What did you do on your layout today?

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

I test fit the xmas tree holder. Used wood skewer cuttings to index the stand. Looks like I'll have to paint them black also. Still putting off "winterizing" that mountain/hill. Still haven't decided how to proceed with it. Too much work to make another winter one I think. Probably just "gofurit" at some point. Ideas??

 

Ted- Judging by what you've done so far, go for it. I'm sure the mountain will look great.

I ballasted a section of my FT last night just to see how I like it. Looks good so the rest will get done soon.

Bob

Golf, trains, golf, trains...  Don't forget, trains awhile, then play a round or two of golf.   

I just played Friday

You know Ted I was doing just fine with golf and trains! Then my brother-in-law threw in fishing and the wife loves fishing! So now its trains, golf, then Fishing! at least no fishing or golf for me in the winter! LOL

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

I test fit the xmas tree holder. Used wood skewer cuttings to index the stand. Looks like I'll have to paint them black also. Still putting off "winterizing" that mountain/hill. Still haven't decided how to proceed with it. Too much work to make another winter one I think. Probably just "gofurit" at some point. Ideas??

 

Ted- Judging by what you've done so far, go for it. I'm sure the mountain will look great.

I ballasted a section of my FT last night just to see how I like it. Looks good so the rest will get done soon.

Bob

Golf, trains, golf, trains...  Don't forget, trains awhile, then play a round or two of golf.   

I just played Friday

You know Ted I was doing just fine with golf and trains! Then my brother-in-law threw in fishing and the wife loves fishing! So now its trains, golf, then Fishing! at least no fishing or golf for me in the winter! LOL

Is this how you fish Mike?

 

LOL Ted I am not that young! But it sure is fun to watch! LOL

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- could it be voltage drop due to the longer wire? That would be the first thing I'd check.

Bob

That's what I was thinking. I've added close to 50' of length to those 22 gauge wires. Simply rerouting them could cut off most of that length. That's about a one to two hour long project.

I have 26 and some 28 ga wire powering ROSS turnouts, wire runs 30+ feet with no ill effects.  New wire for new turnouts is 22ga with no noticeable operating differences.

Kerrigan posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- could it be voltage drop due to the longer wire? That would be the first thing I'd check.

Bob

That's what I was thinking. I've added close to 50' of length to those 22 gauge wires. Simply rerouting them could cut off most of that length. That's about a one to two hour long project.

I have 26 and some 28 ga wire powering ROSS turnouts, wire runs 30+ feet with no ill effects.  New wire for new turnouts is 22ga with no noticeable operating differences.

I was running about 55' before I moved the panel, no problems, but the move nearly doubled that. It's no longer necessary to follow the old wire route, since a much more direct route is available. The system works off a DC ground. The +24VDC is brought to the relay panel via 12 gauge wire as is the ground. The 12 gauge ground wire continues over the doorway and directly to the control panel where it supplies all the devices on the panel. Those individual control lines go back over the doorway in the phone cable with its 22 gauge wires. At that point, the lines controlling relays end their run. It's the turnout control lines that have to go the distance back to a different panel. That's where the distance factor comes into play.

ChessieMD posted:

Continuing to scenic and detail the layout. I found a great animal skull online and had to find a home for it on the layout.  I have been working from the right side to the left side of the layout over the past few months, finally reached the trestle/lake area. Placed Arizona rock and sand on the mountain overlooking the lake this morning (sand is dark in the photo below due to wet water and matte medium). Will be concentrating in this area over the next few months. Installed telephone poles as well, will string up EZ-line when scenery is complete. Have been adding other details such as a battery vault near the CWI signal...will be adding alot more details as the months roll on. Fairly pleased at how all of this has turned out so far.

 

The scenery is looking great!!  I really like the details like the skull, but the overall effect with that great backdrop is to be complimented.  I have an iPhone 6s as my only camera, and they certainly take pretty good photos!

Wow, so many neat scenes, ideas, and wiring experts, all working together for the fun of the hobby...A few pictures for your review, Enjoy.

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

TedW posted:

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

 

Looking great. I used non slip stair tread for my roads and parking lot.

Ted,

I use 220 grit sandpaper cut to fit, and sprayed on the back side with 3M contact adhesive to make my roads and parking lots.

