I guess I should introduce myself as a new member to the forums. I have been involved with Model Railroading for about 5 years and have had HO layouts, N Scale Layouts and G Gauge Layouts during that time. I started the hobby with a Bachmann EZ Track 8' X 4' oval which was fun but only gave me the incentive to do better and bigger. I went from that to a 4' 6" X 11' X 3' around the wall HO flex track layout which was my focus up until 12 months ago. While building the HO layout I built a G Gauge along the side of my house that was about 40' X 12' X 20'. Unfortunately, that was too much to maintain and was subsequently removed. 12 months ago I built a very small 18" X 22" N Scale, under the tree layout. That got me interested in N Scale and all that could be done with N Scale compared to that of HO. I then built a 10' X 8' around the wall N Scale that solidified my love for N Scale. That layout is still in place but on hold. Over the past month I have been pulling out all of my HO layout and it is being replaced with a larger N Scale, another around the wall layout that will measure about 5' X 11' X 9' with an average width of 3' all the way around. Plans for the track work are pretty much settled on and that build will start in the next few weeks. I am not a big fan of realism when it comes to a layout in terms of the track plan or operations and so forth. While the trains are obviously of interest and the whole reason for a layout, my passion is in the Scenery and using that to bring the layout together and alive. I hate electronics and anything but basic wiring, track power and structure lighting as I am completely inept when it comes to it, even things like slow motion machines make my head spin. Despite my frustrations with electronics, all of my layouts are DCC and NCE Pro Cab run. My belief when it comes to forums is simple. I join them to learn from much more experienced people and, hopefully, to be able to help others where possible. To me, the hobby is just that and should be fun and enjoyable - that is what it is all about, to me anyway.
Welcome to Trainboard! Always glad to have another N Scaler around, and I always wanted to drive the Flying Wombat.
It was really named The Phantom Corsair, only the prototype was completed. The car was featured in the 1938 film "Young at Heart" and was called "The Flying Wombat" in the film.
Interesting, especially as the wombat is little more than a massive muscle that isn't known for its speed or agility. Sort of a bigger, slower more muscly version of a wood chuck.
fitz, Thanks and sure I'll see what pictures, vids I have of the old layout if I kept any. Failing that, I'll be doing scenery for the new layout when the time comes.
Welcome aboard! I think it's pretty much a truism that everyone has their favorite aspects of the hobby and those bits they just barely tolerate. If you watch the "weekend Photo Fun" threads in Weekly and Special forum, I believe you'll find some really talented scenery builders.
Thanks for the welcomes and suggestions every one, appreciate it. I also think a picture is worth a thousand words so, once things get under way with the new layout, there will be pictures and the occasional video posted. Iron Horseman, do we "know each other" per chance?
Welcome aboard Wombat457, I had a similar start but not with "G". HO more than 30years ago and then I did start an "N" layout last year-sort of a 4x8' and 3x4' attached which I ultimately trashed and built this new 3 section of 3x8' U shaped. I can sort of get by with wiring and switches and such but I don't get the more advanced DCC, I only have an NCE Power Cab...continuous improvement.
Jeff, Thanks and I started with a Digitrax DCC and (literally) threw that out. I then got the NCE Power Cab and had that for most of my DCC life before upgrading it with a 5 amp Booster. The "booster" essentially gave me the Pro Cab which I am still trying to come to terms with as it is a little different to the Power Cab. As for the more advanced DCC stuff - simple, if I can't plug it in and use it, it's too complex for me to worry about or spend countless hours reading page after page of gibberish that I frankly don't understand, no matter how many times I read them. So I limit my "playing with DCC" to programming engines to their 4 digit cab number, anything beyond that is apparently not really needed but nice to have for those who understand it.
Thanks Wombat457, I have a feeling I need to get more power or figure out those grid things I read about, even though I don't think I have too large of a layout - I do have an extension laid out in advance and I think your only supposed to let DCC go about 30 feet....BLEH. Once I get there I'm gonna go check out the DCC forums here and see if it is something I can attempt. (scary) My throttle already running about 1.6 amps with lots of sound locos, I think I need to install a cutoff switch in my engine yard to shut off those not running to stop sucking up power but no clue how to wire that up. I do get a kick out of the road# programming. I had to make up 2 so far, have a Santa Fe "B" unit with no numbers and an Old Pennsy Steam unlettered that I Tagged it #7 for "ole number 7"
