Hi! I'm Vinny, I'm a new guy to the hobby, or some might call it...the lifestyle I haven't started on a layout yet, as I'm about to move in the next couple weeks, and well..I have no idea what kind of space I will have yet. I do know that I want to build a small shelf layout to put in my 3 year old son's room. He absolutely loves trains. He has 20 DVDS with nothing but trains, has those small minitrains you find at toys r us. I can't wait to see his look once he sees the train running in his room. This will be high enough up to keep hands (and other objects) from causing derails. Now, for the big layout, I do know it will have to be done with portability in mind. I'm in the Navy and move every 3-4 years. I thinking it will probably be based in a corner, and spread out from there, just no idea how big yet. I do know I would like to find some way to get continuous running (for the boy). So I'm thinking of somekind of bended dogbone. I have been browsing through these forums, and have already found lots and lots of ideas and insperation.
Hi Vinny, Welcome Aboard. Your plans sound great, I hope nothing but the best for you and your son, as your trains run all over everywhere, or at least as far as wife allows. Out of curiosity...Does USN + Groton = Dolphins? My cousin retired many, many years ago as a Boomer Bubblehead.
I am not in the Navy but I built a small layout that might accomodate Navy moves because it is "lighter than air." It is the supply railroad aboard a World War II "Naval Air Station Lighter than Air," ie. it delivers helium cars to a blimp base. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/LTAatGalv.jpg
Welcome to Trainboard, Vinny. Your idea for the shelf layout in your son's room sounds great. Would like to see the look on his face when you first run it! :startled:
Vinny- Glad to know that you and your son are with us in this hobby! Please keep us up to date, with progress on your layout, and your son's growing interests.
I'd say the shared interest should make for a lot of great memories. I remember going to many shows where a Thomas that would run on the Ntrack layout would be the real attention getter, much more than the super realistic freights. Best of luck!
So, I've been away moving back to CT. I now have measurements for the space I can build a layout in. It's walk-in closet in the shape of a L I will be able to make four sectional bases for my layout. All sections will be 24 inches wide, two will be 24inches long placed side to side, to give me a 24X48 leg on the right side. I will have a 24x36 inch leg in center and a 24x41 leg on the left side. Basically a U with on side a bit shorter then the other I plan on having a base height of 40" as there is shelves at a height of 51" that I cannot move. I will be modeling in N scale, since this will give me the most trackage in a small space. I dont really have any particular era or local to model just hope to be able to have at least a continuous running line. I was thinking that maybe a logging or mining branch would allow me to have a hilly terrain that allows me to take a line up to multiple elevations. Now to just come up with some form of plan. As for my son's shelf train....got the shelves, needs painting to match his bed, which is painted a shade of machinery grey. My wife is making a railroad crossing sign to hang on his wall too. I bought a bunch of HO "stuff" off craiglist that needs alot of TLC, but it works, just have to start buying track for his train to run!
Hi and welcome, As you have mentioned an interest in logging and mining and although this layout is HO and not on this forum, (the builder is) this is a layout you shouldn't miss for inspiration. http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25919
