Move bath for expansion?

Obsidian nice plans I like the idea of moving the bathroom, yes it's a lot of work but well worth it. When I built my layout I relocated my entire heating and hot water system it was very hard work but well worth it in the long run. Alex

Looks good to me.

Show us the results when the project is completed.

Sounds like a Win/Win. Better Bath, Better Layout!

 

Simon

"Harper 101", of course (especially since it's not MY dollar!).  Great looking railroad.

 

Carlton

Ken,

 

Move the bath!  ;-)

 

Cheers

Bryan

Ken,

 

Cost is no option!

 

Go for it!  

 

Mark.

Ken,

 

I moved my heating system, hot water heater, air handling unit for AC, tons of copper tubing and wire. It was all worth it.

 

good luck!!

Remember one of the rules:

 

If your layout doesn't fit within the room, the layout isn't too big; the room is to small. Expand it!

 

Rule stated, though, it's good to have a bathroom near the layout. You should keep the bathroom, but alter it to allow clearance for the layout expansion into the storage room.

Do the neighbors have a bathroom you could use? It is taking up valuable train space!

Thanks for all of the positive replys.  Especially from my club mates who have visited my layout and noted the inconvenience of the bathrooms location.  When we built the house 10 years ago I had intended to use the space that is now the home theatre for the "layout of my dreams".  In fact the layout began in that area before I shoe horned it into the guest room/closet. 

 

I've read plenty of layout posts about avoiding duck unders/popups and my desired extension plan addresses that issue.  I also prefer not to follow trains from room to room.  I've had a couple of damaging tail end accidents due to a train losing power in the closet/storage room.  The idea of having my entire layout in a room where I can monitor the entire operation from a single seat is very appealing.

 

The extension will increase my mainline 27'.  That may not seem worthwhile but that will allow me to run 4 trains simultaneously instead of 3.  The outer loop of the layout has a minimum curve of O-54 which accommodates my Premier Class J and Greenbrier.  It will be exciting to have a turntable to stage trains.

 

Moving the bathroom will require trenching the basement slab to relocate shower and toilet drains.  I dont think I'll be able to do that without her noticing the jackhammering ;-)  I've got to sell her on the idea of a bigger better bath (with a steam shower) that family/guest can get to without going through the train room.  I've also got plans to turn a spare bedroom into a crafts/studio for her.  Will need to execute that project before I start demoing walls in the basement.

Now there's a man with a plan.  I like it!

The bathroom has got to go! Great plan.

By the way, Matt has the quote of the day...I love it!!!

If your layout doesn't fit within the room, the layout isn't too big; the room is to small. Expand it!

Definitely! Move the bath, but make sure you get a consensus on this decision since it's a big one. I like your design too. What are the size curves you're using? Is it currently running like that? Do you have pictures?

Trainman, the min curve on the inner loop is O42. Outer is O54 which is minimum for MTH 4-8-4 engines. You can see videos of my existing layout on my YouTube channel: 99thObsidian. As you'll see on videos I run Premier engines and consists. The exception is my MTH Imperial articulated steamers and 60' Railking passenger cars. 70' premier cars overhang too much on O54 curves. Though the layout is curvy, I'll get 180' of double track mainline in 21x11' room. Moving the bath will be win win. But the even if I DIY the price is going to require curtailing my collecting for awhile.

IMO, Forget the collecting, most of us have way too much stuff anyway.  Put you money where you will get the most bang.  Less can be sooooo much more!

Very nice layout. I love the backdrop. Welcome to my world. The $$$ I'm expending to rebuild the layout is keeping from buying the cool stuff... Engines! You can never have too many engines.

It's a never ending cycle. As your collection grows you need a larger layout/room to run/showcase them. Once the layout expansion is complete you'll want to add that larger engine or car to your collection. The main motivation of this, my 4th expansion, is to accommodate a turntable for most of my engines. Rolling stock is lighter and easier to transfer from storage shelf to track than engine s. That's why this expansion has a turntable instead of a large yard.