Pictures are from second layout I had to dismantle in two years. First one came down at the Mountain cottage in March '08 and was kind of sad [gave away 290' of Gargraves Flextrack].
But secondly, in October '09, tearing down the 15x25 island type operation upstairs at the Greensboro cluster house the work had become almost too routine. Old age and health needs forced the issue of moving and rearranging life on my spouse first, and then me. Anyway at 82, I had to face the fact that I am past the point where I could maintain large layouts in two locations or even one.
Nevertheless, I moved down the hall to the little finished attic over garage and in Feb '10 built a simple 9x16 round the wall layout. Used recycled lumber, electricals, turnouts, track and equipment from the island layout. Power on the rails by March and then I hit the wall healthwise. Being partially disabled, to plumb disabled, off and on for almost 4 years has left the layout far from finished and mostly stagnant.
But things are looking up. After three surgical procedures on spine, back and abdomen; I am navigating pretty good. When the MDs agree, I intend to go back to doing light work on the layout this Spring.The good news is that once I get the ballast glue mix and rail rust paint cleaned off the rails I can run trains again. The Stairlift I installed 6 years ago to accommodate my wife's knee surgerys has now become my vehicle on the 16 steps--it ain't going up but down that is the difficulty and danger. Anyway it makes a good freight elevator.
ps: I take a whole lot of breaks.