I enjoy reading MRH. Usually read it several times, and go back and read the older issues too.  Have a huge collection of model railroading mags and books.  Found the April issue about Armchair Modelers very interesting.

1. Satisfied with buying kits and occasionally building one. Or satisfied with displaying RTR models on a shelf or in a case.

If this is the first if of my posts you are reading please read my other posts first.  Start at the beginning as it were.

i built my first slip switch last summer.  Using a Fast Tracks #8 double slip switch jig I built two single slip switches and two turnouts.  These were the first bits of track I'd ever built by hand.  I was truly impressed.  So much so that I decided I'd build all my turnouts from now on. 

Building a double crossover one half at a time was the key to building this complex bit of trackwork.

First I built a right hand turnout and slip switch.  Building them together as a single crossover keeps everything in alignment.

Notice the two jigs, positioned for the rails to line up.

6 tracks in the Station. Double main heading out of town.  Double main heading down into staging representing places far-far-away. and two tracks leading to maintenance, refueling and possible storage of passenger equipment.  I also wanted no less than #8 turnouts so passenger trains would roll easy pushed in, or pulled out.

First post here.  Member for over two years.  Mostly I've been studying, reading, absorbing.  Learning DCC, very excited by what can be done JMRI, computers, occupancy detection, signaling, routes, dispatching, oh just say everything and be done with it.  I built my first computer in 1980.  Worked with communication electronics in the Navy.  Experience on PLC programing troubleshooting and general everything electronic fix it man. 

A little background