WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

Great work everyone. Art the viaduct is amazing. I'm no judge of color either but the river looks nice.

Dr. Joe- great video, thanks for sharing.

Chief Bob- A busy railroad is a happy railroad.

Dave- don't you hate when you have the time but the weather interferes with the work? Good idea with the switches on the fascia. Pre-mounting the lights is a good idea too.

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

carsntrains posted:

Tell me about being busy!   I got another small section done tonight.  After work.  Then had to go grocery shopping and get something to eat with my wife. 

If you would stop grocery shopping and eating, you could have gotten a lot more done on your layout. LOL

I had considered that!!!!!   : )

Jim

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

Nice 45 minute video on the history of the diesel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzMTETZ5jo

My first attempt at a mountain. 

Dennis, I like the look of the mountain. A lot of detail. I see in back of it you have studs. Is there any way you can put up a back drop. That would bring out the mountain even better. If you can't it is still a good job.........Paul

Dennis - Fine job on the mountain with the trees in the rear.  I agree with Paul that the  foil insulation is a distraction from your FINE work.

darlander posted:

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

 

Art - Not an expert on water, but yours is a sky shade to me.  Dave is right that the undertones need to be darker and varied to appear realistic and then covered using a product made to replicate water.  I always try to do an experiment off line on a 2'x 2' piece of material.

Your work on the overall layout is second to none!

Thanks All,

I agree, the "A** Backwards Railroad" needs a back drop. I never figured I would get this far, so now, all those it will be ok items need to be addressed. And of course some are now 10x more difficult. But I did do the track work and sound prevention 100% from the get go, as it's quiet and bullet proof. 

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

samparfitt posted:

Nice 45 minute video on the history of the diesel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzMTETZ5jo

Thanks for sharing this Trains Unlimited Production on the Diesel. I just watched it and it's excellent, like the whole series. 

Chugman posted:

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

 

Art, The river in the photo looks so blue as it is a combination of the sun's reflection and the low camera angle. Your river will be viewed mostly from above. To be more realistic it needs to be almost black (with hints of blue-green in it) in the center, then moving to a more greenish tone from the center, becoming lighter as it approaches the edges - with even some tan in areas along the edges to simulate sand underneath the water. As previously suggested practice on a separate surface.

Chugman posted:

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

Hi Art, Given your photo as a reference point, I am hoping this may be helpful to you.

You probably recall seeing me post some of these shots previously, but they may offer some suggestions pertinent to your quest, at this time.

The product I used was that "Envirotex" Resin, from Scenic Express. It is composed of two liquids which are combined, along with dyes, to create the water you see in these three projects.

I painted the simple plywood bases first, with various earth-tone fast-drying acrylic colors and various greens first, to act as a way of modeling "depth" to the "water." I painted those colors in gradations, with the darkest at the places I wanted a deeper look.

Then, when I mixed the resins, and I mixed-in various colors of dyes but did not stir the mixture up, not wanting the colors to be totally assimilated. I let them swirl around and remain apparent (as you can see here) for a "current" effect.

Finally, as the mixture cured, I covered some of it, a distance above it, and stayed out of the area, not wanting dust from the air to settle on the surface of the slow-curing water. Since a large portion of dust in any room is human skin cells, I kept out of the room entirely until well after the prescribed time period for hardening of the new water.

FrankM

darlander posted:

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

 

Art, no offense but I agree with Dave. Blue looks great at a distance, but up close, not so much. I made the mistake myself. In my opinion olive drab looks great as a base color and really comes to life when the "water" is added. My opinion only.

Dennis G. posted:

My first attempt at a mountain. 

great work!

paul 2 posted:

You are right Bob. I can't stand it when my train routine is inter feared with. How am I suppose to get things done with interruptions LOL. Still waiting to hear the news on the truck. I love shuttle service. While waiting for a call I got the rest of the cattails in and the first coat of water. Then I got the dirt devil and vacuumed all the track in the freight yard to get all the sawdust out from drilling holes for the screws. So now till the water dries I am going to start to layout the track for the brewery. Pics.................Paul

Wow, that reminds me of growing up on the south side of Chicago in Roseland.  The Blue Island line of the Illinois Central turned west from the mainline to head to Blue Island.  Along the tracks there was a swamp like this where we would catch tadpoles.  Looks great Paul.  

Hahaha!!  I'm sure there were toxins in the water from Sherwin Williams Paint Comp and all the other factories around there.  

Frank, that is the ultimate in real looking water. You have it down pat. You don't by chance do house calls to make great water. Today I ballasted the brewery tracks and while that was drying I went back to the freight yard I was working on and started adding ground foam around the small pond and up the stream on the backside. After lunch I will start where I left off and add ground foam to between the sidings and the front side of the stream. Maybe by then the ballast will be dry enough so I can start to lay down track and switches. Pics.............Paul

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Dave2 posted:

To all of those contemplating retirement.  Don't.  Keep working.  You'll find you have more time to play why your still employed.  Don't ask me.  All I know is I don't have enough time for anything anymore.  Probably has a lot to do with the honey doo list!

