Let's hear it from the Active duty military members out there. An Air Force guy made a post about building in a garage, which got me thinking...
I dont currently have a functional layout, I run on my local club, and at a club by my fiance's house in Wisconsin. (Paper Valley Model RR) I am active duty US Coast Guard. I have a N scale coffee table under construction, and a ton of HO equipment being gradualy upgraded, and an 1:72/1:87 airfield carefully packed away. I plan on putting the airfield back up on a shelf, and am stuck on what to do with the HO stuff. I want to be able to run trains, but by the time I have a "decent" layout build it will be time to transfer again. What are the rest of y'all doin? goin modular with a generic size? (My problem, is what fits one room probably wont fit your next one.) Are y'all building modules to run on a modular club layout? or just building modules that will fit in with your dream layout after you retire?
Semper P and stay safe out there!
The garage guy was me. USAF active duty, 12 years' service. Currently finishing my PhD in meteorology at NC State University in Raleigh (I'm a weather officer).
I have a portable N scale layout built on a hollow-core door with folding, telescoping legs:
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Well, I'm not an armed member, but I wanted to throw this out for you. I read somewhere about an Officer who built in a container, and we have several of those discussions in the back page dungeon of this thread. He had the opportunity for the army to move his little container of HO to whatever base he was transferred to. And if he was taken overseas, it would sit over here and eagerly await it's stationmaster to return. You may have an opportunity like this.
Also, if you build in 2x4 sections on a standard, that all the track meets at the smae place, then a room that's bigger will have more room for walkways, and rooms that are smaller myay have modules turned sideways underneath.
Sorry to step in.
-Morgan
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
I'm on active duty and deployed. I took along my collection of Sergent couplers to build to pass the time. I plan to start construction on structures for my layout when I return. I've been working on a design for a layout and have a pretty good idea, but the constant moves and deployments have shelved the plans for the time being.
Hopefully I can imporve my skills at structure building and detailing the many models that I do have.
Nate
Just wanted to make sure, since I don't have the personal experience.
Yeah, the arrangement was complenentary. I THINK and could be wrong, that this was the book I read it in. Click me! It wasn't mine, I just barrowed it. it seems like this was a guy he had talked too and written about.
You know back when I was in the service (way back when folks said things like: Awesome Tubular and Gag me with a spoon) a lot of the bases had club layouts, in talking to my nephew ( who was at FT Hood and is now in Iraq) this has pretty much gone by the wayside, I think that's a shame, I remember at Ft Stewart, and Ft Knox we had excellent club layouts, that were pretty much packed most Wednesday and Sunday nights. It's tough for servicemen who sometimes have to pick up stakes and move every 18 months to have layouts, and those served a lot of modelers who were serving their country. Hats off to Dave, and anyone for that matter who can keep their hobby going under sometimes constant relocations.
Well I'm in the Army and have been for about 6 years now. I've been doing the Model Railroad thing since I was in Jr. High. I always wanted a layout but things never worked out at the time. When I was stationed in Germany I found a little Toy Store that had model trains stuff and came up with the idea of making a modular 4X8. Cutting it into 2X4 sections so that when I had to move I could take it apart. Unfortunately... my track work is a bit strange...I had some Atlas stuff from my many tries at a layout and then I went to the LHS and bout some Maklin track, and cork road bed. Before I was sent to Iraq I got three of the modules up on legs and had all of the road bed down on all four. When it came time to move back stateside I took the legs off and the movers wrapped everything up. It made the trip across the pond in one piece and I finially made some time to get alittle further with it.
My Grandfather, who got my started in the hobby, used to do the Club thing while he was in the Air Force. They have a Club here in Colorado Springs, but with the stuff I do I'd rather stay at home around my family as much as possible. I bought a house now and plan on keeping it. Soo If I have to move again I'll just leave the layout here at the house. When this one is finished I'm going to re design it for around the wall/shelf type layout.
SSG Bradley West
Combat Engineer
Fort Carson, CO
RedSkin wrote: Well I'm in the Army and have been for about 6 years now. I've been doing the Model Railroad thing since I was in Jr. High. I always wanted a layout but things never worked out at the time. When I was stationed in Germany I found a little Toy Store that had model trains stuff and came up with the idea of making a modular 4X8. Cutting it into 2X4 sections so that when I had to move I could take it apart. Unfortunately... my track work is a bit strange...I had some Atlas stuff from my many tries at a layout and then I went to the LHS and bout some Maklin track, and cork road bed. Before I was sent to Iraq I got three of the modules up on legs and had all of the road bed down on all four. When it came time to move back stateside I took the legs off and the movers wrapped everything up. It made the trip across the pond in one piece and I finially made some time to get alittle further with it.My Grandfather, who got my started in the hobby, used to do the Club thing while he was in the Air Force. They have a Club here in Colorado Springs, but with the stuff I do I'd rather stay at home around my family as much as possible. I bought a house now and plan on keeping it. Soo If I have to move again I'll just leave the layout here at the house. When this one is finished I'm going to re design it for around the wall/shelf type layout.SSG Bradley WestCombat EngineerFort Carson, CO
My wife is AD up at the Air Force Academy. I did four active (comm), and four in the Texas ANG (weather). Even though I am no longer active duty, I still have to model with that mindset. The layout that I am working on now is a modular "domino" type layout in anticipation of the next PCS. I model the Santa Fe and dabble a little bit with the Espee.
