What did you do on your layout today?

Art, you nailed it. Much better choice. Once the scene is done I think you will be very pleased with the way it comes out. ..Paul

Art- the river looks better now. Once the acrylic is on top it should look great.

Mark- I use fun-tak to hold my little people in place. Don't know how it would do on a moving train but worth a shot. The stuff never hardens or dries out.

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Mark Boyce posted:

 Oh, the sticky stuff.  I'm not impressed.  It may work sticking a person to the sidewalk, but not on a vibrating train.

Mark, for my Minion Vampire and Zombie flats this weekend, I used Glue Dots (that's the brand) from a craft store. They'd been sitting in storage for years and worked just fine.  I plan to use them again for sure.  Some club members asked about them as well for their layouts/consists.

Chugman posted:

After receiving a lot of input on my water color, I am trying a new color that I like much better,  The thing that finally convinced me was watching some videos on YouTube where they used this color for the base coat and then added the clear resin on top.  It gave the water that greenish/brown color common in Midwest rivers and the top surface reflected the sky and surrounding giving it that blue cast that I like.

I painted my river base tonight and took these pictures while it was still wet.

It gives me a much more realistic base color and feel that I may be on the right track now.

Art

 

Art, I think you made the right move with the new color, once you get the water in I bet its going to look just GREAYT!

Brian, it looks like you might want to open a window to let a little smoke out!

John D. posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

 Oh, the sticky stuff.  I'm not impressed.  It may work sticking a person to the sidewalk, but not on a vibrating train.

Mark, for my Minion Vampire and Zombie flats this weekend, I used Glue Dots (that's the brand) from a craft store. They'd been sitting in storage for years and worked just fine.  I plan to use them again for sure.  Some club members asked about them as well for their layouts/consists.

John, I know just what product you mean!  Thank you very much for the great idea!!!

RSJB18 posted:

Art- the river looks better now. Once the acrylic is on top it should look great.

Mark- I use fun-tak to hold my little people in place. Don't know how it would do on a moving train but worth a shot. The stuff never hardens or dries out.

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, Fun-Tak, I'll try that as well!  Maybe it will work.

Art, Yes, I agree the river color looks better now!

RSJB18 posted:

 

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

 

Couldn't have put it better myself!   

Mitch 

beardog posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

beardog posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, That is a lot of projects you have going at once!!!  

I think the between tracks wetlands look great!  They look ready to have a stork or heron standing in there. 

I am thinking flamingos

I like how you are thinking!!

One must be careful with flamingos tho, they tend to multiply and they are very

sneaky, blending in around local diners

That will be Paul's problem!!  

              come home from work  to a surprise package on the front porch...

                                              it was sent from Mike G...

    wondering what it was, I hurried in and had Sherri open it while I got cleaned up and

                                                      grabbed a beer...

              much to my surprise, it was frame work like his lift bridge he built !!

                                                           very  COOL !!!

        it fit the entrance to my upstairs layout, like he came over and measured for it !

     great job, nice surprise !   AWESOME !!     THANKS MIKE !!! 

   nice shipping wrapping too !!    I'll have to have one with you ! 

briansilvermustang posted:

              come home from work  to a surprise package on the front porch...

                                              it was sent from Mike G...

    wondering what it was, I hurried in and had Sherri open it while I got cleaned up and

                                                      grabbed a beer...

              much to my surprise, it was frame work like his lift bridge he built !!

                                                           very  COOL !!!

        it fit the entrance to my upstairs layout, like he came over and measured for it !

     great job, nice surprise !   AWESOME !!     THANKS MIKE !!! 

   nice shipping wrapping too !!    I'll have to have one with you ! 

Your more then welcome Brian! I was a fun little build!

Mike that is awesome!!!   I have to build something similar myself.  Looks like that one works well!!! 

Jim

Jim, it works great, you can either use it with or with out the actuator. I am a little lazy and think its cool I can just throw the switch and it goes up and down!

That's awesome Mike. Very cool. I vote for the actuator. I'm all in for anything that I can make work by pushing a button.

