I was out of the hobby for about 20 years. One of the main motivations to get back in is DCC and sound. On a previous layout, I had valance lighting, painted backdrops, and acceptable scenery. Sound is what was missing and what was available back then was a good start but not really in my price range. I was a fan of the Onboard System but 600 to get started was too much back then.

Happy new year !. I am a 47 years old guy from China. I bought my first loco 3 months ago, since then, I cannot help thinking about building a layout. Now, I've set up a table 1.6m x 1.05m  (around 5.2 x 3.4 ft) as the base and start to think about what to be put in this layout. The track plan is based on one of Noch's intergrated layouts with some small changes. Besides the rail tracks, I also want to add a small Faller car system. To a newbie like me, the task is not easy and there will be a lot of questions come up.

Hi All,

After being on a hiatus for the past couple of years, I'm looking to resume where I left off.  The reason for putting a hold on the hobby is due to my being laid off, and with the hobby being as expensive as it is, I just didn't have the budget.  However, I'm glad to say that I've been working now for the past year or so, and I've come to a point where I'd like to resume where I left off.

I work for Uncle Sam and to move up the food chain in my agency, you have to move around the country and in my case it averages every 5 years.  This year I moved into a house with a space that I think would make a very nice train room.  It is the bonus room above the garage and one wall is 22 feet and the other is 27 with about 13 feet between the walls.   There are a few things in room like a window, a closet, the desk I am writing this from, a small bed, a coffee table we are not using and boxes of trains.