Hi All !!!!

[pacbelt]

Hello all!!!
I didn't see a place for introductions, so I'll jump in here!
I'm Carmine (CAR-mine, not Carmen!! :p ). I grew up an Air Force Brat, all over! I've been in the hobby since Dad got me that first Lionel train set, in 1969!!

I developed my freelanced Pacific Belt RR, in 1975.... It's a Class 2 Branchline, serving the Pacific Northwest!
I recently started my 10th layout, a 6' x 22' sectional HO scale layout.

I see A LOT of outstanding work, by very talented people here!!
I've been in various forums since 1998 - I may actually know some of you!!
I'm just amazed in all that time, I've never seen this forum!!
I'm glad I found it!!!

Here's a sample of my work...
It's my Engine Maintenance Facility. It started from a Rix kit, and after A LOT of scratchbuilding and kitbashing later, I'm here, almost done!!

[pacbelt]

I've written that five times!! Everytime I went to Photobucket, to get another picture sharing code, when I got back, and opened this....
The page was BLANK!!!

I've got to figure out how that works!

[pacbelt]

Here's the entry view of my Maintenance Facility!!

[eightyeightfan1]

Welcome to Big.Blue. Looking at your pictures, looks like you're pretty talented yourself.

[faraway]

Welcome carmine
That little facility looks very good. I like the details and the weathered floor most

[Charlie B]

Welcome to Big Blue Carmine. We are glad you found us.
Your maintenance building is awesome.
I will look forward to seeing more of your layout.
I started my current layout in 2010. I have lost track of how many were before.
Charlie

[Catt]

Carmine,nice work sir.Hope your around for a long time.Need some more pics though. :mrgreen:

[Ralph]

Hey, glad you could join us! I'll echo the comments about your work. Great details and very realistic!

[Mike Kieran]

Great work Carmine. Welcome.

[Herc Driver]

Wow...what a way to jump in! Great work on that building...and welcome to the Big Blue.

[ezdays]

From a fellow Arizonian, we welcome you to Big Blue, Carmine. You might have heard of "The-Gauge" forums, or even Zealot. Well, we're an offshoot of them. A few years ago The-Gauge was melded into a few other hobby forums to become "Zealot". When Zealot was sold to a large for-profit group back in 2008, we decided a few months later to once again become what we started out as. We maintained the URL of "the-gauge.net", but took on our old nickname, "Big Blue" for obvious reasons.

And yes, there is a lot of talented people that show up here, and you can feel comfortable knowing that this is probably one of the most laid-back, family-friendly forums in the hobby.

[modelsof1900]

... and you can feel comfortable knowing that this is probably one of the most laid-back, family-friendly forums in the hobby.

Welcome - also from a further German member.

[pacbelt]

Thanks for all the warm welcoming, and for the great compliments for my humble work...

I'm glad to hear this is a laid-back place. I love my details, and superdetailing - but I'm NO rivet counter!!!

[ezdays]

Thanks for all the warm welcoming, and for the great compliments for my humble work...

I'm glad to hear this is a laid-back place. I love my details, and superdetailing - but I'm NO rivet counter!!!

Good to know that, we have a special section for those guys.... It's out in the parking lot next to the smoking section.

[pacbelt]

Here's a teaser shot of my layout....
Its a teaser, because this is the only corner with any scenery on it! :p
Layout construction only just started this year.....