Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: PaulSwan on May 02, 2012, 07:18:19 AM

Title: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 02, 2012, 07:18:19 AM
As some of you already know, The Big Move of my mostly Zaccaria game collection from my UK warehouse in West Yorkshire, UK to Woodinville, WA began on April 28th. The games were moved using a 40ft shipping container loaded with the assistance of volunteers drawn from the two UK collecting forums, UKVAC and JAMMA+.

I arrived in the UK three days before to begin preparations that included collecting my Zaccaria universal cockpit from a local collector who’d been storing it for me and accepting delivery of the two Astro Wars from the Duke of Lancaster that a “delivery man” was holding for me.

To provide overflow storage for these “new” games (my warehouse was already full), a temporary storage area to make wrapping space and a tail lift to get closer to the height of the container we rented a Luton van with a tail lift.

The prior two days was nothing but wrapping and packing everything that was to ship – not only the actual games themselves but all the PCB’s, test equipment, spare components, monitors, etc.

After two days of preparation wrapping & packing the games are ready to go:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-007.jpg)

The driver initially freaked over the narrow dead end street but with some reversing it ended up in the “right” place to load. One thing that’s not obvious – deep inside the container is quite dark:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-008.jpg)

A real test of strength – getting the Zaccaria cockpit on. This one and the Star Wars cockpit were the difficult ones:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-009.jpg)

Half way through loading and so far things are going well.
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-010.jpg)

All games and boxes on. I’d booked 3 hours for loading and everything I’d packed got on in less than 2 hours
There’s a little bit of space left…
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-013.jpg)

Originally, I didn’t have time to sort through & pack the monitors so was planning on being unable to take them but with an hour spare and a little bit of space left we decided to get them boxed and on. The volunteers helped box up the Hantarex's:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-014.jpg)

After it’s all done, my place is empty aside from the 5 that are staying to be sold off/traded:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-015.jpg)

Final check with the driver before it’s time to wave them goodbye until early June:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-018.jpg)

One I’d sold off was a 2 player Gauntlet. After 12 years sat idle the Gauntlet powers up and works fine.  The buyer is happy.
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/ben76/2012-04-28-019.jpg)

Something of this scale would have been difficult to achieve without the help of the volunteers. A big thank you all round. Though I didn’t have much time to chat, it was still good to see some faces I’d not seen in years and some new ones:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/Volunteers.jpg)

Regards,
Paul.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Belike on May 02, 2012, 07:35:11 AM
Very nice Paul, can't wait to see your awesome collection lined up in your gameroom. :D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on May 02, 2012, 08:08:35 AM
Impressive :)

40 foot containers are SO large once you step in them. To compare, I once moved house and (almost) everything we owned fitted in a 20' (that was long before I collected).

Good to see you had a lot of help, can you put some avatars to the faces ? (I know Alpha1 and Rav of course)..

I assume you "filled up" the container with some material ? Else stuff will get shifted/thrown around for sure during the trip....

Rumor has it that one of the left behind cabs has my name on it :):):):):):)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Superully on May 02, 2012, 08:22:17 AM
great effort, paul, nice to see that the arcade collecting community is always there to help out fellow members!
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Muerto on May 02, 2012, 08:59:49 AM
Great to see that many so many helped - for sure speeded up the process! I hope the gontainer will get there safe and sound! :spaceace: :spaceace:
And MAN that Gauntlet 2 player looks sweet!!!!
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Arch on May 02, 2012, 09:41:05 AM
Thanks for the report! Pretty cool to see the community helping out like that. Good luck with the move!

Ohh... and I see a Zaccaria Star Splash!  ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on May 02, 2012, 10:24:52 AM
The zacc's are invading the US ! I love it !  ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Belike on May 02, 2012, 12:34:39 PM
The zacc's are invading the US ! I love it !  ;D
Yeah, I think Paul has more Zaccs by himself, than all the other US. residents. ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: mumboking on May 02, 2012, 05:37:07 PM
I like how the truck has "GOLDSTAR" written on the back. Reminds me of the GoldStar 3DO.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: shilmover on May 02, 2012, 07:03:49 PM
Can't wait!  I'm about 20-30 minutes from where these are going...   ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on May 02, 2012, 08:43:56 PM
Can't wait!  I'm about 20-30 minutes from where these are going...   ;D

You lucky B@stard !  ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: gyruss on May 02, 2012, 08:51:41 PM
Nice to see all those guys helping you, how many cabinets are you taking with you?
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 02, 2012, 10:21:11 PM
Approx 34.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 03, 2012, 04:25:07 AM
Quote
I assume you "filled up" the container with some material ? Else stuff will get shifted/thrown around for sure during the trip....

