I guess it is "kinda" model train related. I just finished replacing a bum DZ-2500, and I now noticed that one of my siding toggle switches bit the dust and I have to open up that panel and replace the switch! Never a dull moment... 
Really like the numbers and the lights on the wall. The switchplate is priceless!
-Greg
@Tom Tee posted:...and the problem with that?
Just because you have one that big Tom, not all of us are so lucky! 
Big?... There are no dimensions. The significance is in the layout floor plan to living space ratio.
A bachelors dream pad.
It reminds me of my last home where I lived as a liberated husband with trains running in every room of the home on both floors with holes through all the walls courtesy of a Milwaukee SawzAll.
I asked my wife what she thought of that floor plan, she said get rid of the kitchen and make the bath bigger and she would be okay with it.
I feel like an artist with a blank canvas, 216 feet of new Glenn Snyder shelving all ready to be populated! Time to start unpacking more stuff!
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WOW I hope you have enough shelves!
@mike g. posted:WOW I hope you have enough shelves!
Still looking for a place for more!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I feel like an artist with a blank canvas, 216 feet of new Glenn Snyder shelving all ready to be populated! Time to start unpacking more stuff!
Looks great. Thanks for the tip about picking it up at York, I bet I saved a lot on shipping.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Still looking for a place for more!
LOL Might just have to hang them from the celling 
@TheRambles posted:Looks great. Thanks for the tip about picking it up at York, I bet I saved a lot on shipping.
Yep, my estimate was between $80 & $100 for shipping, it was two boxes about 80 pounds.
@mike g. posted:LOL Might just have to hang them from the celling
Don't laugh, if the ceiling was a bit higher that would be a realistic option. It still might work... 
OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
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Time to make alterations with Mr. Sledgehammer!
Tom
I think the neighbor would be upset if I busted through that wall into their basement!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
Time to raise the roof???
@Apples55 posted:Time to raise the roof???
I'm in the basement!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I'm in the basement!
Underground bunker???😁
@B rad posted:Underground bunker???😁
Anyone have a jackhammer I can borrow?
Gonna build a subway?
I think I'm done adding track for right now.
If you make it to China, you've gone too far! 
Tom
John, What about the end outside wall. That could hold the same amount of locomotive shelves.
Do you have subway sets? A separate, none connected subway addition would be super easy!
Could be built entirely off site and installed in a couple of hours.
The subway road bed would look something like a pretzel meandering around the legs and exposed at perimeter subway stations.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
John, I have the solution ! I have plenty of room on my shelves ! I'll keep an eye on them for you LOL
Alex
John, remove the baseboard and the crown molding and there is room for two additional shelves.
@Tom Tee posted:John, remove the baseboard and the crown molding and there is room for two additional shelves.
Well, I contemplated another shelf low, but I figured it was in the line of fire for a random kick. Removing the crown molding is a lot of work and I would have to try to match the paint as well.
@Alex M posted:John, I have the solution ! I have plenty of room on my shelves ! I'll keep an eye on them for you LOL
I can always count on you to come up with a creative solution! 
@Tom Tee posted:John, What about the end outside wall. That could hold the same amount of locomotive shelves.
Do you have subway sets? A separate, none connected subway addition would be super easy!
Could be built entirely off site and installed in a couple of hours.
The subway road bed would look something like a pretzel meandering around the legs and exposed at perimeter subway stations.
I'm actually eyeing that wall and figuring on maybe ordering some more shelves.
Where exactly does this subway get installed? I have actually thought about a subway, I have several sets. That would be an expansion that wouldn't take up more floor space, something that I'm running out of.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
I have a worse problem. After I filled my shelves, not only do I need more shelves but the boxes I emptied are slowly filling up with new purchases. Yikes!
Mike
@gunrunnerjohn posted:OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
Great collection John. I see a short wall on the right side - locomotive display? It also appears that you will need some pullout carts to provide under the layout storage for rolling stock. It's a nice problem to have!
