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Thursday, October 29, 2015

Wordless Wednesday #110


3 comments:

  1. Hi Marty,

    Apologies if this is not the right forum but my name is Brad Nicholson and I am brand new to the model railroading hobby. I had been wanting to start working on my own model railroad for most of my adult life but finally was able to escape the small condo to a house with a full, finished basement in which I could actually make it happen. I picked up your "N Scale Railroading: Getting Started" book recently to help me along.

    Anyway, at some point recently I read somewhere that you lived in the D.C. area, as do I (Chantilly), and was hoping that maybe if you live around here, that you could steer me in the direction of any additional local resources that I might find helpful in learning the ropes (supply stores, meet-up groups, etc.)?

    Any advice you might have is greatly appreciated as I am literally starting from zero but very excited about the opportunity to start!

    If easier, you can also reach me at nigeldazooman@yahoo.com.

    Thank you in advance!

    -Brad Nicholson
    Chantilly, VA

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  2. Hi Brad,
    Yes, we're not that far away - we live in the Yorkshire area of Manassas, basically just off Centreville Road near Bull Run.
    Unfortunately, we do not have a model railroad hobbyshop in the area that I can recommend - the best model train store in the area is actually Mainline Hobby Supply - but they're in Blue Ridge Summit Pennsylvania - about 60 miles north of you. It is well worth a trip up there - and when the weather is nice it's a pleasant drive up US 15 by way of Point of Rocks!
    There are a number of active groups in the area - the NMRA Potomac Division is pretty active - they have a one-day meet in March/April that's well worth attending since they tend to draw on some of the local clinician talent.
    For N scale, Northern Virginia NTrak might be a possibility. They usually meet in Fairfax Station - check their web site (which I can't access from here or I'd post a direct link - google search "NVNTrak" and you'll find it) - I know a number of N scalers in that group. That would be a great way to get some hands-on experience.
    If you want to try operations we have a roving operating group based in the Manassas-Gainesville area - I can send you the contact info for it. It's not scale specific (most of the layouts are HO) but again, a great bunch of modelers.
    I'll be sure to add you to the invite list for our next open house op session.
    Marty

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  3. Hi Marty!

    Thanks so much for the insight! I'm sure I'll be peppering you with questions again soon!

    -Brad

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