So they pulled 200 feet off a roll and sent it that way. I am going to order some myself since I have away what was on my red and black rolls. I’ll do it after I move wire to new track connections.
Happy New Years everyone!
Mark it sure looks like that, I better find something to wrap it around, so it doesn't turn into a rat's nest! LOL
So yesterday I made some more progress on the rebuild, or at this point I should be saying teardown! LOL I got more track up and roadbed removed, I even had to take down the operating airfield as not to damage it, don't worry its going back on the new layout!
So here are a couple photos and one of my new track cleaning station in the garage. I moved it out there so I would quit making such a mess on the bench work for the layout, plus it gives me more room to work and not to have to keep moving track around.
As you can see I still have to remove the upper inside track above and realign the everything with the outside track. But that will all come later as I need to focus on the lower track first as some of it runs directly under the upper track!
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I am enjoying watching your progress from 2500 miles away. I think I enjoyed the building the most, and you get to do it twice! Thanks for all the detailed progressions.
@John H posted:I am enjoying watching your progress from 2500 miles away. I think I enjoyed the building the most, and you get to do it twice! Thanks for all the detailed progressions.
Thanks John, I don't know that I will get much done today as the in-laws are on the way over. Maybe when they go home, I will get out there and clean some track before taking any more out, so I don't overwhelm myself! LOL
I don't think I will take any photos of that! LOL
Nice work Mike. You are making quick work of this process, but you’re being smart about it. Even going as far as reusing the ballast! I have to say, I’m very impressed how you’re approaching this, neat and orderly. Nicely done.
Andy
Hi guys I hope your all doing well, I know I haven't been here for a couple of days, but I have been working on the layout trying to get as much done as possible before my knee surgery on Wednesday.
I was a little mad at myself as I got ahead of things before, I made the siding going down to the future staging yard that is under the layout. I had to go back and take the upper level out that is right about the area where I had to cut the main decking to get my ramp down. So here I am with 5 steps forward and 3 steps back! LOL
With that said I was able to get my grade area cut, track laid and power drops installed! The grade is about 3% but I was running out of room, and I wanted to make sure I had enough clearance for my taller Auto carriers. So, I made the clearance at 7 1/2" just because of the height of the track and roadbed and the brackets I had to use to hold up the upper level.
Here are a couple of photos and video's
As always, I am open to input!
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It looks great, Mike! I get ahead of myself all the time!! 🤪
Looking good!
Peter
Nice work Mike, looking good.
Andy
Hi everyone and thank you all for the kind words! I was able to to get out to the train room yesterday and today after sitting on my rear for the last 3 days after my knee surgery.
I was able to get all the track laid along the long wall till I ran out of room before I have to start dismantle of the rest of the old upper loop. I even got all the power drops in and connected which sucked getting back off the floor.
Well here are a couple photos of all the track, and the painted table top to make things look cleaner.
You know it's funny I didn't think I could ever find something more exciting then washing used ballest, but sure enough I did, painting side rails of track and nail heads! LOL
I hope you all have a great week!
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@mike g. posted:Hi everyone and thank you all for the kind words! I was able to to get out to the train room yesterday and today after sitting on my rear for the last 3 days after my knee surgery.
I was able to get all the track laid along the long wall till I ran out of room before I have to start dismantle of the rest of the old upper loop. I even got all the power drops in and connected which sucked getting back off the floor.
Well here are a couple photos of all the track, and the painted table top to make things look cleaner.
You know it's funny I didn't think I could ever find something more exciting then washing used ballest, but sure enough I did, painting side rails of track and nail heads! LOL
I hope you all have a great week!
Well done!
Peter
@mike g. posted:Hi everyone and thank you all for the kind words! I was able to to get out to the train room yesterday and today after sitting on my rear for the last 3 days after my knee surgery.
I was able to get all the track laid along the long wall till I ran out of room before I have to start dismantle of the rest of the old upper loop. I even got all the power drops in and connected which sucked getting back off the floor.
Well here are a couple photos of all the track, and the painted table top to make things look cleaner.
