Rail roads and their tracks.

[MossRoad]

I used to have a small N gauge layout. About 3' x 5'. Then we had kids and didn't have the time for it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Am I the only railfan here who 'plays with indoor trains'?

I say 'some' is better than 'none'. There are no rules or standards, no minimum size or particular details required to join. Just like walking or biking rails to trails, or making/watching drone videos it's time we spend with a hobby that makes it all so sweet.

Just sayin' ...

One of my dreams for retirement is to recreate my towns rail system, both current and past in one of the smaller scale hobby railroads, probably HO.
It would be that hard since there was only a few, but very scenic, freight lines and a passenger line.

 

[5030]

Anarchists.

Anyhow, let's not let this good discussion go down that rat hole.

Why rail speeders have to have their wheels insulated from each other on like axles so they don't cause signal issues and why speeders must have a flagman at crossings as they will not activate crossing lights or gates. Little FYI there. I don't see it as a rat hole, I see that as criminal acts on the railroad.

 

[5030]

Interesting - I was not aware electrical systems associated specifically with the rails were used.

Would have guessed rails would not be sufficiently isolated from ground to be usable or dependable for signaling or something else like this.

Unfortunately, they will most likely be set free on some legal technicality...in spite of being caught with real evidence.

It would only require a few public hangings to get everybody to start following the law...

I used to think putting pennies on a rail might cause derailment...that was nothing in comparison.

Not really, but it made for some elongated pennies, dimes too (for us rich kids)..............:laughing:

 

[Hay Dude]

Why rail speeders have to have their wheels insulated from each other on like axles so they don't cause signal issues and why speeders must have a flagman at crossings as they will not activate crossing lights or gates. Little FYI there. I don't see it as a rat hole, I see that as criminal acts on the railroad.

X2
Seems more rail related than not to me.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I bought an n gauge set in Germany, don’t know if it’s been out of the box. Have some ho also.

 

[BackRoad]

Back in 2009, I was on a large year long project in Toronto. Got to become friends with the head of the Client team.

Discussion turned to trains.

Turned out he was collecting hobby train kits...lots of them. He said it was going to be his retirement income, like investing in gold, hoping they would appreciate in value over time.

Like Mr. Buckeye Farmer, he kept everything in the original boxes which he said were as valuable as the train itself.

His retirement investment plan was a stretch for me then...I couldn't see the demand for an old hobby train kit in 2025. Trains just didn't seem to have the broad interest with the younger generations like they had when we were kids.

Still not convinced it was a wise plan!!??

 

[BackRoad]

Was passing through Wyalusing, PA yesterday...near Scranton. Interesting how some areas have so much more concentrated train activity than others.

Before this thread, I never really gave it much focus.

Lots of train and rail action going on in that old manufacturing and mining area.

Comforting to see the sun glint off shiny rails...means they are being used!

 

[Hay Dude]

Was passing through Wyalusing, PA yesterday...near Scranton. Interesting how some areas have so much more concentrated train activity than others.

Before this thread, I never really gave it much focus.

Lots of train and rail action going on in that old manufacturing and mining area.

Comforting to see the sun glint off shiny rails...means they are being used!

Coal Country!

 

[RobS]

Back in 2009, I was on a large year long project in Toronto. Got to become friends with the head of the Client team.

Discussion turned to trains.

Turned out he was collecting hobby train kits...lots of them. He said it was going to be his retirement income, like investing in gold, hoping they would appreciate in value over time.

Like Mr. Buckeye Farmer, he kept everything in the original boxes which he said were as valuable as the train itself.

His retirement investment plan was a stretch for me then...I couldn't see the demand for an old hobby train kit in 2025. Trains just didn't seem to have the broad interest with the younger generations like they had when we were kids.

Still not convinced it was a wise plan!!??

I was very into HO model railroading as a kid, still have much of my equipment from the '70s. My oldest son got interested and added some equipment in the '00s. It's all in boxes in our basement now and my casual observations is that it is a declining interest. I looked into selling some/all when we moved last year but the return wasn't worth my very limited time at that point. I still like the idea of the hobby, but haven't taken the time to get back in and not sure I will.