As a MRR that had 2 brothers serve in Vietnam, I want to say THANKS, guys.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
I am retired Navy. I just didn't build a layout until I retired. Looking back, I should have built towns as switching modules. They could operate independently and keep you busy for quite a while. When you get tired of it, pack it away and start another. when you have three or four, it may be time to retire with the house and layout space you want. Then build some benchwork, unpack and set up your town modules on it, and connect some track between them, and your layout is almost done. You can rearrange the modules as desired to fit with whatever theme you want to do.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I decided to try to tackle a 10x11ft L-shaped n-scale layout in my spare bedroom. I've been working for two years and I have about 95% of the track down and about 70% of the scenery. I plan on dismantling it in about two years. In hindsight, I knew that I had only four years with this one and I should have started smaller (first layout) but I had big ambitions. I've learned alot but I will lose a lot of money when I tear it down. Sure, I'll keep the trains, vehicles and structures, along with trees, electrical components and as much wire and track as I can, but the bench and most scenery will have to go. I love my Peco code 55 (well made) but I may have tried something different next time had I not invested in 40-50 turnouts. I also have felt "rushed" because I didn't realize how much time it all takes. Oh well... live and learn.
ET2 Roycroft, USS Rhode Island, SSBN 740 Gold. (fortunately, my op tempo is only around 25%... I got lucky)
"You show me a man with both feet on the ground and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants on." -anonymous
jkroft,
I went to C school with one of your Plankowners, yes I'm old. On the Georgia (I'm a Plankowner) we went to sea in the fall/winter with a 2' tree and a circle of N Scale track. We gave up one of the tables in the mess deck to celebrate the season. Noone complained. The skipper dressed up as Santa which was a hit, but the COB dressing up as the Easter bunny got the A gang pretty hot... but not in an angry way.
Bob
PS. I was a knuckle dragging MT and you are still a sweater girl!
Kinda like having kids, we waited until I was done my service to start a permament layout.
US Navy Seabee, 1991-1997 ( four 7 month oversea's deployments not including 10 months spent playing in the desert sand ).
Well, I must say, I am in a part of the military that really is a 'True Gem' of a deal. I'm a member of the Air National Guard, and I am Active Duty ( it's called AGR - Active Guard Reserve for those that don't know the term). My unit goes overseas for about 60 days (+/-) about every 18-24 months. I never have to move (unless BRAC closes my base - which, given our next mission (currently F-16's - soon (about 1-2 yrs out) to be MQ-9 Reapers) won't happen anytime soon).
As for my layout - my apartment is not big enough for the cat, the g/f, a layout, and myself. So, this fall after I get back from my trip to Iraq, I'll buy a nice house, and then start building it in sections (easier to disassemble for a move if need be). I model HO and will be modeling the Syracuse NY area in a mixed variety of sorts. I want NYC, CR, CSX, NYS&W, and FGLK at a minimum on it for various reasons, and it will have alot of industries for alot of switching.
On my upcoming trip to the Sandbox, I'm not thinking of taking anything to work on. However, I will be taking alot of my books so I can read up on the hobby and get alot of ideas (maybe even some plans) in my off time.
For those of us still in, I thank you for your service. For the retiree's, those of us still in, thank you for your service!
Take care!
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/nuts4sports34/
Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
I finshed 30 years active duty a couple of years ago (Coast Guard).
I started a 4x8 layout during my 1st tour on a ship. 2nd house I rented was too exorbitant at $225/month rent. Moved to a smaller, cheaper house, and had to cut the layout to 4x6 to fit. As time progresed found that a full 4x8 will not fit in many spare bedrooms. Also, joined a club affiliated with the LHS.
In Pensacola, I became pretty active in a club there. Home layout took a back seat. Learned to get movers to use mattress cartons to pack layout, and made my own wood box lined with foam rubber for rolling stock.
Built another 4x8 along the line (i'm sometimes a slow learner), but when I moved to Alaska I found inside dimensions of overseas crates are always an inch less then 8ft.
Found out when trying to build a shelf layout that many houses do not have straight or vertical walls.
