Hello from London

[perpetualnewbie]

Hi G scalers,

I've been "lurking" here for a while reading posts to learn a bit, and really admiring some of the photo threads, but I finally wanted to post a question (coming soon, might not have time today) and I thought I ought to say hi in this intro area first.

I've loved model railways for a long time, but felt I'd stalled a bit with OO indoor trains for various reasons. G looked like an interesting size to build things in, but what really pushed me to take the plunge was that my family love it. When we've been to things like model engineering exhibitions, for whatever reason, it's often been G size stuff that has caught their attention.

So far off to a very basic start (I have assembled something a bit like a stereotypical starter set with loco and wagons, plus a bunch more track and points, but nearly all from secondhand bits and pieces) but we're all having lots of fun! More than I'd expected given how simple our setup is. I love how robust the track is as we get it out and plug together new and entertaining configurations all the time, both indoors and in the back yard. I'd love a more ambitious, permanent outdoor setup one day but realistically that's a long way off for me. I've started building some stuff. I'm probably going to have a fair few questions as I get into this.

 

[Gizzy]

Welcome to the forum!

Plenty of advice here....

 

[JimmyB]

P perpetualnewbie welcome to the forum, however a simpler name to call you by may be advantageous.

 

[Rhinochugger]

P perpetualnewbie welcome to the forum, however a simpler name to call you by may be advantageous.

Try 'Perp'

 

[JimmyB]

Try 'Perp'

Surely we are tying to encourage new member not scare them off

 

[Rhinochugger]

Surely we are tying to encourage new member not scare them off

Absolutely, Jimmy - my apologies to the OP if I have caused offence - hastily looks for the slapped wrist emoji.

 

[PhilP]

Welcome!

Don't worry Rhino.. If the OP has been lurking for a while, he will know we can't leave a good pun (or a bad joke) alone for long!

Nothing wrong with a bit of track 'thrown-down' in the garding!

 

[Rhinochugger]

Welcome!

Don't worry Rhino.. If the OP has been lurking for a while, he will know we can't leave a good pun (or a bad joke) alone for long!

Nothing wrong with a bit of track 'thrown-down' in the garding!

View attachment 251614

And with a bit of luck, he may be familiar with my warped sense of humour

 

[playmofire]

Having fun is the thing and the simpler can offer the most fun sometimes (maybe more times than we imagine).

 

[stevedenver]

Welcome.
Its a long descent.
I started with some track on the grass, 2 locos and some stock, all lgb.

They are indeed a lot of fun.

Add some lighting, some pola buildings....some figures...over time.
For me, its been going on since 1985.....
It builds.....its like a disease....lol.

 

[dunnyrail]

Welcome Mr P, see that works for me hope it does for you. Lots of advice and info on here. Enjoy the journey.

 

[perpetualnewbie]

No offence was taken. Sorry, I didn't think through the name. I couldn't think of anything good. Agree it's a bit long, might change it since it looks like I can do that. Watch out or it might be "perp"

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

 

[JimmyB]

No offence was taken. Sorry, I didn't think through the name. I couldn't think of anything good. Agree it's a bit long, might change it since it looks like I can do that. Watch out or it might be "perp"

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

Or you keep the name and put some none de plume in your signature block

 

[Rhinochugger]

No offence was taken. Sorry, I didn't think through the name. I couldn't think of anything good. Agree it's a bit long, might change it since it looks like I can do that. Watch out or it might be "perp"

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

and you reckon I thought mine out?

 

[Paul M]

Welcome to the forum, where abouts in London do you live

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Welcome to the forum, where abouts in London do you live

If TfL is as bad as some make out, I wouldn't be surprised if he said 'The Underground'.

 

[perpetualnewbie]

Hi Paul - I'm in Hackney.

Gavin - definitely not my experience, it's mostly very good on the parts I usually use It being a large and somewhat uneven system means other people's mileage may vary considerably!

 

[railwayman198]

I'm only a few miles from you in Forest Gate and another forum member lives just around the corner from me. I do hold occasional open days so I will message you when I decide on the date for the next one. I see from your other thread that you are investigating DCC. I use Massoth so it would be an opportunity for you to have a play if you want. There is a link to my website in my signature to give you an idea of the setup here. Open days are primarily live steam but we usually run track power and battery locos for the first hour or so before the steamers take over.

I should add that although I run DCC I don't pretend to understand it. I just put the loco on the track, select the address, turn the knob and away it goes...press the buttons and it makes noises...that's about it. My points are also fitted with decoders but in practice I change them by hand most of the time. Oh, and there is a hot metal wagon that tips remotely, but that only gets an outing once in a blue moon.

 

[casey jones snr]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[perpetualnewbie]

Thanks railwayman198! Followed your link, that's a really nice railway (is it a faux pas here to say layout?) and definitely not a theme I've seen before! Alas, my yard is smaller and darker and scruffier than your garden but pictures like yours really give me something to aspire to. I would love to attend one of your open days if I can, please do let me know. The way you say you use DCC seems like about the level I actually want - I know it can do more, but "select a loco and drive" would do the trick for me. I don't need points motors as I have small signalmen who are only happy if kept busy.

And Hi Casey. Thanks for the welcome.