What did you do on your layout today?

Why 666? Because of 999 

Everything is cheaper in bulk or repetition 

100:1 costs savings were at the heart of it 

Any controversy was fee advertising 

"Fee advertising".... It's a joke Son...

Looks great Jim!

I finally completed the rest of my first extended operating session tonight. Hope my photography improves.

1st. K4 bringing mail train to rural station for pickup.

2nd. M1a taking coal after hauling 9 oil tankers to staging for next leg.

3rd. K4 hidden in yard taking water before continuing fast mail assignment.

4th. String of 9 tankers.

5th. B6s moving a mix in the yard.

6th. Consolidation hauling mix of empties and products from city to yard for sorting and staging.

Made a little more progress today, added another layer to the top.  My wife has requested that we put some type of building on top and some bears.  Maybe a chapel...bride trying to run away,,,,,,and bears attacking the groom......what ever happens she want to see some bears on the hill.  We can do that!  I think we have reached the proper height, but may put another layer in the back once we find a building to put on it  and go from there.  

Bob, so far I have only used various utility knifes, both sharp and dull for various effects.  

Just a little more shaping and then we will try some finish work on it.  Trees will be a must, but I am just starting to shop around for those at the moment.  

I'm starting to like this adventure......

Hung my shelf.  Is under the fascia board my wife’s friend painted for the xmas layout.  That still gets me, is so nice of her to do.  This was a fun little project.  Would be interesting to see the variations others might create to display their favorites.

Note:  Am disappointed with the brackets.  Would like something hidden.  I have an idea, but need a welder/torch for metal rod work, to implement.  Anybody have something else?

beardog posted:

Back to trains, I think Jim was talking about his Marx 666 earlier. I pulled one of mine off

the shelf, put a tender, 10 marx postwar boxcars and a caboose behind it and turned on

the power. Lots of wheel spin, but no forward progress. Lubed all the axles but that didn't help

much. It would move a bit with a little push, but not much. Tried 9 cars, no improvement.

At 7 cars it would move on its own, but the marx couplers would not stay together. Perhaps on

a layout with wider turns and longer straights it could do better. 

This might help....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNHM3fu3T9U

TedW posted:

Hung my shelf.  Is under the fascia board my wife’s friend painted for the xmas layout.  That still gets me, is so nice of her to do.  This was a fun little project.  Would be interesting to see the variations others might create to display their favorites.

Note:  Am disappointed with the brackets.  Would like something hidden.  I have an idea, but need a welder/torch for metal rod work, to implement.  Anybody have something else?

Lots of hidden brackets available Ted. check HD, Lowes, Manards. The shelf and the painting look great together.

Bob

Thaddeus posted:

Made a little more progress today, added another layer to the top.  My wife has requested that we put some type of building on top and some bears.  Maybe a chapel...bride trying to run away,,,,,,and bears attacking the groom......what ever happens she want to see some bears on the hill.  We can do that!  I think we have reached the proper height, but may put another layer in the back once we find a building to put on it  and go from there.  

Bob, so far I have only used various utility knifes, both sharp and dull for various effects.  

Just a little more shaping and then we will try some finish work on it.  Trees will be a must, but I am just starting to shop around for those at the moment.  

I'm starting to like this adventure......

 

Looks good so far Thaddeus. Like I said, no real right or wrong way to do this. You can always glue on another piece and keep going. I use a Dremel Multi-max to carve foam. Works well with minimal dust. It's a great tool to have anyway.

Bob

TedW posted:

Hung my shelf.  Is under the fascia board my wife’s friend painted for the xmas layout.  That still gets me, is so nice of her to do.  This was a fun little project.  Would be interesting to see the variations others might create to display their favorites.

Note:  Am disappointed with the brackets.  Would like something hidden.  I have an idea, but need a welder/torch for metal rod work, to implement.  Anybody have something else?

Ted. here is an idea you might want to try.  You might have to use a thicker board, or you might be able to make that one work. First you mark where your studs are, and make  the same marking on your display board that sits along the wall. Drill holes into studs and same size hole into your display. Insert long lag bolts with the heads cut off, (side note, you can cut the heads off before or after you put them into the wall) Then you should be able to slide your display onto the long end of the bolts sticking out of the wall.

Just an idea! or you can buy something like Bob said!

http://www.rockler.com/blind-s...pc&utm_campaign=(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20Top%20Sellers&utm_content=hardware&utm_term=storage+and+organization&msclkid=1087eb06ce221aeeaf5fb18bb9ced5de

TedW posted:

Hung my shelf.  Is under the fascia board my wife’s friend painted for the xmas layout.  That still gets me, is so nice of her to do.  This was a fun little project.  Would be interesting to see the variations others might create to display their favorites.

