[GTW son]

Looks like I'm going to have to mothball my layout and store it for the forseeable future.
Due to life's ebbs and flows my son and his wife along with our grand daughter have to move in with us for a few months to who knows when.
So I'm loosing my space and we need all the storage we can get which brings me to this decision.
While I look forward to seeing my GD every day this will not be without its hurdles but they got handed some lemons so we're making lemonade.
Guess I'll be a contributing non-operator....

 

[Stumpy]

Life is what happens when you have other plans.

Best of luck to you all.

 

[wespilot80]

This too shall pass ...


like a kidney stone (I hope not.)

 

[MichaelE]

There always the outbuilding option. A 12x16 shed, properly climate controlled, would make a nice get away to the trains.

 

[wespilot80]

There always the outbuilding option. A 12x16 shed, properly climate controlled, would make a nice get away to the trains.

When I first read this, I thought the shed was for the kids .... Trains need to be protected at all cost.

 

[MichaelE]

That works too. A lot of storage sheds have porches, windows, etc. and look like tiny homes.

 

[prrfan]

Or just go outside. The Brits have run OO garden railroads for years. Many great examples and how-tos on YouTube.

 

[MichaelE]

Yep, the Brits love their garden trains.

 

[prrfan]

I was planning on starting work on one this summer. Nope. Wife said walkway and patio in backyard first. Doh! 😣 2024 I guess.

 

[Oomowmow]

I've had 2 of my 3 kids move back in off and on. So I can definitely relate!

 

[REdington]

I was planning on starting work on one this summer. Nope. Wife said walkway and patio in backyard first. Doh! 😣 2024 I guess.

Do it all at the same time. Work the railroad into the walk and patio and both you and the wife will be happy

 

[Fire21]

GTW son, that's what I am...non-operating contributor. I don't have room for a layout, so all the modelers here are my surrogate train runners.

 

[SF Gal]

For me usually late Spring Summer, and early Fall is down time for the trains as I have a lot of outdoor and exploring to do away from home. So maybe by the winter 2024, things might work out for you and you can get back to the layout.
There is always hope and at least you got this far!

 

[JeffHurl]

Before I was in a position to build a layout, I found a lot of enjoyment by playing around with track plans using AnyRail. You can export the layout to TrainPlayer software... you can build a complete layout on your computer screen and actually run trains inside the software.

 

[kilowatt62]

That works too. A lot of storage sheds have porches, windows, etc. and look like tiny homes.


Heh. I used to build storage sheds in folks back yards. Company I built for had a “hunters cabin” model. 16’ x 24”, two levels, w/a 9’ x 24’ covered porch along one side.
My then future wife said; we should get one for our yard. Put a “dog house” plaque above the door. For when you (me) act up.

I thought about it. For other reasons. 🤔

 

[kilowatt62]

^ How did that happen? ^ what I do wrong? ^

 

[Chaostrain]

Maybe you can find the occasional little corner to build trees, buildings, train cars, stuff for the layout for when you can get back to the layout again. I had my son move in for only God knows how long and took up the space I was creating for my trains, so I'm in the same boat and do the little thing here and there. Just a thought.

 

[OilValleyRy]

I was planning on starting work on one this summer. Nope. Wife said walkway and patio in backyard first. Doh! 😣 2024 I guess.

Sounds like an opportunity for street running out there?

 

[prrfan]

But do they do N scale in the garden? Yes:

 

[pmcgurin]

Before I was in a position to build a layout, I found a lot of enjoyment by playing around with track plans using AnyRail. You can export the layout to TrainPlayer software... you can build a complete layout on your computer screen and actually run trains inside the software.
[/QUOTE

But do they do N scale in the garden? Yes:

A fantastic idea. How does the track do in the weather?