Learn about Marine Rail Operation
Lot of photos here -
@pennsyfan posted:A new start that’s great! Will you be changing the lighting?
Yes, lighting will have to be upgraded. It’s very dark in there. And the unfortunately the wood stove stays, but it is a side-loader, so that helps some. After new flooring goes in I’ll decide if the ceiling will go flat black or stay white.
Now back to my regularly scheduled program….unloading boxes 😕
The transfer bridge reminds me of the old ferry dock on Whidbey Island when I was a kid.
@SIRT posted:That is the structure built by master craftsman Edward Bommer. Acts as a (pontoon)
Install is finished along with extra water front décor. Stay toon.
Thank you
Sorry to belabor this; but this is what I found when I searched for a RR transfer bridge.
@trestleking posted:Yes, lighting will have to be upgraded. It’s very dark in there. And the unfortunately the wood stove stays, but it is a side-loader, so that helps some. After new flooring goes in I’ll decide if the ceiling will go flat black or stay white.
Now back to my regularly scheduled program….unloading boxes 😕
A mini split for heat and AC will free up space and eliminate cleaning out ashes.
Once I get done with the deadrail conversion I hope to never have to crawl under my layout again . 
but we all know that saying. , never say never 
@pennsyfan posted:Sorry to belabor this; but this is what I found when I searched for a RR transfer bridge.
Putnam division, I used two part epoxy 20 yrs ago when I first built my Korber RH. When I came back two yrs ago to upgrade it with upper windows and lighting the epoxy lost its grip. I ended up doing over with the same. It failed on the wooden supports and were the supports connected to the model. That told me nothing is permanent. Hopefully you won’t have to do any major work on it later in years. It’s looking good. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
obx.
@pennsyfan posted:Sorry to belabor this; but this is what I found when I searched for a RR transfer bridge.
Pennsyfan, the links SIRT gave are great. This page will give you all you’d ever want on transfer bridges and car floats -
@SIRT fabulous modeling of the transfer bridge and car float. No need to do this in the Midwest as far as I know. The link was great.
Was back and forth on TPRR2 with the upper level and cleaning the lower yard track. Everything runs fine and I realized I have a runaround if needed on the spur rack running to the upper level. After all that, I am going to take the track up and lay in un-coupler electromagnets on 3 sections to enable switching operations. Never thought I would do that.
I've posted a bit on this layout map using Touch Toggles from Berrett Hill. The lighted toggles mount directly behind the layout map using double faced Scotch Tape. They plug into a controller which triggers the Tortoise Switches. Touching the surface above the toggle interrupts the light emitted triggering the switch motor. LEDs then switch color. Now all I need is a graphic artist to put some pizzazz into the layout map.
Really interesting discussion with the owner today. These toggles work with certain O switch machines but not all. Works great on Tortoises, Atlas and DZ1000, but won't work with the DZ2500 machines. Now for the real catch, DCS is fine, but the radio signal emitted by TMCC and Legacy reeks havoc on the touch toggles electronics - they won't work in a TMCC environment. Since I only have a couple of TMCC controlled locos, not a big issue for me. Reportedly - a solution is on its way with a modification of the toggles.
More photos on the TPRR pages.
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Looks great, Jeff! Yes a more professional looking panel will be nice, but this one looks great and gets the job done!!
Steve, the transfer bridge looks even better now! Yes, I’m only familiar with Appalachian operations, so this was an interesting operation to model.
All I have done is some pre painting on a small laser cut kit. I didn’t take any photographs, but will when I start assembly.
Good evening everyone! I hope you all are doing well and healthy.
Made it back from my graduation this past Monday and began work last night on a switch tower.
Taking inspiration from a Lionel switch tower I began building the base.
Today, I came back to it by adding a ladder and upper hand rails. I made both out of toothpicks.
Then came the walls. Two of the walls have large bay windows that will look out to the yard. The other two walls look away from the yard so they did not get any large windows.
I finished the building with a roof and a quick spray of paint. It now sits at the mouth of the yard looking down at the in bound and out bound trains.
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Congratulations on your commencement, that’s an awesome accomplishment. The tower will be a good commemoration of that.
@trestleking posted:
Back to square one ! We moved into our new house & the train room is 11’ x 20’. I would like more room, but this will suffice. First task is to get the old carpet yanked out & new flooring installed.
Rich in WV
Morning Rich everyone has great questions on what your going to do first with your new room, from stove, carpet, lighting. I have to thoughts,1) I sure hope the baseboard heating is going away as it can get $$$$! Next I hope you keep the rolling stool! LOL
Either way have a blast with your new play area and I will be keeping an eye open for your updates!
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:A mini split for heat and AC will free up space and eliminate cleaning out ashes.
@trestleking Rich, I have a mini split in my train room and it works great! Nice and warm in the winter and nice and cool in the summer! Not that spendy either!
Morning/afternoo guys and gals,
Nothing new from me lately as I have been still doing a little wiring here and there. No photos but I did get 2 sidings wired up to my AIU and right now have 2 more to do then about 10 switches! LOL
@ScoutingDad wow Jeff great looking progress! I wish mine looked that good! LOL Maybe one day!
@Trainmaster04 great job on the control tower! It is always nice to see home built/ scratch built stuff!
I am not sure how much I am going to get done, but plan on more wiring today unless the CEO has different ideas! I really haven't had much train time since she retired! LOL
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
Well, technically off the layout, but in trying to get my new el cheapo 3D printer running, I did an articulated letter train for my granddaughter, painted it, and fabricated a holder for it out of some scraps and leftover landscaping materials:
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Good evening everyone!
I got two more projects done today. The first being a caboose yard office. A friend gave me a broken k-line caboose and I finally decided to make use of it. I did nothing much to it but add some base boards to it.
The second project is a bunk shack for crews. Simple little structure to allow crews to wash up and get some rest.
Both structures now reside next to the yard in a once empty field. I plan on making one more building for this area before I call it good.
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Trainmaster04, You are on a roll since commencement. Way to go!
Finally finished my clear arched Bridge. I thought this clear bridge would add an interesting component to our layout. It is made of 1/8 inch plexiglass. It is 3ft long and about 19 inches tall at the spires. I also cut clear track ties for a piece of GarGraves Track to make the bridge as clear as possible and added a silver center rail. I have posted pictures of bridges that I laser cut in the past that I made from 1/8 inch Masonite and these bridges are somewhat easy to assemble compared to the plexiglass one which was a pain to get right with out marring the surfaces or creating smudges.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
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Idea-thinker, that is quite a unique and beautiful bridge!!
@idea-thinker posted:Finally finished my clear arched Bridge. I thought this clear bridge would add an interesting component to our layout.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
BRAVO I. T.
Morning guys and gals, I hope your all having a wonderful weekend!
@Steve Tyler Steve nice job, I am guessing your granddaughter is just going to love it!
@Trainmaster04 Isn't it funny how some of the simplest things really add a nice touch to a layout!
@idea-thinker WOW Just AMAZING!
Sorry no train work for me today as the CEO already has plans for me! LOL
I hope everyone finds time to have fun with their layouts and trains today!
@mike g. posted:Morning guys and gals, I hope your all having a wonderful weekend!
@Steve Tyler Steve nice job, I am guessing your granddaughter is just going to love it!
@Trainmaster04 Isn't it funny how some of the simplest things really add a nice touch to a layout!
@idea-thinker WOW Just AMAZING!
Sorry no train work for me today as the CEO already has plans for me! LOL
I hope everyone finds time to have fun with their layouts and trains today!
I'm hoping to get some time in the train room, Mike! Until I get a little more mobility to wire up the last 3 DZ1000s, I have another project I haven't presented yet. 
Good morning Mark and all you other fine folks. Mark, I can't wait to see what other wonderful projects you have been hiding from us! 
I went out to the train room just to try out my 2 section of track I wired into my AIU and relays. I have power to the AIU as you can see in the photo below I have 12.34v to the relays. I programmed acc1 and acc2 as track 1 and track 2. When I push the button on the remote I can hear the AIU internal clicking, but nothing changes at the relays.
Please help if you can before I move on! LOL
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Mike, I do not see the power lead going to the white daisy chain. You can tap off the same power supply you used for the relays. Use the positive lead of the 12 volt supply.
Oh ok, I thought the AIU got its power from the cable you made me.
I will have to look at your drawing and photos you and Bill sent me.
@mike g. posted:Oh ok, I thought the AIU got its power from the cable you made me.
I will have to look at your drawing and photos you and Bill sent me.
Yes, well, there has to be a voltage on one side of the AIU contacts so that when they close, the voltage is passed on to the relay board for the specified relay.
@idea-thinker posted:Finally finished my clear arched Bridge. I thought this clear bridge would add an interesting component to our layout. It is made of 1/8 inch plexiglass. It is 3ft long and about 19 inches tall at the spires. I also cut clear track ties for a piece of GarGraves Track to make the bridge as clear as possible and added a silver center rail. I have posted pictures of bridges that I laser cut in the past that I made from 1/8 inch Masonite and these bridges are somewhat easy to assemble compared to the plexiglass one which was a pain to get right with out marring the surfaces or creating smudges.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Stunning! Love it! Unique, Great job!