Note:  Am disappointed with the brackets.  Would like something hidden.  I have an idea, but need a welder/torch for metal rod work, to implement.  Anybody have something else?

     try something like this Ted.... screw 1st board to studs,  then dowel  2nd board on

                           you then have a floating shelf...

briansilvermustang posted:

TedW posted:

Hung my shelf.  Is under the fascia board my wife’s friend painted for the xmas layout.  That still gets me, is so nice of her to do.  This was a fun little project.  Would be interesting to see the variations others might create to display their favorites.

Note:  Am disappointed with the brackets.  Would like something hidden.  I have an idea, but need a welder/torch for metal rod work, to implement.  Anybody have something else?

     try something like this Ted.... screw 1st board to studs,  then dowel  2nd board on

                           you then have a floating shelf...

Show off Brian, I would have done a picture also instead of explaining all of it. but I don't have a floating shelf or a picture of one to share! LOL

          IZZY's  ice cream delivery...

they make wooden bracketsthat you could stain to match the shelf

I like the Glynn Snyder shelf system.  

Jim

Bob, didn't think about using my Dremel....  What blade or attachment do you use with yours?

carsntrains posted:

I like the Glynn Snyder shelf system.  

Jim

Ted, your scenic shelf is really beautiful!  If a person can do such a nice job, that is the way to go.

I have not used Glen Snyder, but I like the low profile for someone like me who has little space!  I think there would be less trouble with me bumping into it.  LOL  So far what I have on shelves are on my ugly shelves.  LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I like the Glynn Snyder shelf system.  

Jim

Ted, your scenic shelf is really beautiful!  If a person can do such a nice job, that is the way to go.

I have not used Glen Snyder, but I like the low profile for someone like me who has little space!  I think there would be less trouble with me bumping into it.  LOL  So far what I have on shelves are on my ugly shelves.  LOL

Mark I agree. For storage and display they are awesome!  Now for a single display shelf I think a nice custom wooden one looks great!  Parking being my issue is why I like the GS shelves. 

Jim

carsntrains posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I like the Glynn Snyder shelf system.  

Jim

Ted, your scenic shelf is really beautiful!  If a person can do such a nice job, that is the way to go.

I have not used Glen Snyder, but I like the low profile for someone like me who has little space!  I think there would be less trouble with me bumping into it.  LOL  So far what I have on shelves are on my ugly shelves.  LOL

Mark I agree. For storage and display they are awesome!  Now for a single display shelf I think a nice custom wooden one looks great!  Parking being my issue is why I like the GS shelves. 

Jim

Yup, I have some GS shelves for the majority of trains, the shelf I sceniced was for display in the family room for a single model.  Something a little more special. Will rotate favorites as the mood strikes.  Brian, are you confident your dowels will hold an Allegheny or AC9 for example?  That’s the only concern, is the weight.  Mike, your idea is along the lines of what I was thinking, only an L bracket. Engine would hide the vertical leg. Thx for the good ideas, keep em’ coming.

Thaddeus posted:

Bob, didn't think about using my Dremel....  What blade or attachment do you use with yours?

I have a variety of blades for the Dremel. I found the 1" straight wood blade to be the most versatile.

I got my switch tracks wired to the toggle switches.  The next step is to hook up the fixed voltage plugs.  

TedW posted:

carsntrains posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I like the Glynn Snyder shelf system.  

Jim

Ted, your scenic shelf is really beautiful!  If a person can do such a nice job, that is the way to go.

I have not used Glen Snyder, but I like the low profile for someone like me who has little space!  I think there would be less trouble with me bumping into it.  LOL  So far what I have on shelves are on my ugly shelves.  LOL

Mark I agree. For storage and display they are awesome!  Now for a single display shelf I think a nice custom wooden one looks great!  Parking being my issue is why I like the GS shelves. 

Jim

Yup, I have some GS shelves for the majority of trains, the shelf I sceniced was for display in the family room for a single model.  Something a little more special. Will rotate favorites as the mood strikes.  Brian, are you confident your dowels will hold an Allegheny or AC9 for example?  That’s the only concern, is the weight.  Mike, your idea is along the lines of what I was thinking, only an L bracket. Engine would hide the vertical leg. Thx for the good ideas, keep em’ coming.

WOW you just gave me a good idea ( I think )   I have an old custom mantle that I put away 4 years ago when I took out our fireplace.  To mount in you just screw a 2x3 to the wall into the studs and sit the mantel over it.  Instant train shelf!    Free too!!!!  Sometimes I just dont think lol

JIm

On Vacation in Amelia Is Fla with grandkids  this week. But, since my last update, I made a tunnel for the shelf layout: 

# 1 grandson was at the house nite before we hit the road & we we're like 2 kids in a candy store playing with the trains (hollering & carrying on)!

PS, they have a pair of GP 16's freshly painted here switching out paper mill.

