Hey all, It's been quite a while since I've been posting here at TB. Just haven't been much in the train mood. Was still working on the layout and detailing locos here and there, but life kept coming up. A week and a half ago "life" hit real hard. A water pipe above the train room busted when it dropped down to one of the coldest temps in years here in Sedona. After the insurance guy came out to assess the damage, it was determined that the room would have to be gutted, which meant the layout would have to be removed. I have a bunch of pics up on my website (too many to post here) and Here is a direct link to the page. So when the time comes to rebuild, I'll share it with you all here. Thanks for following along. Mike
Man! That sucks! Hope you start to rebuild soon...... I know it will be better that the first one. (not that it was bad or anything)
Mike You have been an inspiration for many of us and this is just tragic. I for one have your site as a favorite and check it often. You have been a great help for me as I got back into this and the photos of the OVS in it's present state really kicks me in the stomach. Step back and take a break. We need you back with a new plan when you get to it. Thanks for sharing all the tips you give us. Keep the site up so we can admire your detailing shots! Thanks. Mark
Argh!! Those shots on your site are so bleak. At least I hope this reinvigorates your interest, rather than killing it. Any damage to locos or rolling stock? -Gary
Thanks for the kind words guys. Gary, as luck would have it, a few weeks ago I moved all my locos and rolling stock off the layout and into the staging yards in the laundry room. Don't know why I did, guess something deep down was telling me to do it. But I'm sure glad I did! Mike
Mike, Looks like your going to have a clean slate to work with. So think positive. Was there anything about your plan or layout that bugged you? Or how about the room itself? Now's the time to take care of those things. Besides, based on your work, the new layout will be really good!
Hey Mike, I'm feeling you're pain right now mate. All I can say is heads up bud, I think you've probably got what it takes to rebuild I know it's easy for me to say from the other side of the Pacific but "as one door shuts another opens" I really loved following the OVS progress on your website but maybe once you've got your place back together you can build something that eliminates any issues that might have bugged you with your last version of the OVS As someone who had to demolish a layout + purpose built layout room after 4 year of hard work, my best advice....take it one step at a time All the best Steve
Mike, Sorry to hear about the tear down. That sucks!! But on a good side, Now is the time to move or remove any walls that you didn't like. Craig
Wow, that's a huge drag. But with every door that closes another one opens -- now you've got the opportunity to fix all of the nagging issues that bugged you with the previous version (I know I've got a bunch on my current layout). You need to buy your inner voice a beer for suggesting to move your rolling stock I'm looking forward to seeing the new and improved layout take shape!
I am really sorry that happened. You saved the helix and have your rolling and engines, and that is a great start to the new Owens Valley Sub. Also, I have been going to Sedona since 1972 and the low temps you recently had were some of the lowest I can remember. Hang in there!
Glad your locos and rolling stock are safe. But you can use this chance to draw new track plans and research any prototype lines that have been catching your eye. Still hope it'll be the same era, I love the SPSF scheme. Even if you go with prototype locations, I still think it'll be cool to see the full SPSF on the long hood I look forward to the new progress, hope repairs to the house go quick and reconstruction of the layout can happen soon.
Mike! I wondered why the long break on your site... That is such a drag. I think your building techniques and modeling are inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the next adventure! Best of luck man! Ryebot
Tough break, but as many have said, it could be a blessing in disguise. You can work out probelms you had in version 1, and with what looks like the room down to the studs, perhaps move a door or two to be rid of the duck under??? Keep plugging away! Those nice locos need a place to stretch their legs!
Ouch. Such beautiful work. Still, I'd move to Sedona in a heartbeat. I was there back in '78. I even dove from what I think is call "Grass Hopper Creek"? It was off of the twisty road down from Flagstaff. I only had the nerve to do it once.
Terrible set back. I'd be devastated. Though I've started over again enough times to know that the next layout is always better. We had the same freezing temps down our way but no bad damage, thank god. Best of luck with the recon. Look forward to seeing the progress.
Thanks for all the comments everyone. Now that the shock of losing the layout is pretty much gone, I've actually been kinda excited to be able to build another one. Yes, there were a few things that really bugged me with the last one, so those issues will be corrected with the new layout. I'm just dreading doing the backdrops again. At least this time I know to put them in first before any track is down. The dust created from filling and sanding the screw holes raised havoc with the track I had already put down last time! So from now until the room is done, I'm going to get all the benchwork supports cut out and ready to go. Mike
Mike, I got to see the awful pics on our Switching Crew site. I am so sorry, so much work lost...devastating! I've admired your work for some time but now I admire your attitude as well! All the best from me (and the rest of the Switching Crew as well I'm sure). Kind regards, Otto
