Introductions

[Tobynnn]

Hello All,
My name is Tobyn, many of you may know me, I have been lurking here for quite a while and used to work at Nscalesupply in Denver until my school schedule got in the way. I do N, Nn3 and am attempting a bit of TTn3/42 although progress is slow on that front. I usually model a road out-west (currently the SP, SPng and ATSF) but often find myself switching up what exactly I am modeling, although that is thankfully slowing down.
Anyways, looks like there is lots of fun to be had on here,
Thanks
Tobyn

[sandypsj]

Hi folks! I've been reading this forum on and off for a while and decided to finally sign up. I have dabbled in model trains of various scales for a while, and am now settled enough to have begun building my first permanent layout, in N scale. It's a totally freelance Midwestern setting, roughly 1950s through early 1980s. A lot of C&NW and predecessor roads, but I'm a fan of anything granger. The benchwork is two banquet/event tables, one 36" by 8', the other 30" by 5', set in an L shape. Using Unitrack and a DCS 52 for power. Trackwork and power is 98% done--just figuring out some sidings--and landscaping is partially done. My partner is an artist and is helping with backdrops and some detail work. I'm definitely not a rivet counter, but am enjoying the scenicing process more than I expected. I've learned a lot from this board! My day job is also train-adjacent--I do strategic planning for the MBTA, the transit system here in Boston--so I find the very different setting of the layout a bit of an escape. Thanks for all of the wisdom shared here.

[peteski]

Hi folks! I've been reading this forum on and off for a while and decided to finally sign up. I have dabbled in model trains of various scales for a while, and am now settled enough to have begun building my first permanent layout, in N scale. It's a totally freelance Midwestern setting, roughly 1950s through early 1980s. A lot of C&NW and predecessor roads, but I'm a fan of anything granger. The benchwork is two banquet/event tables, one 36" by 8', the other 30" by 5', set in an L shape. Using Unitrack and a DCS 52 for power. Trackwork and power is 98% done--just figuring out some sidings--and landscaping is partially done. My partner is an artist and is helping with backdrops and some detail work. I'm definitely not a rivet counter, but am enjoying the scenicing process more than I expected. I've learned a lot from this board! My day job is also train-adjacent--I do strategic planning for the MBTA, the transit system here in Boston--so I find the very different setting of the layout a bit of an escape. Thanks for all of the wisdom shared here.

Welcome to the pool of forum's active members Sandypsj. Nice to see another lurker join the conversation. Being a resident of the Boston suburbs myself, I know you have your work cut out for you at MBTA.   

[Dwight in Toronto]

OMG … I feel so foolish … how is it that I only discovered the “Introductions” segment just now?!  In another few days, I’ll have been registered on TRW for 3 years, so a brief intro is long overdue. So, in the spirit of ‘better late than never’ …

First off, I’m a Canuck, and I reside in the north-eastern part of the greater Toronto area (Markham, specifically, which also happens to host Rapido’s head office, a mere 15 minute drive from my house).  Despite having a Geology degree from University of Toronto, my 30 year career was in the natural gas distribution business, working in research & development, with a particular focus on running vehicles on natural gas as an alternative fuel to gasoline (that was a ‘big thing’ for a good number of years).  That specialty earned me a one year move to the north-western suburbs of Chicago back in ‘89/‘90 - a wonderful experience that we will never forget.

At this writing, I’m approaching 69 years old, have been retired for 16 years, and have been dabbling with model railroading, off & on, since the maturing of N scale back in the early ‘70’s when I was a young teenager.

I dismantled my third layout 4 years ago … an unwieldly 3-level 4’x8’.  My intentions ever since have been to build an around-the-room shelf layout, but I have yet to make a start.  Instead, my modeling time has been devoted to the workbench.  My first LokSound install (a 58741 in a Kato AC4400) opened up the rabbit hole of drop-ins, hard-wiring, LokProgramming, and all things ESU as I upgraded my entire roster to DCC/sound.

For a while there, I had fun learning how to hand-build turnouts using paper templates.  I then acquired an air brush, and have made a lot of new discoveries, and some good headway, with that aspect of the hobby.  And most recently, I’ve discovered the joy that an array of Evergreen styrene can provide in the form of scratch building.

All this workbench time has more than scratched my N scale itch and, quite honestly, I have not missed having a full layout in the least.  Experimentation, discovery, subjecting ideas to trial-&-error, and exploring outcomes on two nested test ovals of Unitrack, have been thoroughly enticing, fulfilling and rewarding. 

But I have again been contemplating making a start on that shelf layout, and the winter of 2024/25 might see that get underway.  I’ve long been enamoured with Ed K’s “dead season” modelling, so I’m planning on bringing that vibe to my next endeavour. 

