WEEKEND PHOTO FUN 12-5-14-??

A rare sighting on the Seattle & Yakima RR, oil from Mexico by rail.

Hooked up the LCS wifi module this week.....and I'm the one that's hooked!

Peter

RMT Walter M’s Custom MTH CNJ Budd Cars for delivery!

Something for the Shiny’ Brite fans!

Sun glasses required…

A 2013 Christmas layout memory

Can you tell that 2 of my 4 grandkids are boys?

- walt

Good work on the kids layouts Scott and tks for starting each week.

New Wifi operation of trains looks interesting will be run to see how fast the younger kids learn these over the old guys. Would not be surprised to see a lot of grandpa's having the grand children set up and run the various new WiFi I pad / tablet setups. Perhaps may draw them to the trains and away from the video games.

Perhaps will have to see if some new games could come out of this that might challenge the kids!

From a club visit to Mark's last night;

 Click on photos for a larger view.

Note the bridges are in the up position showing how they lift up to keep on a pressurized cylinder and are top hinged to clear the track as they lift works well.

The layout is on 2 levels of floor, lower part of basement a few steps down from upper basement;  so the track that runs at eye level and chest height in the lower room runs as large return loops under the upper part of the room for dogbone layout for the lower room tracks. You can see in the 5th photo the return loops for the lower basement run under the upper room tracks in this photo.

Nice picture everyone!

Inside warehouse skylight.

A little night run for my JLC UP 3985.

She is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her big brother...the 4014!

Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone!

Scott,

It is really nice you set up trains at your church.  The children seem to be quite interested.  They are our future in the church.

Question:  What does KC&NW stand for on the little 2-8-0 under the tree?  Kansas City & North Western jumps out at me.  Tell me it is for something else.  

The Christmas area at the VMT is great.  I hope to make some progress on my Christmas layout this weekend so I will have something to post on this thread.  My friendly neighborhood man in the brown uniform delivered the rest of my Fastrack yesterday.

Tis the season, so the post this week has to be Christmas layout related.

Building towards creating 2014 Christmas layout memories. End of week 7.  One area left to scenick   Well, a small 2nd one too - that small town in the front right - the white and brown house has a bare spot in the back yard - there will be a vegetable garden there.

- walt

Most of the details have been added to the office window layout. Lots of folks from all over have been stopping in..

Also, our club is having our Annual Christmas Open House this weekend BOTH days from 1p- 4p here in town. Anyone in the area is welcome!

Our office is one of the nicest buildings on Main Street with a two story lobby, 7 Crystal chandeliers, and a double wooden stairway to the upper floors. Was an old Bank originally. Great place to work from.

It is that time of year when trains begin appearing under the Christmas tree.  Here is a photo along with the story sent to me by my daughter just yesterday.  I was very touch by what she had written.  Bo

"A train around the Christmas tree has been a must since I was a little girl growing up with a dad who loved trains and still does to this day. He has a model railroad that fills their downstairs that just keeps growing and becoming more of a story. He actually just made the front cover of a national train magazine that just came out on stands two days ago. This train set was gifted to my boys from my dad. Isaac has to of course have a little action figure playing on the tracks while the train is coming." - Susie

Happy Friday!

Here's a look at the layout as I reconfigure it & the new Conrail SS set I picked up -

and the awesomeness of Horseshoe Curve in the Fall -

Great photos everyone!  Have a nice weekend!  Bo

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Alan

Milwaukee Road Hiawatha has just left Chicago's Union Station and enters the stone arch bridge that is under construction across the Mississippi River. 

The Hiawatha is on loan from forum member AlanRail.  He felt it needs a longer mainline to stretch it's legs and I was happy to oblige.  Besides I had some travelers that had been waiting for a long time to get from Chicago to Milwaukee. 

Art

This week’s photo features fine art by our friend SIRT.  I wanted a token grubby car on my layout and the Denver and Rio Grande Western turned out to be a good looking rebel from the Rockies.  Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Question:  What does KC&NW stand for on the little 2-8-0 under the tree?  Kansas City & North Western jumps out at me.  Tell me it is for something else.

http://www.gottrains.com/kelleyscreek/

It was a shortline in West Virginia. My grandfather worked for the Kelley's Creek & Northwest Railroad as a young man.
None of the engines around the trees work. I leave those there for decoration until I bring the ones in to run on Sunday. The KC&NW doesn't have a motor in it. The kids attend to abuse the train around the tree while no one is there.

Scott Smith

Scott,

Well I was close on the NW part.  

I have heard of Kelley's Creek having lived in West Virginia for a while, and having great interest in the Mountain State and it's railroads.

Yes, I suppose the kids just can't resist messing with the trains.  None of us big kids are able to resist it either.  

Thank you so much for the reply!!

Bo. Nice story.

Really nice photo, Art. Beautiful train and beautiful bridge.

