We’re NQDY

Pat,

It is good to hear from you.  It been a while since I seen you or Jean.  Glad to hear you new place complete and you are starting plan for the new layout.  

WOW Pat, I didn't realize you were moving!  It's a shame to think of that beautiful RR you had being disassembled.  Hope to see you at York, that's another thing that's been a long time coming.

A memory from a few years ago...

John,  that video is one of the best ways for me to share our old layout with friends who have never seen it.  Thanks for making it.

Looking forward to seeing ALL of you at York!

Peter

We had a good time making the video as well Pat.   I suspect your new home is as nice as the beautiful one you left!

@Pat Marinari posted:

I’ve been absent from the forum for too long.

Yes, dammit, you have been! GREAT to hear from you again, and I sure do look forward to seeing you and Jean next month. I, like many others, had no idea you were moving from that beautiful home you had in PA, but I sure am glad to hear you are back in the "railroading business." You know, of course, that the magazine and forum will be looking forward to many progress reports. See you soon, my friend!

Good to hear from you again.

Heyyyyyy  I remember you  Good to see you back Pat

Glad to hear you both are well and settled in your new home!  I hope to see you at York!

-Greg

@Pat Marinari posted:

John,  that video is one of the best ways for me to share our old layout with friends who have never seen it.  Thanks for making it.

Was your old layout ever featured in OGR or any other magazine?  If so, issue number?  If not, it sure looks like it should have been.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

WOW Pat, I didn't realize you were moving!  It's a shame to think of that beautiful RR you had being disassembled.  Hope to see you at York, that's another thing that's been a long time coming.

A memory from a few years ago...

First I’d like to say welcome back Pat , we missed you. I remembered this day at your beautiful PA home , the layout and your workshop were absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to seeing you at York.

Alex

@Alex M posted:

First I’d like to say welcome back Pat , we missed you. I remembered this day at your beautiful PA home , the layout and your workshop were absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to seeing you at York.

And probably the cleanest woodworking shop on the planet, you could eat off the floor!   And that's a shop that really got used, all the more amazing!  I wish I could do half as well keeping my space clean!

Pat,   

Welcome back !   We kept out boat at the Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor so I know exactly where you are.  Looks like you will have to incorporate the lighthouse  into your new layout.   JP

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

WOW Pat, I didn't realize you were moving!  It's a shame to think of that beautiful RR you had being disassembled.  Hope to see you at York, that's another thing that's been a long time coming.

A memory from a few years ago...

I can’t imagine what it was like to disassemble such a large and wonderful layout.  I’ve had a few instances that involved a possible relocation and the thought of tearing down my little layout just killed me. Fortunately for us, it looks like our current location is turning into the forever home in retirement.  How long did the tear down take, Pat and did you recruit an army to assist?

Thanks for all the kind words.

Mallard 4468: Yes, the layout was featured in Run 247, January 2011 and also in Great Layout Adventures, Volume 8.

Straphanger:  The actual “tear down” was completed in one long day by a crew of 4 guys that do demos for house flippers.  Filled 3 dump trucks.  That was after more than a month of packing trains, buildings, vehicles, and O gauge people.  

John:  The new shop should be up and running in the next week or so.  It’s about 30% larger than the old one and naturally I need to get it done before I can start on the layout.

The new basement is a little larger than the old one, but my plan is for the layout to be smaller than the old one and somewhat less complex.  I’m almost 75 and don’t think I’m physically capable of anything quite as ambitious as the old Hodgson Valley.  

@Pat Marinari posted:

The actual “tear down” was completed in one long day by a crew of 4 guys that do demos for house flippers.  Filled 3 dump trucks.  That was after more than a month of packing trains, buildings, vehicles, and O gauge people.

John:  The new shop should be up and running in the next week or so.  It’s about 30% larger than the old one and naturally I need to get it done before I can start on the layout.

The new basement is a little larger than the old one, but my plan is for the layout to be smaller than the old one and somewhat less complex.  I’m almost 75 and don’t think I’m physically capable of anything quite as ambitious as the old Hodgson Valley.  

It's hard to imagine the emotion of seeing all that hard work ripped up.

I'll bet the larger shop will be as whistle clean like the last one!   That was such a well organized workshop I was insanely jealous!

I hear you about the layout size, mine is nowhere near the size of your old layout.  I'm sure I'll be working to complete my layout for some time.  I don't ever plan on anything larger, much as it would be cool to have it.

I have been wondering what happened to you. I glad you are well and look forward to seeing you at York.

Scott Smith

Pat, that's a wonderful layout. Your track work is super smooth.

Pat,

Good to hear from you again! I'm  upset!  I never got to see your layout in person. Oh, well. I 'm sure the new one will be even better, albeit smaller.

Will we see you at York next month?

Chris

LVHR

Chris:

Yes, we will be at York.

Pat, I loved seeing your gorgeous layout, The Hodgson Valley Railroad, on Disc 1 of the OGR Great Layout Adventures 50th Anniversary Set.

Although building your new layout will be a lot of hard work, it will also be a labor of love, and I bet it will be at least as spectacular as your prior one. Arnold

Your old layout was a beauty Pat. Looking forward to the next one.

Keep us posted.

Bob

Pat, I always admired your layout as I saw it in magazines and videos. I wish I could have seen it in person. Sorry to hear that it is gone. It was really a great layout but with your talent I am sure the next layout will also be great. Hopefully, this one I will get to see in person. Keep us posted!

Good morning Pat,

Hope you and Jean are doing well. Good to see you back on the forum. Hope to see you and Jean at York since you will be there. Say hello to Jean for me.

Erol

Pat:

We’ve never met but, I have periodically enjoyed watching the OGR volume 8 video of your layout. I’ll add that I occasionally share your wife’s “I want it all” thinking when it comes to trains. 😉

I do have to wonder if there is a “Sports Illustrated cover jinx” kind of thing going on with that Great Layout Adventures volume 8 though. I don’t know about Bob Cebula’s layout but, yours, Ron Zweig’s and Jack Wheelihan’s layouts are all gone now. Coincidence or curse…🤔

Curt