[downtowndeco]

As some of you may know, I've been trying to either sell off outright or at the very least, "part out" my Little Monaco layout for the last month or two. Well, with the move soon upon me, and not being able to complete any deals to sell either the layout or the structures, the time came to "drop the hatchet" on the layout and do what regretably had to be done.

I came close to selling the layout off outright, I had two guys in the UK,one in CA. & even one here in MT, but in the end, the logistics (and cost) of moving something so large (& so delicate) proved to be unsurmountable.

I first tried to "quarter the layout up", to see if at the very least I'd be able to get it out of my basement & move it to my new location (where I've got a huge shop) so that perhaps in the future I could either reassemble it or find a buyer who was closer (or had a moving van and a week of free time on his hands). After removing all of the buildings I carefully sawed it into four sections, which was a project of it's own, but when it was all said & done the pieces were still too heavy and too large to get out of my man cave without tearing half of the house apart.

So with a heavy heart and a huge sigh, I dismantled the entire layout. I was able to save all of the track, the buildings, trees, spectators and some of the misc. scenery but all of the table/ocean/land forms were sawn up & brought out to the trash.

Things I learned. I'll never build a layout again that can't be moved, even if I have to spend extra time at the beginning specially designing it, and I'll make sure I use lighter materials. When it was all said & done it was painful to do, but now I can get a fresh start on a new design once I get settled in my new shop. The layout was lots of fun to build & it had a good run while it lasted.

I do still have the buildings if anyone is interested. PM for prices/details.

 

[CJA]

Wow Oh Wow, Oh dear.

What a terrible shame.

Sympathy !!.

vbr Chris A.

 

[2FER SLOTS]

T_T !

Have fun on your nex t build

 

[Chip of FDSC]

I try to be polite on this forum but this news makes me say
"f***ing hell"

This is awful news, one of the most beautiful tracks I've seen even if it's not digital.
I have shown your photos to many many people who ask me if slot cars are popular and your work is to be greatly admired by many (slot car addicts and the others)

I'm sure your next track will be just as good

 

[sealevel]

Sorry to see this layout stop its development and now end its life.
We feel your pain.

I don't suppose the buildings can be "deconstructed" to ship in a flat pack, can they?

Yes, the the three "M's" should be obeyed when building a track you wish to be able to hold onto...
Modular - comes apart in sections
Mobile - can be moved without serious damage to each module (i.e. scenery)
Manageable - can be moved by 1 large or 2 small men/women

I think Bill (JMSWMS) was very clever with his Targa Florio layout since is was built on separate tables which he ultimately sold. I am sure that the ability to ship each module was a key factor.

Wishing you a better year in 2012 as the destruction of Little Monaco puts a sad end to 2011.

Cheers.

 

[Ember]

Sad to see such an amazing representation of a real life track end up in splinters. But I'm sure I can speak for most when I say we're excited to see what you come up with next.

Good luck with the move.
Embs

 

[Kellerkind]