Brian- we expect to see trains running across by this evening.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, internet shopping is one of her many talents. I just tell her what I need, and she finds it. She's so good at it, I've nicknamed her "Hoover" as in vacuum cleaner, though there is also an element of J Edgar as well.

Then there was that wire. I tried pushing it through the pipe, but got stuck at the last bend. I had to get the fish tape and send it through. Then I called her down, and had her pull, while I went under the layout and fed the wire.

She has helped with a number of other projects, probably to the tune of a couple hundred hours worth. Where most wives steer well clear of the trains, mine doesn't mind helping where she can. I guess that does qualify for sainthood. She has performed minor miracles.

mike g. posted:

Chugman posted:

After receiving a lot of input on my water color, I am trying a new color that I like much better,  The thing that finally convinced me was watching some videos on YouTube where they used this color for the base coat and then added the clear resin on top.  It gave the water that greenish/brown color common in Midwest rivers and the top surface reflected the sky and surrounding giving it that blue cast that I like.

I painted my river base tonight and took these pictures while it was still wet.

It gives me a much more realistic base color and feel that I may be on the right track now.

Art

 

Art, I think you made the right move with the new color, once you get the water in I bet its going to look just GREAYT!

Art that's it! You're going to love the look once you get it all scenicked in.

RSJB18 posted:

That's awesome Mike. Very cool. I vote for the actuator. I'm all in for anything that I can make work by pushing a button.

Brian- we expect to see trains running across by this evening.

Bob

Bob, don't push him to hard on that, I don't know if I can build and get another one to him that fast! LOL

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, internet shopping is one of her many talents. I just tell her what I need, and she finds it. She's so good at it, I've nicknamed her "Hoover" as in vacuum cleaner, though there is also an element of J Edgar as well.

Then there was that wire. I tried pushing it through the pipe, but got stuck at the last bend. I had to get the fish tape and send it through. Then I called her down, and had her pull, while I went under the layout and fed the wire.

She has helped with a number of other projects, probably to the tune of a couple hundred hours worth. Where most wives steer well clear of the trains, mine doesn't mind helping where she can. I guess that does qualify for sainthood. She has performed minor miracles.

Elliot- If I had a buck for every time the wire got stuck at the last bend I could have retired from the electrical business years ago.

My wife is the same with internet searching.  Lately she has taken a bit of interest in the trains as the scenery gets completed. Not on the trains but she has lent me a hand over the years on various projects around the house.

Bob

mike g. posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

              come home from work  to a surprise package on the front porch...

                                              it was sent from Mike G...

    wondering what it was, I hurried in and had Sherri open it while I got cleaned up and

                                                      grabbed a beer...

              much to my surprise, it was frame work like his lift bridge he built !!

                                                           very  COOL !!!

        it fit the entrance to my upstairs layout, like he came over and measured for it !

     great job, nice surprise !   AWESOME !!     THANKS MIKE !!! 

   nice shipping wrapping too !!    I'll have to have one with you ! 

Your more then welcome Brian! I was a fun little build!

That’s Super Brian!!  What a great job you did, Mike G.!!!!!!!!!!!

RSJB18 posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, internet shopping is one of her many talents. I just tell her what I need, and she finds it. She's so good at it, I've nicknamed her "Hoover" as in vacuum cleaner, though there is also an element of J Edgar as well.

Then there was that wire. I tried pushing it through the pipe, but got stuck at the last bend. I had to get the fish tape and send it through. Then I called her down, and had her pull, while I went under the layout and fed the wire.

She has helped with a number of other projects, probably to the tune of a couple hundred hours worth. Where most wives steer well clear of the trains, mine doesn't mind helping where she can. I guess that does qualify for sainthood. She has performed minor miracles.

Elliot- If I had a buck for every time the wire got stuck at the last bend I could have retired from the electrical business years ago.

My wife is the same with internet searching.  Lately she has taken a bit of interest in the trains as the scenery gets completed. Not on the trains but she has lent me a hand over the years on various projects around the house.

Bob

Yes old Murphy loves to pull a fast one like that on me all the time.  I just chuckle and say, There old Murphy is at it again!!

