Snowman
Well-Known Member
So, I bought, and then stuffed the RAM 2500 truck....
Bought it, in part with the idea that in the near future I might start building and taking Free-moN modules to a few model railroad meets and shows between the upper midwest and even the west coast. So to that end I bought a truck with a 8' bed and a lift-gate. Because my right hand strength has diminished after my recent neuro-musculture problem.
All for naught now because I stuffed the truck, but I COULD replicate it a second time. IF it's the right way to go, but I'm the sort who buys into the idea that the universe does sometimes try to dissuade you if you are on the wrong track. BIGTIME dissuasion here with this latest event, certainly. But on the other hand too, maybe I'm just supposed to persevere. Supposed to struggle through the blizzard, so to speak.
The other reason for buying the truck was to also buy a flatbed car-hauler, as I currently own four vehicles, none of which actually run. A 2003 E46 4WD BMW 330xi Sedan, with only 82K on the clock (the mystery. It SHOULD start and run the very next time I insert the key, but still doesn't), a '88 Cherokee (that still won't pass emissions), and two Porsches, one of which--the 996 Cabriolet--was stolen, and had a blown out key/ignition system upon return. That one is a real problem I can't solve yet, other than selling it for whatever offer I can get. Tempted.
Once I HAD the flatbed, though, and after all the car-hauling was done (at least for a time), I would also have been able to transport even more modules back and forth. And the older I get, the more the modular idea appeals to me. At my age I think it pretty unlikely that the "dream layout" will ever be built, but maybe the smaller versions would be enough.
And the last idea with the big RAM was to buy or lease a travel trailer and travel about the western US for a year or two. To "try on" different places, in order to find a good place to land and plant a last set of final roots. A couple of my cousins have done that, and with good results.
Which brings me round to the very long post I just wrote, but then deleted. The gist of which was: [Roughly speculating] What can I plan around as far as future technologies to get me through my last years until the end. And, can I count on any of them to help me build the last, big layout?
Or should I just punt forever on that idea?
The two technologies I'm most heavily invested in would be Autonomous Driving (it would be too much to hope too for an Autonomous Mechanic)...and, more generally, robotics. Personal-Assistant Robotics in my case, but it's probably enough said. If you are an Isaac Azimov fan as I am you probably also know more. But the real question is still: "What can I hope for in MY future, and what can I plan for moving forward.
Gotta love the future: It's always a gamble, no matter how well you plan things out.
Bought it, in part with the idea that in the near future I might start building and taking Free-moN modules to a few model railroad meets and shows between the upper midwest and even the west coast. So to that end I bought a truck with a 8' bed and a lift-gate. Because my right hand strength has diminished after my recent neuro-musculture problem.
All for naught now because I stuffed the truck, but I COULD replicate it a second time. IF it's the right way to go, but I'm the sort who buys into the idea that the universe does sometimes try to dissuade you if you are on the wrong track. BIGTIME dissuasion here with this latest event, certainly. But on the other hand too, maybe I'm just supposed to persevere. Supposed to struggle through the blizzard, so to speak.
The other reason for buying the truck was to also buy a flatbed car-hauler, as I currently own four vehicles, none of which actually run. A 2003 E46 4WD BMW 330xi Sedan, with only 82K on the clock (the mystery. It SHOULD start and run the very next time I insert the key, but still doesn't), a '88 Cherokee (that still won't pass emissions), and two Porsches, one of which--the 996 Cabriolet--was stolen, and had a blown out key/ignition system upon return. That one is a real problem I can't solve yet, other than selling it for whatever offer I can get. Tempted.
Once I HAD the flatbed, though, and after all the car-hauling was done (at least for a time), I would also have been able to transport even more modules back and forth. And the older I get, the more the modular idea appeals to me. At my age I think it pretty unlikely that the "dream layout" will ever be built, but maybe the smaller versions would be enough.
And the last idea with the big RAM was to buy or lease a travel trailer and travel about the western US for a year or two. To "try on" different places, in order to find a good place to land and plant a last set of final roots. A couple of my cousins have done that, and with good results.
Which brings me round to the very long post I just wrote, but then deleted. The gist of which was: [Roughly speculating] What can I plan around as far as future technologies to get me through my last years until the end. And, can I count on any of them to help me build the last, big layout?
Or should I just punt forever on that idea?
The two technologies I'm most heavily invested in would be Autonomous Driving (it would be too much to hope too for an Autonomous Mechanic)...and, more generally, robotics. Personal-Assistant Robotics in my case, but it's probably enough said. If you are an Isaac Azimov fan as I am you probably also know more. But the real question is still: "What can I hope for in MY future, and what can I plan for moving forward.
Gotta love the future: It's always a gamble, no matter how well you plan things out.
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No seriously thank you, Just one more trip around the sun.