You know it's funny I didn't think I could ever find something more exciting then washing used ballest, but sure enough I did, painting side rails of track and nail heads! LOL
I hope you all have a great week!
Looking great Mike. You can see the space you've freed up for scenery. It's nice to see your plan coming together.
Thank you, Peter!
Hey, Dave Thanks, you, you sure are right about the amount of space in the center for buildings and even a road, then I am thinking a walking trail/ park area along the front. Just thoughts for now.
Morning guys and gals, It has been a while since my last update. Things are moving forward but at a slow rate do to my knee killing me !LOL
I have been able to work on the change to the layout, but it has been a lot of wood cutting and planning, I also had to change up some of the loop to give me room between table. It is the same plan just changed out 072 with a mixture of 072 and 054, I also mixed in some 080 curves to give me more room and shorten up the length of the table to give me room at the entrance to the train room.
I was lucky to have a friend that works at the local sawmill get me a stack of 20-year-old 2x12's that I have been able to cut down to 2x4's and another friend gave me a full sheet of 1/2" plywood.
Here are a couple of photos to prove that I have been doing something! LOL
The plywood is just sitting there, once I get the track laid out and mark its location, I will cut the plywood so I have an open grid below the next step of the upper level just so I have access to the lower track just in case! lol
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time for your layout and trains!
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Will you be combining the 0-72 and 0-54 on curves? I've heard of people doing that to get a better looking/smoother curve but still haven't seen an example. So I'm curious, if that's what you did.
Mike, I’m glad you are able to get back working on the layout!! I’ll be looking to seeing how you mix your curves as well! Make sure you can run your big steamer!!
@BillYo414 Bill, that is the plan, it seems to work on SCARM. My last layout had 072 & 080 mixed together.
@Mark Boyce Mark I am hopping I can run the big steamer, Jeff AKA Scoutingdad says he has on his layout with 054 curves, if not I will be redoing it again! LOL I am not getting rid of the Steamer I have
I'm very interested in seeing some photos when you get it done!!
@BillYo414 posted:I'm very interested in seeing some photos when you get it done!!
No problem Bill I will be posting photos as I go!
@mike g. posted:Morning guys and gals, It has been a while since my last update. Things are moving forward but at a slow rate do to my knee killing me !LOL
I have been able to work on the change to the layout, but it has been a lot of wood cutting and planning, I also had to change up some of the loop to give me room between table. It is the same plan just changed out 072 with a mixture of 072 and 054, I also mixed in some 080 curves to give me more room and shorten up the length of the table to give me room at the entrance to the train room.
I was lucky to have a friend that works at the local sawmill get me a stack of 20-year-old 2x12's that I have been able to cut down to 2x4's and another friend gave me a full sheet of 1/2" plywood.
Here are a couple of photos to prove that I have been doing something! LOL
The plywood is just sitting there, once I get the track laid out and mark its location, I will cut the plywood so I have an open grid below the next step of the upper level just so I have access to the lower track just in case! lol
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time for your layout and trains!
Mike, my build has been going a similar way. The other day I removed a panel and I forgot there was nothing holding the cross bracing together. The whole table 30 x 96 inch flipped over and took two other sections with it along with a bunch of track. Busted up a bunch of Atlas track ends and bent a few Ross track sections, but nothing except one thing either not repairable or unuseable. Lucky I guess, the crash was in slow motion and nothing I could do other than slow it down.
Jeff sorry to hear about the tumble, but am glad it is nothing you can't fix! 1 step forward and 2 steps back, but don't worry one day both our layouts will be up and running!
Jeff, that sounds like something I would do! I’m glad there wasn’t much damage. Yes you and Mike will have trains running again soon.
Mike, you will be 100% in short order. You need to be patient a little while longer. Great score with the lumber, you have some nice neighbors! You are still making good progress.
Jeff, glad you weren’t seriously hurt. That’s most important.
Andy
Wow, @mike g, great progress, and I’m impressed with the way you cleaned your track and ballast for reusing. Also your layouts coming along fine, and hopefully your knees are as well. Your carpentry skills are also cool and I think you’re going to have a fun to run railroad. I’m glad you like BNSF, I do go. Have a great weekend. Happy weekend. Happy Railroading Everyone
Morning guys I hope your all doing well.
