It is never easy having to move and it can be a very stressful period in our life but it is a time for new beginings and for starting fresh, I hope that your move will go well and that your next layout will be everything that you have been wanting it too be.
I'm facing the prospect of moving in the next few years to a warmer climate and that is why I'm building my 2nd layout in moduals so that when the time comes I can crate it up in sections and then reassemble it at the new location.
You do not state from where you are moving or to what state your heading for?
I can feel what you mean by being nastolgic about breaking down your layout, I started my first one 6 months ago during the winter and when I was 90% of the way there the ice and snow weight on our roof caved that room in and my first attempts were smashed into history, because of the wonderful people I've met at this site I decided not to give up and with the support and help of many here I began over again, with new ideas offered by so many and now I'm back to where I was , about 90% there and grateful that I did start over.
At least you will not know the heart break of seeing all your hard work crushed along with the will to rebuild, you only have to disassemble it and rebuild it at another location, I don't know how big your layout is but I can only wish you and your family the very best in the months to come.
It will be hard not running your trains for a while and I hope that it isn't too long before your up and running again.
I don't know you but I wanted to offer some encouragement, your post had a feeling of sadness about it that needed to be addressed.
Again, good luck from one model rail roader to another.
Jess Red Horse of the Blackfeet Nation.
Red Horse, Thank You.
This is very emotional for me (I'm not crying or anything like that.), because I have free reign of our current basement. I have my bookcases full of train literature, Lionel tin signs, old magazine Lionel adverisements, display shelves, everything I always wanted for a train room. My layout is not huge, and I look forward to more room.
I'm not moving far. Just to a little more drug-free area of town. It really peaves me, because when I bought this house, this was a very good neighborhood. Four years makes a huge difference in a city, I guess. Right now I am thankful that I can afford to move to a better area, and into a bigger house. I imagine the landlord for all the other houses will probably buy mine, and that will be that. I would like to thank him for lowering the property value of my house, though, and making it unsafe to take a walk at night.
I know this is not an easy thing to do. I've faced this a few times myself...and may face it again if the real estate market does not right itself soon. The feeling you describe is very similar to what you feel when you lose someone you love. At least that's the way it was for me.
Look at it this way: You're getting away from a neighborhood that is no longer healthy. Irrespective of the length of your residency, you need to get out (this a decision you have already made). The same applies to your hobby. Your trains need a new home, too! And here you have the "wheels set in motion" to make a better home for yourself AND your trains. This is an opportunity and an adventure. Live it to its fullest!
chicochip
Yes, I think taking the wife along is a good idea. She can help you pick out all the new wrong paint colors and all the new wrong trees and bushes. At least you'll be wrong together! Can't ask for much more...
I think your wife and mine must be long lost sister , wow sounds like mine for sure.
We lived in a place that was over run by drugs as well and I got so *** sick of it I bought a house a mile in the woods on the side of a mountain and bought 200 acres of forrest around me so that it can't be built on, that was for my wife and she don't really say anything about my train hobby, she encourages me to do it so what if it cost everything I had for the house that we have been fixing up for the last two years it has already doubled in value but I can't stand New England winters and want to move back to the Deserts of AZ.
It'll take some time but once I can sell this place for a deceint price I'll be moving and my layout will be crated up and hauled over the road to a nice desert home where my Santa Fe lines will not look so out of place....
It is all about having fun and I don't know what I'd do with out my train time.
I work as a heavy trauma Emt and my train addiction is my stress beater.
mpzpw3 wrote:Well, it looks like we have decided it's time to move. The realtor is coming over tomorrow to look at our house. Guess the layout is coming down, along with all my shelves of stuff. We are looking at upgrading houses, so hopefully I will have more room in a new house. It's just a little sad looking around at the layout and all my neat stuff, and thinking about boxing it up. Really mixed emotions about all this, but the neighborhood is going down fast (about 2 years after we moved here, a investor started buying all the houses in the "hood", and literally turned it into the "hood".), and we need a little more room anyway. I'm ready to move, I'm ready for a new layout (bigger!!!!), and the thrill of laying track and scenery, but a little nostalgia for the current one still exists. Not to mention the upcoming stress.
Good Luck on your move, and yes it is stressful! Turned down a job because of a move from Mich to Georgia... just was not worth it. Maybe a few people can share a few moving hints to pack up the trains and layout... all I know is let the experience folk move the heavy stuff... its worth the extra bills than to have an injury....
MPZ......falling prices, low interest rates, a huge glut of available new and existing homes, and motivated sellers. Your timing couldn't be better. The subprime loan debacle and rising unemployment are a tragedy for some but an opportunity for others.
This is perhaps an opportunity you may never see again. Good luck !!!
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Well, the realtor wants to list the house this coming Thursday. Seems pretty sure it will sell in a couple of weeks. Hope He's right.
