After 20+ years of not joining a club with a layout, I gave in and am helping build a 27’ by 27’ club layout. Previous to that I was a club member in several clubs in the Mpls/St Paul area from about 1968 - 1984. A move ended that, and I did join a modular group for the next 3 years until they lost their space. In that 3 years, I built ‘nothing’ in my new house with a large unfinished basement!
In 1987 I started a HO layout that occupied a 25’ by 20’ area(sort of in an ‘L’ shape). I had the entire layout running(benchwork/track/electrical) by 1992 and even had some scenery in place for a regoinal convention. I then got interested in ‘N’ scale and planned to tear down the layout several times to make room for an even bigger N scale layout. About 2 years ago I really got interested in ‘building’ models and N just did not make it due to the lack of good freight car parts. Also, I joined the bi-focal/OptiVisor generation(am now 55). I did some serious thinking about a new HO layout, but the basic design was very good for operation, so I did some changes that lengthened the staging tracks, a complete ‘re-wire’ from DC Cab Control to full DCC with power districts, and provisions for a working APB signal system.
At this point I have 4 staging tracks and a ladder to finish for the trackwork. The DCC is all laid out, with feeders on all sections of track, and #18 bus wires back to the Digitrax PM42 power districts via terminal strips for the future signaling system. In about two weeks I plan to remove the 3 Cab Control panels and use the frames for the start of a recessed work area for the card system bill boxes, paperwork, etc…
I cannot believe all of the work I have done(in outdoor yard project season yet!), and I have been helping build a new club layout as well. Maybe the ‘club’ has inspired me to work on the layout again. By this fall I should have a ‘L’ shaped work area/paint booth installed with a new branch line(code 83) installed over it. I am attending the NMRA Nation Co
Go get ‘em, Jim. There’s no lookin’ back.
Sounds like it will be a great layout. Got any pictures?
NICE!!!
The enthusiasm is apparent. I love that.
How about some pictures?
Sounds like you’ve had the same case of “which-scale-do-I-prefer-itus” that I’ve been plagued with!
Glad to hear you’re a-build-in!