My wife is always willing to lend a hand, but needing that second knee replaced, I am really cautious about what I let her do these days.

Thanks Mark, if he needs another one I am going to have to drink more beer! So I can have shipping cardboard! LOL

Chugman posted:

After receiving a lot of input on my water color, I am trying a new color that I like much better,  The thing that finally convinced me was watching some videos on YouTube where they used this color for the base coat and then added the clear resin on top.  It gave the water that greenish/brown color common in Midwest rivers and the top surface reflected the sky and surrounding giving it that blue cast that I like.

I painted my river base tonight and took these pictures while it was still wet.

It gives me a much more realistic base color and feel that I may be on the right track now.

Art

 

Much better Art.  Once you add some rocks and stream side vegetation along with the "water", it will be tempting not to go fishing while running trains.  Great job once again.

mike g. posted:

Thanks Mark, if he needs another one I am going to have to drink more beer! So I can have shipping cardboard! LOL

Very good job of recycling, Mike!!

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Art- the river looks better now. Once the acrylic is on top it should look great.

Mark- I use fun-tak to hold my little people in place. Don't know how it would do on a moving train but worth a shot. The stuff never hardens or dries out.

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, Fun-Tak, I'll try that as well!  Maybe it will work.ys Art, Yes, I agree the river color looks better now!

I have always used a hot glue gun, no damage to figure or train

beardog posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Art- the river looks better now. Once the acrylic is on top it should look great.

Mark- I use fun-tak to hold my little people in place. Don't know how it would do on a moving train but worth a shot. The stuff never hardens or dries out.

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, Fun-Tak, I'll try that as well!  Maybe it will work.ys Art, Yes, I agree the river color looks better now!

I have always used a hot glue gun, no damage to figure or train

but I also have a product called Bards tacky wax that is for the same thing

beardog posted:

beardog posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Art- the river looks better now. Once the acrylic is on top it should look great.

Mark- I use fun-tak to hold my little people in place. Don't know how it would do on a moving train but worth a shot. The stuff never hardens or dries out.

Beardog- first its flamingos- next its Gi-raffes!

Elliot- your wife is a saint! Actually does some train related shopping for you too! I have a couple of Woodland Scenics silicone rock molds. The plaster pops right out of them every time. 

Bob

Bob, Fun-Tak, I'll try that as well!  Maybe it will work.ys Art, Yes, I agree the river color looks better now!

I have always used a hot glue gun, no damage to figure or train

but I also have a product called Bards tacky wax that is for the same thing

This stuff is Quik-Stik distributed by Handley House.  I'll go with any of the suggestions I see first.  Thank you, Everyone!!!

J,

   We added the Hell Gate Bridge to the Donovan's Reef Bar Top layout this week, way cool stuff!

PCRR/Dave

looks good Dave!

Just got my brain in gear. I view my mail on Yahoo which is inundated with really stupid ads.

I just realized I can move the web page a bit to the right til the ads are off the screen and 

remove the annoyance.

John

  With all the spirits flowing you'd think it might be pink elephants or something.

(Fortescue owes me one for the pin-up )

 I've got to push you for the heron too.  No contest for me, I got withing yards of a Great Blue this last summer while it fished a flood basin pond next to Wallmart (not these). It was also the biggest, bluest one I have seen about 4'-4.5'/head up. Watch directly and you'll never get close, just point the camera if you want to spook one Catching them in the right light the blue pops more... like a Russian Blue cat glowing bright blue in the right moonlight.

Thanks Shilo

    Mike has an interesting approach of shipping stuff off so pictures of his stuff get posted on the forum without him having to find his camera again  

   nmp's...

My wife helps me with my layout also!!   Its great!

Nothing! It's still 28 degrees here - at 1:15 PM -  on the balmy Gulf Coast, there's ice (ice!) on my steps/ramp leading into my train building and I can't get in, anyway. Ok, I know how, but it's probably freezing in there. Literally. Funny white stuff on the ground in spots.

Who do I call to complain? Who's in charge?

Adriatic posted:

  With all the spirits flowing you'd think it might be pink elephants or something.

(Fortescue owes me one for the pin-up )

Fortescue wants her phone number!   