Cheers, Dave
I am thinking on the storage for under the layout, right now it's plastic bins, but maybe I need to upgrade that.
@IRON HORSE posted:I have a worse problem. After I filled my shelves, not only do I need more shelves but the boxes I emptied are slowly filling up with new purchases. Yikes!
I've actually been "sort of" good about new purchases. Not completely good, but at least the amount going out has come close to matching the amount coming in.
A subway can be fabricated much like a stencil in segments which can be attached once placed in position. Connecting webs can be designed into the plywood to provide stability. I will grab some of my photos showing what I have done however others on this forum have done much more in the way of super subway station details and more.
Below are some photos out of order
Mocking up the fit
Checking clearance
Note connecting web
Station platform support
Valley with trestle
One of three stations
Up angle shot for led light bar. Track
on both side of platform. Dummy track in foreground.
Track behind station
Initial track mock up
Three stations, one with track in front, another with track in the rear another with track on both sides
12' 3" X 12' 6" walk in styleThe subway roadbed is in flat black.
<< Note lower subway support bar
Look close, the LED light bar is mounted and a platform is set between the tracks. I like to pre-wire prior to installing the deck.
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I like the subway idea......shall we start tunneling?
@RSJB18 posted:I like the subway idea......shall we start tunneling?
Maybe you can lend John your borer when you’re done tunneling out of your basement 
I think I'd have to be careful how I had the subway cross the Mianne Lift Bridge! A subway wouldn't be very cool! 
This is really cool as well, looks great!
@RSJB18 posted:I like the subway idea......shall we start tunneling?
Ah ha! So you are tunneling off Long Island! What is your destination??
@Mark Boyce posted:Ah ha! So you are tunneling off Long Island! What is your destination??
Anywhere but LI!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Anywhere but LI!
I know a lot of folks who'll take you to task over that comment...lol. I got your back though - I get enough of their abuse! 😛
The shelving looks great btw,!
- Greg
@gunrunnerjohn posted:OOPS! Should have had more shelf space! Running out long before all the boxes are unpacked! I'm running out of wall, what do I do now? I was hoping to be able to organize stuff better after I got it all out, but the getting it all out is the problem!
You need deep shelves like HAH III so you can put the cars in at 90 degrees to the wall or 45 degrees for passenger cars.
A train friend has two tracks on his shelves for twice as much room. Wood shelves…
How about movable shelves like some libraries have nowadays.
@Lehigh74 posted:You need deep shelves like HAH III so you can put the cars in at 90 degrees to the wall or 45 degrees for passenger cars.
Believe me, I actually thought about that.
@cjack posted:A train friend has two tracks on his shelves for twice as much room. Wood shelves…
Yes, but getting the stuff off the back shelf is a PITA.
@Mark Boyce posted:Ah ha! So you are tunneling off Long Island! What is your destination??
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Anywhere but LI!
@Greg Houser posted:I know a lot of folks who'll take you to task over that comment...lol. I got your back though - I get enough of their abuse! 😛
The shelving looks great btw,!
- Greg
Having spent all of my 59 years on this Island I can say that unfortunately, it's past time to go. Job and family will postpone that until after retirement. Gotta take the good with the bad though.
IMHO, plastic trays work good, but you have to be careful to not stack too high because you can break the crates and risk damage to your cars. Width and length are key. They also protect in case of basement flooding. Built shelves 3 - 6 cars deep work good for passenger sets. I like carts with wheels parked under the layout -- that's where I store engines. But you could do the same for cars. Just my two cents.
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@Tom Tee posted:Hummm...I have sold so much stock that I now have 10 empty shelves.
Would you like to lend me those shelves?
Next building phase, a small subway under the freight yard. 
First step is to create the deck for the track, it'll be a folded dogbone that runs around and the subway platform will be where the subway car is sitting. The platform will be raised to be about a foot below the main platform.