Thx, I'll take a look at the stair tread and sandpaper.  

Nothing today.  Yesterday a visiting colleague saw the layout and absolutely loved it!!  She's encouraging/supporting her husband's love of trains and he will begin building a layout as soon as they move to their new house. 

TedW posted:

Thx, I'll take a look at the stair tread and sandpaper.  

Hi TedW, If this is helpful for you, here are examples of the 3M stair tread being utilized in various layout scenes I crafted...

,,,and here, below, at the entrance gates, especially viewable, but also used inside the enclosure...

FrankM.

Moonson and I both used 3M stair tread as a base for our roads and parking lots. I weathered mine with a weathered black and then added some powered grey chalk to simulate sun bleaching. One work of caution. The glue on the backside is very unforgiving....once it's down....it's down.

gandydancer1950 posted:

TedW posted:

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

 

Looking great. I used non slip stair tread for my roads and parking lot.

I made roads out of thin corrugated cardboard (cereal boxes), and sprayed it with a textured black rattle can paint. A little line of black paint makes the seams look like tar filled joints.

trumptrain posted:

Nothing today.  Yesterday a visiting colleague saw the layout and absolutely loved it!!  She's encouraging/supporting her husband's love of trains and he will begin building a layout as soon as they move to their new house. 

And another one is drawn to the dark side.....

I have a Std. gauge IVES box cab engine, 3236, with a cast frame on my loop of track with my "transition" car that has a Lionel tank car with an Ives coupler on one  end and a Lionel on the other. Coupled to it are two Lionel freights plus a caboose. The 3236 is the smoothest running Standard gauge engine I have. Just glides around the track. Amazing how enjoyable a 6'x6' loop of track can be.

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

 

LOL Ted- Unfortunately had to call in work (as opposed to call in sick) today. Its a rain out in NY today anyway.

Bob

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Good to converse with you again, TedW. I must add that I really like the way GD1950 added the weathering factor to his use of the 3M. I am going to adopt his technique where I feel the added wear-and-tear and faded look would seem most fitting.

We both cautioned you about the bonding power of the 3M tape. I don't imagine its adhesive would have a corrosive effect on your foam, but I am very, very sure it would forbid any re-application once pressed - or even just lightly rested - into place.

FrankM

TEDW,

As to parking lot and road material, I used "Darice 2mm black foam sheet" (available from craft/fabric stores) in 11.8" X 17.7" sheets.

Please see the photo attached.

This material is very easy to cut, can be glued to any surface with white glue, and seems are virtually invisible.

I lightly spayed the surface with Rust-oleum multicolor textured paint "Aged Iron" to create the look of asphalt.

"Cracks" can be added with a large sewing needle and the material can easily be weathered with chalks and/or diluted acrylic paints.

"Tire tracks" can be added using a pencil eraser.

Auto pinstriping tape can be added and the finished project should be sealed with matte spray or dullcote.

'Hope this helps.

HMorgan125 posted:

TEDW,

As to parking lot and road material, I used "Darice 2mm black foam sheet" (available from craft/fabric stores) in 11.8" X 17.7" sheets.

Please see the photo attached.

This material is very easy to cut, can be glued to any surface with white glue, and seems are virtually invisible.

I lightly spayed the surface with Rust-oleum multicolor textured paint "Aged Iron" to create the look of asphalt.

"Cracks" can be added with a large sewing needle and the material can easily be weathered with chalks and/or diluted acrylic paints.

"Tire tracks" can be added using a pencil eraser.

Auto pinstriping tape can be added and the finished project should be sealed with matte spray or dullcote.

'Hope this helps.

Your application looks very nice.  I need to go to Hobby Lobby today, I will look at that product. Given my use of foam base, it may be more forgiving in my application. Thx for the idea.  Ted

Hobby Lobby may not carry this material (Darice Foamies 2mm)....You may want to try Joann Fabrics in the childrens' school supply area if they have a store where you live.

HMorgan125 posted:

Hobby Lobby may not carry this material (Darice Foamies 2mm)....You may want to try Joann Fabrics in the childrens' school supply area if they have a store where you live.

 

Thx. My wife is there as I write this. Texted her the info. Let's see if she can handle it!    

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

 

Yes, I used auto pinstriping of various widths in white and yellow.

