What did you do on your layout today?

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

I haven't touched the layout this week. I know it's working because I had it running last Sunday for NYC Z-man (Jim).

My nephews came over on Tuesday, and helped me move the chop saw and some other stuff out to the shop. The rest of the week has been spent on doctor visits and picking up for tomorrow's open house / picnic. Paul, Dave and Ray Marion are coming over. If Menards keeps doing the show, the open house will become an annual event.

I'll get back to work Sunday. I'll probably have another week before the surgery, and then I'll be pretty limited in what I can do.

Better get a move on!  I'm catching up to you on ballasting, Elliot.  Finished a full 6' of it this week. 😉 

Here's hoping all goes well with the surgery.  Best of luck.

Bruce

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

I haven't touched the layout this week. I know it's working because I had it running last Sunday for NYC Z-man (Jim).

My nephews came over on Tuesday, and helped me move the chop saw and some other stuff out to the shop. The rest of the week has been spent on doctor visits and picking up for tomorrow's open house / picnic. Paul, Dave and Ray Marion are coming over. If Menards keeps doing the show, the open house will become an annual event.

I'll get back to work Sunday. I'll probably have another week before the surgery, and then I'll be pretty limited in what I can do.

Prayers for a successful surgery, Eliot.

Pete

Not much going on here lately.  I did checkout my Premier FA-2 ABBA set that I am meeting a fellow Forum member next weekend to complete a trade.  I just have to box it up so it doesn't get broken before I can deliver it.  

p51 posted:

Last night, I was standing on a stool on one side of the layout room to see something and then I realized I could see the entire layout. I managed to get this with my cell, the only photo ever showing pretty much the entire layout. Only the far wall to the left is missing, and that's just a backdrop and some trees. But for the most part, it's all here:

Lee, your layout is very inspirational indeed!

"What did you do on your layout today?"

Take a guess...

After many years of searching, and losing out for various reasons, I was finally able to procure a rare 1952 edition of  the Lionel Trains salesman "answer book'...

gandydancer1950 posted:

After many years of searching, and losing out for various reasons, I was finally able to procure a rare 1952 edition of  the Lionel Trains salesman "answer book'...

What a great find.  Congratulations

Al

While prepping a couple of gi-raffe shells for shipping,  I did a bit of research on Joe D.'s Plexiglas gi-raffe ramps.  

While they do a fine job with the gi-raffes: 

They do tend to foul siderods a bit:  

So, they'll have to be used with narrower locomotives.   

Mitch 

I've been down, but not out. I didn't hit the lotto like I fantasized, so I built one. Two of these led gimmick games games with sales literature in the mail. (That used to be a railline swingbridge)

.A 2"x2" fan blows styrofoam balls around in a cut down $1store led solar lawn lamp's lens, inverted

A "gaming" train is in the works I guess. I wanted a short gondola, and wanted an ore car. I found one long mpc=2 if one is nearly squared 

Actual colors are yet t9 be determined. The Gon is slightly shorter than a 6112 now. Better on the 0-21" micro track.

The next split might allow a this ore that prize car 

Speaking of fantasy, I wanted a figure for my Island of Misfits Toys but had no luck. The loco & passenger car that has square wheels; was a must. So I made one from wood; elve style . It's about 1.5" long

I've railnpowered and at least partially lit 4 VW busses now.  No two are driven identically. 1 Worm&gear, the rest are pulley & rubber band, but no two motors or pulley ratios are the same. .  Low volt champ needs just 2v.- 9v max., Two can take 14v, other two at 24v and excepting the one, they start and run at 7v.

One sprung contact shoe for now; not turnout friendly.

The police van is done.

I have ambulance decals. It needs flahers.

I need fire dept. decals. It's bubble lights, but I need to work out a pulsing mech. (Pulse vs a flasher 

And I need "taxi" or MOW/road name logo for black and yellow.

   I have old decal making image lifting "paint" called "decal it" . So, if I can find two identical images, anything goes.