What else can I say?
My clear Lionel F3 set would look fantastic on it!
@idea-thinker posted:Finally finished my clear arched Bridge. I thought this clear bridge would add an interesting component to our layout. It is made of 1/8 inch plexiglass. It is 3ft long and about 19 inches tall at the spires. I also cut clear track ties for a piece of GarGraves Track to make the bridge as clear as possible and added a silver center rail. I have posted pictures of bridges that I laser cut in the past that I made from 1/8 inch Masonite and these bridges are somewhat easy to assemble compared to the plexiglass one which was a pain to get right with out marring the surfaces or creating smudges.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
I concur with John. That’s so unique and original.
Lionelski made mention that his clear Lionel F3's would good on the my new bridge so I thought I would share those as well. Great idea Lionelski.
Below are photos of Clear Engines and Cars from Lionel and MTH.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
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I completed the instillation of auxiliary air tanks. The DM&IR railroad placed extra air tanks high on the boilers of several steam locomotives. Extra air was needed to safely descend the 2.2% Proctor Hill grade to reach the ore docks in West Duluth. Ore jennies are short cars so a long string of cars will have more wheels to brake compared to a train of similar length with 40' cars. They also relocated the air filters high on the boilers to move them further away from road ore dust. My #1326 Mikado is now ready to safely make the trip to the Duluth ore docks.
Happy Saturday!
Cheer, Dave
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Hi guys looking good!
Dave that sure is a sharp looking engine!
Mark, just wondering if there might be a good time I could call you tomorrow late morning or early afternoon?
@mike g. posted:Hi guys looking good!
Dave that sure is a sharp looking engine!
Mark, just wondering if there might be a good time I could call you tomorrow late morning or early afternoon?
Yes, that sounds fine, Mike.
NMRA MCR DIV 7 meeting and layout visit.
I wanted a different car for my military train, so I got from Trainz a new and super cheap Menards 279-3449 Army flatcar with Army Van, and an Atlantis plastic model set that includes a 1/48 scale Piasecki H25 Army Mule helicopter and a 1/48 Sherman tank. The Sherman tank I'll assemble later to replace the too-modern-for-me tank on a Menards car I got earlier. For now, I'm replacing the modern van on the new Menards car with the Piasecki helicopter. I painted the solid green deck of the flatcar to look weathered. Then I cut 4 of the 6 rotor blades and glued them in a prototypical folded configuration on the twin rotors. I added decidedly non-prototypical and unworkable styrene struts between the blades near the hub just for strength. I also added fuselage side windows that were not part of this vintage reissue kit. I still must paint the helicopter, but double-checking that it fits through my truss bridge I discovered that the landing gear is too wide, so I'll somehow fix that.
John
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@idea-thinker posted:Lionelski made mention that his clear Lionel F3's would good on the my new bridge so I thought I would share those as well. Great idea Lionelski.
This reminds me of an ice sculpture. A dream vision in plexiglas. Beautiful work, Idea-Thinker. Ditto to all the other adjectives already used.
John
@John's Trains posted:I wanted a different car for my military train, so I got from Trainz a new and super cheap Menards 279-3449 Army flatcar with Army Van, and an Atlantis plastic model set that includes a 1/48 scale Piasecki H25 Army Mule helicopter and a 1/48 Sherman tank. The Sherman tank I'll assemble later to replace the too-modern-for-me tank on a Menards car I got earlier. For now, I'm replacing the modern van on the new Menards car with the Piasecki helicopter. I painted the solid green deck of the flatcar to look weathered. Then I cut 4 of the 6 rotor blades and glued them in a prototypical folded configuration on the twin rotors. I added decidedly non-prototypical and unworkable styrene struts between the blades near the hub just for strength. I also added fuselage side windows that were not part of this vintage reissue kit. I still must paint the helicopter, but double-checking that it fits through my truss bridge I discovered that the landing gear is too wide, so I'll somehow fix that.
John
That’s a really nice job on the flatcar and helicopter load, John!
I've been home-ridden due to covid for the past week, so I've taken a little time each day to some minor maintenance on my trains. Mainly lubricating
@Hebanator posted:I've been home-ridden due to covid for the past week, so I've taken a little time each day to some minor maintenance on my trains. Mainly lubricating
Be well keep on training.