Yesterday I was able to get to the train room and got some more cork down and hope to get the track and power drops done today! Just a little photo showing my mess. I figured I better wait on installing the sheet of plywood till I got the track in the back done so I am not crawling on top of the layout.
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Solid! Props to your wisdom/experience haha I would have definitely thrown that plywood up there and then had to crawl across the layout.
Good idea, Mike! I ran into the problem you are avoiding by adding my new high line along the wall. The stretching is almost complete!
Morning guys I was able to work on the layout yesterday and got my goal met with the track laid and powered up. The best was testing it and the small switcher worked great.
I also got more cork laid and hope to do the same thing today and get track laid and tested. If I get that far it will be a very small section first off of a mixture of 054 & 072 curves to get around a post, then a mixture of 054 & 080 to make the outside end loop on the lower level.
I hope everyone has a great day!
That sounds great, Mike! It is always good to get some track powered and run an engine a bit!!
Hi guys, got some more track and cork down and powered up! I even took a little video for you guys, and I know Bill was really interested in seeing the mixture of 054 & 072 and in my case also 080!
It took me a little as I wanted to test each connection as I went along so I wouldn't have to go back and fix things! because I have so much stuff still under the layout so when I am done with laying the track, I will go back and replace all the main power wire leading to the drops!
Here is where I am so far!
I hope you all have a great night and I hope to get out there tomorrow again if I can!
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Nice smooth track, Mike!
i would have forgotten to stop my engine. Good thing you did Mike.
Glad to see you have trains running! Nice progress Mike!
Andy
what would you think about using flex track to soften the curve around the pillar?
Hi everyone, I hope your all doing well!
I was able to get to the train room and laid out track and marked out where the cork is going to go. It was a little satisfying but the bad news is that I am out of cork till Monday, and I will soon be out of track. I am hoping that I have enough to at least get the lower loops finished.
I guess I am going to have to find more interesting stuff to sell to get extra money for track! LOL
@wb47 I thought about using flex track, but I need to save that for other areas of the layout!
Here is a photo of today's work.
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Mike, yes O Gauge track is expensive! Quite a change from HO track for me!
Well guys nothing new today as I am out of cork. I am still thinking about painting the track sides, but right now it is just a thought! LOL I have all weekend!
Mike, I’ve thought of painting the track sides too, but there are too many other things to do on a layout, so I have never bothered! 😄
Mike, Mark, I spray painted the sides of the track a flat camouflage brown, then wiped the tops of the rails right away. Simple and quick. But make sure you have good ventilation.
Andy
Thanks Andy, I did that with all the track on my old layout, but forgot some after I already got it down.
I went to the paint cabinet to get my earth brown spray paint to do the stuff not down yet and to my surprise I was out. But I did have qt. Of brush paint in earth brown, so that's what I used.
Ventilation is a good point, Andy! Some train rooms could be a problem without making alterations. I have a door and tiny window that open to the outside in my train room, I still think I would want a fan.
Good job Mike, you make do with what you have on hand.
Mark, I spray painted all of my track after I installed it. I wore a mask of course, but I rigged up a strong exhaust fan and vented everything out through the window. It worked pretty well. I did small sections and vented the room for a few hours before doing the next section.
Andy
Andy, yes a mask is needed as well. Thank you. I have one, but it is at least 30 years old. I would be more comfortable with a new one if I do spray indoors. Our older daughter has my sprayer that I never had much success with. She has an air compressor as well. I had forgotten about both. I don’t need to decide right now, I’ll finish my two ramps between levels and finish wiring first.
Hi guys I hope your all doing well, It looks like the big freeze is over for most of you, or at least that is what the local news is saying! LOL
Well guys some bad news and some good news! I will give you the bad news first.
I think you all remember this photo and video. Well, it looks good, but didn't worth heck!
I thought before I got to far ahead of my self I better get the big 4-8-4 out and see what it thinks. Well, it did just fine going forward around the piler and around the curve, but backing threw it was a different story, the tender would derail every time.
