This comes from a discussion I was having earlier today.  I can already see that I am going to have a problem when I start operating my layout.  Since I've built, modified, or painted pretty much every piece of rolling stock I own, I know each and every car "personally."  That means that I won't be able to see just a string of box cars - I'll see the rebuilt reefer, the Walthers car, the Roundhouse metal car, etc.  I know because that's how I see them now, as I play around on the layout.  I wonder how that will work out for me during an

I am relatively new to Model Railroading and want to start building a small layout to begin with.
I am having dIfficulty in deciding what to model as I have just settled in North America (originally from Uk).
I would prefer a shelf layout or a 4ft x 8ft table as space is a premium; preferably of an industry which would have interesting operations and keep my 5yr old son and myself interested for long periods of time.
Would anyone be kind enough to throw in some suggestions of layouts designs/ plans together with costs to build.
My chosen scale is HO and I would like to able to control op

G'Day,

here is a link to my YouTube video showing 3 x Blackstone C-19 locos each with animations and lighting using SMD LEDs -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bPU5Sjr_EY

2 x locos have working bells and the 3rd loco has a fireman shoveling coal.

All 3 have a 2nd decoder and tiny mocro motors driving the animations.

Just got my first assignment for my new job. Looks like I will be spending 2-3 weeks in Kenova WV. I'll definitely take the opportunity to check out the local railroading. Looks like there is both CSX and NS track in the town and some of the trackage on Map Quest looks very interesting.

Steve