considering scrapping my layout

[johnb]

can't believe that I am seriously considering this...a few months back I had the privilege of operating Rick Watson's incredible layout, and I have realized that The Playa Desnuda Branch is limited in operation possibilities. I am seriously thinking about scrapping the layout and rebuilding it with shorter sidings and making it more difficult the switch on purpose. I plan to re-use my structures, as much track as I can salvage, and build a more switching friendly layout with better trackwork and electrical. The wall that the current layout is on is slightly longer than 12 feet, and the shelf is 16 inches...now comes the fun part of designing a new layout...I have added the current layout "SPINS"


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[chuck geiger]

Sounds like me...Almost exactly the same, 2x12. Expanded operating, reusing structures.

[robert3985]

I've scrapped several layouts and modules, saving the good stuff for the most recent build.   I think it's pretty common.  So, BELIEVE IT!  lol...time to move on and have more fun!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Isn't building a layout the most fun you can have in model railroading! Well, for some anyway. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doo it!

I have learned something from @John , if you're not happy with something, tear it out and redo it.

The fun in this hobby is the doing, so the more you do, the more fun you'll have.

[sschnabl]

I was in the exact same situation over 10 years ago.  I attended my first ops session at a friend's house and had a blast.  I came home and went in the basement and thought to myself, "this track plan is not going to work for ops."  So I just ran trains for a while as I designed a new layout that actually had a purpose.  Now I have almost all of the track laid on Phase 1 (Phase 2 still is occupied by my kids' gaming system, LEGO's, etc.).  My wife thought I was nuts for dismantling the old one, but I have never regretted it.

As Ed said, doo it!

Scott

[johnb]

I have been re-reading the Santa Monica SPINS from 1975, and I have noticed more than a few options for increased, realistic switching.




This section of Culver City could make a very interesting N Scale 4×8 (or 3×6) layout that is actually prototypical.





The area that I currently have is 147″x16″, I still want to maintain the Washington Street yard before heading to the industrial section of Play Desnuda. I am hoping that I will be able to move the layout into a bedroom in the next year or so, as one of my kids is planning on moving out soon…

I am also thinking about making the "mainline" curve to the front of the layout once leaving the yard and have it slowly angle to the rear corner over a roughly 8 foot run break away from the typical parallel lines.

[Nato]

      My last layout which was about 30% sceneiked (Spell Check) was carefully removed section by section out of the train room at my old house and is now being put together by a fellow Model Railroader for use in his business. Change happens. We all got to move onward and upward. Nate Goodman. (Nato).

[JoeD]

its the circle of life John....circle of life.   

[johnb]

its the circle of life John....circle of life.   

not getting rid of the motive power or rolling stock.....more like a geographical move

[Dave V]

Building is where the joy is. Do it!

[Spades]

There no such thing as perfection at the first try.  Other than the cost of the discarded material, you get to start a new.  I am sure there are mistakes you won't make again and new mistakes to be discovered.  Best of luck.

[johnb]

plan #1....I hate track planning

[spr1955]

Only advice that I can give is don't let the pendulum swing too far the other way, ask me how I know..... as others have said re-doing from learning of past experiences can make things better.