This was just not going to work!!!! So I took @wb47 thought of flex track and almost removed the complete curve around the piler!
Here is a new photo and short video. The video is to show you that it has clearance! LOL
I knew I should have tested it with the 4-8-4 before I moved on to the inside track! I just hat the 1 step forward and 2 steps back I have been doing lately! To be honest I think it is because I am not out there daily! LOL
OH WELL IT ALL RUNS FINE NOW! LOL
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Looks good, Mike! The engineer better not stick his head out the window though! 🤪
Thanks guys, at least it works! LOL
Nice work Mike, and good problem solving on the fly.
Andy
One of those, “Now why didn’t I think of that sooner,” moments. They seem to come more often now.
Looking good.
Hi guys for a minute I thought I had struck gold. I came down with Covid and the CEO said I had to sleep in a different room till o was over it so she wouldn't get it.
So I told her I could camp out in the train room
It has carpet, heat and a TV! The CEO said no that I am sick and it is also to close to the beer fridge! LOL
Well needs less to say no layout work for a week or so.
Best wishes to you, Mike. Hope your case is mild.
Mike, I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. Camping out in the train room speed like the solution to me! 😄 My CEO is a retired RN, so I have no choice! I’ll be praying you get well soon and that she doesn’t catch it too!
Thanks John and Mark, right now it sucks, but I have heard of it being worse.
I'm just spending the day in the recliner watching John Wayne movies!
Mike...
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Well, that’s sad, getting covid just after knee surgery, Wow, you will be on our prayer list, and your friends in Tennessee and Kentucky will pray for a quick recovery and good healing from your recent knee surgery. Take it easy, watch GunSmoke, or get ready for the Super Bowl and relax, drink plenty of fluids, Coca Cola, and when you feel better, go back to working on your really cool railroad. Happy Railroading Everyone
Hope it’s a mild case and quick recovery Mike. And you have more time in the train room too.
Andy
Feel better soon Mike. Listen to the CEO's orders and drink plenty of fluids. Zinc and vitamin D help. I've had it twice, both kicked my a#$. Second one after a middle of the night bathroom run my wife found me on the floor out cold.....not enough fluids the EMT's said 
Wait a minute......maybe the train room floor isn't such a bad idea after all! 
Bob
Hi guys thanks for all the well wishes!
@Mayor Magoo such a nice thing the guys got together and made a sign for me!
@leapinlarry and @Steamfan77 Larry and Andy thanks you so much for the thoughts!
@RSJB18 Bob, thank you for the advice! My CEO has been right on it!
Well guys between Covid and the knee, both have been kicking my butt lately, but even worse I have been going stir crazy! I have watched almost every western John Wayne ever made! LOL
So while the CEO was at work today I snuck out to the train room and was able to get a little work done on the inner loop against the wall so I can get things moving along. The only thing I did differently was laid the track on bare plywood and hooked it up to the rest of the track, then I ran power to it just to make sure my 4-8-4 would threw my 054 curves.
The only thing I did differently was added a 072 curve that Chris A. advised me to try to soften the entry to the 054 curve. I worked great and I ran the 4-8-4 forward and backwards several times with no issues! Here is a couple photos!
I even left a train on the outside track just to make sure things would not hit! I was able to get the track back up and the cork roadbed installed, I will wait till morning to fasten the track down to let the glue dry!
I hope your all doing well and Hope you never get this Covid stuff!
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Mike, if the CEO reads your posts, you have had it. Nice progress on the layout. Hope you continue to recover with the knee and covid. Jeff
@ScoutingDad posted:Mike, if the CEO reads your posts, you have had it. Nice progress on the layout. Hope you continue to recover with the knee and covid. Jeff
Lol thanks Jeff, she doesn't read anything on here! None of it interest her, just as long as I am happy and not in her hair about something, she is happy! Oh and as long as I'm not spending a boat load of money, that is why I am on a budget!
Mike, The track looks good. Thank you about hoping we don’t get Covid. So far we have eluded it. I hope you are totally well soon!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Mike, The track looks good. Thank you about hoping we don’t get Covid. So far we have eluded it. I hope you are totally well soon!!
