Moving a Layout!

He doesn't mention that it's build in a modular manner, so moving it is probably going to be a major PITA, and would likely require a lot of rebuilding.  That's not to mention the expense of the truck and the trip.

Saw the layout.  I read the description.  Too many caveats for me.

Sounds like you'll not get any help from the seller.  The buyer is expected to pay, remove, correct any damage to the seller's home in the process.  Doesn't include any trains.  Doesn't speak of any condition/issues re the layout and its operation.  No video showing action.

And were I to consider this purchase, I'd have to also consider that I would have to make all the arrangements, make the long trip myself...maybe with a couple friends to assist...supervise the movers, etc., etc., etc..

All of the structures, vehicles....anything small and loose...would necessarily have to be removed, wrapped, packed beforehand.  The layout would have to be cut into moveable pieces, probably destroying much of the nicely done scenery.

If the movers are not familiar with or prepared to move this sort of load, I would expect a lot of shipping damage for that distance.

All of this would have to be reconstructed upon arrival at your location.

To top it off, the seller seems quite disinterested in it all at this point and is willing to take less than the posted price.   This is not a good sign, IMHO.  The layout maybe hasn't been run in a long time.  It really isn't worth the asking price to the seller.  They want it out...period.

I would more seriously consider using the money you'll spend...layout, travel expenses, moving expenses, insurance, repairs, reconstruction, etc., etc....on construction of your own layout...with the help of friends who, I'm sure, would rather not have to go through such an ordeal.

Finally, I'd try to establish a line of communication with the seller about the layout and the move, the caveats.  Compose a list of questions.  Get clarification.  (Do you even know that there is a reasonable basement access for a mover to carefully extricate the layout in the largest possible 'chunks' to be loaded into a moving van???  The mover, certainly will want to know this before agreeing to such an unusual request!!).

You'll learn a lot about the seller and the layout from direct communication.  If they're put off by a list of questions and details as mentioned...as well as your counter-offer $$$...you'll get a better sense of how the whole transaction would transpire.

The ol' "Caveat emptor!" really comes into play in this sort of scenario...IMHO.

FWIW...

KD

Yep, IMO I'd pass it by.

The only perk I see is that it comes with a no longer available DCS and Legacy system. Provided they are in working order. The fact that you can’t move it or be there to disassemble it. I’d pass.  Even if you could find someone. I’m guessing $3 to 4000 to move it that distance. Knowing  what it costs to ship say a classic car any distance and this doesn’t exactly roll onto a trailer.

If you live in the Northeast. At the Springfield show a few years back. There  was a fully sceniced layout for sale about this size. Can’t remember the price but it wasn’t over the top expensive. He brought the layout to western MA. from Maine. Nicely done by a layout builder. Brian Inch, Model Rail Scenes. He was at one time. A forum sponsor. He has an up to date web site.  Figuring the cost of the eBay layout plus shipping. It might be worth getting a quote from a layout builder.

Have you priced a U-Haul/Hertz truck?  69 cents per mile plus twenty dollars a day is roughly $1500 for mileage, $100 daily rental(5 days x $20) comes to $1600.  If you get fifteen miles to the gallon at $4.50 per that's another $620, now at $2200.  At least three nights on the road at $100 for room and board(absolute minimum) and you're going to spend in the neighborhood of two thousand five hundred dollars for the trip. If you don't like my number, put in your own.  Looking at the layout, the buildings, highway vehicles and other scenery may be worth one thousand dollars. Could you build a layout (which you know would fit your space) for the transportation cost?  John

Hi Steven,

Unfortunately, I just purchased the layout.  No I'm just  kidding! It definitely looks to be a good deal. Did you ever consider using PODS? However with them you still would have to have someone commit to loading the layout up. Best wishes. Let us know how things work out.

Dave

I would pass also. JohnA

I have looked at the advertisement on the bay, and although it looks like a nice layout does not appear to be worth the asking price given the added costs to disassemble, transport and then re-assemble the layout.

I have been fortunate enough to have purchased several large layouts in the past and only buy them when the collection or layout is well worth the trouble or expense involved. I simply look for the value in what I am getting in materials, transformers, operating systems, switches, track, engines, rolling stock, buildings etc.  You may have to consider what it is worth if it was all knocked down or loose pieces without the scenery or framework. Would the dollar value equivalent be better spent just buying it locally without the ordeal of buying this one? (Framing and supports are almost always worthless other than the possibility of reusing the lumber materials, unless it is a Mianne type system.)

  Scenery is tough to salvage unless the layout was built to be broken down in movable sections and does not fair well being taken apart and re-assembled. the added cost of moving larger sections will also impact the final value.

Regardless of what the previous owner spent or the asking price, it all comes down to what you are actually getting for the final cost involved, the real numbers ($) will tell you if it is worth it in the end. Best wishes, Richard

Go to or join local train club. Hire a few members to build it. Cheaper in the long run.

Out of pure curiosity I went looking for this listing but could not find it - any hints like seller name or is it down now?

Thanks!

Took a look (thanks TedW) - would be a hard pass for me, too much work and expense for what Iʻd get out of it.

@Kelunaboy posted:

Out of pure curiosity I went looking for this listing but could not find it - any hints like seller name or is it down now?

Thanks!

Try cut n paste this item number, might be this one.

265881142433