What did you do on your layout today?

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

I'm with you Paul, Mike seems to be quite an early riser.  I want to see that addition go up as well!

So do I Mark! If I had the lumber already I probably would have had the walls up by now!

Whats the hold up Mike?   Its been a week! LOL     Ah just work at the pace you choose.   It will be summer soon!   : )

Jim

82 here today. All this talk about snow is funny.

Sure....rub it in why don't ya

4"-8" of snow expected here tomorrow night, 60 degrees by next Wednesday. At least it will all melt away.

samparfitt posted:

3rd rail D&RGW L-131 video.

Engine's working fine now with the 'plate' support mod.

Not sure why the smoke works only in 'conv' mode and not in 'TMCC'!  On the MTH throttle, hit 'smoke', say 'on' but nada.

Works on the other engines.

Wonder why the TMCC on 3rd rail does not have the wireless draw bar versus the ugly wires?

Oiled all the major friction points.

These articulated really need plus 90, or more, diameter curves to look good: that's a lot of overhang on those curves!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

Sam, that sure is a nice looking engine pulling those beautiful cars! I thank you for sharing the video! 

Wow!  15 passenger cars.  Nice train!  Are those cars 18" or 21"?  Plastic or alum.  Couldn't recognize the make.

Paul Fischer

So nice to drive around with the top down and look up and see snow on the mountains

Tired of the handrails falling off my Atlas switcher so put them back with a dab of glue.

Thanks, Mike.

=====

Paul,

They are very old MTH cars which, I believe, are the 18" plastic 'premier line' ones.  Only the front RPO car is aluminum which I think is K-line.

I'm getting ready to order (from a new dealer) another A pack of reindeer cars.  Got notification for the refund from previous dealer.  I'm hoping to have better luck this time!  Reckon I should ask them to check them before they ship them?  Didn't help last time!!!  

Jim 

   I made a makeshift bobber ore car out of a dead wallwart shell, and used the rectifying board to convert 1033 5vac to dc for a $20 Discovery Kids battery operated tower crane. I gave the car a bucket handle vs a spreader, but I think a long spread beam is next.

I've been practicing aerially switching and no hands re-railing to new positions. 

The real challenge is re-railing the trucks with rollers with no beam trolley movement as it is on a cab mounted clutch kinda like a Lionel Burro crane.

Believe it or not, this is my shot at neat, organized wiring. The center is common, one side is for the upper level powered by the RW, the other side is the lower level powered by the LW. The other terminals to be wired are for switches and accessories.

I also received some 5121/5122 controllers that I'm modifying to control our 497 coaling station. 

Painted black to fit in with the control panel area. 

baby steps...

samparfitt posted:

3rd rail D&RGW L-131 video.

Engine's working fine now with the 'plate' support mod.

Not sure why the smoke works only in 'conv' mode and not in 'TMCC'!  On the MTH throttle, hit 'smoke', say 'on' but nada.

Works on the other engines.

Wonder why the TMCC on 3rd rail does not have the wireless draw bar versus the ugly wires?

Oiled all the major friction points.

These articulated really need plus 90, or more, diameter curves to look good: that's a lot of overhang on those curves!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

It looks like it’s running great!  That’s a nice passenger train too!!

Today I cut the pieces to fit and screwed them down to the stringers.  Then I laid the track out again, and marked the tabletop for where the Homasote will go.  It was certainly easy to roll the unit away from the wall 15 inches or so to get in there!  Worked great.

That may be the shiniest train table top I have seen!  That keeps eyes focused there so as not to see the ugly base.  

On this end, I am going to cut out the board to have the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River flowing underneath this bridge.  It is similar to the real one in Parsons, West Virginia that is now used for a bike/hike trail.  Oh, that is one of my two MTH Premier H9 Consolidations sitting on the track for fun.

Lookin good there Mark!   Glad to see you making some progress..   Good looking engine also!  

Jim 

briansilvermustang posted:

I love vids of passenger trains passing. We should start a specific thread just for that!

carsntrains posted:

Lookin good there Mark!   Glad to see you making some progress..   Good looking engine also!  

Jim 

Thank you very much, Jim!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Ed, That corner of the layout turned out great!  There is a lot of interest to see there!

Brian, I agree with Dave, your inventory is amazing!!  Now that we saw DM&IR with the B&LE ore car, how about some more of B&LE, since I live a mile from the mainline, and can hear the trains from my house.  

Thanks Mark. That’s what I  was hoping would be the result. 

Wired up my uncouplers, and realized I should probably set them back away from the switches. 

Then wired them up to my control panel.

And nothing ...

Dang it.

Used a different uncoupler, one wired directly to its own controller, and that worked. Got to figure out what I managed to do wrong. Bummed though. 

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Morning Paul, Mark, and everyone else. Just thought I would let you know this is an early morning wake up! 0230 and the dog is up the cat is up and from there point of view the best part is Dad is up too!

Mike, there is a bright side to this LOL. Once the shell of the addition is up and you have taken care of the dog and cat you can stay up and work on the layout. A win win situation................Paul

paul 2 posted:

Mike, there is a bright side to this LOL. Once the shell of the addition is up and you have taken care of the dog and cat you can stay up and work on the layout. A win win situation................Paul

I guess I could, but it would have to be something that doesn't make a lot of noise! LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

Today I cut the pieces to fit and screwed them down to the stringers.  Then I laid the track out again, and marked the tabletop for where the Homasote will go.  It was certainly easy to roll the unit away from the wall 15 inches or so to get in there!  Worked great.

