I'm in Upstate New York and I will be moving. The new buyer isn't interested in Model Railroading and I need to sell my layout.(Our new house is too small) It's 16'x8' in is "E" shaped, DCC powered. Any advice on how or where to list it would be appreciated. Thank you, Bernard
Craigslist, or similar (kijji I think is the one northerners use also) or facebook... because unless the person is local and can do in person pick up, no one will want to deal with the expense and hassle of shipping. It you don’t get any bites, then salvage buildings, track, trees, and either reuse, and sell those in lots on eBay.
May be better to try and salvage as many structures and possibly track and simply box them up with the thought of rebuilding later on.
I like what you've done with your layout. Not a perspective buyer. Thought you might want to know. However, by starting this thread here you may find someone who will make you an offer and travel with a U-haul truck or trailer to pick it up. Layouts are hard to sell. You need the right buyer who thinks like you do and wants the same thing you built. Most of us would be buyers are looking for something specific. Done to a particular standard. Others are of the DGAS variety and don't care. They will take what they can from you, destroy what they don't want. Build what they want. There is a market for ready made layouts. So, there is a chance you can sell it. Here's what I've done and of course I don't expect you to do the same. When I built the layout I started out by building it in such a way I could move it. Not Modules as such but better said, sections. I can then take cut the track, unscrew the sections, pull it apart and take it down to move it. Never mind cutting all the wires. When I move. Most of the time I end up taking from it what I can use to build a new layout. Redesigning, revamping and rebuilding it into a new layout. While still capturing the charm of the old layout. Craig's list is a great place to advertise for local's. They tend to sell by location as in a city or county. That has worked for friends of mine. One fella I knew would build layouts for beginners. Not necessarily the person you'd want building them but his customers seemed to be happy with his work. Many happy returns. I don't know what to tell you and that wouldn't be my business anyways. Lot's of luck.
Another option might be to donate it to the local museum, library, school or other organizations if you can't sell it. Write it off on your taxes. It's a shame you can't take it to the new house. Looks like you put a lot of effort into it over many years. Don't forget to take a ton of pictures before you dismantle it. Perhaps a final run video of your favorite train.
Rick thanks for the compliment and everyone else for your advice....It was a labor of love designing and then building it....I have to say I became an expert at using a soldering iron making the layout.
As others have mentioned you can try online auction sites or Craigslist. The sad fact is layouts are not fast movers, which puts you in a bind since you're selling your home and moving. Something to think about, a popular model railroad author sold his model railroad via Craigslist and it was several months before he found a buyer. You might need to consider plan B, salvaging the structures, track, trees, vehicles, etc. and discarding any bench work that cannot be salvaged and taken with you. Unfortunately I know the situation you're currently in, I had to do the same thing 15 years ago. Like others have mentioned, take lots of photos for memories sake.
