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Dave - Nice job on Wicked Wanda's.  Can't wait to see the finished product, actually wish I could shrink myself and then drop in for a while !

Strap Hanger - Huey Lewis would be proud of you - I think you found his new drug !!!  Great layout, would love to see more.  You ran the trains for 2 hours and only gave us a few seconds - not fair !

Mike - I don't know what to say.  Simply fabulous and it looks to work perfectly.  There is a lot of talent to make that work too.  Must be neighbors with farmerjohn.              JP

@Strap Hanger- I could see loosing one's self in that layout for a while. Lots of action and things to see. Bravo!

@mike g.- nice work on the lift out. I was wondering how you were going to access the back of the main level.

Nothing much new from me today. I built a brake stand for the track car and glued the wheel on this morning. I think it's finally ready for paint.

Bob

@RSJB18

Regarding the styrene, the very small strips used for the blinds attached well together using the Testors.  
The styrene does slightly “melt” or droop with my first application of Testors using the end of a toothpick . So on the second assembly attempt I stepped back on the Testors amount. Then after 10 minutes I removed the blind assembly from the jig and placed a weight on top.  After 24 hours the second blind came out well. This allows a trimming for the right size and a dry run fitting. so with the correct amount of Testors it’s Going to adhere well. I assembled two more and will allow sufficient drying time.

I’m pleased with the way they are working and the look outside in is acceptable. Just as I recall many years ago as we moved into to the big house from next door on railroad street.

JP and Bob thanks for the kind words on my lift out support, but I saw it here first on the forum so I just copied it to fit my needs! a little wood work and some welding and it seems to work.

Well guys I got up early before my to do list and did some playing around with building placement and roads. I am trying to use the old roads from the now defunked town so they might look a little weathered when I am done. Mind you nothing is set in stone, just playing!

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Just like all the other times I am open to suggestions!

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Mike G., that lift out support is cool, I like it and well done. I see you've been busy shopping at Menards or Menards online. I have a few of Menards stuff too, plus Woodland Scenics and Lemax Xmas Stuff. Hopefully you were luckier than I and didn't have to repair any of the Menards stuff you received! Otherwise their O scale products are pretty nice for the price.

Mike G., that lift out support is cool, I like it and well done. I see you've been busy shopping at Menards or Menards online. I have a few of Menards stuff too, plus Woodland Scenics and Lemax Xmas Stuff. Hopefully you were luckier than I and didn't have to repair any of the Menards stuff you received! Otherwise their O scale products are pretty nice for the price.

Hi WP, yes I have quite a bit of Menards stuff! I have never got anything broken yet, I have had to tighten up a truck here or there but thats it. I like the quality for the price, what is great for a guy like me on a slim budget! LOL

Got a second hand start on some topography work.

While installing DynaMat panels of peel and stick sound deadner to reduce road noise in my wife's car I picked up a quanitity of expanding spray insulation foam cans to fill structural voids in the Toyota steel shell.

Due to only being able to use a portion of each can at a time, instead of wasting half cans of product I began developing right a way ground profile with the remains of each spray foam can.  The newer cans of Home Depot seem to flow better than the Lowe's version.

After allowing it to cure overnight I was able to shape it this morning with a miniature Saws-All type of reciprocating saw by Husky and a rasp drum.  Just what I needed; a kick start to scenery...

Did a couple of things last night. I made it over to Harbor Freight yesterday to pick up some wheel weights. They were out of stock on the 1/2 oz but I took two packs of the 1/4's. I added 5 oz to a ATSF box car that gave me some issues last Switcher Saturday. The car tracks much better now and doesn't derail when pushed.

I also started painting the pipes for the track cleaning car. Two coats down, one or two more to go. Hopefully I can get a first coat of blue on the car when I get home from work.

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2021-09-07 20.46.12

A shout out to @gunrunnerjohn- I installed one of his isolated rail relays for my crossing signals the other day. What a huge improvement over the chattering ice-cube relay I had originally.

Bob

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That’s an excellent solution that I will have to keep in mind Bob. Does the additional weight have any impact on the incline?

Obviously, heavier cars will put more drag on an engine. The discussion on the switcher thread also mentioned adjusting the couplers on the loco's as opposed to adding weight. I don't have this issue with all of my cars so I figured I would try the weights first. I run short trains so I'm not too concerned about the extra weight.

Bob

@mike g. posted:

JP and Bob thanks for the kind words on my lift out support, but I saw it here first on the forum so I just copied it to fit my needs! a little wood work and some welding and it seems to work.

Well guys I got up early before my to do list and did some playing around with building placement and roads. I am trying to use the old roads from the now defunked town so they might look a little weathered when I am done. Mind you nothing is set in stone, just playing!