KC&NW #6 is still around. It became apart of the Buffalo Creek & Gauley and now is owned by Ohio Central:

http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/loco13.html

Kelley's Creek #1 survives as well in Gaitherburg, MD and use to sit in front of Engine House Hobbies.

Scott Smith

Tavares, FL.

Bill.... Nice train ... Hopefully its not smuggling in any illegals 

Hi Joe, pretty hard to hide on those tankers.

Hey Everyone. It just seems to quick to be Friday once again, But it is. Photos taken on

12-04-2014.

Like the Viaduct. Built one like that for my son when he was 5. ran a loop of track around it up off the floor. That was awhile ago, he is now 28 years old!!

Pictures of some of my F units. My favorite Diesel engines. 

Walt looks like your are just ahead of yourself it's only the 5th today and ready for trains!

Hoping to see a video this year James 

Bill T - you have good taste (my photo is poor, but I had it on file):

Another old photo; painted this one myself, a few years ago - FA-2 (NdeM had a bunch) by Weaver:

David - Never get tired of seeing pictures of F units.

Art

Inbound MBTA waiting for switch repair before proceeding onto track #2 into my Boston Central Station.

The fun time of year.  Running convention and fast!   My first Lionel (1973) Cannonball set provides much laughter for my Son and I.   This train has crashed so much, we are surprised that it still runs.

David, very nice presentation of three great diesels.

david1,

Great photos of your F units.

George

waiting to get underway:

got a couple of these finally. I thought they were too old for the RR. I almost missed out on a great little switcher!

Happy weekend everyone!  Here are a couple shots of my brand spankin' new D&H wood-side caboose that Brother Love (Malcolm) scratch-built for me.  I've been admiring his work from afar for several years, but this was my first chance to see his master craftsmanship up close and in person.  All I can say is WOW!

I didn't get as far as planned this week, still have about half of the tables to finish. Tonight I decided to lay out some track and get a feel for things to come.

I turned down the resolution, (on purpose), flipped it over to black & white & rail fanned some MTH Pennsy Power on our annual 2014 Trains in the Town Hall...

A fresh snow fall on our community train display...

Chris

LVHR

Very cool effect and picture!

Art

Chugman: would you please share with us how you did the realistic snowfall?

Here are a few more pics from opening night:

Peter

I just finished the project my Dad was halfway through when he passed away in November.He was restoring and customizing this LGB engine for me.I always liked this engine,it is even more special to me now.

Dan

I finished up some roadwork this week.

This is what I had last week:

After some lines and painting:

These are my two latest purchases.  I wanted a pair real bad after I first saw the Lionel catalog photo realizing it was a photo of the real thing.  The model did not quite look the same so I hesitated to buy.  After studying some photos and watching Erics videos I decided to buy and give them a makeover.  I plan on fixing the pilot on one only for starters because I don't think it can make the turns with Kadees (even with the new longer shaft Kadees), so it will always be a lead engine.  It will have scale couplers, new (more scale) hoses and full length handrails.  I plan to move in the trucks since they stick out too far and add some brass piping details.  I will also add brass piping under the frame above the trucks and an amber beacon light to the cab.  I will also try to add marker lights and the window screens and shades.  And of course I will weather them especially the trucks which will help improve the look by bringing out the details with more contrast.  These diesels already look good, and sound and run great, but I think they will look more like the catalog photo when I'm done.

www.toytrainsontracks.com      DVD special

Rich

I was asked how we achieved this look-

Well, leaning back on our vast experience with scenery... 

 

It is spray snow, in an aerosol can from the dollar store, and while it was wet, we pushed "drove" our vehicles around. Cheap, fast & easy...

 

This is at a seasonal display, so at the end of the month when we tear down, we will wipe it off...

 

The lighting is just dumb luck of the LED lights in the Christmas tree, they just happened to be blinking in their clear/blue sequence...

 

(I hope no one thought I spent hours staging this picture)

 

 

Originally Posted by Chugman:

Originally Posted by rogerpete:

A fresh snow fall on our community train display...

Very cool effect and picture!

 

Art

 

There's no substitute for luck!  I was trying out a new lens on a relatively new DSLR, wasn't even looking at the picture, just the viewfinder infos.  When it said go I clicked the shutter.  Here is the result, a pretty good shot of our granddaughter.

Pete

love the black & white, and can't beat Pennsy Power

Mission Accomplished!!

I host the annual "family train party" every year, this being the 19th year doing so.  Last year I was still finishing up the week of the party!!  So this year I started earlier but I'm still not too far ahead as the party is on December 13.  I will finish today or tomorrow.  At least the trains are running perfectly (except for the loose pickup roller pin) and all the accessories are working.

- walt

I would if I could, but RogerPete did it.

Art

I have that set - it was my first train bought in 1975!  Still have it.  Still run it.  Still runs good!

