As hard as it is to belive, I'm actually <u>considering </u>abandoning the layout I've been working on for the past 10-15 years (but never finished ). It's a table-top, "spagehetti-style", continuous-loop layout that began as an HO layout and has since been converted to N (except for a few remaining HO portals and scenery things here and there). The problem is I bit off too much and I will probably never finish it at this rate. It's also too big for the room it is in and it is not very visitor or operator friendly. I am starting to really like the idea of downsizing to a more simple, around-the-wall layout and modeling a small portion of a specific locale (like Tehachapi Loop). Anyway, if you were trying to sell this layout, what would you ask for it (assuming someone close enough wanted it and it could be hauled away)? It is about 6' X 16' or so and has a double-track main long enough that a train, moving at realistic speeds, takes about 6 or 7 minutes to return to the same spot again. Here's some photos... The following pic shows a train moving along a 3rd (local) line. As the layout stands right now, there can be 3 trains operating on different tracks Thoughts? Russ
Russ, I feel for ya man! That is a truly tough spot to find yourself. I refer to it as Breen's Paradox: How do you plan for the unknown? What you think you want from a layout when you design it seems to change by the time you complete it. I'm sure that's because the more you do, the more you learn. Often through what doesn't work. It can be seen through every level of the hobby, recently Vern Niner (WarBonnettfan) anounced a similar decision, and of course the well documented Tony Koester total tear down/rebuild railroad change. I'm begining to see that it may be an eventual step we must all take someday. Obviously selling it all in on shot is the most desireable because then we have cash and a fresh slate to work with. As far as selling a layout goes, put yourself in the buyers shoes. Wouldn't they kinda be where you were when you started this layout? Didn't you have specific criteria you wanted (well, thought you wanted) filled, so you ended up designing and building your own. 15 years ago spagetti was the standard, that's why you used it. Things have changed and that's part of why you don't want it any more. You can see how this really limits your market to those looking for a "good deal". Have you concidered recycling? Maybe some sections can be saved and rearanged, patching in new here and there to give you your around the room. You know the areas you like the most or work the best. I'm not sure what I would do, or what I will do, when I'm in your spot. I supose it's a model RR rite of passage.
Russ, if it were me and I was happy with the plan I would get the help of some friends and go on a scenery party. After a couple of weekends the basic scenery would be in and would allow you to add refinement. I am sure there are plenty that would love to help. I would if I was closer.
WW is right. Don't have any friends? Post a notice in a LHS, include a notation that you'll provide pizza & beer(or at least pizza). You'll have friends in a hurry! The issue will be, do they know anything about what you want to accomplish......
Russ, I might be able to take it off your hands....fire me an email, tell me what your thinking...UP is just killing me time wise, it might be a good idea....
So much time and effort invested. My thinking would be for it's size, a buyer must be local. So that will limit potential new owners. Hopefully, you and ngaged can work out a plan! Boxcab E50
My casual observations have shown me that what you can get out of a layout is a tiny fraction of what's been put in it. The sheer size of the pike is definitely a limiting factor.
I'm not surte I can do it...it may be too big for my area, I need to go out and measure my layout area...plus..he lives up in Northern Cal. he may be stuck with the thing.....
You'll never get anything for the time put into it Russ. That would be tough. Maybe enough to cover the cost of the materials. Worse comes to worse, you have track for the new layout. Kel
Russ - I think we've all been at the point you are at to some degree. I put years of work into my last layout (3' x 8' Unitrack). It moved from one house to another and ultimately my interests changed. Rather than try to sell it or struggle with the decision, I just ripped it up and threw it away (after salvaging the reusable parts). I look at the value of building a layout as being the enjoyable hours (and some not-so-enjoyable) of distraction from work and other challenges of day-to-day life. Hopefully, the end product is something to keep and cherish but, more often than not, we reach the point where we would just as soon open things up for new interests and the very enjoyable process of creating a new concept. The challenge for me is that I tend to over-analyze things and this makes it difficult to get going in a new direction. That's why I took the modular approach with my current layout. Each new module can represent a different location, era, etc. and I consider them all to be "throw-away" in that they can easily and cheaply be replaced. I think this somewhat insulates me from having to, at some point in the future, do a total tear-down/replace of the layout. Best wishes with your tough decision. With regard to your question, have you considered ebay? You might not get a buyer, but listing it might give you a better idea as to what the market is for a "used" layout.
