Bunter Ridge Work Stoppage

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

No, the track workers have not gone on strike.

My wife has raised her desire to move next year. This is a combination of frustration with traffic, a neighbor selling their house at an attractive price (for a seller), and moving in a direction we have talked about before, although not for another few years. This is not just moving, but abandoning the crowded, overpriced, traffic-snarled DC area for a place less crowded, overpriced, traffic snarled and generally less hectic.

This idea may collapse under its own weight. But, she is serious enough that I have issued a “stop work” order on the Bunter Ridge.

Continuing may result in nothing more than consuming resources like wood, roadbed and track. Even putting together some of the structure kits is not wise, since they can be moved more safely unassembled in their original packaging. The track is reusable. Even some finished work is salvageable (hidden staging areas are simply straight sections of plywood with multiple, parallel straight sections of roadbed and track). Benchwork lumber is largely reusable. Wire, terminal strips, Loconet cables can always be transplanted. I could even salvage some or all of the current design (or improve/expand it??).

Unfortunately, I’m left with nothing more than finishing the few structures I have started, firing up the Bunter Ridge Paint Shop (aka the airbrush), weathering, replacing wheelsets, decoder installations and general rolling stock tune-up and maintenance. I might even dabble in planning some “modules” that can be incorporated in a future plan, if need be. But I can’t do any serious planning since I have no idea of available space, shape, obstacles, etc.

The bummer here is that if this idea lingers and then dies I lose prime fall and winter building time. I like the way the current railroad is/was progressing.

The good news is that, if we do move, her clients probably all stay with her. My employer will most likely want me to w

2

As the comic relief President said, “I feel your pain”, just think though, if it all works out, you may end up with a bigger plot of realestate for the RR, chances to redo any past uh-oh’s you made. I am actually under the same issues here, we are looking to sell in a couple of years and move. I am still working on mine, just looking with a little dread at tearing down, BUT I alraedy am thinking of how I will make some major route changes and add in the things I have now learned from the forums, and personal druthers.

3

The hard part, as always, is the waiting. Plus the fact that she seems to have this insane desire to move every 2-3 years. When we moved here, I told her the next move was “either out of this area or to the grave, and I don’t care which!” Now we’re onto “if we do this, the next move is to the grave!”

Given her moving urges, I guess that means I only have to plan for about 3 or 4 more years on this earth! Been nice talking to you all. [(-D][(-D]

4

Design the layout to be modular, that way each time you move, you are moving a portable layout. I assume it’s HO. there is a group, FreeFlex or something that has standards for such an idea.

When I redo mine, I think I will work more on a modular/portable idea so tearing down/setting up is a lot less stressful and damaging.

HTH

5

If you could somehow get her involved in constructing the next layout, she might think twice about asking you to dismantle it another time…just an idle thought.

Thankfully, my wife just likes reorganizing the furniture every few months. Good thing I am not the type who comes home from the pub at all hours to a dark house!!!

Ask her to sit with you and plan the contingencies for this next move. What are her criteria for happiness at the next place. If you can get her to explain that, you might be able to forestall one move, and enjoy a whole six years in one spot.

BTW, very definitely use a modular approach so that a few backed out screws, unplugged wires, and stored structures are all that will be necessary next time.

6

Thanks David and Crandell,

I sort of tossed out the diversion of “if we were going to build a house, what is it that we would want?” She began to get the point when I told her that I would probably wait two years after any move to start construction, because I don’t want to start and have to tear it apart again.

Her role in the layout construction was scenery ideas and maybe helping to build that, when and if I ever get that far.

On the bright side, the overall scheme I was using (and could be again, who knows) to build this rendition of the Bunter Ridge worked pretty well. It allowed me to follow the plan, but look at things along the way and improvise or incorporate a new brainstorm. While there are a few things I would do differently, there is an awful lot I would do the same.

