I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to get my little N gauge shelf switcher into some kind of working order, but I'm fighting a losing battle. I realise with the space I've got I'm never going to get a nice long run, even in N gauge, so why try? N gauge was too fiddly with the knuckle couplers and HO is more robust and has a bit more 'heft'.
What I've got:
Just 3 Lengths of Peco Code 83 US-style flextrack, but all the tools I'll need.
I'm 21, living in London and probably moving in the near (but not immediate) future (more than likely into a house without a 'spare' room) I've got a couple workday evenings, and two or three weekends each month to 'play trains'.
What I want:
My main aim in all of this is to do industry switching and that has to be the focus, either with a 'shunting game' like the Inglenook Sidings, or Timesaver, or interestion prototypical operation, a short run from one end to the other to see it all come together is also on the cards too.
I think I'm pretty set on a sleepy backwater town served with a few industries on their own spurs with a single-track mainline. The wide boards are to allow more empty scenic area for a more realistic look than a shelf full of parallel tracks!
Givens and Druthers
Scale: 1:87
Gauge: HO
Prototype: None
Era: 1965-75
Region: Arid ?
Railroad: ATSF + some kind of shortline
Max Space:
10' x 2' along a wall - could possibly be extended into an L with 'sticking out' part of the L as 5' x 4' for a helix or return loop.
Governing Rolling Stock: Suitable freight cars
Relative Emphasis:
50% Operation / 50% Realism
10% Mainline / 90% Switching
Operational Priorities:
1. Local Freight Operations
2. Engine Terminal Movements
Typical operation Crew: 1 (just me!)
Eye level of Owner: 5' 2" maybe?. I'm 5' 5" tall
Minimum Radius: 18" hidden, no real curves otherwise
Train Length: 3-6 cars
Maximum Grade: 8% (short trains!)
Primary Trackage: Peco Code 83 Flex and Streamline Points
Couplers: Kadee knuckles
Power: Initially DC, progressing to DCC upon completion
Duckunders / Liftouts: -
Distance between decks: 9" track-to-track
Favorite Aspects of Modeling:
(1) Operating trains,
(2) Building benchwork and laying track
(3) Scenery creation
(4) Building locos and cars.
I have 10(ish) hours per week for model railroading.
I have $200 per month for model railroading.
What I've got:
Just 3 Lengths of Peco Code 83 US-style flextrack, but all the tools I'll need.
I'm 21, living in London and probably moving in the near (but not immediate) future (more than likely into a house without a 'spare' room) I've got a couple workday evenings, and two or three weekends each month to 'play trains'.
What I want:
My main aim in all of this is to do industry switching and that has to be the focus, either with a 'shunting game' like the Inglenook Sidings, or Timesaver, or interestion prototypical operation, a short run from one end to the other to see it all come together is also on the cards too.
I think I'm pretty set on a sleepy backwater town served with a few industries on their own spurs with a single-track mainline. The wide boards are to allow more empty scenic area for a more realistic look than a shelf full of parallel tracks!
Givens and Druthers
Scale: 1:87
Gauge: HO
Prototype: None
Era: 1965-75
Region: Arid ?
Railroad: ATSF + some kind of shortline
Max Space:
10' x 2' along a wall - could possibly be extended into an L with 'sticking out' part of the L as 5' x 4' for a helix or return loop.
Governing Rolling Stock: Suitable freight cars
Relative Emphasis:
50% Operation / 50% Realism
10% Mainline / 90% Switching
Operational Priorities:
1. Local Freight Operations
2. Engine Terminal Movements
Typical operation Crew: 1 (just me!)
Eye level of Owner: 5' 2" maybe?. I'm 5' 5" tall
Minimum Radius: 18" hidden, no real curves otherwise
Train Length: 3-6 cars
Maximum Grade: 8% (short trains!)
Primary Trackage: Peco Code 83 Flex and Streamline Points
Couplers: Kadee knuckles
Power: Initially DC, progressing to DCC upon completion
Duckunders / Liftouts: -
Distance between decks: 9" track-to-track
Favorite Aspects of Modeling:
(1) Operating trains,
(2) Building benchwork and laying track
(3) Scenery creation
(4) Building locos and cars.
I have 10(ish) hours per week for model railroading.
I have $200 per month for model railroading.