Large Scale Central

Recycling a Layout

General Discussion
#1

Chances are the new owner of our home is not going to want a Large scale out door layout. (sad) Especially one that makes it a pain to take care of the yard. As luck would have it, I had just the use for all of the crusher fines I piled up on the yard. When I put the addition on our house I left two pits in the back of the basement that is mostly glass. They had always been earmarked to be partly filled with rubble and then topped off with soil for planters. Here is a picture of the second smaller pit that hasn’t been filled yet.

Recycling a layout

The first pit had been filled with all kinds of nuisance rock and rubble throughout the year and was ready for some type of topping before the soil. This is where the poor remains of the railroad came into play. I threw a few loads of smaller rocks in to fill the bigger gaps and then laid down some old tarp over it. I then began filling my 5 gallon bucket and hefting each one in to cover the tarp. It’ was interesting once I emptied the south loop and got to the area where it’s switch was. The switch here was the very first large scale switch I built. It was a pretty light affair with small ties and only 2 spikes per tie (one on each side of each rail crossing) It was never very ridged, so before I put it in I spiked a strip of wood to the bottom. Well, when I pulled the switch up I didn’t think anything of it I just knocked off the ballast and threw it in the box. When I went to scoop out the ballast there today, The bottom strip popped up out. It had completely pulled free and stayed in the ballast when I pulled the switch. I’ll be rebuilding that one with my PE ties before putting it back down.

Recycling a layout

Here is a shot of all the ballast I striped off of things today. I thought it was a very odd looking sight.

Recycling a layout

Last but not least a shot of the pit mid filling with the crusher fines.

Recycling a layout

I may put a few inches of concrete of it in the spring, but I’ll see how hard it firms up. I filled it about 5 inches and it was pretty wet. I sprinkled it with the watering can once I tamped it too. I may leave the concrete to the new owners too. I’m tired of working on this house.

#2

Its sad to see a railroad be dismantled. But hopefully its only the prelude to a new chapter, where it gets rebuilt, bigger and better, in a new location.

#3

removing all that hard work it took to build it has to be a pain, are you already planning and saving for the new layout?

Really sad here a real nice well detailed layout is going to be sold off next month, the owner is getting out of the hobby. Good Luck on the new one, Randy

#4

Yup you guys are right. This is the beginning of bigger better things. I’ve learned a lot about how I want to design and build the new layout. Yes Pete, I numbered each section of track as it was pulled so it can all go back in easily. It’s all in one giant box in the basement ready to go. I’ll be disassembling the two raised sections and keep the lumber to recycle on some new project that comes along down the road.

I do however doubt that I’ll need either of the circular loop bridges/raised-track. If anyone thinks they might need such things they are free to the first person who can pick them up. They are designed to hold a 12’ diameter track.

#5

Good luck with the new venture bro!

#6

Where you moving to, or staying in town?

#7

Thanks Rooster, Working out great so far.

J.D. Gallaway said:

Where you moving to, or staying in town?

I’m/we are moving to Strattanville Pa, just west of Brookville. I have taken a job at Brookville Equipment Corp. that makes just about anything that runs on rails. I started on the 3rd of January, and it has been fantastic so far. It’s a well run company with a bunch of great people. I’m drawing electrical schematics for them and my first project is the double end PCC trolley refurbishment. Very cool.

Right now I’m living in a little apartment during the week and traveling home on the weekends to be with the family. We will close on the new house February 24th but it may be sooner depending if the seller can get some things to line up. This is another great advance since the new property is a relatively flat 10.5 acres. I’ll have room to model as much of the EBT as I want in F scale, and there will definitely be some 7.5" gauge track going down in the future. I’m feeling very lucky these days.

#8

Hmmm must be a well paying job…(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#9

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Hmmm must be a well paying job…(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

I think he’s happy to be working on railroad equipment. Last year an artist came into my shop with her husband, who had been working for Union Pacific for forty years, and he says, “I always wanted to retire from the railroad and paint.” That was funny…I told him, “I always wanted to retire from painting and work on the railroad!” (Of course it’s never happening: I’d last about a day; I’ll settle for modelling.)

