jim pastorius posted:I never could figure out what the attraction was for Legos so my kids never had any. when I was a kid we had wooden blocks and orange crates.
I remember having Tinkertoys about the time I got my tonsils out...5 years old. I just about wore out a set of Lincoln Logs. We got my youngest some Legos, and she loved them, so we got her a tub of them. Her and I were always building something with them.
Here's my setup for the NW Arkansas Train Show, which will be starting Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. Plenty of gi-raffes on hand, natch:
The missing sections of FastTrack are my brakeman contacts; while they worked OK, they weren't 100%, so I brought them home and put longer contacts on. That should enhance reliability. 
Mitch
Steamer posted:
Well, gi-raffes gotta come from SOMEWHERE, after all!
Overnight workshop activity: Put longer contacts on my FastTrack brakeman actuators, and rebuilt one of my Amtrak Alcos from front wheel to rear wheel drive. When ya get torque steer with a locomotive, you wind up with derailments...
Mitch
Been doing lots of odd jobs around the layout, trying to finish off various projects, like bumpers and uncouplers. I finished all of the relay modules from my last update.
I'm almost done with another project too. I had decided to add a third track to the BNSF Midway intermodal facility. Also an engine pocket there and one over at Shoreham.
This is a pretty extreme version of "cutting in" a switch. The connecting track is very short, and the pins need to be bent to get them started.
Ready to press down and seat the switch.
Screw it down, and done!
As if the layout wasn't large enough, I added another square foot over at the edge near the entrance.
This was totally cosmetic, and done so the edge of the upper lined up with the edge of Red Wing below.
It was kind of fun cutting and fitting that piece of fascia around the curve and under the duck under.
Elliot, just wondering, now that you added another switch, is that some kind of mode or method to get Matt back over to install the throw bar to? I see the way you guys work, it wouldn't take any time to put one in. Then you and Matt could run trains while Matt's blond puppy snuggles down on the floor. It would seam like good times with good friends!
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Here's my setup for the NW Arkansas Train Show, which will be starting Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. Plenty of gi-raffes on hand, natch:
The missing sections of FastTrack are my brakeman contacts; while they worked OK, they weren't 100%, so I brought them home and put longer contacts on. That should enhance reliability.
Mitch
How did you escape from the Chibas?
I've got to get busy again. I have let too many things interrupt my goal of getting something done on the layout every day. I wanted to at least get a little done every day rather than having marathon sessions as much as I could. I have found it is far to easy for me to "take the day off" and accept excuses.
Art
Art,
Everybody needs a day off here and there as not to get burned out. Your work shows that your not slacker, so in my eyes take the days off when you can!
Art, I hear you. I am sort of in a lull myself. Trying to figure out a way to jump start working on the layouts again. So maybe if I wear short sleeves that would by pass rolling them up to work getting me there faster so I do not talk myself out of it again.....Paul
But Paul, you can't work on your layout. Your to busy building shelf's for all your new Menards rolling stock! Atleast your not like Bob who has to build shelf's for shoes also!
p51 posted:RSJB18 posted:These guys will take care of everything. No worries!
I was never big Lego fan and never really ‘got’ the whole fan thing for a very long time. When I was growing up Legos weren’t as complicated as they are now but they were always expense. I didn’t know anyone who had them when I was a kid. I had the cheaper knockoff bricks, as did any other kid I knew. I think I was in my 20s before I met anyone who’d had them as a kid.
That said, I LOVED the Lego movie when it came out (saw it on a plane flight and bought the DVD as soon as it came out) even though I’m sure there were lots of Lego jokes I never got. One thing I simply had to have was a Lego Emmet figure (which is probably the least expensive movie collectible I’ve ever bought). I already had a crazy glue tube lying around with exactly the same cap as the “Piece of Resistance” from the film, so Emmet is standing at the edge of the bookcase overlooking my layout, leaning on the cap with a scared look on his face. He’s never set foot on the layout, but someday I might take a photo of him there, just for the heck of it.
I also really want to see the Lego Batman movie, but my wife, of course, says we can wait until it comes out on video…
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Steamer posted:Well, gi-raffes gotta come from SOMEWHERE, after all!
Overnight workshop activity: Put longer contacts on my FastTrack brakeman actuators, and rebuilt one of my Amtrak Alcos from front wheel to rear wheel drive. When ya get torque steer with a locomotive, you wind up with derailments...
Mitch
Especially unicorn Giraffes. 
Elliot you just never stop amazing me. All the work you have done and still adding track. sooner or later your going to run out of room and will need to build an addition to your basement. 
But still I enjoy watching the build until you get to the wiring part and then my eyes and brain hurts.
Art, Been following your thread and pretty impressed with the work you have done. Deversions, I think we all have been there and some times a brain dump is what we all need at one time or another.