Thanks to all who hit the like button. Been kind of busy lately, so my forum time has been way down. I'm expecting to hear from the convention tour guy anytime now. He's going to want to take pictures, and the place is a mess. That's what happens when you're making progress. I've been using my dialysis time for the forum. Makes my four hours go fast.

Mike - I managed to not crash after dinner Monday, but I didn't get downstairs either. My wife had a different idea, organize the bedroom closet. Would rather have had a nap. Least she stopped bugging me.

Bob - Thanks. Sorry, I don't mean to boggle your mind.

----------------------------------------

Worked yesterday, pretty much confined to the end of aisle one.

I added all of the cardboard to support the plaster cloth around the back curve and a short section of the front curve, connecting the completed sections.

The front curve is going to be this girder viaduct.

I bought three Chooch bridge piers from Scenic Express, not knowing exactly what I needed, or even how many. They were way too tall for this project, and there weren't enough. A little table saw "surgery", and the creation of three new tops, and there were six the correct height. They all need paint, and are good to go.

I used the Sawzall to remove the plywood and foam roadbed. This may have been premature, since there is still so much work to be done behind it. Oh well, worst case, I'll whip up a hard temporary cover for it. Once I decide on the position and count of the piers, I'll have to drill two of them for the feeders. Fortunately, I can move them if I need to.

The removed section with it's "track shadow".

This is where the very compressed lift bridge will go. I'll be cutting away the roadbed, and removing the the 2x4 support eventually. The new cut will be just under the end of the switch, widening the river and lengthening the bridge.

Gonna try this not crashing thing again tonight. Fingers crossed.

  Ted, You might build a small open back "breadbox" off of the bottom out of light woods. Sliding doors with finger holes, or drop down to a mini desk, maybe a rolltop ( easy really)  Alternate train storage  

  Bump it up to four, and or commission/bribe/blackmail that starving artist for more backdrops to do the four seasons of railroading. A filler piece to tie the painting to the shelf? The seasons or time of day are the only parallels I can muster.

   I think you should try facing your engine the other way so they are meeting/passing.

 I wonder if she could paint the brackets to resemble spikes? They already have very near the exact shape. A few minutes on a grinder and the tips might be chiseled more if desired, etc., but that was my first thought to begin with; spikes.

Basement flooded last week Friday for the first time ever. A real mess ensued but also somewhat of a blessing as I was able to throw out worthless stuff that I had been hanging onto for far too many years. No damage to the layout or any trains but a lot of clean up. Just need to install new flooring and lug everything back downstairs......

gandydancer1950 posted:

Basement flooded last week Friday for the first time ever. A real mess ensued but also somewhat of a blessing as I was able to throw out worthless stuff that I had been hanging onto for far too many years. No damage to the layout or any trains but a lot of clean up. Just need to install new flooring and lug everything back downstairs......

Sorry to hear that! It just sucks, but I am glad nothing important got damaged.

Assembled these from a lot I bought for $5

mike g. posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Basement flooded last week Friday for the first time ever. A real mess ensued but also somewhat of a blessing as I was able to throw out worthless stuff that I had been hanging onto for far too many years. No damage to the layout or any trains but a lot of clean up. Just need to install new flooring and lug everything back downstairs......

Sorry to hear that! It just sucks, but I am glad nothing important got damaged.

Thanks Mike, I feel very fortunate.

mike g. posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Basement flooded last week Friday for the first time ever. A real mess ensued but also somewhat of a blessing as I was able to throw out worthless stuff that I had been hanging onto for far too many years. No damage to the layout or any trains but a lot of clean up. Just need to install new flooring and lug everything back downstairs......

Sorry to hear that! It just sucks, but I am glad nothing important got damaged.

I hope you figure out why it flooded and can do something to keep it from happening again!!! 

Jim 

WOOO HOOO FINALLY got my reindeer cars !! Didn't even get cussed out over the phone to get them !!!! Thank you Charles Ro !!!!  

Now I need the Christmas disconnect cars and an engine to pull it all with and it will be a complete train!   

Also got that real deal on the Lionel 2015 Christmas car you can see in the background.  19.95.. Sprung trucks and all!  

Jim 

Howard, I’m sorry it flooded but glad it wasn’t worse for you!

Jim, Yaaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!

Working on some scenery and ballast, slow but steady! 

Mark Boyce posted:

Howard, I’m sorry it flooded but glad it wasn’t worse for you!

Jim, Yaaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!

Thanks Mark, it was bad but nothing that I treasure was destroyed. I am very grateful for that!

More train room than layout, but I finally have a workbench! Already stocked the shelves with kits/models. 😉

cmscanuck posted:

More train room than layout, but I finally have a workbench! Already stocked the shelves with kits/models. 😉

Very nice !!  How much room do you have for your layout? 

