What did you do on your layout today?

@UKE KAT posted:

Great scene…reminds me of my days cruising the drive-ins on Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak Michigan. I am really interested in that little burgundy Ford Business Coupe…especially the manufacturer? Sure would look great on my layout.

I did have a 51 Ford Business Coupe (see photo), but it had a 58 Olds engine, Hydramatic trans and 55 Chrysler wire wheels…oh…and it was burgundy too!

Hi Paul, great photo and memories! Your '51 Ford was a bit of a Ford/GM/Mopar highbred! I purchased the Burgundy 1950 Ford from Diecast Direct online (diecastdirect.com). It was manufactured by First Response Replicas in 2013. Here's a photo of the bottom of the car.

Scott

@farmerjohn posted:

We finally  got the river scene installed. It could not have happened  without my friend Steve's  help.  It is the first thing you see when going down stairs into my train room . The dam swings out and the river drops down for assesibility.  Took a lot of time but worth it.

FarmerJohn, that is awesome! I can see the many hours of work you put into that scene. your water work is fantastic, and the color of the water is very realistic and perfect for the scene. Also, the rock and concrete work is second to none. Thanks for sharing that! I'm still looking at all the details, it may take awhile to take it all in.

Farmer John,  Extremely nice!!

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Lee Drennen, what were the alterations you had to make to the Reading RS-3? I recently purchased one and it ran okay. I’ve since packed it away.

Jay. I had to cut the foot boards down they kept dragging on the tracks and it would high center and my curves are sharp so I had to add Kadee Couplers to it the cars kept jumping track. This may not happen to yours. I also cleaned and oiled it but it still growls pretty bad sometimes. Guess I’ll run it till it dies.

farmerjohn,   I am speechless.  Unbelievable !  So many items to see in that scene and I am sure it is 10 times better in person.  Congrats on a wonderful scene and I look forward to seeing others you make.  JP

@farmerjohn Absolutely spectacular!!!! Well done!!!

I'm sure many are curious to see how such a beautiful scene opens up for access. Can you share some pix? To not only create this, but to make it moveable is quite a feat of modeling.

Bob

@farmerjohn posted:

We finally  got the river scene installed. It could not have happened  without my friend Steve's  help.  It is the first thing you see when going down stairs into my train room . The dam swings out and the river drops down for assesibility.  Took a lot of time but worth it.

What a fantastic center piece and grand entrance to your wonderful layout!   Well placed and Very well done!

Cheers, Dave

@farmerjohn

John:

What wonderful modeling. Your layout is BREATHTAKING!!!!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@farmerjohn posted:  Took a lot of time but worth it.

Beautiful job John.       No doubt here about it being worth it.

3D artwork sir. 😉

Farmer John -  Those views are really amazing. So realistic! This sets a high bar.

I finished a mini-panel showing the turnout locations on the reverse loops.

@luvindemtrains

I apologize for the confusion.
My message regarding the recovery should have been directed to another Dave on our Forum

John

It happens Seth. As I scrolled through, I located the gentleman you were speaking of. No worries.

Dave

Thanks to all you guys with you're comments . I love it when other people enjoy trains and layouts as I do . As you know by now scenery is a big thing with me and trains running through  it make childhood visions come true.  I was asked how the dam and river are accessible.  Here is some short videos  with the help of my wife  showing how this works. Thanks again everyone.

That’s great, John!

That is an engineering marvel.  Wow!  Great work, John

Okay, I added figures to Miss Molly's, I think I'm done for now,  we'll see. LoL Figures really brought the scene to life. That was fun and satisfying!

Scott

John- thanks for the demo on how the water scene opens up. Very impressive.
Scott- yes, people make the scene more realistic looking. Very nice work.

Got the basic construction finished on the track cleaning car. Everything is primed except the piping and pump which I will paint separately. Still debating what color to paint the tanks. The car will be LIRR blue and I think that the tanks done in silver would look sharp. The alternative is to paint it all the same color.

