Thanks folks! The WM is alive here in NC.

[Flatrat]

Tonight I'm typing with my new layout up and running and want to thank everyone here who has offered so much good advice. My goal was to get two simple loops running in opposed directions on a 8' x 5' layout that will [hopefully] resemble Western Maryland trains running through a layout that resembles the central MD area that I grew up in from a little before my time. The early 50's. With the good advice from the members here on Railwire...that's now a smooth running reality. [fingers crossed, but for now...running great] The trackwork is finished and appears to be running smoothly.
Now on to the fun stuff. Ballast, hillsides, modeling trees, crops, cows, buildings, grass, roads, etc...

Thanks for all the good advice.

Scott

[MVW]

Congratulations, Scott! Looking forward to seeing more. Getting that first bit of scenery in makes such a huge difference

Jim

[Flatrat]

Thanks Jim,

The Spectrum 2-8-0 is creeping around the inner loop pulling freight cars and backs up into the siding smoothly. The heritage Aurora F-unit I got from my brother and refitted/cleaned/lubed and repainted to WM is also running smoothly pulling a freight of hoppers and boxcars around the outer loop smoothly as I type this. Pretty much just what i hoped for. All due to to good advice I got on each step of the way from folks here.

So far so good, hope the ballast and other details don't some how throw the smooth working track off.

S

[VGN50]

Scott,

If you're from Maryland, when doing your scenery I know you'll remember to include a roadside tavern.

All the best,
Mark

[Iain]

Where in NC are you?

[Flatrat]

Thanks Mark. I'm kind of using a rough approximation of the 'environs' around the little 'burg' of Linwood, between New Windsor and Union Bridge for my basis in real life. No roadside bars thereabouts that i can recollect. Nice grain mill though which kind of resembles the one Walthers has for sale and already built that. I think a small general store and two or three homes will complete that little crossroads. Maybe a small chapel like the one up on the hill there would look authentic too.

Ian,
I'm in Asheville.

S

[u18b]

Congrats.

She's alive on mine too.

[Flatrat]

Schweeet Ron. Fantastic detail!!! Circus colors. I was born in '62 and remember the days when they went from speed lettering to the red, white and black. I'm modeling Fireballs and round herald freight cars from my Mother and Uncle's days. They lived along Liberty St. in Westminster and the trains rumbled along just down the hill from my Grandmother's home. They said the big Locos used to rattle the china in the cabinet.