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To My Friends Here At Model Railroader Forums

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  • Member since
    March 2019
  • From: South Lake Tahoe California
  • 188 posts
To My Friends Here At Model Railroader Forums
Posted by MetrolinkFan on Sunday, August 29, 2021 9:19 AM

Hello all just want to inform you all that I may be evacuated today or.Next few days here in Tahoe,We have abad wildland fire heading our way not,Looking good at all.Just wanted to let ya know I hope the fire dose not.Burn our house and beautiful Lake Tahoe. I hope I do not loose all my trains and my layout,I will keep you up too date.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 9:51 AM

Hello Metro.
 
I'm saddened that you're going through this hard challenge. I sincerely hope and pray that you will be Ok and that your home is spared.

 

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Sunday, August 29, 2021 10:42 AM

Live in the bay area and was wondering how close the fire really was. News is so canned today. Recently went to napa and we were going to go to a specific winery and even though the entrance was on the valley side the winery itself was on the other and burned down.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Sunday, August 29, 2021 10:53 AM

MetrolinkFan
Hello all just want to inform you all that I may be evacuated today or.Next few days here in Tahoe,We have abad wildland fire heading our way not,Looking good at all.Just wanted to let ya know I hope the fire dose not.Burn our house and beautiful Lake Tahoe. I hope I do not loose all my trains and my layout,I will keep you up too date.

OMG!!

I hope it works out that you don't have to evacuate, but in any case make sure to take care and be as safe as possible. 

If you have a chance, you might want to take some photos of your trains, especially rolling stock and locos (and everything else in the house!). Without special insurance the trains are probably only covered in the general household contents clause of your policy, but it never hurts to have documentation.

Good luck - let us know what happens!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, August 29, 2021 11:52 AM

That is frightening news. I hope the outcome is a good one. 

Take Mark's advice and take photos of everything, just walk around the house snapping away. Even open the cupboard/closet doors and take a photo. Even if you don't have insurance, "sometimes" there may be money available through Government disaster relief programs. But showing what you lost can only help the process.

You know what is valuable to you and should have it in the car ready to go. As far as trains go it would be the big-ticket items for me (locomotives) and the models I have built. I would pack them in a big Tupperware tote. Photos are usually high on the list and for most people computers are a must as they have so much info on them. Don't forget medication.

I have never had a wildfire threat but have helped those that have. We have not lost one yet (knock on wood) I don't know the procedure of where you are, but here we touch base with the B.C. Wildfire Service and when the fire gets close enough they will send in a structure protection crew and set up sprinkler systems and douse the entire area with fire retardant.

Up at the ranch we had pumps and would pull water from the river with 4" hoses. All structures and the surrounding 100 metres got soaked. We left with all the pumps running the sprinkler systems and three days later went back and the area was unscathed. Some trees around the edge of the pastures had been crowned from fire, but the Fire Service did an amazing job.

Fingers crossed, good luck.

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Folsom, CA (eh, outside the slammer)
  • 211 posts
Posted by groundeffects on Sunday, August 29, 2021 3:11 PM

I live down the hill 90 miles west from Tahoe (in Folsom) and I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  Please stay safe, and if you get the order to evacuate, get out quickly.  Hopefully CalFire will get this put out soon.

Jeff B.

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 643 posts
Posted by smokey1 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 3:26 PM

Prayers for the best outcome for you

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, August 29, 2021 3:30 PM

Stay safe, thoughts go out to you.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 3:42 PM

I have fled from many coming disasters.

My only advice to add is DO NOT take your valuables if they are insured. Just take pictures and go.

Take what cannot be replaced and has no value.

We take the following, most of which is prepacked:

1) A tote of papers the kids made in school

2) Heirloom books, family bible, photo album.

3) The train cars I custom painted and decalled, and the spare SGRR decals.

4) The quilt my wife's grandmother made.

5) Ashes of deceased relatives.

6) Homeowner's policy, passports, medical papers.

7) Cell phone, laptop, and chargers.

8) 2 cases of bottled water.

9) Bags of chips, cookies, crackers, etc.

10) Cash, lots of it.

11) A can of spray paint, gloves, boots, and KN95 dust masks for when you return.

This all fits in the Impala. I hope your evacuation route is as well seviced as Florida's are during evacuation. If so, you do not need spare gasoline.

Be prepared to help other people.

