Have you downsized?

Not so long ago, I had N gauge, HO gauge, O gauge and G gauge trains.  Over the past 18 months, I have sold all of my N gauge items.  I didn't have a lot of HO gauge and sold all but 2 sets.  I sold about 35% of my O gauge items and sold about 15% of my G gauge items.  I have neglected my layout for quite some time.  If I don't get back to working on my layout soon, I may decide to do some more collection downsizing.

Have not downsized because this is the first time I've ever had room for a permanent layout. I am able to have an around-the-walls switching Pike in our 12'8" X 11'8" guest bedroom, leaving room for.... the bed (a futon). Two industrial areas provide lots of switching in this modest space. The East End is in the Southeast corner of the room and the West End is in the Southwestern corner.

The East End:

Spots for four cars and off-spot storage for a couple more.

The West End:

Four car spots at the Paint Factory and storage off-spot for two more. One spot at the Sunoco fuel depot.

The South wall:

The North wall. Literally a shelf railroad (a 1 X 6):

Sort of downscaled to start with, or I should say, by design. 

Until June 2018 I was in O-gauge (three-rail scale), HO, and HO Marklin.  Now I'm just in HO.

Stuart

That’s a great Question, and as we get older, You know “those golden years”, there comes a time to plan on downsizing our accumulation of trains and related merchandise. I, like many, have boxes and boxes of new train cars, accessories, engines, parts, simply on shelves, under the layout, etc. (O gauge, G gauge). The  answer is yes, I’ve sold off many of my trains, and was planning on selling more of my trains at the upcoming train shows in my area. They’ve been cancelled do to this pandemic. Over the next few months I’ll start listing many items here on the OGR Forum for sale. I will keep many trains that I like, but I plan to eliminate all of the trains on the shelves on the walls of my train room,  sell all the excess, and buy used items that appeal to me. I plan to keep my layout until 2024 ish, then call it a day, Lord willing. At age 80. It’s been a lot of fun, but my wife doesn’t need the burden of selling things she’s unfamiliar with, and it’s my responsibility to liquidate this collection. Everyone will have to deal with this issue sooner, or Later. Happy Railroading Everyone. 

I'm in the process of downsizing right now, and folks will read a whole lot more about it in the magazine in coming months. This past weekend, Wendy and I moved out of our ranch-style home and into a new condo with a full basement. As OGR readers know, I had the start of a nice and fairly large O gauge layout underway (benchwork competed) in that home. Well, we sold that home to our oldest daughter, her husband, and my two young (3 and 1) grandsons, and decided to make thing as bit easier on the old man (that would be me). A bit over half the new basement is in the process of being finished for OGR office space and the layout as this post is being written. I must admit that the constant construction noise is pretty much driving me and the pooch a bit crazy (not to mention that I am thoroughly exhausted from the move itself).

All of my trains (various scales) are still at our former home, and they will remain there until the basement work is finished, probably in another week or two. At that time, or even a bit before, I have some very hard decisions to make. My initial thought is to transfer only the trains that I actually plan to use to the new home, and to place the rest in temporary storage so they can be sold off over the next six months to a year, and preferably after this pandemic subsides. I have trains--a good number of trains--in Z scale, HO (Marklin), On30, O, O tinplate, and G. My current thinking is that I will keep all of the O tinplate (I LOVE tinplate), all of the On30, and enough of the O to satisfy my operating interests and proposed themes. The Z, Marklin HO, and G scale trains will likely be sold because I can't imagine making proper use of them in the future. Most all are brand new, and they deserve good homes.

The existing layout in the former home will be moved by my contractor, and will pretty much remain in the U-shape that it is now, but with the long side of the U shortened to match the other leg of the U, thereby making it possible to bridge the open end of the U.

I am not new to condo living, so know the differences between living in a single-family home and a condo, but I am REALLY looking forward to this particular change in my life and I really like the new place.

I am starting the process as I've mentioned in several recent posts and I'm only 51.  To have my trains in a storage unit since a required move 3 years ago has really detracted from my enjoyment of the hobby.  It isn't at all spontaneous like it is when I have the trains at home.  It feels more like a burden.  I've also mentioned in past threads that my transition from a "collect all" standpoint to focusing on quality over quantity combined with a home transition from 3 rail to 2 rail O has really forced me to think hard about where I place value in my trains from an enjoyment standpoint to determine what stays and what goes. 

