End of an era: Moving and taking down the HPJ-RR << Sep 06 Update: Free Bridge >>

I don't have much advice on the dismantling but I'd have a hard time leaving that beautiful home but I understand why.  Good luck in the move!

I think your plan is pretty good.  Testing and documenting the engines is a good idea too. 

Alex, I cannot tell you how much enjoyment I have gotten watching and learning from your layout progress. It really seems a shame to tear down a museum quality layout. These opportunities do not come by very often. It seems that should be a selling point. Best of luck to you. Hope you are feeling better in the days ahead.

Joe Gozzo

Holy Cow!  Hate to see this beautiful layout being demolished!  I think I would have either hired out the mowing or let it revert back to a forest/park like setting and keep the house and layout you already had but that of course is my opinion

I will be proud to be the steward of the grain elevator.  After you move to the new place, either you and your lovely or me and mine will have to make a visit.

Based on you selling everything, I assume there will be no plans to have another layout in the new house?  Does this mean you will be getting "off the train"?

If you are hoping to sell without removing from the boxes again for pictures, it's probably best to do that before boxing them up.  Most people seem to agree pictures in FS ads are a benefit.  Of course with many knowing you and you being able to say "my layout was in OGR Run xyz", lots of folks may have a good feel for how nice you kept things over the years.  So maybe in that case the pics are not a deal breaker if you don't have them, but I doubt they could hurt.

My only other comment is the timetable seems very ambitious in terms of some of the salvage operation (removing the ballast from the track turnouts caught my eye, but maybe it's a quicker thing to do than it sounds like).  Especially if you are also trying to do the selling of items in parallel with the take down before moving in October (we are more than half way through August, after all.... tick tock, tick tock .... ) 

But I guess  if this is your "full time job" 100% of your days from now until the move, I guess it's probably do-able.  (is everything else move related a done deal, or do you have to put in other time for non train stuff?)  If it were me (unless I would have to spend a lot of $$ to move them, or needed to get some money out of them immediately before moving), I'd probably take them to the new home and do the sales stuff after the move is done (assuming you have room to temporarily store them at the new place).  If you finish the demo early in the next few weeks and find yourself with a month of down time before the move, then maybe start selling.

Is there a reason you covered the miscellaneous wires as "arrange by type and box them"?  I would hardly think there is a huge market for used wire, but maybe I'm mistaken.  If it's a "buy the whole box for $X" sort of thing, maybe someone will want it to use for various projects on their own layout.  I'd probably leave any bare wires (not things that are attached or specific to accessories, of course) for the demo crew with the bench work (unless you know they don't want wire in the mess).

Good luck.  Sorry to see you have to take down your layout.

-Dave

Kind of sad, but at any rate, GOOD LUCK!  :-)

Alex, End of an era, indeed.  I'm relatively new to O but I live nearby and thought I'd get a chance to see it one day.  I hope you enjoy your new digs.  Good luck to you.

Alex,

I just went back and looked at an old video you posted of the Big Boy making its rounds around the layout.  Indeed it is a very nicely done layout.   

The trestle is beautifully done and should go to a new home that could feature it proudly. 

You sure the new owners wouldn't want to have a layout that's been featured in a magazine especially one that is so well executed?    

The vulture's are circling overhead. Maybe the person buying your house might like to buy the layout, and you would be able to leave it there.

Alex
I'm so sorry to see you moving on from your home and layout... but, I totally understand and wish you well.  I've enjoyed watching you run the Hidden Pass Junction Railroad and visiting with you and your sweet wife (she makes a GREAT cookie).  Through the years you have provided great advice and hints that has helped me (and many others I'm sure) in building out own pikes.  Since I retired a last year I have some time available if you need help in any way as you organize and pack up.  It sounds like you've already established a great plan to move ahead.

Again, thank you for all you've done for the "Train World Missouri" and let me know what ever I can help with.

Best to you both.
Ted

Good luck and consider a downsized RR just in case that train bug bites!  😆 

@eddie g posted:

The vulture's are circling overhead.

Everyone wishing him well is "vultures circling "?