Mitch 

briansilvermustang posted:

 

(helpless laughter) 

Mitch 

D500 posted:

Nothing! It's still 28 degrees here - at 1:15 PM -  on the balmy Gulf Coast, there's ice (ice!) on my steps/ramp leading into my train building and I can't get in, anyway. Ok, I know how, but it's probably freezing in there. Literally. Funny white stuff on the ground in spots.

Who do I call to complain? Who's in charge?

You southern boys can't take a little cold?????

Going to be in the low teens here in NY tonight. I'd still trade places with you in a heartbeat. At least you know it will warm up sooner than it will here.

Bob

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

 

(helpless laughter) 

Mitch 

Where do I order one????

briansilvermustang posted:

   nmp's...

I wish I knew how to make the girls pop out of my train cars! LOL

I wat that boxcar.

I wish I knew how to make the girls pop out of my train cars! LOL

Would probably work better with one of these...

Yep, but in Brian's car you get 2 girls!

In my car you can get all the girls you want.....

RSJB18 posted:

D500 posted:

Nothing! It's still 28 degrees here - at 1:15 PM -  on the balmy Gulf Coast, there's ice (ice!) on my steps/ramp leading into my train building and I can't get in, anyway. Ok, I know how, but it's probably freezing in there. Literally. Funny white stuff on the ground in spots.

Who do I call to complain? Who's in charge?

You southern boys can't take a little cold?????

Going to be in the low teens here in NY tonight. I'd still trade places with you in a heartbeat. At least you know it will warm up sooner than it will here.

Bob

Hmm, 47 degrees officially in Carson City, lots warmer than that in the sun. Might put the top down so I can see all the

snow up in the sierras

beardog posted:

RSJB18 posted:

D500 posted:

Nothing! It's still 28 degrees here - at 1:15 PM -  on the balmy Gulf Coast, there's ice (ice!) on my steps/ramp leading into my train building and I can't get in, anyway. Ok, I know how, but it's probably freezing in there. Literally. Funny white stuff on the ground in spots.

Who do I call to complain? Who's in charge?

You southern boys can't take a little cold?????

Going to be in the low teens here in NY tonight. I'd still trade places with you in a heartbeat. At least you know it will warm up sooner than it will here.

Bob

Hmm, 47 degrees officially in Carson City, lots warmer than that in the sun. Might put the top down so I can see all the

snow up in the sierras

Then go out with a cocktail and sit on the front deck and watch the sun go down

Sorry guys nothing extraordinary so far today. It's just been a small circle of little things again. Decided to put the telephone poles in. I cut the bases off them and found a drill bit the same diameter of the pole. I took one of the cut off bases and drilled out the center to use it as a template to drill holes in the sidewalks. Drilled to holes and then vacuumed them out.  Added the glue I was using for the cattails and ran out of patience holding the first one in place. So that is why you see all kinds of things holding them in place. The last pole was going on the corner and another pole would be on the side street. I wanted to try something different so I sacrificed one pole cutting off the top part and on the other pole cutting a bit off the top. Placed the one piece on top of the other like you see sometimes at intersections of streets. Then I took the girder over the tracks and painted one side black. Once that dries I'll paint the other. With glue dried on the roof on my building I painted that black and added some small blacks cinders I had. So that has been my day so far. Now I am going to surf the net a bit looking for water fowl for the pond area. And sorry definitely no pink flamingos LOL Pics...............Paul

RSJB18 posted:

In my car you can get all the girls you want.....

LOL Very true!

Things are looking nicely Paul! Are you going to string wire also?

beardog posted:

beardog posted:

RSJB18 posted:

D500 posted:

Nothing! It's still 28 degrees here - at 1:15 PM -  on the balmy Gulf Coast, there's ice (ice!) on my steps/ramp leading into my train building and I can't get in, anyway. Ok, I know how, but it's probably freezing in there. Literally. Funny white stuff on the ground in spots.

Who do I call to complain? Who's in charge?

You southern boys can't take a little cold?????

Going to be in the low teens here in NY tonight. I'd still trade places with you in a heartbeat. At least you know it will warm up sooner than it will here.

