Any blacksmiths here?
God anvils back in Mo last time I lived there 5 years ago, would bring minimum.... of $1 a lb and most old ones weighed over 200. I bet that railroad track will do as you learn and if you want to continue, got a farm suction and look for an old anvil, a 100 lb one wold no doubt be plenty.
Farriers (horseshoers) use a small gas fired forge.
I have built a lot of bits years back and never had a forge. Would have loved one. It take a special coal for the forge. If you can find someone local that is a knife maker or even spur maker, that is a good sourse for whatall.
I made the belly for a forge out of a semi brake drum and some pipe, etc, just never got the blower. Financially challenged at the time!