Wow Alex. I cannot believe you are taking down such an awesome layout.

Best of luck in your new home.

I have always admired your layout.  Sorry to see it dismantled.  You have a big job ahead of you, good luck.

Alex, sorry to see the layout come down, you built a masterpiece!  

I would echo what others commented on.  Take photos of each item before you box up.

I would also Would either leave the wire until after You remove structure and accessories , or more likely I would leave it and let the scrapers remove it with the bench work unless you had a specific use for it.  

Based on building hundreds of broadcast facilities, and removing the old ones there is little economy in removing wire, always sounds good but you spend way more time than you think.

share photos, and good luck.

@Rich883 posted:

 

Based on building hundreds of broadcast facilities, and removing the old ones there is little economy in removing wire, always sounds good but you spend way more time than you think.

 

LOL That's how we get lunch from the wire we pull out of our old Mobile Units.

BTW Eddie informed me via email he was just having some fun with his comment. 

If you haven't already done this, please shoot and save lots of video of trains running on your layout.  Use some wide shots and lots of close-up shots highlighting all of your magnificent layout construction work.  Years from now, that videography may be studied the way quite a few people study (and attempt to replicate) the John Allen (Gorre & Daphetid RR) photography which is mostly black and white.

Good luck with your move.

Chuck

Alex, I am sorry to hear its coming down, but I do want to thank you for all your post! I have learned so much from reading along with your build. I would have to say you maybe one of the best teachers here on the forum! I will truly miss what you have to offer us all!

Thank you so much for all your kind comments. Believe me, I feel no joy in taking down the layout, and Judy is not looking forward to another move, which will be our 14th; yes, fourteenth. I had originally planned to let everything just be, with the wish that my sons, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren would someday inherit the house and all its contents. But there is little or no interest in such. My sons, now in their mid fifties, are well established in Texas and Colorado, some of my grandchildren are married and have their own families, and my house is really not what they are looking forward to.

I debated about contracting the upkeep of the grounds, but the quotes ranged between $225 and $300 per mow, and other trimmings; and with an average of 36 times per year over the past five years, I cannot bring myself to spend no less that $8,100 per year on this. But it was a thought.

Besides the layout, the relatively large home (2,378 sq-ft main floor, and over 2,200 lower floor) allowed us to have many conveniences. I had posted a link to the listing, but it was deleted, which I understand. This is a link for a 3D tour of the house, and maybe it will survive. I you select the play [>] button, lower left hand corner, it will take you on a tour of the entire house, except for my study in the basement, which is as large as the master bedroom, but id does inclcude the layout!: https://my.matterport.com/show...fhG8wGDyTf&mls=1

I will have the help of a young man, who is a sophomore in college, and whom I have known since before he was born. Once we have the actual train stuff packed, then I will leave the heavy hauling to others.

In addition to pictures, I plan to take a 10 second video of each locomotive running. This should provide some comfort to interested parties.

I am going to miss our steady flow of guests, which number well over 400 now, not counting the many repeats. And as far as another layout in the new house - I thought about it, but since I really like the Ø108" and Ø99" curves, I do not believe that it would be feasible. The current train room, at 33-ft by 38-ft, did provide the space, which is why we bought the house in the first place: A blank basement which I was able to subdivide to suit our wishes.

Thanks again!

Alex

This is sad news. I really hate to see such a magnificent work of art disappear. When people ask me when my layout will be finished, my reply is 10 seconds before I die.  My never-to-be finished layout is sometimes the only thing that (mentally) keeps me in a house that is way too big for two people. 

Best of luck!

Hal

Alex, good luck with the move and your new home. 

I know the agony and heartbreak of dismantling the layout when we moved to the west coast. But we will be able to build a new one, which was a criteria for me to move.  I’m not ready to give up the trains yet!

Hopefully you will consider building again so we can enjoy your wonderful artistry. 

I'd just pay someone to cut my grass and let nature rule the wooded area while I play with my trains.

Best of luck with your move.

-Greg 

One man's tear-down is another man's treasure.

