On this day, two years ago, I joined the N Gauge Forum I was only planning a short stay, to get the information I wanted , but found the forum so helpful and addictive that I am still here  I have learned so much and accomplished things that I never thought I would, e.g.

• lighting buildings - even though I was adamant that the layout would not be lit
• soldering SMDs - even the 'dandruff sized' 0402s
• learning to airbrush (journey not yet complete on this)
• modelling water on a layout
• buying from Japan, Germany, France, etc - especially buying EMUs from Germany at £100 less than the UK price
• kit bashing new buildings - first tentative steps
• ballasted Kato track (the concrete ties version)
  
• learned how to use BBCode and add articles to a Wiki

I have also bought three times the trains that I thought I would buy and learned stuff about Shinkansens and ICE trains that I did not know before. However one of the best pieces of advice, for me , was to use Kato track (which I'd never even heard of before I joined) so my first N purchase was a Eurostar and a Kato V11 track pack from Gaugemaster's show. There was a guy at the show that was showing how to weather/ballast the Kato track - which decided me once and for all.

My biggest influences are Quinntopia's layout and buildings , Claude Dreyfus's inspirational Yamanouchi Oshika which was the first really modern layout that I saw in N  and Fratton's superb airbrushing work All of these were the catalyst to try new things out.

Although my layout is fantasy, I am beginning to add some more realism although I do like my buildings/trains to be pristine - so no steamers or filthy diesels that might pollute   HSTs and Voyagers being the exception as they are washed down at night 

My biggest mistake was probably to build a layout that I knew I was capable of building rather than the layout that I really wanted so I am working on that now. So for anyone reading this and contemplating a layout - go with your heart I also have a belief that 'the best costs less' so will spend more to get the right thing rather than compromise on price and being disappointed that I end up getting the more expensive option anyway

Biggest disappointments are that there is still no Pendolino in N and that Farish have still not produced a N scale SWT Desiro :'(

My projects for next year are the finish the buildings at the new St Clements followed by making up two aircraft kits (a beginners Stealth fighter and then Concorde). Then I will be transforming a Turbostar into FGW livery before getting the courage to transform a Kato White Sonic into a Javelin 

So thank you everyone for all your help, advice and making this forum such a friendly place to be

Hi Pengi,

Happy Birthday. Had to look up my joining date. October 14th 2011. Wish I'd done as much as you in that time. Seem to spend most of it on here and not getting anything done.

Have learned so much though. Great site. Never bothered joining another one.

Good to know you (and the others although they're all at TINGS or playing with their purchases. I'm skint and couldn't go  )

weave

Pengi you have been a real busy person with your layout and I applaud you just wish I could put the amount of time on my layout as you do, well done.

Happy Forum Birthday

This is how forums should be, sadly it isn't the case whether railway or otherwise.

Great that you've learnt so much and built such a great layout from it


Paul

Very lovely to read Pengi.    It's always great to hear that the forum has been a success for it's members and it makes me very proud of everything that we all achieve.  I can echo that although my layout has had very little progress in three years, my buying of rolling stock has never stopped.   I am also always learning new things on this forum, and I am very impressed by everyone else's efforts and ideas.

I am amazed at the fact you have contributed 3548 post's in only two years!    LOL can you still read the letters on your keyboard Pengi? 

In my short time of being a member here its humbling to associate with people such as yourself. 

Quote from: Mr Sprue on September 08, 2013, 12:28:33 PM
I am amazed at the fact you have contributed 3548 post's in only two years!    LOL can you still read the letters on your keyboard Pengi? 

In my short time of being a member here its humbling to associate with people such as yourself. 

That's less than 5 posts a day (4.8602 and a few more decimal places) prolific yes but not excessive, I've come across people with over 7 a day, a few with more over a short period, they don't tend to hang around long though, their usual posts will be on the lines of "Wow that's amazing" or "Welcome to the Forum" or the worst in my opinion is "Sorry, I don't know the answer to your problem, but I'm sure somebody will". They only join forums to see how big a post count they can amass in a short time then move on - or get moved on!

Congrats Pengi! 

Always read your posts with interest despite you favouring things electric! 

Here's to the next 2 years!

Dave G