My Two Cents...

First thought..... Could you keep the U-shaped footprint, eliminate the helix and upper level, and raise the height of the remaining level, and install either stock or self-built storage cabinets under the layout?

My thinking is that a single level U would give you more modeling options per square foot than a double-deck with a 4-foot helix dead zone. Also, a U could always have the open end bridged by a removable bit to allow for continuous running / display running / locomotive break-in running.

Second thought........ This is a dangerous question to ask, but... After 35 years of this layout, are you still enamored with this concept? Are you rebuilding because you really need the storage space, or is it because you've been spinning your wheels and hope that a redesign will rekindle the spark? If the latter, then are you sure you want to stick to this concept, or maybe try something new?

Maybe backdate it to the 1950s and model the Susquehanna alongside the O&W, LNE, L&HR, Erie, and M&U.

Or switch to N-scale and get more railroad for the space - especially if you like the double stacks and such of the DO / post-DO era Susquehanna.

A readiness to rip out and rebuild a layout is the perfect time to let one's self freely explore all options before recommitting one's self to trying to model the same thing in a new space - especially when the space is smaller.

Just one cent...

Been there, done that, based on the great adage “Less is More!”

Thanks for comments

Thanks for your thouhts AJ.

I do have storage under the existing layout along the wall. I would love to keep the U but I do need the storage space. On top of the Helix will have a town and industries like it has now has but reconfigured. I had thought about N scale and many other changes but funds for that are limited as I am retired. I still have track and switchs that I have not used along with some building kits. I do still like my origional concept of a bridge line and the freelance railroad gives me some flexability. I will also rewire for true DCC wiring not the hybrid of DC converted to DCC. This and less track should reduce the maintenace issues I have had over the last couple of years. 

Downsizing

Dobt just downside . sell the track. And the top layout.  Make life easier . think eBay.

Been thinking of you.

Bob, Is Libertyville going away? One tough little town to switch. The helix is going into where coal mine is? I had the same problem with storage. I cleaned out a lot of RR mag and stuff under the railroad to make room for the Christmas stuff. One less storage unit fee.  The problem with Fl. you can't put anything in the attic except maybe glass due to the heat. The new layout will be great as I know what you can do.

Tom

Libertyville will return

Thanks Tom, been thinking about you also, we will have to talk. 

The existing Libertyville and Colesville will be rebuilt in a new format. Port Jervis is going away but will be replaced with a hidden track from Coleville to serve as Port Jervis. Colesville will be were Port Jervis is now and Libertyville will be on top of the helix, there will be some good switching in the new track plan.  I boxed up all the rolling stock today except for a dozen to use for testing track. 

Christmas stuff is about the only thing I have in the atic. 

Started dismantling the layout.

 I started removing buildings, trees and details from the upper lever. Once I get the power lines, crossing gates etc. removed I will start on the lower level. The layout was constructed in sections that were bolted together and all wiring between sections uses large connectors, this will make that part easier. 

Ready to remove the first section

I have the first section ready to be removed. I salvaged all of the wiring, terminal strips and switch machines. I was able to remove one curved switch on the upper level of the section. Once I remove the upper I can salvage the two switches on the lower lever of the section.

Made a lot of progress today

I have completed removing all of the wiring, control panels, terminal strips and tortoises. Next step is to remove the lower level lighting and scenery. When that’s done then track will be removed. Looking forward to wiring the new section for DCC it will be much simpler as the old DC wiring had a lot of wiring for 3 main line cabs with a lot of blocks.

This is a small part of the wiring that was removed.

NMRA Article

There is a good article on downsizing a layout in this months NMRA magazine.

Not available on-line (  You will have to beg or borrow a paper copy.

More progress

I removed all of the lower level lighting today along with all of the scenery on the one section of the upper level. One thing I will not do when rebuilding the layout is to use liquid nails to attach fascia. I found that some of the fascia was attached this way but most of it is attached with small nails or screws.   

Salvaged some track

I salvaged all of the hidden track and ground troughs from the upper level today. I also completed demolition of the scenery from the larger section. Next I will try salvaging some more switches and then demolish this section and salvage the helix.  

Almost done with the first section

Today I got most of the small section demolished. I was able to salvage two switches, one was only a year old as I had replaced an old #6 Tru-scale with a new DCC friendly switch. I also salvaged two sets of bridge abutments. It should only take another hour or so to complete the demolition of this section. The first photo is showing the top section ready to be removed, the second photo is what’s left to be removed. 

First section removed

Finished removing the first section today. The next phase will be to shorten the upper and lower sections along the wall. The first step will be to remove wiring, the grade crossing and salvage some switches. Hopefully I will be able to salvage the double slip switch. These sections will be shortened by 7 feet. The relocated helix will then attach to the end of these sections. The two photos show these sections, the cut lines are marked in red. 

Made a little progress today

I removed all of the wiring, grade crossing and scenery from the top section today. Next I have to salvage a double slip and two other switches. Then this top section can be shortened and removed. 

Top section removed

Had a lot of yard work to do today so I only had a little time to spend on the layout. I did manage to complete the removal of the top section along the wall. This leaves me with a top section 11 feet long and 18 inches wide. Now on to removing the lower section once I have removed the scenery, wiring and salvage the track from the two staging tracks and salvage two switches.

Lower section almost done

Today I almost completed the lower section. I removed all scenery, wiring, switch machines and salvaged two switches. I only need to remove the two staging tracks and the tracks from the power plant, then I can remove the bench work. I found one of the staging tracks had very old flex track with fiber ties, thats some old track.

Rip & Tear....Rip & Tear

Bob, looks like your making great progress on the tear down.  Kind of glad, kind of sad?  Out with the old, in with the new!  The fiber flex track, did it have what looked like "staples" holding the ties to the rail?  I can remember some of that stuff from '67, '68. Don't know who made it.  Yes that's 1967, 1968 for you young punks, 

Ties

Jerry, yes the ties had what looked like little staples. I remember my father using rolls of Atlas fiber ties and spiking rail down along with the flex track.

It is a little sad but I'm looking forward to the new with less maintenance. 

Demolition 2/3 complete

The demolition is now 2/3 complete. This last section took more time as I had used slotted screws in the construction and a lot of the heads were chewed up. Some screws were also hidden under the sub-roadbed. The other sections were constructed with Philips screws.

Todays progress

I got half of the upper level removed today from the last section. Six switches were salvaged and one did not survive, the only casualty. The second half will take about another hour or two to remove. 

Demolition 90 percent complete

I finished removing the upper level today and completed all remaining switch removals on the lower level. There is only about three hours of work left to complete the demolition. I just need to remove the balance of the plywood, homasote and the framework. Once that’s done I will move the helix over to its new location. 

Demolition is now complete

Demolition is now completed and I moved the helix to its new location. The next step will be to level the helix as the garage floor slopes down to the door. Once leveled I can the attach it to the sections against the wall. I will need to trim about another 6 inches off of these sections. The upper level lines up perfectly on both sections, but I will need to make some adjustments in the lower level to match the helix tracks to the section along the wall. It will be a couple of weeks before I get to this as I have two other projects to do. The first is to build a lumber cart to store my hurricane window covers and other wood that was stored under the section that was demolished. The second is to paint the walls and storage cabinets along the other wall.