New Crewmember

[NH Mike]

I just signed onto the forum and wanted to introduce myself. Been into trains since I got an American Flyer set when 4 years old. That was a few years ago and AF hadn't started using knuckle couplers! Got back into the hobby seriously in 1975 with HO. Family and other obligations put the railroad on hold from 1988 until about a month ago but I'm happy to say we're rolling again. Needless to say I operate on a standard DC system with block wiring.

The Lobuc Valley RR is a ficticious short line in Southern New England based in the 1950's. We freely interchange with the New Haven and our paint schemes mimic the NH except grey is used on locomotives in place of the black used by the NH. Power is typical of the NH and largely Alco. Steam is also on the roster although not a part of day to day operations and run as an extra for the odd fan trip or two ( my wife ).

With so many years gone by I am looking forward to catching up here on the forum. I'll probably have some dumb questions about the latest in electronics, etc.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Secondhandmodeler]

Welcome to the forum Mike. Your story is similar to many of us getting back into the hobby. Somehow, the little choo choos find their way back into your life. As far as dumb questions go, you certainly won't have a monopoly! They are almost required! As a matter of fact, I feel a dumb question stirring in my noggin right now! Enjoy yourself.

 

[NH Mike]

Thanks Corey. Needless to say there is much track and rolling stock maintenence being done right now as time permits. Every evening is like winning the lottery. I keep finding kits, cars, engines, etc I didn't even remember I had.

 

[leghome]

Mike good to meet you. I did not get started in Model RRing until the early 90's. Had the Lionel set back in the 50's but with 5 younger brothers the Lionel did not last. I started my present layout in 2000 after I retired and I am always finding kits, cars and loco's I do not remember acquiring. My 3 yr old grandson is helping me find the unkowningly found stuff as he is always looking thru the storage drawers helping Gramps find his lost treasures.

 

[NH Mike]

A pleasure to meet you too Larry. Garandkids are great. The youngest can get under the benchwork a lot easier than I can!

I hope posting a picture here in the discussion is ok.

 

[Selector]

Greetings, Mike. Yes, photos are pretty much always welcome. Actually, taking images of our "stuff" has become quite a hobby-within-a-hobby for a great many of us. One of the developments in the hobby over the past 12 years or so has been the affordability of the smaller scale models introduced with plastic shells and lot more detailing and accuracy. The manufacturers almost created a whole new market, and we have run with it. Now, with photo contests and such, all sorts of modellers are actively setting up photo shoots and submitting amazingly detailed, well lit, and deep-focused images that fool the eye.

I hope you have a great time with your new foray into the hobby.

-Crandell

 

[UP2CSX]

Welcome aboard, Mike. We always like photos. I see that Rutland boxcar back there. Always the sign of a guy who has been in the hobby for a while.

 

[NH Mike]

Welcome aboard, Mike. We always like photos. I see that Rutland boxcar back there. Always the sign of a guy who has been in the hobby for a while.

Thanks Jim. Not to make myself any older than I already am but I also have a Globe F3A and F3B and a couple of Penn Line and way old Varney cars. That Rutland is an Athearn that I believe was a custom painted offering from New England Scale Models circa 1975 - 1980 or so.

 

[UP2CSX]

Mike, I have a Globe F3 and Revell switcher around here somewhere so I guess we're both old My Rutland boxcar is an old Trains Miniature wood side from about 1967. I always liked that scheme.