I don't do much on my layout as I need to get a few things to finish up the track work, that I have not been able to purchase yet. Though I do enjoy looking at what others do. 

I am still trying to figure out exactly how I am going to do my small town and the road way. I am trying to figure out what I can use to put a road down with crossings, but not have the road permanently attached to the track, since I am fairly certain that once we are able to get all of my wife's fathers items out of the basement that was all stored there after he passed away(one of the reasons my layout is named J & SO Lines).

 Any other options for roadways and parking areas and other such items. I don't think it will be a big deal with the roadway not over the crossing, since I will more than likely get rid of my bench work I currently have and go with some type of modular bench work when I can build my bigger layout. Mainly wondering about grade crossings.

TedW posted:

 What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot.

Admittedly, it's a little tough on the scenery, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs... 

Mitch

Stick with what you got Mitch. You need greenery for your herd of geraffe to graze. We can't starve the little buggers. Lol

Mike

When I first started scenery, there was one area that I had made into a grassy field. Then, I changed my mind decided it should be the parking area for a little Flagstop. I got lazy when I did that, by putting gravel over top of the pre-existing ground foam. So, the end result was done with rather coarse gravel, and it looked very spongy. That always bothered me. So, today, I took a scraping tool and removed the entire section. Then, I put down very fine gravel, with some grass over top of that. I think it looks tremendously better than it was before.

At this point, I'm just waiting for the glue mix to dry, so I can later place the figures, a truck and a bench with lanterns on it.

This is what it looked like before:

Country Joe posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Carl Machen posted:

My son in law has been playing around with LEDS and automobiles. today we installed a fire engine with all kind of lights and a fire chief car in a MTH fire house. it turn out great and I hoe he will be back tomorrow and show me how to post a video of it in operation. doing all I can to get ready for next Saturday when the train club comes to my house to see my trains for the first time. trying to tidey up things. i hope pictures and video follow tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Am I the only one who can't see Carl's photos?

Sounds like you have a nice layout Carl, I would love to see the pix. Bob

I'm another one that can't see Carl's photos. I just see a white box that says, "Image Not Found".

 I do not know what i'm doing wrong with these pictures. when I look up my post I see all the pictures I posted. please tell what to do as i do not do computers very well. I will take all the help I can get. I'm very sorry about all my pictures. I can try to post the pictures again if you like. Please let me know thanks 

Hey Carl, I hope you or someone else can figure it out. I can't wait to see your work as it sounds really neat!

Mike

I think I figured it out so I'm going to try and post the pictures of the fire house with the flashing lights on the fire truck and the fire chiefs car. if this works I will repost the fuel farm pictures to.

i will now try to do the esso oil farm i just finished last week. 

Abolutely worth the wait. I love it Carl !!! Glad you figured it out as I'm sure everyone else will be glad to see your work too!

Mike

Took some photos tonight and ran trains.

They came through great Carl and look equally as cool.

Mike

Very nice Patrick !

Mike

running my Erie Alcos.......

thanks to all the good replys. now all I need to do is remember what I did. I'm getting to old for this stuff

These are my photos of my portable layout, O scale, S scale, Ho scale and N scale.....

Yesterday got back to the layout and started putting down track on the last table built. Hope to get back to it today but it is the second Tuesday of the month and once again it is lunch out with a bunch of TCA guys. After that I plan to stop at one of the guys houses and take a few pics of his coal mine to see when I get home if it will work in a spot I am thinking of on the table and build it....................Paul

Carl Machen posted:

i will now try to do the esso oil farm i just finished last week. 

Well worth the wait Carl. The layout looks great. Keep the photos coming.

Bob

Carl, the pictures were definitely worth waiting for. I hope you remember how you did it so you can post more. Your layout looks fabulous.

Patrick and Gandydancer, excellent pictures of fine layouts.

Progress on my layout:

I somehow injured my right arm and wasn't able to work on the layout for a while. My doctor said it could have happened while sleeping. He prescribed a muscle relaxer and heat and that did the trick. While not quite 100% yet the arm is much better and I did some spackling on the hill. This is how it looks right now. I probably won't be able to make much progress for the rest of the month. Our daughter-in-law and two grandkids are arriving this week and staying through next and then our daughter and two grandkids come right after so I'll be otherwise occupied for the rest of the month.

