I’m really happy I found this site. I’m a lifetime model railroader who has been“out of the hobby” for twenty plus years. I’m now 62 years old and my health isn’t the best. Also, I don’t have the typical budget neededto build a first class model railroad. That’s the bad news, there is good news. I started out in this great pastime / hobby in 1954 with both my brothers Marklin and my Athearn band drive Santa Fe passenger set. Both long gone, but not forgotten.
I own my home outright, taxes are very low. I also own most of the tools I’ll need. Time is one thing I have in goodly amounts. I also have the experience building modular, small, medium and large railroads,(the largest being a solo 24’ x 30’ island type system). I’ve also scratchbuilt in wood and brass, abet with better eyesight. I also am lonely for myhobby that I had to set aside for so many years being a husband, and father. My massive collection of supplies was sold to finance purchasing a home with no regrets. My access to “stuff” is limited by my lack of income, but I do know a few tricks.
My hero then, and now is John Allen and his Gorre & Daphetid,which is good news. Over the years I marveled in his modeling, and his artistic talent. I following his work in the magazines, especially the advertisements. I remember the announcement of Johns passing, and a few weeks later the passing of the Gorre & Daphetid. John did it all on a very limited budget, something I’m happy to emulate. I also have realistic expectations, I may not live to see my railroad finished, so be it.
I have enough space, either 10 x 16 my back bedroom/utilityroom or an 14 x 16 spare bedroom. I’mleaning toward the utility room but that’s not set in stone. The utility has three doors on one end of the room including the back door and garage access. The garage isn’t usable because I live in the Mohave Desert, in the warmest city (60,000 pop.) in America, the garage hits a mind boggling 140 in the summertime. Air conditioning the garage is financially impossible.
I’m going to re-read the Allen book a few times, and try to upgrade some of my knowledge. Hopefully there are newer less expensive materials available now. I will also be very careful with my purchases. My railroad will never have 100 pieces of rolling stock (or probably not even 50) and dozens of locomotives. I’m thinking of a 1940’s time period with the shorter rolling stock of that era and locomotives suited to a short line in that period. Those truss rod cars are calling.
My plan is to document everything with digital photo’s and possibly descriptive articles if anyone is interested. This seems to be the place. Advice is certainly welcome.
I’m hoping to discuss topics, make friends, share my experience and enjoy the hobby. Hopefully I want to make new friends along the way.
I own my home outright, taxes are very low. I also own most of the tools I’ll need. Time is one thing I have in goodly amounts. I also have the experience building modular, small, medium and large railroads,(the largest being a solo 24’ x 30’ island type system). I’ve also scratchbuilt in wood and brass, abet with better eyesight. I also am lonely for myhobby that I had to set aside for so many years being a husband, and father. My massive collection of supplies was sold to finance purchasing a home with no regrets. My access to “stuff” is limited by my lack of income, but I do know a few tricks.
My hero then, and now is John Allen and his Gorre & Daphetid,which is good news. Over the years I marveled in his modeling, and his artistic talent. I following his work in the magazines, especially the advertisements. I remember the announcement of Johns passing, and a few weeks later the passing of the Gorre & Daphetid. John did it all on a very limited budget, something I’m happy to emulate. I also have realistic expectations, I may not live to see my railroad finished, so be it.
I have enough space, either 10 x 16 my back bedroom/utilityroom or an 14 x 16 spare bedroom. I’mleaning toward the utility room but that’s not set in stone. The utility has three doors on one end of the room including the back door and garage access. The garage isn’t usable because I live in the Mohave Desert, in the warmest city (60,000 pop.) in America, the garage hits a mind boggling 140 in the summertime. Air conditioning the garage is financially impossible.
I’m going to re-read the Allen book a few times, and try to upgrade some of my knowledge. Hopefully there are newer less expensive materials available now. I will also be very careful with my purchases. My railroad will never have 100 pieces of rolling stock (or probably not even 50) and dozens of locomotives. I’m thinking of a 1940’s time period with the shorter rolling stock of that era and locomotives suited to a short line in that period. Those truss rod cars are calling.
My plan is to document everything with digital photo’s and possibly descriptive articles if anyone is interested. This seems to be the place. Advice is certainly welcome.
I’m hoping to discuss topics, make friends, share my experience and enjoy the hobby. Hopefully I want to make new friends along the way.
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