I agree with Dave.

And continuing to work will provide the extra money for building your dream layout and/or buying the trains of your dreams.

ideally, it is best to continue the work that you find most enjoyable and less stressful. For instance, being a divorce lawyer with my own practice, I plan to retire soon from litigation (very stressful), but never from doing mediation and collaborative divorce (much less stress and more positive). 

Some people have work that is always stressful and even dangerous (police officer, firemen, people in world of high finance where they have to work 24/7). They may be better off fully retiring so they can enjoy life, ideally after making a killing financially, or acquiring a lucrative pension/retirement funds so they are set financially. 

Hmmm...After 42 years I am still looking for that  "killing financially, or acquiring a lucrative pension/retirement funds so they are set financially."   I've faced too many layoffs, moves, frozen pensions, part-time periods of time...In a nutshell, setbacks.  It is a blessing that the man who has me doing contract work convinces the folks with the purse strings to keep me part time during slow periods.  He is afraid of losing me for when he really needs the man hours!  

Divorce lawyer sounds like a stressful way to make a living to me, Arnold!!  I'll take less money for sure.  I agree, you will be glad when you can cut back to the less stressful part of it.    I hope it is soon!

RSJB18 posted:

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

 

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

In reality her father-in-law did all the heavy work so they will be reaping benefits.  

Yes, I finished my snow shoveling and have the small snow blower in my wife's van ready to take to my parents' empty house 17 miles away.  I need to clear a place to get in to turn the pump house heater on for zero degree weather.  I needed a break so I took a look here.  Well off to another house.

Who said a snow day is a train day????????????

I just about finished the design today, don't mind the misc objects on the layout, I needed them for scope.

Outside loop is O48, inner loop is O36, the isolated elevated subway is O31. Small yard in the middle for the Morton's and a small outer yard. Next step is locking everything in place, wiring, ballast, misc scenery and buildings. 

paul 2 posted:

Frank, that is the ultimate in real looking water. You have it down pat. You don't by chance do house calls to make great water.............Paul

Really super to hear that from you, Paul. Great fun. Thank you.

FrankM

More thoughts on your river water Art:

One of my favorite modeling resources is Dennis Brennan’s book: "Realistic Modeling for TOY TRAINS, A Hi-rail-guide".   In it, he illustrates the use of a patterned pieces of glass for the water.  It is call Aquatex and it’s primary use is for shower doors and patio tables.  It is available from large retail glass suppliers.  In short, both sides of the glass have a pattern but one side is more patterned. He spray painted the bottom side (more patterned side) with Rust-Oleum Deep Forest Green Camouflage paint.  He suggest several light coats to produce a smooth even look.   The top surface shows reflection of the banks and vegetation, etc.  I have taken the liberty to include a pictures from his book illustrating that reflection. 

I highly recommend his book as it is filled with many wonderful illustrations and methods to produce realism using toy trains.   It has been my go-to book for my layout.

WWW. KalmbachBooks.com.

dennis@brennansmodelrr.com
http://www.brennansmodelrr.com

I had the pleasure of stopping by his place a few years ago to pick up ballast for my layout.   The added bonus was, buying the book and viewing his incredible layout.   The water affect he produced is amazing.

Dave

P.S. Art, the reflection of your stone arch bridge and river banks in the water would really POP!

Darlander, I am so glad you mentioned Dennis Brennen and his wonderful water modeling technique. I admire his work very much. It's great you included that photo in your perspective. I never tried to model so large an area of water, but if I ever were to, I'd try very hard to follow his missives about it.

FrankM, livin-and-learnin

P.S. Dennis has a fabulous line of groundcovers, too, all of which I have used to great advantage, for quite some time , now.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I have two things through out the year that give me layout time. Snow and rain. And last year it work out well rain wise but so far this year the snow is working out better. Morning was good and after lunch in the afternoon I got  more done. I got the ground foam down along the stream, pond, and between the tracks in the freight yard. I'm still going to go back I want to add some prairie grass too. The ballast was dry so I was able to get most of the switches and track down for the brewery. The one track I can't finish because I am waiting for the switch to come from Ross. It's a 0-31. And if it doesn't give me the angle I need then I am just going to finish it off as another siding. Not sure if I will get time after dinner. No game tonight... Pics.............Paul

Wow Paul- cruising right along. Looking good.

Bob

The township road dept used the much needed break in temperature to get some lines painted!

BNSF-Matt posted:

I just about finished the design today, don't mind the misc objects on the layout, I needed them for scope.

Outside loop is O48, inner loop is O36, the isolated elevated subway is O31. Small yard in the middle for the Morton's and a small outer yard. Next step is locking everything in place, wiring, ballast, misc scenery and buildings. 