Got the sides of the fastrack ballasted on the engine yard. Looks much better than the shiny plastic. Still deciding if I want to gravel the rest or make it asphalt. Not sure about buildings or accessories yet either. I've got my eye on a small yard shed from Woodland Scenic on Dabay.

Bob

The ballast looks great, Bob. What ballast did you use? I've been thinking of ballasting my FasTrack and I like the way yours looks.

Added custom street lights 

Country Joe posted:

The ballast looks great, Bob. What ballast did you use? I've been thinking of ballasting my FasTrack and I like the way yours looks.

I did mine I am about to weather the rails 

Country Joe posted:

The ballast looks great, Bob. What ballast did you use? I've been thinking of ballasting my FasTrack and I like the way yours looks.

I found it at Michael's Art and Craft Supplies. Its gravel for silk flower arrangements. Comes in brown and black too.

http://www.michaels.com/stone-...mp;sz=24&start=1

Bob

Joe- Here's my team track area with a mix of both brown and gray gravel. The black track ballast is also planter gravel from Dollar Tree.

Bob

Here is mine still working on it 

I was able to add a few more pieces of track to the table. I had laundry to do so while it was washing I figured kill two birds with one stone.......yes that's right I do the laundry LOL. But it comes with train perks. Anyways a couple of pics. After I get back from lunch maybe I can finish off the track and start sliding it into place...........Paul

fl9turbo2 posted:

Added custom street lights 

Very nice.  Did you custom make them?  If not where did you get them?  Thanks.

paul 2 posted:

I was able to add a few more pieces of track to the table. I had laundry to do so while it was washing I figured kill two birds with one stone.......yes that's right I do the laundry LOL. But it comes with train perks. Anyways a couple of pics. After I get back from lunch maybe I can finish off the track and start sliding it into place...........Paul

Looking good Paul! Don't eat to much at lunch as you might have to squeeze into the small area all so!

Matt, your street lights look great! I really like the little town you have going there!

decoynh posted:

fl9turbo2 posted:

Added custom street lights 

Very nice.  Did you custom make them?  If not where did you get them?  Thanks.

I had NJ international make them for me,  I received several of them not working from Eliot Scher when he sold his old layout , I  always liked them I asked NJ if they could do them and they did now I think they want to start selling them, They are all LED so I am using 4.5 volt dc power supply I will have a total of 40 when they are finshed

fl9turbo2 posted:

That scene looks great, but is it me or does the street simply end on a cliff?

Thanks Bob, I will look for it the next time I'm in Michael's. The ballast really improves the look of FasTrack.

Thanks FL9. Your track, and layout, look fabulous.

p51 posted:

fl9turbo2 posted:

That scene looks great, but is it me or does the street simply end on a cliff?

I have more to come on that end I am in the process of adding the construction crew and machinery on that end I want to make it look like they are building the road or maybe a bridge

p51 posted:

fl9turbo2 posted:

That scene looks great, but is it me or does the street simply end on a cliff?

That's where the local youth play chicken with stolen cars. I think I see James Dean eyeing one of the cars.

paul 2 posted:

I was able to add a few more pieces of track to the table. I had laundry to do so while it was washing I figured kill two birds with one stone.......yes that's right I do the laundry LOL. But it comes with train perks. Anyways a couple of pics. After I get back from lunch maybe I can finish off the track and start sliding it into place...........Paul

Looking great Paul !!! Do you have dish pan hands too ?    LOL

Another ballast possibility for Lionel Fastrack:

I used Brennan's Better Ballast, Original Gray, from Brennan's Model Railroading.  One 5 pound bag was more than enough to complete my current 5 foot x 10 foot layout with 72 feet of track.

That looks great HMORGAN ! The three trail track has always bothered me but what you and others have done to enhance it, makes it so much more tollerable.

Thanks;

Mike

paul 2 posted:

I was able to add a few more pieces of track to the table. I had laundry to do so while it was washing I figured kill two birds with one stone.......yes that's right I do the laundry LOL. But it comes with train perks. Anyways a couple of pics. After I get back from lunch maybe I can finish off the track and start sliding it into place...........Paul

No shame in doing laundry Paul, I do my own and then some too. At least you will be able to run trains while waiting for a load of whites to finish

Carl Machen posted:

thanks to all the good replys. now all I need to do is remember what I did. I'm getting to old for this stuff

Carl,

Well worth the wait!  Yes, I often forget what I did to get something to work on the computer  

Country Joe posted:

Carl, the pictures were definitely worth waiting for. I hope you remember how you did it so you can post more. Your layout looks fabulous.

