Hello, I am Mark and live in Central Minnesota. I model in HO Standard Gauge. I have been involved in the hobby several times when I kid and have been building my current layout since 1988. I model the Northern Pacific and specifically the Butte Shortline. My layouts Eastern connection starts at Logan Montana, goes through Butte Montana and connects up with the N.P. Main at Garrison Montana. I started the layout in 1988 as a free-lanced layout and that was how it was thought of until 1995; or, so, when I purchased a Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association's Main Streeter Magazine. The scenery is completely Free-Lanced; but, I have a place that I can call reality as far as the railroad goes. Part of the Layout are complete and parts of it are not and may never be completed. I am primarily a modeler, meaning my enjoyment of this hobby is derived from building models, not buying them pre-built; or, ready to run. Although I operate with Car Cards and try to be prototypical with operations I don't get much enjoyment from actual operations. I model the transition era and specifically 1953. I retired at the beginning of 2013, this hobby for me is pretty much a Winter Time hobby, meaning other than building models over the summer operating the layout only occurs in the winter. I have been involved in many Model railroading forums over the years; but, this is the first time I will have participated at this forum This is me, in a nutshell. I look forward to discussions here! I call myself NP2626, my favorite Northern Pacific Locomotive.
Welcome to TrainBoard! Got any pictures of your models or layout, which might be shared? If so, please hop over to our HO Forum and let us take a peek!
Hi Mark, Welcome. Happy to have you on board our hobby's only real forum. OK, so I'm opinionated, but I am lovable.
When you click the reply button, at lower right, below the message box, are three buttons. Click "Upload a File". Be sure to select the size as well. Your options are full size and a thumbnail. Full size is best.
If this works, this is a pretty simple process! The photo is of my HooDoo Gulch Trestle, scratch built from 1/8th inch diameter dowels and balsa strips.
Welcome aboard, Mark! Butte Short Line is a quite a remarkable piece of railroad. Have you railfanned the real one, or visited the mothballed route? I visited in 2009:
Hemiadda2d, Yes, we visited Butte just this last summer, for the first time. On the way there, I stopped in Logan to see what the town looks like now. We also stopped at Homestake Pass to look over what is left there. I also have the Book written by the Taylors on the Butte Short Line. Butte was a very interesting place! Very historic.