That may be the shiniest train table top I have seen!  That keeps eyes focused there so as not to see the ugly base.  

On this end, I am going to cut out the board to have the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River flowing underneath this bridge.  It is similar to the real one in Parsons, West Virginia that is now used for a bike/hike trail.  Oh, that is one of my two MTH Premier H9 Consolidations sitting on the track for fun.

Looking good Mark. Don't know about you but I would have hooked up a transformer and run that bad boy around the bend.

Bob

mike g. posted:

paul 2 posted:

Mike, there is a bright side to this LOL. Once the shell of the addition is up and you have taken care of the dog and cat you can stay up and work on the layout. A win win situation................Paul

I guess I could, but it would have to be something that doesn't make a lot of noise! LOL

Rubber hammers Mike !

One of our cats likes to go out around 2 AM. I got more sleep when my kids were babies.

Bob

Mark Boyce posted:

Today I cut the pieces to fit and screwed them down to the stringers.  Then I laid the track out again, and marked the tabletop for where the Homasote will go.  It was certainly easy to roll the unit away from the wall 15 inches or so to get in there!  Worked great.

That may be the shiniest train table top I have seen!  That keeps eyes focused there so as not to see the ugly base.  

On this end, I am going to cut out the board to have the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River flowing underneath this bridge.  It is similar to the real one in Parsons, West Virginia that is now used for a bike/hike trail.  Oh, that is one of my two MTH Premier H9 Consolidations sitting on the track for fun.

Nice looking work there Mark! Sure looks like it going to work well! Keep up the great work!

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

paul 2 posted:

Mike, there is a bright side to this LOL. Once the shell of the addition is up and you have taken care of the dog and cat you can stay up and work on the layout. A win win situation................Paul

I guess I could, but it would have to be something that doesn't make a lot of noise! LOL

Rubber hammers Mike !

One of our cats likes to go out around 2 AM. I got more sleep when my kids were babies.

Bob

Isnt that the truth about getting more sleep when the kids were young! LOL

Mark, good job. It is starting to take shape. Stay the course. Get the trains up and running. ............Paul

mike g. posted:

Morning Paul, Mark, and everyone else. Just thought I would let you know this is an early morning wake up! 0230 and the dog is up the cat is up and from there point of view the best part is Dad is up too!

          but they sure don't like when you try to wake them up.       

                  IZZY was a little slow this morning  getting ready to go to work...

                           so we had to run a couple trains before we left...

Sure Brian, any excuse to run trains! I like the way you think!

Deuce posted:

Wired up my uncouplers, and realized I should probably set them back away from the switches. 

Then wired them up to my control panel.

And nothing ...

Dang it.

Used a different uncoupler, one wired directly to its own controller, and that worked. Got to figure out what I managed to do wrong. Bummed though. 

deuce I'm glad you got that figured out!!!  Looks good!   Interested in seeing how you get this project to work. I have never used an uncoupling track and have no idea how well they work.  After seeing folks melt them I've been wary of hooking up the one I bought!

Jim

mike g. posted:

Sure Brian, any excuse to run trains! I like the way you think!

                      well, I had to bribe her somehow to get her up and moving...

                           come on IZZY, time to wake up... GOTTA GO...

                                      are you awake yet, wake up sleepy...

                        think a little ice cream also helped get her going too...

             a little morning fun' that will get her going...

                                           of coarse, she'll be back to sleep once we get to work...

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired up my uncouplers, and realized I should probably set them back away from the switches. 

Then wired them up to my control panel.

And nothing ...

Dang it.

Used a different uncoupler, one wired directly to its own controller, and that worked. Got to figure out what I managed to do wrong. Bummed though. 

deuce I'm glad you got that figured out!!!  Looks good!   Interested in seeing how you get this project to work. I have never used an uncoupling track and have no idea how well they work.  After seeing folks melt them I've been wary of hooking up the one I bought!

Jim

Jim- I have several of these on my layout and they work well. They are powered from the ACC terminals through a momentary button switch. They pop the couplers open every time.

I've seen past threads where guys cut these in on Ross and other brands of track too.

Bob

Hey Brian, Your Amtrak train sure travels along way! Check out my picture I just took!

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

            Mike, wish I was on it, could of hung out with you and had a beer  !!  

briansilvermustang posted:

            Mike, wish I was on it, could of hung out with you and had a beer  !!  

Never too early for the silver bullet. 5:00 somewhere

briansilvermustang posted:

mike g. posted:

Sure Brian, any excuse to run trains! I like the way you think!

                      well, I had to bribe her somehow to get her up and moving...

Brian, is that a Premier Amtrak car? Or a Metroliner MU? It's very cool whatever it is. I can only run the 031 Railking cars but envy these.

          Lionel 18" 4 car set on the left,   Atlas 21" cars on the right...

briansilvermustang posted:

          Lionel 18" 4 car set on the left,   Atlas 21" cars on the right...

So cool. I'm guessing 042 minimum? I have some 18 Williams Circus passenger cars that will run -36 if you take off a removable piece--any chance those Lionel cars are the same?

