What did you do on your layout today?

I got this bad boy working. It was in one of the four boxes my uncle gave me when I went back to Nebraska this summer. Still needs some fine tuning I think

My latest addition today. I just purchased the new Woodland Scenics Miss Molly's Diner and setup a place for it. Wired it up, now I just have to do the asphalt driveway and parking lot. Nice model. I had to move a house and a bread shop so Miss Molly's would be on the main street across from the passenger Depot. Once the parking lot is done, I'll post an update.

My son-in-law completed a great deal buying some 0-gauge trains from a friend.   I provided some 027 switches and track to help increase the enjoyment opportunities for our great-grandson.  In exchange, he presented me with a nice MTH flat car which I am now detailing.   The target is a DMIR flat with a load of ties (sleepers for you Europeans).   I have a few parts on order and trying to source out adequate decals, but the current status shows the completed end bulkheads that I made from scrape styrene.      

Stay safe and get your vaccine!

Cheers, Dave

RSJB18,

Yea the whole boxcar lifts up, if you look close the boxcar sits on a platform that is screwed to a 1/2"x1/2" piece of bass wood that is glued to metal base. I have to lift up the boxcar, then unscrew wood base to get to pad screws. Here are a couple more picture. All the braces, etc. made it super sturdy.

@mike g. posted:

I finished the control panel, painted the side rails, and painted the plywood for the upper level. Oh and started to ballast so I can get the upper level started. Just a few photos.

Amazing, Mike. You're really making good progress.

Nice job, Mike g.

Darrel

That original 497 coal loader operates very smoothly.

I was able to drill the holes in the control panel yesterday with the Milwaukee step bit. This was easy and left no chips or burrs. The switch holes are 1/2" and the indicator light holes are 3/8". I did use a small pilot hole just to ensure the step bit would be centered on the track line. I supported the plexiglass panel on some homasote while drilling, but just on one side. I did not want to drill into the homasote and make a dust storm.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

RSJB18,

Yea the whole boxcar lifts up, if you look close the boxcar sits on a platform that is screwed to a 1/2"x1/2" piece of bass wood that is glued to metal base. I have to lift up the boxcar, then unscrew wood base to get to pad screws. Here are a couple more picture. All the braces, etc. made it super sturdy.

I glued 4 small blocks to the corners of the car to center the load on the car. I cut openings for the pad hardware to move around.

As I mentioned before Bob, this needs to be published. An observation: Will the skirts hang up on tight curves?

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

As I mentioned before Bob, this needs to be published. An observation: Will the skirts hang up on tight curves?

I don't think so Jay...There is adequate clearance for the trucks to swivel and the body is relatively high compared to a typical flat car.

But now that you let Mr. Murphy out of his box, I guess I should road test it before painting.

Thanks

Evening guys! I hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!

Jeff, Sounds and looks like a great time for the grandkids! But one might thing that maybe you had a better time then they did! LOL

Darrell, Looks like the coal loader works very well! Nice job getting it going.

WesternPacific2217, Molly's diner looks perfect! One would thing probably has great breakfast!

Dave, way to step up to the plate and help out the son-in-law! But more important for your great grandson! Looks like you have a wonderful start on the new to be DMIR Flatcar! I hope you can find some decals!

Well for me I was able to get out to the train room this morning and before I did anything I made sure I had all routs on my lower level covered with power. Good thing I did as I had 2 sections I had forgot to add drops! LOL After I got that taken care of I mounted the upper level plywood and was able to get the cork roadbed put down. Now I am just waiting for the glue to dry and I will install the track and start figuring out where the buildings are going to go.

I am thinking about leaving a 6" section of wood on the outside of the track for a road, but I am not going to leave it square! I just might cut it to fallow the lower lever track line and build a wall from the lower level to the upper. I am open to suggestions! Here is a photo.

I dont think I will get anything done tomorrow as I have to help a friend!

@mike g. posted:

I am thinking about leaving a 6" section of wood on the outside of the track for a road, but I am not going to leave it square! I just might cut it to fallow the lower lever track line and build a wall from the lower level to the upper. I am open to suggestions! Here is a photo.

Follow the contour but you do not need 6 inches.   I would cut it closer and expose more of the activity on the lower level.   How would you tie in a road on the left that follows the contour on the outside radius?   You will probably need some trestles, steep banks, retaining walls and tunnels.   You have some nice track activity on the lower left that I would want to keep exposed.    That's my two cents!

Cheers, Dave

P.S:  I am closer.  Maybe 3 inches.

@darlander posted:

Hi Dave, I like your idea also. I really want to expose the lower loop as much as I can cause its a nice big loop. I can also fill in the little triangle on the lower level for a building! LOL

Here we go! I think it turned out quite nicely, though the wash treatment is subtle so kind of hard to see (though I think that's a good thing, it brings out the details without looking too woebegone. I will probably paint some more of the details later on, but for the moment I think it looks good!

Changed my approach  to my little town today after getting some ideas from my friend  Steve.  As it looks I should have done this sooner.

@Redshirt214 posted:

Here we go! I think it turned out quite nicely, though the wash treatment is subtle so kind of hard to see (though I think that's a good thing, it brings out the details without looking too woebegone. I will probably paint some more of the details later on, but for the moment I think it looks good!

The wash looks good Redshirt . 👍

Sometimes the paint is applied too heavily and instead of helping the look of some of these nice buildings it tends to make them lose their detail. 😕

Currently, I'm working on buying a smoke fluid applicator for my engines on the layout. The eye droppers work fine for some, but I need a needle point for my most recent acquirement. I should buy two so if I get a diesel, I don't spray the shell with fluid.

