Hi folks
I've recently returned to the hobby after a gap of several years and since my last involvement I've also emigrated to the USA. I was at first tempted to go with an all American layout as I was impressed with the performance and comparatively low cost of US equipment. But the lure of British trains was still too strong so, despite the higher costs, I decided that OO scale was the only way for me.
I still had some of my old equipment but after buying a couple of newer locos I was amazed with the improvements made since my last involvement, especially in the much-improved running qualities. Thanks to eBay some of the older stuff was unloaded and the funds used to buy newer replacements. My fleet has probably dropped by half but I've now got a much better, leaner, partly DCC equipped collection.
I've been allowed the use of part of our insulated garage so this should result in a 18ft x 6ft rectangular layout which I hope to start building later this year. I'm still thinking of different track plan ideas but I will eventually start a website to detail the construction and eventual operation.
I'm a member of a local model railroading club out here so I did purchase a quantity of US HO equipment for use on the huge club track (about 60ft x 30ft). Some of my OO stuff doesn't like their very finescale track, even some of my newer items. But those that do work are often taken along to the club for a decent length run with wide curves and long trains. However it looks a little strange to have this urban American landscape frequented by heavy diesel freights when, all of a sudden, a little GWR Pannier comes chuffing along with its train of chocolate and cream coaches! Most of the American club members think our British trains are weird looking......and they cannot comprehend such strange things as buffers......or locos without huge headlights. But I do get lots of positive comments regarding their pulling power, quietness and smoothness. I never thought I'd ever hear Americans praising the performance of British RTR locos! Maybe we've finally now caught up with the rest of the world - maybe?!
Anyway, sorry to ramble on. I look forward to future discussions. Glen
I've recently returned to the hobby after a gap of several years and since my last involvement I've also emigrated to the USA. I was at first tempted to go with an all American layout as I was impressed with the performance and comparatively low cost of US equipment. But the lure of British trains was still too strong so, despite the higher costs, I decided that OO scale was the only way for me.
I still had some of my old equipment but after buying a couple of newer locos I was amazed with the improvements made since my last involvement, especially in the much-improved running qualities. Thanks to eBay some of the older stuff was unloaded and the funds used to buy newer replacements. My fleet has probably dropped by half but I've now got a much better, leaner, partly DCC equipped collection.
I've been allowed the use of part of our insulated garage so this should result in a 18ft x 6ft rectangular layout which I hope to start building later this year. I'm still thinking of different track plan ideas but I will eventually start a website to detail the construction and eventual operation.
I'm a member of a local model railroading club out here so I did purchase a quantity of US HO equipment for use on the huge club track (about 60ft x 30ft). Some of my OO stuff doesn't like their very finescale track, even some of my newer items. But those that do work are often taken along to the club for a decent length run with wide curves and long trains. However it looks a little strange to have this urban American landscape frequented by heavy diesel freights when, all of a sudden, a little GWR Pannier comes chuffing along with its train of chocolate and cream coaches! Most of the American club members think our British trains are weird looking......and they cannot comprehend such strange things as buffers......or locos without huge headlights. But I do get lots of positive comments regarding their pulling power, quietness and smoothness. I never thought I'd ever hear Americans praising the performance of British RTR locos! Maybe we've finally now caught up with the rest of the world - maybe?!
Anyway, sorry to ramble on. I look forward to future discussions. Glen
