Bob, I am with Mark, you did a fine job! Plus you shared with us how you did it, great learning for the rest of us! Thank you sir!
Did some track repair work across George Washing Machine Bridge:
LOL, Arnold
Attachments
Videos (1)
Arnold, I am glad you are keeping the George Washing Machine Bridge well maintained!! It would be a disaster if there was a structural failure!!! 
Yeah, better watch that Tide doesn't cause a washout.
Happy Birthday "Captain" 
.
No guilt here; being late on purpose just prolongs a worthy celebration imo 
Thanks Mike and Mark. Gonna start calling you the M&M Boys- like Mantle and Marris....
Arnold- at least traffic moves over your bridge.
Adriatic- that pun left my head spinning 
Bob
You're welcome, Bob! I saw Maris play at Forbes Field when he was with the Cardinals. Never saw Mantle, but I had some of his baseball cards.
Yup, the Tide and a washout was a good one, Adriatic! Spinning, Bob! Good one too!! You both would do well with my wife's family, they are punny people too!
Like I told my friend, my one daughter's father-in-law, what was one day early when compared to 62 years!! Thank you!!
Well, I did something today. I took down the Halloween display and the remnants of last Christmas to the bare table, and put the track down in a folded loop, over and under itself. I will need to come up with a better way to support the long bridge than the Styrofoam block that is there now, but it is on it's way. I even took down the curtains behind it that haven't been washed since before our younger daughter abandoned the room on her wedding day 4+ years ago. And yes it was the Tide that washed and spun them around. Amazing these old things held together. I'll post some photographs once it gets interesting! 
More scenery work….
Attachments
Images (2)
Superb Johan!
Bob
RSJB18 posted:Superb Johan!
Bob
Bob: Thank you.
Johan
Looks great, Johan! Are the buildings on the left of the second photograph, flat pictures? The one closest to the camera has a good 3 dimensional quality to it. Looks great!
Mark Boyce posted:Looks great, Johan! Are the buildings on the left of the second photograph, flat pictures? The one closest to the camera has a good 3 dimensional quality to it. Looks great!
Mark: Thank you. Yes, all buildings on the left side are only pictures, expect that small hut. I am also quite happy.
Johan
Bob, you can call me anything you want! Just don't call me late for dinner or a cold beer!
Mark, send me a picture of your foam bridge holders, I might be able to build you something out of Plexi glass for you!
Johan, your talent of making a layout come to life is amazing! You are for sure one to watch! Between you Chris A. and many others there is so much to earn here!
mike g. posted:Bob, you can call me anything you want! Just don't call me late for dinner or a cold beer!
Mark, send me a picture of your foam bridge holders, I might be able to build you something out of Plexi glass for you!
Well Mike, that is a generous offer. I don't know if it would work, but here are my photographs and my ideas. I normally would put high tracks in the rear for visibility, but I thought I might try having the high tracks in the front, one on top of the other as much as possible. Then there may be scenes looking under the upper level if it was open like a Chicago or Philadelphia EL, but with simple construction of the supports. For test purposes, I used the piers from this Lemax set that are obviously intended for HO trains, because the tallest one isn't near high enough as can be see with the photographs containing the Hogwarts Express coach. The Styrofoam block is just the packing material from the Lemax set. Temporary if ever there was temporary. My upper straight section of track is 29 1/2" long, then the lead in of the curves have to be supported on both ends. They are 036 curves where the outside rail is 15" long until they clear the car. I was going to support all of that with the bottom of the top level 5" off the table top. There is enough room to make a support right under the front of the top level of track, then have an offset on the inside to clear the track below.
Attachments
So it's been a character building week.... Having some pretty severe low back issues.... Had 16 really good years after surgery in 2002, I am really thankful now, for how long its been so good... Hopefully this will start settling down.
Managed to get some work done on the next 8 feet of the expansion. Really need to keep moving, as it's better than getting "stuck" in a chair. After getting the 2 grades done, I decided I really only allowed enough room between the main line and coal mine run to have a retaining wall that couldn't exceed 1/4 inch thick... Ended up making this out of 1/8 inch masonite and cut some 1/16" foam sheet in 5/8" strips (2'-6" scale) for the raised sections... Took me a while to figure out how to deal with both tracks running down hill, the upper one is a 3% grade for the coal mine, the lower is 1.5% grade on the main.
