Hello, all! After reading these forums for quite some time and “lurking” as a registered member, I thought I’d start the new year with an introduction as my first post. I’m new to the hobby, but seem to have been bitten quite hard by the bug.
I didn’t really grow up playing with trains (though we did have an HO-scale layout for a few years in our basement), but trains seem to have been around throughout nearly every part of my life. I grew up taking the PATCO Hi-Speed line from Lindenwold, New Jersey to downtown Philadelphia. When I was old enough to make the trip on my own, I would take the AMTRAK Metroliner down the Northeast Corridor to Union Station in Washington, D.C. where my father would pick me up for a visit and we would marvel together at the fabulous models displayed at the train store in the station. While at college at James Madison University (hence the “Duke” in my screenname), I often had to dodge the Norfolk-Southern freight train that ran through the middle of campus. I rode the DC Metro’s Orange Line from Vienna to Farragut West to work every day for a year, and when I finally moved back to the Philadelphia-area, my apartment was mere footsteps from the Bryn Mawr station of the old PRR Main Line (now SEPTA’s R5). I now live along the old Norristown Line of the Philadelphia & Western Railroad (now SEPTA’s R100), and feel blessed to have Nicholas Smith Trains as my local B&M store, as I just learned they are America’s oldest Lionel dealer.
My father had Lionel trains growing up (a few of which I inherited), and always had a newer model NYC F7 A/B/A on display in a bookshelf in his house, but he had so many hobbies as an adult that trains were unfortunately something we never got to enjoy together before he died. In 2005 I picked up a Polar Express set on a whim and had it set up for awhile around Christmas. My wife and I decided that the set made a bit too much noise in a small house with
Glad to have you with us. I am a new member also. I will celebrate my one-year anniversary on Jan 5. You probably know that there are a ton of great folks here who unselfishly share their vast knowledge. I am looking forward when I will be able to return the favor, but so far all of my posts have been to ask questions. Thanks to all who have helped me this past year.
Welcome PD. Loved your story. Especially taking the trains to work. Polar Express is doing the job is was intended to do - to get people excited and introduce them to the hobby.
Just a tip for you. As you probably well know, it’s a good thing to keep your wife happy. FasTrack is a little noisey, although opinions as to how distracting the noise is differ. When you get around to doing a layout, using pink or blue construction insulation styrofoam board is a suitable lightweight surface to use for a train layout. You can build a frame and use the styrofoam alone or use an underlay such as chipboard or plywood. I have a somewhat small layout (compared to many others) and have used the styrofoam alone on a frame and it works fine. Lightweight and deadened noise substantially compared to other layout surfaces.
You might even want to consider going to what is called “tubular” track for a layout. There’s 0-style and 027 types. Lionel is pushing FasTrack, which is what you are getting with your train sets, and it does have some advantages. But one of the advantages of tubular is getting more layout into a smaller space. FasTrack has a bigger diameter curve than the 31 inch of 0-style or the 27 inch of 027 track.
Of course, the big drawback of these tracks is that you will not be able to run some of the longer locomotives and rolling stock. But given what you’ve said you are looking to buy, this won’t be any problem.
When I got back into the hobby, 027 track came with sets and since I was buying a few sets like you, I had a good supply to start with, which is why I stuck with 027. The same might be for you only with FasTrack. On the other hand, FasTrack is in demand so you might easily be able to trade or sell the FasTrack for tubular more likely than the other way around.
Whatever you do, have fun and involve your wife if she is even remotely inclined. Women will sometimes get involve
[#welcome] PhillyDuke, ALWAYS nice to have another Yankee here!! (I was from Central Jersey). I started with a NYC Flyer, then Penny Flyer and then I was off to the races!! My daughter helps me with the Christmas train layouts and has helped with my small 4X8 set up. Recently, the wife has been eying over the layout, so, yup, it’s addicting (but enjoyable) for sure!! Make sure you hit those clearance sales for trees and such, real cheap right now.
I’m a fellow newbie to the hobby,and just joined this site a few days ago. All I can say is, the site is wonderful and fill of great, knowledgeable people! This is the plce to be![#welcome]
Alllll Aboard !!! The train for a wonderful and rewarding hobby has just loaded and you came aboard … the conductor has your ticket in hand and you are welcome … enjoy the trip . [tup] Sit back and enjoy your ride on the CTT Express … don’t forget to order your fine breakfast of eggs and grits in the dining car . [swg] Meander your way to the Coffee Pot car and enjoy the chat and fellowship with all of us ! Welcome Aboard … Both of You !
Good to have a couple more Yankees around when the friendly banter about northern and southern customs flares up, as it does from time to time here.
I’ll agree with Brutus about the Polar Express set bringing more people into or back into the hobby - it hooked me again a few years back. Laz is right too - the hobby is addicting.
Thanks for the warm welcome and helpful hints, everyone! After Christmas gets put away this week I hope to be able to scope out a place in the basement that will be suitable for a small’ish layout (I like the idea of the 4’ x 8’ mentioned by anjdevil2, so we’ll see how that works out). And brianel027, you’re exactly right, the FastTrack on the bare hardwood floor was definitely the noise culprit, so I’ll probably use the foam insulation idea…I do recall reading that before, as well. If I’m working with the sets I mentioned above (all transformer-controlled if I’m not mistaken), am I limited in what I can do insofar as running them at the same time, or do I need multiple loops all controlled by different transformers?
The simplest way to run multiple trains at the same time with conventional control is with seperate loops and seperate transformers.
There are methods to run multiple trains on the same loop with blocks, insulated control track sections, and relays - kind of neat, if you are into that sort of thing.
PhillyDuke and GN MtnGoat welcome aboard. This is a great place to learn and grow in this awesome hobby. Keep us informed of how things progress!
Cobrabob.[:)]