A friend and I are starting an O scale tinplate club/group with the goal of setting up "loose lay" layouts on several tables at various train shows. This is how many groups in the UK do this to keep overall costs low, as there is no modules, trains, amount of track and various accessories vary depending what is brought to each event. We are starting off with two 36" by 6 foot long folding tables set back to back with a slight gab so I can run 072 and an inner 042 loop(to be eventually upgraded to 072 as well. The next step is 4 tables in a square so we can be in the middle to operate the trains. Any tinplate is welcome but the two of us are focusing on vintage UK tinplate trains from Hornby, Bassett Lowke and others. A little bit of Lionel will mix in till we grow our own collection and gain members. We have named our group "On the Spectrum Tinplater's) as both of us are high functioning autistics. Being on the spectrum is not a requirement, just that you be accepting of those that are. There are many pictures on the web of these "loose lay" layouts, check out the link below to see what we want to achieve eventually. All forms of propulsion of tinplate is welcome as well, from Clockwork, Live Steam to electric. This is a very informal group to hopefully avoid much of the politics and stuff that seem to come with formal clubs. The core track will belong to the two of us for now, we will have enough to run with just the two founding members. But the more the merrier and adds the pot luck fun of what might turn up to be run that meet. I am in a G scale/gauge 1 live steam group like this and it works really well. We hope to set up for the first time at the Danville Indiana show this fall if all goes well. Mike
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