The only thing holding me back immediately has been the extreme summer heat that the Phoenix, AZ area has seen this summer; more so than any time I can remember in the 28 years I've been here.  Not much ambition to even go to my storage unit let alone start to move items out, assess them, and finally move them onto someone who will get move enjoyment out of them than I will moving forward.

The interesting thing is that I am feeling the same burden with most of my other hobbies.  Finally saying to myself "less is more".

@B23Dash7 posted:

Curious to know who else has thought about, or committed to, downsizing their layout and collection. 

To give you my personal experience, I started out with a multitude of scales. I was gifted G scale LGB sets as a kid, and enjoyed setting up big circles of track on the floor and going around and around. Once I got some straight track to make an oval I was set. I'd get a train going around at a decent clip, lay down inside the oval with a snack and a drink, and read a book about trains while watching my little 0-4-0 go whizzing past. 

Got into HO scale when I got back into trains as a teen. Able to pack more realistic track configurations into the same space, more prototypical train lengths, and let's face it, bigger steam engines. College had me into N scale thanks to space and cash restrictions, making little switching layouts to do something other than stare at a textbook or computer screen. 

Due to family history and a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the National Railway Museum in York, England, I decided I really wanted to go with an English theme. About a year ago I focused on UK OO scale and started putting together a small (18" x 48") switching layout. After that I realized that I wanted to really concentrate and refine what I had. 

Sold the G scale, the HO, the N. Picked a time period and a location to base my little switching layout off of, and did my research on motive power for that time and place. Now I'm down to a single 0-6-0 diesel mechanical shunting engine and eight weathered freight cars. It's easy to keep the track clean and clean the wheels of my rolling stock. I do find I miss the loop to just let an engine run free from time to time, but overall it's a nice, compact, easily quantified collection where every piece gets used every time.

Sounds like my story.  The NRM in York is a life-changing experience.  My visits there and to heritage railways in England have led me down the rabbit hole of British modeling. 

@Allan Miller posted:

I'm in the process of downsizing right now, and folks will read a whole lot more about it in the magazine in coming months. This past weekend, Wendy and I moved out of our ranch-style home and into a new condo with a full basement. As OGR readers know, I had the start of a nice and fairly large O gauge layout underway (benchwork competed) in that home. Well, we sold that home to our oldest daughter, her husband, and my two young (3 and 1) grandsons, and decided to make thing as bit easier on the old man (that would be me). A bit over half the new basement is in the process of being finished for OGR office space and the layout as this post is being written. I must admit that the constant construction noise is pretty much driving me and the pooch a bit crazy (not to mention that I am thoroughly exhausted from the move itself).

All of my trains (various scales) are still at our former home, and they will remain there until the basement work is finished, probably in another week or two. At that time, or even a bit before, I have some very hard decisions to make. My initial thought is to transfer only the trains that I actually plan to use to the new home, and to place the rest in temporary storage so they can be sold off over the next six months to a year, and preferably after this pandemic subsides. I have trains--a good number of trains--in Z scale, HO (Marklin), On30, O, O tinplate, and G. My current thinking is that I will keep all of the O tinplate (I LOVE tinplate), all of the On30, and enough of the O to satisfy my operating interests and proposed themes. The Z, Marklin HO, and G scale trains will likely be sold because I can't imagine making proper use of them in the future. Most all are brand new, and they deserve good homes.

The existing layout in the former home will be moved by my contractor, and will pretty much remain in the U-shape that it is now, but with the long side of the U shortened to match the other leg of the U, thereby making it possible to bridge the open end of the U.

I am not new to condo living, so know the differences between living in a single-family home and a condo, but I am REALLY looking forward to this particular change in my life and I really like the new place.

Looking forward to reading about this.

Lots of interesting thoughts already - can't wait to see more.  I'm a few years away from downsizing, but I'm starting to think about the future viability of descending stairs on a regular basis. 