Jim 

carsntrains posted:

cmscanuck posted:

More train room than layout, but I finally have a workbench! Already stocked the shelves with kits/models. 😉

Very nice !!  How much room do you have for your layout? 

Jim 

Thanks Jim! Unfortunately, with how the basement is setup, not much. I made a 4x8 flip table layout and have my trains on display around the walls. I'm content with building/modeling for the time being with a bigger layout in another house down the road. Luckily, I'm 32 and have plenty of time for a big dream layout later on.  I figure I can start working on buildings/cars for that. :-)

GANDYDANCER1950, A model railroaders worst nightmare. Water in the basement. Glad to hear nothing was in the line of the water to get damaged. CMSCANUCK, nice start to the layout. This afternoon and this evening I worked on lower town. I had some smaller Balsa wood so I decided to do a concrete curb where I just had the plaster meet the road. My brick paper came yesterday so I got the road glued down going into the other tunnel. With a scrap piece of foam I thought a small hill at the tables edge would break up the flatness. So I glued that down and then put curbs in front of it. I glued down some plaster wrap on the edge of the table. Now I am waiting for my sidewalks to come so I can paint them and get them down on the other side. Still have to trim the grade crossing up. Pics.............Paul

Paul, The curbs and small rise will look great certainly breaking up the flatness of the scene, making it look like they had to grade the road out of uneven ground!  I love brick roads.  Our older daughter and her husband live on one winding it’s way down into town.

Gandydancer- sorry to hear about the flood. At least the damage wasn't a total disaster. Gotta get my stuff off the floor. I have everything stored under the layout too. Never had water but just one busted pipe could mean the end. Just watch any walls that got wet for mold especially next summer.

Paul- the bricks and sidewalks look good.

Elliot- no worries, It's a very short walk to crazy for me so it doesn't take much.

Bob

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks to all who hit the like button. Been kind of busy lately, so my forum time has been way down. I'm expecting to hear from the convention tour guy anytime now. He's going to want to take pictures, and the place is a mess. That's what happens when you're making progress. I've been using my dialysis time for the forum. Makes my four hours go fast.

Mike - I managed to not crash after dinner Monday, but I didn't get downstairs either. My wife had a different idea, organize the bedroom closet. Would rather have had a nap. Least she stopped bugging me.

Bob - Thanks. Sorry, I don't mean to boggle your mind.

----------------------------------------

Worked yesterday, pretty much confined to the end of aisle one.

I added all of the cardboard to support the plaster cloth around the back curve and a short section of the front curve, connecting the completed sections.

The front curve is going to be this girder viaduct.

I bought three Chooch bridge piers from Scenic Express, not knowing exactly what I needed, or even how many. They were way too tall for this project, and there weren't enough. A little table saw "surgery", and the creation of three new tops, and there were six the correct height. They all need paint, and are good to go.

I used the Sawzall to remove the plywood and foam roadbed. This may have been premature, since there is still so much work to be done behind it. Oh well, worst case, I'll whip up a hard temporary cover for it. Once I decide on the position and count of the piers, I'll have to drill two of them for the feeders. Fortunately, I can move them if I need to.

The removed section with it's "track shadow".

This is where the very compressed lift bridge will go. I'll be cutting away the roadbed, and removing the the 2x4 support eventually. The new cut will be just under the end of the switch, widening the river and lengthening the bridge.

Gonna try this not crashing thing again tonight. Fingers crossed.

Elliot, I am sorry you didn't get down to work on the layout, but remember happy, happy life! What you have got done is once again impressive! I cant wait to see the curved girder viaduct in place! Keep up the great work!

Hey Mike- any framing up yet?

Jim, I am glad you got your reindeer cars! They will look great under the Christmas tree!

NS Trainman, wonderful work on the ballast and ground cover! Looks really nice!

Paul, Things are coming right along, streets, curbs, next thing you know you will have traffic along with a cop somewhere waiting for those speeders! Looks great!

CMSCANUCK, your right at 32 you have plenty of time to plan and build your dream layout. I think its a great plan to spend your time doing kits and projects to keep you interested! You sure have a nice work stating there, now its time to get it dirty! LOL

RSJB18 posted:

Hey Mike- any framing up yet?

Hi Jim, nothing as of yet, its been snowing here, and is to do it again threw out the weekend! Someone please make it go away! But I still hope to get most of my lumber tomorrow and put it in the garage for now! On my side not momma's She needs her parking space! LOL

                                   a bright sunny day is on your way Mike...

briansilvermustang posted:

                                   a bright sunny day is on your way Mike...

Man I sure hope so! I am ready for summer!

Mike it was 81 here in TN yesterday!!!!  But calling for snow next week lol

Jim

We hit 70 in NY yesterday. Crazy weather.

I say just let summer begin! Its 25 here right now!

