What did you do on your layout today?

I am looking forward to seeing your layout on a DVD. I will be one of the first in line to buy it.

I'll be a close second.  Never see too many pictures of Brian's great layout.

 

Art

figured I would show this I put my phone on a flatcar and pushed it around the layout to get a perspective of what needs to be fixed and tweeked also you can see in one area I have issues with signal but anyways here's a boring video.

Yesterday I went as far as I could to color scenery. Then I looked at the second tunnel opening and decided that had to go tooo like the other end tunnel did. I ripped it out along with the plaster screening around it. I then used up the last of the pink board there. I made it look better and  now it will look like a rock cut in that area of the grade. Rest of finishing the scenery is on hold till my order comes in from Scenic Express. Yesterday I had an idea, decided to go with it. I had stained the fascia board and had too many color variations. Went to Home Depot and got a quart of Black paint to go over the stain. I did that this morning and it was a good choice. The black brings out the lower level of the layout. Later today I will finish off the pink board so it will be ready for plaster wrap. So far this year I have done more then I havbe in the last four or five years.................Paul

Well, summer is about over and all of the outdoor fun and projects.  Golf, yard work, fishing etc.  So now it is back to my layout in process.  Hopefully, in the near future I will be doing some wiring under the layout deck so I went out this morning and purchased a low slung creeper with a raised head rest at Harbor Freight on sale.  I took it for a ride under the layout and it maneuvered great.  However at my age getting on and off of it is the problem.

 

Jim

Brian

I look forward to seeing your layout on video.  Your layout is very impressive!  TM videos called me 2 weeks ago asking me if they could come out the beginning of November to video my Christmas Train Layout.  Unlike your layout, my layout is not a permanent layout.  I told them I would have it set-it up in time.  Normally, I don’t begin set-up until November.  Thankfully, my wife is very accommodating because my layout takes up most of our entire living room and most of our furniture is moved out.

   

Two weeks ago I started to set-up my layout by setting up our Christmas Tree!  Two sets of my lights were no good…so it felt very strange going into Menard's to buy Christmas lights at 8 o’clock at night in the 2^nd weekend of October!   Thankful some retailers have their Christmas stuff out early!  One of my animated village houses blew out this past weekend.  So, I was on the phone this past weekend ordering a replacement and asking for quick shipment! Again, it felt weird making that phone call especially to have my order rushed. Like most years with the setup of my layout, problems keep arising which requires extra time to figure them out and keeps me up late at night…up to 2 am last night and at work by 7:30 am this morning!  My layout is always different from year to year which causes some of my problems.  However, I enjoy changing it from year to year by trying to make it “better” than the previous years.  This year I replaced my track with Fastrack and added many new village pieces.  However, my set-up is on schedule and setting up the village should be completed by the end of this weekend.  That will give me time to focus on some of the smaller details on the layout and making sure all the trains run smoothly (hopefully) for video. 

Ken

Yesterday I spent the morning on using the last of the plaster wrap to cover a second tunnel portal I decided to do over with pink board. In the afternoon Mr. Brown dropped off my scenic materials to finish. So last night I burned the midnight oil till midnight applying the plaster wrap to the remaining area of old scenery. Today will be spent covering it all with plaster. But while doing that I'll run a train or two.....Paul

I received 5 more switches all manual in kind rough shape but they work. so here is the plan for the yard I'm expanding out into the hallway a little the hall is 48 inchs wide and I will be taking about 23 of that for a yard. so the yard will be 4 legs 23" wide by 162" long. only issue I see with it is it will be a duck under to get along the right side of the layout. here's a pic of the layout plan it's in the pink like color

Jhainer,

Your yard expansion looks like a good idea.  It will greatly enhance your layout!

Got quite a bit done on the bridge framework yesterday and hope to finish it this afternoon.  (If I get off the forum and get busy that is.)  My son-in-law was over for dinner last night and helped with the paint colors to paint the foam.  I knew I should have called him first, but didn't want to bother him.

 

Art 

Let me help motivate you Art. I'll see you next Sunday! 

Elliot - That's great but I hope that mean the 2nd of November and not next Sunday.  I have heard from about half of the guys invited for then and we should have a good sized group.

 

Art

Did I scare you Art? Sorry, yes I meant a week from Sunday. Looking forward to meeting you and the gang.

After Raking leaves this morning, took a break and went to Wild Bill's Trains.

