We are model railroad enthusiasts that want to share our passion for collecting, planning, building and running model railroads.
I personally have been a model railroader as long as I can remember. I like other model railroaders that are passionate about the hobby received a train set when I was quite young, and the hobby became a life long passion. Although I didn't become a serious collector until I was well in my thirties. My personal love for model railroading is N scale model railroading and my collection of North American railroads, consist specifically of Union Pacific, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern.
In my model railroading experience, I have built several layouts of varying size and complexity. To be totally honest here, my first model railroad layout that I attempted (when I was about 12 years old) was, from memory, was an HO layout on 6' x 4' ply board, and was not very well constructed. Each time that I have planned and constructed a new layout, my failures from the past were learned from and improvements made to each subsequent layout.
Back in 2005, I planned and built a 24' x 4' layout, consisting of 4 separate 6' modules on framed MDF construction. The planning that went into this layout had a number of requirements:
- My railroad had to be a North American prototype, however, the layout was "Freelanced";
- Had to be operated by Digital Command Control (DCC), however, the layout could also be wired for Direct Current;
- Double main line with 48' mainline run to enable two trains to be run at the same time; (I love long trains)
- Code 55 N scale track for a great looking profile;
- A reasonable amount of switching opportunity for industries (so that I would not get bored of trains going around and around a looped oval;
- The era I picked was late 1990's to present. If you have not worked out by now that I love UP, BNSF, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern.
I built this layout and it worked and ran well, but I unfortunately moved internationally and was unable to relocate the railroad. I am now planning another modular layout so that I have something to run my collection on. I will be recording the planning and construction of the layout and will more than likely publish details to the Hobby Junction web site.