On the subject of Legos. Tinker toys, Lincoln Logs, and Legos, as a kid in the sixties they required more imagination and ingenuity the build things. At the same time what is available now we could only dream about as kids back then. Lee, sorry you had a deprived childhood.
On the subject of Giraffes. We need people like Mitch who dedicates his time to saving the giraffes and their exploits. His two left feet, Monty Python diversions and of course his builds. That's what makes this thread great and makes us laugh at the kid in ourselves..
Well its been a fun week for me. Was going good and thought my truck was finally coming out of the shop today until I got that dreaded call of good news bad news last night. While road testing the engine blew a rear main seal 
What's another 400.00 right? Anyway decided to run trains last night and this morning still disgusted about the truck put together a video to divert my attention.
So here it is life in a northern town.
Doug, Nice video and wonderful choice of tunes! Takes you back in time! Something everyone needs now and then!
Sorry to hear about your truck! Seams like the good news bad news week, I was spose to have concrete poured Thursday but do to snow, no go! LOL
Chugman posted:I've got to get busy again. I have let too many things interrupt my goal of getting something done on the layout every day. I wanted to at least get a little done every day rather than having marathon sessions as much as I could. I have found it is far to easy for me to "take the day off" and accept excuses.
Art
Art, I know the feeling. Last Wednesday, I had a doctor appointment at 11 AM. By the time I got home and had lunch, it was 2 PM. In my mind, the day was shot! Thursday I made myself get back down there, and it was a little difficult to restart, but once I started looking at my project list, I picked an easy one and got the ball rolling again. MOMENTUM!
Your layout ain't going to build itself.
Mike, sadly Matt and I are done. Irreconcilable differences. I'll be doing these 4 switches all by myself. I can do them, it just takes me a little longer, and it also takes time away from other things I could be doing.
Doug, the basement is actually more than twice the size of the train room, but the walls are sacred. There will be no expansion beyond the "line of death". I was perfectly happy with the layout, and then I started reading the NMRA achievement program specs, and got to thinking about operations, and suddenly decided one yard needed a third track and two yards needed "engine pockets". I swear, after this, I'm done with track (except for the roundhouse on top of the big helix). Beside, my stash of switches is almost depleted.
These are the latest buildings for my layout 
Finally got some house updating accomplished but it then evolved into spring cleaning. These activities although often necessary and sometimes gratifying are distractions from real fun, grand babies and trains. Got some foliage on some pine tree branches and planted 22 in problem corner.
A winter snow storm forced me to stay home and spend some time on the layout. Unfortunately, I spent much of yesterday under the layout wiring additional lights, YUK! I had some long wire runs since I wanted the yard lights to all be controlled by the same on/off switch. I added two Lionel #6-14092 flood light towers and three #65 yard lights. Doesn’t sound like much but at my age, anytime under a layout feels like an eternity. I had to modify the tower bases to fit between yard tracks that are 4” on center. I removed ballast and cork to lower the tower bases to the layout subfloor in order to provide adequate clearance.
I also modified a flatbed trailer by adding sides and an end panel. The new trailer receives scrap metal off loaded from a gondola using a magnetic gantry crane. Now it needs to be painted.
Finished the day running a couple of ore trains. I was also able to ignore the pink and blue styrofoam mountain calling me from the far end - FINISH ME!
Dave
Looks great Dave, I already forgot you got dumped on yesterday. We barely got a trace here. See the snow comes in handy.
Darlander: I really like what you did with those Lionel light towers. I have two of them for my freight yards and was having a heck of a time trying to place one at one end. They aren't worth a lot since Lionel made millions of them, but they're nice, show an adequate amount of light and look kind of realistic, so I elected to use them. Fitting them in by cutting down the bases to fit between close tracks is gonna work just fine. Night scenes will improve.
Paul Fischer
Dave, I agree with Elliot. Great looking work. I think the tractor trailer turned out wonderful and your layout looks like it would be a great place to run trains!
Dave your layout looks great! I love your curved fascia, retaining walls, and rock walls. The semi turned out really well too. The lights really add. It's a shame you had to get a lot of snow though in order for it to happen.
Art
fisch330 posted:Darlander: I really like what you did with those Lionel light towers. I have two of them for my freight yards and was having a heck of a time trying to place one at one end. They aren't worth a lot since Lionel made millions of them, but they're nice, show an adequate amount of light and look kind of realistic, so I elected to use them. Fitting them in by cutting down the bases to fit between close tracks is gonna work just fine. Night scenes will improve.
Paul Fischer
Paul, I first attached the towers to a wooden block base. I was then able to run them through a table saw to trim the sides. before I removed them from the base, I glued a styrene sheet on each side that was cut away. After the glue set, I trimmed and sanded the new addition and spray painted with flat black before I removed them from the temporary base. Good luck with your project.
