Back in the saddle again!

[Dr. John]

After several months of apartment dwelling after our move to Prattville, AL from Mobile, we will finally close on our new house this Tuesday. It has been a busy five months with little or no time for trains. Now, I'm starting to plan TWO layouts!

I have a 12x16 shop that I plan to build a modest O gauge, traditional layout. I am also planning an On30 switching layout in my closet. Yes, that's right, my closet. When we built this house, my wife wanted a closet big enough for her sewing machine. Fair enough! So I had a closet built big enough for a small shelf layout (in addition to all of those pesky clothes). My wife got the larger closet, but that's okay. I've got electrical outlets, lighting, and AC and heat in there. (No jokes about coming out of the closet, if you please [:D] .)

Anyway, I hope to get back to being a regular on the forum. I've missed the great minds and great insight. Well, maybe that's a bit over the top, but I've missed the wit, humor and pictures! I'll keep you posted on the new railroads as we continue planning and begin construction (hopefully, this summer!)

[FJ and G]

Dr. John,

Welcome back, post your plans so we can eye them over

[Buckeye Riveter]

[Dr. John]

I'm still working on the O gauge layout plans. It will be a 5x9 or possibly 6x10 layout, probably derived from one of the old Lionel display layouts of the 1950s.

My On30 layout will be a variation of this shelf railway designed by Mark kendrick: http://www.geocities.com/mark_the_train_brain/layout.htm
I will make a few changes, such as reversing the crossover tracks in front of the warehouse to improve operation. The middle track on the right end will be extended for staging.

[FJ and G]

John,

That is a neat switching layout. If had anything critical I'd post it but can't find anything wrong. It looks interesting. The 3-rail layout I'm doing happens to also be a switching layout as well.

Hope you have enough room to wiggle around in that closet! When I built my basement I made a walk-in closet that is 4 feet wide and 19 feet long. It's full of train junk right now.

[cnw1995]

Great to 'hear' from you again. Prattville sounds like a nice place. And the layout designs look sharp. Isn't it fun to start something again?

[Dr. John]

Thanks for the kind words, guys! Dave, the closet is 8x9, the switching layout will be about 6x6 on 18" shelves. It will be tight but not too cramped.

Doug, you are right! It is fun to get started again!