Large Scale Central

How much work should I do......

General Discussion
#1

A little back story first. We bought this house about a year ago as a fixer upper. We should be done with the remodeling in about 2 years. We plan on staying for about 2 after that. So, about 4 years from now we could be moving to our forever home. More than likely in a much warmer climate. It could be a little longer than 4 years, as nothing is set in stone.

That leaves me with this. How much work should I put into this railroad if there is a real good chance I will have to disassemble it in about 4 years?
I’ll still collect buildings, track, and trains of course. But when it comes to say, running wire for scenery on the layout. Before I can do that, I’ll have to get power to my shed too. Then all the trees/plants I plan on buying. Things like that. Right now I’m thinking the mountain I had envisioned is a no-go. I’m wondering how simple I should keep it. I still want to to look good, but I don’t want to waste a bunch of time and money on something that I can’t take with me.

#2

I’d say just as much as it takes to run your RR the way you want it for now. We moved last Fall, I had a small RR in place at our old house and only got to enjoy it for a year before tearing it up and crating it. I only had one wire feeder to it and used rail clamps for the most part so there was no tearing up of underground electrical feeders and such. I did however bring all my ladder roadbed with me.

#3

That’s a tough one.

We were going to move, eight years ago, now. Tore out the railroad, boxed it up and everything.

Then, two weeks before the move, everything changed.

We are still here.

On the plus side, I got to correct all of my mistakes.

Now, my lovely bride says we are going to move in two years, this time for sure.

Uh huh.

This time, I won’t do anything to the railroad until the house closes.

Lesson learned.

#4

Steve remember SWMBO.

#5

Thanks guys.

We had discussed it for years, about moving. Then we sold our house in Carmi, 3 years ago and had a plan. I hadn’t put much thought into it again until my wife said 2 more years and this house is paid off. Then two more and we are off and moving! Kinda hit me then. lol.

A lot can change in a few years though.

#6

Matt I would build a simple layout running through a garden. That way when you have to tear up the track you can leave the garden. I would lay the track out using a simple track plan. Add a few sidings etc… Then do a rock garden within the layout, one that can stay and look good after tearing the track up. Buy cheap plants at Lowes etc… or find stuff that grows out in the fields and woods locally. You have to build something, otherwise you will waste 4 years of your life. The key is keep it simple but fun.

#7

I say, build what you want… then play with it… One can’t predict the future, but we can all make plans/dreams… Shawn has the right idea about plants… Landscaping means almost nothing in a house sale…

We moved out here in 05… Picked up all the track and buildings at the sold house, and left everything else as a rock garden… We did get our enjoyment out of the layout there, while we lived there…

#8

I think Shawn has the right idea. Also I have found in my life that temporary things tend to become permanent. So I would go with Shawn’s idea. Then if things go as planned you can leave gardens behind, and have fun in the interim. If plans change and you end up staying longer, you won’t be upset at yourself for wasting the time.

#9

Matt Russell said:

A little back story first. We bought this house about a year ago as a fixer upper. We should be done with the remodeling in about 2 years. We plan on staying for about 2 after that. So, about 4 years from now we could be moving to our forever home. More than likely in a much warmer climate. It could be a little longer than 4 years, as nothing is set in stone.

That leaves me with this. How much work should I put into this railroad if there is a real good chance I will have to disassemble it in about 4 years?
I’ll still collect buildings, track, and trains of course. But when it comes to say, running wire for scenery on the layout. Before I can do that, I’ll have to get power to my shed too. Then all the trees/plants I plan on buying. Things like that. Right now I’m thinking the mountain I had envisioned is a no-go. I’m wondering how simple I should keep it. I still want to to look good, but I don’t want to waste a bunch of time and money on something that I can’t take with me.

I am in a similar position, I will be retiring in 4 years and moving interstate.
I have stopped adding anything to my current layout and I am performing maintenance only on it.
I have started planning and collecting for my new layout having the advantage of when I buy my next house the railway will be a contributing factor ie yard size and shape, shed to put a workshop in etc will all be taken into account.
At my age I can afford to be a bit picky.
The move also influenced my decision to convert to battery R/C and my age dictated an elevated railway next time.
All in all its horse for courses and do what suits your situation.
Plan ahead and don’t be afraid to start over again if the plan does not suit.

#10

All great advice guys. Much appreciated.

I guess I saw it as putting money into something that I will have to walk away from. And as slow as progress is, it very well may not be done.

I think I’ll make a list of “must have’s” and a list of things I could live without. Then, if for some reason, we do stay I can add the things later.

We’ve had the plan of moving for probably 10 years. The main factor will be where the kids end up going to college, mainly my daughter. I already know where my son is going after he graduates high school this year. My daughter still has 2 years of high school.

If for some reason we do end up here forever, I have a MASSIVE yard that I can conquer with an empire! :smiley:

#11

Easy choice: No work, just play.

#12

Matt,
just do, what gives you pleasure to do - and let the pauses and changes to Mr. Murphy.
(he’ll keep you busy. be shure of that!)

#13

We were going to move after I retired, 10 years ago, but never quite found the place near our kids that we wanted to move to, so still here. Probably advancing age/infirmity will force it soon and then I’ll regret not moving earlier so I could set something up. Just never can tell.

#14

When we bought our place here in Colorado, I knew building my “real” railroad wasn’t going to happen immediately; too many other things that needed to be done. However, I also knew I’d go absolutely crazy if I didn’t have some place to run trains outside. So I built a simple oval with a passing siding and a few spurs in a rocky area next to the patio. Nothing fancy–about 60’ of track total. It kept me sane for a few years until I began construction of the “real” railroad.

I’d imagine with 2 more years of “fixer-upper” projects on the house, your time to devote to building the “ultimate” railroad in your back yard will be limited anyway, so maybe something simple to keep the juices flowing and wheels turning would be a good way forward. If plans stay on track, then there’s not much to pull up, and you can always use that on your next railroad in the new location. If plans change and you end up there long term, you can easily expand as time and space permit.

Later,

K

#15

Thanks guys. Most of the track work is done. I still have the siding left to do.
I’m onto scenery/back filling and with the thoughts of moving, I think I will pass on building the mountain and probably skip the hillside just past the bridge. More than likely…I’ll probably keep the layout fairly flat. Less dirt I have to shovel in and possibly remove. Well see when weather warms up. I really wanted a hill side with a highway over pass going over the tracks, but the idea of doing all the work just leave it is aggravating.

Here’s my build thread for those that don’t know:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/21020/just-the-begining/view/page/1

I have a few videos on youtube as well:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2jDQ2Oa-07oGPRvSIM2jqg/videos

#16

If you want to make the gods laugh, tell them your plans…