New Member Intro

[funwithtrains]

Hello,

My name is Rob and I live in Pennsylvania. While I have enjoyed trains since I was a kid, I really got started into model trains when a good friend of mine gave me a Marklin HO (3-rail AC) starter set about 4 years ago.

Since that time I have caught the bug and have added more 3-rail HO, G gauge, O gauge, Z scale -- and most recently, I'm just getting into 2-rail HO.

I have thoughts of layouts for at least 3 different scales, but have not yet started on those. I look forward to learning from other folks here in the forum.

Rob

 

[nachoman]

Welcome. That 3-rail marklin is fun stuff. Durable, too

Kevin

 

[Chessie6459]

Welcome to the-gauge rob. Good to see another person on here from Pennsylvania. What part of PA you from?

 

[N Gauger]

Welcome Aboard, Rob!!

I model in G too (actually "F" 1:20.3) but it's still "BIG"

You're closer to one of us, either "Chessie6459" or me!!! sign1sign1

 

[funwithtrains]

Thanks for the welcomes! I live in Doylestown and work in Horsham.

 

[Ralph]

Hi Rob! You certainly have some diverse experience with the hobby! Glad you could join us! What are you planning with the HO?
Ralph

 

[nkp174]

Welcome!

Check out Ulf's work...I think its in the modular layout forum. He illustrated how to configure 3-rail HO track to be compatible with both 2 and 3 rail HO locomotives.

There's someone else here who swears by Marklin stuff...our resident WP fan? Too rich for my blood, but nice stuff!

 

[CSXect]

Welcome, I am somewhat new to this forum to.

I am a diehard S gauger with a serious O gauge habit:yep:

I have trains in G,O,On30,S,HO and N may get a Z set one of these days:mrgreen:

Currently working on bench work that will have enough room for all my trains to run on

 

[funwithtrains]

Thanks for all of the welcomes!

As for HO plans, right now I'm thinking of a something like a dining room table-top layout, for space reasons. Was thinking I had to decide between 3 rail and 2 rail, but I'm interested in learning about using 3 rail with AC and DC locos as mentioned in the post above -- that could work well for me if I kept the layout somewhat generic.

Eventually, I'd like to set up a German layout for Era III, perhaps a US 3-rail layout for my Marklin NYC locos (PA-1 and Mikado) and a modern Southwest U.S. layout for my growing BNSF interests.

Not to mention a garden railroad and perhaps a little Z layout . . .

Too many interests, too little time!

 

[TrainNut]

As for HO plans, right now I'm thinking of a something like a dining room table-top layout, for space reasons.

Take a jig saw and router and cut out the top part of your dining room table, build a box underneath for support and containment, have a piece of glass cut to fit and now you have a layout inside your dining room table. I know, easier said than done. I've done several living room tables but never the dining room table. Proceed only if you have the consent of your other half:mrgreen:!

 

[funwithtrains]

That's a big negative! Yes, I might get away with a coffee table layout for Z, but I think I'd be in the doghouse if I touched the dining room table.