Well, have been packing and planning. We close on the sale and new house on Sept. 10th. Hope all goes well. I have decided on a new track plan (4 by 12), which I like. May be able to change it to a 5 by 13 after I re-measure the room. I'm going to use O-36 curves, which I don't really like, but all in all, I think it will work out. I kinda look forward to a little smaller layout, as I can more easily detail it.
I'm really looking forward to the change. I know what I want in a layout, and think I finally have the patience to do it right. I want the layout to look like a part of the house, and have finally figured out how to do it. The plan I have now will also allow me to build the scenery I always wanted, and include the postwar accessories that I am fond of. Starting to feel like I'm on the right track. Planning on taking step by step pictures of the construction, and posting them as I go.
Don't miss the home renovation thing too much my friend...LOL!
You will learn to like your new home just as much over the next few years I'm sure.
And your right, this gives you a new and fresh start for your layout so enjoy THAT renovation..LOL!
Good luck and if you can keep us up too date with pics of your layouts progress.
BAM!! Looks like all is well!! No radon, a little fill dirt, and the deal is done. This has been very difficult for me. I really like this house and hate to leave it. I've worked on it since I bought it. The house we are purchasing is move-in ready. We even like the paint. I'm going to miss the home improvement thing, but I can get started on a layout right away. I can hardly wait to get the trains out of storage. Christmas again. As much as I want to get trains running again, I'm going spend some time thinking about benchwork, wiring and what I really want in a layout.
Again, I would like to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions! It's been a real help getting through this.
MPZ.....checking for radon gas in the basement is customary out here in MA. during the sale/purchase process. Maybe others can chime in here. Radon is radioactive.
Radon comes from underground from rock formations and occurs naturally. Normally, a well ventilated basement keeps levels in check, and those sealed tight as a drum have readings that can become unacceptable.
Out here, one solution is ventilation. Folks priodically evacuate the air in the basements by opening one basement window and then using a fan in another to pull the air across and out. I'm not sure if sealing cracks in basement walls/floors or sealing the concrete is the permanent solution.
Two houses sitting side by side and built at the same time and in similar conditions can come up with different radon readings.
You may want to do a little net reading. But this should not become a deal breaker.
Jack
Exerpt from Wickipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon
Modern construction that conserves energy by making homes air tight exacerbates the risks of radon exposure if radon is present in the home. Older homes with more porous construction are more likely to vent radon naturally. Positive-pressure ventilation systems can be combined with a heat exchanger to recover energy in the process of exchanging air with the outside, and it should be noted that simply exhausting basement air to the outside is not necessarily a viable solution as this can actually draw radon gas into a dwelling. Homes built on a crawl space can benefit from a radon collector installed under a radon barrier (a sheet of plastic that covers the crawl space).
MPZ.....FOLKS OUT HERE VENT THE BASEMENTS AS I DESCRIBED, AND ONES I KNOW HAVE MAINTAINED LOW OR SAFE LEVELS OF RADON IN THEIR FINISHED AND UNFINISHED BASEMENTS.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Again, Thanks to all who have replied to this post!
The Buyer's home inspector came by today to place a little box that detects radon gas. I have an opinion on this, but will not state it here. Looks like I'm about to lose some more train money. Selling a house is becoming very expensive! My mood is not well at the moment.
Picked up the latest Lionel catalog today, while purchasing the latest CTT, and am impressed with the PWC offerings, along with the content of CTT. I like reading about a little postwar, a little MPC, and a little modern. Like a fine wine, I'm trying to savor it over time. Reading has become a relaxing hobby for now.
Just want to buy some plywood and get going...
Hi!
I've "felt your pain" a couple of times in my MRR life, but there are some upsides as you probably know. You have the chance to "do it better", and eliminate the bugaboos that you may have with the existing layout. And perhaps like me, much of your MRR fun comes from the building of the layout!
Quick story...... In 1977 I had a house in Joliet (Illinois). I had my first "nice" HO layout in the basement, about 16x8, with the long side against a wall. I had painted the backdrop of sky and low hills directly on the wall, and frankly it came out really nice - a surprise to me as it was my first major backdrop effort.
In February, my employer made me an offer I couldn't refuse - a transfer to Dallas, Texas.
So, in mid February the house went up for sale for $44,000 (average amount for a decent house at that time/place). The first day it hit the papers & MLS, two families came to see it. The realtor said they spent most of their time in the basement admiring the layout - especially the backdrop. One family even asked the realtor if the backdrop would stay with the house! Of course the layout was going with me, but the backdrop was painted directly on the wall!
Well, both families made full price offers that same day - with one coming back that evening with $44,500, which we accepted. I've often wondered if the layout had a part in the sale, and will never know for sure - but I have to believe it did!
ENJOY - and look forward to some even better MRR experiences!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
The house went up for sale for $44,000 (average amount for a decent house at that time/place). The first day it hit the papers & MLS, two families came to see it. It was really neat that they spent most of their time in the basement admiring the layout - especially the backdrop. One family even asked the realtor if the backdrop would stay with the house! Of course the layout was going with me, but the backdrop was painted directly on the wall!
Well, both families made full price offers - with one coming back that evening with $44,500, which we accepted. I've often wondered if the layout had a part in the sale, and will never know for sure - but I have to believe it did!
Jess.....just $1,000? Looking at the comma and the decimals, the little ones sold you out.
I'll ship it out after I get your money order for $1,000.000.000.ooo Thats the price the grand kids gave me when I asked them if we could sell it too you, oh well I'm going to grab a lawn chair and sit by the mail box just to watch the little indians sweat it out a little.....
Having a great train day here and I must make a new post about what the family surprised me with for my birthday.
Happy rails and thanks for the thumbs up on my layout, I already want to expand it....oh dear God I'm hooked bad!!!!
Happy Rails.
Jess.....I'm glad you finally finished the layout I ordered from you. What is the ship date? I like it!
"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.
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!
chicochip
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/
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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...
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
Good luck on your move,
Bob
Don't you just hate when that happens?
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.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
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
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....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.
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.
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.
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