 You paint a coat or a few coats, dry, wash away the paper in warm soap&water and you are left with a rubbery decal. Kind of thick, but strong.

 Not super high quality, but I was impressed with my three coat test on a PRR keystone in a magazine.  The problem was a slight opacity. The background must be similar to the paper stock or the opacity becomes easy to see.  I think one coat decals can be done with care. ( Stick them with more compund. A gloss.)

So that's some of my spring projects; time for me to catch up on yours

You have been very imaginative and resourceful once again!!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

While prepping a couple of gi-raffe shells for shipping,  I did a bit of research on Joe D.'s Plexiglas gi-raffe ramps.  

While they do a fine job with the gi-raffes: 

They do tend to foul siderods a bit:  

So, they'll have to be used with narrower locomotives.   

Mitch 

And I am sure the Gi-raffs will greatly appreciate the absence of steamers heading up their consists... would you  want to be sucking in smoke and cinders??? I am very surprised your shop steward allowed this unhealthy practice   

Paul is absolutely correct!  We rode the Western Maryland Scenic RR with standing room only tickets.  Open vestibule.  That’s okay for people, but cruelty to animals!!!!!!!!!!       LOL

Now I know what my Mum and Dad meant when they said they would have cinders and ash on them when riding to and from Pittsburgh on the B&O.

p51 posted:

Last night, I was standing on a stool on one side of the layout room to see something and then I realized I could see the entire layout. I managed to get this with my cell, the only photo ever showing pretty much the entire layout. Only the far wall to the left is missing, and that's just a backdrop and some trees. But for the most part, it's all here:

Very nice!!! I like it.  It’s point to point?

WP posted:

p51 posted:

Last night, I was standing on a stool on one side of the layout room to see something and then I realized I could see the entire layout. I managed to get this with my cell, the only photo ever showing pretty much the entire layout. Only the far wall to the left is missing, and that's just a backdrop and some trees. But for the most part, it's all here:

Very nice!!! I like it.  It’s point to point?

 Thanks!

Yep, it's point to point. Early on, I thought of a continuous run but the more op sessions I went to on other layouts, the less appealing that seemed to me. I'm very happy with it as it is for the most part, in terms of the operating scheme. I built it primarily for that, and to develop my skills.

Tonight, I decided to try switch lists instead of car cards for op sessions, and I'm going to put out the 'bat signal' soon for an op session to test it. I have a set of 5 moves for the same cars on the layout, which means the final puts them all back where they were at the start. That way, if I ever run a series of op sessions in one day (which happens in the Fall, for 'Oly Ops'), I don't need to swap cars around.

Anyway, it took me most of the evening to ID the cars, where they'd go in each move and where they'd wind up so each siding has the right number of cars. But at this point, even if I wanted to swap a few cars around, it wouldn't take much to change all the switch lists...

Layout pictures; enjoy!

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...68#80128401260837068

Ran a couple trains...  😏🚂

The night scene is terrific. Great.

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

Very nice Ted.

Received my new K-Line MP-15 Demonstrator. Looks great but unfortunately it has to go into the engine shop for repairs. something is not right with the flux capacitors.......

Bob

  WOW, that is a sharp engine Bob, looks great !

Looks GREAT Ted !!

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Looks super Ted.  Where did you get that 1966 SS 396 ?

The light turned out looking great Ted, Nice work!

Wonderful looking engine Bob! Sorry it already has to go to the shop, hope its nothing really bad!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pictures as always, Brian!  Every time I see your photos, I think to myself, "Brian has the hardest working railroad going.  The railroad never sleeps!"

HCSader73 posted:

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Trust me, I’m there...  

Thanks JD...  PS, the trains also run around my bedroom,

  so I can even run trains while I am sleeping..." The railroad never sleeps!"   LOL

katy409 posted:

Looks super Ted.  Where did you get that 1966 SS 396 ?

