My All Postwar Lionel Layout “Updated 4/7/24”

Flint Rock Valley posted:

Thanks so much for all the comments & + feedback!     

While I am still very new to posting on this forum, when I have new things (pics & vids) to share- Do I just keep adding them here, or do I create a new topic? I do not know... Tia for any input on this.

You could do it either way, Eli, post here or start a new thread. If you post here it's good to edit the title of the thread so everyone can see it's updated, something like "My Postwar Layout-Updated May 2017". It's not so important right now but if you don't post anything here for a few months folks know it's you posting an update and not that someone just found an old thread and commented.

Other than this here, I've done a few things lately. Like hard wiring a block signal to a turnout, stripped the 397 down for a cleaning & service, & wired my second UCS Controller for below the Coal Ramp/ Loader Station. Next to do is service & wire the ramp & controller. I'll try to share a few clips from the above at some point. 

Happy Rails to You... 

(UPDATE: Sorry about that, my videos wouldn't load. I'll make a new one tomorrow.)

Howdy Fellow Train Folk! 

It's Eli here, from Flint Rock Valley... I'd like to share a few projects I've completed on my layout. The following is the hard wiring of a Block Signal to a Turnout. The signal is a Marx brand, & has/ had a manual throw on it. I scrapped that & wired it directly to a turnout that goes from my inner to outer loop. Works great, & self activated by the non derailing feature, & or the flick of a switch. I plan on wiring all my X crossings & gates in this manner. 

I've got some more little projects to share. I hope Y'all enjoy them! 

(And as always, any comments/ feedback are always appreciated... Thanks for stopping in @ FRV! )

Till I can get another vid of the block signal, here's this... 

The 2343 all clean & purring. (I mean Growling  

Thought I might try one at a time instead. Here's 1 of 3 of my Block Signal to Turnout vids, maybe.

2 of 3 Block Signal to Turnout. 

3 of 3 Block Signal to Turnout. 
Vids seem to be loading okay one at a time. Next up, the 397...

Lionel 397 Coal Loader

I got the 397 Coal Loader & the UCS Track below it all working. It's powered by the D dial from an SW 130. After running some coal up the elevator, a piece got lodged inside the belt, hindering its movement. Took it off the layout to remove said piece, & discovered the motor was just dripping in oil. So... I decided to strip it down & thoroughly clean it. The following was my first run, the detailing, & first run after cleaning. 

... Does anybody watch these videos, or am I talking to myself? 

I watched the videos Eli. Very nice.

Thanks so much Joe, much obliged, Sir! 

Flint Rock Valley posted:

(UPDATE: Sorry about that, my videos wouldn't load. I'll make a new one tomorrow.)

 

Howdy Fellow Train Folk! 

It's Eli here, from Flint Rock Valley... I'd like to share a few projects I've completed on my layout. The following is the hard wiring of a Block Signal to a Turnout. The signal is a Marx brand, & has/ had a manual throw on it. I scrapped that & wired it directly to a turnout that goes from my inner to outer loop. Works great, & self activated by the non derailing feature, & or the flick of a switch. I plan on wiring all my X crossings & gates in this manner. 

 

I've got some more little projects to share. I hope Y'all enjoy them! 

(And as always, any comments/ feedback are always appreciated... Thanks for stopping in @ FRV! )

Eli,

From my personal experience, these sort of splice connectors will cause you issues in the future.  IMHO, they are good for quick and dirty, but for something that you want to last they are not the best choice.  Your mileage may vary of course but what I have found with these is they will isolate over time.  And although it's hard to tell by the photo, they look to be too big for the wire you are using.

Your best bet here is to either cut and splice with the proper size butt connector or solder.

Tony

The videos are great Eli. Everything is coming together nicely.

Flint Rock Valley posted:

2 of 3 Block Signal to Turnout. 

Looks like they work very well !!!   I watched an extensive video from Eric's Trains on wiring switches, blocks, and even mixing their operation together..  

Jim

Great progress Eli, I'm enjoying the videos.  I have a coal ramp on my layout too.  One of my favorite accessories!

Thanks Everyone! 

And Tony, appreciate your advise Sir! I'll change that out, & in the future use the butt connectors like you recommended. (I'd rather not solder upside down underneath the layout. lol)

ZW 250

This was a fun project. And super exciting to add to my control panel. 

This was my third transformer to do a power cord replacement on, & they all came out perfect. 

Currently I have a ZW 250, a Z 250, & an SW 130 for my Power Block. 

Lionel 456 Coal Ramp

The first pic I thought y'all would get a laugh out of... Anyone need some replacement cord for their hand rail? I have Plenty! 

I finally got around to tend to the coal ramp. Stripped it completely down & gave it a super detailing. Only one hand rail cord came w/ it. So I decided to manufacture my own out of stuff from my shop. Very pleased w/ the outcome. What do Y'all think? 

It all works perfectly! & even better now that I wired up a newer toggle switch to the turnout. It'll have to do till I can get myself a vintage one to change it out for. 

Washed the dust off both my 3456's. The one in the video is my better of the two. They're all clean & waiting for a load. 

The Coal Deliveries shall soon be coming down from Flint Rock Mountain. 

Thanks for stopping in @ FRV! 

Question:  Why add "Professional restoration by Flint Rock Valley" to your cord replacement on the ZW if it's only the THIRD transformer that you've done?

