We are looking at moving next spring(after I empty the barn!). Not real firm, but quite possible. What is best to do with the RR and pond? Have it taken out and sodded over, leave a single loop, or just plan on pulling up the track/stuff and leave it for the buyer? Sorta did that the last time, was just moving two miles out of town, so hauled a lot of the rock/trees out here. Not an option this next time.
Just wondered what other’s experiences were.
I have been told that a garden rr is generally not a selling point. Your garden is nice, even without the railroad. What I did was just pull up the railroad stuff, and then titivate the remaining garden.
Jerry,
Where you headed to? Your not leaving the club are ya? I would take up the track and fell it in with some plants.
Don
Jerry …I kinda agree with Steve…( it’s sorta like a pool in a sense) however I would put a price on the RR with the house and the buyer can purchase his own rolling stock. If the buyer doesn’t want the RR then take it with?
I did the same thing, with the 2 railroads in the backyard of the house we sold in 04… I left the option with the buyer, if they wanted the railroad. They didn’t, so We ( Jane & I and a few friends), spent a few hours, taking up the track, and buildings, and left the rest as a ““Rock Garden””… I drive by every once in a blue moon, and the ““Rock Gardens”” are still there…
take the track, the buildings, bridges and so on, leave the plants.
and buy a house with a big cellar or barn. when you get older, less mobile and stiffer you will appreciate a nice, waist-high indoors layout.
Don, we will be moving to the Wichita area, youngest son lives down there. This place is getting a bit too big for an old guy to take care of. I’m thinking to pull up the track/buildings and leave the plants and let the buyer figure out what to do. Will have a tunnel under the waterfall though! 
Jerry,
I would take what I want and leave the rest. You will probably not make the right choice for a potential buyer, any more than if you tried to guess what would be a good color to repaint the house. If you loose money on it, consider it the price you had to pay for all the enjoyment you’ve given to your friends while documenting all you’ve done. I know I’ve gotten my money’s worth from your efforts. Like you say, “Life is too short to take seriously.”
Take the stuff you can re-use. Invite the local club to salvage what you don’t want/can’t take. In return, ask them to help you fill in the empty holes with cheap annuals.
After that the house is $xxK with what’s left, or $xxk + $xk labor to remove it before the sale.
Take up the track and leave the rest. Modelling abandonment…
We yanked up our old 16mm/32mm gauge railway back in '93 or so. We actually ran into the current owners (not the ones that bought the house in '93) and they asked us “where was this railway we have heard about” located?
Unfortunately, the pond and all else are gone now too.
Track is too expensive. Take it with you-expect that the buyer will not be interest. This stuff isn’t getting any cheaper. I would try to minimize the costs of the next layout. Let the next buyer shovel out their own cash if they are interested. Just MHO
Jerry Barnes said:
I'm thinking to pull up the track/buildings and leave the plants and let the buyer figure out what to do.
Victor Smith said:Sounds to be most sensible way to go.
Track is too expensive. Take it with you-
Jerry;
Sorry to hear you are going. 
I wish you a safe and easy transition.
I agree on taking the track.
I’ll stay where I’m at, too old to move.
David
David Kapp said:Ditto that!
Jerry; Sorry to hear you are going. :( I wish you a safe and easy transition. I agree on taking the track.
Take the track and any structures you want, leave the rest.
Jerry, can we assume that the house in Wichita will be determined by its backyard for the garden railroad?
I think Jerry looked at the back yard first, then said we take the house.
Jerry like most said take the track up and leave it as a garden. I cant wait to see what your next layout will look like.
Jerry and all:
Pending on how “different” Jerry’s home is from neighborhood comparisons in the features apart from the railroad, ads could be noting the outdoor RR is optional. This option be an asset, IF Jerry thought the option would help discriminate his yard from others positively even if it is not selected by the buyer. Outdoor railroads can show dedication to craftsmanship and sense of garden design that can compliment a home. Believe me, I have seen some relatively modest well-detailed yards dramatically enhance comments about the home.
The addage, the garden railroad can easily be returned to a flower garden by the owner (or?) as stated at the point of showing and/or in the ad, might intrigue a seller if all other elements are positive in the general showing of house elevations, yard, and interior photos.
Our home’s garden RR is in the backyard, and is not noted by model RR features, e.g. no houses, depot, etc., only a large variation of succulent plants. Therefore, the RR is usually a surprise as to its existence and is turned on as a divergent social conversation point. After some time, I simply shut it down. The responses are very positive IF I don’t try and educate about garden RRing. As to removal: I could easily remove the 400’ of track we have and stack it in 4-6’ sections (estimate sizes) in four hours, leaving a large succulent garden on two levels.
Please let us all know the outcome – in particular what prospective owners do say to you. If you choose to remove the track, are you asked “What was that?” If so, is anyone disappointed it is not there and part of the deal?
Wendell
Sell everything on EBAY after you clean it up. and keep the good track snce its very expensive and build a portable indoor layout to keep 'em running. Thats what we did, Patricia
The number of potential home buyers interested in a backyard railroad is very small. Most who inspect the property would be left unsure as to the final appearance once the railroad is demolished. This has been discussed on other fora and the end result is that some potential purchasers impose strict penalty clauses in their contract of sale as regards returning the yard to ‘normal’. The purchaser generally retains the right of refusal if end result is not acceptable or the seller incurs severe financial penalties.
The presence of an existing railroad places the seller at a disadvantage as the purchaser does not view the railroad as a ‘bonus’.