A small but necessary step - determining my ideal bench work height.  This week I was on vacation so I was able to get my workbench on (locking) casters so I could use my 50 year old Dewalt(tm) radial arm saw to start cutting bench work.

This first thing I wanted to do in my new layout / office room is to install good lighting.  After a bit of research I decided on using track lighting because of the flexibility in aiming the lights.  I received all of my track lighting items a few days ago and was faced with a problem: how to install this by myself?  I felt much like a "one-handed paper hanger"!

 I had originally planned to mount my benchwork to the wall using similar methods to what Scott Perry did.

( http://modelrailroadersnotebook.blogspot.com/ ) 

Let there be light! While my track plan is being finalized I wanted to make some type of progress on the railroad room. I considered a number of methods to light the room / layout and decided to use track lighting with PAR20 heads (50 watt maximum) so yesterday I ordered the items I need for my 10ft by 12ft room. Why track lighting you ask? Well, my friend Kevin (Wnrr.net) used it to light his excellent railroad. I like the ability to be able to move the lights around and aim them to my liking.

{Note to Lance}:  I hope that's it's O.K. to show this plan here.  If not, please post letting me know and I'll remove the picture - Thank you.

Well, we're actually moved to Apopka, Fl. Which is just outside Orlando. Although our new home is crammed full of unopened boxes it doesn't mean that the planning process can't begin on my new railroad. I've asked my good friend and expert designer Scott Perry to do the design which will be loosely based on my good friend Kevin Klettke's wonderful Washington Northern RR.http://wnrr.net/ . I have the same size space as Kevin and since he won't ship me his layout (12ft X 10ft) I guess I'll just have to build my own.