I've been a model railroader since the age of 10. On my tenth birthday in 1967, my parents gave me an HO scale Southern Pacific SD45 diesel model, along with a bay window caboose. Both were Athearn "blue box" models, and both are still operational. 

I've built ten layouts, and none to completion. In 2010, I began construction on a two-shelf layout in a two-car garage. I hosted operating sessions there until 2024. The layout was deconstructed and we moved to a condo in Santa Rosa, where I have begun building a 2'x12' switching layout. 

The layout is in the process of having scenery added, and I'll use this blog as a way to track (ha ha) the progress for myself, and as a way to keep me motivated and focused,