I was bitten by the bug at a very early age: my grandfather had an N scale layout in his basement when I was a kid. The old DT&I used to ride the rails of the small town where I grew up, and I've been taking photos of trains and wanting to build a layout of my own for most of my life. I turned 50 this year and now I'm the grandpa. 3 out of our 4 kids have moved out, and I find myself with a bit of spare time, and spare bedroom, and a little bit of spare income. It's time.

I'm not a complete newbie. About 15 years ago, I was going to make a run at this. Did a lot of research, even managed to build a few structures. But, life got in the way. Hopefully this winter, I'll start putting up some benchwork.

The plan is an around-the-walls N scale layout in a spare bedroom (about 10x13). I want to model 1953, the transition era, so I can have my favorite engines: steam and early diesel. I've created my own freelance railroad, the history of which I'll post in my official build thread. I suppose the N scale forum is the right spot for that.

has anyone else found that the new engineered plastic boxes are harder to install? they are harder to glue together I have resorted to touching the edges with a hot soldering iron.
Jim

Well, finally, after years of design, production, and testing, the first 5 of the new Acela trains will begin operating on August 28th with speeds reaching 160 mph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M649gqtz...nel=Amtrak

Amtrak's new NextGen Acela trains are scheduled to begin service on the Northeast Corridor on August 28. Initially, five new trainsets will be introduced, with the full fleet of 28 expected to be in operation by the end of 2027, according to Amtrak. The new trains will offer expanded schedules, more seats, and enhanced features like free Wi-Fi and improved dining options. 


Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Launch Date: August 28th. 
  
  
  
• Initial Rollout: Five new trainsets will begin operating on the Northeast Corridor. 
  
  
  
• Full Deployment: All 28 NextGen Acela trains are scheduled to be in service by the end of 2027. 
  
  
  
• Service Area: The trains will operate between Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. 
  
  
  
• Key Features: The new trains will offer expanded schedules, 27% more seats, free Wi-Fi, and improved dining options, according to Amtrak. 
  
  
  
• Booking: Amtrak will release details on how to book the new trains as the launch date approaches. 
  
  
  
• Current Operations: For a period, both the new and original Acela trains will be in operation as the rollout continues. 
  

lost a 15-cent bottle of testors today only had about 1/4 inch left in it still have a few more though.
Jim

Conductor from WPMA-17 has a chat with the operator of Oisen's Sand car mover.

Bruce

   

Have three Walthers bridges for sale.

933-3080 Double Track Swing Bridge, $48.00 plus shipping.

   

933-3185 Single Track Truss Bridge, $20.00 plus shipping.

   

933-3147 Trestle with Deck Girder Bridge, $25.00 plus shipping.

   



Bruce

any cr fans out there i found this in my box of Athearn kit its a bev-bel custom paint 5$ plus shipping of interested pm me.
Jim

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is anyone out there found of the plastic clips that hold couplers on Athearn and some older protos? if so i have a bunch of them as i drill and mount Kadee boxes with a screw.
Jim

was rummaging under layout and found this box it brought back memories of times long-ago the next photo are the contents of you recognize them then you have been modeling a long time I will give some hints they are metal and use KaDee number4's and the trucks are sprung. I put these together in the early 60's.
Jim

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Looks like I am starting this off.

This my newest locomotive and one I have been waiting for for awhile. It is Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines B6sb 0-6-0 by Broadway Limited. Here it is pulling some 40 ft wood reefers past the station.



I have tested it and it runs well. I am agravated some because the smoke generator is giving me issues. I turn it off with the switch under the loco but it is staying on. I am able to turn it off with F7 on the controller. I will emailing Broadway Limited on Monday. This is diappointing since I have been waiting for so long for a PRSL steam locomotive. This is the first one I know of since IHC went out of business 25 plus years ago.