Patrick and Gandydancer, excellent pictures of fine layouts.

Progress on my layout:

I somehow injured my right arm and wasn't able to work on the layout for a while. My doctor said it could have happened while sleeping. He prescribed a muscle relaxer and heat and that did the trick. While not quite 100% yet the arm is much better and I did some spackling on the hill. This is how it looks right now. I probably won't be able to make much progress for the rest of the month. Our daughter-in-law and two grandkids are arriving this week and staying through next and then our daughter and two grandkids come right after so I'll be otherwise occupied for the rest of the month.

Joe,

I hope the arm feels better soon!  I have to take a muscle relaxer all the time.  Seems odd, but it helps.  Have a great time with the children!!

RSJB18 posted:

Got the sides of the fastrack ballasted on the engine yard. Looks much better than the shiny plastic. Still deciding if I want to gravel the rest or make it asphalt. Not sure about buildings or accessories yet either. I've got my eye on a small yard shed from Woodland Scenic on Dabay.

Bob

 

Looks great, Bob!!!

I got three trains running trying to get ready for this Saturday when the club comes to see my layout for the first time. i'm so nervise for thing to go right. cleaned the heck out all the track. I have a friend coming over to operate the trains while I minger around. I got my tools together so I can go over to a friends house and wire up some miller  engineering signs for him. this should be good with the blind leading the blind. either way i will have fun.

Carl Machen posted:

I got three trains running trying to get ready for this Saturday when the club comes to see my layout for the first time. i'm so nervise for thing to go right. cleaned the heck out all the track. I have a friend coming over to operate the trains while I minger around. I got my tools together so I can go over to a friends house and wire up some miller  engineering signs for him. this should be good with the blind leading the blind. either way i will have fun.

Carl, being prepared is what you are doing for Saturday. You'll have a great time having your friends look at your layout. You'll blow 'em up 

Mark Boyce posted:

Country Joe posted:

Carl, the pictures were definitely worth waiting for. I hope you remember how you did it so you can post more. Your layout looks fabulous.

Patrick and Gandydancer, excellent pictures of fine layouts.

Progress on my layout:

I somehow injured my right arm and wasn't able to work on the layout for a while. My doctor said it could have happened while sleeping. He prescribed a muscle relaxer and heat and that did the trick. While not quite 100% yet the arm is much better and I did some spackling on the hill. This is how it looks right now. I probably won't be able to make much progress for the rest of the month. Our daughter-in-law and two grandkids are arriving this week and staying through next and then our daughter and two grandkids come right after so I'll be otherwise occupied for the rest of the month.

Joe,

I hope the arm feels better soon!  I have to take a muscle relaxer all the time.  Seems odd, but it helps.  Have a great time with the children!!

Thanks Mark. The arm is much better. The muscle relaxer and heat did the trick.

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Got the sides of the fastrack ballasted on the engine yard. Looks much better than the shiny plastic. Still deciding if I want to gravel the rest or make it asphalt. Not sure about buildings or accessories yet either. I've got my eye on a small yard shed from Woodland Scenic on Dabay.

Bob

 

Looks great, Bob!!!

Thanks Mark. Funny how I used to hate winter (well I still hate the cold and snow),  but now I am looking forward to having no outdoor chores and more time to work on the layout.

Bob

some more cleaning up in train room....

layout area's are almost totally cleared off, except for the diorama area....

and under the layout is almost cleaned up also...getting there finally....

now time to clean off the slot car track and get them running....

time to repaint the door from the ol' car days.....

might save it and stud this wall in and reuse this door on the new car garage.....

kinda like it, memories of the car room.....

on the upper level area....

 started mocking up the track for the yard area.....

Brian,

The layout room looks neat as a pin!  You have a lot of great space to work with.  I have some 1/24 scale cars I built back in the late 70s-early 80s (all classics from the 50s and earlier) that are in plastic cases in a couple cupboards for safe keeping.  Looking forward to seeing what you do with your space!