Just finished taking the layout down and cleaning up the mess. Taking a break right now. My Wife came downstairs last night, started crying, and hasn't been back down here since. Really hitting her hard. Anyway, back to work.
Mpzpw3, if it's any consolation I went through a very similar situation. I learned far more than I wanted to learn about the way drug dealers work. And how quickly a nice neighborhood can go into the dumpster. I know personally of instances where an entire neighborhood banded together and drove them out. In my case I was the ONLY one fighting them, and after a while I became the target... it's much easier to target one person than an entire neighborhood. People would pull me aside and thank me for sticking my neck (and personal safety) out on the ledge, but NO ONE else would stand up with me. So I too, ended up having to move.
That experience taught me the real advantages of a lightweight movable layout. Even a larger one could be built in sections, so it could be moved. So I'm a big suppporter of using styrofoam insulation board for a layout surface... that's what mine is now made with.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Well, the house is listed. I've been without a layout for a week and a half now. Without the layout, it is hard to release the stress. I used to run trains and my problems would disappear.
The downside: cats, and damp spare bedroom, that will hurt the price. The wife can't decide on a new house. Living room, kitchen, dining room, all not right. I keep skipping the upstairs and going directly to the basement looking for train space.
The upside: Found a few basements that are going to work out very well! If I can find a house at the right price, I have been given the green light for Gargraves and Ross purchases! Love Lionel tubular, but love the look of Gargraves,also. May be able to do both with any luck. I may even plan the next layout. That would be a new thing for me. In the past, I found a space, filled it with plywood and made the trains fit. Think I'll change it up this time, and try to fit in a track plan first, then start building.
Thanks for all the reply's and support! When I get frustrated, it's nice to take a break, come to the forum, ask a few questions, give a few answers, and just relax for a minute.
MPZ....there's a lot of available residential inventory out there. As I stated before, the timing on the purchase side is about as good as it gets. Take your time, but view a lot, and different neighborhoods to boot. While your wife may be sad about leaving this homestead behind, I think you both are making the right decision. A new(er) home is what you make of it.
Why are cats a problem?
Keep us posted.
I thought I'd stop by too see if you were relocated but I can't tell at this point, I hope all is going well and that you are up and running trains again very soon.
Your Model Train Friend, Jess Red Horse.
mpz-I went through the same thing you are going through five years ago. We lived in the house 19 years, redid just about everything from roof to basement. We had it looking just like we wanted. Then the new neighbors moved in, right out of the hood, typical single women with a couple kids, from different fathers of course. At first I thought they were going to be OK cause they cut down this ugly tree in front of the house and cleaned up the yard. But guess where they threw the tree? Behind the other neighbors garage. Then came the basketball court right by our bedroom window. Well that was it. Without a blink of the eye I was taking down the layout. I told my wife to call our friend, who was a realtor, to give me two weeks to get the layout down and packed away. Three months later we were gone. Seeing the way that the neighborhood changed takes away the sadness of moving. Its sad for our kids since that was thier childhood home and they were both at college when we moved. All I can say to you is don't look back. Get out before you regret not leaving at all. The best part of the whole situation is my layout at the old house was 8x12, new house 15x30
Good luck on your move,
Bob
It's interesting that there are a few of us who have been through a similar situation. So I'm sure there are many more. It takes so little for a whole neighborhood to be ruined. As a former artist and musician, I can tell you that drugs have always been around the art world for ages. Some of the greats from many years ago had substance abuse habits. I'm glad I never needed it or even wanted it.
Where it changed was in the 1960's where the pop culture made it attractive and popular. "Oh gee, if I use this drug, then I can play the guitar like so-and-so." I can't count the times I've heard someone say that. Kinda sad really. The celebrities and rock stars can come out and say "don't do this" but people learn far more by what they actually do themselves than what they say.
Anymore, I tell the casual user or older artist friends that if you aren't making it or growing it YOURSELF, you are actively participating and helping to ruin someone's life and neighborhood.
Normal people (are they really normal???) look at us train guys as nuts, but in my estimation this is a pretty good hobby. A great family hobby, a great way to link the past with the present, a great history lesson, and great for building basic skills like building, electricity, electronics and modeling.
Man, if the Grateful Dead and the Beatles had been hawking Lionel Trains, there'd be train shops in every town and city.
zwbob wrote: mpz-I went through the same thing you are going through five years ago. We lived in the house 19 years, redid just about everything from roof to basement. We had it looking just like we wanted.......The best part of the whole situation is my layout at the old house was 8x12, new house 15x30Good luck on your move,Bob
mpz-I went through the same thing you are going through five years ago. We lived in the house 19 years, redid just about everything from roof to basement. We had it looking just like we wanted.......The best part of the whole situation is my layout at the old house was 8x12, new house 15x30
Don't you just hate when that happens?
I should have some info. in the next month. Things are moving forward. Missing running trains, but I remind myself it is worth it.