Dave
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Chugman posted:I've got to get busy again. I have let too many things interrupt my goal of getting something done on the layout every day. I wanted to at least get a little done every day rather than having marathon sessions as much as I could. I have found it is far to easy for me to "take the day off" and accept excuses.
Art
Art, I know the feeling. Last Wednesday, I had a doctor appointment at 11 AM. By the time I got home and had lunch, it was 2 PM. In my mind, the day was shot! Thursday I made myself get back down there, and it was a little difficult to restart, but once I started looking at my project list, I picked an easy one and got the ball rolling again. MOMENTUM!
Your layout ain't going to build itself.
Mike, sadly Matt and I are done. Irreconcilable differences. I'll be doing these 4 switches all by myself. I can do them, it just takes me a little longer, and it also takes time away from other things I could be doing. Heard that one before.
Doug, the basement is actually more than twice the size of the train room, but the walls are sacred. There will be no expansion beyond the "line of death". I know your basement is bigger from some of the videos but was trying to be funny. At least if you defy the line you have room. In my case I would have to knock down a wall and extend the east side of my house 4ft. .
I was perfectly happy with the layout, and then I started reading the NMRA achievement program specs, and got to thinking about operations, and suddenly decided one yard needed a third track and two yards needed "engine pockets". I swear, after this, I'm done with track (except for the roundhouse on top of the big helix). Beside, my stash of switches is almost depleted.
mike g. posted:Doug, Nice video and wonderful choice of tunes! Takes you back in time! Something everyone needs now and then!
Sorry to hear about your truck! Seams like the good news bad news week, I was spose to have concrete poured Thursday but do to snow, no go! LOL
Mike, I guess the silver lining was it happened while still at the mechanic and not on the road somewhere. I can only imagine the next surprise when they pull the trans and transfer case to replace the seals.
suzukovich posted:mike g. posted:Doug, Nice video and wonderful choice of tunes! Takes you back in time! Something everyone needs now and then!
Sorry to hear about your truck! Seams like the good news bad news week, I was spose to have concrete poured Thursday but do to snow, no go! LOL
Mike, I guess the silver lining was it happened while still at the mechanic and not on the road somewhere. I can only imagine the next surprise when they pull the trans and transfer case to replace the seals.
Doug, lets hope they just find oil that needs wiped off and that's it. If they rebuild the engine I would think they would have to cover any repairs needed before it leaves there shop! Good luck with it and let us know!
When I see Elliot's trains, O Scale, my little postwar Lionel O gauge seems considerably smaller in dimensions of cars and engines. Yet, I scrounged around to Menards, and their 0 gauge, looks like Elliot's o scale. I confused about buying more cars now. Thoughts?
darlander posted:A winter snow storm forced me to stay home and spend some time on the layout. Unfortunately, I spent much of yesterday under the layout wiring additional lights, YUK! I had some long wire runs since I wanted the yard lights to all be controlled by the same on/off switch. I added two Lionel #6-14092 flood light towers and three #65 yard lights. Doesn’t sound like much but at my age, anytime under a layout feels like an eternity. I had to modify the tower bases to fit between yard tracks that are 4” on center. I removed ballast and cork to lower the tower bases to the layout subfloor in order to provide adequate clearance.
I also modified a flatbed trailer by adding sides and an end panel. The new trailer receives scrap metal off loaded from a gondola using a magnetic gantry crane. Now it needs to be painted.
Finished the day running a couple of ore trains. I was also able to ignore the pink and blue styrofoam mountain calling me from the far end - FINISH ME!
Dave
Dave, nice work. I wonder if you have the track plan you could share. I'm looking for some inspiration for my next layout.
Lou
mike g. posted:suzukovich posted:mike g. posted:Doug, Nice video and wonderful choice of tunes! Takes you back in time! Something everyone needs now and then!
Sorry to hear about your truck! Seams like the good news bad news week, I was spose to have concrete poured Thursday but do to snow, no go! LOL
Mike, I guess the silver lining was it happened while still at the mechanic and not on the road somewhere. I can only imagine the next surprise when they pull the trans and transfer case to replace the seals.
Doug, lets hope they just find oil that needs wiped off and that's it. If they rebuild the engine I would think they would have to cover any repairs needed before it leaves there shop! Good luck with it and let us know!
Its the rear main. class III leak, hard deadline. Truck dumped oil all over the place. Common issue with the 6.2 Diesel engines. my hope is its just the rear main and not the oil pan gasket too.
darlander posted:A winter snow storm forced me to stay home and spend some time on the layout. Unfortunately, I spent much of yesterday under the layout wiring additional lights, YUK! I had some long wire runs since I wanted the yard lights to all be controlled by the same on/off switch. I added two Lionel #6-14092 flood light towers and three #65 yard lights. Doesn’t sound like much but at my age, anytime under a layout feels like an eternity. I had to modify the tower bases to fit between yard tracks that are 4” on center. I removed ballast and cork to lower the tower bases to the layout subfloor in order to provide adequate clearance.
