OK, so to address some of what I’ve read in this thread.
I do live in the middle of nowhere and the CP Rail line does run through the middle of town and there is a big yard and I hear and see it daily, but I do NOT have a big yard to make this work. I wish. It will require some serious planning and changes. That is one of the big mental blocks to address. Maybe I will walk up the bridge some evening and shoot the yard for you all to see.
The helicopter on the stick east of town is owned by my sister-in-laws boss so if you want some info I’m sure I can get you the contact information and maybe even permission to photograph it. It is a weather vane.
Saskatoon is about 3 hours north of me. Swift Current is only 16.5K people so very hard to find like minded anything to keep things interesting. I always seem to be interested in the off stuff not the mainline things others like. All these guys in other cities have been great to talk to at train shows however that is never the same as being closer.
Scale will be 1:29 because USA Trains makes a GP38-2 CP Rail engine. I do not know what to do about a steam engine yet. The area I want one to run can only accommodate a diameter of 5.5 feet which I know works for the 4-6-0 from Bachmann, but I do not know what scale they are or if one can ever be found to buy. I’ll be looking for advice/suggestions on this one.
I am not going with a particular era or setting to model. So freelance. That said, I won’t be mixing and matching just anything.
I will want new engines, but will look at new and used options for rolling stock.
I think I want Kadee couplers. Seems I hear a lot about those.
I am looking at Revolution for control and Phoenix P8 as the sound. I am debating adding that later on and just using a simple power back for the initial loop. Phoenix recommended the P8 module based on using a Revolution for control.
I am looking at steady DC powered track. Revolution had a recommend on that power pack, but I do not have that information handy at the moment. I believe it was 300 amp 24 volt non-variable DC supply.
I am looking at TrainLI for the Nickel Brass track and would like to hear thoughts on that as well as their rail bender. Seems like a lot of money to bend, but perhaps it is money well spent. I haven’t read anything negative about the NpB track and I like the idea of less cleaning.
I want at least two trains to be able to run at once in both hands on and automatic for when I just want to sit and watch.
I am looking at sidings and spurs to add interest. I still consider this to be a train going around in circles which is the second mental block, but I also know that without some switches and sidings it would not have enough visual appeal at all for me.
I think buildings will be kept to a minimum as will roadside things such as signals, etc., but this could change. I can see a couple stations for example and some signals even if they only have a steady light for effect and not really do anything.
I am hoping to have at least on over/under area of track, but this will require considerable planning in a mostly flat yard. I have some ideas though.
Planning will be very important to me so all the pieces of the puzzle will fit together. Research is also big on my list and I am making my way through all the links mentioned here. By the looks of it, I will be busy for a while.
I think this covers most of what was asked/mentioned. Still lots of learning to do. I won’t rush in to be sure. Not spending money twice as someone mentioned.
Bart
