from the moment we bought the house in 2009 until we moved in 2010 after selling our then current home. We were fortunate in being able to rent the new house to a couple we knew, so the house never was empty.

 

The track plan I settled on, after close to 30 iterations plus sub-iterations, has been great to run trains and to show them to our many guests, which number at least 297 to date. I made a change early on, before I started laying track but after I had finished the bench work in that area, and that was to add the Millhouse River 34” turntable. I also added a short spur, but that was very easy to do.

 

We moved in August 2010 and I was able to finish the entire basement by January 2011 doing all the work myself and while I was still working full time. In February 2011 I started on the layout, and had all the track, main wiring, and some scenery complete in about a year. The layout was 90% complete about a year later, and I have continued to add a few details now and then.

 

I couldn’t be happier with my layout.

 

Good luck and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Alex

Alex,

Your layout is one of my favorites.  Love the Judy/Jane Trestle and all of your videos!

 

Bryan,

Go for it, you have a great 'problem' to be concerned about!

Alex,

 

Thanks for taking the time with your reply.  I just viewed your progress thread and I must say OUTSTANDING!!!.  I believe we are both looking to do something very similar with the different levels.  I am definitely printing out some of your pictures to get ideas on how to lay out some of my bench work.  Thanks again.

Bryan,

 

As a teacher to teacher I would ask this?

Is it possible to dismantle the current layout in such a way as to reconstruct it in the larger space and simply add on to it? It is a very different approach, but might work as a good compromise. Whenever I hear a teacher talk about using the summer to be indoors building trains I have to wonder if that is a great idea. Of course, none of my business, but be sure the entire family is on board with that. Forgive me if I have overstepped my bounds.

 

Either way . . . . GOOD LUCK !!!

 

THANK YOU! Lots of people really like the Judy Jane Trestle. (And yes, Bryan should go for it!)

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You bet, no problem!

And I hope you get your layout built exactly to meet YOUR expectation and desires!

 

Alex

Bryan, your layout potential looks great. The idea of planning for "big" guys visiting can not be emphasized enough. Have a friend building a large layout with two foot wide aisles in many places. We finally convinced him unless all his friends were the same body size as Taylor Swift that was a no-go even as it required completely changing the design. This is especially true if the aisle is a dead end. Nothing like seeing 10 guys start to fidget because they can't get out and then knock scenery off when they rotate.

And don't worry if you never finish it all, the goal is to enjoy the experience of running trains. I've been to layouts with no scenery that have the table top painted "dust" color to hide the accumulation. You would be surprised how many HO layouts which host prototypical operating sessions that have vast amounts of risers and cork rather than scenery. Enjoy!!!

Hi Brian,  Just discovered this thread and wanted to say congratulations on your decision. As others have mentioned, you are indeed fortunate to be where you are in life (age!) with the supportive wife and nice home space for this. The larger layout combined with the social space will serve you well for many years to come. The social part of the hobby is a big one and greatly expands your enjoyment as you have discovered this past year.

Please keep us posted with photos of your progress!