I also modified a flatbed trailer by adding sides and an end panel. The new trailer receives scrap metal off loaded from a gondola using a magnetic gantry crane. Now it needs to be painted.
Finished the day running a couple of ore trains. I was also able to ignore the pink and blue styrofoam mountain calling me from the far end - FINISH ME!
Dave
Dave- a good snow storm is what I need right now. The lights and the layout look great. I have a bunch of the #65 lights and started installing them recently. They produce a lot of light.
Bob
Whats a CHIBAS?
Suzchovich, Great touch with "drone cam" and I agree, I was delighted to see the tiny red Cardinals, My favorite to view in the winter.
Hey Mitch: Great layout for the show. Whats shipping rate to US for a "Girraffe Stampede Crossing Sign" and a "Mitch" Girraffe, kind sir? I would like to be a member of that club. (serious, really.)
My Layout is in planning stage, I have track and switches (recommended by Elliott, to keep the younguns interested, right?)
QUESTION to all the vetern layout builders: I have a 6x12 foot (minnesota foot, mitch) bay window area that the kids and I lay track. Is there a "good" way to build a couple of modules and have free track connect to it? That way, I could have the kids draw and plan where to have, like a small mountain/tunnel/climb spiral (can't quite call it a Heliex, since I have seen the two that Elliot has) for one corner, and an elevated-tressel-decline-back to ground on the back side. Then a couple siding/switches (i am missing the terminology at the moment) on the way to a "GIRRAFFE HERDCROSSING" Marked with a sign from MITCH, in Austraila. Perhaps a caution crossing LED Red Blinking signage as well as a couple rubber chicken missles for the random "Drone attack".
So, a dog bone shape, so as to crwal into and out of the layout, and a couple static pieces to store as well. Then Box up the rest of the track and call it a weekend?
I Did see a gas station on the layouts, posted here, and that would have to Have to have a 1969 Chevell up on the rack with an arc welder flashing in the back along the way.
--==____ By jove I think the kid is starting to get ideas, lads!
"Blame it on Elliot, I heard from my wife, the woman who had the courage to marry me"
Thoughts Kind Folks?
P.S. Mitch, I was quite serious. I can help you ship to the guys up here in the US.
fun, yup, i am finding my stride a bit, having fun Thanks to all of you guys, and "Moderator AL" who guides me through the etiquette of this space. ty
Yesterday I said I was going to get down to work....I fibbed. Today was a different story. I got the tables cleared off to start seeing where I am going with a track plan and at the same time figure out what type of buildings for industries I am going to use. Before and after pics...........Paul
Spent about an hour replacing an "S" curve on my inner loop with a gentler "60" curve and 1/4 of 048 with 060 to run larger trains.
The 18" passenger cars looked silly snaking back and forth before the change. Much better now.
Great improvement Paul!
Wow, I took a few pictures for fun today, Sunday, February 26th....
I was a bit too busy at the train show to take pictures. Luckily, channel 40/29 here in NW Arkansas had my back:
Mitch
Nice to see the work that you all are doing- thanks for sharing!
My Friend Lynn came over today & helped me wire and test a switch panel for the west end of my hidden staging yard.
The east end panel is wired and functional.
Since I'm not completely sure of the exact mounting locations for these panels, we left some slack in the wiring to allow the panels to be shifted a few feet if needed. The next task will be lining up and adhering 1/4" white pinstripe tape to illustrate the track diagram each panel controls.
Next week we should be ready to start constructing the upper level of the layout that will sit on top of this staging yard.
Amazing, you have it all going on.. I am such a n00b. Beginner. operator. first layout thinker.
Ok Elliot, I got it.
(Great work Anthony, Nice layout)
I was re-doing a Corgi Birney car in Erie Railways / ex-Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction colours, green and yellow. The amount of yellow increased markedly in the paint schemes over the years, by the time of the Birney it was almost 50-50, probably due to safety issues.
fl9turbo2 posted:These are the latest buildings for my layout
Fantastic! Looks very close to the Ripley's museum in Ocean City MD. Very well done.
Another shot, this time from KNWA. Gary McCullah from the NRHS at the controls:
Gi-raffes on the move! Pic courtesy of NWAhomepage.com!
http://www.nwahomepage.com/new...springdale/663095944
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:I was a bit too busy at the train show to take pictures. Luckily, channel 40/29 here in NW Arkansas had my back:
Mitch
Was getting worried Mitch. We have not seen you on the forum all weekend. Thought the Gi-raffes got the better of you
Ran trains today while working on my taxes. OK more running trains than taxes but given the choice between the two.......
Put down some more gravel, adding brown over the grey, and ground cover on a corner of the layout around the freight depot.
