Weekend Update 5/20/12

[Dave V]

Dave, that really sucks...  Looks like it took a beating!

[C855B]

*&^%$##@!!!! And, &%@#$$^&(^, too!!

That really stinks, Dave. Especially when it's one-off and irreplaceable. It's not just "a thing", where you can go out and buy another. That's where UPS has you by the short hairs, because aside from the damage, you have a big argument ahead of you about value, your word vs. theirs.

For the future: http://www.shockwatch.com . These are tell-tales for mishandling. I used them years ago when computer and peripherals were a lot more fragile and a lot more expensive. There's nothing like giving very visible notice to the delivery guys, warehouse handlers and truckers, "I'm watching you... for the entire trip."

[TiVoPrince]

Wondering 
if you ever considered using 'Shock Watch' labels?  Hard to believe that such measures are necessary but whatever gets your stuff delivered safely...

[davidgray1974]

Not a whole lot completed this week, but added a bit more vegetation to the middle portion of the mountain.  Even got a chance to use the NOCH grass master in a few places to add a bit more texture.  The pictures really can't convey how cool it is to see the little strands of grass standing up on end.




Here the lighter areas are where I applied grass with the NOCH grass master.

[Smike]

Thanks so much for doing these Bob, looks nice!

+1 Can't wait.

[Smike]

. I must declare it a total loss; it would take months to repair, whereas some very rare and valuable items have been smashed beyond repair.

OUCH! the money aside, the hours and work you put into that is un-replaceable. Half of my company deals with shipping and its amazing to see # the claims we have to put in. Don't take no for an answer from them. Even if only one voice, they will eventually listen if you persist.(hopefully all of that will be un necessary) Good luck. 

[Sokramiketes]

Well, this was not the best of weekends for me. I finally got a chance to uncrate my layouts after their return trip from Denver. I started with the Geordie & Daphne, as the box was on top, and the layout was in perfect condition. So imagine my surprise when I opened the second box and found... the James River Branch layout almost completely destroyed. I swear, UPS must have kicked the crate from Denver back to NJ. I must declare it a total loss; it would take months to repair, whereas some very rare and valuable items have been smashed beyond repair. I must now begin the process of documentation so that I can file a claim with UPS... if that indeed goes anywhere. It was insured for $10,000, but I can't imagine them handing over a check with a pleasant "have a nice day" anytime soon.

Ouch!  Did the plexi enclosure suffer damage or did the buildings just get jostled free with the rough ride in the back of a UPS trailer?

[davidgray1974]

Sorry to hear about your layout Dave.  I can't imagine how you felt when you opened the boxes and found everything messed up like that.  I know if it were me, I would have definately been sick to my stomach.  I hope UPS will own up and pay up for what they did.  Good luck with everything.

[alhoop]

. .......  I must declare it a total loss; it would take months to repair, whereas some very rare and valuable items have been smashed beyond repair. I must now begin the process of documentation so that I can file a claim with UPS... if that indeed goes anywhere. It was insured for $10,000, but I can't imagine them handing over a check with a pleasant "have a nice day" anytime soon.

I betcha it's going to be very difficult to justify even 1/3 that amount even if you do prove it's their fault.

Al

[Guilford Guy]

That really sucks DKS. The James River Br, was very inspiring when considering moving to a smaller scale.

I didn't get any modeling in this week, but I chased a VTR/MBRRE fan trip today.

[chuck geiger]

http://alaskarail.blogspot.com/ for an overview of our day trip to Whittier, AK along
The Alaska Railroad.

[DKS]

Ouch!  Did the plexi enclosure suffer damage or did the buildings just get jostled free with the rough ride in the back of a UPS trailer?

The Plex enclosure is scratched to hell, so it's a write-off. The box had to have been dropped hard either upside-down or on one end, because one of the two lift-off panels broke past the packing chocks that secured it in place (very difficult to move it by hand). Once free, in addition to crushing all of the trees, it caused several of the heavier brass buildings to break free. These bounced around inside the box like small cannonballs, breaking other objects free, smashing fine details, and generally causing damage to nearly every object on the layout. It literally looks like a 1:220 tornado ripped through the layout. I could probably fix it, but it would cost hundreds in materials, and take months of spare time. Not my idea of modeling.

A rep from UPS will be showing up today to inspect the damage. Since the crate was built like a brick outhouse, it's virtually damage-free, but every side of the box is stenciled "FRAGILE" and "DO NOT DROP" and "THIS END UP." Plus the waybill has "FRAGILE" in the special instructions. FedEx managed to follow instructions; I think UPS just does not give a sh!t what happens to anything they handle. I don't hold out any hope of getting even a fraction of the insurance money for it--how do you convince someone who does not understand what they're looking at that it represents years of work? I had a rare, limited-edition combine at the farm; it was smashed to bits. How do you explain that this tiny pile of plastic and brass debris was once worth >$50 and cannot be replaced? I can't even find an image of the original online any more.

My plan is to rescue as much as I can from the layout--mostly the buildings--and bid the rest farewell. I can't even look at the layout without getting sick to my stomach.

[Puddington]

Sick to my stomach is exactly what I feel looking at this. That is a bloody shame and regardless of the financial compensation it will never settle the debt...... David; my sincere condolances on this......

[Philip H]

@DKS - that really sucks.  You want to get Guido an da boys for ya?

I managed to squeeze in some modeling time this week, and cross a couple more quick and easy projects off the list.  I started with adding metal wheels and knuckle couplers to the 5 cars on the front track in the fiddle yard:



Then I set about printing, cutting and laminating backdrop building images from TomKat's thread on Train Board for some strategic use.  I find that using a scale ruler on the screen, viewing the images at full size, means I have to do reductions of between 55% and 70% toget the windows and doors the right size.

A shack in the woods - who knows what's behind the metal "fence":



A garage behind the house - shade tree mechanic to be sure:



And a few things temporarily staged behind the fiddle yard:



Finally, I took an order of Arizona Rock & Mineral ballast, limestone "dirt" and coke to take my scenery up a notch:



The two ballast's are for a custom blend for my KCS/BRS track work - they closely math photos I have on Hand, and I'll be home this coming Friday to get more and verify the colors.  Having not worked with these materials before, I started a small experiment on my still unfinished 1x2 Challenge diorama:



I'd say it looks pretty good.  And, being real rock, it doesn't float . . .

[rochsub]

I love it when the layout looks like an actual spot on the prototype!  Excellent work.

This is not new work but I need to get my post-count up so I can get in a few locked doors here 

I am doing a redition of certain parts of the Erie Lackawanna's Scranton Division. Just east (i.e. towards Scranton) from the great Tunkhannock Viaduct is the Factoryville (or Nicholson) Tunnel. I found this photo online taken in 1977 (so the loco is numbered for Conrail) and wanted to emulate it.


(larger image: http://www.morscher.com/rr/1977/19770618_07.jpg)

Here's what I got:



Also, a photo from inside the tunnel:


(larger image: http://www.morscher.com/rr/1977/19770618_20.jpg)

And my rendition: