Well, it looks like I'm making the jump from the old forums!

This gives me the oppertunity to start with a fresh layout thread, since my old one was easily the most epically long and ancient thread within the first 2 pages of the HO section on zealot. It also lets me name it more accurately, considering I rarely have new pictures.

That said, I do have layout news!

Just today, I have taken on my second ever HO steam locomotive. I model Conrail, but a Pennsy J1 2-10-4 can never hurt.... I'll get pictures of the J1, and some extra old ones to fill the thread out soon!

Here is a Christmas-model train video that was posted on another site. Thought it was pretty cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSFU0VZB2Nc

Has anyone read an Issue of On30 Annual by Carstens publishing? They have a lot cool projects and articles I have all 4 issues 2006-2009. 8-)

I wanted to let everyone know we have started a new Free-Mo group in the DC metro area. The group is dues free and we do not have a board or any real structure at this point. We are planing on building a free-mo layout and have something to take to train shows late 2009. We have started a Yahoo Group <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/capitolfree-mo/">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/capitolfree-mo/</a><!-- m --> to share with each other ideas and what we plan to build. Please join us if you would like or just join the layout at shows.
Dave

Back in September I chased the BNSF's Bayard Subdivision east out of Council Bluffs, Iowa. This is the former Milwaukee Road mainline to Chicago, now a branch operated by BNSF six days a week. It was featured in Model Railroader years ago as a "Railroad You Can Model" back in Burlington Northern days. The day I chased it the train had three locomotives, thirty-six cars, and a caboose. It operates six days a week as a turn going east and west on subsequent days with Saturday being the day off.

Recently I started a new layout, based on T-Trak standards. It is rather simple, yet meets my new criteria.
1) Can I enjoy seeing trains run. ( I won't be able to run long trains or operate, but I can enjoy seeing
them run after a long day of stairing at computer screens )
2) Will It fit in the space I have avalible. ( It is designed to fit on a closet shelf, out of reach of my young often too eager helpers)
3) Is it portable and will it allow for sharing of the hobby with others. ( yup sets up on a table in about 5 minutes and is easy to move.)
4) will it provide a challenge ( yup building beleivable scenes in a small space will be a fun new challenge.)

Anyway yesterday I finished the " Bench Work"



Over the next month or so I plan to enjoy building 8 "mini" scenes and sharing the proccess of building them with all of my friends here.

Most people on this board don't know me. I met ngauger through Geocaching. I assisted the Delaware Geocachers with getting their forum moved when someone could no longer take care of things. So I gave ngauger and ezdays a hand by getting a webserver set up to run a forum. I work in the IT field by day, so it wasn't a big deal for me to take on.

I think one of the moderators made a comment about why is path helping out so much when he isn't involved in model trains. Well, that isn't 100% true. I did have a train as a kid, but it is only seen at Christmas time now. It'll do a few laps around the tree. I never was as big into train modeling as some folks, but I use to take this thing outside and set it up different ways. It's a little hard when you only have enough track to make a circle or a slightly larger oval.

Anyhow, the train is up now and below are a few pics...

I just got all set up with pictures uploaded and a signature and a nice little avatar over at the other place. Don't fret, there will be a Waynesburg Southern thread started here soon. I built a helix this weekend. The tests on it went okay, not as well as I had hoped, but it will work. And I had to move it from its proposed location to one end of the layout. I will post pics when I get some taken. Thanks.

Craig

Just got the invite, thank you. I had not been on the other site for a few days and would have had no idea where everyone would have gone Thanks


Jim

I am certainly glad to be here amongst friends! I was known as Nazgul on............."The forum that must not be named".......LOL!

I will just be Steve from now on. I look forward to getting back to the FUN that seemed to be missing.

Take Care ALL!

..................... :hey: Where's that guy Deano????!