I had a sort of bad dream tonight (not a nightmare, but that I was dealing with a situation where I was required to make a bunch of updates to someone on a computer, it was stressful in the dream), and I laid in bed for a while trying to get back to sleep. I'm trying to get over a cough I've had for a while now and hopefully am on the tail end of a roller coaster of meds which gave bad side effects in a few cases. Just started a new course of antibiotics with the hope I can shake this thing soon.
I have recently read that if you can't get back to sleep after 20 minutes or so, you might as well get up for a little bit and occupy yourself in something that doesn't get too riled up. This forum seemed good for that for the moment.
But a few minutes ago, I went to the small area I want to out a portion of a fenced-in cow pasture area on the layout. I pulled up every little poly material "bush" inside the rectangle area that I want for the cow enclosure and pulled up several areas of ground foam with my fingers and then filled in those divots with real soil from where the layout takes place. Then, I placed some JTT scenics course tufts in medium and darker green, to look like general undergrowth. They were placed among patches of static grass, with gaps where you'd expect people to have been walking around. So, there's a grown up area, squared around a far less grown up area with what looks like divots in the ground. I then sprayed the area with Micro Mark scenic adhesive from a spray bottle.
Next, maybe as early as this week or next weekend, I'll be putting in a fence that'll look as close to this photo's foreground as I can make it:
At least one gate like this will go in. I have a reel of EZ Line elastic string in rust color that will probably go in between the posts. But the interior of the fence will look more cows have chewed up and ripped up the ground foliage, with undergrowth and high grass just beyond their reach across the fence.
But at least the ground is prepped now for that fence. Then, I have two cow figures I need to paint once the field is ready.
Chugman posted:I've got to get busy again. I have let too many things interrupt my goal of getting something done on the layout every day. I wanted to at least get a little done every day rather than having marathon sessions as much as I could. I have found it is far to easy for me to "take the day off" and accept excuses.
Mike and Paul made great points, that you should not view it as a job.
That said, that's how I was able to get my small layout mostly where I wanted it, by doing even one tiny little thing a day. I'm at the tail end of what I refer to as "the original build" and now am mostly just tweaking with stuff and adding very small details.
All that,said, a little time here and there will remind you why you want to continue and might be good for your long-term motivation. I have no doubt be for long, you'll be going strong on your layout!
Is this one of Mitch's trains? I see a brakeman on the 3rd car. Where's the Gi-raffes?
Keep up the good work Lee. Can't wait to see how the cow pasture comes out.
RSJB18 posted:Is this one of Mitch's trains? I see a brakeman on the 3rd car. Where's the Gi-raffes?
Here it is!
Mitch
Picked up a few pieces of O32 Gargraves track on eBay. Thats about it. Wednesday I hope to start laying the inclines for the hill. Hopefully Great Lakes Hobbies have the Woodland Scenics inclines in stock.
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Gi-raffes on the move! Pic courtesy of NWAhomepage.com!
http://www.nwahomepage.com/new...springdale/663095944
Looks wonderful Mitch, and what a great way to put smile on kids of all ages!
FOXCHASERR posted:darlander posted:A winter snow storm forced me to stay home and spend some time on the layout. Unfortunately, I spent much of yesterday under the layout wiring additional lights, YUK! I had some long wire runs since I wanted the yard lights to all be controlled by the same on/off switch. I added two Lionel #6-14092 flood light towers and three #65 yard lights. Doesn’t sound like much but at my age, anytime under a layout feels like an eternity. I had to modify the tower bases to fit between yard tracks that are 4” on center. I removed ballast and cork to lower the tower bases to the layout subfloor in order to provide adequate clearance.
I also modified a flatbed trailer by adding sides and an end panel. The new trailer receives scrap metal off loaded from a gondola using a magnetic gantry crane. Now it needs to be painted.
Finished the day running a couple of ore trains. I was also able to ignore the pink and blue styrofoam mountain calling me from the far end - FINISH ME!
Dave
Dave, nice work. I wonder if you have the track plan you could share. I'm looking for some inspiration for my next layout.
Lou
Lou,
Here are some early pictures of the track work without scenery so you can get a better idea of the layout design. Also note my crude hand-drawn scale construction drawing. Most all track work is Gargraves flex track with 3 mainline loops: one 72”, 63” and 49” diameter curves respectively. The center 49” diameter run is an over-n-under reversing dog bone. Switches on the inner most loop are 042 switches with a few sections of Gargraves 042 track bypassing the 90 degree crossover. The outer loops and yard crossovers are Gargraves Phantom 100s. The yard ladders are 042 with a 072 switch leading out to the mainline. I also have 3 Ross curved turnouts on the layout. I can run three trains on the main part of the layout. A fourth would be the bump-n-go trolley line which has a few segments of Ross 031 sections, and a fifth train can work the yard. Switches are Ross and Gargrave. Train room is 13.5' x 19'. Grade is 2.9%. I have about 165’ feet of track and 23 switches mostly controlled by under mount Tortoise switch machines. All track is interconnected. The 4 track yard runs the full length of the room with a small industrial 2 track siding at the far end where the crane is located. Visitors (little engineers) really enjoy unloading and loading scrap metal from the gondola to the semi and vise-versa. There is a second 2 track industrial siding on the elevated section inner loop. I am using DCS control and primarily MTH Proto-2 equipped engines.