Perhaps we need a real estate forum topic page here, dedicated to homes for sale with kicking train layouts that may not be a draw for the average homebuyer, but decidedly would be for folks in our hobby. 

Alex, best of luck to you!

David

Alex - I enjoyed following your layout build way back when.  Although we've never met, I'm glad to have known you through trains and your layout.   I will think of you every time I use my storage roll out carts that fit under my layout.  I copied them based on the carts you used in the beginning of your layout.  I just passed on the idea to Mike in Washington state.

Good luck and thanks for the memories!

Alex. What a daunting task to tear down your layout. I understand completely how it feels. I’m also tearing down my layout and moving to the California desert. I’m keeping about half of my engines and cars. No basements where I’m going so I will need to be creative at our new home. Good luck with your move. GO PURDUE 

Thank you all for your understanding - this is going to be challenging for sure.

I plan to rent a self-storage unit to store boxes and other stuff until our new house is ready. I can use this storage to keep the train boxes (full) until ready to ship. The storage unit I am considering is 10 minutes from home.

If I may, I have a question that my friends in this wonderful forum are likely to provide the best answer: Selling alternatives for the locomotives, cars, buildings, and accessories, but not yet the track and turnouts.

1.  List items for sale 20 or so at a time, and make a trip to the selected carrier once a week. I anticipate that I will have the first group ready next week.

2. Wait until I have 50 items, list them and make a trip to the selected carrier once a week.

3. Wait until I have everything ready to sell, list, and ship once a week. 

4. <OR> Contact a concern that would buy everything.

About pricing, and I have no doubt at all that I can trust you all to provide honest advice in this regard.

Other than looking at e-bay and similar places, I have no idea how much my stuff is worth. I believe I can price a few selected items, such as the more exclusive locomotives, the ZW-L transformers, and a few others. For anything else, I thought about looking online for the current list price, if available, and set the prices at half of said list prices. So a locomotive that lists for $430, would be priced at $215, and so on.  Shipping would be the actual cost of shipping the item(s). BTW, everything I have is practically as good as new; and as I said before, most have the original boxes and documentation.

Thank you for your help.

Alex

Question: why be so hard on yourself by setting the asking price at 50% for most of your equipment?  I know most second-hand buyers expect to see prices lower than list, but 50% seems kind of harsh.  Why not start list at 75% (or maybe 67%) of former retail, allowing that reasonable (as you decide) offers will be considered.  Then, periodically lower your asking prices until all sells.

Longer lists are also harder to peruse.  Start with a list of 20 engines, and, then, on the next day, list 25 rail cars.  Wait a few days, and start the process again (another list of 20 engines followed by a list of 25 rail cars).  This also gives you some time to see if your equipment is desired (selling) or if your pricing and marketing strategies need to change.  Save the expected "more desirable" equipment for last because if you do have to use a reseller or auction house, they won't be too interested if all the "good" stuff is already gone.

Chuck 

You'll get the best return if you list and sell everything yourself whether here or on ebay.   Ebay will eat about 18% of your costs overall but reaches a much larger audience.   Personally, I try to sell items here and if no takers then I go to Ebay.    The best price guide is to review the completed auction listings on ebay and other auction sites but you won't find all the items you have to sell.  My advice is to try to determine what you would pay for an item in the same condition and start with listing at that price.  You can always lower the price if there are no takers or you can use (or state) "make an offer".

As for the frequency of listing and mailing items - that is truly determined by what you feel comfortable with handling.  It may be best to start small and see how it goes and then adjust.   Better to find out you can handle shipping more items rather than that you are overwhelmed.

-Greg

Hi Alex 

Sorry to hear about the layout coming down, It’s a real Beauty. Will you be constructing a layout in the new home ? 

Anyway best of luck to you and Judy in your new home

Alex 

Alex, really appreciated the hospitality you showed our group. I am the guy who broke your trestle and still feel bad about it. You made an instant repair. You and your wife were most gracious to us all. Thanks for a great day years ago. I think about you, Judy, and your great layout when we pass by Wright City on our way to Kansas City, Thanks again. 

Buzz Lee

tplee OGR

Alex, sorry see the layout come down. I've always been a big fan of that awesome trestle!

