Mo985 posted:Cleaned up the layout, we're having family over tomorrow and I want to show off my progress.
Also, AP&L put in some overtime getting "power to the people"!
Mo, I sure like how things are moving along, your family will be proud of you, I also like how the mountain turned out, I also like the high power towers and lines!
mike g. posted:Mo985 posted:Cleaned up the layout, we're having family over tomorrow and I want to show off my progress.
Also, AP&L put in some overtime getting "power to the people"!
Mo, I sure like how things are moving along, your family will be proud of you, I also like how the mountain turned out, I also like the high power towers and lines!
Thanks, Mike. I got the visibility markers on the wires painted orange last night. The mountain is pretty much done, I may add a bit more ground cover.
With it cleaned up, it looks really empty! Now I need to get busy on buildings, and deciding what and where they are going to go.
I also changed the lower level a bit. I took the full loop out of me track leading down. It adjusted the grade to about 7%, but freed up about 16-20 sq ft. Right now I'm planning my fuel/ service area for this newly found space.
Gents,
Did this 50' Bulkhead Flat with lumber load..
Dan
Mo985 posted:mike g. posted:Mo985 posted:Cleaned up the layout, we're having family over tomorrow and I want to show off my progress.
Also, AP&L put in some overtime getting "power to the people"!
Mo, I sure like how things are moving along, your family will be proud of you, I also like how the mountain turned out, I also like the high power towers and lines!
Thanks, Mike. I got the visibility markers on the wires painted orange last night. The mountain is pretty much done, I may add a bit more ground cover.
With it cleaned up, it looks really empty! Now I need to get busy on buildings, and deciding what and where they are going to go.
I also changed the lower level a bit. I took the full loop out of me track leading down. It adjusted the grade to about 7%, but freed up about 16-20 sq ft. Right now I'm planning my fuel/ service area for this newly found space.
Mo, I really like the your bridge!! Is it a 'duck under'??
Had a great time last Saturday entertaining some young engineers and running trains. Ages ranged from 3 years to mid 50’s. They all got to run trains and work the gantry crane. Great fun was had by all and they all left with a back dated copy of Classic Toy Trains or O Gauge Railroading.
What a great way to clean out the file cabinet and hopefully, spread the hobby!
Dave
Darlander,
Looks like a fun group!! I hope they will come back for more trains!!!
Mark Boyce posted:Darlander,
Looks like a fun group!! I hope they will come back for more trains!!!
Mark, That's what it's all about - sharing our enjoyment!
Dave
Today I worked on a kit bashing project for flat structures. This is from the Ameri-Towne / Kit number 942 - Midtown Hotel. Will be adding more stuff...........
Gary
Hey Gary, looks like you have a good start on the building front. Can't wait to see it done!
Gary, That's going to look pretty cool when finished.
For me a bunch of stuff but still waiting on parts. Finished swaping out the incorrect trucks on my MTH CB&Q Extended vision Waycar.
Next. Awhile back I had come across a MTH NH FA2 ABA set dirt cheap.( Shells were smashed and seller didn't think they worked). Tested and worked with the intention of either swapping into my Williams FA1s . Well that didn't happen, so next plan was to find Weaver FA2 shells, That didn't happen either do to none popping up on the Bay. On a whim I contacted a forum member who sells parts and inquired about MTH GN FA2 Shells. He squared me away and bought an ABA set. Last night and this morning assembled and made repairs to the NH frames and trucks. now are running without any issue. Now I have a running GN FA2 ABA set. Kadee installs will be down the road.
Like train room Gary with the weather starting to turn colder and winter approaching the day was decent enough to get the truck waxed for winter. With that out of the way I found a few of the buildings I have bought over the years that I kind of pushed under the tables way in the back. But with tables started for the basement layout and a nice new swivel bar stool I now have a place to be able sit and put them together. I still have a few more buildings to find but I have a nice start. A few pics....................Paul
Matt came over Monday night, but instead of a work session, we mostly ran trains. It was a fun evening, but it wasn't without a few hiccups. We started the evening by playing "find the short" on hidden yard track 3. A small wisp of smoke from a Williams Superliner car in which I had installed LED lighting gave me the answer. A small gauge wire coming off the roller had come in contact with the frame. The car was removed, the short cleared, and the fun began.