I have no idea how this would layout with sectional track. The beauty of flex track is its flexibility - ability to make transition curves, custom radii and the control of track spacing. I hope this gives you a clearer picture of my track work and find it useful as you design your new layout.
Thanks for your comments and interest.
Dave
The plan does not show the bump-n-go line or the upper industrial siding.
Note the two turnouts on the upper loop were eliminated. Space on paper does not always transfer to reality.
Mainline parallel track spacing 4.5" and curves transition to 5.5" on center.
Grade is 2.9%.
Yard track is 4" on center.
I added a model of the TCA National Toy Train Museum, that I picked up at Allentown. Had to exercise some eminent domain in order to fit it in. It is pretty long, so I need to wire in one more light. It has a weathervane, that was smashed flat in the bottom of the box. I was thrilled to get it as straight as I did without breaking it.
Scrambler81 posted:
I added a model of the TCA National Toy Train Museum, that I picked up at Allentown. Had to exercise some eminent domain in order to fit it in. It is pretty long, so I need to wire in one more light. It has a weathervane, that was smashed flat in the bottom of the box. I was thrilled to get it as straight as I did without breaking it.
I have that weather vane (almost exactly the same) on a building in my back yard.
Jim
Tested a few segments of my 1st operating session. I enjoyed it a lot. One good thing is that my "card/workorder system can be interrupted with just placing a paper clip by the last order on the current type of oder card and continue later.
Well good day and bad day, Busy for sure.
Got my wheel cars, parts from Jeff the train tender and nice to say after swapping out all the wheels and axles to needle point fast angle sets and re-wiring them the celebration blue stripe passenger cars run flawless. Thanks Lionel for such a challenge. WTH?
The bad news, The ZW I got from Chief Eagle's many years ago got real hot when I was running the five illuminated passenger cars with the illuminated baggage car, a trainsounds boxcar and the three motor A-B-A set along with the inner loop and the MOW bump run. I noticed that the main loop slowed to a crawl and then smoke and stink from the ZW. Swapped it out with the spare and all seems good after 1/2 hour run and little to no heat up. Must be something wrong inside the ZW? Put a call into the guy who does transformer service in Shorewood where the daughter lives. Hope he is still alive. I can't understand why this ZW would fail after only 58 years????? 
Back to good news. I also finished the Alaska ALCOs today because I got the Eskimo guys for the sides of the engines. I am very happy with the outcome of this set build. Check it out!
KRM posted:I can't understand why this ZW would fail after only 58 years?????
Back to good news. I also finished the Alaska ALCOs today because I got the Eskimo guys for the sides of the engines. I am very happy with the outcome of this set build. Check it out!
Only 58 years! I know, you just can't depend on this modern junk they make these days! Gee, the thing is almost as old as I am!
Glad to see the Alaska ALCOs with the Eskimos! You did a fine job!
Today I started on the next section. Had to rip up a bit of the cork I had down already. I needed to curve the track. And I have to add wood where the tables meet so I can add the second track. Tomorrow a little more headway I hope. Pics................Paul
Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Paul, looking good but slow down man you are starting to make me look bad as I haven't had anytime to get anything done on the layout due to coaching basketball. I really have to do something this weekend as I'm hosting on the 14th. Hope to see you tonight at Dale's.
Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Nice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Nice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
I used them on my last layout and they were great!
I will use 2 different grades.
The Razorback Traction Co. is pleased to announce that Phase II of the Howard Roark Memorial Storage Facility has been completed!
A pleased Fortescue J. Gi-raffe was on hand for the dedication, as Shop Superintendent Norma Bates Kitteh was off snoozing.
I went to refresh myself with a cold mug of iced tea, but when I returned:
Assistant Rolling Stock Manager Sylvia Siamese declined comment.
Mitch
Finished installing the "Dale's TMCC Signal Enhancing Magic Wire" and hooked it to the house wiring ground "green" wire in an outlet. Seems to work great .. or not at all. Locomotives run fine with or without it. Maybe there wasn't a problem to begin with. The one balky Atlas diesel was fixed somehow with the installation of Gunrunner's TMCC Battery Replacement. Doesn't drop the sound now. I'm still wondering about the TMCC signal thing. I have a six track yard with the tracks right next to each other, 10 feet long. All TMCC engines work in the yard area fine without signal problems and no "enhancement wire"....
Jdevleerjr posted:Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Nice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
I used them on my last layout and they were great!
I will use 2 different grades.
