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.
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.
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! [tup] [tup] [tup] 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. [(-D] 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.
“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.
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…[(-D]
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!!!
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.
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!
ENJOY - and look forward to some even better MRR experiences!!!
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!!!
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.
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.
Indoor radon can be mitigated by sealing basement foundations, water drainage, or by sub-slab de-pressurization. In severe cases, mitigation can use air pipes and fans to exhaust sub-slab air to the outside. Indoor ventilation systems are more effective, but exterior ventilation can be cost-effective in some cases.
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, a
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.
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.
