"Stuff" happens . . . .

While its sad that you lost a box car..... look at it instead as an opportunity.  You now have the supplies for a staged train wreck on the layout.  Or you could do a new kit-bashed project with the remains.   The possibilities are endless!

When life deals you lemons, make lemonade.

Hate it when stuff like that happens, but at least it wasn't a locomotive!

Lee,

Sorry for your loss.  As Andy said, at least it wasn't an engine. The glass is half full. 

I'll drink to that!

Hey Lee W.

Sorry for your loss! Maybe you can make a flat car out of it.

Like another mentioned at least it wasn't an engine.

I had a slightly bad experience with a PS-2 engine and a couple of Williams engines. The PS-2 engine was on a side track and I happened to lift it by hand across the unpowered section of track to the powered section and complete the circuit where two of my powered Williams SD-45's were along with a string of freight cars. My accident sent the SD-45's into the backside of another freight train and sent 5 freight cars to the floor and derailed both SD-45's and popped the circuit breaker on my Z-1000. I only did some minor cosmetic damage, as the floor had carpet on it, but it was enough!

The lesson for me was never assume that an engine is completely dead electrically.

Lee Fritz

Good topic about mishaps.  This past weekend, there was a Kenny Chesney concert in the 'burgh.  One overly large fellow got a bit inebriated, and while dancing in the stands, fell down.  He fell on a poor little single Mom and crushed her to the ground.  After he got up and left immediate scene, the Mom couldn't get up.  Apparently, her back had broken from weight of the guy.  

When cornered, he said something to the fact, sorry, I was drunk and there isn't anything you can do about it.  Now there is a mishap to really consider.  Sort of puts things into perspective.

At least you didn't 'convert' a non-articulated loco into an articulated one!

NUTZ.

I guess you can consider yourself fortunate that is wasn't one of your prized Northerns.

Oh yes.  That was the worst accident I've ever had, although it was, ultimately, repairable. 

I will, in fact, probably make a flat car out of this.  

These things happen.  It's just part of enjoying the hobby.

Not a pretty picture and I think many of us have been there one way or another. You could   

use the car for spare parts or like has been said stage a wreck scene which might be interesting. Maybe SIRT would be interested in your car just for that purpose.

It could have been an MTH Imperial Big Boy.

It could have been a Vision Line Big Boy!

I try to fence open spaces but accidents are gonna happen anyway. As others have stated, it was not an engine. A freight car is still a loss.

Spray some of that Simple Green on it. Maybe it will come back to life!

As you say..."If no one as ever done it that way, it might be fun to try."

Parts for the parts box??? Gotta look at it that way. Hate it was a Reefer.......I love 'em!

Lee,

I maintain a minimum 36 in aisle in my train room to avoid this and so far it has worked,I have had up to 50 people in the room at once.

Mikey

Sorry to see that, but I bet you will make the best of it with another outstanding and unique project. On the brighter side, as others have said, at least is was not an expensive engine.

I've nevber had more than seven, and it was crowded.  My aisles are 24 inches- making them 36 would give up a foot of space for trains!

Hello Lee

Just be glad its NOT your Sunset 3rd Santa Fe 2929 class 4-8-4 on the floor then it will be really bad. Are the trucks ok if so you can use the trucks on something else.

Tiffany

AMEN. That's exactly what I thought, that it looked like probably your most expendable piece of rolling stock. Better this boxcar than something truly valuable.

I say, put the car back together as best you can and make a badly-weathered shed or a permanent 'rip track' display on a track near whatever shop facilities exist on the layout, as a reminder to watch out.

I know a guy who dropped a VL Big Boy resulting in a bent cab.  I dropped a Lionel diecast tender breaking off the cast on brakes and bending the wheels.

Yesterday I powered up one of my 3rd Rail bras steam engines. It went click and then smoke started pouring out of the cab. I don't know what I am going to do about this one.  It is long out of warranty.  Yep - stuff happens.  

Joe

I haven't dropped a train yet (probably only a matter of time), but I dropped my favorite camera a while back. Bobbled it getting it out of the case and right to the concrete floor it went. Of course they don't make them any more and I'm out of luck for a new one. 

I did find a used one in pretty good condition on Amazon so I am back in business. Still a little angry with myself though. It wasn't an expensive camera, just one I really liked, but it still made me mad at myself for dropping it. I am usually pretty careful with things, but as the thread title says, "Stuff Happens", all part of daily life.

Now you have a set of trucks standing by for repair!

Whoa! Hold on a minute!  Lee, you're the guy who can 'MacGuyver' a paper clip into a Super Streets tractor trailer.  I wouldn't be surprised if you took the shards of the box car and turn it into an Acela set!  

I like the flat car idea, go for it Lee.

"The Last Post" seems fitting.

"I know a guy who dropped a VL Big Boy resulting in a bent cab."

That has to be a crusher. Ouch. 

Lee, the flatcar idea is great.  Talk about turning disaster into opportunity!

You always seem to be able to turn a lemon situation into lemonade!

     Hoppy

Stuff does happen... and you just have to hang in there.

Just last week I drove my ten wheeler into the drink!

Look on the bright side Lee, you can blame someone else! A friend brought over a 1666 that he bought at a show on Sunday and I noticed that the draw-bar guide and rear truck frame were cracked, 'Oh no, I remember dropping it, my own fault!' Still sucks.

Well here is the flatcar that I made from it. Real wood surface, etc.  Nice little car, actually. Its a good size and certainly rolls superbly.

Very cool. It looks so realistic with the nice wood finish.

If someone give you lemons, you make lemonade.  Great job Lee!

Definitely no moss growing anywhere on or even near you, that was really quick, and it looks good too.

I knew Lee would turn those lemons into a gem.  Looks great I always look fwd to seeing what Lee is doing.  Your work is totally awesome (gazing at my carpet r.r. thinking some day there will be a layout)

Great job Lee. Very nice use and complete turnaround from disaster to great.

Somebody stepped on your ATSF map reefer???