Ya got the year right, hard to tell in the dark.  Here’s a better pic.  From Diecast Direct.

TedW posted:

HCSader73 posted:

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Trust me, I’m there...  

HAHAHA! Excellent!

Ran our new Lionel NKP 765 around the layout today to test for clearances and gremlins.  Runs great, but I have a lot of track to clean and found one trouble spot to fix.  

            GREAT looking train Ted  !    layout is looking good too 

Looked sadly at it while walking past on the way to work on the current demanding project; prep the show car for the Concours.  And we thought working on layouts was hard!! HA!

While tackling the laundry from our trip to Wisconsin I got windows glued in 7 flats. I only have two more to go. While up at the Menards show I picked up a double track bridge and a single track bridge for my next module. But first I have to concentrate on the brewery. Pics....................Paul

Thaddeus- Very nice NKP. Looks really sharp in the sunlight!

Paul- the next module?????? I thought you were almost at the end....... I swear you keep extending your basement to run more trains. The flats look great!

Kerrigan- A Concours car? Really? Photos please 

Brian- The never ending collection...what more can I say.

Bob, I still have to build 8 more tables or modules of varying sizes................Paul

In an effort to maximize the space on my layout, I modified the O-72 switches that form crossovers on my layout. I cut the diverging rails on each switch, with the end result being center-rail distance of 4.2" down from 5.25" 

I should've done this while I was initially laying the track, but it's done now and I'm happy with the results. The "S" curve is still there, but all my trains roll right through, and I think it looks better with the mainlines closer together. Here are before and after shots. 

Thanks to Marty Fitzhenry for the tips on how to make the cuts and for encouraging me to give it a shot. 

John

Ballasted a section of Yard track and ran what I call “E-60 Return To Operation Excursion.

                                brianbluemustang...   mmm...   naa...

Disassembled some failed experimental ideas in the interest of simplicity.  A proposed station complex was just too much clutter to add to an already claustrophobic attic.

Firmed up the design of a triangular section of layout where many tracks converge.  Engine fueling facilities and a small station serviced by a road will likely exist in this area.  Spent some time this afternoon placing structures and leveling some real estate to suit.  Mandatory clearance checks meant the rest of the session was spent running trains.  There is something magical about being totally immersed in my little fantasy world.  Makes the real one almost tolerable.

Bruce

brwebster posted:

Disassembled some failed experimental ideas in the interest of simplicity.  A proposed station complex was just too much clutter to add to an already claustrophobic attic.

Firmed up the design of a triangular section of layout where many tracks converge.  Engine fueling facilities and a small station serviced by a road will likely exist in this area.  Spent some time this afternoon placing structures and leveling some real estate to suit.  Mandatory clearance checks meant the rest of the session was spent running trains.  There is something magical about being totally immersed in my little fantasy world.  Makes the real one almost tolerable.

Bruce

Well said!

I have always said that my trains are my therapy.

Brian, sure looks like you have things going nicely at your place! All the trains look wonderful! Never seen a Conrail Mustang, but then again there is a first for almost anything! LOL

Paul I am glad your almost done with the flats, they are looking just outstanding!

Thaddeus,  Wonderful looking train! Congrats!

Bluecomet400, Nice looking track work there! Plus you gain extra space for more stuff! LOL

NS6770FAN, The ballast turned out looking nice! Great job!

Bruce, running trains lets you forget about a lot while your in your own little world! That is a good thing for most of us!

For me I haven't done much to the train room as we have had family from out of state and they are using the empty room as there hotel. But I did get a TV mounted in the corner so I am all ready to get back at it once they leave next week some time. I still have to finish putting on the second coat of mud, sand, primer and Paint. Then I can get started on bench work! The son-in-law brought me some more carpet to finish the floor which was very nice of him! I hope you all have been doing well, I try to check daily but it doesn't always happen!

Forgetting things has never been an issue with me, Mike.  Remembering stuff is where I run into troubles.  