Bob

WesternPacific2217  -  Yes , the figures really added to it.  I just love diners.  Must be from Jersey.  Now you have to find a newspaper rack for outside the entrance ! Great work !

farmerjohn -  I went back and looked at the first pics and could not tell where the break points were without really searching.  Fantastic job on doing that.  And it all looks so solid as it will never shift down the road - nice planning and design.  I am really surprised you did not motorize it - just kidding.   JP

As mentioned on another thread I had to dismantle layout to make repairs in the garage.    Before and after pictures.   Waiting for new door before rebuilding

@RSJB18 posted:

John- thanks for the demo on how the water scene opens up. Very impressive.
Scott- yes, people make the scene more realistic looking. Very nice work.

Got the basic construction finished on the track cleaning car. Everything is primed except the piping and pump which I will paint separately. Still debating what color to paint the tanks. The car will be LIRR blue and I think that the tanks done in silver would look sharp. The alternative is to paint it all the same color.

Bob

Awesome work, Bob!  My vote would be for flat black on the pipes.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Awesome work, Bob!  My vote would be for flat black on the pipes.

Funny you would say that....they were black up until yesterday morning.

RSJB18  My 2 cents worth which wont even get you 2 cents.  Do not make it all the same color - that option should be out.  Unless you are a blue freak. I see the one pic with the one blue pipe - going to be a lot of blue. The only advantage I see would be that you can dip the whole car in blue paint to paint it - Lol.   Try the silver or better yet have them chromed.  If not go with black.  Again, just my opinion and what do I know.   JP

@RSJB18 posted:

Funny you would say that....they were black up until yesterday morning.

Too funny! I’m with JPLoco on this. Just mix it up. If you don’t want to go with black for the pipes, then a decent rust color or oxide red, weathered with a nice black wash and/or dirt colors.  The car in that LIRR Tichy blue with your decals  is going to look real nice.

Thanks Guys. All blue is out but the red oxide is now in the running. Still leaning toward the silver. Probably comes from my power house on our campus. The old boilers were painted silver. We had two 600 HP International water-tube boilers to heat the campus. They were bigger than a semi. The tube sheets were always silver and it always looked sharp.

Bob

well at least the blue is out ........

John, as mentioned, that is an engineering marvel. The seams are flawless and you would never imagine it would open up like that. Sensational and intimidating.

@Bill Sherry posted:

WesternPacific2217  -  Yes , the figures really added to it.  I just love diners.  Must be from Jersey.  Now you have to find a newspaper rack for outside the entrance ! Great work !

farmerjohn -  I went back and looked at the first pics and could not tell where the break points were without really searching.  Fantastic job on doing that.  And it all looks so solid as it will never shift down the road - nice planning and design.  I am really surprised you did not motorize it - just kidding.   JP

Hi JPLoco, thanks! Actually, the newspaper stand is at the Passenger Depot! :-)

WOW guys, what great work!
WP, Molly's diner turned out great looking!

Bob, your tracking cleaning car is just outstanding!

Famer John, Your dam and River are just AMAZING! I love how the dam swings out of the what and the river swings down! Where you first explained it I didnt understand but after watching the video it all makes perfect since! Thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us here on the forum!

The last couple of days I have been working on my upper level area and built the backing for some sort of retaining wall. While I was at it I cut out for a road to go from the upper level to the lower level to get people to the future park area. I know its not much but here are a couple photos.

Just a little advice, make sure your tallest and longest cars will fit any new openings! LOL

Thanks Mike.

I like the wide angle shot from the door. Those big curves are going to look great with the orange and black running the rails.

Bob

We put down some ballast this weekend which isn’t that exciting. We tested the trains over the rails tonight. Hers the El Capitan pulling into the station picking up some passengers  

Mike,

You've been doing some work! I can't wait to see what you do with the retaining wall. You also mentioned a future park.  I'm going to get out the popcorn and beverage. I gatsta see this! Very sound advise about checking the height/length of cars for openings on your layout. Ask me how I know.