Since I have never had space for even a medium-size layout, and never had a lot of money to spend on the hobby either, I ended up focusing on parts of the hobby that are time-consuming, but not big on space or money. Most of my locomotives and cars are built or being built from kits, and track is mostly handlaid. This helps keep my rolling stock and budget in line with space available. I can spend 5 years on a 4x6 before it's time to scrap it.
just my experiences
I'm just about to go through a PCS move (active duty Navy - like sparkyjay31, I'm also a Seabee - CEC officer, spent 6 months last yr in Iraq).
I designed my layout in sections so that I could assemble them together in a box shape for moving. Here's a couple of photos of my layout as it currently sits in my garage awaiting the moving company:
The "box" in the foreground consists of two 18" x 4' long layout sections, boxed in with 1/8" masonite. The side facing you is obviously the bottom of one of the layout sections. The other layout section is on the opposite side of the "box," also with it's bottom side facing out. Between the sections are 4 pieces of 16" tall, 1/8" thick masonite secured with #6 screws around the perimeter of the two sections. There is no "vertical" support bracing in the corners between the two layout sections. Turns out the stiffness of the masonite itself makes a sturdy enough structure to survive transportation from point A to B... At least, that's the theory. This is my first attempt with this kind of thing, so hopefully it will work out well. There are a total of 4 of these "boxes" that make up my layout in "transit mode." The other 3 assembled boxes can be seen in the background.
By the way, the masonite will serve double duty. Once the layout is reassembled, the masonite sections will be used as the backdrop for the layout.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
I'm a little confused, Maybe a quick unpack to see how it works? I;m intrigued too.
Also wanted to share this too. http://kjbond.com/feedback.htm
JayandStefSmith wrote:Active duty Navy in Guam, so I feel your pain. Seems like all these Air Force guys have room for layouts. Here's how my layout is looking.Jason Smith
Welcome to the forums!!!
My wife just graduated from the NCO academy last night, and there were a couple of guys from Andersen in her class. It was funny, because we have had a bit of snow since they have been here, and they are just discovering what the red area of the temperature controls for the AC/Heat are for in a car (they are reservists there). They also thought that if they just kept running the windshield wiper fluid, that it would make the ice go away. They also tried pouring water on the windshield, and that didn't go over so well either. Fortunately they didn't break the glass.
Not all the Air Force guys get to have a layout (myself as an example). I am a Second Lieutenant currently station at the beautifully (not really) Edwards AFB. I am a member of the local MRR club and because of the whole time, money and space issues I have not started a layout. I am planning on trying to build a layout in the next year (once I get my promotion) but it is going to be in the form of free-mo modules.
Chris
Lancaster, CA
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
Photos at:Flicker account
YouTube:StellarMRR YouTube account
Flashwave wrote: I'm a little confused, Maybe a quick unpack to see how it works? I;m intrigued too. Also wanted to share this too. http://kjbond.com/feedback.htm
Sorry, but with the movers coming in 3 days, it's a little too hectic around here to unpack it right now for a photo. Unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to take photos while I was in the process of assembling the shipping boxes. Once the household goods arrive at my new location, I'll try and remember to take some photos during disassembly, then post those.
The link you posted shows an interesting setup. I toyed with an idea like that, but thought the cart would be too big and cumbersome for handling with all my other household goods.
To give you a simpler idea of how my setup works, imagine a box that's 4' long, 18" wide, and 16" tall. The top and bottom of the box are made of identically-sized layout sections. The "top" sides of the layout sections (i.e. the sides with the track and scenery) are facing the center of the box. The four sides of the box are appropriately sized pieces of masonite, which are screwed to the edges of the layout sections on top and bottom. Hope that made a little more sense.
stokesda wrote: Flashwave wrote: I'm a little confused, Maybe a quick unpack to see how it works? I;m intrigued too. Also wanted to share this too. http://kjbond.com/feedback.htm Sorry, but with the movers coming in 3 days, it's a little too hectic around here to unpack it right now for a photo. Unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to take photos while I was in the process of assembling the shipping boxes. Once the household goods arrive at my new location, I'll try and remember to take some photos during disassembly, then post those.The link you posted shows an interesting setup. I toyed with an idea like that, but thought the cart would be too big and cumbersome for handling with all my other household goods.To give you a simpler idea of how my setup works, imagine a box that's 4' long, 18" wide, and 16" tall. The top and bottom of the box are made of identically-sized layout sections. The "top" sides of the layout sections (i.e. the sides with the track and scenery) are facing the center of the box. The four sides of the box are appropriately sized pieces of masonite, which are screwed to the edges of the layout sections on top and bottom. Hope that made a little more sense.
I thought about it and see what you're doing. That was a good idea.
Yup, 26 years Active Air Force (25 years weather and the last one POL), couple of layouts here and there, mostly collecting for "someday". Right now I'm part of a Free-Mo modular group which has helped me with with my modelling skills because of the diverse talent we have. "Someday" is only 1 year and 26 days away, my wife is already living in our new home in Nebraska with a 14 X 26 room with MY name on it!
Rick Keil
Wichita, KS