Bob

Hmm, 47 degrees officially in Carson City, lots warmer than that in the sun. Might put the top down so I can see all the

snow up in the sierras

Then go out with a cocktail and sit on the front deck and watch the sun go down

I wont be doing much either.  Fed Ex didn't deliver my track order due to weather.  UPS, USPS, FED EX air, and FED EX corporate all delivered????  Maybe it will be here tomorrow.  

Paul:   Phone poles look great!  You have inspired me to go find something to work on myself!!!  

Jim 

Mike G,

You are an outstanding individual!! Its members like you that make this forum a great place!!

Well done Sir, well done! (slow clap)

Since Elliot, Bob and Mark have brought up the subject of supportive wives, I thought I would chime in on that.

No question, a supportive wife can be huge for a model railroader. Mine doesn't do anything directly related to my trains or layout, but is still very supportive in the following ways, which may also be true for many of our Forum friends:

1) she's always been tolerant of the hobby, and appreciated the common interest and bonding it provided between me and our son and daughter when they were children;

2) she understood the trains were a good man cave for me to escape to, and get my mind off my prior highly stressful work as a divorce litigator;

3) she appreciated that I did not have the trains completely take over the playroom in the basement. I left room for a large couch still there, and for our teenage kids to socialize with their friends and do things unrelated to the trains.

4) she tolerated me tunneling thru the wall so the trains could leave the playroom in the basement and travel around the washer/drier and 3 walls in the laundery room. Below are pictures of part of my laundery room layout. I usually have a green felt cover over the washer/dryer to hide it:

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

All you need is an old sheriff and outlaw car. A real conversation starter. Take the concept as far as you dare (or your wife will let you).

Mo985 posted:

Mike G,

You are an outstanding individual!! Its members like you that make this forum a great place!!

Well done Sir, well done! (slow clap)

Thanks Mo, it's really fun to do little projects, I am still working on the moving escalator!  It just like when you stepped up and helped me with the airfield numbers!

briansilvermustang posted:

   nmp's...

Now we're getting somewhere.....

Dan Padova posted:

Now we're getting somewhere.....

Yes, but what are we DOING in this handbasket?  

Mitch 

Busy busy 'round the P&L.

All the track is laid, powered, and switches wired, but only half of it is ballasted. Shifting focus to scenery.

Township was out patching holes, and finished painting the grade crossings. Also, prepping for crossing signal placement. 

Got my Pepsi plant in last week. Didn't fit where I had planned originally, so added some track after my better half pointed out that the lights and signs should be seen from the front. Working on some scratch built flats for the empty wall area and siding in the background. 

Got the power company trucks labeled, next is some color and weathering.

Got the hill up to Linglestown roughed in, and the auto tunnel installed

And lastly, the zoning board approved our plans for a new gas station. We expect groundbreaking as soon as the ground thaws.

Mo, Your township does a first rate job patching roads!!  I like the power company trucks!!

paul 2 posted:

Sorry guys nothing extraordinary so far today. It's just been a small circle of little things again. Decided to put the telephone poles in. I cut the bases off them and found a drill bit the same diameter of the pole. I took one of the cut off bases and drilled out the center to use it as a template to drill holes in the sidewalks. Drilled to holes and then vacuumed them out.  Added the glue I was using for the cattails and ran out of patience holding the first one in place. So that is why you see all kinds of things holding them in place. The last pole was going on the corner and another pole would be on the side street. I wanted to try something different so I sacrificed one pole cutting off the top part and on the other pole cutting a bit off the top. Placed the one piece on top of the other like you see sometimes at intersections of streets. Then I took the girder over the tracks and painted one side black. Once that dries I'll paint the other. With glue dried on the roof on my building I painted that black and added some small blacks cinders I had. So that has been my day so far. Now I am going to surf the net a bit looking for water fowl for the pond area. And sorry definitely no pink flamingos LOL Pics...............Paul

 

Paul- any progress is still progress. The poles look good. Don't know if you are going to string wire on them but if you do then the corner pole should have a guy line running across the street to another pole in front of the grey building. The purpose of this is to support the weight of the wire going in the opposite direction. Look around your neighborhood and I'm sure you can find an example of what I'm talking about.

