Moving...

You're too young at 51 to not do another layout. Starting planning now and the juices will start flowing. Good luck.

Brr.

From the pictures and your words, I am sure it was difficult. Like losing a friend, or a pet of so many years. Like NJCJOE suggests I hope you start planning for new possibilities. I think by planning you will find yourself getting excited once more.

Your pictures show that you are very talented. I wish you luck getting started again. Trains sleeping in boxes should only be for a short while.

K

At 51 you've got a lot of time to rebuild.  It sounds like you really enjoyed it, so I'm betting you build another one.  I'm doing the same thing you're doing, but moving over 900 miles away.

Besides we can't have you on the sidelines, you're probably in the youngest 10% of the hobby.  (MHM).  We need everybody we got.

Did not start my present layout until I was 66.  I discovered 0 scale in my early 50's.

You are still a young'n.

The late Norm Cole of Easton was my inspiration.  He told me was diagnosed with terminal cancer at aprox. age 65.  To make things easy for his family he tore down his massive 25' X 65 ' layout and restored his rec  room to got ready to pass.  Five or so years later with full remission he started he last RR.  I met him at his age of 73 and was encouraged with his story.

He got about another 2 decades of enjoyment from it passing at about age 92 I believe.

I figure my wake will have to be pushed back a few months until the scenery is further along.  I would like a fairly complete final layout running for the medical examiner.

Two of Norm's layouts were featured on OGR over the years.  About 20 and again about 30 years ago.

@brr

Wow !!!   Great looking layout !!!

Maybe consider building a modular layout so the you can build it in sections ?  You could then also easily take it shows and transport it if you ever move again.  

Get the move behind you and settle in to your new home. I'm sure the inspiration will hit again.

Bob

@brr  Nice layout - something to model the next one after.  Like  @Tom Tee I did not start building a real O layout until I was 63. Yeah I had an HO in grade school.  I always like modeling and building things - rediscovered that when the grandkids visited then.

Depending on what you saved - you have a great start to the next railroad empire.  I does not take that long to get the benchwork and layout built.  After that the detailing starts. Mine has taken about 3 years, but mainly because I kept finding out what I did and did not like. Then it was on to trying methods to lay in scenery.  Then it was tear out and redo sections. Learned a lot about what to do and what not to. Especially with what I think I really want to do on the next one. Mine is destined for a tear down due to an anticipated retirement and move to a new home. 

You certainly have modeling skills, keep using them. Best ... Jeff

Your prior layout was GREAT, the next one will be better!  Best of luck in your new home.

Best Wishes

Don

Nice layout. Maybe you’ll find a club in your new location, or a younger “you” nearby you can help out with things you learned over the years. I’m sure whoever you find would love to have your trains as “visitors” from time to time until you decide what you want to do at your new house.

Agree…….51 is too young to stop your layout building……and, you are very good at it!

I tore down my layout in 2021 at 67 and just restarted a new one, while turning 69 earlier this month…..

The idea of joining a local O Gauge club is a good one……..but that all depends on  whether one is available……..

Good luck in your endeavor and congrats on finding your dream home.

Peter

Moving from my TN. dream house back to Fl. has been on my mind but the bad economy dominates my decision along with the status of 3 modular layouts. "O" wont fit in a Fl. 3 car garage and cant be re-worked. I guess someday "Everything must go" ???

@SIRT posted:

Moving from my TN. dream house back to Fl. has been on my mind but the bad economy dominates my decision along with the status of 3 modular layouts. "O" wont fit in a Fl. 3 car garage and cant be re-worked. I guess someday "Everything must go" ???

Obviously I don't know your situation or what you want out of a layout, but people have built o gauge layouts in garages using a variety of methods , including suspending them from the ceiling, or fold up, to allow using the garage and having a layout (and I realize that has other challenges, garages generally not being climate controlled being one).  Not in the least bit criticizing (given my own, shall we say, torturous path to having a layout), but rather encouraging you there may be ways to get joy out of it. As far as things like the economy, I more than understand (I think anyone who isn't independently wealthy is concerned at this point), and the cost of materials isn't cheap, etc. I have my own unique economic and other worries, and one thing I have figured out over the years is that there are always reasons not to do something, in a lot of ways it can always 'never be the right time'.

Not saying spend like a fool of if someone is facing really tough times potentially, just saying that it is easy to find things to be worried about and not doing anything even in relatively "good times". Nice part about trains is there is always something you can be doing, even if it is just planning how to build a layout when the time is right.  If your current layout can't be reworked, could you do another one to fit into the space you will have? Given I assume you already have equipment, couldn't it be reused in a new layout, so you minimize what you have to buy?

