I had just gotten back into model railroading in 2012, after my kids all moved out of the house... finally! I took over what had been the boy's bedroom, an enclosed carport. This is now my model railroad / home office. Earlier this year I got the layout to a point where I could have visiting engineers operate. Back a few years, my older son introduced me to DCC via the NCE PowerCab and its easy route to expansion. The electronics end, LED headlights, decoders, all that was easy as I've had long experience with electronics, audio gear, ham radio, and various gear at my work before retiring. I soon met Art Houston of the famous Grande Pacific Railroad which is just 40 miles away from my home. I soon began operating there, and at the Mid South Model Railroad Club in Baton Rouge, and various home layouts around the south. I was able to upgrade to the NCE PowerPro 5 amp system, have added a radio link, and over to my computer to use JMRI for programming. A siding that is just above my computer desk can be toggled to programming, or to connect back to the main. I participated in the Louisiana Rail Run a few years ago, too. So, with my own layout, I hit the deck running. Here's the most recent video. This is all in a 15' x 11' room. I participate in a number of Facebook model railroad groups, but had been looking for regular forums. My older son steered me here.
Hi Paul, welcome from Saucier (near Gulfport), MS, only ~130 miles away. That's a lovely system. Bremner said N-Scale, which I guess it has to be with an 11x15 room and so much trackwork and scenery detail. The scenery and rolling stock details shown by your interviewer made me think HO. But now, wow, that's a great system. Thanks for coming on board and sharing.
Thanks, guys.... and it is HO scale. I have crammed a lot into an 15' x 11' room, and have done my best to try to make it look bigger.
I used a router to cut a groove in the top of the mounting block for the drop-in door bridge. The Acrylic piece slips into that groove. There is a glass business just a few blocks from my house. They are quick and do a good job for me. Since the video I've put a shelf under the layout to the left side of the door on which I store the bridge.
Nice work, Glad to have another SP fan about in any scale or era. And boy do I miss that Southern way of speaking. (I’m from Meridian MS and New Orleans). I’d like to compliment your choice of shirt also! (I wear the hat daily to work). Again, Welcome to trainboard!
