It’s hard to believe it’s been five years–almost six–since I had to tear down Dan’s Backyard Branchline. I was sad to take up all that track and buildings and leave the memories behind, but it was time to move so it had to go. The buildings are all in my attic and I have all the track and trains in my garage.

Why haven’t I rebuilt? Well, it’s a combination of things. First, our new home doesn’t really have a “yard” even though it’s on a bigger lot. It is completely trees, which means it’s not conducive to G-Scale track. And some of those trees are walnuts, so even less healthy for plastic structures. Also, my health isn’t as good as it was, and I just haven’t had the energy to lay out temporary ovals of track more than once or twice. On top of those two things, other hobbies have taken up more of my time.

I still dream of rebuilding Strelsau and the railroads that served it. But for the moment, it’s just a dream.