Jim, I hope to some day transition into formal operating sessions, even if they be somewhat limited by the layout size.  If ever that happens, I might require some kind of professional therapy.  

RSJB18. Thank you very much

Bruce

photos added...

After roughing in the ballast the girder bridge supports began to take shape.

testing for fit.

Train runnin' time....

A new member of the family.

MU'd GG1's haulin' a**, er, reefers and boxcars.

Back to work today, experimenting with structures and mock up placement on the triangular section.  In the process I roughed in the landscaping around the varying grades.  The rear portion is next.

Bruce

Bruce, That overpass and concrete walls look great!!  Yes it takes time and care to fit everything for clearance with interesting angles!!

Bruce, Mark is correct the retaining walls along with your girder bridge are looking great! It's always best to check clearance along the way, Don't ask me how I know just take my word for it! LOL

Today (yesterday) added a swimming hole. The layout is too small for buildings so it will be seasons and people. Like origonal poster said it was done a little at a time. buy woodland scenics water, order people, cut and mold pond, paint, get sand, make water fill pond ETC, ETC....

Cool Brian! That 3rd picture down is GREAT looking!

                  now I just need to get a scene like that on the layout...

Im sure you will, you have plenty of room in your new train room outside!

Bruce and Pete, a belated thanks for the well wishes regarding the toe. Bruce, I'm pretty sure that you'll finish ballasting before I do.

A toe update: It now looks like the toe will cause us to cancel our eastern trip for now. We'll try to recreate it in the spring. The toe is actually looking better, but that is no indication of the bone's condition. With the trip off the table, the plan is for a more wait and see attitude. Now I just want to get through the convention, then we can reevaluate.

Not much to report on the layout. My wife and I unpacked a bunch cars the other day, and placed on the layout. We also have been working on cleaning the room just outside the train room, to make it look decent for the convention. My goal is to get back to work this week.

                                 practicing for Friday...

Ran another train. WARNING Fantasy train, may offend your prototypical sensibilities..., he said, mostly tongue in cheek.  😏

Nice video and great looking train Ted! I love your night shots and videos!

mike g. posted:

Nice video and great looking train Ted! I love your night shots and videos!

Night shots outa necessity, Mike.  I need to hide all the background stuff on the floor in the basement.  Some day we’ll rise above it all.   Too much fun running trains to put it all away and build for months or years.  You know what that’s like.

Either way Ted, I still love them! I hope to post some from my future layout down the road! That's why I am putting in LED Track Lighting! LOL

Elliot, very sorry to hear you have to cancel your fall trip. Better to listen to the Doctors and get that foot and toe taken care of and all healed up. You now have the time to put in more time on your layout to get it ready ready for the tour. With you planning your trip in the spring it gives me more of a chance to get more done on my layout too. I didn't accomplish as mich as I would of like to today. But I finally got started on piecing the brewery together, especially the angular building. I knew I was going to have to cut a flat or two  to piece together . On the back side of the angular building is where I had to piece in. I got a couple done tonight. I'll let the glue dry overnight and tomorrow I can fill in whatever gaps there are with plaster and then paint the plaster areas with concrete paint. A couple of pics.......Paul

Looks good Paul! Sorry you had to cut some down, but I am sure you have it all covered! I sure hope you had a nice time with Dad! Keep up the GREAT WORK!

Elliot, I'm sorry you have to cancel the trip East for the wedding and all, but it sounds like the best thing given the information you have passed on.  Keep working at your health, and we hope you can get back to the layout soon!

Paul, The angular building is looking very good!  All the walls are turning out very nice indeed!

Brian, Mike is right; you should have room for a scene like that in the new building.  I have seen a couple of CN engines on the B&LE here in Butler.  When CN bought it, they said they were going to operate as before; but I am surprised it has taken so many years to see their engines.

Ted, that is a really nice train and video.