Train running sessions are not all fun and games, and aren't always relaxing. At this stage, they are meant to find problems so they can be fixed, with the end goal of hosting operating sessions and having everything run smoothly.
One problem that I was aware of was occasional derailments at the Westminster switch in the big helix. So when one happened, Matt took 20 minutes to fix it by modifying the Tortoise mount, thus extending the throwing range, so the points would close fully. We fixed another switch on the mainline by tweaking the point a little to get better closure.
There were some engines with dirty wheels and rollers, so I took them over to the workbench, put them in the cradle, and used the Dremel with a wire wheel. I have a small transformer to get the wheels turning for cleaning, but for some reason, they wouldn't go. This too was not a new issue, and was a source of great puzzlement for me. Matt recognized the problem right away. I was trying to run them in conventional, but they were still getting TMCC signal through the air while the layout was powered. Two simple options to solve this: turn the layout off or use the cab-1.
Now that Dale Manquen has posted a topic here on the forum seeking beta testers for his TMCC signal booster, my vow of secrecy has been lifted. I have had one installed on the layout long before he went public, but I haven't been actually running the trains much. What I am finding is that most trains are working very well. There are still a few engines that don't like certain spots. Now that I have the Loco Log, I can start to document the erratic behavior, in an effort to draw some scientific conclusions. I think we can make modifications to the engines to correct these issues. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.
There are a lot of variables involved in getting smooth reliable operation on a layout this large. I recently discovered that one culprit could be the other radio signal, between the cab-1 and the base. I used to be able to operate with the antenna down on the remote. As the layout has become more built up the line of sight to the base has been lost in many places. As a result of this topic, I have decided to add an external antenna to the TMCC base. It will extend around the room to restore line of sight to all locations, and hopefully the antennas can go back down.
Train operations carried over into Tuesday, with the end goal being to complete taking photos of all the engines on the layout, so the final pages of the Loco Log could be printed. More dirty wheels and rollers. There was a period about four years ago, that I was buying any reasonably priced TMCC engine off eBay. When they would arrive, I just put them directly on the layout, set the channel, and ran them, without any serious inspection.
Number 7 refused to move, the wheels and rollers were caked with my construction dust. Upon closer inspection, this poor Atlas engine had been used on the "carpet central" by a cat owner in its previous life. I spent half an hour picking gobs of greasy hair and fibers from the gears with tweezers. A little fresh replacement lube, and it runs like a champ. By dinner time I had completed my photo mission. There are 39 TMCC / Legacy engines on the layout, with at least another 20 still in boxes.
Hi Elliot, great read. Sure seams like Matt is a handy guy to have around and sure sounds like he knows his stuff. It's always great to have an extra set of eyes to help problem solve issues. I'm glad you got most if not all of them taken care of. You have such a massive layout I bet there is a lot to look for. Hope as you move forward that things run smooth, if not I'm sure you can give a shout to Matt.
I started (or restarted) an old project a couple of weeks ago. I am going to try to build a version of the "Polar Mountain & Warren" layout from the 12/14 issue of CTT. I located a Fastrack O-36 version and am going to be fitting track together this afternoon to see what I need. I don't really want O-36 long term but this is what I need to use to get things moving.
Heavily in the planning stages of my layout. It's time to get these trains off the floor and on to a display. I've worked out a simple 5x9 layout with 2 ovals, one outer running the parameter of the layout, one inner so the trains can pass close by. Now I'm just planning how to get a simple figure eight elevated in the middle of the layout. 3 sets of trains running at one time. Have been getting some great advise from folks on this board!
Right now I just have a large oval on the floor, constantly changing locomotives and rolling stock, haha. Can't wait to run it all at once. Spent some time cleaning the track and maintaining my loco's.
suzukovich posted:Gary, That's going to look pretty cool when finished.
For me a bunch of stuff but still waiting on parts. Finished swaping out the incorrect trucks on my MTH CB&Q Extended vision Waycar.
Next. Awhile back I had come across a MTH NH FA2 ABA set dirt cheap.( Shells were smashed and seller didn't think they worked). Tested and worked with the intention of either swapping into my Williams FA1s . Well that didn't happen, so next plan was to find Weaver FA2 shells, That didn't happen either do to none popping up on the Bay. On a whim I contacted a forum member who sells parts and inquired about MTH GN FA2 Shells. He squared me away and bought an ABA set. Last night and this morning assembled and made repairs to the NH frames and trucks. now are running without any issue. Now I have a running GN FA2 ABA set. Kadee installs will be down the road.