Full speed ahead Brian!

thanks guys, a couple more good days of cleaning up, do not want anything in this room but trains.....then cut in the new doorway to the tool room, then i should be able to concentrate on the layout and start getting some track work going on.....

Brian,

I love the blank slate room. Must be amazing to stand there, pondering all the impressive stuff you're going to eventually get in there, isn't it?

Finished the last snow pile/berm/whatever. Turned out ok I guess. Still wish I had a water tower or something more interesting. Someday maybe. Cut and stained some ties to scatter inbetween the tracks. Course I made the rookie mistake of gluing them first.  Stooopid as my kid would say.  (Glued parts don't take the stain)  Oh well, on to the next project. 

PONDERING.....yes, sometimes fun, confusing, and even flustrating all at the same time. spent a lot of time sitting "pondering" what i am going to do and how to make it happen, made many changes along the way....still all fun...

it will be a 2 track main line, point to point, with yards and return loops at each end for continuous running.....

there will be anther level in between these two levels.....trying to keep approx. 24" between levels.....giving me 3 main levels....

still need to get all that wood out of that corner, so i can get the platform finished in that area...

how to get from the bottom to the top level.....the layout will be multi-leveled,  basically a 24' x40' helix around the room @ 1-2% grades, plus i have the 8'x30' room that i will incorporate into the layout, i also am planning another  8'x30' room addition off the back of building, been getting the yard ready, hopefully will start on that addition this spring...

I keep thinking about what I am going to do when I am able to do whenever I can get the basement all to my train layout, minus a couple of areas, so I am always thinking of what I could do in the future, not really sure what I am going to do on my current layout.

Things are looking very nice there Brian! Keep up the good and all your post!

Today I got the rest of the track down on the table. I never end track at the table edge I always stop short so that way I do not have any track joints on the seam of the two tables.  I was going to start sliding it into place but then decided as an after thought to put a painted Masonite panel on the back. It wasn't that I was worried about cars falling off the back it was more in the line of blocking the view to the basement wall. So with an early start tomorrow morning I'll start setting the table in place and at the same time keeping my fingers crossed that I made it the right size. Pics......Paul

Looks great Paul! Don't you hate it when the little piece on the outside of the track with wooden tie's breaks off? I use to keep a small box of them just to glue back in place!

I sure do Mike. I try my best to keep from breaking a lot of them. I usually just take some black paint I use for sidings and dab it on with a Q-tip...............Paul

paul 2 posted:

I sure do Mike. I try my best to keep from breaking a lot of them. I usually just take some black paint I use for sidings and dab it on with a Q-tip...............Paul

Just wondering do you free hand your bends or do you use a jig?

Mike, I have been doing the curves on this layout free hand so far. I take my time bending a little bit at a time...Paul

I spent the last couple days chipping away at a bunch of projects.

One small one was making those dividers with the colored tape on them. Trains in front of the divider are ready to go out onto the layout. When trains come back, they go behind the divider.

When I moved the small hidden yard panel, the Midway turnout was mounted to it out of convenience, even though it has nothing to do with the yard. When I removed the tape track diagram, it damaged the surface of the panel. Fortunately, my wife is a pen collector, and had a white paint pen, which I used to repair the damage.

I got lucky, and the lettering was able to be reused, so I mounted the tiny panel. Still needs to be hooked up.

This is the back side of the Red Wing uncoupler panel.

I soldered on colored leads.

Here we see the panel in its proper place. Oops, I forgot to take a picture with it flipped face up. You'll have to take my word on that.

I mounted the control board directly to the plywood, in an upside down orientation, and connected the leads from the panel to the terminal strip.

Now I just have to connect the output lines to the magnets, then repeat this process on the next 62 uncouplers.

I finally got this one to run with the help of Legacy, then I installed the crossover.

MY PRR 4 4 4 4, a beautiful Lionel engine.

Not one to let a machine get the best of me, I had butted heads with ho again a week or two ago, but browser issues kept me from posting.

  And so Ive won one "little" battle anyhow; reasonable operation.

  Today I took a stroll and found a ready made graffitti rock in my favorite "colors".

