In order to build and expand my last layout I had to take down the pool table. At the time it was no big deal, the boys were young and showed very little interest in playing pool. Well, as the saying goes "Don't you know", not long after I took the pool table down the boys wanted to play pool.
So I made an executive decision, and in August I started to dismantle a large portion of my layout, trying to keep as much in tact as possible. I took down the expansion and put the pool table back up. I also reorganized the "play area' of the basement and reclaimed that area for the new expansion.
My wife and family (besides the boys) thought I was nuts for tearing it down, but it wasn't that hard of a decision. Yes, the basement was a giant mess for a short while, but I am very organized, so it did not stay that way for long. I wasn't %100 satisfied with the old expansion due to lack of accessibility and I wanted the ability to watch more trains run, which I could not do with the old configuration.
I drew up some plans and came up with what you see below. Instead of one large connected loop, I broke the layout into three separate loops. Both the lower loops can run two trains on each and the upper level will be able to run one. The upper level will consist of two reversing loops and smaller trains. I have already noticed less headaches while operating the trains.
I still have a lot of work ahead of me in order to get the layout where I want it to be, but I am happy that I was able to get the trains running and the interest rekindled.
In the end, we still have a train layout, which the boys (especially the younger one) seem happy with, and we can enjoy the pool table with family & friends.
But you made the decision which was right for you so kudos!