I am absolutely in love with the snowy theme on your layout. It works perfect. For some reason, snow has always been my favorite choice in scenery. Amazing work!
darlander posted:Had a great time last Saturday entertaining some young engineers and running trains. Ages ranged from 3 years to mid 50’s. They all got to run trains and work the gantry crane. Great fun was had by all and they all left with a back dated copy of Classic Toy Trains or O Gauge Railroading.
What a great way to clean out the file cabinet and hopefully, spread the hobby!
Dave
We need more of this! We need train layouts in stores such as Walmart, Target, Sears, ToysRus. We need to get Lionel back on the kids radar once again. A hobby that taught kids about basic electric, hand tools, carpentry, engineering and just using their imaginations in general! I just mentioned in another post that Lionel did do a good job taking advantage of the Polar Express and Harry Potter opportunity's, and I am confident that the way we are going with the wifi controlled layouts, more options to play with, more realistic speeds and sounds, the kids will have a better interest. After all, if they can put it on their IPad's it's almost a home run.
The last couple of weeks I took time out from my bottle brush tree building to designing and build a 10 foot deck girder bridge for a stub service track. Today, I finished the bridge but need 10 of track, and I will build a tunnel/retaining wall flat where the bridge meets an intersecting wall.
Yesterday I went outside and spray painted dark brown cam on about 100 bottle brush trees that I made over the period of a month. Soon I will get to the foliage and planting stages . 
Out of the Man Cave, into the Butlers Kitchen, The West End of the Mansion. lol
Ameri-Towne Kit #443, Homestead Furniture
Korber Models, Kit #903 Skylane Steel
Degrease injection mold oils with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
Soak the parts in warm water for about ten minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Air dry and pat try with paper towel.
Gary
Not too much today on the layout. Had to rake leaves before the rain. But today I changed out my broken truck on my Weaver hopper by adding two die cast trucks I got at York so that is back on the track again. Decided to run trains for a bit and managed to find a few more kits to take to the basement. Still have to find the rest of them. Anyways a pic of the ones I found so far...................Paul
Gary, just wondering if your only using the fronts for back drops, what are you doing with the rest of the building?
To TrainRoomGary, Gary..
Those building fronts from O-Gauge RRing are great to work with.. Couple of suggestions as I have used them various places.. don't make your building symmetrical.. add depth and different heights.. what you have is symmetrical and will take on a 'monotone look'... make it crazy! The more 'crazy', the more it will be interesting.. different cuts, heights, etc.. also, some points on painting them.. I paint the walls the brick color I want.. then I tape off the whole walls with masking tape and cut out with an exacto No11 super sharp blade along the inside window edges.. I then paint them white or whatever window trim color you want.. it seems like this takes forever, but it is actually faster then painting all windows with a brush.. another think you can do is take out the center sill part and there is a really nice Grandt Line window that fits right in.. prepaint the window first.. also add window vents etc.. anyhow.. if anything, have fun..
Dan
Hi Dan & Mike / I am working on three structures at the same time. Kober Models, Skyline Steel, Amer-Towne, Kit #443 - Homestead Furniture and Kit #942 - Midtown Hotel. I will be using all the sides to make flat structures. After they are done and painted, I will mix them up for flat structures on a blue painted wall.
Paint clouds on the wall, and Presto / I have custom back drops........
The only outside other hobby getting in my way is fall hunting and fishing, today was a rain day so I am working on these flats. If it does not rain tonight, I will be watching MLB, Cubs vs. Indians, but they are having rain in Cleveland. Go “Cubs”
Gary / Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway
Did a preliminary shake down on this Premier 765 to test that all functions operate smoothly before it undergoes an ERR upgrade. Another reason for testing was to evaluate it's performance, specifically it's pulling ability. See, what good is the cruise upgrade if it just sits there, spinning drivers, stuck on a grade with only 10 cars in tow? An engine that can tackle a grade without much increase in the throttle is a great indicator of how well it climbs. The Berkshire passes with flying colors. It was also good to check that the PS1 functions as it should...it will probably be transplanted into something else on hand.
