I'm from the Thumb of Michigan originally, but I've moved around a bit the last couple years or so. Currently, I spend a lot of my time in the Port Huron area. My favorite railroads include the Thumb's Huron & Eastern, the Grand Trunk Western and the fallen flag shortline railroad, the Port Huron & Detroit. I am also almost exclusively an N scale modeler, although most of my close (model railroad) friends model in HO. I originally found this site while looking for a solution for various problems I've had with my Lifelike SW9/12 switchers. I later found the 3D printing threads, which were of particular interest as I was looking for an easier way to model the PH&D's Alco switcher fleet. Although I'm a member of several other railfan-themed message boards, I decided to join Trainboard because there is an active board just for N scale. I've learned a lot already from reading several of the threads in the N scale area, and look forward to being able to take part in an active N scale community.
Welcome to TrainBoard! Plenty of N scalers and information here. I know somewhere in the past I have seen a member or two mention the PH&D. Perhaps they'll see your post and speak up.
Welcome aboard, CharlesW. Besides N scale, any interest in 12 inch to the foot scale? Last time I was in Michigan (2000) it was to actually run the Pere Marquette 1225 in Owosso, and also visited the Huckleberry. :happy:
Thank you, Fitz. I do like to watch the 1:1 scale trains as well. I know several people involved with the 1225, although it's not operational yet. Unlike many railfans, both young and young at heart, I don't care much for steam. It might be because I've not had much exposure to operational steam equipment, but I prefer diesels to steam engines. I only get out a couple times a month to watch trains, and mostly stick close to the Port Huron area. We have two Class 1 railroads here, the CN (former Grand Trunk) and CSX. The CN has the most activity, and is unique because of their tunnel under the international border crossing. There aren't too many locations I am aware of where you can see a train flying uphill at about 60 mph (give or take) when the head end passes you, and slow to a crawl or a stop before the tail end passes. When I figure out exactly how the site works, I'll try to get a couple of photos I've taken around here uploaded to share with everyone.