JD2035RR posted:

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

Don’t know the LC small Vulcan, but the LC Plus Pacific Steamer using the remote slows the engine down as much as you want at 18 volts! That’s because you control the speed with the remote, not the transformer throttle. This system also means you can still get good smoke production while engine ever so slowly runs. I’m infatuated with it. It is also a very easy system to use. IMHO, a 4 year old with a little practice can master it.

A little later I will post a video demonstrating how slow it can run at 18 volts.

Thank you Bob, Paul, and Mike on the comments on the layout update.

Bob, I just bought this H9 from a Forum member, recieved it yesterday.  It is a PS2 3-volt board, and he said he hasn't run it since he got it 10 years ago.  I am taking the advice of Marty and other DCS experts and waiting until my BCR comes in the mail and not risk starting the locomotive on a dead battery.  I already have a PS3 H9 of a different road number.  Those two are going to be my primary steam engines on the layout.  I also have F7, F3, a GP9, an 0-6-0, and an Atlantic for passenger service.

Thursday I ordered more brick road bed which will be here Tuesday. My order from Ross is still being processed so track work is on hold. Friday was a washout out. Too much other stuff going on. Today I just surfed the web so far looking for bargains today and catching up on the forum. Have an afternoon get together with the local bunch of train guys. So no headway today. I was going to take the day tomorrow to run up to a big train show in Hamburg NY. But I think I am talking myself out of it. So maybe tomorrow I can work on something. Or maybe the wife may have a Cavs game tonight  or maybe she will watch the Olympics. That would give me some time tonight.............Paul

Mark, I was looking at your pics. Where you have the river marked off is there room below the table. If the tracks in the pic is what you are going to do and if you have the room under the table top with two bridges maybe a river that starts shallow at the back and becomes deeper toward the front with a couple of water falls in it might look good. Of course just a thought.............Paul

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

JD2035RR posted:

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

Don’t know the LC small Vulcan, but the LC Plus Pacific Steamer using the remote slows the engine down as much as you want at 18 volts! That’s because you control the speed with the remote, not the transformer throttle. This system also means you can still get good smoke production while engine ever so slowly runs. I’m infatuated with it. It is also a very easy system to use. IMHO, a 4 year old with a little practice can master it.

A little later I will post a video demonstrating how slow it can run at 18 volts.

Thanks Arnold. Those LC+ have been calling my name for a while, their slow speed seems very good. 

It's those lower level LC that I'm curious about. Will they operate at 10v at a more reasonable pace?

Finished the changes to the industrial trackage. Now I have to decide what industry to add, thinking maybe a plastics plant.

Paul, with all the work you have done lately you deserve a day off!

clem k posted:

Finished the changes to the industrial trackage. Now I have to decide what industry to add, thinking maybe a plastics plant.

Clem, side note, did you get your lashup problem fixed?

This is for JD2035RR and those interested in the performance of recent LionChief Plus engines at slow speeds. Notice in video below how slow it approaches each train station, stops, slowly leaves each station, and still produces good smoke This is because it’s in remote mode, transformer is set at 18 volts and speed of train is controlled by the remote unit:

One gets the prototypical slow and steady performance using the very simple and easy to use remote unit.

I could have run it even slower.

This Lionchief plus Pacific Steamer came out in 2017 and is also in the current Lionel 2018 catalogue. I love it.

I know nothing about the more sophisticated Lionel Trainmaster Command Control  and MTH DCS systems that do more amazing tricks and I believe are more complex and more expensive. There are also new systems that are APPS on smart phones that I am unfamiliar with, which might have great appeal, especially for young hobbyists. I’m sure there are Forum members who are experts on these other systems you can reach out to.

Arnold

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

This is for JD2035RR and those interested in the performance of recent LionChief Plus engines at slow speeds. Notice in video below how slow it approaches each train station, stops, slowly leaves each station, and still produces good smoke This is because it’s in remote mode, transformer is set at 18 volts and speed of train is controlled by the remote unit:

One gets the prototypical slow and steady performance using the very simple and easy to use remote unit.

I could have run it even slower.

This Lionchief plus Pacific Steamer came out in 2017 and is also in the current Lionel 2018 catalogue. I love it.

I know nothing about the more sophisticated Lionel Trainmaster Command Control  and MTH DCS systems that do more amazing tricks and I believe are more complex and more expensive. There are also new systems that are APPS on smart phones that I am unfamiliar with, which might have great appeal, especially for young hobbyists. I’m sure there are Forum members who are experts on these other systems you can reach out to.

Arnold

Arnold I took both my  LC+ engines and set them as low as I could.  My son was going to give my Dad a haircut.   I said I bet you are finished before these make a loop of the layout.   He was finished, cleaned up the mess, and they came back to the train room.  Both engines had completed 2/3 of the layout.   It was like watching paint dry they  moved so slow!! LOL Most of my LC engines will get low and slow also!  Except two that aren't broken in.   They run super slow on straight track but then stop in corners.  

Goofy story I know!  But it speaks to your statement! I will try to get wife to video them! 

Jim 

carsntrains posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

This is for JD2035RR and those interested in the performance of recent LionChief Plus engines at slow speeds. Notice in video below how slow it approaches each train station, stops, slowly leaves each station, and still produces good smoke This is because it’s in remote mode, transformer is set at 18 volts and speed of train is controlled by the remote unit:

One gets the prototypical slow and steady performance using the very simple and easy to use remote unit.