[R L Smith]

A belated Welcome Dwight. I certainly enjoyed your PCC build, as I have worked on some of the 1:1 streetcars.  We all look forward to seeing the results of your workbench projects.


Ron

[Radisson.mcguire]

Im Radisson 31 years old. Currently work for NBC news out of Montgomery AL N scale modeler and 1/72 military modeler.
I model a proto freelance shortline called the Alabama Central. Line follows the old GM&O from Montgomery Al to maplesville al. Hoping once the powers at be release my profile I'll be able to post photos of my work.

[DeltaBravo]

Im Radisson 31 years old. Currently work for NBC news out of Montgomery AL N scale modeler and 1/72 military modeler.
I model a proto freelance shortline called the Alabama Central. Line follows the old GM&O from Montgomery Al to maplesville al. Hoping once the powers at be release my profile I'll be able to post photos of my work.

Welcome aboard

[peteski]

Im Radisson 31 years old. Currently work for NBC news out of Montgomery AL N scale modeler and 1/72 military modeler.
I model a proto freelance shortline called the Alabama Central. Line follows the old GM&O from Montgomery Al to maplesville al. Hoping once the powers at be release my profile I'll be able to post photos of my work.

Welcome Radisson, you simply need to get up to 25 posts to be able to upload photos.
The "Welcome to the Railwire" new member packet is not very informative.  Check out some of the sticky threads in https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?board=41.0

[Radisson.mcguire]

Thanks guys glad to be here

[InterurbanModels]

Hello, time to make my introduction [part 1/3]

My real name is Volkmar, I am a German citizen living since tens of years near Paris in France. I started model trains rather young with my father, HO scale, Märklin. In my teens I discovered HO narrow gauge (HOe, Bemo, Liliput), and also HO streetcars (Liliput, Roco, Bachmann, British white metal kits...)
Being a rather untalented scratch builder, and given the lack of commercial models, this hobby lived a modest life until my 50ies.
At this age, I discovered brass models of American Interurbans, and tried that out. I found out that they were merely bad runners, and mostly overpriced. [1/3]

[InterurbanModels]

Introduction [part 2/3]

Up in my 50ies, two events changed my modeling course: First, I had to learn 3D drawing and designing for my paid job. It was rather hard and painful, but I found relief in drawing train parts, and soon entire streetcars or heavy Interurbans. Drawing trains helped me to learn for my job. At this time, this was done just for the screen, I didn't know that 3D printing for normal consumers existed.
Then I discovered 3D printing, by providers like Shapeways or iMaterialize. This changed everything. I started making HO scale Traction models in 2012. After few years of a very confidential production, I began to be solicited by modelers in the United States. Since 2013, I am attending the bi-annual East Penn Traction Meets [2/3]

[InterurbanModels]

Introduction [part 3/3]

Around 2015, I discovered, rather by chance, Kato Unitram Track and Tomix drives, and their absolut stunning running qualities.
This pushed me into N scale. First I made only Traction models, but soon I was starting a collection of US mainline trains, mainly from Kato and Walthers (but also Life-Like, ConCor, Fox Valley, BLI, ...). And that led me to also manufacture mainline cars, specially passenger cars from Lehigh Valley, Reading, Central of New Jersey, Long Island...
And because dispersion is a modelers disease, I am now making some Traction models also in O scale, and even in Z scale. For fun, just for myself, or for clients.
Over the years, my activity has grown nearly accidentally into a small (very small) business, which remains strictly a "one man operation". Since several years I print at home on my own machines, both Resin and Filament, I own also a professional Laser cutter. But here on Railwire I will talk about models, not about selling.
That's the story, in short. Good evening from Paris [3/3]

[peteski]

Welcome to the Railwire Volkmar, and it is nice to learn more about you and your modeling history.

Also, there is nothing wrong with selling or advertising on this forum. We even have Product Discussion and Trading Post sections where members or companies offer things for sale.  The Trading post will become accessible to you after you make 25 posts.

While the Trading Post is mostly for members offering personal models for swap/sale, Railwire allows posts where products are introduced to the members. Here are couple examples:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=59204.0  (this is actually a model  company regularly introducing their new models)
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=59166.0 (another company introducing new models here)
These are not direct sales but announcements pointing members to where the items can be purchased.
Since you have your own website for selling your models you could introduce new models for sale here and direct members to where they can purchase them.

[InterurbanModels]

Since you have your own website for selling your models you could introduce new models for sale here and direct members to where they can purchase them.

Thanks, that’s what I will do. Volkmar