 

Looking good. I have a 5x10' with basically same track  layout. Mine has 54&42 lower level and a dog bone upper level with 36". My upper level covers whole 10' so bottom loops only visible on front side. I just put grass matt on upper level today. I use carpet tape to secure matts.

trainroomgary posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Hi Gary,

They came with the Atlas #6900 Signal Tower kit.  The shades are printed directly on the plastic window glazing.  Thanks for the kind remarks.

Chief Bob (Retired)

RSJB18 posted:

Wow Paul- cruising right along. Looking good.

Bob

aint that somethin Bob, yesterday he is telling Elliot how much he gets done, Which is very impressive! Then the next day he is doubling his normal output! Says its the snow LOL! I bet he didn't sleep lastnight  and worked on the layout!

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

 

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

In reality her father-in-law did all the heavy work so they will be reaping benefits.  

Yes, I finished my snow shoveling and have the small snow blower in my wife's van ready to take to my parents' empty house 17 miles away.  I need to clear a place to get in to turn the pump house heater on for zero degree weather.  I needed a break so I took a look here.  Well off to another house.

Who said a snow day is a train day????????????

I am pretty sure is said that Mark. I am sorry you have to go out but your a good man for taking care of your family! There will be more snow and trains. But only one family!

chris a posted:

Working on 2 city blocks at the east end entrance to the classification yard....   Got the plaster sidewalks done, and the buildings weathered, sitll have to install LED lights etc....

This is great! I am about to start plotting out my buildings and town scene. How did you make your sidewalks?

Everyone should give them self's a pat on the back! You all have shown great work here and should be proud of it! I would list  you all be we know who you are! Your all winners! Heck we are all winners with people like all of you on the forum! I Hope you all had a great day!

Dennis G. posted:

Thanks All,

I agree, the "A** Backwards Railroad" needs a back drop. I never figured I would get this far, so now, all those it will be ok items need to be addressed. And of course some are now 10x more difficult. But I did do the track work and sound prevention 100% from the get go, as it's quiet and bullet proof. 

Dennis,  You got the most important part done well from the get go.  A firm foundation for track and sound track and wiring!!  Without those our hobby can be nothing but frustration.  I learned that as a boy in his early teens!!  Your mountains look absolutely great!!!!  Your town buildings look dandy!  It is amazing how many folks add a backdrop later.  Yours truly is one such person.  I actually slid an L-shaped layout across the floor to get behind to add a backdrop.  At that point I discovered I had a flaw in my benchwork construction.    I am hoping to see alot more photographs of your layout as you progress!!  

Luvindemtrains:   I decided to do a  hybrid method... First I had been following Keystone Ed's post on his Tyrone PA town scene, see thread below.... His work is exceptional...  I used the same 1/8" tempered hardboard he recommended...  

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...09#75762911776041609

The only change to Ed's method:    I covered the 1/8 inch hardboard with 1/16"  "foamtastic" or foam sheet, sold at Craft stores for 49 cents for 8 x 11 sheets...  I applied really thin Hydrocal over the foam, then scribed sidewalk lines in it....  The reason for the foam is that you can actually crack the hydrocal.  This method was mentioned on the forum, there's a youtube video done by a woman from England describing how to do it....  You can very realistic cracking patterns....  Followed by applying the Woodland Scenics Concrete colored dye, and weathered with very diluted india ink and alcohol plus some chalks.    If I have to do more sidewalks for a larger city area, I'll probably revert to just plain hardboard, or 3/16" luan subfloor plywood... I have never paved anything with hydrocal or plaster and figured this was as good a place as any to do a prototype as it wasn't too large an area... I will do this again for a street or sidewalk in an industrial area where the surface is going to be "really distressed and broken up"....     The Concrete Highway walls in the foreground are 3 D printed by my son.... I did the drawings in Fusion 3D and he printed them for me.... 

mike g. posted:

Everyone should give them self's a pat on the back! You all have shown great work here and should be proud of it! I would list  you all be we know who you are! Your all winners! Heck we are all winners with people like all of you on the forum! I Hope you all had a great day!

Hear! Hear!

Well done a little work on the layout tonight.  Would have had it up and running if the local hobby shops hadn't closed early today!  Hope they are open tomorrow! Here are a few pictures.  I did run Southern 4501 for the first time tonight.  And tested my new BLI water tower!  Both are GREAT!!!!   

Ran my new WbB 44 ton switcher this afternoon. Great little engine.

Must......resist.......buying.......more.......

RSJB18 posted:

Ran my new WbB 44 ton switcher this afternoon. Great little engine.

Must......resist.......buying.......more.......

I want a 44 tonner in Southern !!! : ) 

Jim 

Moonson posted:

paul 2 posted:

Frank, that is the ultimate in real looking water. You have it down pat. You don't by chance do house calls to make great water.............Paul

Really super to hear that from you, Paul. Great fun. Thank you.

FrankM

Paul said it well Frank!  One point you made that I never thought of or have seen written before is to cover to keep out dust and stay out of the room while curing.  It makes so much sense!!

mike g. posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

 

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

In reality her father-in-law did all the heavy work so they will be reaping benefits.  

