Hello all! I'm an N scale modeler from Asheville, NC, and after many years of hiatus I am returning, albeit very slowly. I'm a full time student and employee with a family, so money is tight and time is even tighter. I joined this forum with the intention of getting myself caught up on the latest developments in the hobby, and to make contacts with people who share this passion. I'm not a beginner in the traditional sense, as I have dabbled over the years in model railroading and have a decent level of experience. I am however a total beginner in that I don't have anything anymore that I used to own. No locos, rolling stock, structures, track, etc. On the upside, this gives me an absolute fresh start, so I can really research manufacturers and layout designs. I want to start with a traditional switching puzzle, like an Inglenook or timesaver, and a few pieces of rolling stock with a road switcher to move them. This will give me a chance to enjoy some operations and start a collection, while not taking up an immense amount of time or money (relatively speaking). I look forward to learning from everyone here and possibly making some local connections to really dive back into the hobby!
Welcome to TrainBoard. I'm a Carolinian too, both SC and NC. You live in a great spot for railfanning, with the Blue Ridge Southern, NS's Loops and the Great Smoky Mountains RR nearby.
Hi Osiris87, Welcome. Glad to have you on board, and happy to share knowledge. Your forum name, Osiris, is curious as he was the ancient Egyptian Lord of the Underworld. I'll be interested to see if you create a sinister, devilish layout. Or perhaps we should be alert to your possible hostile takeover of the Trainboard Forum....NAH.
Now if they would just build us a parking lot and an observation tower to watch the yard here in town, I'd be all set. Oh and don't forget the Craggy Mountain Line!
That was an old screen name that I used years ago and it's sort of my default at this point. I have always enjoyed the idea of a layout that was dirty and well weathered. Lumber camps and coal mines have always appealed to me far more than clean concrete stations and shiny sleek passenger trains. Not sure that's devilish or sinister, but it's a good start.