Woodland Scenics 4% Incline Set (4) WOOST1411
Woodland Scenics 3% Incline Set (6) WOOST1416
Nice looking! Is that 4 sets of 4% and 6 sets of 3%? I don't understand the (4) and (6).
Jdevleerjr posted:Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Nice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
I used them on my last layout and they were great!
I will use 2 different grades.
Woodland Scenics 4% Incline Set (4) WOOST1411
Woodland Scenics 3% Incline Set (6) WOOST1416
Many thanks for the information!!!!!
"Nice looking! Is that 4 sets of 4% and 6 sets of 3%? I don't understand the (4) and (6)."
Me neither, would you mind explaining what you did? TIA
Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before it is re-installed.
Nice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
Just asking, but isn't 4% or even 3% grade too much for most O gauge engines? If you have used them before, did the grade give you any problems? Did you run engines with speed control?
Jim
Bryan, now you make me feel bad. I held off as long as possible but had to get back to working on the layout. I will be at Dale's tonight. Anyways today I got the extra wood put in between the tables and laid down some more cork. The area is not quite done as to I will be adding another track but that has to wait because I have just about run out of cork. And I am back on my quest looking for some Weaver cars again which I may have found ones I don't have. Waiting for a email of his list. Anyways a couple of pics of what I did today...............Paul
Looking good Paul!
PAUL, now you made me feel bad. I did test layout in the corner, I have a Large Speaker obstacle that at first glance, 1. is not scale and 2. in the way for a planned HELIEX to tressle elevate section. I anxiously away Giraffe pens, Herd crossing signs, and well, a Gir-affe. Oh, and grade. I did not thin about grade.
yes, rank beginner. But, I wanted to show Eliott some progress...
Salute! 
carsntrains posted:Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before iice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
Just asking, but isn't 4% or even 3% grade too much for most O gauge engines? If you have used them before, did the grade give you any problems? Did you run engines with speed control?
Jim
No it's not. I ran locomotives with legacy cruise on my old layout and no issued at all. If you look at the Lionel incline sets they are about 6.5%!
That being said I'm going to return the 4% grade tomorrow and replace with a 3% one.
Jdevleerjr posted:carsntrains posted:Woodson posted:Jdevleerjr posted:Worked on the track today.
I dry fitted some Woodland Scenics 3% inclines. I am waiting for some of my curves to arrive on Monday to install and then I should have a complete loop. I hope to have the 1st train run by this time next week!
I will then remove all the track and weather it before iice.. What part numbers did you use??.. No hobby shops around, so I have to buy online..
Just asking, but isn't 4% or even 3% grade too much for most O gauge engines? If you have used them before, did the grade give you any problems? Did you run engines with speed control?
Jim
No it's not. I ran locomotives with legacy cruise on my old layout and no issued at all. If you look at the Lionel incline sets they are about 6.5%!
That being said I'm going to return the 4% grade tomorrow and replace with a 3% one.
I had a set of Lionel graduated trestles for Fastrack and none of my engines liked it. Called Lionel and they said they recommend no more than 2%, and that most engines they produce will not do well with the pier set they sell. I had figured an engine with speed control would work with 3 or 4 percent grade. You have to "drive" an engine without it. Pour on the coal going up, cut it back coming down. I found it odd that Lionel didn't recommend the graduated trestle set that they make.
Jim
Picked up a Railsounds tender at the train show last weekend. Here it is in action with the more than somewhat dubious assistance of Road Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh...
Note to Lionel: Add a "Stand by, giant kitteh on tracks" dialogue to the Railsounds tender...
Mitch
lol, I Want one...... tender with sound, pass on the norma cat
With grades it is important to remember to both start and finish the grade on a length of straight track, and NOT curves. The addition of curves before, after, or during a grade multiplies the percentage of a grade significantly. There is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. My maximum grade is 4.17%; it starts and ends with over a foot of straight track at each end and is over 7 feet long. This is the only photo i have of it and it is distorted as the total length of the incline on the left is 12 feet.
Miggy posted:lol, I Want one...... tender with sound, pass on the norma cat
(Norma regards Miggy with some indignation)
;D
Mitch
Mitch,
Those videos were hilarious. LMAO. You should give Norma the aka Sheldon. That's her spot and nobody goes in her spot.
Anything train related so I don't have to get under the layout and wire up those buildings.
I went down to Jones General Store here in the center of East Kingston NH. I was finished pumping gas when the Amtrak Downeaster went by heading north. Ok after lunch I'll head downstairs to the layout.
Norma Bates Kitteh rules !! Love it !!
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Picked up a Railsounds tender at the train show last weekend. Here it is in action with the more than somewhat dubious assistance of Road Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh...
Note to Lionel: Add a "Stand by, giant kitteh on tracks" dialogue to the Railsounds tender...