The vids aren't loading... Take Two: 

3 clips of my homemade Hand Rail Cord. 

456 Coal Ramp Test Run 

See second post above ^^  for details. 

It's a joke Carl... 

But I am doing  a professional job on all my repairs! 

And Carl, if you've been following along... You'd see & notice that I am taking the utmost care & time to do all of my repairs in a "Professional" manner.

So... my quote is pretty spot on, regardless of what you may think. I've given myself several pats on the back for my achievements! 

Hope you enjoyed the videos, Sir! 

Remember being a pro doesn't mean you did a good job or even did it right.   Just means that you got paid to do it!  Good job fixing the cord on your transformer.  Lots of folks pay people to do that for them! 

Jim 

Flint Rock Valley posted:

It's a joke Carl... 

But I am doing  a professional job on all my repairs! 

I agree, "it's a joke" to call what you did "professional RESTORATION."  You replaced a cord; your didn't "service" the transformer.

I'll follow along with your videos.  And I've serviced the 397 coal loader replacing the belt; and, I've serviced the 456 coal ramp to operational status with new hand rails and wiring.  Having done those meager tasks, and replaced power cords on a couple of LIONEL transformers, I continue to enjoy the hobby sans videos.

Carl, I am brand new to all of this. I am learning & teaching myself about every aspect of creating & maintaining a postwar layout. No one has helped me, I've built this all by myself. As far as performing "those meager tasks", I am very proud of myself & what I've built/ repaired/ wired thus far. I hope you can share my enjoyment along w/ me, too...

And Thank You Jim! 

Your doing great. Just shrug off the naysayers. You've got way more accomplished than a lot of us.

Eli,

Of all the many fun aspects of building and running a layout, I find fixing up old trains and accessories to running condition the most enjoyment.

Nice job, keep it up.

Ed

I have been following this thread and watching the videos with interest since I am trying to get similar accessories added in my layout.  I have a request and two questions:

1. Please post a diagram of your layout.  I would like to see how you fit all of those accessories in your layout.

2. I am trying to resurrect a 456 coal ramp.  I have a black 3456 N&W Hopper Car and a maroon Hopper Car that has N&W markings faintly showing but does not have paint.  Neither car will go up the ramp without the plunger hitting the first electromagnet.  Can the plungers on the cars be adjusted up?  OR Does the electromagnet need to be adjusted downward?   Since neither car came with the ramp,  that leads me to believe that the ramp is the problem.   Since both electromagnets operate and the light and coupler work at the top, I haven't taken the ramp apart yet.  Do the electromagnets project above the rails?

Like you, I also need to replace the wire rail.  Thanks for that info.

I look forward to hearing from someone on my problem and look forward to more about your layout.

DS TEXAS, 

Here's my Track Plan as you requested. I currently do not have any accessories listed on there, but you can easily figure it out where they're placed by watching a few videos. 

As far as the ramp is concerned, I just checked the clearance from track to magnet. The magnet Does project above the track, by about a 1/16" of an inch. Being that it is screwed to & rests atop the large column, I don't believe it can be adjusted. On that note, I'd disassemble the hopper plunger assembly & make sure everything is clean & free of debris. If that doesn't do the trick, you might try loosening all screws/ bolts to the ramp, then loosen the one screw under the column to the magnet & moving it as far to the back as you can. When tightening the ramp screws/ bolts, start at the top keeping the ramp ends as far from the column as you can. There's not much adjustment to be had, but just maybe it'll be enough for what you need. Hopefully that should get you in working order. Maybe someone w/ more knowledge on this topic will chime in... 

Good Luck to you, Sir! Let us know how everything works out for you. 

FRV's Coal Yard up & running...

Lionel 164 Log Loader wired & ready for action.

It will operate much better w/ the proper sized logs... 

Fixed the lights just after this. The way I have it set up, I'm able to turn the lights on & off as I please. When I can acquire a few more turnouts, I'll be able to actually dump logs into the loading bin. 

Thanks for watching Everyone!  

# ELI.... NICE!! Thanks for the video update sir... I do like the way you think..

FRV,  Enjoyed your videos.  What kind of coal are you using?

Thanks so much DS & Frank!! 

DS TEXAS, I'm using Postwar Lionel Coal, of course. Although, after two different occasions of coal getting lodged in the belt, I sifted the entire bag. I wasn't left w/ much usable stock, but I'll get s'more at some point. 

#FlintRockValley, you can have mine. "Unsifted" :-)

Hmmm, I wonder if crushed roadbed works, not like anyone would miss 32 oz... or so

Frank, Thank You Sir! 

Do you not need your bag of coal anymore? I'd be honored to have it & put it to good use. 

Is that huge pile on your layout? Pretty cool! 

Have a Wonderful Day, Sir! 

For Smokes Sake 
I'm sure this won't be as impressive to some of y'all as it is to me, but this is the first time to ever have smoke coming out of a loco for me. Until I can get some of my postwar steamers serviced & converted to liquid, I just had to have a Smoking Session. So I got out the 8633 to see what it's all about... My Goodness it smells good in here!

Eli- I converted my PW 2037 steamer to liquid smoke a while back. The pellet smoker still worked but I wanted to change it. Pretty simple to do if you want to try yourself. The liquid smoker works great.

Bob

Eli,

Love your layout. It's all about fun and being kids in love with trains. Enjoy, man !

Scrappy

You're having too much fun!