Trying to focus a little better - recently sent my small collection of LGB to auction.  Not much, but it's a start.  For those thinking of thinning the herd, auction prices seem particularly strong this year (no train shows).  

I think about it, but my empire seems to be growing as of late, just can't help myself.

The only thing I have down sized is my train budget and that is only temporary. As far as the layout and collection I finally have almost enough room to build that dream layout which is under construction now. Have posted a few photos. The collection disposal is the problem for my two daughters to deal with as I will most likely out last my bride. Someday I may retire  and work on it full time 68 now and plan on working 5 more years. Will need the funds for my layout and collection picking up the Post War stuff my dad or I always wanted and could not afford when he was alive. 

I am currently in the process I basically cut off half my width. My new table is a little under 6 feet wide and 2o feet long so I can reach the middle. Smaller curves I've gone from 84-72 to 54-42 but at 57 I thought it was time.

Count me in, save me a compartment on the last Pullman leaving the station.

A lot of you most likely read my feature article this month in OGR and have to wonder why am I talking downsizing after finishing such a large and detailed layout....I already started the process but I will add a caveat. 

I love all trains and O Gauge in particular. I plan to enjoy my layout for at least a couple more years. My timeframe for walking away is 7 to 10 years from now. What I am doing right now is selling off EVERYTHING that was not used on the layout and / or displayed on the shelves. The area under my layout was stuffed full of boxes. Sets, engines, cars, buildings, kits and detail parts filled the space. Some of them over 20 years old and never even taken out of the boxes.

A lot of the trains went to an auction house I used in the past, train shows (before Covid), the OGR board and on line auctions. Over the past 8 months most everything is gone and I am down to a few dozen freight cars and some diecast trucks to eventually sell this Fall.

My wife and I have plans to move to the coast and enjoy a more simplier life walking on the beach and watching the sun rise every morning. At that point, I will contact the auction house and have them pack everything up and haul it away. We will agree on a price, I will get a check and that will be it. Then the demolition crew takes over and cleans out the basement railroad. Our new home will not have space for an O Gauge railroad empire.

I have given this a lot of thought and discussed the subject at length with my wife. All of this sounds a little radical unless you are close to retirement (or retired) and have come to terms with your finite longevity here on earth. My wife and I both experience excellent health but that could change in literally a heart beat. 

Who knows, as a kid I had my Lionel 2018 (still have it) but started in N scale in the late 60's. Maybe I will just go back to my youth.

Donald

Years ago I had accumulated over 250 pieces of rolling stock and over 70 engines in O gauge.  The majority of this stuff never left their boxes.  I started getting into Standard Gauge and sold off every piece of O gauge stuff I had.  I enjoyed the Standard Gauge stuff for a few years then I decided to buy a house with my girlfriend.  I sold off every piece of Standard Gauge.

I am getting back into O gauge but on a very limited basis.  I have 5 engines and I'm stopping at that.  I have about 20 pieces of rolling stock and will not go much higher than that.  This way I will enjoy every piece that I have.

My girlfriend/wife passed away last year and I've been disposing of most of her items and a bunch of mine.  A few months after she passed I realized what a nightmare it would be for my daughter/sister/sister-in-laws to dispose of this house and its contents if I died.  I've got a 1971 Plymouth RoadRunner up for sale and at least half a garage full of items already priced for a garage sale.  And this is after I gave away what I could to any takers.  I've also dumped a lot of stuff in the dumpster at work.

You never know what is in store for you around the corner.

Things you own end up owning you!  You're mileage may vary.

@3rail posted:

 

...

My wife and I have plans to move to the coast and enjoy a more simplier life walking on the beach and watching the sun rise every morning. At that point, I will contact the auction house and have them pack everything up and haul it away. We will agree on a price, I will get a check and that will be it. Then the demolition crew takes over and cleans out the basement railroad. Our new home will not have space for an O Gauge railroad empire.

 

@Mallard4468 posted:

Sounds like my story.  The NRM in York is a life-changing experience.  My visits there and to heritage railways in England have led me down the rabbit hole of British modeling.