After priming with diluted white primer, then lightly spraying with Rustoleum Camouflage Khaki and Sand, and a light overspray of flat white, I weathered it with craft paint diluted washes... I am fairly pleased with the results...
The total length was 84 inches, so it got my mind off the back pain working on a piece this long. I put the back drop buildings there to knock down the reflection from the flat white primer on the wall, not sure yet what the backdrop here will look like.
Attachments
Images (7)
I also meant to mention, I was in the Home Depot this afternoon and the Freud 7 1/4 inch 60 tooth blades are on sale, you can get 2 for $19.99. They are normally $20 each... Some time back I put up a long post about using these blades to cut very small pieces of wood, plastic walls if your kitbashing multiple kits together. 60 teeth on a 7 1/4 inch blade yields really smooth cuts and the width (kerf) of the blade is only 1/16 inches.
Hey Mark, tomorrow morning I will send you a PM or if you want you can email me a drawing what your thinking. I could build something out of clear plexi glass and you could paint it if you wanted! I just need a simple drawing with the height and width!
Chris A. wonderful work there! It turned out looking great! I was hoping I could email you in the morning to pick your brain!
Arnold D. Cribari posted:Did some track repair work across George Washing Machine Bridge:
LOL, Arnold
You sir are braver than I. I could have a larger layout but that would mean building in front of the Furnace and water heater. I did not relish the thought of having to tear part of the layout up to replace those items, so I went with a smaller size layout.
Mike G: Absolutely, I'll be around all day, except for 1130 to 130 EST... Got PT at 12 noon.
Started building our new layout
Attachments
Images (1)
Chris, I’m sorry you are having back trouble just while you are getting your shoulder in shape. I’ve developed a lower back problem recently myself. The chiropractor got the L5 back in place, but I still have trouble. The MD thinks it is a damaged ligament causing the sciatic nerve to give me grief! I get an MRI this week, then probably PT. The joys of being 62. LOL
Your retaining wall looks great. Your paint looks great! Really like concrete!
I’ll keep remembering you as you recover.
Mike, I’ll work up something tomorrow morning while I wait for it to warm up before firing up the leaf blower! Oh my aching back and legs! LOL
Aldovar, Looks like a great start and great helpers!
Aldovar: Great Photo !, Enjoy the journey, with your kids. I remember those days fondly. If I could do it all over again, I would have bought my kids a cheap set of HO trains and let them do whatever they wanted. I ended up getting way too involved.
Mark, thanks for your thoughts. I have been thinking about you as well, and will keep your MRI results and subsequent PT in my thoughts and prayers. I owe you a "belated Happy Birthday wish".... This aging thing and the "golden years" is way overrated, IMHO !!!! I have no use for birthdays starting with the number 6__.
chris a posted:Aldovar: Great Photo !, Enjoy the journey, with your kids. I remember those days fondly. If I could do it all over again, I would have bought my kids a cheap set of HO trains and let them do whatever they wanted. I ended up getting way too involved.
Thanks! I got my oldest boy started in O gauge trains around 2, the littlest hasn't known anything but trains since he was born. We got the first table up tonight and he was already going into the box of track and grabbing pieces out to put down saying "Daddy, build train"
chris a posted:Aldovar: Great Photo !, Enjoy the journey, with your kids. I remember those days fondly. If I could do it all over again, I would have bought my kids a cheap set of HO trains and let them do whatever they wanted. I ended up getting way too involved.
Mark, thanks for your thoughts. I have been thinking about you as well, and will keep your MRI results and subsequent PT in my thoughts and prayers. I owe you a "belated Happy Birthday wish".... This aging thing and the "golden years" is way overrated, IMHO !!!! I have no use for birthdays starting with the number 6__.
Chris,
Thank you for the birthday wish and for remembering me too with the medical issues.
