Aaand It's Gone: Modern Layout Scrapped, Preparing for THE ONE

We barely knew thee.

The decision came swift and sudden. Once the modern layout was brought from the garage into the new basement, I realized it just wouldn't fit right and I'd be wasting time, effort, and resources trying to make it work. So we stripped it of trees and as much of the bushes I could scrape off, tore up the track, and now it's back in the garage awaiting final disassembly. I plan to salvage the wood. Probably a good 90 percent of the boards and plywood can be recut for the new benchwork.  

As a final farewell, here are a few photos of the layout as it stood just prior to early retirement. The only place I could set it up was on the basement countertop. But as you can see, the shape of the layout caused it to stick out awkwardly with the entire side of the hill exposed. I briefly considered trying to just store it or sell it. But both those options were bad and just me trying to avoid making the right decision. 

All that being said, now is the moment we've been waiting for since we started our model trains adventure almost five years ago. It's time to start planning the The Layout, our Civil War Era N Scale Train Layout. It's almost unreal to say that. I'm a little nervous because I don't want to make too many mistakes this time around.

All the modern equipment we've gathered over the last two years will be put to good use, however, in quick temporary layouts to have fun while we work. I also plan on using the modern era equipment to run a nice circle around next year's Christmas Tree. Building a platform for that should be fun. 

Outings and such 2022: Trip to Boston, Reenactment in Morristown

We went on two blog-related trips last year. The first was a two-night stay in Boston. We took the Acela, covered completely by our Amtrak points. The second was a quick trip to see a Civil War reenactment at Fosterfields in Morristown. A few pics from each. 

One of the first sights we visited was Boston Common 
and the Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Mass. monument.

Boston was in April, and much colder than we expected, especially downtown where the wind was funneled through the streets and on the open bay taking the ferry to see the Constitution. As much as we didn't get to see, we did pretty well considering. If I didn't already know I'm a Northeasterner through and through, going to Boston reminded me of that. I absolutely loved Boston and the ride through New England. The family really enjoyed the trip, too. 

The other trip was a short Saturday afternoon in June to Morristown for the Fosterfields Civil War reenactment. I had been keeping an eye on the reenactment schedules last year, and one of my old units--the 7th New Jersey--was hosting this event once again after a hiatus. I got to see some old faces and take in the smell of black powder smoke. I tell you, it did spark a little flame inside to maybe try reenacting again. The boys had a great time and I'm going to try to take them to at least two this year. And if things fall the right way, we may try suiting up before this time next year. 

Boston South Station.

Old Ironsides.

Charlestown Drydock.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Newark Penn Station.

Bi-Level NJ Transit Cars.

Fosterfields Civil War reenactment dress parade.

Marching off the field of battle.