layout pics, a bit different view...

a lot of construction hours going into the dumpster

 

sorry

 

but, it does raise a question about the initial build

 

do people consider how to initially construct the layout such that it is easier to take down (move or sell)

 

i have seen some beautiful layouts for sale and when you dig down, you realize that they cannot be moved without a tremendous amount of work in the take down and rebuild (that 100 hours you spent on the construction is not worth much on a resale)

 

 

i am part of a modular group, and will try to build my new layout using some of those ideas so that it is easier to handle when the inevitable happens

 

your thread reminded me of that principle

 

j

 

Jerry wrote:

 

do people consider how to initially construct the layout such that it is easier to take down (move or sell)

 

I sure didn't in my last house......I thought I would live there forever (and I lived there 17 years, from age 34 to 51).....I thought I would never mover.....Never say never....My pictures are worse! The layout was 14X30.

 

Here's a few shots while it was still up....It took me almost 4 months to dismantle! What a disaster and a mess!

 

 

 

Peter

Yes.

fair statement, no need to apologize.  no regard to saving anything went into my design. the hours spent constructing are not lost in the dumpster, they were enjoyed and part of the process of constructing a layout, part of the hobby(IMHO). just as demolition of the layout is part of the process. i learned a great deal. this is my 8th layout and i still learn things from the process. so it all is of value to me, even demolition and challenges presented, i am sure i will learn a few things from this demo and apply next time.  but if this post helps people think about construction techniques prior to building and if that is a key point for them, great this post served a purpose.  for me, demolition is pretty easy when you are not trying to save anything.  this layout will be down in a couple days. cycle of a layouts life, once again IMHO.  

     zak98 in the 2nd and 3rd pictures would consider selling the rock faces to me and shipping them to me in the PGH PA. area? Choo Choo Kenny

It is something to think about, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing progress on your new layout.

shoot me an email off list. email address in my profile.  but i would imagine the shipping costs may be a bit high.  

thanks chris. ur layout is one i always enjoy seeing!  wonderful craftsman work you do.  very inspirational and building a layout on your own, one sometimes needs that inspiration or push to keep going.  i am going to start with an engine terminal section.  turntable and transfer table purchased from mill house studioz.  turntable is super.  waiting on transfer table. really thinking about trying the mainne benchwork solution for this 6x by 23' section. 

Yes, it is a big consideration!

At my age it is a problem that I have yet to solve. I have a very nice plan that encompasses everything that I would want in a layout. Yet, how do I design it in a manner in which it can be easily taken down if I have to downsize to another dwelling or when I croak? Right now the only solution seems to be a compromise to something on a much smaller scale than what I really want to achieve.

My last layout was in 4 movable modules.  I moved it twice, but after a move to a smaller home I scrapped it.  My next layout will be the same, so I or someone else if I'm not able, could move it quickly with little repair needed to the house.

That's a sad sight. I suppose the good part is the new layout. Starting over would be both difficult and fun I suppose? It would still be a tough decision to demo and start over. Good luck!

When I built my layout I never considered anything about tearing it down at a future time. I can't worry about that. When I'm gone that will be someone else's problem.

Liked your layout work, Mike. Looking forward to the next one.

 

As to doing a build that can be easily disassembled, I'm a proponent of sectional construction, not per se for being able to take it down, but for maintenance issues involving major work. A section can be removed and put up on a vertical stand rather than having to lie underneath it or reach over it for several hours. This is in situations where a turnout or track section needs replacing or major service.

thanks matt.  absolutely.  great idea on the sectional pieces for maintenance.  even though my layout room is carpeted it still is a pain to get under the layout and wire, fix, whatever.  one thing i did design in the layout was there was nothing deeper than 36" or i could reach the track from both sides.  so that helped out immensely.

funny you mention it.  it is somewhat therapeutic and fun to demo something.  put ur leather gloves on, safety glasses, work boots and start cutting.  it is a difficult decision to come to, but once the decision is made i want it out and start working on the room to fix any drywall or other issues ASAP.  then start the next one!

ha.. fair enough.  at some point i will be right there with ya! my wife has been well prepared for that if i happen leave this world before her.  

one more small table to go. the remaining two tables are sold and buyer to come and pick them up.  much less damage to the drywalled areas then i expected, so that is a good thing.  

Zak, Are you blowing through it with a saws all?

Making good progress.

Why are you throwing so much away?  That looks like good lumber.  Can't you re-use some of it?

 

Ron

 

saws all, drill, hammer.  pretty much the three tools used.  about 5 hours of work including initial clean up.  thx!

hey ron,

 

some of it may be useable, but I'm investigating other layout building options for the next layout.  mainne sievers, etc... so its all going this time.  some of the lumber on this layout has been re-used 4 times.

