my girlfriend decided i work to much and got me into a hobby for christmas. HO Trains. I used to hang out at the train yard in McKees Rocks with my dad. He worked for the P&LE as a yard master.
I have my first layout down and am learning the techniques, some the hard way. 
Welcome to the forums and the hobby. This is a great hobby, there are many different aspects of it from construction to fine scale modeling. Operations and model railfaning is my favorite part of the hobby. I right now am typing this while my X-mas train is running circles around the tree.
Massey
Welcome to this great hobby and the forum. Post any questions you have and the folks here will answer them for you.
Welcome to the hobby
My advice would be to keep the minimum radius on th main at a 22" or 24" raduis. That way you can run 6 axle diesels and passenger cars. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The Lone Geep
[#welcome]
[#welcome] t****o the hobby and to these Forums. As has been noted, If you have questions, ask away or go to the “Search Our Community” box and enter a few key words and see what pops up.
You will find that there are a number of ways to do the same thing. It’s just a case of finding out which one works best for you. The main thing is, take your time. This is a HOBBY, not a race. There are no failures, just steps in the learning process that you find don’t work in a particular instance.
By the way, you have a keeper of a girlfriend there. Don’t lose her because you started to spend more time in the basement with the trains than you did with her upstairs. LOL.
Good luck and enjoy this great hobby.
Blue Flamer.
OHHHHH, New Blood! We shall eat you up! Tasty [dinner]
NOt really! [%-)]
[#welcome]
DOn’t be affraid to ask questions,we have years and years years of experience, opinions, methods, trial and errors and other such to help out with.
Now tell us more about your plans, hopes, and dreams…
[#welcome]
Do you have some idea where your layout will be located - celler, attic, spare room, garage?? ALso, you should be thinking about what timeframe you want to model.
Let us know what your thoughts are so far… [8D]
Welcome to the forums and model railroading.
As mentioned above, this is a great place to ask questions. I have learned a lot from reading other peoples questions and the answers they have gotten. I have asked questions and gotten great answers. Some questions will generate several views, you will have to sort them out and see which works best for you. What works best for some folks isn’t the best for others. Also, in some places on the layout some techniques work better than others.
I don’t know your level of skill/knowledge about the many aspects of this hobby, but I would suggest finding some books and reading up on them. I find myself re-reading books on scenery and other things and understanding more because my skills and knowledge have progressed since the last time I went over the material.
Have fun,
Welcome aboard. [#welcome]
Do you have any pics of your layout? What equipment and loco types do you have?
Welcome to the asylum! Great bunch of people here - I’ve learned lots and someday maybe I’ll say something intelligent! Are you going to model Western Pennsylvania? Have fun whatever you do. This hobby is addictive.
i am a newbie… My girlfriend is acutally working on it with me. I am learning layout and landscape and she likes putting the models together.
I picked these up at a loca hobby/antique store for 3 dollars a piece. I would love to find some P&LE equipment soon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5U6j_Y2m0bLeXWu4nKsN0g?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TC0iksf5Hyb6SjcZ9vJ5Vg?feat=directlink
Here are some pics of my layout at various stages. It is a learning layout that will be tore down when I am ready. I will be getting the premade inclines next time. lol
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AhxE8s7VjGSwr-kkkBqagg?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UYdswOTbK91JTuy0rRh0vg?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qU40HVG0NvgQurn1L-8cow?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8mZ_MbbkvJ_YPkW2rLLOWQ?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1965zS5KUNaf0kEXUKDWsA?feat=directlink