As usual, the smoke generated by MTH never disappoints. This stinker actually set off the smoke alarm for the first time...something I thought wasn't possible with vapor smoke. Still, it didn't deter me from putting on 2 hours of run time.
Bruce
I was able to finish building the shelf part of the layout that is in the kid's play room. I have had to make some minor changes due to studs in the wall, but I think I got it figured out. Even managed to solder a few leads to the track in this section (which I suck at), but I'm waiting for my Ross order to come in to finish laying the track in this section. Even looked at some 42" TV's to hang on the wall. Once I hang the TV, I will be able to hang the last support wire so that the shelf is free standing and remove the attached leg. Soon I will be painting the underside of the shelf.
Thaddeus,
It is looking very good! So this looks like an extended loop from another room. Is the purpose to be able to fit the curves you need for the other room, or the main purpose to bring trains into the play room in and of itself? I never thought of using support wires from above. I was planning on angle braces from underneath so there wouldn't be any legs. Very interesting concept!!
StillPlaysWithTrains1469 posted:darlander posted:Had a great time last Saturday entertaining some young engineers and running trains. Ages ranged from 3 years to mid 50’s. They all got to run trains and work the gantry crane. Great fun was had by all and they all left with a back dated copy of Classic Toy Trains or O Gauge Railroading.
What a great way to clean out the file cabinet and hopefully, spread the hobby!
Dave
We need more of this! We need train layouts in stores such as Walmart, Target, Sears, ToysRus. We need to get Lionel back on the kids radar once again. A hobby that taught kids about basic electric, hand tools, carpentry, engineering and just using their imaginations in general! I just mentioned in another post that Lionel did do a good job taking advantage of the Polar Express and Harry Potter opportunity's, and I am confident that the way we are going with the wifi controlled layouts, more options to play with, more realistic speeds and sounds, the kids will have a better interest. After all, if they can put it on their IPad's it's almost a home run.
Well said!!!! Dave
Mark,
The real purpose is to fit the curves that I wanted into such a small space, and I thought it would look cool. I am trying to do a lot in a tight space. I had to make some promises to my wife in order to do just that. I had to be able to fit a few things under the shelf and I didn't want legs coming down, making it more useful space in several different ways. Couldn't go wrong with attaching them to old rough cut rafters(house was built in 1947). The other reason for the wires coming down is that it is just a cosmetic wall that the previous owner installed and I was unsure how well I could secure it and keep it level and sturdy with the kids playing that room.
Ran trains today as I looked for more buildings for my winter projects. Came across another two. I'll look for more on the weekend in between train shows Pics of these..................Paul
Stuck in parent teacher conferences from 4-8 so catching up on my reading of back issues of train magazines. Then the brother of a friend is in town for 1 night and wants to see an O gauge layout so they will be stopping by around 8:30 tonight.
Today I flocked and planted 55 conifers.
Great looking trees. Purchased? If not, would you please share the recipe?
Dave
Pennsynut - nice trees and a nice layout.
Finished Kadee install on a MTH GP 30
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pennsynut posted:Today I flocked and planted 55 conifers.
Nice work. Winter themed?
Mr. Suzuvovich: Thanks. No, not a winter scene. I have a small area visible in the photos where I added a plaster hill that has lacks paint and ground cover for now. I will modify the addition because I don't like the contours. BTW, for some reason my original post had duplicate photos, so edited my post.
Pennsynut, photos show a very nice layout you are working on. I add to the others what is your way of making your conifers...............Paul
paul2, darlander and Jim: Thanks. Still working on scenic projects ( "not quite a complete redo" post on scenery forum).
To answer questions about my treqes, could I refer you to my reply post to the thread on the scenery forum " wire and hemp cord to make trees". My method is the same as so many others have used. I just experimented with their ideas and tips. If I could make deciduous trees as easy as conifers I would model those as well, but my attempts were not very good. So, for now, my layout is in conifer country.
After I make the basic tree, I spray paint with earth brown camo, let dry and spray with cheap extra hold hair spray, dust with woodland scenics foam of various greens, then spray again. Time consuming if you need lots of trees.
Gents,
Atlas Bulkhead Flat with wrapped lumber loads...
Thanks, Dan
Tree foliage and planting 27 this am.
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