I've discovered that American Flyer old time style 4-4-0s are tricky little beggars to dismantle and tune up.  However,  the JRM Museum's 'Franklin' is now up and running nicely!  

Also did a bit of restoration on a distressed ZW.  The top plate is missing; how does one tell a 250 watt from a 275 watt model?  

Mitch 

Little things this morning. I covered the foam I glued down with plaster wrap. Then got the crossing glued down. On that I have to trim some of the pieces. I took the two crossing signals and trimmed the base making a smaller footprint. As soon as the wrap dries I can mix up some plaster and cover a few things. Speaking of crossings I have a dumb question........On a one way street is the crossing protected from both directions. I tried finding some photos on that but only found two way street crossings. And help is appreciated. Pics.......Thanks Paul

Hey Paul, this may help!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-tSohTg2SQ

          one for MIKE G...

          https://youtu.be/_m35AOPqKII

                                            a couple for Mark B...

mike g. posted:

I say just let summer begin! Its 25 here right now!

we in the southwest deserts did our time of high heat now's your turn to be in a closed up home!

your time is coming soon we will heat up again and the shoe will be on other foot so to speak.

meantime seeing you live in a snow state make a winter layout take some track and make an oval in snow the perfect winter scene cost of snow effect scenic details zero.

at least those pesky mosquito's are not bothering you now!

Thanks Mike. Looks like I will be using the two signals............Paul

briansilvermustang posted:

          one for MIKE G...

          https://youtu.be/_m35AOPqKII

                                            a couple for Mark B...

Thanks Brian for thinking of me! Nice video!

Thank you, Brian!!  I knew you had some B&LE.  You have something of everything it seems!!  

StPaul posted:

mike g. posted:

I say just let summer begin! Its 25 here right now!

we in the southwest deserts did our time of high heat now's your turn to be in a closed up home!

your time is coming soon we will heat up again and the shoe will be on other foot so to speak.

meantime seeing you live in a snow state make a winter layout take some track and make an oval in snow the perfect winter scene cost of snow effect scenic details zero.

at least those pesky mosquito's are not bothering you now!

 

 

LOL Paul, I lived In Peoria Az, before so I know about the heat, to be honest I loved it there. But its better to be close to family! So here I am. One day I may become a snow bird! LOL

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Basement flooded last week Friday for the first time ever. A real mess ensued but also somewhat of a blessing as I was able to throw out worthless stuff that I had been hanging onto for far too many years. No damage to the layout or any trains but a lot of clean up. Just need to install new flooring and lug everything back downstairs......

Sorry to hear that! It just sucks, but I am glad nothing important got damaged.

I hope you figure out why it flooded and can do something to keep it from happening again!!! 

Jim 

Thanks Jim, and yes we found a collapsed sewer pipe going to the street. City already repaired it.

Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you, Brian!!  I knew you had some B&LE.  You have something of everything it seems!!  

I think your right Mark. I bet if anything he does have one of everything! LOL

RSJB18 posted:

Gandydancer- sorry to hear about the flood. At least the damage wasn't a total disaster. Gotta get my stuff off the floor. I have everything stored under the layout too. Never had water but just one busted pipe could mean the end. Just watch any walls that got wet for mold especially next summer.

Paul- the bricks and sidewalks look good.

Elliot- no worries, It's a very short walk to crazy for me so it doesn't take much.

Bob

Thanks Bob. We disinfected and dried the heck out of the basement. Just for added prevention I have 2 dehumidifiers and a fan going for a week now. Thanks for your concern!

Into the afternoon I am still working on the little things. Trimmed pieces on the grade crossing then as an after thought I took a straw cutting a couple of pieces and used them as a drainage pipe under one of crossing between the tracks then I back filled with ballast and glued everything down. Taking Mike G's advice I glued down the crossing signals on both sides of the track. Now with the plaster wrap dry on the foam I can mix up some plaster and fill in all the areas. Pics.............Paul

Looks good Paul!

Looks great, Paul.  Very nicely done.

Art

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

I've discovered that American Flyer old time style 4-4-0s are tricky little beggars to dismantle and tune up.  However,  the JRM Museum's 'Franklin' is now up and running nicely!  

Also did a bit of restoration on a distressed ZW.  The top plate is missing; how does one tell a 250 watt from a 275 watt model?  

Mitch 

The later laminations have rivets to dampen the hum more

   I'd think one may weigh a tad more also. I don't think they pulled the extra 25w from that Tesla atmospheric catenary

Thanks Art, I am just trying to follow your lead. Mike, Getting anxious to see the start of building. I kept doing little things. I mixed enough plaster to do what I wanted to do. Maybe it will dry and after dinner tonight I can start to color it. The only thing I can do now is maybe start another Downtown Deco building. My other projects are still on hold because I haven't got the things I ordered yet. While I'm on the computer I am going to order electrical stuff I need to start wiring the basement layout. Pics.............Paul

Mitch are those telltales steel?

