Jerry, I installed a couple of these around our garden to discourage armadillos and other digging varmints, and they have worked well for over a year. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...tion+light&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202572728 Suggest mounting them outside on eave corners, with the sensor pointing down slightly to also pick up critters that are walking. You have to play with aiming the sensor and testing by moving your body into the scanning area from different angles. The sensor is very sensitive, but adjustable. I had to desensitize ours to prevent the light coming on each time a breeze rustled leaves. Though in your case you probably want it at max to sense small birds and rodents. Good Luck, because as others have said....we can't live without our ATSF-Jerry Fix !!!!!
Jerry, sorry to hear of your misfortune. Just hang in there. Did you ever implement the above solution? Regards Al
Nnnnnoooooooooo!!! Time to get REAL serious about that building - but don't scrap the layout, way too much great work there.
And likely attract more owls... :shock: Jerry - I'm sorry to hear of your invasion and temporary abandonment of what looks to be a terrific layout. Don't let those varmints chase you away!
I'll add my voice to the "please, no!" chorus. The damage sucks, and I know you will come up with a better solution. I had to air out my train shed this week, between rainstorms: a raccoon and a skunk went at it right behind the shed.
That does make it hard to continue. However if I lived within an hour's drive or so I'd come and help you. We have a lot of issues here with racoons and deer - the deer eat everything (including the so-called deer-resistant plants!) and the racoons eat everything too including twice having a very fresh sushi dinner from our pond. But that is nature and we have to find ways to live with the creatures that are around us.
Say it ain't so Jerry. Say it ain't so. Sorry for the damage, but it can be FIXED!!!! Your layout plus others on this forum have been Inspiration to many modelers. But what ever you decide I will watch it transform it to a beautiful piece of work like you have done so far.
WHAT HE ^^^^^^^^^^ SAID!!!!!! Look at his wonderful layout. Your right there. Don't let verim & foul get you down. :tb-biggrin:
Jerry, way too much nice work to give it up to critters; I'm sure you'll find a way to figure this out once you cool off. Besides, we're all too dependent on you for inspiration...no pressure... Hang in there, Otto
Today I tried to take my mind off the wreck, previously called my layout, and did some locomotive detailing. It worked some.
Jerry. I'm sorry as well to hear of the intruders! While I have not been a constant follower of your thread, I do enjoy it when I stumble across it, then go back and see what I've missed. I would hate to not see you continue with it. As others have said, step back and take a break from it for a spell. I'm confident that you will be inspired to continue with it in due time. It sounds like model trains and the ATSF is in your blood! Here's a little thought: The Phoenix: It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. In some stories, the new phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (literally "sun-city" in Greek). It is said that the bird's cry is that of a beautiful song. The Phoenix's ability to be reborn from its own ashes implies that it is immortal. Maybe now would be the time to think about change. I bet you thought more than once......"If I had it to do over again, I would love to have done this......" Best of luck, Allen...
Sorry, to hear of the problem. We have racoons, and possums, but not in the layout building. They have been in the yard and even in the house though. :err:
Today my wife added her 2 cents..... 1st.......I told you not to leave the trains out there after you ran them so its your fault the animals knocked them over. 2nd......Your going to scrap this whole thing after all these years and time you spent down here away from the family. 3rd.......Cant you just save it for Caleb??? And thats a womans view of this whole thing......LOL
Best listen, there are a few good points in there........ I would still look to removing all the locomotives and rolling stock and use a trap over the layout . Then use whatever means possible to get the mice etc out. They are what is most likely attracting the owls.
