HO in 6X20

We moved, again, and my new space is much larger than my old space. Good, but for some chosen reasons, I’m not able to build an around the walls type layout. My locomotive fleet is ancient by todays standards, but I’d like to build something that could accomodate a few longer trains than I ran on my old “L” shaped layout. This will be an effort in using first what is at hand at the time.

As I am now also the happy pappy to six month old twin boys; and my wife has a large Dept 56 collection which I plan to have a Marx O guage freight set(inheirited ages ago and it runs great) slowly loop around; my HO empire will probably take a few years to become worthy of calling “complete.”

I’ll try to show my progress, or lack of it, in photos when I can. Right now, the base is done, with storage underneath and the O gauge track laid out. The HO will go over the Dept 56 diorama which I will enclose behind a few clear plexiglass panels. The garden railway, since the yard will not support kids playing and a layout, is giving way to a Thomas table for the boys.

My skills have never been honed or brought up to the level of some of you guys on here. I’ve got plenty of cardboard strips, an idea of what I’d like to do and an eclectic group of structures and locomotive roadnames so trying to model an era or place isn’t high on the list at this time.

Maybe I’ll see if the local hobby shop guy can introduce to to some local experts to share my slow motion project. Meanwhile, the pool is filling with rain and the pool table is low in one corner and the boys need their dinner.

Update:

Absolutely nothing has been done since I started this topic. On the other hand, the Marx O tran ran around the Christmas tree for the first time in 35 years. Yippie!

As soon as I get the stuff sorted that is blocking my access to the layout area of the basement, I will be seeking help and advice from my fellow model railroaders.

The boys are turning one next week. They might be ten by the time this layout and its associated displays are “completed.”

Cute little railroaders. Which one’s the conductor and which is the engineer?

I’m so active on here that I have to oil the keyboard and sweep the cobwebs off the monitor before each visit!

President Eddie and VEEP Kevin. Just look at the shape of their faces and you’ll know what I’m referring to.

The fabric for the skirt around the storage under the TWO layouts has been cut, but the sewing machine needed some professional servicing. Cardboard is getting cut from all the boxes that the boys things came in so I’ll have tons of it when we ever get started.