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Nothing related to trains but I did get an attaboy from my uncle. He is the one who started me in trains twenty years ago. He doesn't model anymore, but when he did it was all operations. The buildings he had were strictly to add a place for the loads to go to. Up until this Christmas he didn't seem too pleased with my efforts since it is pretty much a roundy rounder. Now that he's seen my progress he said, "you've done a good job with this". That was one of the best presents I've received ever. I know it sounds silly, but he's a hard person to please.
Well I didn't get anything train related but I did get the best news in the whole world. We are adding to our family. My wife got tested and confirmed we are having our second ghild soon but we found out Christmas night. Great present.
Since it's just me these days, I got myself some new stuff
I decided I wanted to build a switching puzzle layout, so I chose to do a Timesaver style in Z scale. I treated myself to the track and a GP-9 from Micro-Trains. Still need to buy some rolling stock but that'll be soon. I think I'll be talking to the guys at Tony's about getting a decoder put in it. I don't think my trifocals and fingers are up to that task even with a couple choices of drop-ins! I've already started building the box for it, just a simple board of 1' x 5' with rails underneath to rest it on a tabletop.
Here's a couple snaps, with a quarter tossed in for scale.
I also picked up an HO Atlas RS-11 and a sound decoder for it as I wanted to try putting one in by myself. That worked out very well and I ended up with a nice sound-equipped loco for about $125 and learned a lot about disassembling the newer, more detailed locos and their running gear.
Dave, you are a braver man then I! Especially after the wifes BBQ'ed meatballs! I believe I could pass gas and cause that lil thing to derail!!!!!!!!
I can't imagine how much fun it would be to try and put a decoder in that thing!