My O Gauge Layout Post Fire & Water Damage

Nikolas…….what a terrible thing to happen! However, so thankful that you and your family are safe…..

Peter

Nikolas,

So sorry to hear this. Can't imagine the emotions that you go through with something like this. We are here for you and look forward to your next creation. God bless.

Nikolas:  I am late in reading your post on the fire but I wanted to express both my joy at hearing that you and your parents were not hurt and sharing your loss of the family home and even the damage to your trains.  I wish you all the very best of luck in rebuilding both your trains and your life and helping your family overcome this trajedy.

Respectfully, Don McErlean

Devastating and emotional but the good news is everyone got out safely.  Things can be replaced, sentiments that go along with many items may be irreplaceable but the memories of why those items were sentimental will be with you for a long time.  Start hunting for sme SD18s to replace the pair you lost, when you find a pair, name them after that dentist.

When you say "exposed to water more than most", what sort of damage are we talking...water inside the shell, paint damage, submerged, or mold?

I only ask knowing I've seen rolling stock that fell victim to Hurricane Sandy flooding that were rescued and restored to useable condition, despite initial corrosion and dirt. A cursory glance at the selection of Lionel SD18's made over the years doesn't reveal any units that were very high-tech. Do you recall which number or roadname they were?

---PCJ

Wow, I'd rate that as the "next to worst" nightmare, at least all the family is safe. It's a true bummer as the rebuild is certain to be a lot of work that you probably will have no way of recovering from the insurance.

I do worry about the same thing here, and my place has a sprinkler system.  Two homes have already experienced malfunctions of the sprinklers with significant damage, so it's always a concern.

Glad that all are safe and it is only things that are lost.  I have to let you know that the water used to extinguish the blaze, becomes quite corrosive after mixing with all things that were burned.  You may have to wash down everything train related, especially anything electrical or electronic, with clean water, possible with an additive like Simply Green or 409 to remove the residue that is covering anything that appears OK but was submerged or hit by water runoff from the part of the home that was on fire.

I would NOT use Simple Green on anything electronic!  It itself can cause corrosion, ask Lee Willis about his experience with it.

If anyone needed to wash any of their collection to remove  dirt, mud, or soot from water or fire damage I would have to say, just my opinion, to use Warm Water with some Dawn Detergent, a soft toothbrush, and soft lint free type towels, then dry them thoroughly with a fan blowing air on them. You don't want to use any strong chemicals on them.

@RailRide posted:

When you say "exposed to water more than most", what sort of damage are we talking...water inside the shell, paint damage, submerged, or mold?

I only ask knowing I've seen rolling stock that fell victim to Hurricane Sandy flooding that were rescued and restored to useable condition, despite initial corrosion and dirt. A cursory glance at the selection of Lionel SD18's made over the years doesn't reveal any units that were very high-tech. Do you recall which number or roadname they were?

---PCJ

The stuff that was exposed to the water more than others is mainly the two Lionel SD-18s and some accessories and some marx tinplate cars that already had rust issues prior to the fire and water damage. They're all very common items that I am ok with letting the insurance company seem a loss. I got most of the salvageable stuff out now and safe in storage.

@Gary P posted:

If anyone needed to wash any of their collection to remove  dirt, mud, or soot from water or fire damage I would have to say, just my opinion, to use Warm Water with some Dawn Detergent, a soft toothbrush, and soft lint free type towels, then dry them thoroughly with a fan blowing air on them. You don't want to use any strong chemicals on them.

Thank you for the tip. That's really the only thing that most of my collection has sustained. Only a few items that took it the worst I will deem a loss and be compensated.

Suggest that you contact your insurance company before doing any remediation yourself.  They may be willing to pay for it to be done professionally.  Or, they may compensate you for the hours you spend doing it - this is what happened to a local train club when vandals shot fire extinguishers all over their layout.

Wishing you the best of luck with this painful process, but good to hear that nobody was injured.

There have been many opinionated discussions regarding what kind of insurance coverage is best for trains.  In due time, and if it's not too painful, please post regarding how well your insurance company covered the loss.

They are offering to clean them for me or pay me a bit if I choose to do it myself. I opted to the cleaning myself since it's not too bad on the salvageable items. The worst that has happened on some of the rolling stock is some surface rust on the wheels, which wiped off fine with some WD-40.

@Nikolas Worden posted:

They are offering to clean them for me or pay me a bit if I choose to do it myself. I opted to the cleaning myself since it's not too bad on the salvageable items. The worst that has happened on some of the rolling stock is some surface rust on the wheels, which wiped off fine with some WD-40.

I'd do the cleaning yourself, especially for more delicate items!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'd do the cleaning yourself, especially for more delicate items!

That's exactly what I plan to do. I have a lot of significant o gauge trains including postwar Lionel classics like my grandfather's original 1654 set, a 50 773, a 6407 rocket flatcar, an original 6427 Virginian caboose, and some very scarce mth proto sound dealer display freight cars just to name a few. Over 90 percent of just trains in my collection is safe and sound in storage now. Now going through accessories, buildings, and miscellaneous items that are train related.

I hope all is ok for you.

What a Nightmare Nicholas.    I can't imagine going through your situation.   

I hope and pray that all will be resolved for you .   I don't know that I could be as positive as you seem to be in your replies here sir.  I admire your fortitude.

My best to you and your family and God Speed Nicholas.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

What a Nightmare Nicholas.    I can't imagine going through your situation.   

I hope and pray that all will be resolved for you .   I don't know that I could be as positive as you seem to be in your replies here sir. I admire your fortitude.

My best to you and your family and God Speed Nicholas.

Thank you Dallas. I'm honestly surprised that I haven't been feeling more down at this time, but I always know that the Lord has been there for all and seeing what Frank Battaglia went through and how he was able to build a much better layout and rebuild his collection, I feel very positive for what now lies ahead. Plus this will be a good experience to help those who go through a house fire.

The rusty Marx tinplate might not be worth much, but it’s entertaining to repaint if you enjoy that kind of thing.

Also, your sad experience reminds me that several online vendors have fire blankets at very reasonable prices (often less than $5.) Your fire didn’t start on the layout, but some have and a fire blanket can work faster and more thoroughly than most of the alternatives.

Glad you have a good way forward and insurance willing to work with you. House fires strike so often near the holidays.