Now you see it, now you don't

Now you see it, now you don't
Posted by jkbixby on 08 Nov, 2019 10:13
Just thought I'd share one of those unexpected projects that just happen occasionally. There's a possibility coming up in the next six months or a year of purchasing the house right across the street from my sons' down in Columbus which would mean selling ours. I started building my O scale 2 rail layout in 2006 but in 2007 we had a 100 year storm and found out that the previous owner had replaced the sump pump with the smallest he could find. We ended up with three inches of water in the basement ruining the carpet and baseboard which I didn't replace as it was going to be my hobby area so went with temporary repairs. Now I feel it's time to bring it up to as new condition except for the carpet which will either be an allowance given to the buyer or quickly done before it goes on the market. Keeping in mind that nothing may come of this my new layout will be in the center of the room and have the top level for my O scale 2 rail and the lower level for my Hornby O gauge clockwork - will be a while but I'm getting excited already.
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#1 Reply
Posted by St Paul Steam on 08 Nov, 2019 11:13
Wow , exciting times Larry, good luck with whatever you folks decide to do , you sure had a nice train room there !

#2 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 08 Nov, 2019 15:32
Thanks Bruce, it would be nice to be across the street from my grandchildren but we'd also be giving up a life's worth of friends - tough decision but family always comes first. Then again it may come to nothing but I still had to get the family room back into shape before the inevitable comes one way or the other. The pictures are before and after (now you see it, now you don't) - a big clue is the date stamp.

#3 Reply
Posted by Stoker on 08 Nov, 2019 15:44
That's a whole lot of layout to take down and pack away. I well know the empty feeling that comes with doing that, especially if there is no future for a rebuilding anywhere in sight, which has always been the case for me when this has happened. The last time was about two decades ago, and still no place to unbox and rebuild has been found. Soooooo sad!

But, it seems that you do have a plan, and may soon have a place, so for that I am very happy for you and wish you and your future layout all the best!!!

#4 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 08 Nov, 2019 16:43
Thanks Daniel, it took about ten days to take everything down, take pictures for Ebay, and find a place to store it meanwhile - when your house is pretty full it amazing how hard it is to find a place for almost everything that was in an 18' x 24' crowded train room. And I will have another layout either here or there - don't seem to be able to stay away from it too long.

#6 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 09 Nov, 2019 08:38
Thanks Jim, if it does happen it'll be another of life's adventures to keep things interesting.

#8 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 09 Nov, 2019 10:11
Me neither Nick - I just finished hauling down a sheet of drywall for repairs but don't have to do the finishing. Turns out my son, the perfectionist, doesn't like the way I do spot repairs - I just fill the holes and sand it level. He tells me the correct way is a three step process with different width trowels using the "correct" sanding method - I told him to go for it and he said he would.........must have a guilty conscience from the past!

#10 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 09 Nov, 2019 13:39
Thanks Charlie, if this move actually happens the outdoor layout will surely move as it's easily disassembled.

#11 Reply
Posted by jkbixby on 24 Dec, 2019 09:02
Just a quick final update. Up from the ashes a new layout has been started - don't know if it will be finished but I just can't let that nice "as newly built" (except for the carpeting which will come later.....maybe) room sit empty. Besides deep down model railroading keeps me happy when the live steam engines don't run or the boat building goes wrong. Anyway here are a few pictures for now - I'll probably post the results of my labors in a year or so if I don't get sidetracked on other projects. And the walls are untouched - it'd break my heart to put a mark on them after all that work!

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#12 Reply
Posted by St Paul Steam on 24 Dec, 2019 13:04
Oh WOW Larry, already taking fine shape, will be waiting in anticipation to see the rest .

#14 Reply
Posted by classixs on 25 Dec, 2019 04:02
Looks fantastic Larry !

How do you plan access to the "inner courtyard"...or will it be controlled from the outside?