To put things in perspective, I spent Friday moving my 88-year old parents to a new personal care home and then visiting my 92-year old aunt at another home! You and I get around a lot better than them!
Ok Mark and Chris, you guys are starting to scare me! LOL I am only 52 and it hurts already! LOL
Chris I will PM you around 12 your time which would be 9 my time!
Mark, I think if I build your supports wide enough to span both tracks you would be ok! I would just need to know the width, height, and if you want them shorter for the ends let me know that also and I will just make 2 of each! One for each end!
RSJB18 posted:I finished removing the spray paint from my Pennsy ALCO. Looks pretty good IMHO.
Cleaned and greased everything and put it on the track for a test run. It moves but not well for a K-line. Back to the bench today for further investigation.I've purchased my entire collection used- this was by far the worst engine I've gotten, but I knew that going in from the pictures in the listing. I like the challenge
Attaboy! What did you wind up using to remove the paint?
Mitch
(who is now humming "George Washingmachine Bridge")
mike g. posted:Ok Mark and Chris, you guys are starting to scare me! LOL I am only 52 and it hurts already! LOL
Chris I will PM you around 12 your time which would be 9 my time!
Mark, I think if I build your supports wide enough to span both tracks you would be ok! I would just need to know the width, height, and if you want them shorter for the ends let me know that also and I will just make 2 of each! One for each end!
You had better not hang out with us too much Mike. See it's already rubbing off!
Thank you very much for the offer. I'll get back to you tomorrow!!
Mark Boyce posted:mike g. posted:Ok Mark and Chris, you guys are starting to scare me! LOL I am only 52 and it hurts already! LOL
Chris I will PM you around 12 your time which would be 9 my time!
Mark, I think if I build your supports wide enough to span both tracks you would be ok! I would just need to know the width, height, and if you want them shorter for the ends let me know that also and I will just make 2 of each! One for each end!
You had better not hang out with us too much Mike. See it's already rubbing off!
Thank you very much for the offer. I'll get back to you tomorrow!!
Mark, I have to hang out with you guys, you are some great teachers! I just have to figure out how not to learn to have pain! LOL
mike g. posted:Mark Boyce posted:mike g. posted:Ok Mark and Chris, you guys are starting to scare me! LOL I am only 52 and it hurts already! LOL
Chris I will PM you around 12 your time which would be 9 my time!
Mark, I think if I build your supports wide enough to span both tracks you would be ok! I would just need to know the width, height, and if you want them shorter for the ends let me know that also and I will just make 2 of each! One for each end!
You had better not hang out with us too much Mike. See it's already rubbing off!
Thank you very much for the offer. I'll get back to you tomorrow!!
Mark, I have to hang out with you guys, you are some great teachers! I just have to figure out how not to learn to have pain! LOL
We could all do with a few lessons on that one!! My dad has been an excellent teacher. Just keep getting up every morning, keep doing what you can, and take a break when you need to. Always do what the doctor tells you to. He was mowing 2 acres with a walk behind 1953 Gravely on hilly property, painting and repairing a two story 1888 house, and looking after Mom until he was 86. He got sick over the winter a couple years ago, and could still live at home with some assistance on cooking and finances, but chooses to live in the personal care home with Mom who needs to be there.
Mark, your dad sounds like a good man! I hope I am by my wife's side then also! But your story tells me how you came about being a good man also! YOUR DAD!
Mark, I think you need to test climbing ability to check on the max grade with your worst engine WITH a full load. (Easiest on the floor imo...tell the knees I'm sorry ) You also need about 6" clearance from rail top to roadbed. I don't see that yet.
I was surprised when on the ceiling, mine ate up 12-15ft one way to get to 7" ( partially extended pantographs). It is straight though, a curve may give more traction as the flanges hit... Oops, flat rail..no tellin'.
My point is test and test again before committing to a grade permanently.
I used two tressels sideways, and a beam between them for the track to sit on to get around my ground level tracks directly below the El on the table layout. Offset, even wider at about 5". I got the idea from a real El (NY I think)
You could cut the foam up for now, lay a paint stir, ruler, etc. across them for tests and carve and paint it or send dimensions to Mike for a more solid piece.
mike g. posted:Johan, your talent of making a layout come to life is amazing! You are for sure one to watch! Between you Chris A. and many others there is so much to earn here!
