"End of an Era"

Started taking the trains off the layout today to take it down.  Took a few photos of my new Key E-6's before I boxed them back up and also took a shot of a C&O train servicing the mine.  Been there for nearly 10 years.  Haven't really done much the last year or so.  All cars are now boxed up with the exception of one brass passenger car that I can not find the box for.............   Plan to start taking the structures off next weekend and box them up, then salvage what trees, scenery and unballasted track, then will cut it up and throw it away........   Always knew going into it we would move someday and I would have to do it.  Now I really dread it, but it's time.

 

Steve DeLoach

Very nice layout from the photos you posted. It's too bad when this happens, but I

 guess it is inevitable that every layout faces this fate. I've seen some layouts that look as though it will take more effort to remove them than it was to buld them. I wish you luck with your endevour and hope you will have the opportunity to build something as nice, or better, in the near future.

Steve, where are you moving too?

Sad to see any layout go. Good luck with the move.

 

That's an issue I'm trying to wrap my brain around. I'd like to build something permanent, but my planned move within the next 12 months says that's a bad idea. Sectional/modular is an option, but then I'd have to ship the components to my new location.

Looks Great Steve! The next one will too!!!!

 

 

 

 

Very nice photos. I don't know of my aging eyes are making me see color wrong or not. The Steam engine has what I saw as blue color where you would think weathering down low would be.

 

I simply tear out and ship to the city dump what has to come down before. It's tough however the future is brighter for the experience. I have demo'ed a few railroads in my time.

 

End of Life changes and planning is something no one talks about in the hobby until it comes to that time. Or they simply pass on leaving a really large structure for the spouse or family/probate to decide what is what.

 

It is my hope that a railroad will see construction beginning this year and find a place for it in my home. And keep it light so that it can be taken down if necessary.

 Wow, this is tough. That is a beautiful layout. Good luck. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Steve - Nice layout and some great equipment.  Thanks for the pictures. 

 

It looks like I'm in the same boat and will be following Greeley's advice.

 

Good Luck

Well Steve this is certainly a hard decision to make, but moving to another home forces it to happen obviously. I have admired the various photos posted both here and on the Kohs website over the years, and there are few model railroads which become this nice. Sorry to see it go, but your obviously capable of building new and presumably even better going forward...to that quest I extend a "Good Luck" wish.

 

Be careful of slivers...

 

Bob

God Speed young man!

And enjoy those beautiful trains while you can!!!

Forget the trains..it is your attention to detail, color and texture in your scenery that is awesome. And as hard as it is to fathom, I an sure your next one will be even better.

Man STEVE,  I was hoping to get a look at your work.  Are you planning another layout?

Yea the Laundry wheel on the side of the home... Just realized I have not seen that sort of clothes drying in decades...

Man....what a shame to have to tear that layout down!   Looks like a really nice layout, with great attention to detail.  It is always heartbreaking to remove what one has put so much time and effort into.   Hopefully your next house will allow an even bigger space for a railroad.   Good luck, and keep us posted......

Thanks for the positive comments.  This was my "'learning" layout.  I experimented with multiple products.  My favorites were "Real Trees" and and Silflor product.  All from Scenic Express.  I have a lot of the traditional Woodland Scenics foam foilage on there too, but will try to avoid that in the future layout.  The bottom photo was more of a background area and I never really went back and detailed the scenery there.  The weathering on the steamer is a very light gray to simulate the ballast and sanding dust used on the grades.  The photos were made with my cell phone, so I think the blue tint on the weather is more of the way the light is reflecting off the gray rocks etc. 

 

RR, sorry I have missed getting back with you.  Things have been really busy the last few months.  I knew I was going to have to start taking this down ASAP and didn't really have the ability to plan an open house.  A year or so ago, I would have loved it!

 

I found my last box today, so I am about to officially get the trains off tonight......

 

Thanks again.

 

Steve- Your learning layout is FABULOUS! Your next project will be spectacular please share with us! 

 

I wish you could save your current layout; simply beautiful!

 

A splendid layout!  Sorry to see it go.  I would love to have featured it in the magazine, so please do keep us in mind for your future rail empire.

Maybe it still can be featured as I am sure there has to be photos taken over the last 10 years. Amazing what phone pictures can do.

Steve,

Great looking stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing your next layout progress.

Really nice looking layout and trains Steve. Certainly not a great feeling to tear one down.  I dismantled a 15 year old 14x28 at our mountain cottage in Feb '08 and a 12 year old 13x23 here in the Condo in Oct. '09.

But moved down the hall, finished a 9x19  attic space over the garage and continue working on a much smaller and more simpler 9x16 senior citizen's operation that accommodates age and health issues.

Can't run the articulateds with the 30 car coal trains now but smaller engines and shorter trains still keep me happy.

Steve

 

We gave torn down a bunch of layouts and once you get started on something new it is as though it never was. A friend once told me that all that is left after someone goes on to the other side is what ever is in print and that is only good when someone opens the book or magazine. I think that might be about right.

 

We ordered rail for our 1-1/2-inch scale railroad today and we will pick it up later this week. We probably won't be tearing our O scale down but for the rest of this year we will be working on our big trains. If you ever get track laid on your outdoor layout we will try to make a trip down to visit and run some trains.

 

All the best mate! She'll be right then!!!!