Paul, since you are waiting on material, maybe you should kick back and watch a Cavaliers game?  ;-). Oh; yes; I agree....BORING!!  Bad idea!  LOL

Mark, that was funny. I was down working on the layout and I finished what I could do for the time being. And as I walked through the living room the wife asked if I would like to watch the game to which I politely said no LOL. So I picked out my next Downtown Deco building, The Pawn Shop. I got the first coat of color on the plaster. I had a corner section of sidewalk left so I laid it down and found out I had to piece in some road at the corner or I would of had to narrow the road to make the sidewalk work. I placed an order for electrical stuff and hopefully that will come this week. Calling it quits for the night but I'll stay on the computer till the game is over then I can go watch TV LOL. Pics..............Paul 

I knew you would find something to do, Paul!!  Good kit!

Adriatic posted:

Mitch are those telltales steel?

Nope.  Plastic.  The telltale rod is steel, though.  

Mitch

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

Looks great, Deuce!  I didn’t keep track for years, buying and selling.  I was shocked to see how much I have when I made a spreadsheet for insurance purposes a couple years ago.  What is more shocking is that I have a minute amount in trains when compared to many here.  Of course, when you take it over a lifetime, it comes into perspective.

Getting comfortable with my DCS wifi, I ran 9 consists at once today. Three, 2 engine "lash ups and one three.  For example I have a Santa Fe f3 and a Scale GG1 on one main each with passenger cars.  They have about 5' of separation and I alternate the "head" engines. One lashup is F31st and the other is GG1 1st :-) The others are lashed up in a similar manner.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Adriatic posted:

Mitch are those telltales steel?

Nope.  Plastic.  The telltale rod is steel, though.  

Mitch

I'm sorry, that is the cantilevered pole?

I supposed the tale tails might be plastic, but the pole & rod (?) was my query, sure.

I did look but found others; they were very interesting but not the same. Look for the 2 threads of tell tales (real trains & T.T.s "modded") (tell tails ?) because I planned on showing them for a laugh later.

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

Night running....oooh .ahhhh. pretty.

Time to bring to box home 

Maybe filled with something not for you?

It has been almost a year since I tore down my layout, not counting a carpet layout which was a poor substitute. I have not been idle, however, but working hard cleaning out my new living quarters-half of a frame house near Chambersburg. The guy who lived there( deceased) was a true hoarder and never threw anything away or wasted time cleaning. So I have spent the better par of a week cleaning out the place.  We have bagged and boxed about a truckload of  trash, old furniture and everything else preparing the way for a layout. That is the driving force behind it all.  The place needs some repairs and a good cleaning before the layout gets built. The dumpster comes next week.  No one ever said that the road to a nice layout was easy.

        Jim, good luck with your new venture,

                              keep thinking about your new layout,  and happy railroading !!

Went into NYC yesterday for a meeting. Took the LIRR. Waiting at Mineola a pair of NYAR GP-38-2's passed westbound pulling a couple of empty center beam lumber cars.  On the way home we stopped in Jamaica and as we did a pair of MP-15's hit the bell and horn and pulled away from the platform heading west. It was dark so I didn't notice them until they hit the bell. 

For a guy from the suburbs riding a commuter railroad that's a big day.

Bob

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

Night running....oooh .ahhhh. pretty.

Time to bring to box home 

Maybe filled with something not for you?

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

RSJB18 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

 

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

 

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

Come on now... has ANYONE ever reached "critical mass"???  

Morning guys, sorry I am a little late posting, but the dog let me sleep in till 6 this morning!

Paul, things are really looking nice! I know it sucks to have to wait on things, but you can only do want you can with what you have!

Deuce, you sure have a nice looking layout table and I really like the night picture! Don't worry the wife will look up how much you have spent and let you know! could be nice or could be bad, just be ready! LOL

Jim, good luck on the clean up and I hope you can get started sometime soon!

Bob, I don't know what its like to ride a commuter train as I have never rode one. Well I take that back I road and old one in Sofia Bulgria back and forth from the Marine house to the Embassy!

I love this page cause there is always great work being done by everyone!

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

 

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

 

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

Come on now... has ANYONE ever reached "critical mass"???  

Not sure if it should be considered a goal or a challenge

Just a little progress report.  My son Jim was over and he finished the 6 switches to turn the power to the layout on and off.  Now I can finish my fascia and get things trimmed out.  

I completed my river valley and replaced my bridges.  Finished my Great River Road by adding highway signs for Iowa Highway 52.  I repainted a white wood billboard I got at DuPage in the traditional green color and replaced the Studebaker billboard with a Hamm's Beer one instead.  Decided on my guardrails and completed them along the river road.

