1000 Posts... Looking Back, Looking Foward (Lots of pics)

[canazar]

1000 Posts. Almost 2 years has gone by since I first found this web site. I remember poking around for months before I got the courage to post anything. I noticed about 2 weeks ago my post count was getting high. I couldnt belive it. Where in the world has time gone? Then, I started thinking to the early days. About the first days of my early layout, trying to fight with horn and hook couplers, learning my TYCO stuff wasnt cool anymore, and DCC? What the heck was that.... Oh boy..Sound in an engine? Oh I could never have one of those, too much money..

... In the last 2 years, I have had 3 different layouts, moved twice, on my 2nd DCC system after DC. Got married and yeah, I now own 5 sound equipped engines too. That still makes me giggle.

I thought about how far I have come and how much I have learned. Most of it, was right here on ths forum. So, i thought I would share my travels, maybe jog some funny memorys for you too.

It all started with my girlfreinds son (At the time) when I whipped out my old train stuff as a kid to help bond with him. it didnt take long before I got it off the floor and came home with this 4x8 sheet fo foam to pin down the track. I can still see the look of shock when I dragged it inside. We had a little apartment at the time... "But honey, I swear it didnt look that big in Home Depot"

So, when she went to work at night, we boys, would drag it down from the top of the bookshelves and set up the trees, put on the buildings, pick our favorite cars and run 'em!.


But soon, i found myself playing with them after he went to bed. I was hooked. No turning back.



I still remember getting my first Kadee coupler after getting the advice from the board. First it was 2 cars. Then my first 12. Now, over 170. Taking the big plunge and bought a 100 pack of metal axle wheels. Now, they are all metal wheels. I also now know what "free-rolling really means"

We Moved in our first house with a garage and I got to go nuts.. And in 8 months, I had built my first layout. With in 5 days, I knew what the duck under jokes were about. With 5 months, I knew I needed a new track plan but that would have to wait, this would do. But I learned alot.


Weathering used to scare me. Now, I have my cars on sale at the train shop here in Phoenix.
Whodda thunk 2 years ago.

For the first year, I didnt even know what operations ment. Now, I have maps for my guest operators of all my indsutries. Huge yard, sidings, run-around tracks, the works. After getting inspired here on the board, I bit the bullet. I now have my own fleet of painted, my colors, in my own design.


and now have my Kiva Valley Empire.





2 years went by quick, but I like to think I made the best of it. I am curious to see where I am at with this in 2 more years...

So to all of you,, Thank You. Your advice, tips and tricks, shortcuts and info has been put to good use.[:D]

[chateauricher]

Holy [censored] !!! You did all that in 2 years ?!?! [:O][:O][:O]

I spent a year working on a 48x48" table-top layout in my one-bedroom apartment only to abandon it when I moved into my house. Then I spent more than a year working on a plan that would fit the 6'8" x 8'0" room set aside for the layout. I've been working on the bench work since last September and only recently started to lay a couple pieces of track. I estimate it will take at least another 12 to 18 months before I'll be anywhere near finished laying track (let alone any scenicking). I have only 3 locomotives, a doodlebug, 9 passenger cars and one box car.

So, John, what I'm trying to say is ...
Quit working so fast !!! You're making the rest of us look bad !!! [swg]

Seriously, John... Congrats ! Keep up the good work.

[railroadyoshi]

I'm amazed, in awe, inspired...jealous... :-)

You take a very proactive approach, and that is admirable. I'm five years into this hobby and still halfway through a 4x8 piece of plywood!

Great job! You've done so many things I'm still afraid to do like weathering and painting.

Fantastic!
I can't wait to see more of your progress! (And why I can't emulate it)

[Anonymous]

Very nice.

[pcarrell]

Good stuff!

It's been great having you here and watching your RR grow. It was fun naming it too.

Here's the thing though. The funs just starting, so stick around!

[GAPPLEG]

Great canazar, youv'e really gone a long way in a short time, Your inherent talent makes me jealous. [8D]

[fiatfan]

John, thank you for sharing your fun with us. It's been a genuine pleasure to watch your progress the last two years.

Tom

[tcwright973]

That was a great post, and with photos no less. That weathered box car is very impressive. Bet they don't sit on the shelves too long. Good work.
Tom

[SpaceMouse]

Dang--I spend 15-20 hours a week on my 5 x 8 and a year and a half later I'm still a year away from completion. You must live in the train room.

[SilverSpike]

Great story and seeing your progress is such an inspiration for us all! Just goes to show you once again that when you put your mind into something, the imagination has no limits.

Congratulations on a great model railroad and great progress too!

Cheers,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

WOW, You have been a busy bee!!! Does my heart good though to see the growth you have exhibited in such a short time. I'll remember it next time I hear someone telling me that the hobby is dying!