Again, offering that as encouragement

We moved cross country, about 1200 miles, to our new retirement home. For the first time in 44 years, I have a dry basement, in which to build a layout. Previous layouts were always in the garage, or a very small spare room. At 71, I really don't mind starting over and am dreaming of the possibilities. I figure this layout may never get finished, but it will sure keep my busy in my retirement, and provide a lot of fun. Still prepping the space, but can't wait to start unpacking boxes and building. It is never too late to start over. Good luck.

Jeff

Nice words of wisdom, unfortunately they don’t apply to my situation. Obviously, you haven’t taken the time to follow me and my work prior to posting.

I spent 30 years in Fl. including operating several layouts. My insulated garages and shops had and will contain A/C. Again, my current dream layout cannot be shortened by 6”. Builders don’t make garages deep or wide enough in any over 55 subdivisions. Generally, the 3rd garage will only house a golf cart as I have learned. I may have to change my search for a custom-built house. The 3^rd bedroom will house my new 5x9 planned switching layout, however the current big layout remains uncertain unless I find something that will work. I am a period and historic area specific modeler so modifications, changes are not an option for me. The large "FALLEN FLAGS" collection will also need to be worked into the mix.

Not the best of time to travel or retire.

Modeling RR’s since 1963

For what it's worth.

Two years ago we moved to a different state. Had to tear down my old layout.  At age 69 I thought it was over.  Sold all 32 of my engines etc thru stout. I missed my trains.!!!! Moved and just about the time Stout sent me the check I met a neighbor 3 houses down. Loves old trains. Young guy too. (age 50).  He enjoys helping!!! Now I have 6 new engines and rolling stock and a train friend.  New Ross track and the same legacy system. Stout did a better price than I thought I'd get in a tough economy.

From what I learned a person doesn't build a layout ..A layout builds you...

Steve, we are considering going with a custom builder to get what we want when the time comes. They might be more reasonable when things calm down a bit. Longer term than you want, but a possibility. Best of luck.

Andy

At 52 years old, we decided to move to a significantly better school district 7 years ago and I was forced to tear down my layout.  It was heartbreaking cutting wires and tearing apart scenery.  But knowing I had a new unfinished basement as a fresh canvas ahead of me made it exciting once I unloaded several u-haul trailers full of train stuff in the new digs.

7 years later, at 59 and a weekend warrior finished basement room later, I have trains running and I'm now working on my 2nd and 3rd level of tracks and enjoying every moment of my new layout, taking what I learned from the old one and improving.  My next phase in life will be retirement, where I look forward to working and running trains whenever I feel like it.

If your new home has an area for a layout, that train whistle may blow once again for you.

brr - The only word of wisdom from this old guy is don't rush to conclusions.  I just changed over to O from HO starting last year and I am in my mid 60's.  On the other hand at your age I decided I was too old to be laying on my back out in the driveway working on Old Cars.  At this point only one older car left, and it was built in the 80's not the 60's.  Life changes and so do interest for many of us.  Your Trains are easy to box up and keep in case you change your mind.  I suggest get into the new place then decide what direction you want to take.  Moving half a dozen "classic cars" not so easy.

Best of luck no matter what you decide! - Jim

@BrrGreat topic, it’s sorta of sad but this story can have a very happy ending, especially at the age of 51, you are still a kid, (figure of speech) it just takes a positive mind and getting started. We started my layout here in Tennessee when I was 53, it’s 95 percent finished, (I’m going on 78) and one day we hope to do that. From the looks of your past layout, you had fairly small diameter circles and if your new train room area is larger, the wider the curves can be thus allowing you to run larger equipment, that’s optimism. Your scenery looks amazing. Your past layout probably taught you many lessons, good and not so good, so, think positive, do a little planning and get a new layout to keep you active, it’s good for the brain, good exercise, and will be a place of peace and quiet. Thank you very much for telling us about your moving. Good luck. Happy Railroading Everyone @Iron Horse, your the man, sounds like you have it going on, show some pictures. Later.

I'm over 65 (not saying how much over!) and am presently working on a "permanent " layout. I'm finally to the point where I have 2 operational loops. (Yeeha!) I also have a strong desire to move to another house. And, I don't want to start again from scratch. So with that criteria in mind, not to mention quite a few other requirements, I've designed this layout to be removable with minimal distruction and fairly easily reassembled in the new location, wherever that is. It has taken a good deal of thought, but I think in the end, it will be worth it.

Chris

LVHR

Brr...something to think about, you are one to two generations younger than many of us who have posted to this thread.

Contingent on health and resources,  Whether you think you can  build another layout or if you think you can't  build another layout you are probable right.  I have heard it said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us".