I could have run it even slower.

This Lionchief plus Pacific Steamer came out in 2017 and is also in the current Lionel 2018 catalogue. I love it.

I know nothing about the more sophisticated Lionel Trainmaster Command Control  and MTH DCS systems that do more amazing tricks and I believe are more complex and more expensive. There are also new systems that are APPS on smart phones that I am unfamiliar with, which might have great appeal, especially for young hobbyists. I’m sure there are Forum members who are experts on these other systems you can reach out to.

Arnold

Arnold I took both my  LC+ engines and set them as low as I could.  My son was going to give my Dad a haircut.   I said I bet you are finished before these make a loop of the layout.   He was finished, cleaned up the mess, and they came back to the train room.  Both engines had completed 2/3 of the layout.   It was like watching paint dry they  moved so slow!! LOL Most of my LC engines will get low and slow also!  Except two that aren't broken in.   They run super slow on straight track but then stop in corners.  

Goofy story I know!  But it speaks to your statement! I will try to get wife to video them! 

Jim 

 

Jim, I suspect you know more than me about these modern Lionel engines. I’ve only had mine for a few days. 

Does LC plus give you all that you want and need, or do the more complex and sophisticated operating systems like TM Command Control also turn you on?

Arnold

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

carsntrains posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

This is for JD2035RR and those interested in the performance of recent LionChief Plus engines at slow speeds. Notice in video below how slow it approaches each train station, stops, slowly leaves each station, and still produces good smoke This is because it’s in remote mode, transformer is set at 18 volts and speed of train is controlled by the remote unit:

One gets the prototypical slow and steady performance using the very simple and easy to use remote unit.

I could have run it even slower.

This Lionchief plus Pacific Steamer came out in 2017 and is also in the current Lionel 2018 catalogue. I love it.

I know nothing about the more sophisticated Lionel Trainmaster Command Control  and MTH DCS systems that do more amazing tricks and I believe are more complex and more expensive. There are also new systems that are APPS on smart phones that I am unfamiliar with, which might have great appeal, especially for young hobbyists. I’m sure there are Forum members who are experts on these other systems you can reach out to.

Arnold

Arnold I took both my  LC+ engines and set them as low as I could.  My son was going to give my Dad a haircut.   I said I bet you are finished before these make a loop of the layout.   He was finished, cleaned up the mess, and they came back to the train room.  Both engines had completed 2/3 of the layout.   It was like watching paint dry they  moved so slow!! LOL Most of my LC engines will get low and slow also!  Except two that aren't broken in.   They run super slow on straight track but then stop in corners.  

Goofy story I know!  But it speaks to your statement! I will try to get wife to video them! 

Jim 

 

Jim, I suspect you know more than me about these modern Lionel engines. I’ve only had mine for a few days. 

Does LC plus give you all that you want and need, or do the more complex and sophisticated operating systems like TM Command Control also turn you on?

Arnold

Being honest I cant see why people would pay to install a control system like legacy, TMCC, DCS.   The LC/LC+  engines can do anything a Visionline engine can do.    Except looks a good lol    Really, why would I put out all the money to buy a system when all I have to do is put an engine on my layout, turn on power, put batteries in a controller, and do EXACTLY what a legacy, premier, or any DCS/TMCC engine can do?   For half or one third the price?   I can buy two or three LC+ engines for what it would cost to install a DCS with wifi so I could run it with a remote (or maybe more engines).     The LC system and Bluetooth are the way of the future.  No doubt in my mind.  Next step is dual band in trains.   So we can run more options !!!  Love it!  

Jim 

EDIT:   In no way is this demeaning or looking down on anyone that currently has a different control system.  If you have one and like it HURRAY!  : ) 

I put out a whole bunch of patriotic rolling stock and trains to celebrate Presidents Day. Put out the snow plow as we are expecting snow this afternoon,  and burned a lot of smoke fluid. Replaced a few burnt out bulbs in the recessed lighting...funny how they seem to go at about the same time.

Thank you Jim.

Financial and space constraints are relevant factors. For instance, I have a long and narrow layout with reverse loops, 031 curves and 022 swithches; and my wife would kill me if I spent $2,000 on the Lionel VL Niagara with steam coming out of its ears metaphorically. I must say the allure of a steam engine like that is very enticing.

Its very helpful to know how Lionchief plus with remote does the essential things that the more expensive and sophisticated modern engines can do, at a small fraction of the cost. 

Arnold

PS: I also love MTH Railking Proto 3.

Craignor posted:

I put out a whole bunch of patriotic rolling stock and trains to celebrate Presidents Day. Put out the snow plow as we are expecting snow this afternoon,  and burned a lot of smoke fluid. Replaced a few burnt out bulbs in the recessed lighting...funny how they seem to go at about the same time.

Great idea, beautiful trains. Thanks.

clem k posted:

Finished the changes to the industrial trackage. Now I have to decide what industry to add, thinking maybe a plastics plant.

Reminds me of the movie, The Graduate: “Plastics is the future.”