Bob

Yes Paul, your poles look great!  Having worked for 2 power companies for many years before joining the telephone company 21 years ago, I agree with Bob about the guy wire and pole.  I plan to put up poles on my new layout eventually, but I am not going to mess with "wiring" them.  I admire anyone who does it, but getting it to look right to my eye would probably put me in the state mental hospital!  

I'm with you Mark. Getting thread or light gauge wire to "sag" just right would drive me to drink more than I do already

Bob

Yes Bob, the proper sag is what most modelers miss when they wire pole lines.  No offense to any who have done it.  I admire every one I have seen, but I couldn't settle for lines without sag on my layout.

try soaking the thread in sugar water, then hang it

Bob, just have a couple of drinks before the train room, and it will always look good!

Mark, Mike G and Bob, I liked the look of these poles so I ended up buying a number of them. This is the first layout I have built over the years to have poles. I will not be adding wire. Too many to string. I'll leave that part to the imagination.......Paul

beardog posted:

try soaking the thread in sugar water, then hang it

Or feed the sugar water to a spider, then get it to spin scale lines between the poles...  ;-) 

Mitch 

Simply try a product called EZLine from Berkshire Junction Models - easy to wok with, looks real, doesn't sag.

mike g. posted:

Bob, just have a couple of drinks before the train room, and it will always look good!

I keep a bottle next to the layout. Saves the walk upstairs to the kitchen.

Just like me and my fridge in the garage!

                   have mine delivered by rail     boy, sure can't wait till spring

Bob, thanks for that suggestion. The pole I cut the top off should work as a support pole..........Paul

WOW look at the we talk about drinks and Paul comes up with a great idea for the power poll he cut the top off of. I really dose work! LOL Great idea Paul! No waste!

Brian, you need more flat cars for guest~!

Guys, a dry basement ( pun intended ) would prevent this from occurring.................Paul

Mark Boyce posted:

Yes Paul, your poles look great!  Having worked for 2 power companies for many years before joining the telephone company 21 years ago, I agree with Bob about the guy wire and pole.  I plan to put up poles on my new layout eventually, but I am not going to mess with "wiring" them.  I admire anyone who does it, but getting it to look right to my eye would probably put me in the state mental hospital!  

Hi Mark, My experience mirrors what you have said. You can see in these photos ......that we started "wiring" the poles but got the whole effect far too stiff.

When we tried relaxing the wires, it all got to look like a suspended mess of silly brown limp spaghetti. So, we removed it all and left the poles bereft of any wires. You can see that effect here in another neighborhood I crafted. I never even attempted any emplacement of utility pole wires, drooping or stiff. I decided to leave the wires up to the imagination.

I have seen some layouts with the drooping wires done perfectly, though.

I have concluded that we all have talents and patience for a variety of tasks, some more than others.

FrankM

mike g. posted:

WOW look at the we talk about drinks and Paul comes up with a great idea for the power poll he cut the top off of. I really dose work! LOL Great idea Paul! No waste!

Brian, you need more flat cars for guest~!

                          have a dozen ready, 12 pack delivery...

The Razorback Traction Company took delivery of a couple of Menards flatcars this week, courtesy of Keith J:  

I think I may cut down this damaged SP shell and make a transfer caboose: 

And, of course, BNSF means "Batmobile Now Sports Fortescue"...   

Mitch 

Started laying out the O27 loop in the center. Also put together the other two bridges for the layout. I'm going to have the far straightaway of the O27 work a slight incline so I can feature the short extension bridge in the middle. If I have time, and it's warm enough in the workshop, I'm going to make new bases for the two girder bridges I have. They're for O27 track and the FasTrack doesn't fit. I have a bunch of aluminum flashing from a project way back. I just need to roll it out, cut it to fit, and hammer it flat and it should work just fine.

Once that's done, it'll be time to start figuring out where my buildings and accessories will go, and then time to truly wire the track up.