IMG_20210907_134325IMG_20210907_134329IMG_20210907_134332

Just like all the other times I am open to suggestions!

Mike - everything looks good, except I'm not a fan of putting the two Menard's flats up against the built-up curve. The tops partially block the view; I'm not sure a flat looks good up against a rounded surface; and, in terms of "realism", I think a flat looks better up against a flat wall at the layout surface where you can at least envision that the building extends further back.

Just my $0.02 - 

Mike, The upper level and the lift-out look great.  I will have to second Richie's observation about the building flats against the upper level curve.  I would think about a retaining wall transitioning into a sloping hillside if it was mine.

Bob, The painting on the track cleaning car looks great so far.  I know the car will look super when completed.  The GunrunnerJohn crossing signal controller is really nice sounding.  I have a couple GRJ John Will circuits to install in addition to a bunch of his LED car light circuits.  Maybe I'll live long enough to do it all. 

Tom, I sues some of that spray foam insulation on a previous layout, and it worked out well.  Good use of material you would have had to throw away otherwise.

John, the jigs for the venetian blinds are brilliant!

I was able to get my engines to run nicely over the two switches leading to the long sidings.  The only problem was that I had forgotten to make a power connection to the left hand siding.  That was quickly remedied, but I didn't have a chance to test it out until last evening.

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Now it's time to get on to the next project.  Should I wire in the DZ1000 switch machines or the power drops to the AIUs first?  I'm thinking the power drops, so I can easily turn off power to sidings that are holding engines not in use, instead of having to lift wires.  I can do all that seated on my rolling stool, whereas I need to bend under the layout to get wires connected to some of the DZ1000 drops.  That would let my lower back get a little better first.

You can see it all over at my Blackwater Canyon Line topic.

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Tom Tee, I also would like to see what you have come up with the spray foam!

Bob, the tracking cleaning car is going to look great! Thanks for the nice little videos of your layout, looks like fun!

Jay, thank you for your input now I am going to have to figure out where to put them and then I added 2 new buildings to that area. Photo below.

Mark, it sure is nice to see you moving along! I am glad you got the siding fixed and like I said on your page, I dont have an AIU so I am no help there!

Well guys I went out this morning and unpacked my Schnider  building and my brewery. After Jays input, I may have to find a different place to put them also. The thing about the brewery is that it has a lift out section so I could turn it and place it over the siding right next to it. Then I could move the Schnider building to an angle to line up with the track in front. Again open to input!



I also wanted to include a photo of my road base that will be leading down to the future park area~!IMG_20210908_085627IMG_20210908_085635

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time to have fun with there layout and trains!

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@mike g. posted:

Tom Tee, I also would like to see what you have come up with the spray foam!

Bob, the tracking cleaning car is going to look great! Thanks for the nice little videos of your layout, looks like fun!

Jay, thank you for your input now I am going to have to figure out where to put them and then I added 2 new buildings to that area. Photo below.

Mark, it sure is nice to see you moving along! I am glad you got the siding fixed and like I said on your page, I dont have an AIU so I am no help there!

Well guys I went out this morning and unpacked my Schnider  building and my brewery. After Jays input, I may have to find a different place to put them also. The thing about the brewery is that it has a lift out section so I could turn it and place it over the siding right next to it. Then I could move the Schnider building to an angle to line up with the track in front. Again open to input!



I also wanted to include a photo of my road base that will be leading down to the future park area~!IMG_20210908_085627

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time to have fun with there layout and trains!

Mike- How about this..... cut in a siding to serve the Schneider building in front of the upper level. You could do a nice inter-modal facility on that piece of real estate! That is unless you planned that someplace else.

Things are shaping up. I'm liking the new look of your layout.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Now it's time to get on to the next project.  Should I wire in the DZ1000 switch machines or the power drops to the AIUs first?  I'm thinking the power drops, so I can easily turn off power to sidings that are holding engines not in use, instead of having to lift wires.  I can do all that seated on my rolling stool, whereas I need to bend under the layout to get wires connected to some of the DZ1000 drops.  That would let my lower back get a little better first.

You can see it all over at my Blackwater Canyon Line topic.

Do the AIU wiring Mark. Don't overdue it bending and reaching to wire the switch machines. You can manually throw switches until you get the power done.

Bob

@mike g. posted:

Tom Tee, I also would like to see what you have come up with the spray foam!

Bob, the tracking cleaning car is going to look great! Thanks for the nice little videos of your layout, looks like fun!

Jay, thank you for your input now I am going to have to figure out where to put them and then I added 2 new buildings to that area. Photo below.

