Hi, my name is Richard, and I'm a Model Railroader.

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Figured since I'd been lurking around for years and occasionally posting off the wall questions, and since I'm actually getting much closer to building a layout, it might be time to introduce myself.

I've considered myself a model railroader for as long as i knew that concept existed.  Played with my dad's Lionel trans when I was young.  Then around 14 or so I got an N scale set for christmas..  I started three layouts between then and college.  After college (Go Buffs!) I moved to Oregon and spent 10 years saying I didn't have room to build a layout in my condo.  Got married, had kids, and spend another 20 years saying I didn't have room to build a layout in our houses.  One of the kids moved out and The Enabler agreed to let me have his room!

That was three years ago.  I started building a shelf layout because I like switching.  Figured I could expand it.  It too hasn't gotten past the Plywood Pacific stage.

The town of Nurses Creek is actually a pretty decent little design, about 8' long and 14" wide.  So why no progress?  I think because it doesn't go anywhere.  TOMA might be a great idea for some, and switching is important to me, but I want to see the trains run!  Watching them run keeps my interest up.  The one layout that ever got past plywood was my first, a 4'x4' folded figure 8.  I could let the train run while I worked on models.  Or while I dreamed about the rest of the scenery it was going to get.  The continuous running keep my spirits and interest up.  

Could I use what I have so far?  Maybe, but not easily.  I plopped it on the wall with out really thinking through the rest of the proposed empire.  And I don't want to build the proposed helix.  So I'm going to rip it out.

What I'm currently working on is a full scale plan of the full layout.  When I am ready to build I will build the benchwork and the main loop with passing sidings and the turnouts off of them.  THEN i can work on which ever project tickles my fancy at the time.  Expand the branch line?  Add the rest of the staging?  Build some buildings?  Put in scenery?  In any of those cases I will be able to keep the trains orbiting.

With moving trains, I'll be more engaged.  And by blogging, I'll have you to keep me on task.  So don't hesitate to ask me what I've done lately.  Talk to you on the next trip!