New to this forum

[scubaterry]

Hi, been RR modeling for about a year now. Currently building a new layout. Just got transferred to the Florida Keys three months ago and my previous layout didnt make the move very well. actually it was time for it to go as it grew into a very large monster of a thing. I favor NYC in HO as I traveled many times in my childhood from Up state NY to Bellfountain on the NYC/NKP. My qestion is anyone out there in the Florida Keys???? What a cultural vacuum down here. The local movie theater is a converted bar with one screen and seats 50 people. The nearest Hobby shop is 120+ miles in Miami. you have to have a death wi***o drive there more than twice a year. So I do all my purchases online. Anyway I plan on visiting this forum often to suck up all the expierience and help as I can. Tks in advance!

[dave9999]

Welcome Terry,
I'm in Fla, but a long way from the Keys. There are a few folks here from central
and south Fla... I don't recall anyone from that far south. [8D] There is a wealth
of information here, so jump right in. Good luck, Dave

[cwclark]

[#welcome] welcome to the forum...the only people i know in Florida is my Dad..he lives near Eustis which is in the middle of the state and he models G gauge...this is a good place if you have questions in the hobby and there's some nice folks here...I model in HO (Southern Pacific with a bit of the UP intertwined) and are building a layout in a 23' x 25' room here in beautiful downtown Crosby, Texas...where's that you ask?..it's in the middle of a bunch of nothing just east of Houston...been doing this stuff since i was in the Navy over 25 years ago...it's a great hobby!...[:D]

[selector]

Welcome, Terry. I am nowhere near you, but it is always a pleasure to hear from a new voice...so-to-speak.

Many people order rolling stock and locomotives online because they tend to be less costly that way, even with shipping. Just make sure you have a solid grip on the company's return policy in case you need to do it, and make sure you are very clear about which loco brand and model you desire.

Unless you are very clear about what you want, ordering scenic materials and structure kits is best done at a hobby shop where you can see what you are getting. Still, online procurement of that stuff works, too.

What are you doing way out there?

-Crandell

[AntonioFP45]

Hello ScubaTerry! Welcome! [#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

I'm in Tampa, near the West Coast. If you're ever up this way, the shops to check out are Happy Hobo Trains in Tampa, H&R Trains in Pinellas Park. Happy Hobo is Top of the line!

Please, tell us about your model railroading interests and themes. (Time periods, equipment, layout plans, etc). This is a great forum to be on!

Enjoy those clear, blue waters!

[siberianmo]

[#welcome] to the forum! I too am no where near you, but HAVE spent time in the Keys (does that count?) - I was a sailor for many, many years - but that's [#offtopic] and you'll find that some folks object to straying too far .......

My inventory of HO "stuff" came primarily from Internet sources - of which there are zillions. Stick with the major players - those who advertise on these forums are good bets, and of course there is always Walthers. Good idea to get on their mailing list - you'll then receive a flyer every month with some pretty good sale prices. One thing to keep in mind with ordering from Internet sources is to check out those outfits who provide free shipping - generally tied to how much you order. This can add up in savings, which of course means you can buy more "stuff"!

See ya![tup]

[scubaterry]

Dave9999 you wouldn't be the infamous retired Navy Dave out on ten mile road in Pensacola would you. If so glad to hear from you again and if not then I know TWO Daves in Pcola.
For the other kind folks that answered. I am retired Navy myself. Retired while stationed in Pensacola florida. Just prior to retiring I took up teaching Scuba Diving which I did for the next 15 years. I married a very nice young lady who subsequently joined the Florida Highway Patrol. After graduating from her six month academy in Tallahassee we were sent to Marathon in the FLorida Keys. Both being avid scuba divers (she is a Master Diver) we were excited about coming here. So that is how we got here. As mentioned I grew up in Watertown NY and my grandparents lived in Bellfountain Ohio. We made many train trips to and fro as I grew up. My grandfather was actually a train engineer at the Bellfountain yard. So I have chosen the fifties time period. I run mostly NYC, some NKP and assorted other lines. I am not a real stickler for Prototype for me it makes it too much work. I love to build and even more like to run trains. I am currently building the Boston's Union Freight Railroad featured in Model Railroader mag. Lots of switching. Tired of my old round-de-roundy I had in Pcola. well thats alittle about myself. Tks for your time.
Terry

[NZRMac]

Welcome scubaterry, I'm no where near you either, New Zealand. Building HO in the garage and having a blast!!

Ken.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scubaterry

Dave9999 you wouldn't be the infamous retired Navy Dave out on ten mile road in Pensacola would you.
If so glad to hear from you again and if not then I know TWO Daves in Pcola.
I am retired Navy myself. Retired while stationed in Pensacola florida.

Terry,
Sorry, but now you know two Daves in Pensacola[:D]. You know, it really is a
small world... awhile back I was the first to replied to a new member and
the next day I got an email from him telling me he was in Mobile. We
exchanged a few emails with info on the hobby shops in our areas. Now
I reply to your post, and low and behold, you lived in Pensacola.

Well if you are ever in town, look me up. Good luck, Dave

[scubaterry]

Dave9999 well if you get out to Trains By Johnson on ten mile road say hi to Dave for me. IT is a small world. When we opened a bank account here three months ago we found out the manager had just moved here from Pensacola and one of the cashiers was engaged to a pilot training in Pcola. That is why you always have to be good, you never know who is watching.
Terry

[dave9999]

Terry,
I know Dave at Trains by Johnson very well. Nice guy, very helpful
as well as informed. I haven't made it out there lately. Been doing
most of my shopping at Bobe's. John at Bobe's is also a very
helpful and always helps me out with those hard to find items.
Bobe's is only about a mile from my house and with this traffic
in P'cola...well you know[8D]. Dave

[scubaterry]

Dave9999 I lived off of Michigan just down the road from Bobes.
T

[SpaceMouse]

Welcome Terry,

I've been to Key West once. My dad drove down for laughs and giggles. Turned around and drove back. I remember a lot of water.

[dave9999]

Terry,
The coincidences continue!
I also, live off of Michigan Ave.

Earlier when you mentioned "Navy Dave" I didn't catch that you were refering to Dave R.
He sure likes the Santa Fe...he's alright, even though he models N scale[:D]. Dave

[scubaterry]

Spacemouse - yes lots of water down here! You can throw a rock from the gulf side to the atlantic in many places. Should be interesting come hurricane season.
Dave9999 - OK I lived on Bellview Pines Rd. That would suck If you were my neighbor the whole time and We didn't know each other..

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scubaterry

Should be interesting come hurricane season.
Dave9999 - OK I lived on Bellview Pines Rd. That would suck If you were my neighbor the whole time and We didn't know each other..

No, not quite neighbors, although I grew up in the Bellview area. As a matter
of fact, we used to ride our dirtbikes in the woods that is now the neighborhood
that you lived in. I have watched this town grow larger and larger in the last
36 years. I remember when Community Drive was a dirt road! And I started
first grade the year that Longleaf Elementary and Pine Forest High opened.

I now live in the Montclair area, but my mom still lives in Bellview.

Speaking of hurricane season, I noticed you said you just moved to the Keys
three months ago. Were you here when Ivan hit? We are still recovering. Dave

[scubaterry]

Dave9999, Yes as fortune would have it we were transferred just four weeks after IVAN. We took nothing but tree damage. The good news was we sold our house in less than six hours because of the housing shortage. I actually got 3000.00 more than what I asked for.
Tt