Now I have gone and done it...

[N8XE]

Maybe I am going through a mid-life-crisis (I turn 42 this year) or maybe my ADHD medicine isn't working as well as it should. No matter, I just plunked down some cash to pick up some N-Scale rolling stock and a nice 4-6-0 engine.

There is precedence here as I have been around Model Railroading off and on throughout my life. My earliest memories include my dad's HO layout and sneaking downstairs to "play" with them (and thus getting admonished for breaking the wheels, how was I to know it wasn't a "toy"?) We almost always had some 4x8 unfinished sheet of plywood set up somewhere with HO track on it. When I moved out, I wanted to have my own layout so I built it and put it in my basement. I would collect HO cars and engines and play around with laying track, but never really finished a layout. Plus I went from HO to N scale. I got involved in the local club and went to fairs to run trains for the public. About 15 years ago, I sold all of the gear (I had one too many hobbies!) and used the money for my radio and astronomy pursuits.

Recently, My wife's uncle (N8CPA, who, by the way, got me into radio) picked up a Z scale set last year and has been slowly adding to it. We have been talking about it and that old desire started creeping back. When I was into it before, I had visions of long stack trains pulled by a consist of GE Dash 9's. This needed a large layout but I never had the space or funds to complete my "vision". Being older (and finding that I like things to be simple) I have been using some computer software to design a small 30" by 60" layout geared for a balance of running and operations. I no longer need a 100 cars to have fun. A smaller collection should suite me fine and I have the space for it. I am also in no rush to finish it. I can leisurely work on it when I have time.

Jason N8XE
CEO of the Grandon East Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio

[WØTKX]

ADHD? Me too, is it a gift? May you find bliss and peace in your personal Zen Garden.

[N8XE]

Ya know, there is something Zen like to watching trains. Why is that?

Jason N8XE

[KG4NEL]

When I was a young'un, N scale was my choice too. I spent more time building mountains and tunnels than running the trains, I think.

[WØTKX]

I had a thing for tree platforms and houses.

[KG4CGC]

I had a couple of model trains railroads growing up. Just never got into it. Gomez Addams on the other hand ...

[KG4CGC]

[XE1/N5AL]

Ya know, there is something Zen like to watching trains.

As long as you're not standing on the tracks! :)

[WØTKX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9lWysZIK7M

[K4PIH]

Now you've gone and done it!

Back in the day when I lived on base and outdoor antenna's were not allowed, I had to funnel my energies elswhere and model railroading was it. Didn't help that a civilian friend of mine had an entire basement of HO.

I was into "N" due to size restrictions. My older brother (also a ham) was into "O" and had a nice Lionel set, the Texas Special.

Two gauges that has always intrigued me are "Z" and "S". There is some nice stuff avaiable in Z, but S never really took hold and finding stock, track, and accessories for it is a task.