All Aboard!

Perhaps it’s just a distraction, a way of keeping my mind off of more serious matters, but for whatever reason it’s come to pass that I’ve finally acted upon something that’s been on my mind off and on for several years. I bought a model railroad set and am in the early phases of planning an N-scale model railroad. (Or maybe we just like to change hobbies every few years … first stamps, then aquariums, now model railroading?)

I spent a few evenings last week reading and learning, and then drove down to Wichita where I bought a small train set. It was first set up in my office, but has since (temporarily) moved to the dining room table. It’s final home is under consideration.

To start with, I purchased a decent Kato train set, one that included both a reasonable beginner’s track set as well as a small train, including one of their regular locomotives, not a cheaper one built just for the set.

Engine House Hobbies in Wichita is the largest model train shop in all of central Kansas. They have reasonable prices, a wide selection and an excellent sales staff. I had acquired a reasonable overview of the subject based on my reading, and Shawn spent over an hour with me, filling in gaps in my knowledge, explaining details that can never really be explained in writing, and generally welcoming me to the hobby.

Santa Fe engine