If a seller promises you a basement, just be careful. [;)]
Regards,
John
If a seller promises you a basement, just be careful. [;)]
Regards,
John
I have two levels connected by an incline. Initially the layout was on one 4X8 board, so I needed to expand upward. First attempt did not work out too well. I ignored the incline recommendations and it was too steep. (0.6" per 10"). This year I revised it to meet 0.3" per 10". Much better, but still, the rubber wheel tires keep falling off some of the engines. If that problem becomes persistent, I may scrap the incline. As it is, only 2 of the 5 engines can make the grade. The pre-magnetraction GG1 can make it by itself, but needs to have its train pulled up to meet it using a switcher.
One positive note: the MTH E8 Santa Fe AA has constant speed. It works very well going up the incline, but it is one whose tires fall off. Should I glue them in place?
I seem to operate by trial and error. When I added a 2nd 4X8 table I made it one big square, or 8X8. Im now in the middle of revising it to an Ell shape, which looks better and is easier to reach stuff in the middle. One of these days I’ll get it right.
An 8x8 is a great shape, if you build in access holes. There are some classic 8x8 layouts that Lionel built in the 50s that are great. I think it’s in the CTT layouts book. I might have to pick that book up today. I keep looking at it at the LHS.
Is it the rubber band that keeps falling off of the MTH F3? I would get a replacement band and see if that solves the problem.
Wes
My CONNELLSVILLE SUBDIVISION actually began life as a 2-tiered, 3 line L-shaped layout. There weren’t any grades, just an outside loop, an inside loop with a 90 degree crossing, and an upper 0-31 loop witha 45 degree crossing. Only after I reduced the size of the layout, and bought my first MTH engine with 2.0 speed control, did I embark on grades…never looked back since.
I still prescribe to reducing as much straight track as possible, using O-72 “tangents” of track to produce a certain “flow”.
Good luck on your basement hunt, Wes. Is it a “cellar’s” market…?
Cellar’s market. I kill myself sometimes.
That’s a good one…
partial basment’s aren’t my thing, but this is a pretty good size partial, and the 3 car garage is hard not to like.
Wes,
How tall are those basement ceilings for the ultimate multi-level layout?
Seriously, it certainly is a buyer’ market, perhaps the best in your lifetime. You just did one of the most important thing when making a decision of this financial magnitude: you started writing things down, pro and con, and pulled in some of your (train) requirements. If you start putting a value on those items, it may help your decision.
Interest rates are still really good right now. Perhaps the bank that owns the place might get you in at a rate you couldn’t get on your own, and with some reduced closing costs. If you don’t ask…
I assume the house is in the area you want to live (location). The best time to think about selling the house you are considering is when you buy it. The neighborhood, area, and school district, even if kids are not part of the equation. These will be hot buttons for the next buyer if that day should come. You didn’t mention property taxes in
jack,
So much good info. I will take it all into consideration. I assume that the bank hasn’t received a payment in well over a year and a half, if not more. It went through forclosure, and has been on the market for over 4 months by the bank. The house across the street was owned by the same person and they took that one too. This one was a rental. As it sits, the power and water have been shut off. It gets cold here, but without water in the pipes, it should be OK. I will have an inspector check it all out for me from top to bottom. I’m going back to look at it today, and make a lowball offer. They are asking $280, I’m offering $220. I’m going to borrow an extra $25K to put in the kitchen, carpet, floors and paint and woodwork repairs, plus whatever else I can do with the money. I’ll be doing most of the work myself. I will have about a month to change everything over, which probably won’t be enough time before I move in, but it’s what we have. Most houses are selling in the area for $300K, which this house would be worth when I am done. Who would have thought that I would ever move into such a nice house. Then again, it might not work out at all.
Wish me luck,
Wes
Wes,
Best of Luck bud! I NEVER thought I would be in the house I am in now… and wouldn’t be if it weren’t for Susan. I have her to thank for it all… and I mean that with all honesty.
We like our house, but Susan had plans to move in 5 - 8 years when we bought the place! Good thing is in that time most, if not all, our debt (non house or car related) will be paid off and my house in PA will be about ready for sale so if we can sell the place in PA we’ll be sitting mighty fine!
I’m still trying to figure out this whole budget thing… [banghead]
Brent,
I think our generation is really good at spending money we don’t have. I know that I am very good at living at least one level above my means. We all have the same kind of debt. Credit cards, student loans, home equity loans, etc. Keeping up with the Jones has never been cheap.
Wes