Thanks Mark was out there today, and I know for sure I am going to be short track, even for the main level loop. I am hoping I have enough to at least get the outside loop done!
As for the other stuff, you keep it up at elude it as long as you can!
Mike glad to see the progress on the layout.
There is hope for the knee… improvement with time. One year ago today my right one was done. Remember when we were kids and getting on and off the floor was simple?
Looking good Mike. I hope your budget allows for additional track soon. The knee will get better, but you have to do what you can to help it heal. Hope the Covid is going away or gone too.
Andy
Hi guys and thank you all for the nice words!
Bill the really only time the knee hurts is when I am at rest or kneeling down on the floor and have to get back up! LOL
Andy thanks and sad to say there is no budget for track right now as someone I did work for with my tractor hasn't paid yet. LOL
Well guys I did get out to the train room and got the last section of plywood cut for the main level, I got the old stuff painted and it really makes things look a lot cleaner! I plan on fastening down the plywood and maybe even marking out for cork!
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Lookin good Mike. Hope the track funds come your way soon.
I've found that it's not the getting down but getting up when I'm done that's getting tougher. 🤣🤣 And the floor is farther away than it used to be too. 👍
Bob
Looks good, Mike! I hope you get the money for track soon too!
Mike,
I sent an email to you. I think I may have an idea regarding your track issues.
Moring guys I hope your all doing well!
First off I want to thank you all for the kind words! You are correct Bob, it is easy getting down, if I don't have anything to grab to get up I have to roll over on my belly like a little kid to get back up! LOL
Yesterday I was able to get to the train room and got the outer loop completed. That is the good news, now for the bad news I used up the last of my straight track, all I have left is one section of 30" flex and a bunch of small sections from cut off's. I also only have a few 054 curves.
But back to the outer loop, I attempted a test run, first with my small switcher and everything went great! then I tried it with my 4-8-4 and when it reached the back-to-back switch's it shorted, and I have no idea what is causing it to happen. I plan on getting out there when I am done here and see if I can figure it out.
If I can figure it out I will take a video of the around the room run! Wish me luck! LOL
Mike, yes it is a problem getting up.
Hopefully you will find the problem with the short circuit quickly.
@mike g. posted:Moring guys I hope your all doing well!
First off I want to thank you all for the kind words! You are correct Bob, it is easy getting down, if I don't have anything to grab to get up I have to roll over on my belly like a little kid to get back up! LOL
Yesterday I was able to get to the train room and got the outer loop completed. That is the good news, now for the bad news I used up the last of my straight track, all I have left is one section of 30" flex and a bunch of small sections from cut off's. I also only have a few 054 curves.
But back to the outer loop, I attempted a test run, first with my small switcher and everything went great! then I tried it with my 4-8-4 and when it reached the back-to-back switch's it shorted, and I have no idea what is causing it to happen. I plan on getting out there when I am done here and see if I can figure it out.
If I can figure it out I will take a video of the around the room run! Wish me luck! LOL
Mike, watch out for those Gremlins... They love creating these kinds of problems..... Good luck, I know how frustrating it can be'.....
Hi guys, I hope your all having a wonderful Friday! Yes, Ted those Gremlins suck! The funny thing is I went out this morning and first Iran my small switcher along with 5 cars and 1 of them being my scratch-built track cleaning car. I ran it around about 5 times and then pulled it up onto the incline ramp to get it out of the way to see how the UP 4-8-4 would do. here is a short video of its first run on the new layout. It is funny this engine can find all the imperfections in ones track laying! LOL Enjoy!
Very nice run, Mike!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Very nice run, Mike!!
Thanks Mark, it took me longer to figure out how to embed a video here then anything else today! LOL
Looks great Mike. Sounded like your new inspector approves too!
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:Looks great Mike. Sounded like your new inspector approves too!
Bob
Thanks Bob, she loves the train room when things are nice and quiet, but as soon as I start the engines up and blowing the horn she starts to howl! I think it's because it interrupts her nap! LOL
Nice run Mike! The 4-8-4 is a beauty, and it ran well.
I hope you get the funds you need soon.
