Hi all, I've always enjoyed watching model trains. My father had a small HO layout when I was a kid and I was endlessly fascinated by it. For years I had vowed to try my hand at it and finally 40+ years later I took the plunge. I decided on N-scale because of the opportunity to do more in less space. I spent a year reading and researching before starting the project. The learning curve has been steep and expensive! My layout is on 6.5' x 3.5' slide out shelf that I built in my work/storage room in the basement. After 10 months of design, learning the wonders of DCC, and playing with Woodland Scenics foam risers, I had constructed v1 of my layout. I had a couple of months of intense travel for work and when I re-engaged with my new hobby, I learned my first important lessons about seasonal changes in temperature and humidity in my workroom - the track I had put down (Atlas code 80 with Peco turnouts) had expanded and contracted causing warping. Exit: 40 feet of track, enter 40 feet of Kato Unitrack. Sigh. But I persevered. I am just about back to where I was before, so far so good. I avoided many of the dumb mistakes I made the first time around and moved on to all new dumb mistakes. But it's been worth it. Getting to run a loco and some passenger cars on a loop makes me grin like a child again. I hope to avail myself of the collective knowledge here and beg forgiveness in advance for any dumb/obvious questions. Onward.
Welcome to TrainBoard! As you have learned, temperature and humidity changes are a problem. Anything you can do to bring that into a more stable range will help. Now is the time to look at this work. All kinds of ideas and answers in our N Scale message archives. We also have Layout Design, DCC and The Inspection Pit, plus more. If you don't find it, just ask whatever question(s) you need, to get it done and have some fun.
Hi and Welcome. There's lots of information, answers, and plain old chatting here, especially with N-Scale, which seems to be the most popular for TB inhabitants. Love to learn more of what you have in mind, also photos once your 3-day "probie" period is over.
Welcome to Trainboard, abdemaio, Yikes, all of that track had to be replaced? As Boxcab and Hytec have stated, N scale is our most popular forum, and I am sure you will get some answers from our members there.
Welcome aboard! There is something immensely satisfying about being able to watch trains run. It would be quite something to see some pics and an explanation of your hide-away construction, it sounds like a great idea for the space challenged.
Thanks. I took photos as I built the slide out shelf for the layout. I will post some photos and narration soon.
Hi again. I've located the photos from the construction of my sliding shelf for my layout. Into which forum would it be most appropriate to post them? I don't want to breach any forum etiquette by loading stuff up in the wrong place. Thanks!