Don't say things like that. It's not nice  :o
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on May 03, 2012, 10:52:04 AM
Quote
I assume you "filled up" the container with some material ? Else stuff will get shifted/thrown around for sure during the trip....

Don't say things like that. It's not nice  :o


O-MY-GOD !!!!!!!!!     :o

Please tell me you fixed the cabs in some way ? not to mention the rest ?? Didn't the truck driver say anything about that ??

I've worked on a container terminal for a holiday job and believe me, they are not gentle with them !!

A container is just like a box you send by post or DHL or UPS....it gets shaken, rattled yes sometimes even bumped over (ok, not often but I saw one tipped over the side on a ship while they were unloading).

I pray for you....and rhe container...(and I'm an atheist !)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 03, 2012, 06:26:59 PM
They are wrapped, double-blanketted and packed down 3 a abreast on the cabs long edge (there's only a few inches space either side). I can't imagine a way to pack the games so they'd survive being dropped or tipped over short of an individual crate. Shaking and rattling should be fine, though. Fingers crossed.

Paul.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: DarthNuno on May 03, 2012, 07:29:06 PM
Awesome 'Arcade Life Style' pictures!  :shock:
Great to see all those guys helping you on this! Arcade Community Rulez!
I wish you all the best 'over seas' now  ;)

 :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 04, 2012, 07:12:29 AM
Yes, people came from all over to help, what a great comunity we have. :)
It's moored in Antwerp at the moment...
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/MSCAns.jpg)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Russ J on May 06, 2012, 10:49:27 AM
Impressive :)

40 foot containers are SO large once you step in them. To compare, I once moved house and (almost) everything we owned fitted in a 20' (that was long before I collected).

Good to see you had a lot of help, can you put some avatars to the faces ? (I know Alpha1 and Rav of course)..

I assume you "filled up" the container with some material ? Else stuff will get shifted/thrown around for sure during the trip....

Rumor has it that one of the left behind cabs has my name on it :):):):):):)

That ugly bugger second from the left is me  :lol:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Luigi on May 07, 2012, 11:02:40 AM
It's moored in Antwerp at the moment...
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012UK/MSCAns.jpg)



Paul, you moved a LOT of cabs there!!  :lol:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 07, 2012, 05:10:31 PM
Yeah, about 35 plus two cockpits and one pin. They are all bobbing along the Atlantic on their way to the Dominican Republic now <gulp>.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Muerto on May 07, 2012, 05:33:54 PM
What did it cost you to move the cabs this way?? (40 foot container...)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 07, 2012, 05:42:18 PM
4500 UKP door-to-door. Been putting money away for it for years...
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Muerto on May 07, 2012, 05:46:07 PM
4500 UKP door-to-door. Been putting money away for it for years...

! :o :o
What company are you using? - that is cheap!
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Alpha1 on May 08, 2012, 03:39:33 PM
4500 UKP door-to-door. Been putting money away for it for years...

! :o :o
What company are you using? - that is cheap!

Hey,

He used my sister-in-law to be, and I managed to get near cost shipping for him  :spaceace:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 08, 2012, 05:05:25 PM
Oll is da-man :)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: gyruss on May 08, 2012, 06:44:19 PM
What an operation, really hardcore! Do you have a big enough game room in the States to house the 35 cabs?   
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on May 08, 2012, 06:47:05 PM
Hey, in America everything is bigger...... houses, cars, milkshakes, Starbucks coffee and even the government debt. :p
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: gyruss on May 08, 2012, 07:04:10 PM
And with all the games available over there he might need an even bigger room. 
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 09, 2012, 03:33:15 AM
This is my place in the US, just after being stripped out of old cabinets and just before the floor sealing. About one third of it is workshop area & and shelving now, with the remainder open space. I've been working on getting it sorted over the last couple of years or so.

(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/Mobile%20Miscellaneous/SAM_9606w.JPG)

Paul.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 25, 2012, 12:39:31 AM
The waiting game is somewhat tortuous. It's been anchored off the coast of Panama for the last few days. The tracking has now been updated to say it's been offloaded from the MSC Ans on the Atlantic side and will be leaving on the Octavia on the Pacific side in two days time. Slipped two days to ETA dockside June 7th now. Don't quite understand why it doesn't say how it's getting accross Panama.