Andy
@mike g. posted:Hi guys, I hope your all having a wonderful Friday! Yes, Ted those Gremlins suck! The funny thing is I went out this morning and first Iran my small switcher along with 5 cars and 1 of them being my scratch-built track cleaning car. I ran it around about 5 times and then pulled it up onto the incline ramp to get it out of the way to see how the UP 4-8-4 would do. here is a short video of its first run on the new layout. It is funny this engine can find all the imperfections in ones track laying! LOL Enjoy!
Looks like a successful test run to me, Mike.
Gud gyob
@mike g. looking good Mike. Lots of enjoyable work ahead. To me, it’s a calming state of mind when I’m working on the layout.
Gene
@Mike g., Wow, I watched your video last night while watching TV with the wife and had the sounds off, the steamer didn’t mis a beat, just now I turned on the sound at its fantastic. Your video is great snd I need to learn how to do those. Keep up the good work, it’s really nice. Happy Railroading Everyone.
Hi guys, you are all so nice and thank you for the kind words!
First off for some good news, I am now Covid free & my knee is feeling better as long as I don't get under the layout! LOL
Well really not much today but I moved a bunch of buildings that were in the way of my testing track where the town will go. I then started up the UP 4-8-4 and ran it on both inside and outside track loops, fixed a couple areas but am happy with how things are.
I then took the time to paint the bench top the same as the rest of the tabletop, it gives it a cleaner look. Tomorrow, I hope to get the area where the crane and oil tanks are painted, and I also have to do a little adjustment to the bridges where they drop down.
Here are a couple photos for you guys to enjoy! LOL
I hope you all had a great weekend and a nice week ahead for you all!
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@mike g. posted:Hi guys, you are all so nice and thank you for the kind words!
First off for some good news, I am now Covid free & my knee is feeling better as long as I don't get under the layout! LOL
Well really not much today but I moved a bunch of buildings that were in the way of my testing track where the town will go. I then started up the UP 4-8-4 and ran it on both inside and outside track loops, fixed a couple areas but am happy with how things are.
I then took the time to paint the bench top the same as the rest of the tabletop, it gives it a cleaner look. Tomorrow, I hope to get the area where the crane and oil tanks are painted, and I also have to do a little adjustment to the bridges where they drop down.
Here are a couple photos for you guys to enjoy! LOL
I hope you all had a great weekend and a nice week ahead for you all!
Mike, glad you are feeling better. It looks like you've got one heck of new layout going on there. Really looking good.. Keep posting those photos so we can see your progress''...👍😁📸
Mike, I’m glad you are feeling a lot better! The layout is looking good. I’m glad the 4-8-4 ran well on both loops.
Glad you’re feeling better Mike, progress is looking good, nice job.
Andy
Hi guys I hope your all doing well and thank you for the nice words!
Nothing new to report as I have been dealing with snow, I am sure some of you have already got it if not, don't worry its coming! LOL
They say were to get more snow tonight and I am tired of it, It wouldn't be so bad but our manufactured home is not rated for a lot of snow so I have to get out and clean the roof off when it gets to about a foot if not sooner. The real problem is it takes away from my train room time! LOL
Well anyways I hope your all well! Be safe out there!
I took a break from the layout to see what you are up to. Yes, snow on the roof can be a problem! The only time we had a problem was when we had 40” of wet snow. I got a lot off the roof, but later realized we had some damage. The insurance company took care of it.
@Mark Boyce posted:I took a break from the layout to see what you are up to. Yes, snow on the roof can be a problem! The only time we had a problem was when we had 40” of wet snow. I got a lot off the roof, but later realized we had some damage. The insurance company took care of it.
Hi Mark, I hope to get out there tomorrow and see what I can get done! LOL
I hope things are going good for you on your layout and the little kink in the track!
Hi guys no work on the layout due to it just wont stop snowing! It has been keeping me busy shoveling snow and cleaning the roof off for the 3rd time now.
But I wanted to share an AMAZING story with you all, I think you all remember I stated that I was at a standstill till I saved up some money for more track to finish the layout. Well a Forum member seen my post and reached out to me and asked if he could donate to the layout build. I had never heard of him or seen any of his post before. I told him that I would gladly take a donation and was willing to pay for shipping.
