Welcome pjd

Hello All,

Thanks for the welcome.

I was a jeweller at one point (dropped out of high school to make things because physics was getting too hard). Did that for 6 years and moved into IT making websites & software because I got bored of jewelllery manufacturing (bit lonely sitting in a workshop all day). After about 20 years of doing IT things, that is now getting a little boring (well at least repetitive now) so the interests in trains has rekindled. At least now I can combine the hand skills with computer skills (DCC looks like a wonderful advancement).

I was into Trains since a young age. I had a HO layout until around 16 (had rebuilt it many times after my grandfather made it the first time around).
Was a junior member of HMRC (Hills model railway club). But cars and well beer got in the way of trains.

Some years later I am rediscovering the hobby and have the benefit of having almost no rolling stock so I get to start again. And the benefit of a disposable income something I was lacking when I was starting out in the hobby.

Currently I am continuing on building a Bergs Hobbies X200 white metal & brass kit that I started when I was around 20, but put it down for whatever reason. I have had to go visit my parents house to reclaim some of my old tools from the garage. I also picked up a Bergs 73 class loco kit as well from the shop. So I figured I will treat the X200 as a practice kit. So I don't have any pressure with any mistakes I might be scared of making.

My partner of just over a year has also shown a interest in the hobby as I brought her along to the HMRW club that I am trying to rejoin and the likely future minister of finance approves.

My current thinking is I want to model NSW in the 1935-1950/60. Maybe even up to the 70's. So get a choice of steam & early diesel locos. With some electrification even.

Current plans for a layout are to convert the carport into a garage first (hopefully with a studio/train room above) and run on a clubs layout in the interim. While maybe building a diorama style shunting layout or even smaller (I want to practice my scenery skills before embarking on something large).

The scene I want to model initially is of my late grandfathers tanker repair yard he had in the 1980s/1990s. I should be able to find a few photos somewhere possibly or if not go from my memory of the place as a kid.

I've been researching white metal casting suppliers and techniques. I'd like to possibly make & cast my own pieces when I start on a larger layout or assisting with a clubs layout. Having done some casting for jewellery manufacturing years ago the techniques are basically the same with maybe a few less steps for white metal as it seems I can cast directly into some molds (nice!!). All of the hand made jewellery skills should carry over reasonably well for brass. I guess I have the advantage of having my own draw plates and other tools to make & form my own wire & other shapes.

Additionally I have a bit of a interest in photography so you can probably expect some macro shots of things in progress at some point from me too. And this lead me to look into photo etching and that process has some overlap with developing film. So something else ill probably try at some point.

 

G'day

Phil from Australia

 

Thanks for the welcome all.

A shunting layout is definitely on the cards. I have ordered a Pi-SPROG 3 plus and will use some software control for the shunting yard. Given this is my first foray into DCC I wanted to see what I could do with something like this and the various open source software projects.

I should probably stop browsing Alibaba.com for spin casting machines & a vulcanizer. Plans/dreams are getting out of hand quickly.