Started adding trees behind my curved stone arch bridge and like the way it is looking so far.  I'm making a tree canopy using black poly fiber and gluing flocking on it.  A very messy and time consuming project and I'm half done.  Hope to finish that today.

No pictures, but will post some soon.

Art

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

 

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

 

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

Come on now... has ANYONE ever reached "critical mass"???  

For a model railroader, probably not. For someone on the outside of the hobby, looking in? I bet there is. If my wife tunes me out ten seconds after I start talking technical specifics about my job, I have to assume there will come a point where she won't know which items are old, which have been stored and just recently brought out, and which ones have been recently smuggled home. At least, I'm going to bet my life on it.

Still working on the little things today. My two sets of Weaver die cast trucks came in the mail today. On the layout I got the last coat of earth color on. I started to glue the pawn shop together. This one should prove interesting. Somehow over the years since I bought the kit I have lost the directions that came with it. Will see how this goes. I placed Cooter's in its spot to see how it will look. I still have to finish decaling it. That's been it for the day so far. Pics.........Paul

Deuce posted:

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

 

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

 

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

Come on now... has ANYONE ever reached "critical mass"???  

For a model railroader, probably not. For someone on the outside of the hobby, looking in? I bet there is. If my wife tunes me out ten seconds after I start talking technical specifics about my job, I have to assume there will come a point where she won't know which items are old, which have been stored and just recently brought out, and which ones have been recently smuggled home. At least, I'm going to bet my life on it.

I've heard others say the same thing.  I guess my wife wouldn't know either, but she has never complained about too many trains, or how much that cost.

paul 2 posted:

Still working on the little things today. My two sets of Weaver die cast trucks came in the mail today. On the layout I got the last coat of earth color on. I started to glue the pawn shop together. This one should prove interesting. Somehow over the years since I bought the kit I have lost the directions that came with it. Will see how this goes. I placed Cooter's in its spot to see how it will look. I still have to finish decaling it. That's been it for the day so far. Pics.........Paul

That area is looking mighty good, Paul!!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Deuce posted:

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Adriatic posted:

Deuce posted:

Wired the table for accessories. The last thing I need to do is drop the feeders for the FT. The coaling tower wasn't hooked up properly (short wires) so I'll need to reconnect it to my accessory lines, but for now it's connected to my O27 track by a lockon.

 

Now to clean things up and set up the remotes for the switches. Here is the layout "at night".

The wife is on to me. She came in tonight and her first words were "Where did all this come from?" followed immediately by "And how much did you spend?"

I replied "Honestly, I'm not keeping track ." And that my friends , is the God's honest truth. 

 

The important thing to note here guys is that Deuce was still able to write this post. So he's not dead and still has use of his arms to type.

Like I said- once you hit critical mass the new stuff will blend in better.

Come on now... has ANYONE ever reached "critical mass"???  

For a model railroader, probably not. For someone on the outside of the hobby, looking in? I bet there is. If my wife tunes me out ten seconds after I start talking technical specifics about my job, I have to assume there will come a point where she won't know which items are old, which have been stored and just recently brought out, and which ones have been recently smuggled home. At least, I'm going to bet my life on it.

I've heard others say the same thing.  I guess my wife wouldn't know either, but she has never complained about too many trains, or how much that cost.

I'm going to assume that since she didn't fuss about my lack of a dollar figure, or how the layout - in the span of a couple months - went from a single Lionel Pennsy Flyer to what it is today, she doesn't really care. As long as I properly time manage (IOW, do my part taking care of the kids and getting home reno's completed), it should all be copacetic.

Always keep the CEO happy.

When you reach critical mass, your house explodes. I'm getting very close, and the trains just keep coming. I'm not worried about what the wife thinks of this, since she has egged me on numerous times. Of course, then she feels entitled to spend freely on her things. Lighted crochet hooks, and enough yarn to circle the earth. It's not supposed to be a contest! But fair's fair, I guess. When I stop, I can claim the moral high ground. Til then, I'll just have to bite my tongue.

---------------------------------------------------

Back to business, I did manage to stay awake on Wednesday evening, and got a few hours in. The following three pics are of the girder viaduct project. I disassembled a silver trestle bridge from enterTRAINment, so I could reuse the material.

I'm going to have to get creative, because I'm short one section. Actually, I have one of the four beams, but I may have to cobble together the scraps for the other three. I'd buy more, but I don't think the company is in business anymore.

Of course, the bridge is longer than the two girder pieces that I have, by just a couple inches, so I'll have to order three more, and piece them together.

I started screwing down the plywood between the tracks over at Midway intermodal.

I'm anxious to get the holes filled so I can paint, and get all my Atlas sets out.

But before that can happen, the roadbed needs to be carved, and the rail painted. Patrick suggested using a carpet knife. It works much better.

I caulked in the sliver over by Hoffman. Now I can finish ballasting here.

