Throwing in the Towel...

[Kisatchie]

It's becoming more and more obvious that I'll never build my dream layout, or ANY layout, for that matter. Therefore, I'm going to start selling all my freight cars over the next few years (or decade). I have a ton of cars, about 3400 of them that need to find good homes.

I'll start listing them here in the Trading Post once I get an idea how to best go about it. Maybe some tonight, but definitely tomorrow. I wish things had turned out differently, but it's been a fun ride collecting so many cars.

I'll still stay on here at The Railwire, love being an


Hmm... I'll give you 500
bananas for everything...

[CBQ Fan]

I am sorry to hear that. No local clubs you can join and at least run something?

[Kisatchie]

I am sorry to hear that. No local clubs you can join and at least run something?

The nearest club is 210 miles away. Decades ago, when I lived in New Orleans, I thought about joining it, but they were always arguing about something.


Hmm... mainly about how
to keep Kiz from joining...

[mighalpern]

i'll never build my dream layout either, but if you build even a small shelf layout that you can really spruce up, why not keep the towel. 
I build something that will occupy me for a long time and is big enough to have fun
I say don't give up.
Miguel

[Chris333]

You can just set up a loop of Unitrack to get some play time.

[Kisatchie]

You can just set up a loop of Unitrack to get some play time.

Then I'd have to buy some locos... ain't gonna happen... 


Hmm... I have some old
Mehanos you can have
for $50 each...

[narrowminded]

... or sell a few pieces and invest in something like this.  http://www.terrainfortrains.com/mytrain.wmv

Not too big but still interesting, isn't it?  They have some others.  You can't quit now.

[mmagliaro]

I think throwing in the towel because you will never achieve a "dream layout" is extreme.

I urge you to consider whether you would be happier having a simple layout on a hollow door, or a smaller one
on a few feet of plywood, vs having nothing at all.  If the answer is that you would be happier with nothing at all,
then you are making the right decision.  But I just can't believe that to be true.

Good luck, however you carry on, sir.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Then don't build your dream layout. Build your "now" layout. Get a door, get some foam, and get to work.

[craigolio1]

If it will keep you engaged, and maybe help you run a train, even in a circle, I'll give you a locomotive (and not a Mehano). Contact me off list. Maybe I can help.

Craig

[Chris1274]

Then I'd have to buy some locos... ain't gonna happen... 

You have 3,400 cars and no locos?

In any event, my little loop of UniTrak has held me over for quite some time now, not having had the chance to begin work on a layout. As others have suggested, it might do the same for you. Or maybe work on an N-trak module.

[Dave V]

Then don't build your dream layout. Build your "now" layout. Get a door, get some foam, and get to work.

Look at me...  My temporary layout turns 10 this year!  Your "now" layout can become part of a bigger dream layout later if you plan ahead.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Or if you have a modular group, build a module or two if that suits your style. I have a great time bringing my modules to shows and running trains with a great group of guys (and my young sons).
3400 cars is an amazing collection!
I'm sure someone would trade locomotives for cars too.

[Kisatchie]

Thanks for all the comments (and encouragement), but for now, building ANY layout is out of the question. I have a cat that I can't keep out of the only space I have in which a layout would fit. The cat is up in age and he could go any time (as could I, now that I think of it). Once the cat is gone, I'd have room for a 10' x 6' L-shaped layout... but with 3400 cars, it's like using a sledge hammer to crack a walnut.

Oh, before I forget, thanks, Craig for the offer of a loco, but I'll have to decline. See above.


Hmm... Kiz is a stubborn
nut...

[Burlington Bob]

Kiz, why not sell a few cars and get a loco, or two, and whatever else is needed and start a small layout?  I'm buying items for my "dream" layout before I retire but, in the meantime, I'm getting by with a small oval on a 2x4 sheet of plywood that I use to program CV's and sometimes use for just "train watching".  Revisit your dream layout, maybe revise it, but don't give up on it!