Deuce we are at about the same stage!   My track will be here today and hopefully I will get to run a train tonight!!! WOOOO HOOOO.    Make sure you post pictures!!!

Jim

carsntrains posted:

Deuce we are at about the same stage!   My track will be here today and hopefully I will get to run a train tonight!!! WOOOO HOOOO.    Make sure you post pictures!!!

Jim

It was fun getting the outer loop connected, even if it's not the final design. Just watching the train run was fun.  I meant to take pictures last night, but I got so frustrated with my rotary beacon not working that I got sidetracked as I hunted down parts. Hopefully I'll be able to get out there some tonight to complete the inner loop (some of the connections are loose, so I need to crimp the ends a bit) and get Brewster hauling some freight around the track.

Deuce, sure sounds like your on your way to happiness!

If you cant find your part check with Jeff the train tender! Here is his link!

http://www.ttender.com/

mike g. posted:

Deuce, sure sounds like your on your way to happiness!

If you cant find your part check with Jeff the train tender! Here is his link!

http://www.ttender.com/

Getting there! Waiting for this cold snap to go away so I can hit the layout hard at night once we get the kids to sleep.

Doing my part to be environmentally friendly!

Lots of trees 'planted'.

Area was pretty barren of trees:

Before:

After:

About 250 trees.

That should prevent any future soil erosion or avalanches!

Sam

Brian,

For some reason, those look more 'real' than mine!

Glad to see some small trees around the larger ones as I did the same with mine.

Sam

The "handbasket" posts spoke to me, which is not unusual for a basket case to listen to inanimate objects, but these could be animated ...  and mute ...

Almost done ballasting the yard tracks, and it took more ballast than expected.  Thinking of making a concrete pad around the engine shed and the tracks in front of it.  

     WOW !!  that looks great Ted     maybe an asphalt driveway in front of the

   engine house kind of like this...  that way you could drive trucks up to the building...

   nmp... 

   nmp...             some weeds and scrap parts around the engine house...

   nmp...          maybe add some weeds and some dirt added to the ballast...

Thaddeus posted:

Almost done ballasting the yard tracks, and it took more ballast than expected.  Thinking of making a concrete pad around the engine shed and the tracks in front of it.  

 

How about just laying a thin layer of dark soil down and lightly over-spraying it with black  paint or an India ink wash. All the RR yards i ever walked in were just dark oily soil - never saw any ballasted track. This includes the F,J & G in Gloversville,NY (spent my childhood playing there including crawling under the roundhouse doors to see the retired steam engines up close); the NYC (Conrail) in Selkirk, NY and in Syracuse, NY; and the Susquehanna in Binghamton, NY.

Thaddeus, looks great!

I added an L shaped addition to my layout.  This area will house a steel mill industry set in a 50s Lionel display themed environment.

Rick. 

 A few days ago I repositioned a sign of my favorite RailRoad onto my layout facia. 

Rick. 

          Rick , LOVE that bridge scene     more layout pictures please !!

Rick Bivins posted:

 A few days ago I repositioned a sign of my favorite RailRoad onto my layout facia. 

Rick. 

Cool!  Post more pictures! ~!

I will have to snap a few up-to-date shots. The layout is a mess right now with the addition and cold weather moving a few outdoor items into the layout shed.

Rick.

Rick Bivins posted:

I will have to snap a few up-to-date shots. The layout is a mess right now with the addition and cold weather moving a few outdoor items into the layout shed.

Rick.

That was one of my questions I was going to ask.  What type of building is that?  Looks like you have a concrete floor?   You must live where it is normally warm or you have on heck of a heater! LOL

Jim

Jim

The building is a 16' by 27' pole barn with insulated walls and ceiling and a Concrete floor. I built it me-self I did! . I used white tri-rib metal to cover the interior. I have an 8' by 18' addition as well. The addition is where the "new bench work" is located. This room is also my work space and equipment storage. In Kentucky...we have three seasons in one week! Last week we went from 61* on Thursday with rain to 1* Friday with ice and 4" of snow. 3" more by Saturday evening! As for heat...Oh Yeah...I have heat. A Natural Gas forced air furnace keeps the shed roasty-toasty!

Rick