</a> After all the hours of planning, building, playing and fixing- my layout is now sitting by the dumpster outside my apartment complex. My fiancée accepted a promotion to a Chicago office, so we're relocating. And we won't have room for my layout So I saved everything I could, and I will keep it in storage until I am once again able to start a layout. I had to cut the layout base (2" foamboard) down the middle to get it out of my apartment. Here are the two halves, and the empty table: Trainboard has provided me with more help than any other source. I'd like to thank all you guys for the great answers to my *many* basic questions. I will be gone for awhile, but someday I will be back, with a whole other layout project that I'll document from day 1. Before I dismantled the layout, I took a few pictures of some scenes that I am going to send to MR magazine. Who knows if they'll like them. Here are 2 from the group: Take care all, talk to you later! Dave Heinzel Elmhurst, IL [ 15. August 2003, 20:51: Message edited by: daveheinzel333 ]
I know how you feel Dave! I had to do the same thing to my pike when I moved from Sacramento to Santa Barbara back in the '70s. My layout took up half of a two car garage with all hand laid rails Best of luck to you in CHI and we'll look forward to seeing you back here one day soon.
All things must pass, and that applies to our model railroads. Hope you & your fiance get settled in Chiacgo, and everything goes well. Whether or not you build a second layout soon, don't forget to check in with us. One of the things I would do while spending the summer in Ely, NV (miles from nowhere) was work on several of my models. I got several freight cars and locomotives done this way. In this fashion, you may consider working on models for a future layout (TV table in front of the idiot box is a good place). Again, good luck, and by all means, keep in touch! [ 15. August 2003, 16:18: Message edited by: friscobob ]
Dave, I am very sad to hear about this. I live in SE Wisconsin so you can come visit my layout once I start my new one. I just moved to a different town about 15-20 minutes from my old house and had to take my layout down. But that's ok because I was kinda looking forward to being able to build a better layout... even though it will be smaller, I think it will look a lot nicer in a finished off basement and I will be able to actually get something done on the layout. All for now Talk to you soon hopefully. Matt ps... where is the skatepark?
FriscoBob has the right idea. I have built a few layouts, and then had to give them up. As a consequence, I have been w/o a layout most of the time, so I kept active by building rolling stock, upgrading locos, etc. However, I did become something of a collector. OH MY GOSH!!. But it's fun. I have a cocktail table that has a swing-up top, that puts it at just the right height for eating or modeling. Ultimate couch potato, except I jogged some miles each day. I now have a train room almost finished, and have a new layout abuilding. Keep at it Dave. Denis
Dave, Sorry to see you dismantle your layout but look at it as an opportunity to design your next layout. You don't need any room to sit down and start designing your next layout???? I'd hate for you to leave this site just because you don't have a layout??? Actually it would be great for you to stay and start posting designs for your next layout?? By the way excellent photographs of your layout they look very realistic. Good luck with the move and i look forward to seeing your future posts.
Dave, Thats sad! you just finished that! Wasn't no way you could have packed it away an saved the entire thing an rebuilt it in the future when you had room? I know I would have tried something at least! But as its been said.. you can still visit the site, (we all liked your work!) an then for that to keep you in the hobby you can do as a few said build rolling stock an locomotives for your next layout! As I done for years! And now. I got my own layout (just tore apart for an addition) an all plus my layout at the club to run my 200 to close 275 loco's an all my cars on! So. you can work on that all an still enjoy the hobby, an visit here!
dave, thats rather unfortunate that you wont have space for a layout when you move, but thats no reason to leave trainboard! you can always just work on rolling stock and locos and plan your next layout as has already been said. i really enjoyed your posts and look forward to the time you build a new layout. i really like the photos you posted, very realistic
Great photos Dave! May the winds of Chicago blow another layout your way soon! Lottsa luck to you! JT
Damn!!!!, what a shame! I noticed you closed with Elmhurst? moving from there or to there?. If you going there, u will be around some great rail fan spots, and maybe it might encourage you to model the SOO,,,,LOL Great pics, I like the ICG one the best!, Best of luck,,adios wyatt
Oh ok, so I'm not COMPLETELY gone from Trainboard I will still check in and try to keep in touch with what's going on in the model railroad business. SOO,MILW,CNW - Yes, I am moving to Elmhurst. 1 week from today and I will be there. I am living 1 block from the UP/Metra lines that run through downtown. When I was up there looking at places to live, I saw more trains go by in 15 minutes than I see all day here in Springfield! So I am very excited, and I will be doing plenty of train watching and photography. What are some really good spots? I don't know the area all that well, but I'm up for an adventure, and I'll probably spend some time my first week up there trying to find some good areas. Anyway, good suggestions guys, about keeping busy with individual cars and collecting and planning for the next layout. I can't wait till I have enogh room (and money!) to get another one going. And it won't be 4x8. I had fun with that, but it's time for something a little more ambitious. later!
