The end of the big dream - a hard decision made.

[daffy]

After many years of planning, researching and collecting track and trains, buildings and scenics, odds and ends and all manner of other bits and bobs that would enable me to build an N Gauge model of my own little corner of Switzerland (where total reality would be bypassed in honour of a collation of memories), I have reached the sad conclusion that the 'proper' layout I had planned will now never be built.

Other than a few test tracks and an ad hoc, basic and temporary Christmas themed layout each year, little had been accomplished by the end of 2022, other than the acquisition of a number of additional items that took my fancy - and a few scrapped false starts! To cut a long and tedious story short, since last posting regularly here almost three years ago, health issues, as well as a few exceptional and unexpected demands upon finances, have put paid to further developments and have now led to my decision to retain only a relatively small  amount of my N Gauge collection.

This means that I have a substantial amount of rolling stock, track and other items, almost all of it un-used, mint-in-box condition (many never opened, as is the case with all the kits bar one, various track sets and packs, and the great majority of the rolling stock), that is now looking for a new home.

The items, intended for a DC layout essentially covering Eras V and VI, are currently being sorted and organised ready for sale, and consist of  -

- locomotives - SBB, RhB and a few BLS
- passenger coaches (individual and sets) all SBB or Rhb;
- freight wagons, almost all SBB;
- track - all Kato - sets and rail packs;
- buildings, bridges and other kits;
- road vehicles - UK and European - including farm and construction;
- just a few scenics;
- a few figures;
- sundries;

I accept that the rolling stock will appeal mostly to Continental modellers and fans of Swiss railways, but the track, scenics and many of the vehicles should have a wider appeal.

After all the help I have received here I would of course like to offer sale to interested Forum members in the first instance, and would appreciate any suggestions as to how best to proceed with that.  I note the Forum has a Classifieds section as well as a Sales board. Are there any guidelines  and/or limits for using these?

I have enjoyed collecting and appreciating every item, mostly selected to my taste, experiences, and memories, and will find it hard to let them go. But needs must, and seeing them languishing in display cabinets just reminds me of what might have been. Anyway, as I said, I'm keeping some - the items that I treasure most. So some Swiss trains will still run in my little corner of Lincolnshire. Just not as I had planned.

Thanks for reading this,

[Newportnobby]

That's a great shame, but I'm pleased to hear you're not entirely giving up on N gauge. It's a sad fact of life the majority of railway modellers fall into the more senior age bracket and health issues tend to hit us quite hard.
As for the forum N'Porium Classifieds, I have sold a vast amount on there and would suggest you group items into 'lots', especially if you want to sell full rakes of items rather than splitting them. Each advert will require a photo taken by you of your item(s) but you have to do that with EBay anyway. If there's anything I can do to help, just PM me

[Train Waiting]

After many years of planning, researching and collecting track and trains, buildings and scenics, odds and ends and all manner of other bits and bobs that would enable me to build an N Gauge model of my own little corner of Switzerland (where total reality would be bypassed in honour of a collation of memories), I have reached the sad conclusion that the 'proper' layout I had planned will now never be built.

[...] I'm keeping some - the items that I treasure most. So some Swiss trains will still run in my little corner of Lincolnshire. Just not as I had planned.

Please think this might actually be for the best. We sort of rebuilt this house in 2008 with a garage-sized train set room. Plan was for '0', '00' and US-outline 'N' in the room.

Forward to 2026. Two 'three by two' (nominal) SuperSilly 'N' gauge layouts. All completely unforced - I simply realised the big layouts weren't giving me much pleasure.

But these little ones are such fun!

Now, back in 1973 or so, there was an absolutely fabulous Swiss layout in Railway Modeller which wasn't very big. An 'N' gauge version of that might be jolly agreeable. I'll look up the 'Digital Archive' and get the reference.

Please take care not to dispose of anything now that you might want later. Things appear to be made of lead when one sells them and made of gold when buying.

All of this waffle goes to show that, in my experience at least, 'proper' layouts can be a bore and improper ones are such fun. Later this evening, I'll sit with Poppingham, glass of Chateau Kangaroo in hand, and watch, transfixed, as my tiny trains run round 'N' round the 'train-setty' layout. Which, of course, contains my own coarse-modelled 'collation of memories' [brilliant phrase, by the way!].





'N' Gauge is Such Fun!

With all good wishes.

John

[Moonglum]

"Things appear to be made of lead when one sells them and made of gold when buying" - I like that so true! I agree with John's advice but it sounds like you may yet build something that suits.

Tim