Yes, I finished my snow shoveling and have the small snow blower in my wife's van ready to take to my parents' empty house 17 miles away.  I need to clear a place to get in to turn the pump house heater on for zero degree weather.  I needed a break so I took a look here.  Well off to another house.

Who said a snow day is a train day????????????

I am pretty sure is said that Mark. I am sorry you have to go out but your a good man for taking care of your family! There will be more snow and trains. But only one family!

Thank you, Bob!  I survived; sinus infection and all!!  Yay!!  It’s snowing again.  If I hadn’t done Dad’s driveway, we might not have gotten in next time.  It’s on a curve where the snow drifts in from the field across the road.  You can’t park on the road and expect your car to not get hit.  Good thing both our car and van are 15 years old!!!  There is always a good point for everything!  Dad can appreciate it, he took care of the whole place himself (snow, mowing, painting a two story house, etc) until he was 86.  He always told me I had my own work to do when I asked if he needed help.  Now he and Mum are in a personal care home.  I can’t visit because of the sinus infection, so I called and reported in.  It eased his mind!!  

So, the Forum is all I did on the layout.  Too tired!!  LOL  The young doc told me yesterday I’m in good health for someone over 60!!  LOL

PUFFRBELLY posted:

trainroomgary posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Hi Gary,

They came with the Atlas #6900 Signal Tower kit.  The shades are printed directly on the plastic window glazing.  Thanks for the kind remarks.

Chief Bob (Retired)

I have that kit sitting on the shelf.  One day I’ll get done.  Your exterior looks great too!

paul 2 posted:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I have two things through out the year that give me layout time. Snow and rain. And last year it work out well rain wise but so far this year the snow is working out better. Morning was good and after lunch in the afternoon I got  more done. I got the ground foam down along the stream, pond, and between the tracks in the freight yard. I'm still going to go back I want to add some prairie grass too. The ballast was dry so I was able to get most of the switches and track down for the brewery. The one track I can't finish because I am waiting for the switch to come from Ross. It's a 0-31. And if it doesn't give me the angle I need then I am just going to finish it off as another siding. Not sure if I will get time after dinner. No game tonight... Pics.............Paul

 

Looking great, Paul!!  You are cruising for sure!

before & after organizing...

BNSF-Matt posted:

I just about finished the design today, don't mind the misc objects on the layout, I needed them for scope.

Outside loop is O48, inner loop is O36, the isolated elevated subway is O31. Small yard in the middle for the Morton's and a small outer yard. Next step is locking everything in place, wiring, ballast, misc scenery and buildings. 

 

Love it! I just this afternoon picked up my own Menard's billboard. Cannot wait to get it lit up! I like how you did the second level. Good stuff!

Mark Boyce posted:

LaramieJoe posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Dr. Joe, I liked the video!  Aren't those Menards buildings great?  I have 3 or 4 myself.  Thank you for posting!!

They are, Mark! We had been out of country for a few years and had no idea that Menards had come into the hobby as they have! I need to get over to Cheyenne to pick up one of their tall cranes. 

An OGR Forum member who is a member of the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers has one of the cranes on one of his modules.  I saw it at the Monroeville Pennsylvania Greenberg show, and it is striking to say the least!!  Maybe you can order one.  Since there are no Menards in Pennsylvania, I have ordered all of mine online.

Got one today!! I was in Cheyenne and visited the store there, where they had one set aside for me. I want to add a flashing light to the top of it at some point. 

Mark Boyce posted:

leapinlarry posted:

LARAMIEJOE,

Wow!, what a really cool video. I will watch it over again after dinner and research your accessories and structures, and the neat buildings....The Lionel Diner is really nice, a super smoker. The trains running, your verbal descriptions are great. Thank you. I look forward to more train action on your layout....Happy New Year.

Larry, You are right about Joe's diner.  It looks great and really smokes!  I think someone burned all the hamburgers!!  

The darn thing looks so inviting! We have an old diner just like it here in Laramie, but sadly it is overgrown and probably decrepit. Too bad. 

LaramieJoe posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

LaramieJoe posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Dr. Joe, I liked the video!  Aren't those Menards buildings great?  I have 3 or 4 myself.  Thank you for posting!!

They are, Mark! We had been out of country for a few years and had no idea that Menards had come into the hobby as they have! I need to get over to Cheyenne to pick up one of their tall cranes. 

An OGR Forum member who is a member of the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers has one of the cranes on one of his modules.  I saw it at the Monroeville Pennsylvania Greenberg show, and it is striking to say the least!!  Maybe you can order one.  Since there are no Menards in Pennsylvania, I have ordered all of mine online.

Got one today!! I was in Cheyenne and visited the store there, where they had one set aside for me. I want to add a flashing light to the top of it at some point. 

That’s great, Joe!!

beardog posted:

mike g. posted:

LaramieJoe posted:

mike g. posted:

Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!

Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!

Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula. 

Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!

VDr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!

I dont know about anyone else, but I am retired in the Carson Valley near Carson City, NV. No state income

tax, not much rain or snow, very few annoying bugs. About 4500 feet elevation. Cost of living is moderate.

I really like it here. Gets a bit hot some days, but not unbearable with low humidity. No below zero ever. 

Highs usually 90's at most. I only had about 4 ac days last summer. Check it out. 

We lived in Reno (Caughlin Ranch) for something like 14 years and, yes, I loved the climate. No income tax and a relatively low property tax rate. We still have several friends in the Minden Gardnerville area, and I owned property at one time near Walker Lake. We left Reno for the assignment in Australia and then came back to the states for positions here at the University of Wyoming. No income tax here either!! And an incredibly low property tax rate, with only a 6% sales tax rate. Housing prices are moderate. All that said, however, I am not a lover of the high plains climate where, for six months out of the year, there is snow on the ground and sub-freezing temps. 

@mike g. - the wife and I talked about the OP this afternoon over lunch. For 25 years I flew over the darn thing going into and out of Seattle (Redmond) for meetings at HQ (Microsoft) and wanted forever to go exploring. But, alas, work always got in the way. She was thrilled with the idea and wants to make a trip this summer. 

I think I will do the usual, grab a glass of whiskey, go to the train room, pick out a couple of trains and

watch them go around my tiny layout.

Cheers

Dave2 posted:

To all of those contemplating retirement.  Don't.  Keep working.  You'll find you have more time to play why your still employed.  Don't ask me.  All I know is I don't have enough time for anything anymore.  Probably has a lot to do with the honey doo list!

@Dave2 - I agree and in my work with older men like me (early 60's), I stress that we all have that alternative - to keep on working. The days of the golden retirement such as my dad knew (he was "retired" for something like 30 years before passing on), are forever changed. With good health care, exercise, and something to do, there is nothing keeping us from working till we drop. 

chris a posted:

Luvindemtrains:   I decided to do a  hybrid method... First I had been following Keystone Ed's post on his Tyrone PA town scene, see thread below.... His work is exceptional...  I used the same 1/8" tempered hardboard he recommended...  

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...09#75762911776041609

The only change to Ed's method:    I covered the 1/8 inch hardboard with 1/16"  "foamtastic" or foam sheet, sold at Craft stores for 49 cents for 8 x 11 sheets...  I applied really thin Hydrocal over the foam, then scribed sidewalk lines in it....  The reason for the foam is that you can actually crack the hydrocal.  This method was mentioned on the forum, there's a youtube video done by a woman from England describing how to do it....  You can very realistic cracking patterns....  Followed by applying the Woodland Scenics Concrete colored dye, and weathered with very diluted india ink and alcohol plus some chalks.    If I have to do more sidewalks for a larger city area, I'll probably revert to just plain hardboard, or 3/16" luan subfloor plywood... I have never paved anything with hydrocal or plaster and figured this was as good a place as any to do a prototype as it wasn't too large an area... I will do this again for a street or sidewalk in an industrial area where the surface is going to be "really distressed and broken up"....     The Concrete Highway walls in the foreground are 3 D printed by my son.... I did the drawings in Fusion 3D and he printed them for me.... 

Chris,

Again thanks for sharing your method. I am following Ed's layout and had forgotten how detailed his sidewalks were. I guess the last time I went back and looked at that thread I wasn't at this stage on my layout yet. I thought about asking about the the highway walls but was more interested in the sidewalks so your explanation about those was an added bonus...again thank you.

Anywho, I am familiar with the English lady on youtube. She models in HO and I actually just watched her vid on sidewalks a few weeks ago. 

Bought the last of the FasTrack pieces I needed from Mario's Trains. I plan on getting the plywood tomorrow, and painting at least the top. Then getting the basics installed and some minimal wiring to get it running for my son.

I figure I can run the bus and drops under the table and hook it all up when its ready and in the meantime finally get these trains running. Son is ready, and so am I.

Mark Boyce posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

trainroomgary posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Hi Gary,

They came with the Atlas #6900 Signal Tower kit.  The shades are printed directly on the plastic window glazing.  Thanks for the kind remarks.

Chief Bob (Retired)

I have that kit sitting on the shelf.  One day I’ll get done.  Your exterior looks great too!

Hey Mark,

Thanks for your kind words.   I've included a few more shots of the outside of the building to, hopefully, help to get you started on yours.   BTW, I built this building before I even started the new layout.

Chief Bob (Retired)

Went to the NMRA monthly meeting this morning, and followed that up with lunch with the family. Didn't get home til 3 PM, so it made for a short work day.

Started by applying a couple layers of 1/4" plywood so the staples would take to the backdrop.

All the strips are in place.

Didn't quite get the whole area plastered. I'll finish it off tomorrow, which will probably be another short day...

Skol Vikings!!!

