Hi, I just joined the forum and would like to say hello to all my fellow model rail roaders. I live in Central Florida region, a little north east of Orlando. My journey started in November 2018, when I saw a deal for Bachmann battery driven HO scale plastic train for $11.00. Image attached - https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/images/HO_Scale/00957.jpg It was a toy train at best, but I was fascinated. I wanted to extend the tracks and searched for them online, but could not find the same plastic tracks that came with the set. This got me searching for HO scale track and I was astounded with the breadth of tracks, accessories, locomotives, rolling stock available. So, the decision was made. I will create my own layout. Then came the decision to buy a train set or separate parts. Looking back, I am thankful I took my time researching. Having decided on HO scale and DCC, my first buy was in Feb 2019, 3 months after my toy train - NCE PowerCab, some Atlas HO scale track, MTH Proto Sound Dash-9 and some rolling stock. then, I got Bachmann GP-9 and some more Rolling stock in March 2019. I got a 4x4 underlayment board from Home Depot, laid it out on the carpet and built a small circular layout with 18" radius. Got bored with it pretty soon and got another 4x4 to extend the layout. Then got 22' radius curves and couple of turnouts along with straights and built a simple 8x4 layout in an empty room on the floor. The track was not fastened or glued, just so I can make changes to the layout. Watched a lot of videos on You Tube for benchwork. I realized that I needed to buy some tools to create the benchwork. I only had a power drill and some screw drivers for tools. So, I bought a Miter saw, Circular saw, Jig saw, Router, orbital sander. Although I had collected enough tools and materials to start building, I never got to it. Got stuck in planning my layout and kind of drifted away from hobby for 6 months or so. I even stopped watching You Tube videos. Then in November 2019, I saw a video of somebody attaching 2x4 to Husky sawhorses and placing a board on top of it to make a temporary workbench. That got me thinking and I got 2 pair of sawhorses, stuck 8 foot 2x4 on them and nailed my 2 4x4 boards on top of it and started putting tracks on it. That got me back to the hobby. Since then I have bought lots of track, turnouts, locomotives, accessories and started on this journey again. I am in process of designing a new layout and found out about this forum. My existing layout keeps me attached to the hobby while I am in the process of designing my new layout. Thanks for reading my long winded introduction.
Thanks to you all for welcoming and encouraging words. Here are couple of shots of my existing layout. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Very good start Have tracks to run trains on and storage and/or switching operations. And remember to have fun.
Welcome Rahul!! It's not unusual for people to drift away from the hobby and then comeback. I've been doing it for fifty years or so. Eight of which have been here. Your layout looks like fun. Does the white foam keep the track from sliding around?
I have pinned down the track using track nails. I have the tendency to make small changes every now and then, so can’t glue the tracks down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's a smart move. If you ever decide to glue it down I would recommend white glue also called PVA. If you decide to make changes the glue can be released with rubbing alcohol and changes made.
Thanks for the recommendation. Would PVA be sane as Elmers glue, or is it a different product? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have created a new thread in Layout forum section with my new Layout design. Please take a look and I would appreciate some feedback. https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?posts/1149668/ Thanks
