I was going to reply to this post when it was only one page, but forgot where I left my Mac, now that I found it I forgot what I was going to say.
I keep one of those pocket sized 9 LED flashlights in my pocket when I am doing most tasks around the house. That simple $2 item has changed the way I work (powered by 3x rechargeable AAA Eneloops of course).
From a previous post......
"My tools also seem to wander off on their own. I was just using those needle nose pliers, set them down and now they're not here anymore. My solution to that problem is to have several duplicates of common tools. If one wanders off, I just go get one of the others. That usually shames the wanderer into returning!"
Yes!!! I am relieved to hear that this happens to others as well. I too have duplicate tools so there is usually one available and ready for work when I reach for it . The wandering and disappearing also happens to pencil's as I painfully discovered while refinishing my attic several years ago I would make a measurement draw a line make a cut go to draw another line only to discover the pencil had vanished . A complete search sometimes discovered its secret hiding place, most of the time it remained in hiding mocking me from its undiscovered location. The solution was of course multiple pencils...........many multiple pencils.
As for losing small parts it is of course not just limited to Model Railroading but the plastic modelers suffer horribly as well. drop a tiny part or a piece of photo etch.....it is quickly eaten by the carpet monster. If you work late into the night and stop to rest your eyes and remain very quite you can hear him......under the bench....waiting....like the clever predator he is....for his next victim
Enjoy 
Frank
Frank
Try playing with a erector set in a room with black shag carpetting.