JD2035RR posted:

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

I'm going to give it a whirl when I'm able to get back out there.  Got a sleeping kiddo on my lap right now. 

paul 2 posted:

Mark, I was looking at your pics. Where you have the river marked off is there room below the table. If the tracks in the pic is what you are going to do and if you have the room under the table top with two bridges maybe a river that starts shallow at the back and becomes deeper toward the front with a couple of water falls in it might look good. Of course just a thought.............Paul

Paul, There is 5 inches room below the table top.  I think you are on to something.  The little falls would look good.  I am only getting ideas from the prototype and getting the feeling of the real Blackwater Canyon route.  The track crosses twice in Parsons, but two different branches of the Cheat River.  The Shavers Fork is the one with the truss bridge.  The Cheat River itself right after the Blackwater Fork flows in is the other.  I don't have room for two forks of the river, but I do have room for two crossings.  The falls will provide interest in and of itself, and also break up the flow so interest will go to one crossing or the other.  

Built my own static grass applicator, and trying my hand at some grass tufts.

I need longer flock 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you Jim.

Financial and space constraints are relevant factors. For instance, I have a long and narrow layout with reverse loops, 031 curves and 022 swithches; and my wife would kill me if I spent $2,000 on the Lionel VL Niagara with steam coming out of its ears metaphorically. I must say the allure of a steam engine like that is very enticing.

Its very helpful to know how Lionchief plus with remote does the essential things that the more expensive and sophisticated modern engines can do, at a small fraction of the cost. 

Arnold

PS: I also love MTH Railking Proto 3.

Arnold, The new LC+ runs very nicely indeed!  I was watching it, and started hearing music.  I first thought my wife just started playing the piano, then I remembered she left to go to the store with one of our daughters.  It was then I remembered you said you play music a lot while running trains.    

Mo985 posted:

Built my own static grass applicator, and trying my hand at some grass tufts.

I need longer flock 

Ok Mo, I know I could probably look it up in the internet, But how did you build it?

Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you Jim.

Financial and space constraints are relevant factors. For instance, I have a long and narrow layout with reverse loops, 031 curves and 022 swithches; and my wife would kill me if I spent $2,000 on the Lionel VL Niagara with steam coming out of its ears metaphorically. I must say the allure of a steam engine like that is very enticing.

Its very helpful to know how Lionchief plus with remote does the essential things that the more expensive and sophisticated modern engines can do, at a small fraction of the cost. 

Arnold

PS: I also love MTH Railking Proto 3.

Arnold, The new LC+ runs very nicely indeed!  I was watching it, and started hearing music.  I first thought my wife just started playing the piano, then I remembered she left to go to the store with one of our daughters.  It was then I remembered you said you play music a lot while running trains.    

I think that was Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata ln the background.

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Oh, one more thing MTH and Lionel, keep that 44 tonner under $500, and make it so it runs at slow and smooth prototypical speed. Now get to work!

Power to the Little People!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Arnold, sorry to say you'll never see it. It's so far oversized that "out of scale' is an understatement. First made by Lionel in the 1950's and later by Williams in the early part of this century. There's a glut of them on the used market.

Since then WBB and MTH have made wonderful smooth running scale versions with sound (no room for smoke!). Both will pull more cars than the 1 to 1 sized ones ever thought of pulling. A real one operated a few miles from where i live and if it had more than 3 or 4 cars plus a caboose to bring up a hill (up 500+ feet in under 2 miles) from the NYC main line (Water Level Route), it had to go back down and pick up the remainder of the cars.

modeltrainsparts posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Arnold, sorry to say you'll never see it. It's so far oversized that "out of scale' is an understatement. First made by Lionel in the 1950's and later by Williams in the early part of this century. There's a glut of them on the used market.

Since then WBB and MTH have made wonderful smooth running scale versions with sound (no room for smoke!). Both will pull more cars than the 1 to 1 sized ones ever thought of pulling. A real one operated a few miles from where i live and if it had more than 3 or 4 cars plus a caboose to bring up a hill (up 500+ feet in under 2 miles) from the NYC main line (Water Level Route), it had to go back down and pick up the remainder of the cars.

Unlike me, you clearly know what your talking about.

What if it was a center cab diesel but more than 44 tons.? Was there such an engine as a 70 tonner or 90 tonner or higher number center cab diesel?

Key thing is for the model train center cab diesel to have smoke and sounds and pull up to 10 cars. Is that possible?

Arnold

mike g. posted:

Mo985 posted:

Built my own static grass applicator, and trying my hand at some grass tufts.

I need longer flock 

Ok Mo, I know I could probably look it up in the internet, But how did you build it?

I did do my homework, watched a few YouTube videos and whatnot.

supplies needed: electric bug zapper (harbor freight, HD, etc) dollar store strainer, cheap circuit tester (had this lying around, need the alligator clip), 

take apart zapper carefully so you don't pull the wires off the circuit board inside. I took apart the "racquet head" and disconnected my wires from there. Some versions have only 2 wires, mine had three, 2 of which (yellow) went to the same spot. I drilled holes in the strainer handle to match the mounting holes of the racquet head, then took the 2 yellow wires, ran them up to the mesh, and soldered. The remaining wire gets connected with the wire with the alligator clip (I disconnected it from the body of the circuit tester so I have about 15"). Insert batteries, fill with flock, attach the clip to a straight pin in your glue or pan, and tap the strainer while holding the power button.  Bob's your uncle!

Word of warning, DONT TOUCH ALLIGATOR CLIP TO STRAINER!!!! Or let your hand or finger get in between the two!

All for under $10. 

