My layout is a 10x20 representation of the WM Thomas division. It is
about 80% complete. There are some things I am very happy with and
others that I am not so thrilled about. Specifically, it is too low,
staging is hard to get to without a duckunder, I have another duckunder
to get to my workroom, the wiring needs redoing and some of the turnouts
don't work very well. I am suddenly having the urge to tear it all out
and start over, learning from my mistakes. I would like to move in the
direction of more prototype modeling. This month's article in MR has
fueled the flames. Has anyone done this with their RR? How long did it
take to remove it? How do you dispose of the remains?- my garbage Co.
is picky about what kinds of cans we use, let alone hauling benchwork
away? Was it worth the effort? Let me know your opinions.
Run, don't walk to the nearest saber saw. A fresh start is always exciting
and it gives you an opportunity to correct your past mistakes. I have done
this on two well established, operating layouts. Your removal time will be
dependant on your construction techniques. L girder or box girder, nails or
screws? You might be able to salvage the wood and use it in a new layout.
I have used allot of mine on several times. The rest you cut up to fit in
your garbage can or put them in the car and haul them off. It was worth
the effort and I would (and will) do it again.
DMNolan
Spend some time evaluating and then removing and storing away those items that
can be reused. Buildings and some things like trees can be quite an investment
in time. Pack away all your good rolling stock and motive power and give away
the rest. Perhaps you can hire some teenagers to do the actual demo unless you
of course are one. (At least in heart)
S.
That's what it's all about! Never be afraid to make changes to your layout,
including a complete renovation. That's what keeps your interest alive and
kicking, and each time you make a change, you will learn something new and
valuable. Real railroads change quite a bit over time. So should our model
railroad. I have saved portions of layouts to reuse every time I start over.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the challenge of building your dreams.
Ray
Recently tore down O scale layout, which was built after about 6 in HO. Every
time demoished one it gave me new enthusiasm to be realse from all the old
problems and unfinished projects. Alwasy found someone willing to take the
pieces or help tear it down if they could have it.
Found it is not worth the trouble to save pieces, track, and even structures,
unless it is something that you are really attached to. Worst mistake I ever
made was trying to save sections of old layouts and incorporate them in a new
one....screwed up the new one and influenced the design too much.
Chuck
Well,I have to say that I have just competed two new L girdered modules
and re-used just about everything from the old 3X8 flat top switcher.I
did turn the plywood over,as it was still in one sheet.I only cleaned up
mess where a riser is to go.It was reasonably clean anyways...
The timber was all cleaned up in no time with a disc sander.It doesn't
really matter as it will all be hidden anyway.
I did use new legs though. My new creation is only 45cm wide (18inches in
old speak) around the walls,so lighter legs was the go.
I even dug out the little Tee nuts and replugged them in the new legs!
I'm not penny pinching,but I hate wasting material that grows on trees.
Andrew
I live in the country, so I burn mistakes. The Dremel allows me to save
some switches.
Another thought I've been working on, since I'm now pretty much modular,
is giving units away. Buy a cheap trainset, or use some leftovers, for
somebody to run on a 2x8 layout.
I've tried giving away components, but nothing seems to happen. Sigh.
David
This past Spring I was nearly finished all the track work on my layout.
Track weathered, ballast down, wiring 80% complete, buildings in place,....
Torn it down No sabre saw, but the hammer and my three year son,..."Let me
help Daddy." Now, I am working on a new modular switching layout. I like it
a lot more. As a friend who has been modelling for 30 plus years who has an
18X36 empire said, "Now you have a lot more railroad. "
It's fun!!!!
Ewen
First, I would NOT throw away the layout, even if you tear it up and start over. There are certainly parts (especially benchwork, wire, track, structures, etc) which are reuseable! You may not use the benchwork intact, but it seems like that is a lot of dimensional lumber to throw away. You can use some of it as cleats or risers at least, even if it is too short for your new benchwork.
More importantly though, why don't you keep the current layout together and operating while you work out a detailed plan for your new layout?
Have you already decided which prototype you wish to model? Do you have a trackplan ready to go? What about your locomotive and freight car fleet?
You can spend a great deal of satisfying modeling time just researching and building locomotives, freight cars and non-revenue rolling stock for your new layout WITHOUT touching your current layout! You can take time to visit the region of your prototype and/or join the proper historical society to find out what might be the most fun to model. You can then get historic or current photos of the region to help you determine scenery colors, textures, structures that will be necessary. You can also spend a great deal of time building structures and trying out arrangements on your current layout so that you get just the right plan!
Then, once you have a region/railroad prototype, a good start on rolling stock and loco models, a solid detailed layout design, you can tear down your current layout and begin the new one. This will help in several ways. Most importantly, you'll have an operating layout to play with. When planning seems dull or when you want to test a recently built model or see how several structures look grouped together you will have a place to do that. Second, you will find that prototype modeling research can be a very fun and distracting activity. You don't want to tear down one layout, start a prototype model layout quickly and then find you need to tear it down before it is complete. You will have the freedom to research the prototype at your leisure while still having the fun of an operating layout, no matter how flawed you think it is now. Third, when you DO start tearing out, you will have a detailed plan for your new layout so that the enthusiasm you will have will not be dampened by the delays that would occur if you did not know exactly what you wanted to do. The "down time" without an operating layout should be reduced this way. Finally, you might find that prototype modeling research and planning ISN'T as fun for you as for others. If you start with plans, photos, and model building first, you can avoid the let down that could happen if you tear out the old layout and find in the meantime that your new idea turns out to be a "grass is greener" fantasy rather than a real desire.
Bottom line:
Plan first to see if you really like the new approach and to avoid a longer time period without an operating layout.
Dave