Best of luck.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2013
  • 25 posts
Posted by dew3896 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 5:14 PM

I hope that you do not have to evacuate, but in any case, take care and stay safe.

dew3896

  • Member since
    March 2019
  • From: South Lake Tahoe California
  • 188 posts
Posted by MetrolinkFan on Sunday, August 29, 2021 5:35 PM

Thanks for all the replies an kind words an preyers.I really appreciate this Hate too lose everything thing so far doing okay now.smoke is some  what clearing out of here.again thank you,

  • Member since
    March 2019
  • From: South Lake Tahoe California
  • 188 posts
Posted by MetrolinkFan on Sunday, August 29, 2021 7:20 PM

Evaluation now darn I'm scared guys.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Sunday, August 29, 2021 8:24 PM

IF you get out with your family uninjured, you're okay. You may lose some sentimental things, but if your family is safe then you've beaten the disaster. Things can be replaced.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Sunday, August 29, 2021 8:51 PM

I hope it all works out. If it doesn't, but you have people whom you love and with whom you can share the experience, that's better than all the gold, all the platinum, and all the best comforts you can think of.  You can replace all the 'stuff', even if it's a total pain and leaves you numb for a while.  If you can walk around your burned property holding a loved one's hand, even if neither of you can say a word, you'll be in the best place possible.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, August 29, 2021 9:12 PM

I hope things work out OK for you, Tim.

I wonder how our one-time contributor, Young Steven (NWP-SWP) is doing? I see Ida may be headed toward Slaughter, LA some time tonight.

Hoping for the best to all — Angel   Ed

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, August 30, 2021 10:04 AM

It's been an amazing year for natural disasters - droughts, floods, fires, storms. Here in Minnesota, they've said the forest fires in the northeast part of the state are basically unstoppable - they'll burn until the first snow. (Fortunately it's not unusual for that part of the state to get it's first snow in October or even late September, but still.)

Stix
  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 276 posts
Posted by MARTIN STATION on Monday, August 30, 2021 12:38 PM

Praying for your safety for you and your family, Please let us know when you make it to a safe place.

Ralph

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, August 30, 2021 12:55 PM

Our thoughts and Prayers from 'over the pond'.   

Stay Safe.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,879 posts
Posted by YoHo1975 on Monday, August 30, 2021 1:17 PM

This fire(Caldor) has been crazy. Dixie fire as well.

It's burned through Echo summit already. So I hope you have bugged out for Truckee or Reno/Carson City.

We'll keep you in our thoughts down here in Roseville.

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Monday, August 30, 2021 3:14 PM

I'm very sorry about you leaving.

Hopefully it'll be ok and you'll be back in a few weeks,

Stay safe and keep us updated.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Monday, August 30, 2021 3:24 PM

Good luck and stay safe!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Monday, August 30, 2021 6:45 PM

Praying for your safety.

Richard

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Monday, August 30, 2021 11:32 PM

Metro,

Prayers be with you and your community in Tahoe. Please keep us up to date. 

Alvie

  • Member since
    February 2020
  • From: Lafaytte , Indiana
  • 31 posts
Posted by energizer on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 1:00 AM

Stay safe you and your family.

  • Member since
    March 2019
  • From: South Lake Tahoe California
  • 188 posts
Posted by MetrolinkFan on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 10:06 AM

I'm safe thanks all for the kind replies an prayers wishes.I'm in Carson city NV.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 8:31 PM

 

Metrolink Fan asked me to upload a video of his layout for him:

     

I sure hope we will be able to see more videos when he and his family return safely home.

Regards, Ed

 

  • Member since
    March 2019
  • From: South Lake Tahoe California
  • 188 posts
Posted by MetrolinkFan on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 8:42 PM

All the auto max cars an the two up auto racks I made from cardboard.what do you think of my layou and my cars I made?

  • Member since
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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 7:52 AM

Nice video. Looks like a good start and hope you will be able to continue it. Wish it was eaisier to post pics and stuff here.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Boise, Idaho
  • 1,036 posts
Posted by E-L man tom on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 4:29 PM

I have relatives in nearby Gardenerville, NV. They're taking in as many evacuees as they can. I've heard, as of yesterday, that Tahoe is in a bad situation. Prayers go out to you and all in the area.

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, September 2, 2021 6:13 AM

The Tahoe area used to be one of my favorite places to visit in my teens and college years during summers.  My hopes and prayers are with the residents there.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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