[ereimer]

congratz on the 1000 !
and amazing progress on the layout etc. you're light years ahead of me

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: But soon, i found myself playing with them after he went to bed. I was hooked. No turning back

QUOTE: I still remember getting my first Kadee coupler after getting the advice from the board. First it was 2 cars. Then my first 12. Now, over 170. Taking the big plunge and bought a 100 pack of metal axle wheels. Now, they are all metal wheels. I also now know what "free-rolling really means"

Yep.... That's how it happens.. I wish I had the benifit of a place like this when I got started..

Keep up the good work.

[Anonymous]

Looks very nice and did very well for 2 years keep the good work up and posting pics

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You went nuts, alright! That's beautiful.

[Ajithgn]

Cool stuff :)

[Anonymous]

Awsome John. What an inspriration to us hot box (Arizona garage.) railroaders. Congrats.

Now come over and help me with mine! :)

[selector]

John, your growth in the hobby is fantastic. You clearly have an affinity for the skills that are required, from the "eye" to the finger tip.

Have you done reasonably well with your wares at the LHS?

-Crandell

[gderem]

[wow] Canazar, It's awesome what you've done in 2 years. [bow] I'm where you were 2 years ago. I'm dreaming of getting to where you are now a few small steps at a time.

The stuff people like you have freely shared here is incredible. Thanks doesn't say enough!

[dgwinup]

John,

Absolutely fantastic work! Looks more like 10 YEARS of work rather than 2!

Just one question. Is your stepson still involved? It would be great for him to be involved in this lifetime-long hobby!

Darrell, quiet...for now

[grayfox1119]

What a beautiful job you have done, congratulations !!

[canazar]

WOW

I checked the thread this morning too see if anyone responded.... I guess I shouldnt be surprised (But I still am ).... Like I mentioned, old and new faces from the past 2 years. Cool, way Cool.

And thank you for the wonderful comments about my layout. I spend about 3-10 hours a week out there. Some week, less, some a little more.
But, I have to confess, I have learned to be quick but I think it has been at a sacrafice, I wish I could have done things differently here, for the eventual Kiva Valley, but I had my reasons. My wife and I moved in here by way of renting. At the time I figured we would only here for a year or maybe two. So, I wasted no time in getting up, but, I cut major corners. Holy wow did I cut corners.

If I thought this layout would last until I tore it down, I would still be much farther behind then I am now. Cutting the corners like I did (If you saw my bench work, most of you would have a heartattack) allowed to me up and running trains so much faster and to get the fun stuff, like scenery almost rigth away. Its 100% foam, I found spray paint that use to paint, and be done with scenery in hours instead of days.

Also, my track work? HA[:D] All of my cork, and track, are just pinned in place with sewing pins. Whic, allowed me to lay track almost as fast I could pull it out of the box. And with pins, I never had to worry the next morning with the "Oh, do I really want there?" Because I could easliy move it.


[:D]

But like this forum, it has been a great learning expeirence. I dont know how many times I read something and went out to the garage and tried something. (great example, AggroJones weathering, trying mine)

Oh and speaking of which, I have only sold 8 peices in about a year. All for around 16-18 bucks. But hey, keeps in great graces withthe LHS and gives me a little extra to spend. I Am going to try and do a little more this year! What the heck.

If anyone is intersted in some of my shirt cut techniques, I would be more than happy to do a some wrtie ups!

Thanks again guys! [:D] [:D]

[canazar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgwinup

John,

Just one question. Is your stepson still involved? It would be great for him to be involved in this lifetime-long hobby!

Darrell, quiet...for now

Yes he is. Allt hough, as far he is concerned, all dads have one [:)]. I dont think he knows what he has. I always get a kick out of when his freinds come over to play. They wont leave the garage. I have to chase them away after awhile otherwsie, Xander (short for Alexander) gets a little hurt that hsi freinds dont want to play with him.
In the last 6 months he has been coming out and actually operating with me, for alittle while. The sound equipped engines definalty help keep him glued. He plays engeinner and i play conductor. He is actually getting to be pretty good at it. I am hopeing as he gets older, he will be more interested in it. He seems to be.

He has even picked out his favorite railroad, Norfolk Southern. He has about 8 cars now that are "his". We also do a fari amnt of railfanning which is alot of fun. We got to know one of the local crews close our house that has led to alot of really good times. The whole train thing, has been huge for us. It was, with out a doubt, the best thing I ever could have done was bring home old stuff.

[scubaterry]

That was a great post. Time does fly. My wife and I are in a simialr circumstance. We moved to the FLorida Keys sixteen months ago. We knew it would be for about two years. So my layout is all flat plywood with as much track as I could cram in a 14 x 12 ATR. No room for scenery or Bldg. I would just have to tear it up. So last week we got news of a transfer to the Gainesville area of florida where we will be buying a layout room with a house built around it. Then I can put together the layout I have been practicing for these many years.
Thanks for sharing your story and your layout looks great. And I agree if it hadn't been for this forum and all the knowledge here I would still be in the stone age of MRR.
Terry[8D]