I hope I covered everything. Not my own design, so no credit due to me, but it was much easier than what I was expecting.  

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

modeltrainsparts posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Arnold, sorry to say you'll never see it. It's so far oversized that "out of scale' is an understatement. First made by Lionel in the 1950's and later by Williams in the early part of this century. There's a glut of them on the used market.

Since then WBB and MTH have made wonderful smooth running scale versions with sound (no room for smoke!). Both will pull more cars than the 1 to 1 sized ones ever thought of pulling. A real one operated a few miles from where i live and if it had more than 3 or 4 cars plus a caboose to bring up a hill (up 500+ feet in under 2 miles) from the NYC main line (Water Level Route), it had to go back down and pick up the remainder of the cars.

Unlike me, you clearly know what your talking about.

What if it was a center cab diesel but more than 44 tons.? Was there such an engine as a 70 tonner or 90 tonner or higher number center cab diesel?

Key thing is for the model train center cab diesel to have smoke and sounds and pull up to 10 cars. Is that possible?

Arnold

 

Arnold,

I can't speak for the Williams ones but i know the Lionel ones will pull most 10 car trains, and the 1950's versions have enough room for a smoke unit and maybe a sound system - not sure if both will fit. The Lionel ones of that era had staked trucks which may have loosened over time, and will result in erratic running and poor pulling power. They can be re-staked by someone who knows what they're doing. When buying a used one from this era look out for this potential problem.

Someone else will have to respond regarding later production units.

Thanks Mo, a lot of people would have said watch the video on YouTube. But that's whats nice about most people here are willing to share! You ROCK!

modeltrainsparts posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

modeltrainsparts posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Arnold, sorry to say you'll never see it. It's so far oversized that "out of scale' is an understatement. First made by Lionel in the 1950's and later by Williams in the early part of this century. There's a glut of them on the used market.

Since then WBB and MTH have made wonderful smooth running scale versions with sound (no room for smoke!). Both will pull more cars than the 1 to 1 sized ones ever thought of pulling. A real one operated a few miles from where i live and if it had more than 3 or 4 cars plus a caboose to bring up a hill (up 500+ feet in under 2 miles) from the NYC main line (Water Level Route), it had to go back down and pick up the remainder of the cars.

Unlike me, you clearly know what your talking about.

What if it was a center cab diesel but more than 44 tons.? Was there such an engine as a 70 tonner or 90 tonner or higher number center cab diesel?

Key thing is for the model train center cab diesel to have smoke and sounds and pull up to 10 cars. Is that possible?

Arnold

 

Arnold,

I can't speak for the Williams ones but i know the Lionel ones will pull most 10 car trains, and the 1950's versions have enough room for a smoke unit and maybe a sound system - not sure if both will fit. The Lionel ones of that era had staked trucks which may have loosened over time, and will result in erratic running and poor pulling power. They can be re-staked by someone who knows what they're doing. When buying a used one from this era look out for this potential problem.

Someone else will have to respond regarding later production units.

Thanks 

I pulled the trigger on pack A reindeer cars from Charles Ro.   Also got that 2016 Christmas car while I was at it..  Smokin deal on both!   Wish me luck! 

Now I have to finish getting my trains out of the bottom of the wife's china cabinet!  Made sure that new tool box had drawers tall enough for choo choos lol   

Jim 

Jim,

I hope you get the right cars this time!  I will like to see the tool chest drawers with cars in them!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

modeltrainsparts posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Hey Lionel, MTH, I want one of these with Sounds and Smoke that can pull like a Bulldog:

Also, Its got to be a blue B&O 44 tonner!

Arnold

Arnold, sorry to say you'll never see it. It's so far oversized that "out of scale' is an understatement. First made by Lionel in the 1950's and later by Williams in the early part of this century. There's a glut of them on the used market.

Since then WBB and MTH have made wonderful smooth running scale versions with sound (no room for smoke!). Both will pull more cars than the 1 to 1 sized ones ever thought of pulling. A real one operated a few miles from where i live and if it had more than 3 or 4 cars plus a caboose to bring up a hill (up 500+ feet in under 2 miles) from the NYC main line (Water Level Route), it had to go back down and pick up the remainder of the cars.

Unlike me, you clearly know what your talking about.

What if it was a center cab diesel but more than 44 tons.? Was there such an engine as a 70 tonner or 90 tonner or higher number center cab diesel?

Key thing is for the model train center cab diesel to have smoke and sounds and pull up to 10 cars. Is that possible?

Arnold

 

At least a few. When I was young my Gramps had a couple of 44s custom painted to resemble the center cab diesels used at Fords in his youth. I think they were 120t. Imagine a 44t with a 40s Ford grill

I'll search for pic. 

Deuce posted:

JD2035RR posted:

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

I'm going to give it a whirl when I'm able to get back out there.  Got a sleeping kiddo on my lap right now. 

Set a CW40 to 35% and ran the LC Vulcan. It ran pretty well, and at much slower speed than "breakneck". It got hung up a couple of times on the 1122 switches, where it just died, but otherwise it ran just well. That was with only 1 lock-on powering the track as well. So I think throttling down the transformer is a viable alternative.

carsntrains posted:

I pulled the trigger on pack A reindeer cars from Charles Ro.   Also got that 2016 Christmas car while I was at it..  Smokin deal on both!   Wish me luck! 

