To start over or not

Tear it out and don't rebuild, just read about all the fun everyone on here is having with their layout

If I was not happy with what I currently have, I'd tear it out and start over without another thought.  BUT...I would put some track down and run trains for about a year BEFORE I made things too permanent by adding scenery and ballast.

I recently added a 2x14 section down the left hand side of my layout for a small yard.  I've "re-designed" the track work probably 6 times since then and have had to scrape up ground cover every time.  I found places in my track work that needed or could accept additional switches/turnouts, wider curves, longer/shorter sidings, etc.

An around the wall, shelf layout (I wouldn't go more than 30" deep, 24" will make the most out of a sheet of plywood) will give you more room and allow you to use larger radius curves.  If you need to buy additional track there's always someone selling used track on the forum.

Watching your layout grow here has been some real fun. Looking forward to another.

The Move-

An old U.P. of Mich. logger moved his whole logging operation from the Two Hearted river to Shelldrake, between Tahquamenon Falls river and Whitefish Point. He did it by picking up the rails behind him, and laying them down in front again. Citing the Mich. story as an excuse, see if you can get away with building from the old, to the new layout. Of course with intentions of eventual removal of the old lines as needed(or not). Just make sure you treat yourself to some quality train time before you destroy it if you're unable play Con Culhane into the next room.    

I really like what Frank said.  Now this is coming from a temporary or semi temporary layout guy. Just be careful that your quest does not turn out like Frank outlined.  My current Layout will come down in February or March cause I will have no place to move it to after that. I actually had this one longer than planned, but the next rebuild will use the same track and scenery.

" the wife so far thinks it is a good idea".   Nuf said !! High Ball

Brent

My vote is for what most people have already said in this thread - sounds like you have a burning desire to re-do things and have already answered most of your own questions 

I'm in the same "first layout was a learning layout" boat. I built it with my father back in 2008 when I was 16. I hadn't discovered the forum or any of the layout building guide books yet; all I had was a couple issues of CTT and some TM videos, the combined basic carpentry skills of my father and I, and a badly restricted understanding of what was out there beyond Lionel and the toy train look. After a good 5 years on the forum now I have acquired a wealth of knowledge and better skills and am just counting the days until I can build the Hi-Rail layout I really want. The only thing holding me back is our current house situation - we want to downsize and move closer to new business opportunities in New York, but we're in a small Florida town where very few people are looking for a larger house and chances of selling anytime soon are slim. My father has been contemplating keeping the big house as a winter home and devising a system where he and I will switch locations every 6 months to manage our businesses. Should that system become official, I am ripping everything up, building an extension that will double my size, and completely redoing everything in hi-rail.

I would also advise staying away from any sort of mentality that you have to stick with what you've got just because of the current investment or some weird fear of a slippery slope down to HO and never being happy. Truth is, sticking with your current setup knowing full-well you want to make changes is the real surefire way to make yourself frustrated and miserable. You just have to know exactly what you want in the new setup, follow a plan and take your time to make it just right. Judging from your posts so far, it sounds like you're already doing just this 

Don't get me wrong.  I really like my current layout and track plan.  I just think that I can get many more operational opportunities with a new layout.  

Posted by Frank:

 

A moving target is hard to hit.

Lots of words summed up succinctly...  Keep your goals clear and within reach.  Enjoy your hobby and don't turn it into a job or sacrifice what is important at home... Good luck

Likely if you don't build the new layout you will always have that tiny little bit of doubt in your mind....

Yes I want to add more revenue producing businesses.  I plan to operate using a modified car-card system or something similar using my android tablet.  Currently I have an two auto parts factory that share a siding to load and unload 40' box cars and 50' DD box cars, and a grain elevator to load single sheath box cars.  

I also have a great lakes car ferry to send cars across lake Michigan with a small yard to service the car ferry.  I also plan a staging track to take trains on and off the layout, as if they are heading to Grand Rapids.  

I run a small commuter train with a mail car attached to it.  The mail car sometimes takes the ferry across the lake.  Along with that the RR runs excursions behind the 1225 with about 10 passenger cars.

As my layout is set up now I can't add any more industries.  By moving to an around the room layout I believe I can add 3 or 4 more industries such as a gravel or cement plant for my hoppers, and another factory or two.  Maybe a fish processor that my rebult refeers can be loaded at.  

I would also advise staying away from any sort of mentality that you have to stick with what you've got just because of the current investment

I wish I had listened to this.

I'm finding that 054 switches could have, should have, been pulled and 072 put in their places.  Better yet, I should have gone with "numbered" switches.

You want more sidings, plan so that you can use the largest switches and curves possible.

Listen to Frank... I must add this, "food for thought". My current layout was started in 1939 by my grandfather. It has been expanded quite a few times. Each time the original benchwork remained untouched.

I'm in the process of adding a 10'X12' section. Again the original benchwork is still there. Think about what you're doing BEFORE a single section is torn down. This is where most ambitions overshadow what needs to be done.

Thanks for all the great advise. 

I am still torn.  I do have a great layout now, and I really only have scenery left to do on it plus add the staging track. 

I wanted to start looking at possible trackplans for the new room, but I am having issues with windows under OSX after I installed the newest update.  

To be honest I think I am leaning towards keeping my current layout.  I am close to the scenery stage and everything is running well.  I think another 2 years and the layout will be complete.  I will continue to use this as a learning layout, and my next step in learning is how to do scenery.  Keep practicing on my current layout.  In 2 or 3 years after this one is done, I can tear it all out and move into that room.  

I still think you should put all of your under the layout stuff in that room before the bride gets other ideas. Possession is ...

Sounds like you need a Magic 8-ball. Ok, Ill flip-flop with you. The pride of completion is a good reason as any to stay, plus it is your first, lots to be learned finishing it, and the best reason, someday I will be fit enough to drive again, and I was looking forward to maybe paying you a visit to see it.    

Wow Frank,  what a great perspective on this topic. It makes one look at their own layout, skills, goals, etc, in a much different way.