RSJB18 posted:

Ran my new WbB 44 ton switcher this afternoon. Great little engine.

Must......resist.......buying.......more.......

"Resistance is futile"

- The Borg Collective

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Ran my new WbB 44 ton switcher this afternoon. Great little engine.

Must......resist.......buying.......more.......

"Resistance is futile"

- The Borg Collective

LMAO!

My paypal account can attest to that

Bob

MIKE G, it may seem like I got a lot done yesterday but when working on the layout Elliot gets stuff done in many scale miles and I get mine done in scale inches. Still not in their league. Just one happy railroader having fun building a railroad...........Paul

LaramieJoe posted:

beardog posted:

mike g. posted:

LaramieJoe posted:

mike g. posted:

Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!

Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!

Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula. 

Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!

VDr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!

I dont know about anyone else, but I am retired in the Carson Valley near Carson City, NV. No state income

tax, not much rain or snow, very few annoying bugs. About 4500 feet elevation. Cost of living is moderate.

I really like it here. Gets a bit hot some days, but not unbearable with low humidity. No below zero ever. 

Highs usually 90's at most. I only had about 4 ac days last summer. Check it out. 

We lived in Reno (Caughlin Ranch) for something like 14 years and, yes, I loved the climate. No income tax and a relatively low property tax rate. We still have several friends in the Minden Gardnerville area, and I owned property at one time near Walker Lake. We left Reno for the assignment in Australia and then came back to the states for positions here at the University of Wyoming. No income tax here either!! And an incredibly low property tax rate, with only a 6% sales tax rate. Housing prices are moderate. All that said, however, I am not a lover of the high plains climate where, for six months out of the year, there is snow on the ground and sub-freezing temps. 

@mike g. - the wife and I talked about the OP this afternoon over lunch. For 25 years I flew over the darn thing going into and out of Seattle (Redmond) for meetings at HQ (Microsoft) and wanted forever to go exploring. But, alas, work always got in the way. She was thrilled with the idea and wants to make a trip this summer. 

 

Hi Dr. Joe, I think if you make the trip you will find some place you love! The price of homes are going up, just so you know. I think yesterday they said a price for a moderate home in Seattle was $800,000.

Looking good Elliot, just like everything else, just keep plugging away!

paul 2 posted:

MIKE G, it may seem like I got a lot done yesterday but when working on the layout Elliot gets stuff done in many scale miles and I get mine done in scale inches. Still not in their league. Just one happy railroader having fun building a railroad...........Paul

You high on my list Paul! I think you do great work and have learned so much just fallowing you!

briansilvermustang posted:

Brian, you must be thinking of a train ride to Clems! LOL

                 I hope to soon,  it's been awhile,  just talked to him last night...

                                                 "AMTRAK" day soon...

                                   hauling some empties back to the coal mine....

                                              (pictures and video's @ CLEM's..)

darlander posted:

More thoughts on your river water Art:

One of my favorite modeling resources is Dennis Brennan’s book: "Realistic Modeling for TOY TRAINS, A Hi-rail-guide".   In it, he illustrates the use of a patterned pieces of glass for the water.  It is call Aquatex and it’s primary use is for shower doors and patio tables.  It is available from large retail glass suppliers.  In short, both sides of the glass have a pattern but one side is more patterned. He spray painted the bottom side (more patterned side) with Rust-Oleum Deep Forest Green Camouflage paint.  He suggest several light coats to produce a smooth even look.   The top surface shows reflection of the banks and vegetation, etc.  I have taken the liberty to include a pictures from his book illustrating that reflection. 

I highly recommend his book as it is filled with many wonderful illustrations and methods to produce realism using toy trains.   It has been my go-to book for my layout.

WWW. KalmbachBooks.com.

dennis@brennansmodelrr.com
http://www.brennansmodelrr.com

I had the pleasure of stopping by his place a few years ago to pick up ballast for my layout.   The added bonus was, buying the book and viewing his incredible layout.   The water affect he produced is amazing.

Dave

P.S. Art, the reflection of your stone arch bridge and river banks in the water would really POP!

Darlander,

Dennis's book and the OGR forum are the primary resources I use in answering my questions about "how to's" in the building of my layout.  

Nice videos Brian! you get a chance take some pictures of your layout so we can see the whole thing if you can!

          Mike, the last videos I posted were running trains at Clem's house...

                                    here is his track plan...

Oh ok, is that your plan from in the house? Looks nice, How big is your room there? I got the room size I just had to look harder! LOL

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love me some AMTRAK!!!!!  Great colors SILVER, ,RED, WHITE & BLUE!  

I'm a Veteran and have a few AMTRAK pieces.  I'm looking for a good deal on some Amtrak SuperLiners.  

Since I'm from New England, I'm a Giants & Patriots  football fan.  Therefore, Silver, Red, White & Blue are my teams colors.  There were 2 SuperBowls that I couldn't lose, LOL. GIANTS won both.  New England sucked for 30 years, but the last 20 years have been remarkable.  It will change again. I'm REALISTIC.  There is still a chance for a Eagles vs. Pittsburgh SuperBowl for all my PA friends.