Dave

Wow, farmerjohn, thanks for putting up the videos of the river and ****, let's say, articulation. That took some real thought and execution of assembly. I'm very impressed!!! Beautiful layout.

Scott

I’ve been attempting  to make some  Venetian blinds for the big house .  I learned the process from here on the Forum.

Attached a lamp to the side of my newly purchased MTH C&O Madisons 5 car heavies. Finally found the little buddy by shining the IPhone LED over the floor while on my knees. It’s worth the search don’t you think?

After I recomposed myself I added the Testors and pressed in the lamp back into position. I discovered the lamp was brass…

And to wrap up the evening I ran the Allegheny and the Madisons several trips around the tracks…

Have a good Labor Day guys ☺️

@Seth Thomas posted:

I’ve been attempting  to make some  Venetian blinds for the big house .  I learned the process from here on the Forum.

Attached a lamp to the side of my newly purchased MTH C&O Madisons 5 car heavies. Finally found the little buddy by shining the IPhone LED over the floor while on my knees. It’s worth the search don’t you think?

After I recomposed myself I added the Testors and pressed in the lamp back into position. I discovered the lamp was brass…

And to wrap up the evening I ran the Allegheny and the Madisons several trips around the tracks…

Have a good Labor Day guys ☺️

How well does that Testors glue hold styrene? I have a tube of the non-toxic (blue tube), and it does not hold well. I like the jig, very ingenious.
Nice work on the marker light. If I had a buck for every time I dropped a small part on the floor........

Bob

Super Chief, very nice scene. I am with you about ballasting! LOL

Thanks everyone, its been a chore making the backer board. I used an old store sign that was made out of plexiglass that has been sitting behind the garage for a year or so, I know I would use it for the layout somehow! LOL So I cut it into 7" strips and I am thinking about printing my own brick pattern on some 8 1/2" X 11" Decal paper that almost sticks to any thing.

Seth, I am will Bob and love the jig. Its amazing what folks in this hobby come up with!

I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun on your layout and with your trains!

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I continued to work on Wicked Wanda's a kit from Bar Mills. This go around the building was painted. The windows, doors, and trim have been painted and installed. I also added decals. At this point I need to complete the roof to the extension, add roof details, and add the railings. I am still trying to decide if I want to include some interior details and have set a couple of figures inside just to get a feel for it.  I have one door that hasn't been installed until I commit to that decision.

Dave

We had a great Labor Day BBQ. But when everyone left, I finally got a chance to just run trains on my layout. What a great relief and a fabulous time. This is a video of five single engines running and one two engine consist on the subway level (r-32 and r-34) - for a total of 7 engines.  Nothing beats this and quite frankly, sitting in my layout room running trains for the past two hours is like a shot of adrenaline through my veins. So glad to finally get some train running time.

Evening guys! Looking good!

Dave, your doing a wonderful job on Wicked Wonda's! I think you should take the plunge and add some folks inside the building! LOL

Straphanger, I would have to agree with you, it sure would be nice to just sit and run trains for a couple of hours, but as for me there is to much to do.

Well guys I got out to the train room this morning and first thing I took a page from FarmerJohn and roughed in a road from the upper level. It took a while but I am pleased with it so far! I will tell you a hand plainer sure makes a mess! LOL

I was going to add a photo of it, but I guess I forgot to take one! LOL Then I got to work looking for something to build my access hatch post so I can push it up and just spin it out of the way! Took a lot longer then I thought. But here is what I came up with.

A little wood work, and some welding and bang its done! Now I just have to rub some candle wax on it to make it slide smoother!

I want to thank all you guys for you're comments  on our latest project  of the river and dam. Those kind words mean a lot and they keep me going on to future projects. My trains are really a therapy for me as I find myself in a different world when I'm in my trainroom. Thanks again to all of you. Farmerjohn.

That looks like a nice job, Mike!!