- walt

Texas Pete - Adorable grand daughter, great picture.

Art

Here is the result, a pretty good shot of our granddaughter.

Pretty good?  Pete, that's an incredible shot.  You are blessed.

If she were a 1:48 figure on a layout, you'd need to build a 1:48 moat around her just to keep the 1:48 boy figures away.  As a father of four daughters, you can trust me on this one ...  

SJS

P.S. 1:48 alligators in the moat are optional

Still working on changing my UP Mikado to EJ&E.

Pete, your Granddaughter is one beautiful young lady. I am sure you are very proud of her.

Eric - Looking great!  It's really hard or impossible finding much EJ&E so it's great you can remake existing products.

Art

12-6-2014   http://youtu.be/bEAweNFr_mg  Added a 3 min Video

The warbonnets are getting older and more faded all the time, but I still love seeing them hanging on around here.  Good shots Scot.

Art

I received a package of train photos this week of this engine in 1994. This is the 1st one I scanned.

I am told it's a rather special engine......

Peter

What a simply beautiful little girl Pete.  I can already see the boys lining up to take her out.

PRRfan your layout is really looking great.

I recently added a set of MTH Gunderson Twin Stacks courtesy of MTH Premier. 

For those intermodal fans out there, these are a must have.  I was flabbergasted at the incredible amount of detail and realism these cars have. 

Quick video below, hope you all enjoy!

What a fantastic and extremely well executed effect!

Don,

The bar top coating is superglaze which I purchased at the Home Depot. Works fantastic, and would also be great for making a stream on a layout. The instructions are very specific though and if you dont follow them to a T, you can destroy your work. You have to mix it correctly and your room has to be within a specific temperature and humidity range. Its a one shot thing. If I messed it up I would of had to redo the entire bar top. It was a very nervous 24 hours.

Thanks for the compliment Art, cant wait for you to see it in person. I am getting in more pieces for the engine Monday.

Circus train today at the Modular set up:

My newly expanded Christmas Train:

A great day.......lots of traffic!

Peter

As the sleet and freezing rain come down here in NY - I wish I were back in red rock country!

Jim

Smart.  Very smart.  Your personal record has been awarded ten merits for safe securement of equipment left standing unattended.

Jim:

Your modeling skills continue to amaze me. This is a prime example of just how good you really are.

We had day 1 of our Annual Christmas Open House today. On tomorrow for day 2. Good turnout and there were 2 - 4 little boys (and a girl) at the Thomas layout most of the day!

can we see more of your baby?

The Atlas switcher gets some real coal for Christmas

Bruce

pete. How do you say no to a face like that? If her parents said no to a toy or something I would be slipping it in the back door!  

Happy week-end!

very nice, I have a few G scale LGB/Aster engines.  Do you plan to run this engine on your layout ( if you currently have one) on a separate main line?

Great looking engine; excellent photography.

quote:

What a simply beautiful little girl Pete.  I can already see the boys lining up to take her out.

Some tips for that first night out:

* Be cleaning your S&W 40C at the kitchen table when young Mr. "I.M Cool" arrives.  Ask him what his intentions are... and if he fully understands and comprehends the part about having her home at 10 PM.

* Pretend you're on the phone and saying something like "Well, I didn't mean to break his jaw... it's just that he was not being very respectable to my daughter (or grand daughter)..."

There are lots of creative ways to get your point across

Dan - I always enjoyed those LGB Moguls, smooooth running engines.  Nice rework.  I know that's one engine that will stay with you forever.

LGB trains were so much quieter that it took a little time for me to again get use to the noise of 3 rail trains.  #6 was my first engine with electronic sound.  Back then, it was a real treat.

Greta photo's this week, this thread is always a favorite

Jim,

Your rock work is absolutely great.  If you don't look carefully, you can miss some of the people, you have incorporated into the scenery. 

George

It was warm enough to work a bit more on the sun porch however once the  sun moved off I had to come inside    hopefully this week it will once again be warm enough to continue . but I was at least pleased with the progress

Walt - this year's layout is looking great!

--Greg

As always. love Rusty's pictures and last months piece in OGR. Don

Just as in past years, on December 7th, in remembrance of Pearl Harbor, active duty servicemen and servicewomen road the MARS for free!

Did someone mention F units?  Next to GG1s, F and E units are my favorite locomotives.  Here is a selection of F units.   Only one missing is my NH FL9 which is sitting on the shelf in my home office unless you count my F40PHs as well.

GGI, thanks for the photos; F3's are my absolute favorite--so colorful back in the day.

Thanks for taking the time to take an excellent photo and sharing it with us.

Thanks Carl!  I'm hoping to run the Santa Fe FT set in its full ABBA configuration before the end of the year at my local operating club.  Ran one of the AB sets a few weeks back and it was a lot of fun.