PS Great glimpse of Clem's layout.  Thanks!

I am with you Matt, I to would like to get some superliners down the road to put in my Amtrak train!

                      Matt, some more ,  SILVER, ,RED, WHITE & BLUE! 

mike g. posted:

I am with you Matt, I to would like to get some superliners down the road to put in my Amtrak train!

Mike -  Nice looking AMTRAK on the wall.  Who made the military train at the bottom of picture #2?

Hi Matt, I did the military train. the tanks are form Menards $2.99 bin, and the flat cars are also from Menards. The Blackhawk is from Menards. and the small Helo is from Menards for $2.99 also put on an empty Menards flat car.

mike g. posted:

Hi Matt, I did the military train. the tanks are form Menards $2.99 bin, and the flat cars are also from Menards. The Blackhawk is from Menards. and the small Helo is from Menards for $2.99 also put on an empty Menards flat car.

Very good.  I've looked for the older MTH issue of tanks on flats and they are as rare as hens teeth.  Menards has a good marketing plan of saturating the market with inexpensive semi-scale product that looks good and fills a niche.  I' waiting for them to enter the scale market.  I think that they will hurt the big guys.  When I go to train shows here in New England, some dealers are selling the Menards cars at 2x the price that we can get them for on line.  Many people new to the hobby are buying them up, because even at 2x the price, they are still cheaper than NEW Lionel & MTH.  The artwork on their Army/Air Force boxcars is very good, in addition to all the flats with various military weapons and vehicles. 

I agree Matt, I still need to get one of there 14 1/2" military flats for a chinook helicopter I want to put into my military train!

                                        BUSY,  "down by the station" today...

                                                 as  a RPO car gets set out...

                               passengers boarded,  train pulls out of the station...

                                 many trains arriving and departing today...

                                       alot of locomotives getting serviced...

                  soon, a freight train and a passenger train arrive at the same time...

                             fun day,  train watching, "down by the station"...

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

trainroomgary posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Hi Gary,

They came with the Atlas #6900 Signal Tower kit.  The shades are printed directly on the plastic window glazing.  Thanks for the kind remarks.

Chief Bob (Retired)

I have that kit sitting on the shelf.  One day I’ll get done.  Your exterior looks great too!

Hey Mark,

Thanks for your kind words.   I've included a few more shots of the outside of the building to, hopefully, help to get you started on yours.   BTW, I built this building before I even started the new layout.

Chief Bob (Retired)

Thank you for the extra photographs, Bob!!  They are an inspiration for sure!!

briansilvermustang posted:

                                        BUSY,  "down by the station" today...

                                                 as  a RPO car gets set out...

                               passengers boarded,  train pulls out of the station...

                                 many trains arriving and departing today...

                                       alot of locomotives getting serviced...

  

                  soon, a freight train and a passenger train arrive at the same time...

   

                             fun day,  train watching, "down by the station"...

 

Brian, I see you posted this 25 minutes ago, and if I didn't know any better your still watching the trains at the station to make sure everything runs smooth! Good MAN!

P.S. Sweet looking Amtrak switcher!

Well Mike I burned myself out trying to keep up with the Jones' LOL. Not really. I finally had to venture outside this morning to clear the driveway because I had to get to the grocery store. Didn't get out till late morning so I got a late, late start on the layout. Still did not get too much done because I cleaned off the table, which seemed like an eternity to do so I could lay in the switch. Can't go any further on that project. I am going to need some more switches and I just placed an order which I am waiting for. But on a positive note cleaning off the table I found things I forgot I had because there were buried under all the stuff. So for the rest of the afternoon I am just going to work on scenery. Pics...........Paul

Looks nice Paul, its kind of funny when you clean things up and find stuff you forgot about it's kind of like Christmas all over again! I have so much stuff in Boxes when I do get to open them I am like a kid again! I know you probably already have but can you post a drawing of your layout? Also with all the bench work can you run trains all the way around?

Installed the last two yard uncouplers and cut cardboard strips for fill between the tracks.  Hopefully the paint is drying and not freezing on the cardboard strips in the garage.  We even got a section ready to try some plaster cloth.  That should be an adventure for me, losing my virginity to using plaster.  Guessing a cocktail or two will be involved!

The first picture is of an N Scale (3x4) layout, which sold on Craigslist within an hour of posting.  The reason for the N scale was the lack of room after downsizing into a smaller Townhouse.

The remainder of photographs are of a new Lionel "toy Train" layout (4x4) that I have just begun to build.

The wiring is "sandwiched" in a cavity between two pieces of plywood.  Removable side panels allow the access.  The advantage of this type of construction is that the layout can be placed on any flat surface, such as a table or even the floor.

If there is any interest, I will continue to post, as progress is made.

