Was out with the Missus today doing some shopping and I had stopped in the only real trainstore left in the area to pick up some paint remover. I had just picked up a can of ELO and was walking to the counter to pay for it while the Missus was just starting to peruse the goodies on the shelves when the building started to rock and roll. Now both myself and the proprietor being old retired folks that used to deal with emergency responses and disasters knew imediately what it was. My Missus was too busy dodging ceiling tiles and things coming off the shelves. We exited outside for awhile and after about 15 minutes went back in. I paid for my ELO and the most recent Trains magazine and we headed home. Since then we have had two additional aftershocks. Got home and had to pick up some things from off the shelving and rehang some pictures. My workshop survived wth only a few things that hit the floor. Most important the latest batch of bulhead flats and log cars managed to stay on the shelves and my storage closet with all the parts bins and containors was untouched. We had enough shaking though that it did manage to open drawers in the dressers and chest of drawers in the bedroom so I don't know how all my stuff stayed put. May have been that old Bmann Northern that I sacrificed to the Train Gods recently.
Of all potential hazards, this is one we have at the top in my area. I won't mention possible volcanic activity... But having been through some stiff jolts in the past, I tend to keep my trains stored low to floor, when not in use. And away from edges, when out and not running.
Welcome to California. Well, not really, here in SoCal we have over twenty earthquakes a day! We don't feel them very often but they are always quaking 24-7, 365. Cheers, Jim
Anybody who left their rolling stock on a track close to the edge of the layout and didn't have a dive barrier on the edge may have a nasty suprise when they get home. Stuff came off the shelves in the hobby shop but I don't know how much damage. Reports are just starting from areas of DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. It appears the most structural damage is in Virginia with several buildings collapsed and shop damaged. My prized F unit fleet and steamer collection is all packed away in foam lined, and layers separated by bubble wrap, boxes so forty years of stuff has survived this round. May be due a hurricane this weekend. Fortunately I'm on the high ground, if I don't get shook down to the lowlands.
Colorado also in on the fun Colorado has biggest quake in 40 years Largest Colorado quake since 1967 shakes homes :tb-confused: :tb-confused: :tb-confused: :tb-confused:
When we had the 6.7 Northridge Earthquake back in 1994, I had an HO layout and the train that was parked on the far end of the layout on the back edge fell to the floor. Fortunately, although some of them broke, all of the damage was repairable. Considering there were no deaths in today's quake, and no injuries that I've heard so far, you'll be just fine. 2/3 of the world's population lives in a earthquake-prone area.
I emailed my grandson who lives and works in Arlington, VA, but just spent fours at university in LA responded...No Big Deal. I guess it all depends on what your frame of reference is. OK, I definitely would not be that calm! Metro, I think my wife and I live in that other 1/3....hope, hope, hope.
Felt it here, too, near Dulles Airport. Sounded/felt like a large delivery truck stopping in front of the house, then everything began shaking. I was down in my office at the time. Initially I thought that UPS had delivered something and the kids were jumping up and down, then it occurred to me that the shaking was in the concrete floor, not just the ceiling. No train casualties here, nor anything else (wish I could blame my office on the earthquake, but that was caused by a me-quake...).
I spoke with my Cousin in NYC that said it was felt there and things were quite shaken. Stay safe Y'all
we felt it here at WPAFB. i work on the top (3rd floor) of the passenger terminal by the runway, we're sandwiched between two old hangers as one large building. we felt the swaying and i swore we were gonna tip over! gave me an o sh!t moment!
Just had a 4.0 aftershock. Kinda bounced me around for about 15 secs while in front of the computer. Guess I'll get rocked to sleep tonight while dreaming of a 2-10-2 with a Belpaire firebox and a big vandy with Rocky on the oil bunk side.
5.9 in VA isn't the norm...especially w/ 4.0 aftershocks, so it's understandable to raise a few eyebrows! And a 5.9 near Trinidad in CO...also not the norm. Can't help but wonder if there isn't a relationship about 7 miles down. I wonder what the proper method for earthquake-proof benchwork is? I would imagine that some of those appliance coasters that slide on anything might do the trick. Smooth rails!
I was at work, down here in Lynchburg when it hit. It didn't rattle us as much as the Blue Angels' flyover did earlier this summer:ru-tongue:
Well hope everyone stays safe, especially with a hurricane approaching. It's so unexpected...I remember they had an earthquake a few years back in Illinois, one of my friends said she noticed it in Milwaukee, I was still asleep and it wasn't enough to wake me up, but you have to figure any major city with a large number of older buildings would be in real trouble.
BREAKING NEWS: The Earthquakes origin was determined to be a cemetery just outside of Washington D.C... you know the one the Founding Fathers are buried in. It seems they all turned over in their graves at the same time!