Mark, it sure is nice to see you moving along! I am glad you got the siding fixed and like I said on your page, I dont have an AIU so I am no help there!

Well guys I went out this morning and unpacked my Schnider  building and my brewery. After Jays input, I may have to find a different place to put them also. The thing about the brewery is that it has a lift out section so I could turn it and place it over the siding right next to it. Then I could move the Schnider building to an angle to line up with the track in front. Again open to input!



I also wanted to include a photo of my road base that will be leading down to the future park area~!IMG_20210908_085627IMG_20210908_085635

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time to have fun with there layout and trains!

Looks like all is coming together on your layout.
Nice job Mike.

I have been finally running multiple trains, actually for a while now, but only just figured out how to transfer video from my android phone to my computer for upload here.

This is my first attempt at showing a video here, so it is a bit rough, but I hope you enjoy it:

Also, I have to say that I absolutely love these Ross Custom Switches.
They work so will, and are super smooth.
I see why he is so busy.

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@RWL posted:

Looks like all is coming together on your layout.
Nice job Mike.

I have been finally running multiple trains, actually for a while now, but only just figured out how to transfer video from my android phone to my computer for upload here.

This is my first attempt at showing a video here, so it is a bit rough, but I hope you enjoy it:

Also, I have to say that I absolutely love these Ross Custom Switches.
They work so will, and are super smooth.
I see why he is so busy.

Nice layout RWL! One comment, before the video police slap your hand. Turn your phone horizontal, vertical video is frowned upon.

Bob

@mike g. posted:

Bob, my thought was to have an inter-modal with stacked containers at the other end of the layout.  But I could stack some containers in that area and see what it looks like.

Plus I dont have enough track to finish the other loop so another siding is out for right now! LOL

I recalled that you have a inter-modal crane and that you would probably have a spot to put it. If you remember, Elliot (Big Boy) used container stacks as visual breaks to hide some tunnel portals on his layout. That could work. Just don't nail that track down too tight so you can add a switch and siding later.

@RSJB18 posted:

Nice layout RWL! One comment, before the video police slap your hand. Turn your phone horizontal, vertical video is frowned upon.

Bob

I noticed that but didn't have time to refilm.

There is a lot more to go with this layout, like the two sided passenger station, and three storage sidings, and of course, scenery.

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RWL, nice video! I was going to say the same thing Bob did about turning your phone, but he beat me to it! LOL

Bob, I have4 cranes,but none are Inter-Modal cranes. I sure would like one and if they have the train show here this year I will be looking for one. I remember Elliott using the containers to hide thing!

Hinges, locating pins, and support structure added to my freight yard access bridge.  After the adhesive dries, I will add the front fascia, fill all the screw heads, etc. and paint it.  I'll finally be ready to start laying track on the yard for real!

Yes, my consulting carpenter was on the scene, who knows what I would have ended up with if that was not the case!

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@RSJB18 posted:

He posted a reply early in the year that due to his deteriorating health he was leaving the forum. He said at the time that he hadn't even touched the layout in a year. Very sad that his health betrayed him.

I agree Bob, he has an amazing layout and it was just getting better and better! I hope he is doing ok!

Hinges, locating pins, and support structure added to my freight yard access bridge.  After the adhesive dries, I will add the front fascia, fill all the screw heads, etc. and paint it.  I'll finally be ready to start laying track on the yard for real!

Yes, my consulting carpenter was on the scene, who knows what I would have ended up with if that was not the case!

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The detailing and glue blocks on the support structure is nicer than a lot of fine living room furniture

Maybe it's the angle of the picture, but the hinges appear to be offset ?

The hinges are where the planned track paths don't go, and they're indeed not spaced evenly.   Before the hinges were located, I roughed out where the switches and track were going, and you can see the outlines in pencil of some of the track locations.

Just added the fascia board to make the bridge blend in with the rest of the layout, it's glued with the same PL3 adhesive as most of the layout is stuck together with.  Once that dries, I'll fill all the holes, gaps, etc. and then sand and paint.  After that, it's time to use up another case of Gargraves track!  Let's see, ten tracks over 12 feet long, that's at least 40 pieces of flex.  Add to that all the track to interface to all the switches, and you're close to a 51 piece case of track!

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@darlander posted:

I like your track cleaning car but do not understand: are you representing a prototype car or is this a fantasy car?   Nice job on the construction, fun project, looks great and I am sure it will be a great maintenance tool when finished!

Cheers, Dave

A bit of both Dave. I found a photo of a LIRR flat car that I'm basing the car body on. The "tanks" and piping are fantasy I guess. It has been fun to build.

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