Hey everyone, I'm new here from Northern California. After taking a 16 year hiatus, I've decided to get back into model railroading. It hasn't been hard to get back into the hobby, and I've realized how much that I've missed it. I never had any permanent layout, it's always been temporary. Now I've decided to make my first permanent layout. I've decided to go with a 4x8 layout. I know, I know, I shouldn't. However, I feel it would best suit the area that I will be working in (a corner of my garage.) I've also decided to go a little different route. I already have a small collection of Dutch trains so I will be making a Dutch model railroad layout. I have fond memories going to the Netherlands as a child and always enjoyed riding the trains there. The Era I will be concentrating on will be the mid 90's (Era V I believe). This decision has left me with a few challenges ($$$ and availability) and benefits (The Netherlands has very little elevation changes: no hills, and canals are pretty straight.) I plan to add a few more sets, but this is what I have so far: My layout will be a pretty basic double oval, I might add spur lines in the future. The outer oval is a combination of 18" and 22" radius curves, while the inner oval is 18" radius with 22" easements. This is what I have designed (for now): I hope to learn more from this forum and look forward to talking with everyone. Thanks!
Welcome to Trainboard! I too am in northern California, only a little more north than you; about 23 miles from the Oregon/California border as a matter of fact. I did not see what gauge you are modelling, but it looks like HO. Good luck in your venture, and keep us up to date with your progress with photos.
Hello, I'm a bit east of you. Good luck with your plans, they sound interesting. Be sure to see if there are any local clubs that operate European prototype. I know in Sacramento there is a large group of European modelers with a modular layout.
Not quite the same part of the state, but some time back I got to take some time off from F Irwin to visit Barstow and Tehachapi. I loved it! A Dutch themed layout will certainly be different from the norm. Looking forward to keeping up on your progress.
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Yes, the layout is HO scale. It's beautiful up there in the State of Jefferson I'll have to check out that Sacramento group. As soon as I get my Linux server back up, I'll start posting on my blog. There's so much information on this forum, it's a great time killer
Welcome to one of the best forums ever. Well, at least there is a lot of model railroaders in Santa Rosa and surrounding area. Not like north of you.
Thanks! Are there? I'm fairly new to the "scene" tongue: so I wasn't aware. I know there's a train show coming up, but that isn't until September
Hey everyone! I just built up my wordpress blog. There isn't much content (yet) but it will definitely be a work in progress. Feel free to visit it: http://blog.paulburkett.net/?cat=4 Thanks!
Unfortunately, a 4X8 in a corner will be impossible to reach over ... but best of luck. In addition, the European Train Enthusiasts has a chapter in the San Franciso Bay Area that builds, operates, and displays very nicely-done European-themed modules. Good people to connect with, even if you don't build any modules.
Yeah I read through that website. Unfortunately I won't have a dedicated room where I can build a around-the-room layout. I'm ordering the rest of the track for the layout as soon as I can figure out a good station to work with my layout. If it looks like it'll be a struggle then I might put it in the center of my garage. I still want to park my car and walk around it to get inside my house so that's another struggle. Luckily no benchwork has been laid yet. I'll have to check out ETE, unfortunately I work evenings on Saturdays so that might be a problem. Thanks though.