Some interesting responses so far. I think because I've always been more of an operator than a collector, I've been predisposed toward only having what I could use. The temptation is there to build cartridges of loco and rolling stock to switch out with what's on the layout, but it's cheaper not to. And, well, the economy has me embracing the cheaper option.

@3rail Funnily enough, my wife and I are using our enforced time at home to discuss what the future will look like for us, and having a beach nearby to walk on is on the list, along with a much smaller house or even condo with minimal maintenance requirements. Just need a place to grow some native wildflowers and hang a bird feeder or two.  

@Mallard4468 wasn't NRM a treat? I have a photo somewhere of me standing next to 4468 in all her glory. When no one was looking I reached out and touched her - the world's fastest steam locomotive and I touched it. I'd love to go back and spend some time around Swindon. I'm a huge GWR fan, especially the pannier tank engines and the Castle class. 

Just to be clear I'm not knocking folks that have a vast empire or immense collection. Just reaching out to see who else is like me right now.

@B23Dash7 posted:

@Mallard4468wasn't NRM a treat? I have a photo somewhere of me standing next to 4468 in all her glory. When no one was looking I reached out and touched her - the world's fastest steam locomotive and I touched it. I'd love to go back and spend some time around Swindon. I'm a huge GWR fan, especially the pannier tank engines and the Castle class. ...

I've been to NRM several times.  One trip was in 2013, right after the "Great Gathering" when they had all of the surviving A4s together.  We were there just after the official end (which was a zoo - glad I missed it!) - 5 of the A4s were still there which was just as good IMO, and the crowds were gone.  And, got to see the other A4 while on the North Yorkshire Railway during that trip.  The "warehouse" area where they store all the small items was fascinating.  Swindon is on my list for next time.  In addition, the heritage railway scene in England is vibrant - lots of interesting trips to take, provided that you can handle driving on the left side of the road to get to them.

https://www.yorkmix.com/everyt...es-reunited-at-york/

I am not downsizing.  At my age it is hard to run and work with HO or N gauge trains.

Charlie

I'll be buried with my Vision Line Big Boy by my side.   I'm not downsizing from O-gauge, the other stuff is too small for me to work on.  I also love the whistles & bells that O-gauge has. 

Yes I have! Once was a few years ago when I went through a divorce. Now I'm going through a period of downsizing (or maybe "rightsizing") as I make realizations about myself. I've realized that I don't really want a model railroad layout. Not a permanent one anyway. I'm happiest just setting up my small LGB train collection on the floor every now and then.

So, out goes what's left of the HO and N scale. The hassles of dealing with eBay and shipping is the only thing that keeps me procrastinating.

I should down size because i dont have room for anything new,its in train room on table, under table in computer room, in storage building and in garage and yes in front yard for the g

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

I am not downsizing.  At my age it is hard to run and work with HO or N gauge trains.

Charlie

You make an excellent point! I started out with G, went down to HO, then down to N, then back up to OO. At a certain point the size of the locomotive and rolling stock can become a hindrance to enjoying it. I've sometimes thought about On30, making an industrial area built around Bachmann's Whitcomb 50-ton center cab. Smaller track footprint than straight O, but still big enough with plenty of weight to make switching easy. 

My downsizing/right-sizing has been focused more on concentrating on what I really enjoy and would play with the most. For me it happened to be UK OO.

We have been forced to downsize several times over the years due to job layoffs.  During those periods it was easy to make scale changes.  I started off in the late '60s by buying an inexpensive Tyco HO set and had that layout in my parents' basement until I started my first job out of state.  When we married in the mid '80s I built an N scale layout in a spare room.  When I was laid off and we moved back to our native area, I sold my N and went back to HO.  After a while my eyes were bad enough O scale looked appealing.  Since we didn't have much room, I bought an On30 engine and some cars.  I sold the HO to help pay for some of our daughters' college expenses.  On30 didn't do it for me so in 2012, I switched to O gauge 3-rail and eventually sold the On30.  I had an early forced retirement, but worked as a contractor for the same company that retired me.  I had a few years where I had a little more disposable income than before, so bought more O gauge than I ever had in all the other scales over the years combined.  I'm talking 20 engines including those in Christmas sets and some old conventional ones.  It is a modest collection but a lot to me.

