I would like to introduce myself to the other members.
I have been doing my book work on the hobby for 18 months now and finished my bench work this weekend. I found myself thinking to much and not building anything, so I have jumped in with both feet. My bench work occupies a spare bedroom and is “u” shaped. the short leg is 8’ long and 30" wide and the long leg is 11’ long and 3’ wide. It is connected by a 2’ wide by 4’ long piece along the other wall. I made the track work so I can add a second level if I chose to later. Because it is just me, I do not plan for DCC. That may change as I get into the hobby.
I live in northwest Pennsylvania nad I have plenty inspiration around me. Erie gets 40+ trains a day through it and I get to see all the major road names. I grew up in an area where I had the chance to see 100 unit coal trains from the B&LE go by. I plan to model Conrail and the B&LE in western PA. I hope to concentrate on the coal trains I grew up with on my model.
My next big step is to finihe track plan and start to lay track. I have given myself 12 months to accomplihis and I hope that will be enough time. Thanks for taking the time to listen to me ramble on. I hope to to post some pics soon of the ground work soon.
[#welcome] Jason,
Glad your here. Thanks for the introduction. Sounds like your well on your way.
Lots of great information on this forum and many great people.
Any questions… just ask away.
Peter
[#welcome]
I am also in Erie, Jason, I’m probably a lot older than you, I’m 58. Work at GE. Hope to retire next year. I grew up in West Texas so I model the Southern Pacific. I go out quite often around the plant and get to see the trains come by out on the main just south of the plant. NS and CSX. B&LE would be a great road to model.
Hi, Jason. If you have been keeping an eye on these pages, you know that we are mostly a friendly bunch, and that there are many members who have tons of experience. If it wouldn’t be too upsetting for you at this late stage, maybe you could post a scanned diagram of your trackplan, and maybe some of them could suggest an improvement here or there. It would be nice, in my mind, to find some potential errors that I had overlooked or discounted as being minor enough that I would let it pass.
Just a suggestion. These guys are really good at getting into the dirt, and they will find the places that will give you grief later. I only suggest this because you say you have another ten months or so, and that is long enough to give you a chance to rethink one or two ideas, massage them, and then continue with confidence.
Welcome. Ask a lot of questions. You’ll get more help than you imagined.
Welcome! It’s always nice to see a neighbor here on the forum. If you still like 1:1 scale coal trains, you might like to run over to Meadville and see Norfolk Southern’s trains through there. Several pass through each week to and from Corry and points east in New York. You probably already knew that, but if you didn’t know, now you do!
Tim
Hi jason and welcome.
Just an idea but what ‘selector’ said is true, especially if you are new to this. Also, if I may be so bold to suggest that you stop off at my website and look at “starting a layout” and the “benchwork” sections.
That may help you stop potential problems in the future. Most people who do it find that they didn’t allow for buildings, clearances and reach factor.
Like I said, just a suggestion.
The link is in my sig. [:)]
P.S. I have only been in the hobby about 41 years myself, unlike some of the REALLY old guys here LOL.
Welcome to the squirrel cage!
You didn’t mention what scale you’re planning to model. HO can get challenging if you’re restricted to 30 inch width, but N will be comfortable on it. Of course, in Z you would have the makings of an empire (as well as eye strain.)
Whatever scale you model, welcome aboard. Don’t hesitate to ask questions; most of us love to answer them. Sometimes, the answers are right.
Chuck
welcome !
sounds like you’re off to a good start . post a track plan when you can and ask all the dumb questions you want [:)]