Questions for snowbirds

If you come to Texas we will call you a 'Winter Texas'.

Ah, snowbirds. We know you well here along the Alabama Gulf Coast. You come, you go, you come back. Maybe to visit some of the Permanent Transplants, like my ex-Michigander neighbors, who run back to Lake Huron in July/August to "visit". What would that make them - heatbirds?

It's not THAT hot. Sissies.

I think you may have answered your own question.  You mentioned building structures.  Six weeks is not a lot of time to build anything large or intricate (at least not for me).  But you can assemble paper structures using glue and simple hand tools like X-acto knives and metal rulers.  You could even print out the sheets in advance and take them with you.  Not sure if you'll be driving or flying but you would have to package anything going on a plane.  Do you have any items that need repair?  Overhauling a signal or a couple of pieces of rolling stock could be done fairly easily.  Any train shows in the area while you're visiting?  Or a local train club.  They could probably use a helping hand.

John

Will you have a permanent residence in both places?

If so, how about a layout in both places? If you have two different interests, each layout can reflect a different style.

Along a similar vein as John answered.  Not a snowbird, I've been retired almost 2 years, we still stay in Pennsylvania year round.  However, for a year during my early years of working, I travelled during the week and came home on weekends.  I had a cheap attic apartment where I took a box with tools, paint, etc and another box with a kit I was working on.  Sometimes I left them at the apartment over the weekend, and sometimes I took things home depending of the status of the kit.

Snowbirds?

Check to see if there is a club in the Ormond Beach area. Even if it was HO you’d still be able to enjoy trains (and the company of train folks) while you’re wintering there.

Florida has something of a reverse migration to the mountains of north Georgia during the summer months. The club I belong to in the northern Atlanta metro area has had members who winter in Florida and summer in north Georgia.

Edited to add I looked online and there is a model railroad club in Ormond Beach, the Flagler Model Railroad Club and Museum. (www.fmrrc.com)

This appears to be an HO and N club. Unfortunately, they are closed while their layout quarters are being renovated. Perhaps they’ll have reopened by the time you head south for the winter.

Curt

@RoyBoy posted:

Will you have a permanent residence in both places?

If so, how about a layout in both places? If you have two different interests, each layout can reflect a different style.

Roy's reply is right on the money.  Constructing and operating a three or four track switching layout 'down South' will keep you out of trouble. No(or very few) curves.  Hand thrown track switches, industrial buildings and shanties. As barien or as detailed as you desire.  Twenty-four or thirty inches deep along an eight foot wall will give you plenty of options. John

I became a snowbird a couple of years ago. I have a permanent layout in NJ and no layout in FL. So my layout "work" occurs during the summer rather than the winter. That required an adjustment, but is working out fine. I really like my NJ layout. I miss it in FL, but not enough to be motivated to do something. In fact, I have found that I excel at doing little more than sitting on a lounge chair looking at palm trees. The little more involves bending the elbow. I like it.

Gerry

@RoyBoy posted:

Will you have a permanent residence in both places?

If so, how about a layout in both places? If you have two different interests, each layout can reflect a different style.

A portable layout is something I'm tinkering with.  It doesn't need to be O-Gauge for me but it does need to be something more complex than an oval.  I do have the makings of T-Trak modules and I also have a bunch of N and HO stuff.  I know I'm getting older and the eyesight  isn't what it used to be but you can get a lot out of a few small and packable modules if you're willing to make the sacrifice.

We rented a condo next winter.  We are close to friends who own a condo in the Flagler area.  So, whatever I decided to do can’t be messy.   My oldest is working but will be at home.  My youngest is a sophomore in college.  I don’t think we are quite ready to buy a place down there yet.  My current plan is to work till noon and then spend some time in the afternoon in the pool and on the beach.  

Depending on when you will be in Fl.  The Jacksonville Toy Train Collectors does a two week O gauge  display at the Museum of Science & History.  It's the last two weeks in Dec.  You're welcome to come up and run trains with us.   (Providing you've had your Covid  vaccination)   Just bring you own engine, they're usually a lot of extra cans available.

This is a video of our layout.  It takes us about 3 days to get  set up and running.  The video is a few years old but we do the same foot print each year.   We were not able to display last year  due to Covid and it's possible that might happen again this year,  we'll just have to wait and see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=818R6pZvDA8

Doug

That’s a nice video of your club’s impressive layout!  Everything is running smooth and looks great!

Do year-rounders see much snow in northern Florida?  

Thanks Mark,  We only do this once a year then everything is packed away, meaning tables, track, houses and scenery.  Each member brings their own trains to run.

No snow in our part of Fl.  however we do get freezing weather.  Lots of frozen water pipes and pumps.

Some people call me a snowbird because I'm back and forth to Virginia, however I tell them I'm a hurricane bird.

Doug