Hello for North East Indiana

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Kedric

New Member
Hey there everyone.

I've just started to get back into model railroading from my half-way attempt when I was a youngin'. I had a 4x8 board, two ovals with a single crossover and a ladder yard in the center. It was a pretty simple setup with green felt covering the OSB sheet, sitting on two saw horses. I fell outta the hobby when I got older and found that women, whiskey and some hard work for a good paycheck entertained me more. Now that I've bought a house, settled down with the drinking, have an amazing girlfriend that I'll end up marrying most likely I need a hobby other than working on my firearms in the garage. Originally, I had a 10x12 spare room I was gonna setup in, but that turned into my girl wanting a guest room for her Mom when she visits. I reluctantly agreed however I made a binding promise of access to the entire basement with nothing of hers allowed down there. So now besides a 4x6 chunk where my water heater and furnace sit, I have a 16'x20' area to pursue my old dream of having a model railroad that I can run few operations at times or just run the train in circles and watch it go. I have recovered my old rolling stock that few mice had taken up nest in and managed to clean out their beddings, droppings, and even a half eaten skeleton lodged in a old boxcar (little bugger had a nice home till his cousins ate him).

I've cleaned up most of the rolling stock, and even managed to get the smell out. The loco's I've stripped apart, cleaned, oiled, greased and lubricated anything that needed it and they have bright polished wheels again. I've acquired some new PRR rolling stock that will make up most of my layout of modeling a NS/Conrail/PRR area of southern Pennsylvania where my family was originally from in a fictitious layout having an intermodal yard, coal mine and a delivery of said coal to a power plant. I also have general freight businesses and what not that will be present too with a large yard. Right now all my ideas are in my Anyrail program. Still deciding on final layout design but I've corrected many mistakes and taking in advice to get my basement ready for my new hobby. Looking forward to talking with you.
 
Welcome to the forum! We like pictures and it would be fun seeing some of that stuff that was packed away in boxes!! Kind of like a treasure chest or time capsule.

lasm
 
I'll have to take some here soon. I've been hounded by friends to document the layout construction from start to finish. I've never been good at remembering to take some photos because I tend to just get in there and goto town but I'll make an effort this time around. I suppose I should upload a JPG of my layout from AnyRail too. So far I'm up to about 358' of track according to the program. It'll be done in stages but I did get a good deal on an entire case of 100pcs of 3' flex track so I don't have to make more trips to the store to buy track. However I am trying to buy as much local as possible to help support my local businesses. My turnouts though I'm planning on hand laying them for reliability, cost and just because I like building stuff. :-) Also my layout will be in DC and one day I'll advance to DCC once I start to get a better grip on proper wiring methods and practices.
Home basement layout Rev. D switch upgrade.jpg
 


WOW that is really a layout. If you do plan on going to DCC you may want to use a larger gauge feeder wire than what you would need for DC.

lasm
 
Jamesspo I know that area somewhat. My dad and I used to goto the Badlands every couple years and ride ATV's. Fun place to be.

What gauge feeder wire you thinking btw? My intention is to set it up so the conversion to DCC will be easy and mainly just an addition of circuit boards than re-wiring the entire layout. This layout also is gonna take a long time. I will most likely be building the yard first so I can practice proper wiring for the switch motors, making smooth turnouts and once it's alive I will do switching moves till I get another side done. The last thing to be completed will probably be the offset to the middle. Tried to allow at least 2 feet for servicing the water heater and furnace and 3 feet in more trafficked areas. I'd appreciate any feedback on the yard design for any flaws or issues from experienced modelers. I took a club sized plan from a magazine and cut it down a tad. I am big into switching but I don't wanna be limited to just yard jockey. I want to actually form a consist, set it out. deliver it, pick up empties and bring them back. Set up scenarios where cars need repaired, engines need to be swapped out for maint. and refuel/sanding. Gonna take a long time but Rome wasn't built in a day!
 
I know that area somewhat. My dad and I used to goto the Badlands every couple years and ride ATV's. Fun place to be.

What gauge feeder wire you thinking btw? My intention is to set it up so the conversion to DCC will be easy and mainly just an addition of circuit boards than re-wiring the entire layout. This layout also is gonna take a long time. I will most likely be building the yard first so I can practice proper wiring for the switch motors, making smooth turnouts and once it's alive I will do switching moves till I get another side done. The last thing to be completed will probably be the offset to the middle. Tried to allow at least 2 feet for servicing the water heater and furnace and 3 feet in more trafficked areas. I'd appreciate any feedback on the yard design for any flaws or issues from experienced modelers. I took a club sized plan from a magazine and cut it down a tad. I am big into switching but I don't wanna be limited to just yard jockey. I want to actually form a consist, set it out. deliver it, pick up empties and bring them back. Set up scenarios where cars need repaired, engines need to be swapped out for maint. and refuel/sanding. Gonna take a long time but Rome wasn't built in a day!

Kedric,

Welcome to the forums from another who handlays. But instead of just turnouts, I have handlaid everything but hidden track, that's the only track I haven't built myself.
 
Welcome to the Forums, Kedric. You've definitely found the best and friendliest site on the internet for anything related to model railroading. There are plenty of folks here that can answer questions, give advice if asked or just shoot the breeze with at Running Bear's Coffee Shop. We have fun here and we love pictures!
 


Welcome to the forums. Glad to have you aboard. Interesting and aggressive track plan. Looking forward to see how things are going. I have relatives in the Hoosier state to, but a bit east of you near Michigan City. I can well remember taking the South Shore Line from Chicago to get there after a trip to Chicago on either the Hiawatha ot North Coast Limited.

Good luck with the layout.

Glad to see you back Carey.
 
I to am just getting back into the craft after almost 40 years. I don't have a camera but I did have the where-with-all to start a diary to write about it all. At least I'll have some history.
I re-did my layout 7 times before putting down some roadbed. I'm undecided about block wiring or go all-in for DCC. I'm pretty certain about a mountain with 2 tunnels.

Welcome back! I don't know how long you have been away but boy golly mercy have things changed.
E.
 
WOW that is really a layout. If you do plan on going to DCC you may want to use a larger gauge feeder wire than what you would need for DC.

lasm

What gauge of wire are you recommending? In another thread I'm told to go with solid instead of braided around 18-22 ga. wire? I'm going to get NCE DCC and at least one loco to check it out. But still haven't ruled out running DC on the out loop and run DCC on the inner loop and yard.
 




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