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Hello all.  I finally had a moment last night to hang out on the layout.  I have to admit I missed it.  As summer roams along and your outside I found my time inside non existent.  I ran my trains last night and i had such a fun time looking at what i have constructed.  I enjoyed the technology i have in my hands and that is the DCS.  A few weeks ago I took the family to Strasburg and we all had a ball.  I noticed my kids still had an interest in trains.  I now have a new fan of animated models in my wife.  She was blown away by the choo-choo barn.  Last night as I reflected and was pleased since my absence that everything runs smoothly, from the switches to the engines.  As i sat there on my bar stool, gazing at my layout i found myself wondering.  (This is now dangerous time for me. Idle time & time to think)  I have talked about it before about my desire to expand.  After the first hour i became not bored but complacent.  I found myself wondering what else can i do?  What else would make this more exciting?  Besides the financial, I also am concerned about the space involved.  I guess my point of the rant/dribble is to let it out that sometimes i get bored.  I most happiest when i am wiring something.  Soldering, or setting up a new engine.  I am wondering what I can do with limited space.  I am wondering how I can do this without annoying the newly minted train fan my wife.  I am sure those of you have had similar thoughts.  Anyways, rant is over.  Now to think about what I want to do.  Thanks for listening.

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Thank You!  I guess it was bound to happen.  I am "all In" and then life gets in the way and I am just passing by the layout. I am excited about the future.  I ordered a new steam locomotive-my first for the layout.  I am thinking of buying some basic passenger cars when the times comes.  I really do enjoy the layout.  My mind just starts to wonder.  I get disenchanted after awhile cause I know there is not much else I can do to it in its present form.  I do have a custom locomotive shed being built(I am not handy at all with regards to fine detail type of work).  I actually do have a desire to rewire the layout as i have read up on the proper ways of doing such a thing.  Nothing wrong with what i have presently just like it to look neater.  It has to be the ADDHD.  anyways its good to be back.

Hey,

Good enough to hear your not avoiding us because your in the doghouse.

Here's the line I bet hooks her.....

"Honey, what should the Village on the Holiday Layout look like."

 

(Best to check the padding in the wallet first )

 

 

 

 

  Wiring can be a satisfying puzzle to meditate on.

The want for expansion never dies.

You have your step up from "something!, anything!" layout. But naturally You want "more".

 So, IMO, Time to run trains, contently, while you plan your next moves.

Slowly, deliberately, carefully, and keep yourself busy with small projects you can test, and perfect for "the biggie".  

 

  Maybe its time to find a box of junk, or at least an item in need of some minor repair? 

  Loco's and/or scenery can be had for next to nothing if your patient and not extremely picky.

   Even an old PW would keep you busy. There's always the option of selling it later if it doesn't really appeal to you.   

 

Grouped blocks, turnouts, or accessory "conditions", thrown by single switches, connected to various relays for each scenario wanted, would give you a puzzle to wire.

 

  There's lots of cheap digital controls to play with too.

Search out some of the tech threads by Gun Runner John, Stan, and a few others. 

 The focus has sort of been using various, extremely cheap, generic, electronic modules from E-bay, and others, to build all kinds of goodies.  

One way or the other im in the dog house for something.  LOL
 
 
Originally Posted by Adriatic:

Hey,

Good enough to hear your not avoiding us because your in the doghouse.

Here's the line I bet hooks her.....

"Honey, what should the Village on the Holiday Layout look like."

 

(Best to check the padding in the wallet first )

 

 

 

 

  Wiring can be a satisfying puzzle to meditate on.

The want for expansion never dies.

You have your step up from "something!, anything!" layout. But naturally You want "more".

 So, IMO, Time to run trains, contently, while you plan your next moves.

Slowly, deliberately, carefully, and keep yourself busy with small projects you can test, and perfect for "the biggie".  

 

  Maybe its time to find a box of junk, or at least an item in need of some minor repair? 

  Loco's and/or scenery can be had for next to nothing if your patient and not extremely picky.

   Even an old PW would keep you busy. There's always the option of selling it later if it doesn't really appeal to you.   

 

Grouped blocks, turnouts, or accessory "conditions", thrown by single switches, connected to various relays for each scenario wanted, would give you a puzzle to wire.

 

  There's lots of cheap digital controls to play with too.

Search out some of the tech threads by Gun Runner John, Stan, and a few others. 

 The focus has sort of been using various, extremely cheap, generic, electronic modules from E-bay, and others, to build all kinds of goodies.  

 

JJ,

   Because of my limited space now, I have Multi-Level Christmas layouts in the formal living room thru the holidays, starting at Thanksgiving time.  My wife likes this idea very much, so your newly acquired wife train hobbyist might like this approach also.  We set our Christmas layout up every year this way.  Although I do the construction work my wife participates with her Ceramic Train Villages, people and other stuff along with decorating the house for Christmas.

PCRR/Dave

 

The 1st formal loving room platform was a single level layout, then we added a level every other year or so, to keep things interesting.  I do still miss my fair sized Game Room/Office layout however, it was up for 10 years.  Space is now at a premium here in our home now also.

 

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