Sold the house, kept the layout

Congratulations on the opportunity to build a new version of your layout.  Would you show a picture of the track plan without the 3D fill.  I'm getting lost on the tracks that go in the tunnels.

Wasn't it possible to salvage sections of the old layout as a start on the new one?

I'm planning to move within the next year and will certainly try to take my table tops and framework with me.  The track will be taken off and unsoldered.  I may not have thought this through but that's the plan.

What is the radii?

I feel your pain.  Tearing up your layout can be as bad as a divorce.  Well. in some ways.  I had to go through dismantling my railroad some time ago.  Planning a new one after some ten years and the excitement is back. 

I found that your title is very misleading, you did not keep it, you dismantled it. I started reading thinking that there might be some ideas on preserving an existing layout for move it to another location. Good luck with your new one. I suspect progress reports will be posted.

I am in a similar situation, we close on a house end of August and after we move I will fix up my current place and sell it in the fall.

Soon I have to start taking down my 12 x 16 layout.  Fortunately when I built the current layout I had (12) 2x3 tables for the base (and I never did scenery) so at least I can setup a temp layout until I have the basement finished.

If anybody lives out near Winchester, VA send me a note

Hello All,

Thanks for all the responses. I'll do my best to address them all. Here goes.

Mark, thanks for the positive encouragement as always! I've attached the SCARM track plan and a separate one with the lower loop in yellow by itself. It's a 3rd independent loop.

DCtransit, minimum on the 3 loops (2 track mainline in red and blue and lower loop in yellow) minimum 081. It was tricky for a number of reasons. All the 081's have a 1 090 transition. The 2 track mainline is 4 1/2" o.c.  All the 090's have a 099 transition. The yards and station are minimum 072. This is primarily a passenger train display layout and most of my cars are 21". Ya just gotta have wide sweeping curves...

aussteve, yes. I am going to salvage most or all of the elevated 2 track mainline and incorporate what I can into the new design. Easier said than done, but I'll make it work where I can.

Bill, truly heartbreaking after all the work. However, the grades on the new one are a bit less steep. Big plus. Also, The GRMRR was the 1st layout I've built in 30 years AND my 1st O gauge. Learned a lot so the 1200 will be even better.

Dave, Please forgive the 'misleading' title. Actually, I did keep it. However, some major remodeling will be forthcoming. I'll reuse 90%+ of the benchwork (legs, girders and grid) and most all of the track. Most is sectional and screwed to the homasote so fairly easy to disassemble. I'll lose some of the plywood and homasote but those are the breaks. I actually did build it to move it. Two sections: 22'-6"x6'-8" and 22'-6"x5'-8" bolted together. Also, I join the track close to the benchwork seams. Just didn't think it would be moved so soon. Currently in storage and to be moved to the new house (see the photos). Lots of work to be done.

Strugglinman, Just be methodical and don't hurry. Mark the connection points. keep a log and take photos.

What I really need is some direction on how to wire this thing. I have a new Z-WL and an older model TMCC remote. However, I want to use functioning block signals and am in the dark as to to how to do it.

I'll post as I go...might be a couple months before any real progress. I'll keep updating.

My actual handle is 'Rogue Trains'. Lionnnn has nothing to do with Lionel trains. nuf said.

Rogue