So This Thing Happened...

 Back in February of 2021, I decided to go back into model railroading. 

This is an old hobby of mine that I've done since 1973. Not always consistently, mind you. I started off with N scale in September of 1973, but reverted to HO when it was discovered I was being steered in that direction by forces beyond my control (namely Mom). This was concurrent with my interest in rocketry. I remained in HO until early in 1977, when I started building model airplanes and warships. 

Then, in late 1979, I was given a Marx O27 locomotive, and started looking into O scale. I even built a boxcar, but this didn't last long as we moved into a house where my bedroom was so small I had to step into the hallway to change my mind. 

Then, I got into HO again in late 1983 via my first wife. She preferred it over military models. 

And so it would go, between this and G scale, until 1999. 

I started buying some G scale equipment in 2017, and even built a couple of very early steam locomotives (one was a conversion, a static model of Stephenson's "Rocket"). I even built a number of freight "wagons", specifically four coal chaldrons (early British coal cars). But once more, there was no space.

An attempt in late 2019 was made in HO again, but was thwarted by a move.

Which brings us to February, 2021. 

Except this time, I went hard in the opposite direction - Z gauge, with Japanese prototypes. That was when I discovered that my eyes are better suited for my astronomy than wee tiny little equipment. The initial investment, some lovely Japanese made equipment from Rokuhan, was summarily sold off. 

Around this time, I saw on a certain well known auction site a battery powered set from a long gone company, Kusan. This had a little four wheeled locomotive that was a caricature of an EMD Geep, nowadays called a "Beep". It also included a boxcar, gondola, caboose, and a circle of track. 

It was in O gauge. It was also $10,

So, I bought it. 

Thus began this current madness. 

I don't know if I will ever have what can be called a permanent layout. I have some ideas about that, and I'll share them here. As it stands, I have a bevy of damaged, neglected locomotives and cars, courtesy that auction site, the farmers' market, and the local thrift store. Track is coming in piece by piece, and a transformer has finally showed up. 

We'll see what happens next. Should be peculiar  fun.