I created this blog to document the planning and eventual construction of my next model railroad, to be built sometime in the distant future, when I have the necessary space. My last layout, built around 2002, was small (4×8) and mountainous, but I stopped construction and gave it away when I moved across the country in 2004. There is no space in my current home for a layout of any size, but I’ve come to realize that I can still enjoy the hobby without building a layout, by learning new skills and working on small projects that can be incorporated into my future layout.
Some of the first projects I have in mind are building my own electronic circuits for automated signaling systems with block detection, grade-crossing circuits, scratch-building signals, and practicing airbrushing and weathering techniques. When it comes to practicing techniques, I could purchase some cheap structures, rolling stock, or locomotives on eBay, just to practice on them and then re-sell on eBay when I’m done with them. If my scratch-built signals turn out well, maybe I could make extras and sell them on eBay.
Before I can make certain decisions for my next layout, …