Nestled to be seen, but not easily, behind a newspaper machine outside of a dollar store. I had noticed others in the past with whisical flowers, happy faces, etc. They all vanish in a day or two.  I assume a certain bubbly female employee does it on break. Her little contribution to "world cheer"...I decided this one was done for my layout. I'll worry about confessing my rock theft when I see her again.  

I worked on some Atlas O Alaska Flat Cars that were having coupler issues, opening under a load.  I had purchased the Trailer Stands from Atlas Parts and assembled and painted them orange.  I drilled holes for the four pins and glued them in place on five 68' Alaska Flat Cars.  The Alaska Trailers look good riding on the Flat Cars.  They are being pulled by Lionel Legacy Alaska GP35 #2501 and #2502, previously unpowered, that I placed on a new Great Northern GP35 Legacy chassis.

3 years exactly between these shots. The latter, I took tonight.

paul 2 posted:

I sure do Mike. I try my best to keep from breaking a lot of them. I usually just take some black paint I use for sidings and dab it on with a Q-tip...............Paul

Paul and Mike,

Yes that is a problem, but they glue back easily.  Looking good, Paul!

p51 posted:

3 years exactly between these shots. The latter, I took tonight.

Happy Layout Anniversary Lee !

p51 posted:

3 years exactly between these shots. The latter, I took tonight.

Looks GREAT Lee, just wondering if you ever plan on extending to get more use out of your turn table?

Added in some parking lot. Used the thin foam material as I couldn't find the stair tread. What was available had a yellow caution stripe in it, making it unusable.  Need to weather it a little I think. D500's photo of the rail pile caused me to paint a couple O27 rails to put in the tie piles. Might add more. Got the trees where I want em', so will glue them down. Keep on chuggin. Lots of great ideas here. Good for the new guys. 

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?  And school me on weathering powder. Is it brushed(make up) on, rubbed on(finger tips or cloth) dusted, or what?  Thx in advance for the help. 

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?

Have you ever visited "Diecast Direct"? I've purchased plenty from them.

Moonson posted:

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?

Have you ever visited "Diecast Direct"? I've purchased plenty from them.

Thank you sir, I'll check now. 

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?  And school me on weathering powder. Is it brushed(make up) on, rubbed on(finger tips or cloth) dusted, or what?  Thx in advance for the help. 

Some great buys here on OGR.  I've used Amazon, esp. for construction vehicles.  ModelTrain Stuff has 5%-10% sale occasionally on vehicles. Train shows usually are the best value - NO Shipping!

Good luck, searching is the most fun.

TedW posted:

Moonson posted:

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?

Have you ever visited "Diecast Direct"? I've purchased plenty from them.

Thank you sir, I'll check now. 

Whoa!     I guess you didn't say they were cheap. This'll separate the men from the boys.   The McLaren F1 at $174.95 is nice. 

TEDW, I am enjoying your work on the layout. It is really turning out great. Lee............HAPPY 3 YEAR ANNIVERSERY. Your layout has come out looking good. I am procrastinating again but only because I have to get the grass cut before it may rain otherwise I would be working on the table right now. Yesterday I got the my back order of shrubs. Now I have the three colors. They are a bit pricey but they look pretty real. Special instructions for them because they are very fragile. A pic. And as soon as I get the grass cut it will be table time.................Paul

TedW posted:

TedW posted:

Moonson posted:

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?

Have you ever visited "Diecast Direct"? I've purchased plenty from them.

Thank you sir, I'll check now. 

Whoa!     I guess you didn't say they were cheap. This'll separate the men from the boys.   The McLaren F1 at $174.95 is nice. 

Hi Ted, you can always check out Menards as they have cars. I have also had some luck at Walmart! Plus this forum is a great place, I see folks selling cars all the time!

mike g. posted:

Looks GREAT Lee, just wondering if you ever plan on extending to get more use out of your turn table?

Thanks, but there's really nowhere to go. To the right, out of fame, is a closet door that spans the entire wall (the closet is filled with stuff from my military collection). There's about 2' clearance between the layout edge and that wall. It's important to me to have room for train-fan-sized people (as in not exactly on the emaciated side) move around in there as I want visiting people in op sessions to not feel like they're trapped in something.

I did think about maybe putting a storage track off the turntable, to the left of the track the table is aligned to in this shot, for placing a locomotive or rolling stock. I still might someday, but I wouldn't bet on it.

No, the layout has all the track it's going to have.