It pains me so to see any layout dismantled, let alone dumpsterized. It seams like a crime to destroy anything that has that much creative effort put into it. From a phylisophical perspective though, there are no endings, only new beginings. My move from Ariz. to NY alowed me to start fresh with all the leasons that I had learned, and now the new layout will be better than the old one could have ever become. This can be a good thing if you let it.
I agree that dismantling a layout is a sad day. But the ideal you've stated above, is right on. Using what you've previously learned, now you'll hit the ground running. And can be up operating a new, much improved layout in no time! Boxcab E50
I just moved from Philadelphia to Houston, and I also had to dismantle my nearly completed HO layout. I have also lost a basement in the move. However, my understanding wife has allowed me to lay claim to a spare bedroom as a new layout location. Like many others, I am using this as an opportunity to learn from my previous misguided decisions and build something better. I am even considering moving to another scale for some variety. I would strongly recommend joining a model railroad club as a means to keep you hand in the hobby until you once again have room for a home layout.
I am soory you had to dismantle your layout. I used your website as an encouragement as I am building my first layout. Thanks for all the detail information and pictures from your layout. I hope I can get close to the quality of work you have done. I don't think I will ever be the photographer that you are. Good luck and don't be a stranger!
Hello Dave, I'm a former Chicago resident and I miss that great town. You are in a fantastic place for railfanning and modelling. You asked for suggestions of good railfanning places - boy is that a tough question to answer. Here are a few of my favorites: Blue Island - South of Chicago where the CSX, IHB and the old GTW cross. Very busy Dalton - Also south of Chicago - between Dalton and Blue Island are Barr Yard and Blue Island yard on IHB. This one is the junction of CSX, IHB and the UP to Yard Center. Off in the distance to the west you can see the former IC, now METRA electric line. Very busy with lots of transfer runs. Harlem Ave. Crossing on the BN in Berwyn. Very busy, lots of freight and passenger, Riverside is also nice (further west on the same line), with a picturesque station. Hayford Jct. on the near south side. the BRC crosses the GTW at the east end of Clearing. Lots of transfer runs, and lots of equipment from various roads including the BRC. I love their scheme. Here's my personal favorite, Ravinia station (not the park) It is on the UP/Metra north line. For most people this would not be any special place. But, to me, it is where my love of trains was born. I used to see E-units and F-units pushing and pulling the CN&W green-over-yellow bi-levels. My parent's house was in listening distance of the line and I remember going to the end of the block, you could see the trains to wait for my Dad coming home from work. (Sniff, sorry, I got so choked up) At rush hour (am or pm) the action is pretty good, but otherwise, just one or two trains an hour. There are many great spots on the UP west line and Elmhurst is one of them. Here's a quick look at local hobby stores: Des Plaines - you will pay full retail here, but they have everything and are open 7-days a week. Hills Hobbies in Park Ridge - again full retail, but their stock is excellent. If you like Lionel, they are strong in that. Zientek's - Chicago. S. Damen and 18th St. A bar and a hobby store. a combination that can't be beat. This is a strictly cash operation - so don't forget the greenbacks. HO is his specialty. The corner tavern is on the first floor along with a modest brass display. The bulk of the stock is in a converted apartment on floor 2. Discount prices. I know the owner and can recommend highly. Hobby City in Berwyn - a modest store, but they have discount prices. They will also order. I know both Bill and Carole the owners and they give very good service. Chicaogoland Hobby- also a very good store. Unfortunately, I have not visited the Elmhurst area much, so I can't offer any thoughts on the stores in that neighborhood. You should do quite well. Good luck with your next layout and please keep up with Trainboard. Regards, Clifton Linton
