Thanks guys!
Currently I am collecting together locomotives, rolling stock, lineside buildings etc to begin construction of my first layout in the summer. This will be a project for my sons and I, hence the fact that it will not be entirely fixed in a particular period as we want to run trains we like from whenever. I predominantly like the late 50's early 60's period because I like steam, diesel and electric locomotives and this period allows me to run all. My kids also like our local DMU's that we travel on daily and Virgin Rail Pendolinos so these have to run too. I'm also a fan of freight trains run by EWS (formerly owned by Wisconsin Central which explains their colour scheme) Overall our layout will have that 50's/60's feel but we will run the more modern trains too. We are currently converting our large garage into a train room which is why the permanent layout won't be started until Summer. I realise that this will annoy a lot of modellers who want things to be authentic but we want the enjoyment of running what we like rather than total accuracy.
The above of course is for the British side now for the American side. I bought an Athearn GP 35 in Wisconsin Central livery, firstly to check on the quality of the model as I had never seen a US model in person, to check the reliability of the online dealer I bought it from and because it was in EWS colours, lol! Having received the model I must say I was very, very impressed, it runs superbly and for the price, the quality is excellent. I then decided to create a second layout this time placed in the US. It will be roughly modern as I don't intend to run steam, I am unsure as yet which area to use as a template although I will probably go for a North East feel as I visit NJ/NY frequently (I also have an Atlas Alco C424 Ph2 Locomotive in Western New York & Pennsylvania livery) but again will throw away accuracy and run what I like. My wife is also going to build a small but accurate (well, as accurate as possible) layout (or more accurately a diorama) herself, based on Elizabeth "Broad Street" station in New Jersey (her hometown) based on a time when the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad crossed over the tracks of the Central Railroad of New Jersey and there were two stations, one above (where the Northeast corridor and current station are today) and one below where only the lovely station building remains (well the one remaining after the other station building was totalled in 1972 by a wayward freight car)
We've set ourselves some challenges but the family are really looking forward to it!
George
