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we bought this house 3 years ago, 6,000 square feet. got it REALLY cheap, moved from san diego for this house. the house was built in 1877. slowly getting it the way we want it. we built the train room first, then started on the bathroom. took a LOT of work to do this.

 

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we bought this house 3 years ago, 6,000 square feet. got it REALLY cheap, moved from san diego for this house. the house was built in 1877. slowly getting it the way we want it. we built the train room first, then started on the bathroom. took a LOT of work to do this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL91dckN8kc
Now let me get this straight. You moved from the great climate San Diego has, (been there), to Pekin, Ill and all the cold temperatures and snow for a cheap house? I realize that California is no utopia what with earth quakes, wild fires, and other well publicized problems as of late but Ill.? Since both California and Illinois have more that their share of taxes, that surely wasn't why you made the move. I live 50 miles east of you there in Pekin.
I used to go to Peoria and that area a lot to hobby stores for train stuff when they were open but not so much lately since all but one have all closed and I'm not too sure that store hasn't closed since the owner was in poor health last I knew.
I have to tell you I have been following your posts on the cheap buys you have gotten off eBay. I usually get them on my cell then I look on the Forum. Very informative and clever ideas. I love your advise you begin and end your videos with, "don't over look the junk". While I am an American Flyer collector/runner, I do look at what other people are doing since anything can have informative value. Keep up the good work.

That is a big house for sure. Considering the age of it, I'm sure you have found interesting things about it in your remodeling. From the picture, it looks like it must have all kinds of interesting rooms. It looks like your house dwarfs all houses around it, what little I can see of them. Nice job on the bathroom by the way.

Kenny
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
the house was built in 1877, that was the year edison invented the phonograph. i record edison two minute cylinders and repair antique talking machines for museums around the world so the house was the perfect place to base our company. CANAPHONIC RECORDS. we are the largest producer of custom edison cylinders in the world.

CUSTOM EDISON CYLINDER / YOUR A MEAN ONE MR. GRINCH


EDISON 1878 TIN FOIL PHONOGRAPH

 

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WORKS FOR ME

6000 sq. ft. No wonder you have a room big enough to support your layout. One could not afford 6000 sq. ft. in Sunny California. and then afford the Toy Train Hobby.

LATER
 

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WOW Benz, that is a good size house. Hopefully you won't have to replace that roof anytime soon.

Bill
That is the first thing I thought when I saw the house.

Build the train room first, I like that. :D:thumbsup:
 

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Now let me get this straight. You moved from the great climate San Diego has, (been there), to Pekin, Ill and all the cold temperatures and snow for a cheap house? I realize that California is no utopia what with earth quakes, wild fires, and other well publicized problems as of late but Ill.? Since both California and Illinois have more that their share of taxes, that surely wasn't why you made the move. I live 50 miles east of you there in Pekin.


Kenny
Topeka Kansas will pay you up to $15,000 just to move there. And I think you only have to stay a year.
I am in NJ, that was on the news the other day.

I guess that is if you survive the tornadoes. :rolleyes:
 

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Nice bathroom - bigger and classier than the bathroom off my trainroom, which over the years has become cluttered with shelves for model trains to the point that it is more of a closet with a toilet and sink now.

Your house looks very much like the house my Mom grew up in, and where my grandparents lived out their lives. I spent many summers there as a kid. Just looking at that photo brings back memories.

I do understand why you left San Diego and moved to this house: they are well-built structures with a charm impossible to find in a new home, a town like that, in that part of the country, can be a very comfortable place to live - nice communities. And one gets a lot of house for the money - all that room makes life grand, particularly if you have a big train layout!
However, I'll temper than by adding that after owning two (the aforesaid house of my grandfather and another of that vintage in Pittsburgh), I'd never do it again. Both of mine were maintenance black holes, and drafty and terribly energy inefficient in winter. Even in the comparatively mild summers of Pittsburgh, the one there killed us with its summer AC bills. Good luck with this house, and your trains.

And again, a nice, classy train bathroom. Very nice!.
 

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Benz thanks for sharing what you bought we are also in illinois but go ways north of you.
I recall back in the late 70s or early 80s helping Dad install a ceiling fan and to my surprise in the ceiling there were gas pipes up there Dad said it was probably for lights at the time.
Makes me wonder what inside your walls !
The furnace is another story for another time.
 

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
there is a full kitchen and fireplace in the basement. meals were prepared then brought up stairs. we have not located the well. the garage was originally a stable for the horses and carriage. the house was built by ubo anderson, an illinois state senator. he died in the house in 1923. we found the original survey marker for the land dated 1854. this house has been here for a LONG time.
 
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