Ugh, waking up in cold sweats that it's going to arrive upside down or I'll open it up and find a pile of broken wood and glass  :'(
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on May 25, 2012, 02:27:07 AM
That first ship it was on definitly doesn't fit through the Panama canal so it is probably loaded on a smaller ship that crosses the channel OR it went on this:
http://www.panarail.com/home.html
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 25, 2012, 03:04:29 AM
Yes, it lines up with that rail line - Cristobal to Balboa.
Thanks for info,
Paul
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Alpha1 on May 25, 2012, 07:06:54 PM
Man those games sure are travelling!!
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 26, 2012, 06:37:28 PM
Tracking has been updated again to say it's on the MSC Ans and that the MSC Ans is now anchored on the pacific side, so it must have gone through the canal in the end. Dockside date is now back to 5th June. Must have changed their minds. Odd.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on May 27, 2012, 10:42:36 AM
Ah....I found the Octavia (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=538090149) but not the MSC Ans ? You sure about that name ?
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on May 27, 2012, 06:03:55 PM
MSC Ans out of range at sea on it's way to Lima, Peru. (so it did pass through the canal in the end) and it offloaded at Balboa. Should be on the Octavia now.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on June 17, 2012, 06:54:21 PM
Hi,

Final delivery was Saturday June 16th :)
 
The conatiner set off late, the driver had no GPS, plus some maneuvering was required to get the container down the drive that resulted in a bit later start than expected. Cut the customs seal, opened the doors, and everything was right where I left it! Nothing damaged at all - perfect! Such a relief to see it all again.

Due to side chains on the lift gate of the rental, we loaded the rental and then pulled away from the container so they could than be unloaded off the rental to ground level. A two-step process but it worked well.

My son took a few pictures:

The truck we rented (only for the lift gate):
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/GEDC0163w.JPG)

The container arrives and backs down to back into my place:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/GEDC0170we.JPG)

The container in position:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/GEDC0175w.JPG)

Barry, Matt and Gary receiving on the rental truck
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/GEDC0183w.JPG)

Unloading
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/GEDC0187w.JPG)

The Crew: "The Driver", Godot, Chris, Ron, Gary, Barry & Matt:
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/SAM_0862w.JPG)

The finished job, completed in under 2 hours
(http://www.paulswan.me/arcade/photos/TheBigMove2012US/SAM_0863w.JPG)

Chris took more photos and put up an extensive slide show:
http://bit.ly/L5ahGH (http://bit.ly/L5ahGH)

Now to unwrap and make a start in them :)

Regards,

Paul.

Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: ckong on June 17, 2012, 07:08:19 PM
Congralations Paul, the waiting is over.  ;D And I´m glad for you that you have no damage at all. Now unpack those games so you can play them. Do you have a separate room for them planned?
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Muerto on June 17, 2012, 07:18:56 PM
Great to see it made it there safe and sound! :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:

Do you have a separate room for them planned?

You're looking at the separate room: the ENTIRE garage!!!! :lol: ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: DarthNuno on June 17, 2012, 07:24:30 PM
Congratulation to the crew!

Great pictures  :P

 :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on June 17, 2012, 08:53:42 PM
Thats great that there was no damage!

and a nice crew to help you unloading, not bad  8)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: gyruss on June 17, 2012, 09:21:00 PM
You must be very happy, would love to see some more pictures when everything is unpacked.  :spaceace:
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: Belike on June 17, 2012, 11:16:51 PM
I'm really happy Paul, I was a bit worried about these gems. ;)
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on June 17, 2012, 11:17:58 PM
 :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:

Happy they made the long journey safely !

I see a nice Zacc cockpit :)

What did the driver think of what was in the container ?  ;D
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: PaulSwan on June 18, 2012, 12:44:02 AM
...that I'm nuts.
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: shilmover on June 19, 2012, 06:24:16 PM
...that I'm nuts.

We all know it's true.  :)

I was hoping to be there to help, but my in-laws came into town unexpectedly.  :(

Can't wait to play some of these...
Title: Re: The Big Move
Post by: level42 on June 19, 2012, 06:42:06 PM

I was hoping to be there to help, but my in-laws came into town unexpectedly.  :(

So ?