@FutureRail Productions posted:

Currently, I'm working on buying a smoke fluid applicator for my engines on the layout. The eye droppers work fine for some, but I need a needle point for my most recent acquirement. I should buy two so if I get a diesel, I don't spray the shell with fluid.

There was a tiny plastic funnel that came with my RK ps2 Triplex that works really well for any of my MTH steamers and diesels.                                                                                           It's easy to use and it goes well down into the smoke fill areas without a drop of smoke oil on the finish.                             I've never seen another one in all of my Premier or Railking packaging.

The funnel opening is only 20mm and the spout is about 13mm long and 3mm diameter. Total length is about 35mm.

Maybe some forumites might have an idea of how to get one from MTH or another model parts source for something similar.🤔

Check with Mega Steam. They have the needle container you need.

@Capetrainman

I plan to use black styrene sheets for the streets an roads.  Will add pastel to the road bed to knock off the sheen...

Thanks Much

I bought a 5 pack of needle bottles on the bay for something like $6

FarmerJohn, that approach looks great. The only problem is that it will cause a loss of revenue for the railroad. Trucks will start making deliveries to the town.

Decided to primer and repaint the boxcar so I can add it to my MTH Wash & Rinse Subway set. I like it better than brown too.

@romiller49 posted:

Check with Mega Steam. They have the needle container you need.

That's what I'm doing!

FECRailroaddog - That track cleaning boxcar really turned out nice.

I finished the labeling and clear overcoat(s) on the panel. The numbering system for the turnouts is based on which tracks they are connected to ie. 23 is the turnout connecting sidings 2 and 3. The number stickers (from Amazon) are just the right size to be placed on top of the controllers and on the switch motor covers as well. The turnouts from the mainline start with 1 for the main. This works well except on the reversing loops.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Decided to primer and repaint the boxcar so I can add it to my MTH Wash & Rinse Subway set. I like it better than brown too.

Outstanding work, Fec. You need to put some MTA decals on this as well as the other work train cars in the set.  You can get them from IslandModelworks or print your own.

Got more work done to the gas station scene. Click on my layout progress link to see more and my YouTube page to see the entire process in video form.

Dave

John, nice road up to your little town! I sure hope you know some pavers! I will be watching to get some ideas.

FECRailroaddog, Good looking yellow! Looks like it fit's right in.

Dave, Outstanding gas station scene! I really enjoyed the construction video on your You Tube page!

Nothing from me today guys as the wife had me stacking 3 cords of wood getting ready for winter! LOL

Thanks Mike!!

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Thanks Mike!!

Just got done checking yours and lovindemtrains You tube pages! Wow guess maybe one day I should think about one! Wonderful stuff on both!

Today I laid out the parking lot for my new WS Miss Molly's Diner, sanded and painted in flat black paint, and then paved with the WS fine ballast black cinder and WS scenic and cement glue. I use WS scenic glue instead of Elmer's or other white glues, because with the fine ballast black cinder WS glue dries flat. Sometimes I get a glassy sheen from Elmer's glue. Here's some photos:

Now for the waiting game in this hobby, drying! The asphalt is about 1/8th" thick, so it takes a full 24 hours to dry. Once dry it should look the same as the surrounding street, then I'll line it with a concrete curb.

Thanks Mike!

@farmerjohn posted:

Changed my approach  to my little town today after getting some ideas from my friend  Steve.  As it looks I should have done this sooner.

Super progress Farmerjohn.

Looking forward to seeing the finished project

@Strap Hanger posted:

Outstanding work, Fec. You need to put some MTA decals on this as well as the other work train cars in the set.  You can get them from IslandModelworks or print your own.

@FECRailroaddog- great job on the repaint. I just bought my decals from Island. Nice folks and quick service. You can find them on that big auction site.
@farmerjohn- the new road is going to look nice. Make sure you put up a sturdy guardrail- that turn at the top has quite a long fall to the bottom.
@WesternPacific- the diner scene has me craving a deluxe cheeseburger platter.....
@luvindemtrains- the gas station looks great.
@mike g.- and I though my CEO kept me busy. I think you win this.....

I did a little more assembly on my track car last night. I added the end caps to the pipes and assembled the pump. I need to get a bottle of the solvent cement from Plastruct. The Testors glue is just not holding firm.

At the suggestion of @Tranquil Hollow RR I also checked clearances. We are go for launch!

Bob

I put some grass down for a grave yard and made a space for a church with parking lot which will probably be gravel.  I haven't done much since April due to a work injury but I got 4 new discs in my neck 2 weeks ago and am back on track. I'm glad I had the forum to occupy my time waiting for surgery approval. The train rooms also a wreck as I bought and sold alot when bored.

Dave...this is the first time you mentioned or at least I caught news about your injury.  Hope all is on track to getting well.  4 new discs sounds serious (at least to me), glad you seem to be getting better.

Regards

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Dave...this is the first time you mentioned or at least I caught news about your injury.  Hope all is on track to getting well.  4 new discs sounds serious (at least to me), glad you seem to be getting better.

Regards

Don

Thanks Don, I kept it quiet in case it went south. I had a great surgen and with a replacement verses fusion there is instant relief. After therapy I'll be back to work in the middle of November.

I'm going to do something different than most of you!!!

I'M GONNA RUN TRAINS ALL DAY!  IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE SO CAN"T MOW the GRASS  !!  DARN  !!

FREDSTRAINS

@Fredstrains posted:

I'm going to do something different than most of you!!!

I'M GONNA RUN TRAINS ALL DAY!  IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE SO CAN"T MOW the GRASS  !!  DARN  !!

FREDSTRAINS

Sounds like a great idea Fred! Too bad I'm at work or I'd be doing the same.

Wow Dave! Glad you are doing better. Like Don said, that sounds serious. Keep us posted and continue to take it easy.

Dave