Got pretty fed up over the 4th. of July weekend with the neighbors drug problems, and now we all know where we stand. I wouldn't say the problem is fixed, but it has been very quiet around here for the last week and a half. Getting along with others is what I do...
Hey mpz....I was going to make some light-hearted remark to try and cheer you up, but there isn't anything to say that would lighten your mood. No one deserves to have that many years invested in a home and a neighborhood and have it come to this.
My wife and I (career move) moved with the kids (13 and 9) from Chicago to MA. nearly 20 years ago and left behind all of our families and lifetime friends. Before we moved, we found that housing costs were obscenely higher in the Northeast. And I would be swapping an 8.25% mortgage interest for 10.75% one. I wondered at times how we were going to make it work. I spent 7 months commuting back and forth, looked inside a zillion homes, one worse than the next, but I hung on to the notion that location was the key for us.....for safety, education for the kids, and peace of mind.
It worked.
Hang in there. I foresee a new and better layout and some peace of mind on your horizon in your new home.
Greetings MPZ,
When I read of your plight It affected the layout that I'm currently building, this one had to be able too be taken apart easily and be set back up without rebuilding the whole thing, my point is, you may have just inspired a whole new generation of "Gypsie layouts" those we can take with us easy, portable if you know what I mean.
Thanks for the insperation and I hope your long wait is over soon.
Good luck!
Perhaps the beginning of the line coming soon. Found a new house after looking at about 30 houses. Accepted an offer on our house, and am awaiting inspections. New house will have a much larger basement. Wonder what I will do with that? The wife wants a train set up ASAP, I think because I'm driving her nuts without one.
I would like to Thank everyone here for their responses on this thread. It really helped!
mpzpw3 wrote: Perhaps the beginning of the line coming soon. Found a new house after looking at about 30 houses. Accepted an offer on our house, and am awaiting inspections. New house will have a much larger basement. Wonder what I will do with that? The wife wants a train set up ASAP, I think because I'm driving her nuts without one. I would like to Thank everyone here for their responses on this thread. It really helped!
TRIPLE CONGRATULATIONS MPZ! SELL, BUY, GREEN LIGHT ON LAYOUT. Don't you just hate when that happens? Strike quickly before wife goes out to celebrate, buys a bunch of new outfits, then 10-15 pairs of shoes, and blows the train budget. Better yet, make sure you (quietly) include cash back at closing to cover the train budget.
The wife is more interested in new furniture than shoes.
Probably won't have a real layout set up until after Christmas if all this works out, because this one will be the best one I have ever built. Planning the layout is more important than building it, because I want it perfect. Not going to rush it, but will get some trains running quickly. I wasn't happy with my old layout, though I miss it greatly right now, and don't want to make the same mistakes again.
Sounds like you're about to land on your feet. Well done, MPZ. We can all learn from this. Sorry you had to be the latest example - but THANKS for the "stick-to-it-iveness" and the inspiration!
Looking back at how often I've moved in the last 16 years I made a decission to make my layout so I can take it apart and move it if need to so when reading your story here over the past couple of months or so ( I've been reading as it carriered it self out) I'm glad I've been planning it that way also I think if I can ever get it built I might even see about taking ti to the V.A. around holidays in the rear of my truck and run it for the Vets. as it will only be 8'9"X10'11" I'm tring to figure a way to make the benchwork moveable also and still be very strong so figure theres going to be some bolts that hold sections together.
More planning to be done yet before start but its still probally about 3 months away on frame work atleast anyway as want to paint room and lay carpet first.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
RT,
Good thinking. Some useful items for building a portable (modular) layout:
C-clamps, carriage bolts, and shims for the benchwork.
Jones Barriers (doubled), quick disconnects, and GOOD documentation for the wiring.
Sockets and plugs for structure mounting.
Sliding rail joiners for track.
A flat dolly (four casters affixed to a 2' X 4') piece of 3/4" plywood) for moving.
A few sealable plastic containers for rolling stock, etc.
Good luck with the project. I think the Vets will really appreciate your effeorts!
"I'm trying to figure a way to make the bench work moveable also and still be very strong so figure there's going to be some bolts that hold sections together".
I have just built my portable layout, and yes the base of the bench work is on wheels and is made narrow enough to fit out a door.
The back drop can be unscrewed from the top,
This one has the back drop removed and the front rolling stock shelves doors closed.
The top is removable and can be carried by two people side ways out the door, I have a set of 4 handles that bolt to the side of the top for when it comes time to move the top.
My control and switch banks were built into a silver equipment case that can close, latch and be carried away after disconnecting its umbilical cord (power cables) to all the top power.
Under the base there is a separate storage area and in the front are two rolling stock cases.
Good luck and remember when building your bench work measure your door way opening a few times before construction with the door wide open.
Jess.....I'm glad you finally finished the layout I ordered from you. What is the ship date? I like it!
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