Welcome to a blog documenting the construction of a basement HO scale train layout.  I really enjoy following the progress of some other layouts being built (you can check in on them as I do with the links to the right), so I thought I should do the same.

I got started in the hobby like many do as a youngster with a simple set and a 4x8 table.  My dad set it up and built several building kits, most of which I still have.  My uncles had a 4x10 layout in their basement which was always a source of wonderment, as was a friend's father's double-tracked layout made from two 4x8 tables.  I got out of the hobby for a long time until I had a house of my own, with enough space for a layout, and a budget that could allow me to do this right. 

The layout is meant to represent the present day, inspired by actual locations without being specific to anything in particular.  I've tried to separate the scenes, with the help of a backdrop, to allow it to feel like it's traveling somewhere.  One side will features a steel mill complex with a blast furnace, rolling mill, and coke ovens.  One end has two bascule bridges which will cross a navigation channel for freighters theoretically going to the steel mills.  One side will have an industrial area and hopefully some residences.

For the physical design, I considered how I wanted to keep it away from the basement walls, and how I needed enough clearance beside it for any replacement appliances.  I entered into this project knowing very little about benchwork, little experience with flextrack, and none with wiring.  So I'm going to learn as I go.  I have plenty of time to do this right.  I've used the Model Railroader guides to benchwork, track, and wiring so far to good effect.  At this point, the benchwork is mostly complete (everything except fascia) and I'm working on laying track and connecting the wiring.  My wiring plan worked (so far), the first mainline successfully ran a train all the way around on Dec. 1, 2016.

Specifications:

6.5 ft wide at one end, 9.5 feet at the other end, 17.5 feet long.
Double-track mailine with passing tracks and industrial sidings
Power - NCE 5 amp wireless DCC system
Track - Peco code 83 flextrack and switches
Wiring - 14 gauge track bus lines, 20 gauge feeder wires, connected by suitcase connectors