Miss my layout

I feel your pain. I had three years in between layouts when we were relocating.

Well, you got to do what you have to do.  Find a room of put a roll-out layout under the bed, etc. 

I wish I had even that much room. I have enough room to store my trains and track at this point. Hopefully one day soon.

Just a thought, maybe there is a club nearby whehe you could get some running in.

Good luck,

Brad

The area I live in seems to be a lot of 2 rail clubs but thanks for the idea

Wow, your place must be tiny! But, the Oct/Nov issue of OGR shows a nifty 4' square layout. You must have enough room for that.

Everybody has room for an O-gauge layout. You may have to alter your perception of O scale though...

This portable layout is 30" by 48" and made out of a piece of hollow core door. I store it behind a chest of drawers in our bedroom when not in use. The track is old school O-27. You may not be able to run an SD70 or Big Boy on it, but if you REALLY want to run an O-gauge train, this will get you there.

Not going to happen I live in a 10 x 12 room that includes kitchen, bathroom, bedroom , tv room 

Did I mention that's also where I store my trains my wife threw out my old house .

I haven't had a layout in a year, and its really taken its toll, because my layout was 12x30 roughly. It was huge, and now its gone.

You are about an hour from the NJ Highrailers in Paterson. Make the trip, meet the members, and see the layout. After that the drive will be inconsequential.

Ray Marion

How about START a club in your area?

You guys up there are fortunate to have what seems like a much higher concentration of 'train folks' than the rest of the country. Ask around and make some calls - advertise here on the forum and perhaps you'll find two or there others who would like to meet and run some trains.

Heck, if you're only and hour from the Highrailers, that's a no brainer! 

Actually, I'm about 3 1/4 hours from the NJ Hi-Railers, I live in the southern portion of Delaware, Sussex County.

I would love to start a club and rent one of these stores that been sitting for years now. It would get people more involved and maybe interest some kids. But everything cost and that's my biggest issue to get the money and time to invest in this.

Paul Moore-There is a club in Ocean View

Lionel J-There is a club in Lakewood or a carpet central or around the room shelf layout.

Visit a club. It's worth the fuel. The socializing will help you get through this rough time.

Well, why not pick a cheap used 2 rail locomotive and a few cars and run them at the local 2 rail club. I'm not suggesting to get rid of your 3 rail stuff. Some guys around here do both. This way, until you once again have room for the 3R layout you will be able to run trains and have some fun. I still have enough 3 rail left to put together 3 or 4 trains if I had to.

I am told that if you go to the 2 rail show in Strasburg there are a lot of bargains.

Another suggestion would be to pick up a MTH 3/2 locomotive with hi-rail wheels and PS3. Then add the scale wheels for use on the 2 rail layout. Then once you get your 3R layout up and running you can put back the hi-rail wheels and use it a 3R locomotive on your 3 rail layout. If you eventually join the 2 rail club everything you learn there about building a layout other than the trains will apply to 3 rail.

Just a suggestion.

For anyone who had a layout and now, for whatever reason, has to do without, it has to be a difficult adjustment.  I feel for you.  As mundane and basic as my 8 x 12 is, I know I would miss the fun of just seeing my trains go around the track if I had to dismantle it.  Like they say: something is better than nothing.

It's not always easy or convenient to latch onto a club and get your train fix that way....some people are just not the train-club types.  I hope you guys rebound from whatever setbacks or curves Life has thrown you and have the opportunity to set up something for yourselves someday soon.

- Mike

Here is the end of mine.  What a drag.  I had a really cool layout.  Now it's ashes and stored in boxes.  I feel your pain.  Hang in there bro.

Take a LOOK at my Previous Layout!! It was 50' X 40' w/5 Mainlines and 52 Switches!!

My Present Layout is 10' X 14' w/2 Mainlines and 6 Switches!!!

O Well, at least I have a Layout!!!

Fredstrains

Wow, nice layout. What happen to it, did you have to move??

Art

Great space, fabulous layout. I can see why it would be difficult to part with.

Lionel J,

I truly feel for ya and hear the pain in your voice. I miss not having a layout yet, with trains stacked up in my closet and under my workstation's desk. I've measured out and cleaned up a small 5x6 space in the office for a layout ... once I have enough extra $ and time to start building it. Who knows when that will be the way things are lately. The wife's always yelling about having too many and starting but never finishing anything, usually when she's upset about not being able to buy a new pair of shoes or Pandora charm. (I just only slightly here ... sadly).

The kind words of encouragement to reach out and find a group are the best advice. It'll do you good to be with people who have similar interests and can probably relate a whole lot more than you think. If it's a long drive for you, do it once or twice in a month. Some of the folks you meet might live a bit closer, and even if it's not high rail some may be into it on the side. If you're like me and not one to open up and make friends easily, it may be hard and take a few sessions, but take a leap of faith and give it a shot. Hopefully it'll help take your mind off of your worries and help you feel better.

I've been meaning to do just that myself. I'm in Pt St Lucie, Fl and there's a decent HO club only a mile or so away from my house. Haven't mustered up the courage to check it out yet...  Maybe if you give one near you a try, I will to. :-)

Take care,

David

Wow Fred.  That was some room you had.  That must have been a difficult decision.

- MIke

how about a portable switching layout?

Mike,

It was 3000 SQ.Ft. of Train Room

I was going to make a reply then I realized I have no clue as to what the question or intent of the topic is.

Hello handyyandy............

I LIKE it   I have a 4 by 6 layout using fastrack and 2 switches but the plywood is soooooooooo heavy that I have trouble lifting it to put on the bed to run my trains. Is there such a thing as a LIGHT plywood about same size (4 by 6) that can be easy for a woman to lift it ?

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678,2003,200

Tiffany