Thaddeus posted:

Installed the last two yard uncouplers and cut cardboard strips for fill between the tracks.  Hopefully the paint is drying and not freezing on the cardboard strips in the garage.  We even got a section ready to try some plaster cloth.  That should be an adventure for me, losing my virginity to using plaster.  Guessing a cocktail or two will be involved!

 

Thaddeus, good looking work there, The plaster should be fun for the first time and a few cocktails wont hurt either!

THADDEUS, nice track work. I have a sign at the foot of the stairs that reads no alcohol beyond this point until the layout is complete. Plastering while plastered can cause for some surprises LOL. Which reminds me I have to put down some plaster wrap. MIKE G here is a pic of the layout. Around the outside walls of the basement. Hope I got the right track plan .....Paul

Thanks Paul!

Visited NJ Highrailers at Trainstock, saw all of the things I could be doing with the layout and came home motivated to get to work.  

I weathered a Bachmann excursion car and the scrapped remains of a busted up 2-6-0 and made it into a gondola load for the scrappers.

p51 posted:

I weathered a Bachmann excursion car and the scrapped remains of a busted up 2-6-0 and made it into a gondola load for the scrappers.

Looks Great Lee, but I am so sorry you broke your2-6-0 just to make a realistic load! LOL Just kidding I know you didn't break it on purpose ! LOOKS GREAT! It funny I was so excited about the gondola I almost for the excursion car. Looks good, but is there spose to be seats in it?

The North Pen 'O' Gaugers club set up at Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show in Oaks, PA this weekend.  I wanted to mix it up a bit and I figured January was just as good a time as any to run some Halloween fun. So, I decided to bring my brand new End of the Line Express Lion Chief+ Mikado.  I realized, however, late last night that I only have 4 cars to go behind her and one of them is too tall for the bridge.  Then, I heard a sound off to the west, as if from Arkansas..."SCROUNGE" it called, "You can surely SCROUNGE something!  @M. Mitchell Marmel would be proud.  I grabbed two Lehigh Valley flat cars and some fun toys and made two more cars for my consist.  On the way to the show, my wife and i came up with a really cool idea...how about a "Halloween Parade" train.  Towns around here love their Halloween and Christmas Parades.  I thought, "Instead of flatbed trucks, why not flatbed trains!"  So we did  a quick lap around the show and found some good buys on flatbeds and gondolas and started brainstorming.  We got an all-orange work caboose and threw two extra dime-store zombies on it to put at the tail end of my consist just in time for my slot on the schedule.

Here's a video from the run:

See anyone you know?

And here are the rest of the cars we bought.  These will become Halloween and Christmas small-town parade floats someday.  They'll be local business and clubs from our life.  The red/grey work caboose will probably end up as Santa.

mike g. posted:

 

Looks Great Lee, but I am so sorry you broke your2-6-0 just to make a realistic load! LOL Just kidding I know you didn't break it on purpose ! LOOKS GREAT! It funny I was so excited about the gondola I almost for the excursion car. Looks good, but is there spose to be seats in it?

The car does have seats, but they run along the long axis of the car itself. I'm working on some GI's to sit in them.

Mitch should be proud, John!  

Thanks Lee, I did not know !

I didn't get much done today.  Had to order a new refrigerator.  OH JOY! ..   Did fool around with an uncoupling track.  Out of building materials and had to order more track today. Hope to get it soon!   Supposed to have a snow storm Tuesday.....

Jim 

Mark Boyce posted:

Mitch should be proud, John!  

Hope so!  It was literally an 11th hour idea last night.  We did the assembly right there at the show as I was lining up to roll out on track 2.  Fortescue didn't even get a chance to find a costume.  He's not happy about it.  He vows to have a few good options come October!

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

 

Looks Great Lee, but I am so sorry you broke your2-6-0 just to make a realistic load! LOL Just kidding I know you didn't break it on purpose ! LOOKS GREAT! It funny I was so excited about the gondola I almost for the excursion car. Looks good, but is there spose to be seats in it?

The car does have seats, but they run along the long axis of the car itself. I'm working on some GI's to sit in them.

The seats on the long axis does make sense.  That will be great with a carload of GIs...

John D. posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Mitch should be proud, John!  

Hope so!  It was literally an 11th hour idea last night.  We did the assembly right there at the show as I was lining up to roll out on track 2.  Fortescue didn't even get a chance to find a costume.  He's not happy about it.  He vows to have a few good options come October!

Something to look forward to come October!

carsntrains posted:

I didn't get much done today.  Had to order a new refrigerator.  OH JOY! ..   Did fool around with an uncoupling track.  Out of building materials and had to order more track today. Hope to get it soon!   Supposed to have a snow storm Tuesday.....

Jim 

Jim, I sure hope you get your supply's before the snow! As you know snow means train time! Lol

Lets see, got a few duplicates listed on Ebay, spent a couple of theraputic hours resurrecting a 60+ yo non working

Marx crossing gate, tuned up a flying yankee motor for Ebay and of course enjoyed my glass of whiskey