Model Railroading... anyone?

My Dad and I had 2 layouts in his basement when I was a kid. We had a 4'x8' double loop HO guage with a couple spurs, and a N guage "switcher" style layout (2'x8' with a 2'x4' peninsula). Dad helped me do the framework and track layout and I researched through Model Railroader magazines and learned scenery techniques. It was fun but I eventually grew interest in other things. I would like to get back into when I am older.

 

i like switcher style layouts, dont take up alot of space, and they can keep you entertained for hours. just electric switchs are so damn exspencive...

 

http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/exhibit/video/4-minutes-wunderland/


I'd love to build one. Used to fool with them as a kid of course. Funny I can across this, as I was emailed this link this weekend, unfreakinbelivable!!!

 

Yea I really like the detail you can pack into a small switcher layout. My Dad helped me hook up about 15 electric switches and I made a panel for them. It was so awesome! lol

 

Epic.... even the boats and car's move... i would go to germeny just to see that... i really dont think anything compaires to that layout..

 

Just getting back into it....just bought a Lionel set for the Christmas tree...and I'm planning to use Department 56 for my buildings....and 1:43 scale for my cars. I will be putting in LED flashing lights in all of my fire engines and police cars because I love that kind of stuff....I've read so much on it that my head is about to explode and now my wife hates me....

I do have plans for a more intricate set up with HO scale in a few months.

 

Have you looked at what the HiRailers are doing?

 

this fourm has alot of good information too... and they answer just about any question you might have. http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums


i'm working on an O guage layout now... a ceiling loop... as soon as i get motivation to work on it, i end up buying more trains.... just picked up a amtrak 3 car RDC set yesterday for $75....

 

Thanks for that forum link

Went to Home Depot and Lowe's today....50% off on their Christmas village stuff. Got 10 houses, some trees and some LED lights for the village. What a savings. I don't care about keeping it the same kind of stuff...just as long as it's to scale and you can put lights in it.

 

Here is the website I'm getting my LED's from.
http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/

Their answers to questions are awesome, polite, and very timely.

 

I got into model trains a few years back. This was my first competed project. N-scale diorama. I did this to try out geodesic foam...Bragdon Enterprises - Geodesic Foam Products...this guy was at one of the Great American Model Train shows and was doing demos..he made it look easy. I made quite the mess but in the end it worked out okay.

 

just finished my ceiling loop... i like your N diarama, you should get into the modular club layouts.. reminds me of that...

 

you've got some cool looking' trains there

 

sub

 

There's a older guy I work with that is crazy for this stuff and has awesome Youtube videos...check him out

http://www.youtube.com/user/davidh545/videos

 

Very nice! I built a very similar diorama to test foam techniques when I was a kid. I used a hot knife to carve the road bed for the track, it was pretty cool.

 

This one uses expanding foam for the terrain surface. The screen is precut then laid out flat on plastic film and the foam is applied, then before it cures it's moved into position.

 

thanks, the majorority of them are MPC era Lionels' the market on them now is faily low, but a good portion of them were still made at the mount clemets plant in michigan, all the new lionels are made in china now...

i do have a complete "BOXED" set from 1937.. the engine doesnt run, but i have the original box for it...

by far my favorite is my the #8850 that i bought unopened in the box... of course i had to take it out and run it....

I have a thing for GG1's... i have a williams and a Kline model on the way in the mail this week

 

this is my wife's dad...guy is amazing!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCTPHbjpPcs

 

Does your father-in-law have a lot of time on his hands? I spent 3 months building just one bridge. Great job! Is this open to the public?