Here, I was trying to figure out why an MTH Premier engine I acquired in a trade Saturday wouldn't smoke.  It makes smoke, but the fan won't run.  I'll have to investigate further.  NS SD70ACe.  Yes, I know, decades too modern for me with the steam, F3s, BL2s, RSD5...I was glad to pass on the other set to a Forum friend who has wanted one for a long time.

Nice looking Engine Mark, You still might have got the better end of the trade!

Thank you Mike!  He got an FA-2 set.  Nice too.

Had some time today to get some more work in on the field.  Field is lined, wiring is done underneath for the lights and playground, left field brick wall done, and signage and backside graffiti.  Next up will be chain link fence and static grass.

WOW Bryan, that is just amazing! makes you want to sit down grab a dog and beer and watch the game! Very well done!

Thanks Mike, can't wait to hook lights up and see what a night game will look like.

Bryan, I agree with Mike!  Play ball!!!!

Managed to get some time to cut, sand, stain and glue some ties down.

Marc, they look great! I plan on adding ties to my tubular track when the time comes. I would also like to see more photos of your layout. I planned on doing a upper level similar to what you've done. Something that borders the edges of the bench work, with return loops at the ends.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty

I forgot how time consuming it was to make ties since I cant find the proper thickness of wood and have to mill it out of a larger piece.

I just started the layout in March, its "3 levels", subway, main level and mountain type area which will be Halloween Town. The layout is still very much under construction and fairly fluid. 

I'll try and setup a photo album soon and its a small layout but I am not nearly as talented as most on this forum with respect to layout, scenery etc etc.

Mark Boyce posted:

 

Here, I was trying to figure out why an MTH Premier engine I acquired in a trade Saturday wouldn't smoke.  It makes smoke, but the fan won't run.  I'll have to investigate further.  NS SD70ACe.  Yes, I know, decades too modern for me with the steam, F3s, BL2s, RSD5...I was glad to pass on the other set to a Forum friend who has wanted one for a long time.

Mark,

It appears to be a form of desperation anxiety peculiar to us transition era freaks.  This disease is brought on by a lack of ear piercing  turbo whine.  Fortunately, there's a vibrant black market out there with a cure

Bruce

Bryan, nice job on the baseball field. I remember when you were just working on the lights. Nice  you were able to find some time for train layout in your hectic schedule. On a side note I sold your shirts. Needed to buy more trains for myself LOL. Post some pics when you get a chance to show your progress......................Paul

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Had some time today to get some more work in on the field.  Field is lined, wiring is done underneath for the lights and playground, left field brick wall done, and signage and backside graffiti.  Next up will be chain link fence and static grass.

This is just outstanding!

Laundry day.....layout day. I glued two walls for the angular building together. I also glued another flat to make up the buildings behind the tracks. Doing that I found out I had to open the area between the sidings and wall so the flats will sit at the same height. Hope later this afternoon to glue the third wall in place. Pics...........Paul

           looking GREAT Paul !!

Thanks Paul and Mark, and all of those who have had me in their thoughts and prayers over the last two months.

I went to the foot doctor today, it's been 8 weeks that I've been going. I have great news! The toe is healing well enough that I get to keep it. So I'll have the vascular procedure in the near future, to increase blood flow, and I'll be in business. At the current rate of healing, I'm hoping to have it closed up by the end of October. Then we can re-plan our trip for the spring.

Time to get back to work on the layout!

                   GREAT NEWS Elliot     glad things are looking up for you !

            " a quick flash back "

Elliot, that's great news. Keep it healing. Don't push yourself. Slow and easy does it every time. By the way I forgot to mention, Shirley and I on the way home stopped in Rochelle for lunch at the Sunrise Restaurant and after lunch we got over to the train park. In the time we were there we caught 6 trains.............................Paul

paul 2 posted:

Bryan, nice job on the baseball field. I remember when you were just working on the lights. Nice  you were able to find some time for train layout in your hectic schedule. On a side note I sold your shirts. Needed to buy more trains for myself LOL. Post some pics when you get a chance to show your progress......................Paul

Thanks Paul, going to try to get some more time today but dealing with some rental property issues (water damage) so don't know if I'll get time or not.  This first coat of mud is taking awhile to dry. 

