Now that my mom's house has sold, that project is now behind us! I've started dismantling Siskiyou Line 1 again. More about that in the next entry below.

This is the 2% grade coming out of the river valley. This is going to be my maximum grade.

I wanted enough of a grade to really get use out of things like BEMF and sound decoders as locomotives will need more power climbing the grade. Long ago, I decided I wanted vertical curves on this layout for the very reasons mentioned. Most if not all sidings will be level, so I do not have to get crazy with "hand brakes", but the mainline will go up and down, just like real life. My benchwork is nowhere near perfect, but it is sturdy.

Hi! This week I´ve been working on a scratch built plank around the sawmill. I made a video of the process:
 

I am finally back to model railroading and excited. I sold my video editing company and am left with a wonderful 14' X 30' room to start a new layout. I am most excited to be using the TOMA concept. I feel like a real newbe getting back into this great hobby. I do not know anything about DCC or some of the newer building techniques, so I will be needing some help from you all!

I did sign up for TrainMasters-TV and have to say it is fantastic! I have been watching all of the episodes about TOMA and have already learned a bunch. 

Hello all!

Here is a video of my latest weathering project.  In the video I detail how I did it with a few simple techniques!

Take care!

Andy Dorsch

You ever had that locomotive that when you found a picture of it, you were captivated by it's look and it's history. While doing research on the Texas Mexican Railway, I found a locomotive that did just what I have described.

Over the years I've often read in model railroad magazines harrowing tales and wild adventures of moving model railroads from one basement to another.  Often these stories would speak of circular saws and crowbars and garbage cans full of broken plaster and ground foam. Usually the modeler would end their story with a solemn warning: "It's just not worth the effort."

Found this youtube video of what people say owners of operations based layouts do not do.  This is off shoot of "Watchers versus operators"  Discussion on MRH