The end
6 years to build, 6 days to unbuild
Abandonment in 80 pictures.
This is as far as it got, the furthest I have ever been able to get a layout. It was completely wired, with all switch machines and panels in place. Some scenery started, and close to an “official” operating session. sigh….
Click on the picture for a larger version…
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
The Port Kelsey Ry. was completely removed in late September 2006, over a period of 6 days by my wife Vita and I, to make way for new occupants in our house. With the success of Fast Tracks, we decided it was time to move on to a more suitable location for the business and since we really like working from home, we had to sacrifice the 15 years of work that went into this creation.
To say it was heart wrenching is an understatement. The Port Kelsey Ry. project has been a part of our lives, and identities for as long as Vita and I have been married. Everyone that knows us knows the Port Kelsey, and to literally cut it to pieces and truck it away really drove home one of the sacrifices we are making for the success of Fast Tracks.
Following is a photo essay of about 80 pictures, from beginning to end of removing the Port Kelsey Ry.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Final moments
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
A cross section of the rolling stock on the PKRY, on their way to boxes….
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Dismantling begins by prying off some of the details on the original section of the layout started in 1992
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
I was surprised how many Jordan vehicles I had.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
This guy has been standing here for 15 years, wonder what he has been thinking about all that time….
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Pile ‘o people
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
I dated all the structures I built for the Port Kelsey, and I am pretty sure this was one of the first. Its dated November 20, 1991
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Knocking down the coaling tower and surrounding buildings
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
A bit of fading of the scenery over the years is evident by the footprint of this building. All the turnouts were #4’s, handlaid “the hard way”
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Pile ‘o details
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
This one was November 26, 1994. I think it was Walter’s Levithan MFG.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Another dated structure. February, 1992
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Half the buildings removed.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
As I was pulling off the completed buildings, Vita was packing the uncompleted buildings. I have a large collection of unbuilt kits aging nicely.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Removing the Port Kelsey station was the last step.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
February 10, 1993, 1:20 pm, cloudy -1, off sick from WI. I really dated this one, even with a weather report. WI is Window Impressions, where I worked at the time. I guess I stayed home sick and built the PKRY station. Sounds like a good way to spend the day to me….
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Most of the buildings removed. Looks like Hiroshima.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Off with the first layer of the valiance.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
I used a form of spline roadbed on the ceiling to hold the valiance.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
On to the backdrops. Since these were mostly screwed to the wall, the only way to remove them was to rip them down. Some of the few pieces of flextrack I used in hidden areas came with it.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Upper backdrops gone, on to the fascia
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Found this on some of the benchwork, it was the first train to, finally, after 14 years, roll into the original section of the Port Kelsey Ry. It had been designed to be added to a larger layout, but I didn’t expect it would take quite this long! March 26, 2005
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Viaduct removed (along back)
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
We decided to keep the waterfront section of the layout, so it was “beheaded”.
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Grizzly remains
Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris
Hidden under a lumber mill, “Started Dec. 7th, 1992 (finally). Track started December 21, 1992. Final spike drivin(sic) on Jan 7, ’93 2:47 pm.”
More to come….
Posted by: Tim | 10-02-2006 | 05:10 PM
It is sad to see Port Kelsey in this state. Hopefully it will be rebuilt as good as ever. I have enjoyed your site for a number of years and I marvel at how easy you make it all seem. I wish you and your company all the best for the future.
Wow! I hope you could save most of the main parts of Port-Kelsey, especialy the one with the dock, the original layout. I guess you will still be busy with the move and installation of the company in the coming weeks, but seeing pictures of the Port-Kelsey reconstruction will make me feel better!
All the best from Bruno, France
Doesn’t look like much in this state, it is certainly a situation where the sum of the parts is greater as a whole than as individual pieces.
I am looking forward to seeing what becomes of what you have retained (if any) and where your new space takes you! May this enfored new direction allow you the oppurtunity to expand your modelling in new ways.
Regards
Iain Kennedy,
Australia
Tim…
Your work has been and remains an inspiration to those of us who,like yourself, believe in the magic that is model railroading. We know that, on the other side of the dust and destruction, a new Port Kelsey will emerge and prosper!
Tim…
Dismantling a “labour of love” is one of the most difficult experiences in model railroading. On the flip side, however, is an opportunity to create something even more magical. I’ve been fascinated by your creativity every time I’ve visited the Port Kelsey website.
The anticipation of what’s to come with the “new” Port Kelsey Railway just keeps growing. Your craftmanship is an inspriration to all of us.
Can’t wait!
Terry
There you go! You make things too good! Maybe next time you will make it easer to rip apart… It just hurts to see you throwing away all your work. It made us feel so good to see what you did.
Dad & Irene.
Hi Tim and Vita,
although I never had a layout anywhere near the size of yours I know that lousy, heartwrenching feeling when you have to tear down your work. And the ‘old’ Port Kelsey really was an outstanding layout.
Now I hope for you that a new Port Kelsey will rise out of the ashes like a Phoenix real soon. Enjoy the new start – after all it is also a good feeling to get underway with a new project.
My best wishes for you, your business and the new Port Kelsey!
Ron
It is hard for me to see the Port Kelsey in this state but it must be even harder for you. I have visited you every year on the Double Headers Tour but one when my car quit. I consider you a friend and I sure hope that something arises from the distruction. I hope to hear from you ro see you at your new home soon.
Your friend in model railroading
Barry Smith
Hi Tim,
Real big fan of your modeling since your MR article. Real sad to see the original (J&S trackplan) section go. Anyone offer to buy it from you? Just curious…!
Look forward to seeing progress of your new layout in the future! I’m sure it will be even better than your last. Good luck!!
John
Perkasie, PA
Tim, your work is amazing and inspiring. I just “landed” here, but i’m considering to get started in this beautiful hobby.
Another thought; to build something is great, but to unbuild and re-build is greatness. I’m pretty sure you and your wife will be very successful in everything you do.
Gracias y mucha suerte from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Hello to both of you!
It is a little bit sad to see the port going. But I do not think, that it is a good idea to rebuild Port Kinsley again. I just moved to a new home, an I did not had to dismantle just a precious layout like you, but I do not get the same urgency concerning my small H0n3-module to be finished, than I had in the old home. I am just planing something totaly different, because the new home got a different atmosphere, size and space. Therefore I think someone has to feel the atmossphere of a new layout-room before starting an new approach to model something.
It would be very nice to here you again on the web or elsewhere just to know what comes next!
Good luck and a good start at your new home
Winfried
Lord a’mercy, Tim! What a heart-rending (and muscle-rending) chore removing all that beautiful layout. But your trackwork sure looks as if its in good condition — a great testimonial to your assembly fixtures and other products. Being a newbie at all this (about 2 years now) with no room for a full layout, I focus on loco/car rebuilding and making dioramas (three are in progress now. My point is that talented and experienced guys like you and your associates sure have made all this learning fun and fascinating. Now gotta run. Got eleven or so more #4s to turn out (pun intended). Thanks. jim
Tim,
Were you working for me on any of those “sick days” spent constructing those little old buildings? Good luck my friend, pass on my best regards to Vita.
Victor Jannert
(Tims best former boss ever)
I found the whole building process fascinating and a learning experience. I believe your skills are top notch and I am glad your business is going well enough to get new quarters. I hope you rebuild again and publish the entire process for the rest of us to see. I am doing the same thing and incorporating some of your techniques into my new layout. I also plan to use your Fastrack products to get the job done to a higher level of professionalism.
Good luck and hope you and yours the best,