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That's going to be a really far underground subway there John. You're going to have to build stairs for the figures to walk all the way down there(unless you put in a bunch of elevators).
That’s a nice concept John and it’s easily viewed. I might suggest that you have an island platform, with switches, so you can keep a lighted consist on display. That could be a spot to display your Red Arrow “Boozer Cruiser “.
There are hidden elevators Dave.
Ahhhh....that ain't nutin'
In 1:48 scale, that would be three feet, I'm a piker at only one foot or around 48 scale feet down.
John,
Jay's comment reminded me...we failed to determine location for the dummy track?
An earlier example:
Track in front
Track in back
Island platform. track both sides. Dummy track front most.
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John , That's going to be really nice , keep us updated on your progress . It's nice to see you enjoying your layout !
Thanks, Alex
Having spent more than enough time on NYCT platforms, my favorite view is across several tracks to the platform on the other side. Looking through all of the support columns adds visual interest.
Bob
John, that is going to be a very nice addition to your train room! More to see and sit back and enjoy!
Thanks guys. The reason I want the platform to be in front of the operating track is when the train is in the station, it would block the view of the decoration of the platform. Just have to figure how to fit a dummy track in, I visualize it would have a lighted car just peeking into the edge of the station.
Major progress for the subway! The platform is in place and the track is down. I actually clipped a power from a siding track and ran a couple of cars around. Of course, I had to stop at the clips sticking up from the track, but wiring comes next!
I did give up a lot of storage with the new level, but that's the price of progress.
Needless to say, @Tom Tee played a major role here, we measured all the clearances and he cut the platform to shape in two pieces, just brought it in and plopped in in place! Well, "plopping" it in place did take some doing, because all the lower supports had to be added after the platform was in and then clamped near the top of the legs. The cross members are all nailed and glued with corner braces, somehow I don't think this is going to fall down!
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You can always annex more real estate if you're willing to fight the Land Commissioner
@Ron_S posted:You can always annex more real estate if you're willing to fight the Land Commissioner
I may be crazy 
, but I'm not stupid!
I agree John, it is bad enough fighting the county building department on a whole house, she would make you look for a dog house to share.
Congrats, now with a condo you will have less work to do around the house and more time for trains. Cool!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Major progress for the subway! The platform is in place and the track is down. I actually clipped a power from a siding track and ran a couple of cars around. Of course, I had to stop at the clips sticking up from the track, but wiring comes next!
I did give up a lot of storage with the new level, but that's the price of progress.
Needless to say, @Tom Tee played a major role here, we measured all the clearances and he cut the platform to shape in two pieces, just brought it in and plopped in in place! Well, "plopping" it in place did take some doing, because all the lower supports had to be added after the platform was in and then clamped near the top of the legs. The cross members are all nailed and glued with corner braces, somehow I don't think this is going to fall down! Once the platform was in place, just added the one piece of track between the two pieces and it was ready.
It looks great, John! I'm looking forward to seeing it fully sceniced.
-Greg
@Greg Houser posted:It looks great, John! I'm looking forward to seeing it fully sceniced.
-Greg
Me too, what's your ETA and bring a lot of scenery stuff!
GRJ,
I located the WAGO lever nuts for solderless connections. Did you use that brand, and if so how many? I will be using them on my under-construction 8 x 16 layout. I received a sample from them and also a mounting terminal, they are of superior quality.
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I used an "off" brand, but I'm sure the WAGO brand will be at least as good. I have several hundred of them in use, no issues at all.
@452 Card posted:GRJ,
I located the WAGO lever nuts for solderless connections. Did you use that brand, and if so how many? I will be using them on my under-construction 8 x 16 layout. I received a sample from them and also a mounting terminal, they are of superior quality.
I have been using Wago Lever Connectors for the complete re-wiring of my layout that is currently in progress. I REALLY like them. I buy them in boxes of 50. They get used up quickly.
