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Just introducing myself

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Central Texas
  • 10 posts
Just introducing myself
Posted by halfnut on Monday, December 1, 2008 10:23 PM

Hi folks, I am Roger Smith. Been interested in model trains most of my life. In the last few years, I have discovered G scale and find it to be by far the most interesting. Currently I am trying to design a small layout. I am one of those people who dream of one thing and end up with another, mostly from poor planning.

Anyone have a link to a site with plans incorporating a turntable and a sweet trestle?

Thanks

Roger

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: SOUTHERN, WI
  • 96 posts
Posted by JRB 1953 on Monday, December 1, 2008 10:38 PM

WELCOME ROGER.  I'M SURE YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF HELP ON THIS SITE.  I PEEKED IN FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING ACTIVE.  JUST READING THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE REALLY HELPED ME. DON'T BE SHY ABOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, YOU'LL GET HELPFUL REPLYS.

HOW BIG OF AN AREA ARE YOU CONSIDERING?  DESIGN IT WITH LARGE CURVES SO YOU CAN PURCHASE THE MODERN LOCOMOTIVES IF YOU DESIRE, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES I MADE.  BUT, THEN AGAIN MY WIFE IS HAPPY WITH THE LIMITED SELECTION OF ENGINES I CAN PURCHASE, BECAUSE OF MY R-1 CURVES.  MAN, WOULD I LIKE A SD70!!!

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ONBOARD!!!

JOHN

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Central Texas
  • 10 posts
Posted by halfnut on Monday, December 1, 2008 10:50 PM

I am into early steam especially logging and mining. I have plenty of room, however I want to limit the size right now. I am working on a plan to have a turntable inside my shop on a bench maybe with a few ft of track and some switches. I can run the trains thru to the outside if later I decide to do that. I like to watch the trains run around as apposed to a point to point setup. Turntables and long trestles really light my fire. I  am considering a multiple level plan.

Any thoughts?

Roger

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 7:48 AM

Roger, I sent you an email. Just let me know.

 

Rob

It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: N. California & Nevada
  • 448 posts
Posted by g. gage on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 12:24 PM

Howdy Roger, your on the right track planning on indoor storage. I found hauling rolling stock got to be a pain and caused handling damage. I ran my mainline under my house into a three track through yard.

Rob

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Arizona (high country 7k ft) USA
  • 676 posts
Posted by Rex in Pinetop on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 12:51 PM

Roger,

Here is a multi-level trestle I built.  It's a 2 1/4 turn helix to bring a train up some 21" in a confined space.

Some basic equipment for logging includes some steam donkeys:

And of course you have to have a forest.  This one needs to be trimed yet but that won't happen until this spring.

I'm planning high-line rigging in the cleared area in the foreground.

Here is an old picture of a log skid that I'm considering as well.  You can just barely see the steam donkey in the background.

This group is full of ideas so just ask and we'll do our best to brag about what's worked and what doesn't work in the garden.

Rex

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 1:10 PM

JRB 1953

WELCOME ROGER.  I'M SURE YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF HELP ON THIS SITE.  I PEEKED IN FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING ACTIVE.  JUST READING THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE REALLY HELPED ME. DON'T BE SHY ABOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, YOU'LL GET HELPFUL REPLYS.

HOW BIG OF AN AREA ARE YOU CONSIDERING?  DESIGN IT WITH LARGE CURVES SO YOU CAN PURCHASE THE MODERN LOCOMOTIVES IF YOU DESIRE, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES I MADE.  BUT, THEN AGAIN MY WIFE IS HAPPY WITH THE LIMITED SELECTION OF ENGINES I CAN PURCHASE, BECAUSE OF MY R-1 CURVES.  MAN, WOULD I LIKE A SD70!!!

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ONBOARD!!!

JOHN

I'm also all R1s, by choice as I'm indoors, also by choice Big Smile

Nuttin wrong with the mighty tighty, the R1, as long as you accept what your limitations are. For me I dig em, but then I did kind of use the Darjeeling Himilayan Rwy as a model for my layout...

Smile,Wink, & Grin

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
  • 1,266 posts
Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 6:09 PM

I'll also say welcome!   Roger, you may want to read my response to "Hello"; it may prove helpful.   I'm sure you'll find answers to your questions around here!

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Central Texas
  • 10 posts
Posted by halfnut on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 8:40 PM

Wow Rob, I can really appreciate the work you put into that setup. Crawling around under the house is no fun (unless its train related I guess) Very impressive

Thank you for your suggestions and the warm reception from all of the members who have responded.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Saturday, December 6, 2008 11:45 PM
Welcome aboard! I don't have any plans, but here's a photo showing one of the many trestles on my layout:
 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!

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