@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:That’s an impressive undertaking Bob. That had to be difficult making the adjustments to the shoes.
Actually it was very easy. I took the pick up off the engine and held the roller against the grinding wheel in my Dremel. Other than burning my fingers a little it was not bad.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Bob, I've got a good # of Beeps and like what your doing. Great ideas for the future.
They are like a blank canvas. Very easy to work on and full of potential.
Thanks gents.
Bob, Nice job on grinding those pickup rollers. Your mockup of the LEDs is a good idea.
Bill, Yes, all mine are within easy reach, and I left some manual too. I don't have any scenery in yet to have to remove for access, but I forgot to drill holes in the lower level to accept the wires coming from the upper level. Strange I didn't think of it, I drilled holes for track power. I do have enough room behind the layout next to the wall, so some of the switch machine wires are going down there. It's just a long 30" reach
Morning guys, sure is alot of work for one day! LOL
Vinny26, looking good. Now you have a clean slate to make any changes your really want to!
Bob, thats a great idea, maybe down the road like everything else! LOL Your Beep project is really coming along I can't wait to see the lights installed and glowing!
Dave Ripp, for not feeling like doing any real work it sure looks good! Wonderful building placement!
Farmer John, Thank you Sir! I got the idea for the drop down from you and your river build! As for the motor it came out of a mini Quadcopter that my son had crashed and asked me to fix. I took a look at it and told him it was beyond fixing and he said throw it away. I knew better and that somewhere down the road I could use the motors for something! I used 2 of them, one for the helicopter and the other one for the plane. I had to make a backing plate for the prop as the mounting hole was to big. Both are powered by a 8.4 cell phone charger.
Third rail, Bill thank you! The steel mill building is a great addition to the present one! Looks right in place!
Well I don't know if I will get anything done today, but it is still early! LOL
I hope you all have a great day and fun with your layouts and trains!
Last night and this morning I weathered another caboose. Here's one side.
The opposite side 
One end
Opposite end
Roof showing years of service behind steam locomotives. 
A "before" shot. 
Nice weathering, Patrick!
@trumptrain posted:Last night and this morning I weathered another caboose. Here's one side.
Patrick, Outstanding job! Now you can see that it works just as hard as the guys in the yard!
@mike g. posted:Thanks for the kind words guys! It really means a lot to me!
Mark, don't worry it will all come together!
@trumptrain,Patrick just in case you missed it, the first flight! LOL
WOW Mike. 🤤
All that work , all that planning , all that artistry and all that engineered functioning equipment ........really is beautiful.
I have to admit when you had the movement for the plane actuated in the early stages I had my doubts that this was going to be much to watch............OUCH...........boy was I way off base. That is one great SMOOTH takeoff .
Really nice Mike. 😉
@Dallas Joseph posted:WOW Mike. 🤤
All that work , all that planning , all that artistry and all that engineered functioning equipment ........really is beautiful.
I have to admit when you had the movement for the plane actuated in the early stages I had my doubts that this was going to be much to watch............OUCH...........boy was I way off base. That is one great SMOOTH takeoff .
Really nice Mike. 😉
Thanks! It took longer then I thought between all the errors! But I am happy with it, but most of all the wife thinks it's cool!
@trumptrain posted:Last night and this morning I weathered another caboose. Here's one side.
The opposite side
One end
Opposite end
Roof showing years of service behind steam locomotives.
A "before" shot.
Come on Patrick..........I still can't find any TOY caboose .🤓😓😯🙁☹😓😩
Nice weathering .👍
@mike g. posted:Thanks! It took longer then I thought between all the errors! But I am happy with it, but most of all the wife thinks it's cool!
" the wife thinks it's cool " ..........can't beat that kind of positive reinforcement for your hobby Mike. 😉
Dallas, just what I was thinking! If Mike’s wife likes it, then it’s great! Pat’s caboose looks great!
@mike g. posted:D@Dallas Joseph posted:Thanks! It took longer then I thought between all the errors! But I am happy with it, but most of all the wife thinks it's cool!
" the wife thinks it's cool " ..........can't beat that kind of positive reinforcement for your hobby Mike. 😉
That's always one of my goals also. Then if the OGR Forum folks like it it's a bounus.
@Dave Ripp. posted:I love the utility poles. Did you string them yourself? I have dozens in various sizes and manufactureres for future detail work. It's nice to see how they could look you've done a great job.
Yes I did. Drilled 120 0.5mm holes in the 10 poles through the insulators then strung 10 pound test fishing line through them. I put in all the lines first then spaced them out, drilled holes & glued them in place. After the glue set up, I pulled the lines taught then tied each one off finished with a drop of CA glue. Thanks for the compliment.
Landscaped around the produce stand I'll clean up the excess when the glue dries.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Landscaped around the produce stand I'll clean up the excess when the glue dries.
Dave, I really like those birch trees! Did you purchase them ready made or make them yourself? That is a super cool scene!
@WesternPacific2217 posted:Dave, I really like those birch trees! Did you purchase them ready made or make them yourself? That is a super cool scene!
I got them at Menards several years ago. They came bare I brush a little glue on and dip them in fall flock.
@Dave Ripp. posted:Landscaped around the produce stand I'll clean up the excess when the glue dries.
Good looking produce stand Dave. 🤓 Are the little containers of fruit something you made ?
The church with that parking lot and then the cemetery next door sure was something I saw many times riding the motorcycle through parts of Pennsylvania.
@Dallas Joseph posted:Good looking produce stand Dave. 🤓 Are the little containers of fruit something you made ?
The church with that parking lot and then the cemetery next door sure was something I saw many times riding the motorcycle through parts of Pennsylvania.
Thanks Dallas, It was an unpainted kit by Plasticville. All I did was glue, paint and add figures. I don't know why but I've always liked cemeterys and I needed a church for weddings and funerals. I have details for both.
