Much of the week end was spent on another phase of taking my layout apart. I spent most of the time removing all of the trees and placing them in separate zip bags based on the autumn color. One never realizes how many trees they have until they start pulling them out of the extruded polystyrene foam. I also used small snack bags for vehicles and attempted to collect and bag them by type. Several months ago, I started the process by remove all the non-B&O rolling stock from the layout. The labor intensive part of that step is finding the correct MTL jewel case for each car. I seem to be short of labelled jewel cases which I attribute to purchasing some of the MTL cars when they were sold on a card in ready to assemble kit form.
I am taking the layout apart because we are planning to move. I hope to rebuild a new layout and use what I have learned as well as the "stuff" from this layout. The process is one that I have done before over a thirty-eight year period starting in 1977, we moved from Rochester, MN to Woodbury, MN and then 3 times within Woodbury, MN. Total number of moves was four, plus a move to Illinois in 2005. There is as much reflection and inventory taking involved in the process as there is planning the next layout. I have several spreadsheets of rolling stock and locomotives even though my 300+ freight cars and 90 or so locomotives is modest compared to some modelers, I have found it is helpful to keep a list of "what I have." I want to be able to run trains on this layout as long as possible, so buildings and scenery and vehicles and figures will be packed; then the trains and tracks get packed!
All of my home layout since 1976 have been modular. I started with a 3 ft. x 8 ft. module and each time we moved, I reused that module bench work. It is still an integral part of my current layout. I built the modules so the bench work can be moved. I am evaluating bench work options which are economical and sturdy; possibly 2" extruded polystyrene over a wooden frame work of plywood. Considering folding legs that can be purchased from a home building supply location. I intend for this one to be island style so I can walk around it and access from all sides.
26 March 2014: I took another big step in disassembling my layout today! I removed a 12' shelf section. The plywood is propped up on the floor a 55 gallon drum liner full of 2" extruded polystyrene has been carried up to the garage for disposal next pick up. I packed another container of buildings. I am wrapping them in newspaper; if some print rubs off on them that is just a bit of weather. I want to retain enough of the layout so I can run trains. The layout now consists of a 4' x 8+' peninsula attached to a 12' x 32" shelf; sort of L shaped. The peninsula. Remaining shelf. This shelf section was completely removed; still had to take the brackets down.
Taking a layout a part with the goal of retaining a functioning layout is a challenge. I realized I had use more glue than I need to fasten the extruded polystyrene foam to the plywood. Removing the foam was a challenge.
I learned from this layout, that I do not want to have a shelf layout in the future. The plans I am drawing for the next layout is one that is accessible for all sides and with everything located so I can reach it comfortably. I also think using plywood under the extruded polystyrene foam is not necessary; wood cross bracing for support is the plan.
In the 37 years that I have had modular home layouts, my wife and I have moved four times. The model railroad magazines and forums such as this one have many articles and discussion about building a model railroad. Very little attention is given to dismantling a layout for a move. The idea of making the layout modular is one of the basic concepts that has guided me in building five home layouts. The current layout was started in 2005. I enjoy running trains, so my goal during each time I took the layout apart was to maintain the track and power to the last phase. This layout is the first one I used 2" extruded polystyrene foam "laminated" to plywood. Lessons learned: 1. the 2" foam works well, 2. a full sheet of plywood is NOT need under the foam. 3. do NOT build another layout with any shelf modules.
I currently, have an HO layout, wye to a balloon track, basically a pair of 4'X8'sections cut to fit with a 1' shelf down 25' of two walls in between them. Construction is 2" foam glued to a 1"X4" frame and screwed to the walls with a few, additional legs as necessary. This has made for an extremely light weight layout and when we move in a year or two will be glued to a sheet of 1/4" plywood for stability and sandwiched between another sheet of 3/8" plywood for transport. The track is Atlas code 83 on cork roadbed, consists of less than 20 turnouts and less than 20 structures. I have called this my "throwaway" layout" to learn about DCC, Sound and scenery in HO scale. If for some reason we don't have room for HO in the next location, I'll again build a simple N scale layout. Attached are few shots of the layout, a work in progress. Barry http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss133/exprail/Wye-Jct.jpg http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/...ums/ss133/exprail/IMG_20140227_094624_826.jpg http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss133/exprail/SteamexcursiontrainbetweenWyeandtransload.jpg
BOK, Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I like the your idea of 2" foam with a nominal 1"x4" frame. One paper the next layout is four modules each 4'x8' arranged in as 4'x16' with a 4'x8' peninsula are each end. Sort of C shaped. Yesterday I disconnected the 4'x9' peninsula of my current layout from the 32" x 12' shelf section. Using the circular pads for moving furniture on carpet, I repositioned the 4'x9' module by turning in 90 degrees. I can still run trains! The goal is to get the room ready for wall repair and the painter!
There is another aspect to consider in dismantling a model railroad layout and that is RECYCLING. I do not intend to move the plywood, extruded polystyrene foam or stand alone 4'x9' module. I do not feel comfortable having the materials sent to waste disposal location because it is all very good and completely reusable. My goal is to find some one who wishes to use these materials for a home layout. I have a friend who is a former LHS employee helping locate that person.
As I take the layout apart, I am also experimenting with some ideas I have for future yard track. I am using Kato Unitrack and turnout on the mainline and in the two small yards. The track in the yard is Atlas True track with I joined to the Unitrack by simply trimming a bit off the True Track roadbed joiner and by removing the unijoiner of the Unitrack and substituting with an Atlas rail joiner. There is a still transition, but not a problem for function of the track.
Any of you who have gone through this process of dismantling a home layout in preparation for a move have also had the experience of finding more cars than jewel cases. Most of my freight rolling stock is MTL thus came from the store in a jewel case with Kadee or MTL labeling. I am at that stage and wondering where I put those missing cases and why! This time I have decided to give all of my model railroad magazines except those from 2014 to a friend or donate them to the LHS if the owner will take them. This still leaves me with odd issues of Trains that I purchased for a discussion of B&O. This is that point where I am wondering about purchasing the CD version of past issues of the B&O Sentinel Quarterly magazine.
Yesterday no dismantling was done. I received some parts from Broadway Limited Imports for one of the undecorated E8A locomotives I purchased recently. I installed the missing parts and tested it with the other undec BLI E8A I purchased at the same time. I have reached a "plateau" and do not want to be without a layout.
I have reached a plateau in the project. I am hesitating before taking the next step which will be to remove enough track to create a loop of track on a table in my office to be able to run locomotives to check performance. I have three locomotives out for decoder installation; one with sound. Then I will dismantle the remaining bench work module. I have already offer the other bench work materials for free to someone who is building or expanding their layout.
The dismantling spirit moved me after lunch today, and I now have a loop of track on a table in my office and can run dcc locomotives and equipment on it. The last module is now dismantled to its basic components: one 4'x8' plywood table with L-girder bench work and two sets of 2"x2" legs and cross braces. Hopefully I can get it all into the garage ready for the lucky guy who responded.