7

Mark,

While I agree that structure kits are better transported in their original box, it is not that hard to protect a finshed product during a move. I therefore submit that what I would be doing right now is building all the structure kits I could. That will drive your railroad forward no matter which house you end up in. And until you move you could set them on your layout.

And if and when the time comes to move them, I can give you a few pointers on how to pack them. (and even send you some packing materials if you want them.)

8

I know the feeling Mark. My wife and I moved to the FLorida Keys a year ago and we know we will be moving in less than six more months. So every thing I have done on my layout is with the idea it will be dismantled and moved. I have all the bench work done and the track layed. I built it in sections that can be easily (???) dismantled. I am not going to do any scenery. So like yourself I am working on rolling stock and stockpiling building kits etc. And our new home (where ever it may be) will also have a “train room” of unk dementions. Good luck and glad you are getting out of the rat race.
Terry

9

I sold my business about 3 months ago, didn’t make a killing on the sale, but my girlfriend and I discussed the options, with her having a severly handicapped child I offered to stay home, help take care/raise him and get the house in shape for selling (she is a Tim Taylor sibling/clone, she sees a wall as a thing to tear down [B)] I told if she had her way, we would live in a frame house only) and with her job being with a large heavy equip manufacture and she makes some decent money, we felt it was best. I have to say though, I find I have less time for RR stuff since I decided to semi-retire. But I do enjoy my life a whole lot more, at 45 if feels great to not have a schedule to worry about except her to-do list [;)]

With the planned move, I think you will find the pace a whole lot better, your ducks will be in a better row. I see this as a plus for your future. (I didn’t catch the employment part the first time)

10

We’ll see how it goes, Chip, and how long the deliberations last. I have about 6 structures waiting a date with the airbrush, either for an initial painting or weathering. Between that and the other stuff, I can probably hold out a little while before breaking any new ground.

Thanks, Terry. I used drywall screws heavily, so it should be “easy” to dismantle. I guess the acid test will be whether or not I can design the existing subroadbed/roadbed pieces into a new plan. Since I do my design on the computer, I’m thinking that will help me. That assumes I am so inclined and don’t develop any new bright ideas! No real expense if not…losing a few odd hunks of 1/2" plywood and either cork or foam roadbed is not the worst thing that can happen.

And I’ve already formulated an idea of how to pack and move the two helixes (down to and up from the staging area) in one piece each. I used L-girder benchwork, so disassembling that and making packing it up is not a killer.

If we do this, we’d better be getting out of the rat race! Although I’ve given her enough research to do on a potential move and related expenses that I could well be posting a thread entitled “Work Resumes on Bunter Ridge” at some point here.

11

Thanks Dave,

It could well work out that way, if it happens. And yes, my wife can put together a mean to-do list, as well[:o)]

12

sounds to me like there are so many positives to this change that you should move into pro-active mode and not just wait for your wife to figure out what she wants , but push her towards making this decision asap . stick to your guns about THIS being the last move , and work on structures and rolling stock in your spare time . you’ll find a way to pack them safely when the time comes .

13

Getting rid of the long commute is worth it all by itself. If it were me, I’d maintain a test track for upgrading and tuning locomotives and cars, and do all that weathering that you’ll never have time for once you start laying track again. Make some trees, too. They’re more easily transported.

14

All good advice. My only reservation, Ernie, is her urge to move so much. If I can be reasonably sure this potential move is it for a while, then I’m all for it. She knows that is my reservation (I wanted to bug out of here 3 or 4 years ago). Especially after tonight, when it took me over 2 hours to get home. Even though I spend all but about 10 minutes of that on a commuter bus where I can get a decent nap, it still gets old.

I’m with you MisterBeasley, some of the tasks I have mentioned will take a lot longer to do once track starts getting laid again. I normally do them in the spring and summer months, but this year, I was still doing some building. Having road numbers on the locomotives when programming the decoders and assigning them IDs is a novel idea!

The next purchase may be more metal wheelsets, while I’m at it.