Just before the forced retirement, my father-in-law passed on, and my mother-in-law insisted we move into their house that we are in now.  We left our ranch and are in a small split entry.  That in our opinion is the worst of both worlds.  My wife has had both knees replaced, and I have had one and the other leg has a permanently damaged sciatic nerve.  I finally started taking social security last year at age 63 when I lost the contract work and bombed out at a part-time entry level tech support position.  43 years experience is worthless in some fields.  We have had enough of the split entry, but in the meantime my mother-in-law left her townhouse and bought a two story house diagonal across the road, much to our displeasure.  Now we are stuck here until she passes on or has to go to a home.

Someone mentioned the possibility of his wife passing before he does.  My wife is 4 years younger, but has a lot of health issues.  She has accumulated a lot more stuff than I have, but is slowly weeding it out.  I just put an engine uo for sale just this week, and have a couple more to sell once I fix some minor issues.  I think I will sell some of my freight cars too.  I have never sold at shows, I just list trains here as I did listing the other scales on e-mail groups in the past.  My layout build is in an 11x11 room, so it won't be a big deal to remove if we can get in a single floor house again.  I have been making a bit of progress cataloging what I have in case my wife or daughters are stuck disposing of the trains in the event I pass before my time.  We have taken care of the legal documents and both daughters know who has what financial and health responsibilities in cited in the documents.

I was already doing a lot of these preparations when my parents' health started to fail in their mid 80s.  Mum had taken care of all the financial and her memory started to go.  Dad had to dump it on my sister and me, because he didn't even know what they had.  They were still living in the house my great-grandfather had built before he married and Dad lived there his whole life except for two years in the Army.  Finally they had to go to a personal care home 3 years ago.  Oh did we have a massive mess to clean out.  None of us want to leave anything like that to our children.

B23Dash7 this is a good topic to bring up.  Others have in different ways.  Just as we learn from others what to buy, how to build, etc; we can learn from others how to divest what we have built up over the years.

A recent move, albeit across town, forced me to realize that I've accumulated way too much over the years:  everything from Z to Gauge 1 was loaded up and moved to the new house/train/guest room.  Although I've got a little more space than I had at the other abode, the walk-in closet that holds the items not on display serves as a constant reminder that things got a wee bit out of hand.  As such, I'm letting go of a lot of both Standard and O gauge items that will more than likely never see service on a layout -- which is looking less likely to ever become a reality.  In the meantime, I've got a ton of vintage Maerklin HO that -- although smaller and less easy on my near 60 year old eyes -- takes up a lot less space.  As for the track plan, I'm thinking of adapting Lionel's D-148 to HO... wish me luck  

Yep, Big time downsize in the past 5 to 6 months. 

More of a transition from O to G/One Gauge to a certain extent.

It's just so much easier for me anyway (age,eye sight) to play with the larger scale trains than the O gauge ones the older I get.

Boxed everything up in original boxes and the layout went to the dump , numerous trips

Now I'm working on a small inside G scale layout it will go well with the outside one.

Larry

Still having fun with trains.

I've downsized my spending. No more "big ticket locos" with the latest whiz bang this or that. I'm after proven older versions. 

With the manufatucturers changing business models, or retiring. I want locomotives that will still be operating when I finally retire and can fully enjoy them.

Sure have. You want to actually know how much  you really own?  Try moving it.

Not downsizing, finally have room to build a nice layout.....it's a long story.   

Congratulations, trestleking!!!  I should just say, "It's a long story"   But no; I have to write a novel.    I'm really glad for everyone who gets the chance to build a nice layout after a long wait!!!!

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

I am not downsizing.  At my age it is hard to run and work with HO or N gauge trains.

Charlie

I don't interpret "downsizing" as referring to the size of the trains.  I take it to mean reducing the scope of one's layout and/or collection, while focusing on what brings the most enjoyment.  This may or may not mean changing scales.

There was an excellent article in a recent NMRA magazine about a well-known S scaler who dismantled his large layout when he and his wife moved to a condo.  He kept his best items and scenes and incorporated them into the new layout, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.

Many of the choices are difficult. 

