Hello Jeff, and welcome. I too am trying to re-enter the hobby after a 30+ year hiatus. Not easy what with all the new technology that has come down the pike (pun intended). Well, honestly, for the past two years I've done nothing beyond lurk in the forums, read train magazines and look at pictures online. LOL! Not being much of a carpenter I plan on ordering the pre-fab benchwork from Mianne. Yep, plan on doing that any day now...
Good luck to you and keep us posted. Say, I'm a MI native myself... where the heck is Dimondale?