Wow. There have been a few changes since my last post.
We've moved!
As tenants we are always subject to the vagaries of ownership and in our case the property we were renting was sold. Very short notice meant that moving my layouts and other modelling bits and pieces was a bit rushed.
Thankfully my NSW layout "Barra Town" is now back up, with some repairs still needed, while my Vietnamese layout "Ga Hong Ha" is still in pieces with an uncertain future. I think that because of the hassles in moving it compared to Barra Town, it may re-emerge at some point in a different form, easier to carry and transport. After all we may have to move again one day (hopefully not for a long time).
What lessons have I learned from all this?
1. If you build a multi piece layout, make sure the individual units can be easily carried through doorways and up and down stairs.
2. If the multiple pieces are joined by bolts make sure the bolts can be removed!
3. If track crosses two boards make sure there are no points on the join! Trying to remove the points plays havoc with the surrounding track.
4. Don't leave moving the layouts to the last. Give yourself plenty of time.
5. If she who must be obeyed asks for half the garage make sure it really is half. And check that there is a power point and lighting in your section.
6. If you store your models in drawers, make sure the drawers are secured. I had one drawer fall out from a height. I still have to check the damage and affect repairs if possible.
Micro layouts are looking increasingly attractive after going through the above experience. And I only moved from one suburb to the next!
At the moment I need to restore my Barra Town layout and the damaged rolling stock after the 'accident'.
I'm also trying to sort out magazines and books. Books I keep. I have some that have not been available for a very long time. To be honest I didn't realise I had so many magazines. I think I'm going to have to get rid of a lot of them. Maybe give them away to a club if they have somewhere to store them? Not for a while though. Other priorities at the moment.
I had thought of going through them and scanning useful articles but it seems a major task.
Some magazines are now available as digital downloads so maybe I will investigate that as well. Anything to reduce the physical size and weight. Magazines are very heavy.
That's your lot for this time. Hopefully I'll be able to get back into modelling soon and will report in the next post.
