Hi Mason,
I have a " bunch" of O Gauge Railroading and Classic Toy Trains (sorry guys! 
I would be more than happy to send them to you at no cost to you. They are great for getting ideas, learning skills, solving common problems and seeing pics of other layouts.
I got my start in model trains when my dad got a 1947 Lionel PRR Turbine #671 set. I was just born! That was followed by a GG1 set and then the Santa Fe 2343 in the early 50's. Like you, our layout was in the attic! An uninsulated attic in Chicago was pretty hot in the Summer!!! The layout was pretty big and came apart in three sections. At Christmas it came down from the attic to the living room with the Christmas tree in the center. (nearly all the furniture was moved out!)
Unfortunately my dad died very young (35) when I was just 7. As I grew older through lionel trains I kept the memory of him alive. It was our connection. While still in grade school I enlarged the layout in the attic. In high school I tore the attic layout down and built one in the basement, doing my first scenery projects and changed to Gargraves track. When I married trains were packed up and came with me in boxes and just went up as a "carpet central" under the Christmas tree. I eventually started buying (I could afford it as an adult!) newer trains and got into TMCC products and some MTH and Atlas.
Since I retired and moved to Colorado my wife and I built a house that we designed with a HUGE dedicated train room. My bench work is done and I am just finishing the last of my 1000 ft of Gargraves track and Ross Switches.
Moral of the story...be patient, bide your time and keep involved with the hobby, no matter how remotely. You can't go wrong with model railroading as a hobby!! It has served me quite well since I was an infant 70 years ago!
Let me know if you want those magazines !!!
Best wishes,
Lioneljim
Salida, Colorado
