Large Scale Central

New Member - Also from Pittsburgh

General Discussion
#1

Hi all,

I have been around model trains since I was a kid with HO, S & O gauge. With no room in the house to setup the trains I have a thought came to me while sitting outside one day looking at the landscaping my wife has done I thought how neat it would be to have one of those large outdoor trains running through there… and she agreed!

So despite my 40 years of ‘playing’ with trains I have many questions on setting up an outdoor train that I will be asking here. I hope my questions invoke some interest by those who ‘have been there and done that’ and want to participate again in the experience of learning how to do this. Over the years I have learned well to listen to others who have made the mistakes so I don’t make them too.

Oh yeah in my “lurking” while checking out this site before joining I noticed there are a few members in Western PA area and one or more in the Pittsburgh area. I became friends with people in Pittsburgh through a forum for Shelby owners who I never would have met had it not been for that forum and I am very glad they are my friends today so I hope the same happens here.

#2

Welcome to the Madness!
You have the found the best forum!
We will tell you all types of thing when you ask.
But…You need to be able to post pics!
Good thing to learn:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/20241/picture-posting-help-for-rick-ma

Again Welcome and good luck on your journey!
Sean

#3

I’ll welcome ya too, even if you are from the opposite end of the state…:wink:

#4

Welcome Aboard…

#5

Hey Mark! Welcome from the other new guy in the Burgh. When I started in this hobby I had all the same questions. It’s totally different running out side, but IMHO way better. Trains were meant to run out side, and I love the organic scenery and of course, the huge 1:20 scale beasts I get to play with now.

x2 on Boomers suggestion. I just threw crusher-fines on top of my grass and laid a dog bone on top. Although not the most optimum preparation That set up served well for almost 3 years, and let me gain tons of practical personal experience.

I’m all for this idea of PGH area camaraderie. Before I started posting here on LSC I only knew of one other G scaler in the area. Now it seems we aren’t so few. I can foresee some future get togethers…

#6

Randy,

Welcome. I think you’ll enjoy it here.

Ready to travel? Think about the American Invasion this summer! It’s a great get together.

#7

Hi Mark,

Welcome aboard. You have the Mid-watch.

You don’t have to be crazy to hang out here, but it sure helps.

If you have questions, this is a good place to get them answered.

If you have answers, this is a good place to get them questioned.

Don’t be afraid to dip your oar into the stew.

Again, welcome aboard.

#8

Welcome Mark. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, everyone is great here. Looking forward to seeing your build log when you start your layout.

#9

This is a wonderful group and I know you will have fun. I too had to give up on the HO RR when we moved to a smaller home with a nice yard. My wife too was ready for “the trains to be outside.”

Doc Tom

#10

Mark hello and welcome.

Many of us ended up outside when there wasn’t room inside to play trains. Its a whole different experience.

#11

Hello, Mark And welcome from another Mark, also from da Burgh area, from Burgettstown. This is a great place and a great hobby.

#12

Thanks everyone.

I already found some useful information about tunnel Clearances here. I have an area where the track will have to go under a walking path so I am going to have a friend make me an aluminum Tunnel with a cap on it so I can open it up if the train ever derails in there. It will be 11’ long with automatic doors on both ends to keep the critters out. I will need to learn about what track sensors are available to make this happen, but that if for what will be many new threads I start.

#13

Mark, how is this tunnel cap going to work?

#14

Welcome Mark!

#15

Welcome to the best source there is for all of your questions about Large Scale.

Lots of people from the Pgh area are members

I’m from Conway area

Bill Ewing

#16

Steve Featherkile said:

Mark, how is this tunnel cap going to work?

The walkway is mostly mulch with some stepping stones to walk on. I am thinking the tunnel base will be a tall wall U shape with the cap being a short U shape that sits over the base along the outside of the base walls. The whole thing will be covered with mulch so I can access the cap and remove the inside of the tunnel by simply removing the mulch and lifting the cap, which will be in overlapping sections, then replacing the cap and spreading the mulch back over the cap.

#17

Welcome Mark!

#18

For all of you (we?) locals, the PGRS (Pittsburgh Garden Railway Society) will be setting up a weekend layout in Beallsville, PA. Never heard of Beallsville? It is on route 40 between Washington, PA and Uniontown.

This weekend there is a celebration of the National Road (route 40) that runs for hundreds of miles. Near where we will be folks have yard sales, craft events and there is a very large steam engine exposition. (see: http://www.nationalpike.com/ ) It is about 5 miles from Beallsville.

We will be setting up tomorrow and will have the layout open to the public Saturday and Sunday.

The PGRS layout is located at the Masonic Hall at 2907 Mail Street in Beallsville.- here is a link to a map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/2907+Main+St/@40.0632014,-80.0201998,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8835066d64893e05:0xca1cb71ff2cc840d?hl=en

I hope some of you can stop by and say HI!

dave

#19

With all the folks from PA signing up here lately suggests two things to me.

Someone has been running a large scale campaign or -

the PA clubs and folks are doing a great job of promoting the hobby! Smiley

#20

Thanks, For the heads up Dave. Just talked to the wife There’s a good chace that you will see us on Sunday.