I've been reading some posts since last night and just signed up today. I'm amazed at the level of skill and artistry of your layouts. I hope to learn, practice, and make something that at least resembles a decent layout. Starting small and slow, mine will be for working on those skills and create such art. And of course sometimes I just want to play with the trains.
Hi Amos, welcome. Glad to have you on board. Have you decided on a scale? If so, hop on that forum and ask away. Also we love to see photos of your progress, even your basic table or frame building.
Thanks Hank. I'm going to work in N-scale for now. I have my first O-27 train from 1964 but I don't have room nor budget for anything big. I had a 2'x4' N-scale setup in the 1980s. I still have the engine and rolling stock from that and that size is about all I have room for right now. Along with running trains, I want to learn how to do scenery and structures. If I start small I think I'll see better progress than trying to eat the whole elephant at once. I've seen some amazing work with card stock structures and like the idea of designing, or adjusting an existing model, to represent something from my own memories. And I want to try my hand at photographing my creations too. That's a lot to keep me busy.
Welcome to TrainBoard! As long as you are happy and enjoying the time spent, then you have achieved what this hobby is all about- having fun! Don't worry at all about what anyone else thinks.
I don't believe I've ever been accused of having a good plan before. Thank you for that and for the welcome BNSF FAN.
Thank you fitz. It is a little hard on the eyes and shaky hands don't help. But it's all about having the room. And what detail I can see on N-scale models, especially on others' layouts, is amazing.
Gotta say, I dig your avatar Amos. I'd been looking for Paul Pietrak'c Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh book without luck and finally found it at a train show several years ago, 2nd Ed c. 1992. Very pleased to have it. You've chosen a cool railroad for sure.
Thank you Hardcoaler. My great-uncle gave me his copy of that book a long time ago. He was a breakman on the BR&P, then B&O. Both my grandfathers did also and several other men in the family. Some started on the BR&P and stayed on when the B&O took it over. I have a BR&P rule book that belonged to one of them around here somewhere.
I like your plan! I’m in the same boat, returning to n scale recently. I’m happy to help with any questions you may have to the best of my ability, so don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve not yet built a layout, though the germ of one is in the works at present, so I am right there with you!
Thanks Onizukachan. It's been so long since I've done any modeling (the toy kind, not glamor ) that I really am starting over. But I recently found my old 2x4 layout and models that have been stored in a shed since 1989. The mice, bees, and snakes have had a time with it all. I haven't assessed all the damage yet but I see some track that needs replaced. I can't wait to see those trains run again.