Guess I have a new hobby...

Knowing that I have had model trains in the past and still have quite an affinity towards the pass-time, Danielle decided to get me started in the hobby again by getting me a starter set for Christmas. She got me an Athearn Iron Horse (CN) starter set, which I understand is a pretty good name in HO model railroading gear.

The set includes a GP38-2 CN-painted engine (which has a fairly long wheel base), three cars and a caboose, a starter power pack (7VA, more than enough for one engine at a time), and a bunch of plastic ballast track. The GP38-2 was manufactured between 1972 and 1986, and are still in use today by the likes of CN, so the layout will be modeled in an era between the 70s and present. My leaning right now is towards an industrial scene.

Since Christmas I have actually spent quite a bit of time in AutoCAD, designing the layout in the space that I have for it. I've posted here the latest (and probably final) drawing which I am going to start building the table towards. Danielle really wanted to go for a continuous run track, so the basics are there -- an oval with a couple of spurs, an overpass, and a turntable.

Whenever I start talking about required turn radius (the GP38-2 model has a minimum turn radius of 16.5"), incline grade percentages, and the like, Danielle gets a look on her face which explains to me she didn't really know what she was getting into when she got me the starter set...