@Lenny the Lion posted:

Sure have. You want to actually know how much  you really own?  Try moving it.

I am finding out the hard way, for sure! My previous move, just three years ago, was fairly easy since I had a lot of the trains in a storage unit and had placed them there over a period of time. This time (and this will be my LAST move), all the trains are still at our former home and all will have to be moved from there over the next week or two. I will have to try to do as many as possible (after those in display cases are boxed-up again) to move things a carload at a time, and over a number of days.

I'm going to check on a climate-controlled storage unit today, and will store trains I plan to sell there for a few months or more. All I want to bring to my new home are those I plan to use on the new layout, and/or display. I will bring all of my O tinplate since I love that stuff and it is no longer being made; all of my On30, which I hope to include on the new layout; and the O scale trains that are appropriate for the theme I want to model.  That is going to involve some hard choices.

It I had a couple or more younger and more muscular train buddies in the immediate local area who just happened to own a box truck, I would be blessed, but such is not the case. So, it is likely going to be a fairly long and exhausting process after the already long and exhausting process I just went through moving our household items. I really am getting too old for this sort of thing!

Great topic 

I have downsized my house about 12 years ago.

The old house was too big. Too big a yard and flower beds too big utility costs too many stairs and too empty when the kids left for school.

Downsizing good but downsizing closets bad. Oddly I have more room for trains now then ever before. 

I am just now starting on downsizing my trains. I have N gauge stuff that never gets used so it needs to go.

Regarding O stuff I am now hopefully soon going to be running trains again.  And the change from acquiring and collecting to running is just stating. There are too many trains to manage and run. The acquisitions when made years ago were fun and exciting to me and then, if not overly thought out long term.  I try not to think about the waste of this process but the long term goal of having a layout again. I probably have the space for most train items  but I think need to sort for functionality, I also see stuff sitting with no use and it seems whatever values the stuff has can be put to better current uses.  Thanks for asking.

@Allan Miller posted:

I'm going to check on a climate-controlled storage unit today, and will store trains I plan to sell there for a few months or more. All I want to bring to my new home are those I plan to use on the new layout, and/or display. I will bring all of my O tinplate since I love that stuff and it is no longer being made; all of my On30, which I hope to include on the new layout; and the O scale trains that are appropriate for the theme I want to model.  That is going to involve some hard choices.

Hey Allan. If you saw my post above, I did the exact same thing. Made a pile (a big pile) in the sunroom  of everything I will not be using on the new layout or displayed on shelves. It has taken me the last 8 months to execute and now I am down to just a dozen or so cars and some diecast trucks to sell this fall. 

It is a tough decision to do and I was pretty sad to see a lot of my collection gone. Well, most of it was in cartons and I have not seen it for a long time but it was still difficult to sell. Looking at it did bring back memories of the purchase or the hunt to find it. Now, all I have left is what I need for the layout and I have more than enough to keep me happy. 

Oh, I am still a buyer but now am very selective with my purchases.

Good luck with making those tough decisions. Once you do and the product is gone, life becomes a little easier knowing that task is over! If I did not live in Southeast PA, I would make the trip and give you a hand with my truck. 

Donald

Here is a picture of the boxes of O scale trains at my old house:

Over 250 pieces of rolling stock and over 70 engines.  I kept a spreadsheet of what I spent and the total was over 55k!!!!

I sold all of it before I moved to the house I'm in now.  I could have filled a whole PODS (I highly recommend PODS btw) with just trains!

For me maybe not downsizing, but rationalizing. Sold off all my HO from when I was a kid and have been adding to my "collection" for the past three years. Started with adding to existing 027 tubular and postwar Lionel engines and cars. Then discovered Atlas, Ross and Gargraves track and long passenger cars and long engines that needed 42 or 72 inch curves and the new(er) electronics. So those purchases were sold, maybe one day an homage to post-war Lionel. Now I have a collection of Atlas track and switches which I should sell, but I may hold on to for the next layout. (I know this is heresy to some, but I really like the Atlas switches on a reversing loop. The springs are soft enough to allow cars to simply move the points aside to go through the switch without derailing. No non-derailing wiring needed.)  Similar to Mark I am up to 20 engines and about 75 rolling stock and passenger cars. I suppose my approach is, I buy an item if I think it will go well with my "small" layout, but will get rid of it if it does not.  And I also have to catalog everything including price paid as a reference. Yeah there are a few more engines and cars I am looking for, but I think I have enough at this point and do not  have a passion for putting things on shelves just to have it.  Jeff   

I haven't downsized yet but have significantly cut my buying.  I have given in serious thought though and what to get rid of and what to keep is a hard choice.   