I've got the Mesa placed on the layout and have started doing the landscaping. Last night while making paths, I had a thought, flagstone would look cool along the flat bank of the pond. I whipped up some plaster stuff and spread it thin on wrinkled then flattened aluminum foil and spread it about an 1/8 of an inch think. Now wondering how into flagstone. Having a beer and contemplating possible methods.... stay tuned!
@CR Cole posted:I've got the Mesa placed on the layout and have started doing the landscaping. Last night while making paths, I had a thought, flagstone would look cool along the flat bank of the pond. I whipped up some plaster stuff and spread it thin on wrinkled then flattened aluminum foil and spread it about an 1/8 of an inch think. Now wondering how into flagstone. Having a beer and contemplating possible methods.... stay tuned!
.........and the inventiveness continues .......good ideas here CR. ( I do find a beer ....MOLSON XXX .....in my case , does seem to stimulate the inspiration on occasion 😁 )
@Dave Ripp. posted:I got them at Menards several years ago. They came bare I brush a little glue on and dip them in fall flock.
Lemax 34967 WINTER BIRCH TREE 9” Bare White Christmas Village Scenery
Thanks Dave. I'm gonna check into that. Lemax surprises me sometimes!
Made a little skidoo to go with the polaris and then received about 10 inches of snow for them
Surprisingly, I broke the knuckle on a LIONEL passenger train coupler--I say surprisingly since it occurred while trying a "hand of God" coupling operation and the operation didn't seem particularly harsh.
Anyway, I used a favorite YouTube video demonstrating how to make the repair in under a minute once the coupler was ready to accept the new knuckle--the key being to dab a tiny amount of Red N Tacky or similar substance on the tip of the rivet to secure the spring while inserting the knuckle.
I respectfully refer to the video as Shaky Hands since I too have unsteady hands at times. Go to about 22:00 of the video for the gist of this successful technique.
Started on the lights for my BEEP. More pix to follow tomorrow.
What manufacturer of the BEEP ?
Did it only come with the headlight ? Do the lights come on only on start up ?
This is always an interesting project ........especially when it comes out as well as what you have done,😉
@RSJB18 posted:Started on the lights for my BEEP. More pix to follow tomorrow.
Bob, that looks factory! Well done, looks great!
Very nice looking, Bob
BEEP is RMT, is it not?
@Dave Ripp., the produce stand looks great, but I am a little worried as it looks like someone fell down in the parking lot! Better check on him be a lawsuit comes up!
@CR Cole, the Mesa is looking great! You are moving right along with that project!
@fast freight, wonderful scene! Now that looks like it could be fun!
@RSJB18, Bob, that looks OUTSTANDING! I wish I wasn't so scared to open engines up! LOL
Well guys I got out to the train room this morning and added some fencing around the park and along the airfield. Not a big deal but it looks better with it in place!
Then when I was done with that, I ran the track cleaning car around the layout as I have some friends coming over this weekend to visit and see the train room. I found out that if I don't run it, they always seem to stop somewhere and make me look bad! LOL But they ran just fine this morning, just hope for no problems tomorrow!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and fun times with their layouts and trains!
@mike g. posted:
Then when I was done with that, I ran the track cleaning car around the layout as I have some friends coming over this weekend to visit and see the train room. I found out that if I don't run it, they always seem to stop somewhere and make me look bad! LOL But they ran just fine this morning, just hope for no problems tomorrow!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and fun times with their layouts and trains!
Watch out for those gremlins Mike. They tend to appear every time the layout is shown to friends and relatives.
Here's the rest of the update on my BEEP.
Bob
Mike, the fences look great!! I hope you have a great weekend!
@mike g. Your runway turned out great. I really like the black rubber skid marks down the center for realism. It might be funny to put a set of tire marks on the drop off side to indicate a not so successful landing.
Finally got the landscape around the produce stand done.
@mike g. posted:@Dave Ripp., the produce stand looks great, but I am a little worried as it looks like someone fell down in the parking lot! Better check on him be a lawsuit comes up!
@CR Cole, the Mesa is looking great! You are moving right along with that project!
@fast freight, wonderful scene! Now that looks like it could be fun!
@RSJB18, Bob, that looks OUTSTANDING! I wish I wasn't so scared to open engines up! LOL
Well guys I got out to the train room this morning and added some fencing around the park and along the airfield. Not a big deal but it looks better with it in place!
Then when I was done with that, I ran the track cleaning car around the layout as I have some friends coming over this weekend to visit and see the train room. I found out that if I don't run it, they always seem to stop somewhere and make me look bad! LOL But they ran just fine this morning, just hope for no problems tomorrow!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and fun times with their layouts and trains!
Here's hoping you have a great run on the rails for your friends tomorrow Mike . 👍😁
Dave, the produce stand scenery looks great!
I did more turnout wiring. I have pulled all the wire and need to hook a few more up. Good thing. I’m running low on wire! 😄
@Mark Boyce posted:Dave, the produce stand scenery looks great!
I did more turnout wiring. I have pulled all the wire and need to hook a few more up. Good thing. I’m running low on wire! 😄
Thanks Mark, I hate wiring but enjoy seeing yous as it's always so perfect.
Assembled the second set of lights for the BEEP. After the brain cramp cleared, I wired it correctly and stopped burning out LED's 
Next up is wiring harnesses and plugs.
Bob
That’s called guided discovery learning Bob. Good job.
@RSJB18 posted:Assembled the second set of lights for the BEEP. After the brain cramp cleared, I wired it correctly and stopped burning out LED's
Next up is wiring harnesses and plugs.
Bob
How did the LEDs burn out Bob .....and how can you tell when you are getting a brain cramp ? 
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