Speaking of ballasting, I started on the upper track at Chemolite. I get some glue on that this weekend.

Just above Chemolite, at Northtown, I started gluing what I had previously spread. The switches are done.

The top center needs a little more, then I can glue half the yard. It'll be nice having this done, a place to move cars to while I paint rail over at Western Avenue.

Let's see what the weekend brings.

Looking great, Elliot!  Bummer about being just short on the bridge!  You will come up with an excellent solution!  Your wife sounds like our older daughter with crochet hooks and yarn.  Does she clean, dye, and spin her own yarn?  One summer between college and marriage, daughter spent many afternoons cooking raw wool in a big pot on our outdoor grill to get all the lanolin out.  Then she dyed it.  She also has a very old spinning wheel she carved a couple missing parts.  It is tough to Lee the tension when spinning, so she bought a modern spinning wheel for Christmas.  Her husband takes it all in stride. LOL

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Let's see what the weekend brings.

I need to come up and lend a hand before all the work gets done.   What would be a good day to help in early March?    Wednesdays are not good for me.   Dave

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

When you reach critical mass, your house explodes. I'm getting very close, and the trains just keep coming. I'm not worried about what the wife thinks of this, since she has egged me on numerous times. Of course, then she feels entitled to spend freely on her things. Lighted crochet hooks, and enough yarn to circle the earth. It's not supposed to be a contest! But fair's fair, I guess. When I stop, I can claim the moral high ground. Til then, I'll just have to bite my tongue.

---------------------------------------------------

Back to business, I did manage to stay awake on Wednesday evening, and got a few hours in. The following three pics are of the girder viaduct project. I disassembled a silver trestle bridge from enterTRAINment, so I could reuse the material.

I'm going to have to get creative, because I'm short one section. Actually, I have one of the four beams, but I may have to cobble together the scraps for the other three. I'd buy more, but I don't think the company is in business anymore.

Of course, the bridge is longer than the two girder pieces that I have, by just a couple inches, so I'll have to order three more, and piece them together.

I started screwing down the plywood between the tracks over at Midway intermodal.

I'm anxious to get the holes filled so I can paint, and get all my Atlas sets out.

But before that can happen, the roadbed needs to be carved, and the rail painted. Patrick suggested using a carpet knife. It works much better.

I caulked in the sliver over by Hoffman. Now I can finish ballasting here.

Speaking of ballasting, I started on the upper track at Chemolite. I get some glue on that this weekend.

Just above Chemolite, at Northtown, I started gluing what I had previously spread. The switches are done.

The top center needs a little more, then I can glue half the yard. It'll be nice having this done, a place to move cars to while I paint rail over at Western Avenue.

Let's see what the weekend brings.

You know Elliot if I were in your shoes with all the work you have been getting done. I think I might take the weekend off. But I know you have a lot of work to get done before the tour shoot. Either way every update you post is very impressive! Thanks for the update!

Mark Boyce posted:

Looking great, Elliot!  Bummer about being just short on the bridge!  You will come up with an excellent solution!  Your wife sounds like our older daughter with crochet hooks and yarn.  Does she clean, dye, and spin her own yarn?  One summer between college and marriage, daughter spent many afternoons cooking raw wool in a big pot on our outdoor grill to get all the lanolin out.  Then she dyed it.  She also has a very old spinning wheel she carved a couple missing parts.  It is tough to Lee the tension when spinning, so she bought a modern spinning wheel for Christmas.  Her husband takes it all in stride. LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

Looking great, Elliot!  Bummer about being just short on the bridge!  You will come up with an excellent solution!  Your wife sounds like our older daughter with crochet hooks and yarn.  Does she clean, dye, and spin her own yarn?  One summer between college and marriage, daughter spent many afternoons cooking raw wool in a big pot on our outdoor grill to get all the lanolin out.  Then she dyed it.  She also has a very old spinning wheel she carved a couple missing parts.  It is tough to Lee the tension when spinning, so she bought a modern spinning wheel for Christmas.  Her husband takes it all in stride. LOL

It sounds like you guys are lucky you are not building a "loom room"

At least the loom is in her house now not mine!!!  :-)

Yesterday and today I reworked three wiring issues that had developed from sloppy block wiring left over from my redo project.  Nothing major but it took a while to identify why my block switches did not isolate 4 blocks.  The fix was simple after that. 

After I had completed operating session #1, I found some switching movements for a business that hindered operations on the main and involved too much time so I canceled that switching order.  Because I had moved a few trains tofixmy wiring problems, I decided to restart session #1.  So I restaged the starting position of the freight cars at various businesses; the through daily road trains for oil tankers, mixed freight and local passenger/mail trains.  Then I completed the yard order for a consist for switch movements in the city and concluded operations until tomorrow.  Still tweaking things but enjoying the challenges of operations.