Deconstruction of Layout

I am just about ready to take a similar plunge with the upstairs layout for similar reasons, except that I want to rewire and omit blocks on solid loops of track and do legacy only with conventional possible on one loop. Also want to do one loop of two rail only as I have quite a bit of rolling stock, although no engines as of yet.  Switching is not that important to me at this point in time. 

Spence 

 

Nice looking Layout.

 

What the size of your layout ? Also don't forget about the Signals.  

 

Thanks for your dates. John

John; 53' X 40'

Spence, Looking forward to the rebuild at the same time sorry to see your layout go. Is it possible to reconfigure without total dismemberment? 

Wow, layout looks great. Good luck with the De-construction/re-construction.  I am thankful that I initially ran star wiring from my DCS system to the layout. I run both MTH and Lionel and the Lionel Legacy engines run like a champ on the star wired layout. At this point I still lean towards the MTH engines, but you can't beat some of the features on the Legacy. got to have 'em both.  

 

best of luck,

 

Marc

53' X 40'

 

You are one lucky Guy Spence!

 

How long until you are up and running again?

 

Spence,

It has been great seeing so much of your present layout?  I never enjoy seeing a layout taken down, but when the owner has a present plan how do do it better or different to suit changing tastes, it becomes exciting!  I am looking forward to seeing updates on your plans, how much you save for reuse, and how you go about new construction.  Please keep us posted as you progress!

Good luck Spence, I did something similar a few years ago but I'm still working on mine due to a lengthy hiatus.  Keep at it.

 

Paul

wow. nice size. good luck.

Spence,

I have always enjoyed looking at pictures of your layout. I am looking forward to following along with you during the upgrade process. Please keep posting your progress.

 

My club layout is 30+ years old and every year something changes. After 30+ years of change the wiring is a rats nest with all different gauges and color wires. As an Electrical Engineer this gives me the heebie jeebies.  When we tried DCS it just didn't work. Lately I have been overseeing the rewiring of the layout to DCS standards. A little at a time we are rewiring one of the mainlines using the 2 conductor OGR wire and running it to a central (Star) location. All changes are being wired to this standard. With twice yearly open houses for the public, we can't afford the time to tear down and start over. I know the challenge you face and I'm anxious to see your progress. It's a tough decision to scrap and start over but the planning and building is part of the fun of this hobby.  Please keep us informed. 

What is Star wiring?  I am almost to the point of wiring my layout and debating the Buss vs alternatives.

Looking forward to seeing pics of the new layout.....the take down can be discouraging....but, you have a great goal and that should keep you energized and excited....

 

Peter

It must be that time of year.  I am doing the same thing.  Good luck with the rebuild!

Gosh Spence,

 

What a ton of work. Hate to see the current layout go, but I certainly understand.

 

Regards,

Ron H

Ditto!  Goo d luck with the new build.

Spence,

Good luck with the rebuild. I can't wait for your photo updates.

 

 

Brad

Most of us go through this at one pint in the hobby. It is generally a good thing, because we can learn from our past mistakes and make the new layout much better. So it is a time to look forward to.

 

Your new track plan is critical to the success of the next layout. Take your time and figure out what you want your railroad to accomplish. Then draw a track plan around those needs. Good luck with this new project.

Hi Spence - Good luck with the new layout update & design.

Look forward to following your progress.

Gary 

Cheers from Michigan

Spence, this old layout was great and I'm sure the new one will also be great.   Good Luck!

Spence, good luck with the rebuild.  I look forward to seeing your progress on the new build.

Hay Spence

 

In to my second year of a one man band re build. It' probably less that 1/2 you adventure.

 

It's going to be fun watching your progress.

 

Good luck and definitely make sure it'sfun NOT work

 

Larry

Best of luck with your efforts, Spence.  Looking forward to progress reports.

Good luck with your renovation Spence. Have enjoyed seeing your layout images.

Star wiring is also called Spoke & Hub wiring.

 

Think of it like a bicycle wheel.  Instead of a common bus wire, where it runs along underneath with feeder wire coming out of it at certain distances to the track/blocks, you instead have a terminal block (the hub) where the transformer power is tied to the hot and common posts on the block, and multiple feeds (the spokes) running out from there to the track blocks.

 

Best of luck with the latest project. I too look forward to your future progress and photos.

Big project, too bad you have so much work ahead of you. I'm sure is will be very nice when you get finished though. My layout is much smaller, but after 'Star' wiring it for DCS per Barry's book it works perfectly. Have not had one error since I got trains running last Sept. and still it's going strong. I wired for DCS and then added Legacy by connecting the Legacy signal wire to my all my black TIU output terminals. It works great too.

 

I used the MTH terminal blocks and found that I liked the 24 terminal ones much better than the 12's. Both the red & black wires connect to the same side of the terminal block which is very nice. Much better than having them connect to opposite sides of the term strip as in the 12's. I would recommend these to anyone. Your layout is large enough to get good use of the added terminals as well. 

 

Please post pictures as you go, keep us posted with updates and the best of luck in the remodel process. Looking forward to seeing your new layout. 

So spence, how many days did it take to pack everything up, isnt it amazing just how much stuff can be on the layout, doesnt look like it until you take it off

Spence,

I must tell you that you have fortitude. Any one person who would take on such a large project single-handed has my utmost admiration. My train-room is not as large, however, all of my shelves are empty. Rest assured that your collection of 18-wheeler's would have a safe place to call home. Please, keep us posted on how you're doing. At least send up a red flare every now and again.

Spence that one huge undertaking. I see that you have ballasted track, looks like Gargraves, take your time undoing it and you should be able to salvage a fair amount of the track. good luck

Steve

I hope the dismantling is as painless, both physically and mentally, as possible.  It's good you're planning to rebuild as a goal.  Keep focused on that.  Best of luck and look forward to the new layout.

 

Bruce

Good luck Spence. Looking forward to the progress plans and photos.

i really enjoy these phoenix rebirth posts

 

this fall should be great

 

good luck and looking forward to you progress

 

j

Good luck Spence, it looks like you will be spending your summer under the layout.

Good luck and happy building Bob, post a picture once in a while.

have a great time Spence…..

Spence, I felt the same spurt of energy to change some things on my layout 6 months ago and finally made some progress. From what you posted so far, it appears that you are going to change the track plan.  I only redid some scenic elements including ground cover gravel trackside, building modifications and other stuff.  It started first part of Jan. and its not over.  But I guess it really never is.  I know you will enjoy the process.  It is fun to create.  You have lots of space.  I can't wait to see your plan and follow your journey. 

Hi Spence,

 

  It's great to change things and rebuild things on a layout, it's a lot of fun to do.

Have fun and enjoy, please keep us updated with your progress

 

Alex

Hi Spence, I have had the opportunity to see Spence's layout in person.  We live relatively close, so we can visit.  You will be surprised at how much this man will accomplish. His layout is quit large and filled with different and interesting vignettes.  All of which are fully detailed.  The man is a tiger on a rip with his trains.  He has a great plan to change not only the wiring but his whole operations scheme and I am certain he will make good progress in short order.

 

Good luck Spence and do keep us posted.