Now I have to finish getting my trains out of the bottom of the wife's china cabinet!  Made sure that new tool box had drawers tall enough for choo choos lol   

Jim 

Jim I am with Mark, I sure hope you get what you really want! Charles Ro. has a great reputation!

Other than spending some time running, placed another 40 ft of roadbed on the #3 upper line, put in 280 3R rubber ties under the combination Lionel and K Line tubular rail.  Really like having the K Line 96" curves as I use with the 72" for transition in/out of the slightly super elevated portions of the main lines.  Overall, from what I counted, I have over 600 ft. of tubular track laid on the 20/24 ft. wide X 28 ft. long layout.  Good to see I can make good use of track I have had from past layouts.  Even though some is close to 40 yrs. old (and my 25 yr. old Gargraves), I have had no problems with power distribution or shorts.  Now to making use, someday, of the abundant Atlas track and switches acquired over the past 10 yrs.

Work, work, work.... always something.... between running trains!  Gotta LOVE it!!

Jesse    TCA

Deuce posted:

JD2035RR posted:

Deuce posted:

I'm a dummy.  Figured it out. Was using an MTH lighted lockon and had it wired up backwards. Wired it up correctly and it worked just fine. 

I do have a question though ... how durable are those 1122 switches? Do I run the chance of burning the motors on them out by running my engine over them a lot when doing the Inglenook siding puzzle? I'd imagine it won't be an issue, but don't want to find out the hard way that it was.

Oh and that small Vulcan LC engine? It's about as delicate as a hammer. Thing either flies in the forward direction, or flies in the reverse. Is there a way to slow this thing down? I suppose throttling down the transformer might help a bit? Having a speed other than "breakneck" would be useful.

Glad it was an easy fix. 

Im curious how the LC operates on lower fixed voltage?

I'm going to give it a whirl when I'm able to get back out there.  Got a sleeping kiddo on my lap right now. 

That's what it's all about.

The 1122 risks a burnt coil if you park on it's anti-derail section for extended periods while powered. I.e. , it needs some time to cool every now and then.

  That said, in 50+ years I have melted 2 covers till they sagged, but never actually burned out a coil.(actually, maybe one of those two got burnt. The melted  plastic jammed up the mech so bad, so no attempt was made to use it further, I had plenty; Gramps "train spoiled" me). 

I don't recall being warned it might cook one either.

If they do feel hot during a session, they can be modified. Using a capacitive circuit the slight delay between capacitor charges and firings allows the coil a cooling break. You can also mod it to accept aux power, which could be switched off for maneuvers involving being parked on the turnouts isolated rail for a while.

   It's not usually hard to position the isolated rail between the trucks of a car either. Then again I haven't done a switching puzzle since I was a teen

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

Got to work on my control panel and terminal board.  I have seven track blocks.  The switches on the facia will control power to them.  The terminal board is made using brass rod.  I simply will solder the wires to the appropriate rod.  The fast acting circuit breakers are at the bottom of the terminal board.

carsntrains posted:

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

I still don’t understand how your trains got in the china cabinet???? I wouldn’t be able to fit a bobber caboose in ours!!  LOL

Well I’m glad you got yours moved!!  You will find the missing wheel set after you replace it with a new one!  Might as well just buy a new one now.  ;-)

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

I still don’t understand how your trains got in the china cabinet???? I wouldn’t be able to fit a bobber caboose in ours!!  LOL

Well I’m glad you got yours moved!!  You will find the missing wheel set after you replace it with a new one!  Might as well just buy a new one now.  ;-)

Yeah I know what you are saying!!! I put them in there when I first started taking down the living room table layout.   I seem to remember it coming out of the truck some time ago..  Probably in a set box somewhere.   I did find an engine that I forgot I had : )  and some Christmas cars that I got and forgot I put them in there !  I'll try to get you a picture of the tool box ..  My camera person aint being too helpful tonight lol 

Jim 

   These are GE like the 44t too. At Fords as 125t & 132t. Solid blue, solid black, or red. I've read the red was solid too and I suspect the red here is photoshopped as I only saw a blk&wht version for many years. The color shot only appeared for me for the first time about 4 years ago.

I love chrome!, You know  this is on my top ten list of "somedays"

I lost it, there was a solid color photo too 

Worked on Brewery front some more tonight.  I cut out the two loading dock doors and made false interior spaces and painted them tonight. I am going to reuse the one wooden loading dock door in the interior back wall of the dock. The other dock interior will probably get a photo applied to to it (like bottling floor  of brewery)  I will be installing micro warm light LED chips in the ceilings of these two dock insides so that you can see the interior space. I also got these awesome 3D printed bottles with the old fashioned wood cases and also some beer kegs which haven't arrived yet. I paint the cases wood tonight and will be applying translucent brown paint to the bottles. I will be starting painting tomorrow after making and attaching mounting brackets to hold the light box on the back of the front.

I also worked on repainting a Twin Whistle engine house and will be installing a couple lights in the interior and I want to add to red lights to the front. Thinking of 3D printing a lamp base and use a LED inside of a red bead

And last night I worked on painting two fronts from DSL shops. The bank and Goldblatt's fronts. I'm not done painting the Glodblatt's front yet. This is also going to be a Woolworth's and Dave from Crescent Locomotive works is working on this sign along with a few others, like the brewery sign.

