Hello Everyone, From what I can tell this is the forum for all things Model RR. Just a little introduction, I'm currently an armchair modeler, I've been collecting a few pieces here and there until the future eventuality comes where I begin to build my pike.......... I'm mostly interested in transitional period railroading in the New England area. I'm a big New York Central fan but I'm also interested in the B&A, B&M, Pennsy, NKP, and coal haulers...........I've acquired a recent fondness for burly C&O motive power as well (GREAT LOOKIN' MIKES!!!!). I've been suffering dellusions of grandeur for quite a few years now...............My dream pike will be centered around a ficticious division point which will be the center of operations for a trunk railroad called the "Appalachian Northern" which will interchange with various Northern New England RR's, as well as being a predominant coal/ore hauling railroad with some logging operations to boot............ The division point will serve mainly as a gathering point for all local and interchange traffic for reclassification and forwarding to all destinations and interchanges.......it will also serve as a main passenger terminal for the local area, as well as handling through passenger traffic originating from the major haulers in the area who have through rights over the main..... I envision lotsa double track mains, maybe with a slice of quad for scenic spice (the "Waterlevel Route"), a division point yard and passenger terminal with full servicing facilities, and a major coal/ore hauling branch with a logging tributary (I like Sheas for some unknown reason )........... Varnish, express reefers, unit coal and ore, all set against a fall New England background....... I know it sounds pretty generic......... but it's what flicks my bic......... All this in HO........I want to buy a home with a large basement within the next 5 years so I can begin............I plan on learning how to hand lay track I may as well start building all my switches and such now, It just seems to be the most economical as well as best looking way to do it......... The next step for me is to buy some layout design software, I'm hovering between 3D Planit and CADrail at the moment so if anyone has experience with either feel free to chime in with your thoughts........... Thanks, Martin [ 02. April 2003, 15:05: Message edited by: 484 ]
Welcome to our family here on the TrainBoard Martin. Sounds like all you really need now is that big basement!
Howdy Martin, Welcome to the 'board. Tell your better half you're moving to a new subdivision where the homes are not yet constructed, however the foundations and basements are all closed in. You can oversee the construction of the RR and The Lady of the House can oversee building everything 'topside' Give it a shot, you never know, she might say yes.
he,he,he.......we already have a mutual understanding.............. The basement is MINE!!!!......... Thanks Gents for the warm welcome.......... Martin [ 02. April 2003, 21:25: Message edited by: 484 ]
Martin, A warm welcome to trainbboard and thanks for the introduction. You will find lots of members willing to give you advice on your dream layout. We do have a layout design forum that you can post designs and the guys are always happy to lend some help. Look forward to seeing your progress and your participation here at Trainboard.
Hi Martin, may I add my welcome to Trainboard Sounds like you have excellent ideas on what you want. There is only one thing wrong that I can see - you plan on doing it in HO and not N scale I look forward to hearing of your enterprise as it progresses. You will find lots of inspiration and helpful advice here I am sure. If you are going to build your own track, you may teach some of us a few tricks
As forsaid above, I'm going to do it again! WELCOME TO TRAINBOARD! Sounds like you got a master plan for an HO layout thats with a Basement an house build onto it... I can't say I blame ya! Just remember once you start to built, its your layout an its fun.. keep it somple to the slightest over or under side of "simple" and HAVE fun. Thats what the hobby is all about.... As for the site, you see we got alot of members, very friendly ones, and alot of helpfull ones as well..... Feel free to ask question on problems, post ideas, and search the site on different topics thats been made in the past to get knowledge or information you may need at that time.... Again Welcome aboard!
welcome!! sounds like you have a great plan. Just one thing, though. With a plan that size, you might want to think about N guage instead of HO. With N the trains and scenery have a good scenery/trains ratio, and they'll look bigger, and more realistic. Don't get me wrong though, there's nothing wrong with HO, in fact I was in it for a number of years. (I'm currently in N). And I've seen some GREAT layouts in both scales! Whatever size you do, though, just remember HAVE FUN!
