Aegis21 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Aegis21 postedHi Mark,
I hope I can keep up!
I have moved to Hadley this past year from Ct. about 500 miles away. I am not familiar with the area yet but I have been in Butler once this summer. Do you have postings of your layout here? Love to see them and learn so more!
Looking forward to some new friendships.
Thanks
John
John, Welcome to Western Pennsylvania!! I am 62 and I would guess you could call me semi-retired. I grew up in rural Butler County, 17 miles from town, and went to a rural school. My wife grew up in Butler. I lived about a half mile from the B&O mainline to Pittsburgh, and there was lots of F-unit traffic in those days. I just missed the last of the Mallets that used to make that run. Dad said a train set was too expensive for a gift, so I saved money and bought an HO set when I was about 12. I build HO and N scale layouts, but in 2012, I decided to move to O gauge 3-rail because of my eyesight, and the great detail and sounds of modern O gauge trains. So I have had a lot to learn too, and this Forum and the magazine have been my number one source for help and inspiration.
I would like to meet up with you someday. Maybe we can pick a day to meet at Mercer Junction. I haven't been there in a while.
Here is the link to the layout Dave and others here helped me plan. Blackwater Canyon Line I started construction in January, then my wife saw how cramped my space was, so she gave me use of most of the family room. Since our girls are grown and married, we really don't use that space. That started us pack in the design mode all over again. We actually just expanded the previous plan. I want to get some updated thoughts on that layout topic soon.
Yes, I have been slowed a bit. At first it was helping 4 elderly relatives, but now I have a medical problem of my own. The chiropractor helped, but it looks like I have a disk problem affecting my right sciatic nerve. I'm getting PT and in the process of getting tests to see the full nature of the disc problem. I'm hoping to have some improvement so I can start moving what I started to build into the other room, and continue construction.
Thanks for the warm welcome! Sorry to hear about your back, the back is terrible but today's' science there are many options more so today than ever before. I worked as an engineer in the health care field since 1979 and was involved with the development of the first Cat Scan Machines and Mri machines. So I have seen many drastic improvements in these areas.
Meeting up sounds great, maybe after the holidays. I am pretty handy when it comes to wood working. That will be the least challenging part of my build. If you need any tools or assistance please don't hesitate to ask. I am fully retired, and my wife suffers from RHS retired husband syndrome. LOL The house is almost the way she wants it, there is only one small bedroom that needs carpet ripped up and laminate put down. I turned a large shed into a She Shed for her. Taking out the old swing doors and installing patio doors and replacing the siding to make a nice finished look. Of course I am still not finished unpacking my stuff and setting up the out building/second garage yet.
Your plans look great!
Starting to read your thread tonight!
Thank you for the concern about my back and sciatic nerve. Hopefully I'll be getting an MRI soon. I have an EMG scheduled for Friday. In the meantime, I finally was able to get sent to PT.
I'm glad you are taking a look at my design topic. Not so much because it is mine, but more so for you to see how we went about it, and how new ideas made for radical changes. I'm hoping you will see that folks are willing to go a different direction if you think you don't like what you see.
Yes, after the holidays for sure. There is too much going on in December, and since you are still unpacking, that leaves you more busy than normal. I';; look forward to meeting up with you.