I considered take down before the onset of starting to build. But this is our first layout and there was just soooo much to consider (curves, inclines, declines, ensuring plywood roadbed was smooth with no dips or rises and was level from side-to-side, clearances, etc.) that it got overwhelming. I take a small amount of comfort in the fact that I'm using Lyn Westcott's old school techniques for benchwork - by the book - so I do not have any tabletops and can dismantle the benchwork in sections if need be.  And the plywood/homasote benchwork comprises only the roadbed. Scenery will be independent and attached to the benchwork in sections.  Peter

 

Mianne is very nice and can easily be re-configured if you decide to make some changes. I chose Mianne last year and am quite happy with it. I have already ordered some more. I started with Mianne's 6'x16' package and it was ready for track in about 8 hours.

 If that's the layout you're scrapping, I can't wait to see the new one! Looks better than anything I ever tried.

Sometimes you just can't reuse the wood. My brothers and mine layouts were in the same basement and both were approx. 25x13. When we decided to move on I took a saws all and cut up the entire two layouts with the track still on it. Moved it all outside and had a trash truck pick it up. 

Having been in the construction business for many years and doing many many small projects here and there I NEVER NEVER throw anything away until the project is 100% complete.  You never know when you will need a small 1 or 2 foot piece of wood for something and if you don't have it now you have to buy an 8 foot piece just to get a 2 foot piece.  I see a lot of the wood you have still looks straight.  Even if you go with a platform system, like Mianne, I would try to salvage at least a few pieces.  Just in case.

 

Rick

I'm in the process of dismantling mine but I did create it in 4x5 sections so there is minimal sawing.

Best of luck with your new layout.

-Greg

When we decided to move on I took a saws all and cut up the entire two layouts with the track still on it. Moved it all outside and had a trash truck pick it up.

Oh my... This can't be the norm.  Who has the resources to to throw everything away including the track?

 

If this is very common, I'm going into the layout dismantling and recycling business. 

 

Ron

 

 

thanks rick!  i always have a "keep" pile.  you are absolutely correct, just in case....... always happens.  but great info to get out there to others.  thanks for the post!

hey ron,

 

not sure i have the resources, but once 2 rail track is ballasted and glued, it is very difficult to save any track or switches.  or maybe i just do not have the patience to try and chisel them out.  2 rail code 100 for my On3 section is pretty fragile to try and remove from glued ballast.  2 rail code 148 comes up a bit easier but still only minor parts are re-useable.  IMHO.  

 

this layout, i did exactly as mentioned in another post.  cut right through track and everything.  (have to watch the rail it can get twisted up in a circular saw or bound up in a saws all) but right or wrong, that is exactly what i did.  

Looks like a big job and a lot of work. Keep us posted 

great job, sir!

not sure i have the resources, but once 2 rail track is ballasted and glued, it is very difficult to save any track or switches.  or maybe i just do not have the patience to try and chisel them out.  2 rail code 100 for my On3 section is pretty fragile to try and remove from glued ballast.  2 rail code 148 comes up a bit easier but still only minor parts are re-useable.  IMHO.  

 

this layout, i did exactly as mentioned in another post.  cut right through track and everything.  (have to watch the rail it can get twisted up in a circular saw or bound up in a saws all) but right or wrong, that is exactly what i did. 

 

I remember reading somewhere on this forum to glue the ballast only on the outside of the tracks.  Inside the rails the ballast is just sitting free.  The poster commented that it would be easier to dismantle.  So that is what I started doing on mine.

 

Good Luck.

Ron

 

great to hear a testimonial on mianne.  i leaning that way.  thanks!

Depending on the glue mixture used to secure the ballast, what I've found works pretty well is saturating sections with denatured alcohol (have good ventilation). It breaks the glue loose and the track lifts off pretty easily. It evaporates quickly enough that it doesn't seem to impact the wooden ties. It makes a gooey mess of the scenery cover but scrapes off with a putty knife.

Mike:

 

Glad to see you are moving back into GN and NP, my two choices. 

 

I admired your first layout for it's beautiful scenery, great motive power and equipment, and simplicity.  Your second venture was quite a change, and I'm sure did an outstanding job of satiating your love for narrow gauge.  It was also what I would consider a "gold standard" of modeling. 

 

Now you have decided to move on, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.  I don't know what form it will take, but I know I (and others) will not be disappointed. 

 

I trashed about 50% of my HO layout when we did a home renovation.  What is resulting out of that will be far better than before.  At some point, I may trash the old part of my existing HO railroad when the new section in fairly complete.  Techniques, materials, and our skill levels improve.  Why worry about trashing some track, when what results is far better than what was before? 

 

Regards,

Jerry

 

 

That looks like it was a very nice layout. What was the shortcomings or change in modeling desire that made you want to tear it down and start over? ........DaveB

hey daveB,  it was just time, nothing wrong with it at all.  my first passion is GN and NP steam/diesel era, so i have all my O std. engines in cases around the room. i was lucky enough to keep all of them vs. selling them off.   it was up 8 years. i found myself working on other projects other than the layout, so down it came.  really loved building it and learned quite a lot about DCC (that was my first DCC layout) so now i am going to incorporate DCC into the std O layout.  probably start with just an engine terminal of 6' x 23' or so.  i purchased the millhouse studioz turntable and transfer table.  those two should give me plenty of options.