Alex,

I understand why your selling of the trains and some accessories, but why must you tear down the layout?

Wouldn't it be an extra feature that the house has - a quality built layout that is widely admired?

The new house does not have a space big enough  to accommodate a decent layout, one which would be capable of properly running the big locomotives I have; so no, I will not be building a new layout.

As far as leaving the layout for future owners - That would be nice, but prospective buyers have already said that it is difficult to appreciate the size of the room with the layout. If someone were to want the layout, they would really have to keep the track and switches too. And then, they would be better off keeping the wiring, the transformers, the DCS and Legacy control systems. All of which would be great, and I would even offer a very attractive price for all of it. But what are the chances of finding such an aficionado to buy the house?

On another topic: It would take way too long to attempt to sell items as I dismantle the train, which I need to complete ASAP once I start this unpleasant endeavor. Therefore, I am going to document and store everything until all the items are removed, and then I will start the selling process. I already rented a self-storage 10'x10' unit about two miles from my present home.

Thank you for your interest and help!

Alex

I feel for you having to move and take down your awesome layout.   I moved 10 miles last year (in part to get a bigger dedicated train room :-).   I too boxed up my collection and put it in a rented storage unit.   I agree with others who recommend selling yourself on eBay (but it is a time consuming hassle).  Sorry to see this great layout go.  It was inspirational and very well done.   Will miss the great videos like this:

Wow Alex, I don't know how I missed this thread, but it is sad to see such a great layout bite the dust.  It truly is the end of an era.  I wish you well in your new home.  It's a true shame you don't have room for a layout, I'm sure it would be spectacular!

Alex

"I already rented a self-storage 10'x10' unit about two miles from my present home."

Best of luck on your move. I bet you will still put one under the Christmas tree.

I don't know if these are available in your area. I used one of these for 3 months and placed it close to the door. lol

It worked perfect. Just a thought.

Larry

This may be the reason I have yet to build a detailed, scenic railroad-the knowledge it may have to be dismantled.

My MISC is built with the design of easy un-constructing. 

As some know, we were supposed to sell our home, almost 5 years ago, now. 
But wife and Life made that difficult; more difficult than it should have ever been. 
I wanted a storage unit-move everything out of the garage(my tools)

wife said no-just box everything and stack it. 
so I did-ran out of room to walk-so we rented a storage unit. 

Then my father in law, a WW2 Marine, needed help, no problem-we could still move. 
Then he passed. 

Then wife got cancer. 
But she’s over the worst of it. 

So, selling now, is on hold. 

And a thought just came

Alex, I’ll buy your home, rent to own, rent out my home, And hope the economy improves. 
Of course this all hinges on the Wifey agreeing. 

Ive seen the Hidden Pass, once in person. would love to have it. 

Alex, can you email me a floor plan of your home?

To get the Boss on board, she has to see it😁

As far as selling your trains

Have you considered Facebook Marketplace?

@1drummer posted:

................

Alex, can you email me a floor plan of your home?...................

Alex linked to an interactive  walk-through in this post.

A few notes:

1drummer - I will email you a bit later tonight

Selling: Contacted Stout Auctions, and they are a very distinct possibility, but I will not decide until I am further along.

Two friends, who are model railroad aficionados, came to see my train set today; one had been here several years ago, but it was the first time for the other one. They liked the layout very much, but  what I really enjoyed was listening and watching them while they inspected the layout. They could appreciate what they were seeing, and that made me feel good.

One half hour later, a rep from the moving company, I guess in his early 30's,  came to assess our move requirements to give us an estimate. He did the upstairs with no problem, but when he arrived downstairs, he was incredulous. Although he is not a model railroader, he really scrutinized the layout from end to end. I think he blew his schedule for the rest of the day. He kept repeating that he could not believe what he was seeing. And then wondered out loud how could I ever consider taking it apart.

If anyone would like to see the train, I imagine I will be able to run it for at least another week, at which time I hope to start dismantling buildings, signals, etc., followed by the wiring. Just contact me, if you please.

Thanks!

Alex