Tough break but it sounds like the best possible outcome. Animals can be very persistent once they find a good spot. Hopefully this is the last of it for ya!
yikes!
Stupid tree rats messing with our hobby time.....not good. 
On Wednesday, Critter Control came and clean out two 50 gallon black trash bags of squirrel nest and installed metal cages over the fans....we are back in action.
I used painting drop clothes to catch anything that came down from the attic.....easily rolled up and disposed of....
Back in action!
Peter
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I finished the off the icing platform and put it in its approximate place on the layout.
Have a great and safe Memorial Day weekend, folks!
Peter
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Good that you found the problem before more damage had been done Peter. In my days as an electrical contractor, I handled many calls for lights/ outlets not working and often would find chewed up wires in the attic. Found the offending chewer, or what was left of them, a few times too.....
I don't know what they are attracted to in the non-metalic (romex) cables but they do seem to like it.
Our rear yard neighbor had raccoons trying to get in their attic last Fall. We found out about it after they set a humane trap and managed to catch our stupid cat......
I think the racoon was laughing too!
Good planning on your part to keep the area below the attic hatch clear too.
Bob
Glad progress is underway again. Is this damage from the infestation?
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@gunrunnerjohn posted:Glad progress is underway again. Is this damage from the infestation?
That's from when we removed the skylight from the master bath a few years back.....
Peter
Layout is looking good Peter.
That makes sense. I presume those are supposed to weather to match the rest of the roof at some point?
They came in through the fan vent on the left, where the metal cages now are.....
Here is a short celebratory run......the consist is headed by an MTH 1996 SD 60 with QSI Protosounds.......recently resurrected from the "three clanks of death".
Have a great and safe Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
Peter
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I think you should at least dedicate a structure or piece of rolling stock on your layout to your friend - maybe "Rocky's Tavern" or this box car !
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Icing platform looks good! Apologies if I missed this already but is it a kit?
@BillYo414 posted:Icing platform looks good! Apologies if I missed this already but is it a kit?
An ancient Korber kit, circa late 80s, early 90s, I think......way before Rich Redmond and Steve Nelson upgraded the line.
Peter
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@gunrunnerjohn posted:That makes sense. I presume those are supposed to weather to match the rest of the roof at some point?
I hope!
Peter
I’m glad the offenders were evicted along with their abode! It sounds like the new covers should eliminate further problems.
The icing platform looks great, as did the victory laps!!
Peter, the icing platform looks great. Thank you for the videos too. Glad you resolved the squirrel issue and dodged a larger more difficult situation. Cages should do the trick.
Bob, I’ve had to deal with mice, squirrels, and birds in Telecommunications work. I think one factor might be that they want a warm, dry place to nest.
Andy
I’m with Andy, working for power and telecommunications companies. There was always a chance of disturbing someone’s home. Mice love to chew insulation.
@Steamfan77 posted:Peter, the icing platform looks great. Thank you for the videos too. Glad you resolved the squirrel issue and dodged a larger more difficult situation. Cages should do the trick.
Bob, I’ve had to deal with mice, squirrels, and birds in Telecommunications work. I think one factor might be that they want a warm, dry place to nest.
Andy
@Mark Boyce posted:I’m with Andy, working for power and telecommunications companies. There was always a chance of disturbing someone’s home. Mice love to chew insulation.
Yep- when it gets cold outside, they look for a warm place. Our attics should not be one of them though.
We have many roof-top AC's and a few large outdoor chillers on our campus that have had wires chewed up. I have a bunch of plastic flower pots and irrigation box covers with teeth marks in them too.....
Nice Conrail power Peter. Glad you were able to resurrect it.
Bob
Peter I know I am a few days late, but the Icing platform looks great! Sure is one big structure. I hope the outside cages work and don't cause any problems with snow or anything else!
Not much progress lately. I turned 70 last Wednesday and I had some visitors. I treated them to some more Conrail running. Winnie's been here before, but this was the 1st visit of my new granddaughter.
Have a great day, everyone!
Peter
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Peter, the last photograph is really cute!! 😊
Kids, dogs and trains ....
Doesn't get any better!
THANKS for the photos!
.....and an ABBA with a SuperBase makes it fun! Go Big Blue!
It's great to have at least one train loop running and with Blue Tooth you don't even need your Legacy hooked up!
Peter
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ABBA? I was expecting to hear "Mama Mia" or "Dancing Queen".
I think she's saying, "Hand me the remote".
Looks like a great little run session! Happy Belated Birthday Peter!!
Peter sorry I am a little late, but congratulation on two things, Your Birthday and having your wonderful Granddaughter visiting the layout! I think Joe is correct as she wants the remote! LOL
BIG NEWS.......due to the constant rain since Monday afternoon, outdoor activities in the Richmond Metro area have been curtailed. Consequently, this week, Tom (Gilly@N&W) has been here wiring my layout. I helped (I am an expert gopher and holder...and, great at vacuuming).
The wiring gorgeous......I could never have done it this well!
Legacy and DCS are now operational. I am only running the two loops. We only have gotten about a 1/3 of the 67 power drops wired, but the power and signal are superb thoughout. We'll finish the rest of the wiring later this summer.
Now, I can start running Command Control again at home!
I have two zones, Red and Green. Only the left side is actually wired. There are a total of 67 power drops. The switches are as yet unwired.
Thank you Tom!!!!!!
Peter
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A short video.....
Have a great and safe weekend, folks!
Peter
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Awesome news Peter! Fun times ahead.
Looks great! Very neat work by Tom!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Peter,
Another milestone reached...congrats! The layout is looking wonderful and in some rights more importantly, the wiring is wonderful. I'm like you, a good gopher, holder, and cleaner upper. My wiring skills are at best very limited. Thanks for the wonderful update.
Dave
Cool, looking great Peter. I see you used the lever nuts, those really made wiring mine a ton easier than other methods. 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Cool, looking great Peter. I see you used the lever nuts, those really made wiring mine a ton easier than other methods.
John, both of my thumbs are arthritic……..ratcheting crimpers are a great help.
Peter
@Putnam Division posted:John, both of my thumbs are arthritic……..ratcheting crimpers are a great help.
Peter
I have the same problem. The lever nuts were a lifesaver for me!!
Looks great Peter! Great job!
Looks great Peter. It is always nice to have helpers! Now, all you need is a little scenery and you are finished!
Donald
@Putnam Division, Peter, this is a great milestone, from a complete top floor remodel, new floors, new shelves, (Painting/Ceiling work) new model railroad table bench work, a fantastic track plan, now, and this sets the pace for setting up blocks, beginning scenery, and Question, what will you be using as an outside guard rail around the layout and will you have a skirt around the layout to hide your wiring and boxes? Your wiring friend did excellent work, the trains in the video below run flawlessly…. It’s a Wow… Congratulations on a spectacular train room…. Happy Railroading Everyone
Looking good Peter. Happy belated birthday. It must have been great having your granddaughter there. Cute pup.
Andy