Purchased a Lionel Locomotive, which I will feature in my next YT video. Had a Lionel Engine serviced as I waited and watched a TV show about model trains on a satellite channel. I have cable so I do not get this program. Also picked up the 2015 Volume One RailKing & Premier O-Gauge Trains. Below is a photo of Wild Bill's Trains. 

  Click photo to enlarge.

Gary,

Wild Bill's sounds like a great place!

Hi Mark

     They also have a large show room and an operating layout. The layout is all 3 Rail,

10' x 28'. If you are ever in South Eastern Michigan, it is a must stop for 3-Railers & American Flyer Trains.

Sounds even better!  I agree it sounds like a must see.  I have never been to Michigan, but if I do I will look for Wild Bill.

Had new electric service sub-panel installed in the attic train room.  It will have its own set of breakers for room lights and train control, independently.

Elliot  Big_Boy_4005 . I also got the invite to Arts for the 2nd of November. So I guess we will meet when you come to Illinois. One way to recognize me is I will be the one who is missing his leg.     Scot

Scot, as silly as some folks (myself included) think the OGR avatar policy is, this gathering is one time where it should really come in handy. I expect to recognize you and a number of the others from their photos. Leg counting will be my fall back verification.

Tonght I finally got back to working on this two story saloon/hotel kit, by painting

doors and windows and installing them.  Got railing installed around porch roof, too.

Elliot I figured the leg would give me away. especially when I never cover it up.

Can't wait to meet you.

          Scot

Working on my first building kit, a Lionel Electric Substation.  I hope to eventually replace the Christmas village buildings with model buildings.

Did a bit of scenery on the farm.

Well I just finished the framework for my bridge.  Now to take few pictures and get busy carving stones in the foam coating.

Art

The basic framework is now complete except for the ends.  The next steps now are to begin carving the stones in the flexible foam that I will wrap around this framework. 

 

Art

Great start on the bridge, Art. Looks vaguely familiar...

 

Art,

It is looking good!  What is the name of this flexible foam you are carving, and who makes it?  If you already told us, I apologize I must have overlooked it.

Thanks!

Art....that looks sweet!  Good job.  Keep posting your progress pics, please.  I've enjoyed your posts about your paint trials and tribulations.  

 

Rick

Thanks, guys.  And yes, Jon, that is the bridge that I am trying to pattern mine after.

 

Mark - I am using 1/4" thick flexible foam that is used for insulation under metal siding.  It can be worked just like any Styrofoam, but is thin and will flex or bend to the contours of my framework.

 

It has been a little frustrating at times getting to this point, but I hope that I am finally on the right track. 

 

Art

Today did some surface sanding of walls after painting, and then started to mount the

porch on the front of the building....against the wall with one post...only spent about

an hour at the workbench.  Cut the other four posts to length and planned how I would

install them different from the plans.

Watch out for that guy MillCity, he doesnt like trains as much as he likes putting stuff in storage

Art,

Thanks for the scoop!!  It sure looks like you are on the right track.  The frustrations will be forgotten when you look at the final product, and knowing you conquered the frustrations will make it just that much more satisfying!

this weekend I need to replace a 15 year old MTH 031 switch in the middle of layout

lots of track must be removed and reinstalled to replace switch UGH!!!!!!

We had a great meeting of the Sugar Creek MRR Club at Keith's on Friday night; here's some pics of my MTH Electroliner getting some exercise on his layout!

 

 

 

Mitch

The layout is up. Having modules helps. But I really hate the setup and teardown phases. Efficient packing/storage requires a different order than teardown/setup. I have too much stuff in the room and no other place to really put it.  2#s of bologna in a 1# sack!

3 loops are now operational and tested for both TMCC and DCS.

 

I'm now working on the non-modular phase, which is primarily the cityscape. This sits on top of a set of unused modules. I made several sets of 3D city backgrounds. I'm pleased with the effect.

This is the stuff no one sees, but is necessary to make things look good: Building and sign wiring. Since it all gets torn down later and then set back up, I'm adding quick connect plugs to make my life easier. Takes time, but worth it.

 

Chris

LVHR

It's all safely put away...

...along with Rosebud.

And maybe The Ark.

I LOVE it!! 

Mitch,

It is funny how one's tastes change with the passage of time.  Years ago I did not like the Electroliner.  Now I think it is pretty cool looking!  Great train and it looks like Keith has a nice layout.  Also, it is great to see young and old enjoying trains!!