Wheelchair Doesn't Stop Train Enthusiast From Creating A layout and Having Fun - Model Train Help BlogModel Train Help Blog

March 24, 2010

Wheelchair Doesn’t Stop Train Enthusiast From Creating A layout and Having Fun

Carol should be an inspiration to us all and has sent in this interesting story about her involvement with model railroading:

Thank you for all the info you send it has been a great help to me and your e-book has been a godsend, as I am very new to all this modeling. I have to do all my work from my wheelchair and sometimes it has been a struggle, but I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I have sent you these few photo’s of how I am progressing with my N gauge lay out which is 4ft x 2ft not so big but more than enough for me to cope with. it is by no means finished, but thought you might like to see how I am getting on.

I have always had an interest in trains from childhood (much better than dolls) we had a marvellous set up which my dad was always in charge of. Growing up getting married etc … put things on hold but I always wanted a train layout that didn’t take up too much space.

Just last year our neighbour introduced me to someone who made me the layout base. It had to be small as I work from a wheelchair and my reach is very limited so the N gauge is perfect for me.

I started making my layout by painting the backdrop on a roll of wallpaper so there are no joins and it wraps around the layout table. I then added the tunnel and the hill. Next came the buildings, then the road. I did have a basic plan when I started, but more of it evolved as I went along.

The photos you see are near the completion stage but I am at the moment adding street lights, telegraph poles etc . As this layout was started for me I am now also in the process of making another layout which is smaller but this time everything will be done by me, more on that later.

NB. The reason I am in a wheelchair is because I have a very rare illness called “Mitochondrial Myopathy” which is a muscle wasting disease with no known cure. I am exercise intolerant and even picking up a train engine can tire me out but I refuse to give in and do nothing so this hobby is keeping me focused and giving me something else to think about.