Wow did I throw down today.
Last night I had a little twin size bed covered up with all this train stuff.
As of this afternoon, I have all that cleared off, built the decking (42 sq/ft) and got all the track layed out for hooking up. A lot of it is already hooked but I'm going to have to cut some pieces.
It's a total addiction and now I remember why I used to stay up all night as teen working on my old layouts. That was 40 years ago or so and I've long forgotten how to do most of it but dam if it ain't coming back.
Earlier this morning (after I got a couple hours of paying work done) I started in.
First was to decide where to build it and how big. Got that figured out in about an hour and got right to work.
Then about noon-thirty another friend called me back - also a train nut. I tell him I am without a transformer so I can't run it. He says he has about a dozen and happy to send me the best one he has!!! AWESOME!! I've helped him doing some open-house tours with his outdoor trains - actually I helped build the thing. While he was doing the visit meet and greet crap, I ran the whole setup. Model railraoders don't often turn over complete control of their layout unless truly trusted.
I may just have this thing running by Christmas yet.
I need my buddy to remind me how to fix the track to the decking.
Once that's done, I'll need to drill holes for the wiring. Then turn the entire thing up on its side (since it's laying on a mattress) to run wiring to where I'll eventually build a control panel. Been there done that many times.
Me and my neighbor, Ronnie, hooked his little 32" circle track last night and tested most of my engines. All but a couple run just fine!! Being they have sat in a dark and dank basement for the last 30 years I didn't figure any of them to run.
Got ahold of my step-dad last night afterwards to thank him for sending me all this and let him know how much it means to me. I have rarely seen him emote emotions but he was pretty much sobbing with happiness that I was so happy.
I've long forgotten what an expensive hobby this can be.
Already got plans in my head for a mountain - with tunnels of course.
If any of are model rail roaders please remind/school me on fastening down HO track to the decking. I can't start wiring until then.
Right now I have a huge outer loop with 3 inner loops.
Christmas seems to have come early for me this year.
E.
I used to have a train layout too!
> It's a total addiction and now I remember why I used to stay up all night as teen working on my old layouts.
I'll second that. My old G-Gauge layout got me the cover of Garden Railways...And the Centerfold too!
Tropical Storm Irene did a serious number on both the "steel" truss bridge, as well as that steel arch suspension bridge...the truss is somewhere in Long Island Sound, the Suspension bridge is still there but pretty waffled out, lol.
Your Christmas gift is getting me thinking about a second go of it!
With my new skills, I can set out my RR curves with spiral transitions, 5% grades, and 600' of track with high precision.
Have fun!