Well he gathered up the track he wanted to donate and shipped it to my home. He would not even let me pay for shipping! I have to say for me that he has showed me the meaning of paying it forward! I have never known such a generous person that would step up and help someone he didn't even know! I have to say he is a OGR Forum angel! From this point forward I will do my best to Pay it forward to anyone who I might be able to help! Thanks to the Lesson this man has taught me!
Here is his gift to me and the completion of the layout!
God Bless you my OGR Angel!
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Mike, that’s a great gesture by this forum member! It is good he saw you needed the track that he wasn’t going to use, because you have given much to several forum members including me!
I’m sorry you have had so much snow. We have dodged that bullet several times this year, and I keep wondering when the ax (snow) will fall. Last year they just missed the record for snowfall in Pittsburgh and we usually get more than they do.
Mike, what a gift! Be careful cleaning the roof and snow so you can continue working on the layout now.
Gene
Wow!!! that's a good bit of track Mike. What a nice gesture and a big help. Progress can begin again.
I’m happy for you Mike! That’s a very generous and thoughtful gesture. I’m sure you’ll use it wisely.
Andy
I’m happy for you Mike, there are Angels out there, and this one is a model railroad Angel. Praise the Lord. Thanks for sharing snd hopefully the snow will stop soon. Happy Railroading Everyone
Hey Mike, it looks like you have a very nice layout taht you will soon be enjoying with trains running. Good people get a break now and then. please keep us abreast of the progress and be careful on the roof. Bill Park
Hi guys thanks for all the nice words and you all are correct that it was quite the gift! I haven't be able to do anything since I got it do to snow and other things. But today it is raining and not working on anything else but getting out to the train room and getting some roadbed and track laid so I can get the main level track done.
Then it will be a little while before I start the upper level depending on the results from this survey. How many of you folks ballast under the upper level in a tunnel area?
I hope you all have a great week!
Mike, I’m not going to ballast anywhere that can’t be seen. I have no intention of taking videos from a moving train. If I modeled areas that can’t be seen, I would never get this layout sceniced! 😄
Thanks Mark. I still have time to think about it as I still have to was and dry my old ballast! Let me tell you that is loads of fun! Kinda like watching paint dry! LOL
@mike g. posted:Hi guys, you are all so nice and thank you for the kind words!
First off for some good news, I am now Covid free & my knee is feeling better as long as I don't get under the layout! LOL
Well really not much today but I moved a bunch of buildings that were in the way of my testing track where the town will go. I then started up the UP 4-8-4 and ran it on both inside and outside track loops, fixed a couple areas but am happy with how things are.
I then took the time to paint the bench top the same as the rest of the tabletop, it gives it a cleaner look. Tomorrow, I hope to get the area where the crane and oil tanks are painted, and I also have to do a little adjustment to the bridges where they drop down.
Here are a couple photos for you guys to enjoy! LOL
I hope you all had a great weekend and a nice week ahead for you all!
Hey Mike, I'll be following along on your layout progress here for sure. I love the town/industrial park you've got going on! Can't wait to see more work on it soon
Hi Sam thanks, but the buildings are just sitting there to get them out of the way of another project build area!
Hi guys and gals, I thought I should do a little update here as I have been posting a lot on the what did you do on your layout thread.
Any how my time in the train room has been hit and miss ever since I got the track I needed for the other end of the layout. I know its been a couple weeks from my last update and I am sorry for that!
So here are a couple photos of the other end of the layout both the lower and upper loop construction!
In the photo below you can see I had to do a little land grab to get more clearance between the tracks! Both big engines and long cars now clear each other going in both directions! It was kind of 3 steps forward and 1 step back!
As you can see in the last 2 photos I am still fitting old used plywood together to get the upper loop completed. I connected all the outside track for the upper loop and I am so happy to say they met right up like it was meant to be! LOL
We will see what tomorrow brings, I might be able to finish the bench work for the upper loop!
I hope you all have a great Thursday and an wonderful upcoming weekend!~
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