My much abused Trix 0-6-0 is still with me and in need of several repairs which I hope to attempt when some material gets here from Micro Mark. A flea market Bachmann <\/a>U36B looks like it should run though it won’t fit on a transition era layout.\u00a0 No matter.<\/p>\n The built structures survived, mostly, and the kit collection is ready to go. I still have some unused track collected 15 years ago for another layout that was never built: 25 pieces of Peco <\/a>code 80 flextrack and 7 unused Peco <\/a>Code 80 turnouts, and one wye,\u00a0are a very good start. I may play with some code 55 for sidings, branch lines\u00a0and the like, but I think I\u2019ll stick to code 80 otherwise for this go.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a while since I had any space available. Basements are not all that common in Reno (tough ground to dig for starters), and it seems that carving space out of a bedroom or garage is always impossible. Our current home has a basement; but it is all pretty much in use as living and working space. The utility room is actually a substantial space; finished out as recreation space with a classic 70’s vintage bar area, and cheap wood paneling everywhere. We use the room for storage, and floor space is lacking because of that. A substantial layout is impossible without moving all the storage elsewhere, and as renters that\u2019s probably more layout than we\u2019d want to contend with anyway.<\/p>\n But then, thinking differently, I started looking at the bar as an opportunity:<\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult space for obvious reasons. Low headroom, no light and you can see from the picture that getting light in there will be challenging because I have to take the space as it is. No modifications to the space allowed.<\/p>\n On the other hand, the bar is a perfect table\/support for a layout. The surface is a generous 82″ x 66″ L, 27.5″ wide all around. Its almost completely walk-around. This is a doable space for N scale. The counter is 40″ off the floor, which I think is a good height to work from. I won\u2019t need a a leg system for setting up on the bar; setting up the layout in other locations will require portable tables or some other support. I have a concept for separate, portable support loosely based on L-girder design. Perhaps in the future, but for now I\u2019m going to embrace the bar, so to speak.<\/p>\n So this was my first time ordering from Micro-Mark<\/a>. Remember how I said that I have to be able to get materials locally or online within a week<\/a>? Well, forget that one with Micro-Mark. It was only after finding some items for the shopping cart that I discovered that their policy is that it takes 2-3 days to prepare a shipment. No 1 business day turnaround here. And the choices for shipping methods leave much to be desired. Hmmm. Having not shopped for hobby supplies via the Internet before, I don\u2019t know what the norms are for this sub-industry. I\u2019ve already received a small order from Digi-Key<\/a> placed on the same day. I\u2019ll let you know what I think of this experience after the goods arrive.<\/p>\n That prompted me to grab my wife and trot over to our local Michaels <\/a>in search of quilter\u2019s T Pins (Woodland Scenics <\/a>markets a version of these as “Foam Nails”) and to conduct a stock survey. Michaels is a quirky place, but they are well set for the basics: glues, art supplies and tools, and a wide range of jewelry making and crafting supplies. Maybe I won\u2019t be as dependent on Micro-Mark <\/a>as I thought.<\/p>\n I should note that Reno used to have a well-stocked hobby store that was primarily rail oriented. The other stores here focus on other hobbies like R\/C and Military modeling. The owner of the rail store was older and looking to retire some years ago and I think he successfully sold it. The store did not survive the Great Recession, however, so specialized model railroad support is lacking here. Having lived in Baltimore MD for a time and worshiped at the shrine of MB Klein <\/a>while they were downtown, I have very high standards for a Model Railroad shop. For better or worse, I\u2019m largely dependent on the Internet for parts and supplies.<\/p>\n Anyhow, having unpacked and done some basic organization, the first order of business is to create a test loop; well more than that really, a test module where I can do a first test of some intended materials and techniques including eventual turnout and block detection systems. Right now, I need to test the locos and rolling stock and find out what needs to be fixed or replaced.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll tackle that next time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The first job was to unpack and survey my models and supplies. I already knew we took a loss a few years ago when a box of stuff got crushed. A couple of locos and a bunch of rolling stock are gone for sure. I hadn\u2019t had the heart to check the rest until now. 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