#10

Gee Randy, I drove past Brookville twice today. You probably didn’t see me wave, but I did. I am surprised that someone is actually interested in refurbishing them olde PCCs. It sounds like a dream job.

#11

I’ve always been fond of Brookville products; from this little red Brookie in front of the M25 at the Rockhill Trolley Museum…

To the recent BL20GHs built fro Metro North Commuter Railroad that I see regularly in Danbury…

Good luck at the new job. Sounds like a dream come true.

#12

We have a little Brookville critter at the WW&F railway museum. We use it to recycle old rail into a newly rebuilt old railway. the rails we use are actually older than the original railway!

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#13

Randy,

I echo all the condolences and high hopes for your new layout. And wow, what a cool job!!

Will you still be able to make it down to ECLSTS?

Cliff

#14

Thanks Guys, Yeah its all very exciting, the awesome job, the new (new 150 year old) awesome house, living in an area where I’ve always wanted to live. I really couldn’t ask for more. I’m very thankful for all the opertunity in front of me right now, and trying hard not to screw it up. Thanks for all the cool pictures of “Brookies” too! I’ll have to save them for my collection.

Not sure on ECLSTS yet. I think we are almost definitely going to make Ken’s opps, but York may be a little too soon for us. Not to mention we have a ton of extra expense right now too. We shall see.

Thanks again guys.

#15

Randy Lehrian Jr. said:

Not sure on ECLSTS yet. I think we are almost definitely going to make Ken’s opps, but York may be a little too soon for us. Not to mention we have a ton of extra expense right now too. We shall see.

If you do make it here, I can definitely show you how to “recycle” a layout…and then some…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

And I wish you a lot of luck with the new job and the new house.

#16

Randy, I’m sorry I never got up there to see your layout. So I have to ask, do you have a track plan for your new layout yet?

#17

You really didn’t miss much Cliff, other than a bunch of good jawin’. I never even had the full Robertsdale plan finished. This was the full plan of which I had the main line with all the switches and the wye in place.

Robertsdale Layout

Here is what I envision at the new place. It’s the entire EBT route From Mount Union to Robertsdale. I’ll start at Roberts dale and work my way to Mount Union. It occupies 1 full acre and may get tweaked a bit depending on topography and best fir for the property. There will still be a lot of planning to do before I even move the first scoop of dirt though.

EBT Layout

The only thing not represented is the Mount Union yard off the track at Adams. I was to lazy to draw that at the time…

#18

Randy,

I am really not up to speed on what it is you have been battling but whatever it is, it is obvious it is a big life change. I am glad to see your positive about it. Change, even good change, is stressful and uprooting like you are is tough. Glad to see your going at it head long. I hope you are rewarded with a grand railroad.

#19

Randy Lehrian Jr. said:

I’m/we are moving to Strattanville Pa, just west of Brookville. I have taken a job at Brookville Equipment Corp. that makes just about anything that runs on rails. I started on the 3rd of January, and it has been fantastic so far. It’s a well run company with a bunch of great people. I’m drawing electrical schematics for them and my first project is the double end PCC trolley refurbishment. Very cool.

It is safe to assume the projects you will be working on are more sophisticated than this, yes? “Brookville early model, Richards Coal Portage PA” http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/brook2.jpg

But ya gotta admit, it does have character. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#20

Devon, The excerpt the Forrest clipped was from the 7th post on this thread, and pretty much sums up my current life change. There are a few more of the grizzly details in the rest of that post if you want more info, but really the only battle going on for me right now is just dealing with the temporary upheaval with my temporary apartment and getting us moved. The hard part is over, job procurement, property procurement, and starting the new job and fitting in. I couldn’t have fallen into a better pile of roses. This all had to happen (at least a house move) so that we would be living in a good school district for my son when he starts kindergarten this fall. I just figured I’d up the ante and try to get a better job at the same time.

Forrest, yes there isn’t much electrically or mechanically to that little beast, but yeah, it’s got tons of character. Right now I am 26 sheets deep in the electrical schematics for the double end PCC project and counting. I love it!