Long time lurker, first time poster. To be honest, this post is about 10 years in the making, long winded so bear with me....
2005, first house, first wife and wide open basement - brought out my train set from my parents house and re-discovered the fun. My bench work was a mess and was propped against a basement wall for support, hell I didn't even have proper power tools. But I was just happy running the trains around a circle - I am easy to please. I had around 25 years of technology to catch up on, TMCC was not around in the late 70's AND I could now afford to buy all that lionel stuff my paper route money could not fund in the 70's. Many days/nights buying up train stuff on ebay!
2010, new job, new city, same wife, first house sold, new house purchased with even larger basement. This would be my "real layout", the one I can post pictures of and be proud of. I visited this forum near daily to design the layout and get advice. I knew I wanted (needed) an 0-72 loop for my R-27 subway (or maybe an Acela) so that was my starting point. I also wanted 3 trains running at once. Mistakes, regrets and learnings along the way - absolutely! But that's part of the process and the fun. New benchwork is solid as a rock I should add. lol.
2016 - layout priority has really shifted to the scenery mode and vignettes. Again, the folks on this forum have guided me all the way - from building mountains, casting rocks, trees, wiring LED's, etc.
winter 2017 projects -
building subway station/platform
complete mountain / mine scene (using ho tracks for my mine scene - 50/50 how this will turn out)
cast rock face walls for curve
clean up/add details to downtown
finish scenery around train yard
So forum - a special thank you!! this is a great community.