Mitch
Hilarious Mitch I've got two of my own...so far they have not found the layout.
modeltrainsparts posted:
With grades it is important to remember to both start and finish the grade on a length of straight track, and NOT curves. The addition of curves before, after, or during a grade multiplies the percentage of a grade significantly. There is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. My maximum grade is 4.17%; it starts and ends with over a foot of straight track at each end and is over 7 feet long. This is the only photo i have of it and it is distorted as the total length of the incline on the left is 12 feet.
Wish your picture would have worked! Any kind of grade takes up a lot of space. Even the 3% Woodland scenic grade is 12 feet long! Rising 4.5 inches. Learned a lot about "making the grade" this week!
Jim
This morning I painted the cork. Wife asked what I was doing to which I replied waiting for the paint to dry. She in turn said well since you have time on your hands why don't you do a load of laundry to which I replied yes. So everything worked out in the end and this afternoon I hope to lay some track down. The cork I left unpainted is where I am transitioning to dark yard siding ballast. Pics..........Paul
Looking Great Paul, you are one heck of a master builder to have to drill them big holes and use them big bolts to hold down your cork! I cant even see the bolt heads! LOL
Again I think its looking great!
Twelve Feet Long....? wth... so how about 5 feet, and total height is just what is needed for under clearance. Oh, and drawing circles... for curve radius. I am about to learn some stuff.
I appreciate the posts,
The 12 feet includes: half of the curve and some level track before the grade, the grade itself, and level track at the top of the grade before entering a turnout. Grades can take up quite a bit of linear space!
Nice Job Paul!. I just got 3 boxes in the mail, Great car, 2 switches, and curved track for my mini helix... my wife said, " What did you get in the mail today..MORE train stuff", to which I replied, Yup, Grand kids and I are working on a layout." "Are you tapering back now?"
(Wait, Whats that mean........)
modeltrainsparts posted:
With grades it is important to remember to both start and finish the grade on a length of straight track, and NOT curves. The addition of curves before, after, or during a grade multiplies the percentage of a grade significantly. There is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. My maximum grade is 4.17%; it starts and ends with over a foot of straight track at each end and is over 7 feet long. This is the only photo i have of it and it is distorted as the total length of the incline on the left is 12 feet.
Sometimes curves in grades are not avoidable ...
Right, they can be unavoidable, but remember a curve in a grade adds significantly to the percent of incline of the grade. As i mentioned in my original post, there is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. The engine is not only pulling the train up the grade, but also against the force of the curve that is essentially trying to push the train in a straight line.
modeltrainsparts posted:Right, they can be unavoidable, but remember a curve in a grade adds significantly to the percent of incline of the grade. As i mentioned in my original post, there is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. The engine is not only pulling the train up the grade, but also against the force of the curve that is essentially trying to push the train in a straight line.
Superelevation can help.. At least in my experience.. Of course all this is debatable.. I always do lots of testing before attaching anything permanently..
modeltrainsparts posted:Right, they can be unavoidable, but remember a curve in a grade adds significantly to the percent of incline of the grade. As i mentioned in my original post, there is a formula for this, but i can't find it right now. The engine is not only pulling the train up the grade, but also against the force of the curve that is essentially trying to push the train in a straight line.
Right. And in a curve the locked axles of an O scale model has the wheels fighting against each other. Just like the locked differential in a drag racing car. Turn a corner and the tires chirp. Or even worse break an axle.
Miggy.. You are right. That's 12 feet of incline plus an approach.
I rewired a spur I had done last month. Before I had ran buss wires. Saved about 6 feet of wire! : ) Looks a lot better too!
Jim
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Picked up a Railsounds tender at the train show last weekend. Here it is in action with the more than somewhat dubious assistance of Road Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh...
Note to Lionel: Add a "Stand by, giant kitteh on tracks" dialogue to the Railsounds tender...
Mitch
That's funny although she didn't look to impressed. Maybe it was the lack of Giraffes. Must be a cat thing Have the same issue with my daughters cat. But then again she thinks she is a dog. ( Have two a German Shepard who also likes to lay on the track and a mix breed )
Miggy posted:Oh Boy, Great analogy. It really clicked with the straight axle race car.
my complicated Helix Corner.
Quick question, Carpet Central or are you just working the kinks out of the track plan?
I actually got a lot done today. I have about 90% of the track temporary laid. Unfortunately I will need to buy a few more O42 curves and that will have to wait until payday next week.
I didn't get a lot done. 2 hour trek to the Hobby shop and back home after work. Got the 1 1/4 piece of track I needed. Decided to get a spare 1 3/4 piece also! Took back the operating/uncoupling track I bought and got a 1994 Mickey Mouse MOOOOVER bobbing boxcar instead. Pretty good trade I'd say! LOL Got home and reconfigured my 2nd spur, isolated it and wired it to a switch for power. Worked out well. Now I can park 2 trains with engines on the inner loop while running a train on the inner loop and outer loop! YEEEE HAAAAAAAAA!
Jim
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