Hello all - my name is Dan Watson, I'm a 63yr old retired police officer who has switched from drag racing back to model railroading, something I've been out of for about 20 years. I'm going N scale to allow me to have the maximum detail in the space I've allotted in my garage - a 21x18 foot area- that I'm in the process of enclosing to keep dust to a minimum. I'm also pleasantly surprised at the quality of models now available in N, and very happy to discover DCC for operation. My layout will be centered around the Clare Yard in eastern Cincinnati (Actually Mariemont), where I had many happy moments in my childhood, and was introduced to the N&W, the road that will be the main object of the layout, with the Pennsylvania being the interchange road. Sorry to be so long winded, but I'll be around for a while (hopefully) if anyone has any questions, and I'll continue to gather info as I have been for the past few months for my modeling. I'm in it for fun, not to be totally correct in every detail. I've found the other scale forums to be very helpful in getting ideas also. Thanks, Dan
Welcome to Trainboard, Dan!! I'm a 63yr old retired police officer who has switched .... back to model railroading, something I've been out of for about 20 years. Why does that sound familiar? Oh yeah, I know, I came back into active model railroading when i retired a couple of years ago. Common pattern. Nice space you have available, I'm jealous. Yes, N scale has made some serious advances in both operability and selection. It's a good time to be in N scale. Post some photos when you get a start on your layout. Sorry to be so long winded Long winded is good on forums!! Best regards Ed
Dan: Welcome to TB. :thumbs_up: There is a lot of help and ideas around here. Do you have pictures of the yard you want to model or just memories? I only had memories of my original ideas, so I eventually modeled an area where I had more access and completely different from my original plan.
Dan, welcome to Trainboard. I will never be able to retire (LOL) so I am modeling now I think you will find TB has the most knowledgable and friendly folks of any forum on the net and we look forward to getting to know you. John
Hi Dan- Welcome, from a semi-former power boat racer... :teeth: Ha ha... The space you have available should be great. Mine is only 10 by 14. We'll look forward to progress reports. Hopefully, some photos as well! Boxcab E50
Hello and welcome Dan! I haven't been on this forum long but can already tell that there are a bunch of friendly people here, as usual with model railroading in general. Its a good time to get into N scale. Advances are finally being made in both steam and diesel. Be sure to show us some pics of your layout progress. By the way, from a fellow car nut, what did you drag race?
Hello Dan, Welcome to TrainBoard. You're going to like it here and we do have a N Scale forum where you can bring your ideas, questions and show off your hard work. Looking forward to your posts.
welcome dan, here you will find a great group of guys with a great deal of friendly knowledge willing to share ideas. good luck.
Flash; I was able to locate some pictures on the Va. Tech. N&W photo site, and combined with Virtual Earth photos and my rapidly declining memory, I have begun to draw up a layout. To the others; Thanks for the welcome. I'll post some pictures as soon as I begin building (or get a good diagram). I built a 60x40ft garage to work on my race cars, and will section off enough to have a decent layout. I'm currently taking down cabinets and workbenches to allow for the new walls to create the room. In the attached picture, the corner with the storage loft is where the new room will be - the storage loft will extend out to the window and a couple of feet to the right of the existing structure. French doors to allow for moving large things if necessary, and a portable heat pump with dehumidifier is waiting to go in. I have two 8' x 30" workbenches on wheels that I want to use as bases, and make the layout modular in case I have to move it for some reason. I'll use a bridge piece to connect them. I hope to do it right the first time.... The other pictures are some wall art I picked up at a local shop. Dan
Dan, Welcome to trainboard, it's always great to see new members posting for the first time. Great to see you are modelling N scale, don't forget we have a layout design forum where our design experts are always willing to give you a hand in perfecting your layout design. Look forward to seeing your progress on your layout.
Era? Since no one asked yet, I will? In what era are you planning to model N&W's Clare Yard? There are some fine N scale N&W steamers, like the Y-3 from Walthers or the J from Bachmann, but some signature N&W steamers like the A's and the "Mollies" are lacking, sadly. :cat:
Hello Thirdrail; I plan on doing the transition period. When I discovered Clare we lived in Madisonville, a block from the B&O main into Cincinnati. But after seeing my first Y, everything else paled, and the smells, combined with the ground shaking hooked me on N&W steam. I had some experience with B&O steam, but it was nothing like a Y. I had my first ride in a Y when I was 7 - the railroaders were really a nice bunch of guys, and kind of took my brother and I under their wing. Even gave us hats! When we moved to Norwood in '55, I discovered that we were 3 blocks from the N&W freight main out to Berry yard, and after making friends with a crossing guard named Dan Clark at the Dana Ave. crossing, we were reunited with the crews from Clare, and rode from Dana to Berry. I remember the first time I saw a RS11 - we heard the gates come down, but the ground wasn't shaking! It took a while to adjust, but diesels had their own mystique, and as long as I was riding I was happy. I rode until 1960 or '61. Then I began drag racing... I would like to find some M's, but I may have to settle for a stand-in until I can buy, or build some. I have two Y3s, and a J, as well as SD7s, GP18s, GP9s, a Trainmaster, H 16-44, and 4 unlettered Consolidations that may end up as N&W - possibly 0-8-0s. Since I just want to have fun, I can use my imagination as far as motive power - nothing too far out, but a little cheating won't make me lose sleep.. For the Pennsy link, I have mostly diesel, but the same rules apply - a little cheating won't hurt if I find something I like. But I'll stick to first generation diesels. Dan
Appropriate. The N&W bought its first GP9s and RS-3s (these were their first diesels, right?) in 1955, and PRR last ran steam in 1957. To explain the FMs, it'll have to be after the Virginian merger in 1959. Considering that it sounds like your roster is mostly diesel, having it represent the last days of steam on N&W is appropriate. The GP18s would be brand new in 1959-60. In fact, the only engine on your list that requires "a little cheating" is the SD7. N&W bought no SD7s (or SD9s) and only acquired such engines from the Nickel Plate in 1964.