The Red sign is really going to pop with the gold letters and black diamonds

More recently... 

And the competitions "best dressed" industrial...(hydraulic drive)

There is a shorty. I'm not sure if it is a halved of one of these, or a true shorty.

Layout needed some cleaning up. So packed stuff away, put most of my tools back in their spots, and wired some of the accessories. 

It's coming along, but definitely a work in progress.

carsntrains posted:

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

Jim, I know you know this but I will shoot you a reminder. You can do like me and build extra room,, or make a mean wife Happy, VERY HAPPY! My wife is happy I am taking the trains out to the garage addition. LOL

CSX Al posted:

Worked on Brewery front some more tonight.  I cut out the two loading dock doors and made false interior spaces and painted them tonight. I am going to reuse the one wooden loading dock door in the interior back wall of the dock. The other dock interior will probably get a photo applied to to it (like bottling floor  of brewery)  I will be installing micro warm light LED chips in the ceilings of these two dock insides so that you can see the interior space. I also got these awesome 3D printed bottles with the old fashioned wood cases and also some beer kegs which haven't arrived yet. I paint the cases wood tonight and will be applying translucent brown paint to the bottles. I will be starting painting tomorrow after making and attaching mounting brackets to hold the light box on the back of the front.

I also worked on repainting a Twin Whistle engine house and will be installing a couple lights in the interior and I want to add to red lights to the front. Thinking of 3D printing a lamp base and use a LED inside of a red bead

And last night I worked on painting two fronts from DSL shops. The bank and Goldblatt's fronts. I'm not done painting the Glodblatt's front yet. This is also going to be a Woolworth's and Dave from Crescent Locomotive works is working on this sign along with a few others, like the brewery sign.

The Red sign is really going to pop with the gold letters and black diamonds

Looking just Great Al ! I like how you bring the buildings to life. From a box to the layout with the look of something you might have just walked out of in real life. GREAT WORK!

Keeping your wife happy is very important. This gives me a great idea for a new Post!

Arnold

Deuce posted:

Layout needed some cleaning up. So packed stuff away, put most of my tools back in their spots, and wired some of the accessories. 

It's coming along, but definitely a work in progress.

Looks good Deuce, don't pack to much away, you might forget what you have! LOL I know I have boxes I don't even know what in them. But I know its train stuff! LOL

Arnold- I just picked up a WBB 44 ton NH switcher. All conventional with a tru-blast horn. It's a nice loco. Pulls anything I put behind it.

carsntrains posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

I still don’t understand how your trains got in the china cabinet???? I wouldn’t be able to fit a bobber caboose in ours!!  LOL

Well I’m glad you got yours moved!!  You will find the missing wheel set after you replace it with a new one!  Might as well just buy a new one now.  ;-)

Yeah I know what you are saying!!! I put them in there when I first started taking down the living room table layout.   I seem to remember it coming out of the truck some time ago..  Probably in a set box somewhere.   I did find an engine that I forgot I had : )  and some Christmas cars that I got and forgot I put them in there !  I'll try to get you a picture of the tool box ..  My camera person aint being too helpful tonight lol 

Jim 

Trains in the china cabinet would be a non-starter in my house. The CEO is barely tolerating trains in the basement

Happy Birthday Jim! That dinner sounds good. Does your daughter deliver?????

                                       a ballast train was in town today...

Wired a Standard Gauge test track to my existing O Gauge test track with DCS and TMCC.

RSJB18 posted:

carsntrains posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I got all the choo choos out of mean wifes china cabinet!  All but 2 of them fit in the toolbox .. Lost a wheel set off of a tanker car somewhere???  Can't find it.  Tried to get wife to help.  NAAAAA   On a good note our daughter came over and brought us dinner for my birthday (Monday)  Had some Jamaican pork wraps w/dirty rice,and jerk chicken!!  Was pretty good!  Trying to figure out how to gain some more room for the layout..    HMMMMMMM   

Jim : ) 

I still don’t understand how your trains got in the china cabinet???? I wouldn’t be able to fit a bobber caboose in ours!!  LOL

Well I’m glad you got yours moved!!  You will find the missing wheel set after you replace it with a new one!  Might as well just buy a new one now.  ;-)

Yeah I know what you are saying!!! I put them in there when I first started taking down the living room table layout.   I seem to remember it coming out of the truck some time ago..  Probably in a set box somewhere.   I did find an engine that I forgot I had : )  and some Christmas cars that I got and forgot I put them in there !  I'll try to get you a picture of the tool box ..  My camera person aint being too helpful tonight lol 

Jim 

Trains in the china cabinet would be a non-starter in my house. The CEO is barely tolerating trains in the basement

Happy Birthday Jim! That dinner sounds good. Does your daughter deliver?????

dishes down, trains up !!!  paper dishes work just fine ! no dishes to wash ! more train time

no wife, happy life!!!!!

Dishes are overrated anyway. That's why chinese food comes in those cardboard boxes.

probably grandmas china in the cabinet, "oh, no, we can't eat off  of THAT"

  " Dishes are overrated anyway"    for that matter, I think the kitchen is overrated too !

                                                     Daytona today! 

                                                       more train room...

briansilvermustang posted:

  " Dishes are overrated anyway"    for that matter, I think the kitchen is overrated too !

Love to see a video of a train running through all of those cabinets (doors open please )