As for my shirts I should have not had you pick them up since I saw Al at the fireworks last week.  I guess I'll get them when I'm first in line for the new Menards opening. Lol

Elliot, that's fantastic!  

Hey Elliot- that's great news. The power of positive thinking (and healing), does work. Sorry you had to postpone your trip but not loosing a body part is well worth it. Now you can concentrate on the layout and convention tour.

Bryan- great baseball field. Can't wait for the first night game. Of course you could call it Wrigley Field and never have night games (OK- I'm dating myself a bit here)

Paul- the flats are going to be nice when they are all done.

Mark- that diesel is a bit too modern for your layout. Call it Back to the Future.

Bob

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Paul and Mark, and all of those who have had me in their thoughts and prayers over the last two months.

I went to the foot doctor today, it's been 8 weeks that I've been going. I have great news! The toe is healing well enough that I get to keep it. So I'll have the vascular procedure in the near future, to increase blood flow, and I'll be in business. At the current rate of healing, I'm hoping to have it closed up by the end of October. Then we can re-plan our trip for the spring.

Time to get back to work on the layout!

Great news, Elliot!  God is good, always!

You are right. Al should of kept the shirts for you. I am not to be trusted LOL. By the way you will be second in line at Menards. I will be the first in line LOL. I heard a rumour it may open July 24........Paul

Fantastic,Elliot!

Too bad we'll never get to see the Stark Industries electro-servo positronic iron toe you had on order.  ,

Sure glad to hear the news.

Bruce

paul 2 posted:

Elliot, that's great news. Keep it healing. Don't push yourself. Slow and easy does it every time. By the way I forgot to mention, Shirley and I on the way home stopped in Rochelle for lunch at the Sunrise Restaurant and after lunch we got over to the train park. In the time we were there we caught 6 trains.............................Paul

Paul I'm glad that you were able to stop in Rochelle.  It's one of our favorite local train watching locations.

Art

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Paul and Mark, and all of those who have had me in their thoughts and prayers over the last two months.

I went to the foot doctor today, it's been 8 weeks that I've been going. I have great news! The toe is healing well enough that I get to keep it. So I'll have the vascular procedure in the near future, to increase blood flow, and I'll be in business. At the current rate of healing, I'm hoping to have it closed up by the end of October. Then we can re-plan our trip for the spring.

Time to get back to work on the layout!

Elliot, that is great news!  I'm very happy for you.

Art

Wonderful news Elliot! God is watching over you! The power of prayer really works!

   YES

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Paul and Mark, and all of those who have had me in their thoughts and prayers over the last two months.

I went to the foot doctor today, it's been 8 weeks that I've been going. I have great news! The toe is healing well enough that I get to keep it. So I'll have the vascular procedure in the near future, to increase blood flow, and I'll be in business. At the current rate of healing, I'm hoping to have it closed up by the end of October. Then we can re-plan our trip for the spring.

Time to get back to work on the layout!

GREAT news!!!

Going down to check to see if the flats are dry so I can glue some more together. In the meantime this afternoon I got this in the mail today from forum member and friend Mark Boyce. Tomorrow it will join the growing line of Weaver TOFC's...........Pic.............Paul

Elliot, That is great news indeed!

Bruce, Ah so that is the diagnosis!!

Bob, Yes, back to the future.  While it will operate on 042 curves, it looks a bit silly doing it to me.

paul 2 posted:

Going down to check to see if the flats are dry so I can glue some more together. In the meantime this afternoon I got this in the mail today from forum member and friend Mark Boyce. Tomorrow it will join the growing line of Weaver TOFC's...........Pic.............Paul

Wow, Paul!  I could hardly have driven it over to you that quickly!  Yes, I would like to see the "fleet" in a photograph!