New Member - Mankato, Minnesoooohta

RustyCoupler Apr 22, 2022

  1. RustyCoupler

    RustyCoupler New Member

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    The nest is empty and it's time to get back into trains. I railfan in and around Mankato (UP and CN intersection) and in the Twin Cities occasionally. I previously modeled ho current to 10 to 15 years back. Sold everything 15 years ago. I'm back to prototype study and layout planning. I just switched from Atlas to AnyRail - I like AnyRail a bit more at this point. I have 10 to 15 more years of work and 10 to 15 years beyond that for retirement activity (maybe more, maybe less). My goal is to hone my modeling skills as I love realism and to create a space for fellowship with other modelers that enjoy attention to creating realistic scenes and operating sessions. I plan to center my layout on the Mankato sorting yard that is also the exchange with CN (east) and Rapid City Pierre and Eastern (renters) to the west. I am hoping for 8 staging tracks that will hold long trains for our local through traffic (I'm assuming some of it is UP-through traffic - anyone?) and the drop-offs/pick-ups that serve our local industries. I hope to model a sand plant or two, ADM, Alter Metal Recycling (they break down old rail cars), Ardent Flour, Mankato Depot, CHS Tanker washout and the splits to CN to the SW and NE. Ambitious? Yes. Will I tighten it up? I think I'll have to. Conundrum: I used to model DM&E and was hoping they'd be bringing coal trains through Mankato. Do I consider a little bit of fantasy RR as if that had gone through? Anyway, I've gone on long enough. Wow, if you made it this far, I'm impressed. Cheers
     
  2. Moose2013

    Moose2013 TrainBoard Member

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    @RustyCoupler

    Moose bid you hearty welcome to da forum!
    :)

    Be impressed, Moose read entire post. Actually, be impressed Moose read any post that doesn't have photos. :whistle:

    Looking forward to progress reports and photos!
    :D
     
    Hardcoaler, RustyCoupler and in2tech like this.
  3. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    What scale, unless you mentioned it in post and I missed it. Me like @Moose2013 kind of go in a daze if no photo's :)
     
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  4. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome aboard, RustyCoupler. Sounds like you have extensive plans-good luck with them.
     
  5. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Hi RustyCoupler, welcome. Happy to have you aboard. I like your focus. I look forward to your creation as you progress, with copious photos, PLEASE.
     
  6. RustyCoupler

    RustyCoupler New Member

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    Thanks for the warm reception. :) HO scale as long as they make readers that work for me. Basement 3.PNG
     
    Pfunk, gmorider, in2tech and 2 others like this.
  7. RustyCoupler

    RustyCoupler New Member

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    In the screen shot above: main level in the bottom area and lower level staging area in the top of this diagram.
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard! Thanks for sharing some layout plans. Conversation about further development and photos of same always welcome! Whatever you do, just have fun!
     
    RustyCoupler likes this.
  9. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard RustyCoupler!!!!
     
    RustyCoupler likes this.
  10. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!
     
    RustyCoupler likes this.
  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm in your next-door neighbor's state, North Dakota. Welcome aboard!
     
    RustyCoupler likes this.
  12. Pfunk

    Pfunk TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome! Layout plan looks great btw
     
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