Frank, that must have been a hard decision to part with all the items you acquired over the years. You seem to say you have left the hobby behind. I hope that is not the case, but I suppose we will all get there some day.  Jeff 

Yes. I'm working on downsizing. I've got plenty of items for sale on here if anyone is interested. 

@3rail posted:

Hey Allan. If you saw my post above, I did the exact same thing.

Good luck with making those tough decisions. Once you do and the product is gone, life becomes a little easier knowing that task is over! If I did not live in Southeast PA, I would make the trip and give you a hand with my truck. 

Donald

Donald:

To give myself some planning time--not to mention the fact that moving the existing layout base is probably a couple of weeks off until the new room is finished--I likely will move the O tinplate (trains and accessories) first. Then, once the platform, which is basically flat with built-in shelving beneath it at this point, is moved, I think I will just set up an O tinplate Christmas layout for the upcoming holiday season. I have enough trains and tin accessories to make it a pretty nice one. The grandsons will enjoy it, and I most certainly could use a bit of long-term Christmas cheer myself this year. I can then begin 2021 with a more scale-like layout replacing the tinplate, which I will still keep on display.

I thank you for your offer to help move the trains. It is going to be something of a major chore, and I don't look forward to it. I'm hoping to convince some of my train pals from Western PA to perhaps come over for a "moving party" at some point in early September.

Tricky question,  first I downsized when going from 0 gauge to HO then  to race boats then 20 years later to up to G gauge then slightly smaller to #1 scale.  A short time later I re-discovered 0 scale 2  rail and went large, so large I had to move to a bigger basement.  However as I finally set my first full length passenger consist on the tracks it was too long.  Overpoweringly long!!  Then sold off dozens of 80'ers and big steam engines and pulled down most of the benchwork including an Oakland pier and Tehachapi loop and reduced the benchwork  to concentrate on peddler freights.

In the mean time someone owed me money and paid me off in large engines and 80'ers.  How does one spell skitsophrantic?  So then I cut holes in the walls and enlarged the layout by incorporating long staging tracks and now run anything when ever I want, when I can find it.  I frequently loose trains, just can not find where they are hidden sometimes.   Several months ago I added a long loop to loop 5th level of 3 rail just for the enjoyment of having trains running at eye level like white noise.  Some 2 railer friends do not even see the third rail.  It's all in fun.  My wife just smiles.  Not too sure what is behind that smile??? 

A very timely topic!

I say this because I am working on a feature article I hope to have published in the magazine, with the title: Yes! Change Can Happen If You Let It!

All about my experiences with building the "big" layout only to find it "finished", taking it down and re-designing and re-building the "smaller" layout.

The process is actually fun and enables me to continue working on a layout which is about 80% of my fun time with trains.

We moved from PA to CA about 6 years ago and sold quite a few trains before and after the move. After taking down the "big" layout here in CA, I sold more trains, keeping my real favorites most to run and some to display.

I considered having this as the opening paragraph of the article:

Boomers Beware! Consider downsizing now before its later than you want it to be! When I went to my orthopedic doctor, I was advised that when the time comes for a knee replacement, “don’t wait until you are in such bad shape that you would not be able to tolerate the surgery”. With that advice in mind, I got to thinking that my “big” (for me) layout that I designed just five years ago, while very enjoyable may not be practical when the day comes when the physical pains of working on the layout outweigh the pleasure and enjoyment it provides. This is not a doomsday prediction, but a plan and an idea to be able to continue enjoying my lifelong hobby for many more years, maybe in a different and perhaps a new way.

Stay safe and whatever you do: Enjoy your trains!!

Stan

Would be great to read the article when done. Curious - what do you consider a small layout?  Jeff