farewell Playa Desnuda

[johnb]

For the last last few years I have been working on my layout, but with much regerts, I have to take my layout down.



My HOA company recently changed and they are going to be enforcing the no street parking rule that has been on the  books, yet not enforced for the almost 11 years that I have lived in Arizona. We have to move another car into the garage so we can get our Daughter’s car out of the Street.

Fortunately, Playa Desnuda is easy to move, and all structures and trees are not permanently attached. I can still set up my layout and and run trains. Now if I could only convince the wife to let me set it up in the house…where the cats and kids won’t mess with them.

[BruceG]

Would it be possible to suspend it from the garage ceiling on pulleys, so it could be lowered for running?  I don't know its configuration.

Bruce

[johnb]

Would it be possible to suspend it from the garage ceiling on pulleys, so it could be lowered for running?  I don't know its configuration.

Bruce

it would be easier to ut it on sawbhorses, it is only 74x14

[narrowminded]

For the last last few years I have been working on my layout, but with much regerts, I have to take my layout down.

Sorry to hear this.  It's got to be disappointing.

And that's the only tattoo that I would seriously entertain getting.

[nkalanaga]

74x14 is a nice sized bookshelf.  Do you have a wall that could use some shelves?

[johnb]

74x14 is a nice sized bookshelf.  Do you have a wall that could use some shelves?

the wife doesn't support my hobby well....I am going to try for it, however I have a 5 year old that can break anything and sphincter cats....

[wcfn100]

Just join the club over at McCormick Ranch and when they're all at Coco's on what's supposed to be a work night, start laying some overhead. 

Jason

[johnb]

Just join the club over at McCormick Ranch and when they're all at Coco's on what's supposed to be a work night, start laying some overhead. 

Jason

I have been searching for an N Scale club that is closer to me

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Clearly the solution is to start a home garden railroad and park the trains along the street.

[SandyEggoJake]

+1 on suspending it. 

I'm putting the finishing touches on the hardware for suspending a Scenic Ridge above my kid's bed (7 yo).   Using a Racor Ceiling Lift:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009I8AO6/   (if someone can tell me how to mod this link so  gets credits, I will edit!)

Of course, given your length, you may need to modify some, but I doubt you would need two as you can create a custom base or  just let it hang over the ends by 2 feet.   

Have run into a few snags with my build - ex. how to bring power down to the layout without extension cords.  But think I have solved that riddle using the stub end affixed to the shaft and a specialized connector called a Slip Ring.  Parts ordered and looking forward to the test. 

[randgust]

All my recent construction has been to T-trak module dimensions, and it's nice knowing that it will probably last as long as I will at this point.

My big layout is semi-modular in a basement room and has survived being in three different houses, but it would never be described as portable.  I've done all my logging railroad / PRR stuff as completely portable sizes not exceeding 21x42.   

You're in a scale that works well with situations like this, it's always a setback.  After I had to scrap a finished and sceniced layout that had been good enough to be in RMC because I couldn't get it apart when I had to move, I swore 'never again'. 

There's lots of ways to keep going, but I will recommend that you realize that the dirt, heat, and humidity issues in most garages would drive just about anybody out before it was over.   My very first HO layout was in a basement with my father's wood shop, and the fine sawdust drove me absolutely crazy even though he had vacuums, a filter system, and temporary walls.  I gave up and sold everything and went to N a couple years later so I could be in a 'real room'.   Best thing that ever happened to me.   If it weren't for adversity, I'd never have tried N at all.

[SandyEggoJake]

Agreed on the issues with outdoors or in a garage.  While suspending it in your garage may not cure all that, dust is still an issue where ever.   (your cat... my dog ... our kids.... everywhere)

As such, my lift design includes a valence that provides better aesthetics when lifted, but also acts as a dust cover and secondary locking mechanism.   That is, it will if I can confirm my design issues with the base lift have been solved. 

[ecfitzgerald]

Motion to desolve the HOA?

[delamaize]

....and this is why I don't do HOAs. Every single one I have lived it, has been a pain in the a$$, and not worth the bullshit.

[C855B]

^^^^^

Truth. And I was president of an HOA of 150 units. The BS quotient is off the charts in both directions and it is impossible to please everybody. Or anybody, sometimes. All home purchases since, the realtor has been instructed, "No HOA, not negotiable."

I agree with the lift idea. My first layout was on a lift in the garage.