Recent content by Soonerfan

Yippee! Done with the frame of the benchwork. Used L-girder construction--kids helped thinking it was a workbench for myself. Now to install risers--without a definite track plan as yet, do you install risers or wait until a plan is in place? Using 5/8" plywood with blue styrofoam panel (not...

Thanks for all the help. I've decided that I need more books to help me with the benchwork--I have bricks for hands and no woodworking skills. Will probably wait till after Xmas to involve the kids with "their" new train sets.

Is chipboard=particle board? And could not find foam board...any yanks got translation? Also was thinking that if I shortened two of the 4' cross pieces, I could make "two" boxes and attach them together. This would enable me to break it down easier. Also, if I used 1x4 for the outside...

The 4x8 open grid baseboard looks like a lot of measuring and cutting! Which direction do you have continous framing--the 8 foot length or the 4 foot length. If I have 8 foot long 1x4's, I will need 28 of the 1 foot lengths, if I have 4 foot long 1x4's, I will need 21 of the 1 foot lengths...

Have you thought of moving to the colony and starting a consulting business? Heading to the local Home Depot in a bit to see what I can find. Thanks for the tips...check back with you later!

Thanks Shamus for the reply. By the way, I am assuming that chipboard is what we necks call plywood, and what you call insulation is...is...I am not sure what that is. I have seen some blue flat insulation that is similar to styrofoam but stronger used in roofs and walls. Or is it the white...

Anybody have good website suggestions for benchwork plans/specs/ideas? HO scale, 4X8 or a bit larger. Also, any ideas for a cheap, portable, kidproof roadbed for G Scale train to use indoors under the track on carpet--like foam strips, or maybe one of those interlocking rubber mats for kids?

Thanks for all the replies. Went with a basic Bachmann set just to get started and a basic Woodland scenic set to get them started. Unfortunately, got steel track and think I maybe should replace with nickel silver before I started permanently laying track. Also got a better loco to go with...

Hey guys, need suggestion: I want a steam HO loco that smokes and has a can motor, flywheels, and is under $100. Am I dreaming or is this possible. And is Mantua or Mehano any good? Soonerfan

Thanks y'all for replying. I am now in shopping mode, deciding on going to my local hobby shop for Athearn loco and power stuff. Still confused about couplers, DCC, etc. but hoping that local folks can fill me in. Next question, when I come back here with more questions, do I start a new...

Thanks for the reply. I am looking for ready to run in the area of power supply (do they still call them transformers?), wiring, etc. and start with a basic layout. Will let the kids (and I) add on the scenery, build layout, etc. as we go from there. At first, start with one train, kids will...

Looking to purchase set for kids ages 5-12, primarily for 5 year old but others will use it. Have a basement area but would like to keep it portable, 4x8 minimum, possibly more. Like O gauge because of childhood memories, but is HO more reasonable. What brands of ready to run are good...