Mike: Thank you very much. I just love my hobby and try do it my best. I like learn new techniques and testing different materials. Some years ago i almost finished my hobby, because here in Finland you can find only some European trains and after many H0 European train years, it`s feel quite boring. But then i found an American trains (Bangor & Aroostook, Boston & Maine, Maine Central... ) & O-gauge forum. No everything goes well and i & our small group have Shark Bay layout project. I feel now at American O-scale trains is just a that what i like do it. Thank guys, very inspiration forum.
Johan
Adriatic posted:Mark, I think you need to test climbing ability to check on the max grade with your worst engine WITH a full load. (Easiest on the floor imo...tell the knees I'm sorry
I was surprised when on the ceiling, mine ate up 12-15ft one way to get to 7" ( partially extended pantographs). It is straight though, a curve may give more traction as the flanges hit... Oops, flat rail..no tellin'.
My point is test and test again before committing to a grade permanently.
I used two tressels sideways, and a beam between them for the track to sit on to get around my ground level tracks directly below the El on the table layout. Offset, even wider at about 5". I got the idea from a real El (NY I think)
You could cut the foam up for now, lay a paint stir, ruler, etc. across them for tests and carve and paint it or send dimensions to Mike for a more solid piece.
Butch, Good thinking!! I wonder where I left my brain since I first came up with this idea!! I did all that figuring maximum grades for the Blackwater Canyon Line, but left those thoughts on the shelf once I started this little project. Fortunately, I'll be running short, light LionChief Christmas trains, Polar Express, Hallmark Toymaker, and Hogwarts too! (While I'm not much into Harry Potter, my daughters are, and I do like the Christmas scenes in the movies) The trouble is, those engines are weak pullers.
I think I can play around on the carpeted tabletop instead of the floor, since my legs are in a bad way and the little terrier dog is a train terror! 
I actually saw your post last night about 2 or 3 o'clock in one of my house ramblings trying to get the sciatic to settle down.
Since it rained overnight, I'll have to see if things dry out a bit before I tackle fallen leaves. My sister is taking Dad to a hearing aid doctor and they and Mom will get lunch out, so I won't go to visit them either. All that to say, I may get some time to try to work this out before getting back to our gracious friend, Mike!!
Thank you again!!
BAR GP7 #63 posted:mike g. posted:Johan, your talent of making a layout come to life is amazing! You are for sure one to watch! Between you Chris A. and many others there is so much to earn here!
Mike: Thank you very much. I just love my hobby and try do it my best. I like learn new techniques and testing different materials. Some years ago i almost finished my hobby, because here in Finland you can find only some European trains and after many H0 European train years, it`s feel quite boring. But then i found an American trains (Bangor & Aroostook, Boston & Maine, Maine Central... ) & O-gauge forum. No everything goes well and i & our small group have Shark Bay layout project. I feel now at American O-scale trains is just a that what i like do it. Thank guys, very inspiration forum.
Johan
Johan, I'm glad you found what works for you in the hobby, and found some friends that share in the interest. I had trains since I was little, but never had any friends to enjoy them with until I found O Gauge Railroading magazine and this Forum!
Welcome Johan. I am glad that you like my area of the USA trains. New England has some great railroads. MTH Trains also makes 0 gauge European trains, Orient Express and so on. We are glad that you enjoy this hobby. I'm 75 and still learning.
This morning I ran my military hospital train to clean the mainline. I then ran old Boston & Albany #53 pulling a beer train with a Santa Fe caboose on the short line. Veterans Day is this coming weekend. Time to get the military trains out on parade.
Attachments
Videos (1)
Matt, Thanks for posting the video. Very well done city scene, just the right amount of details without being cluttered and confusing. Great selection of "neon" signage.
Nice train run Matt! Yes Veterans Day is just around the corner. I thank everyone who has served our country!
I built up my ramps on the Christmas 'test layout' this morning. My engines can pull up the grade, but as soon as they are over the top I can't slow them down fast enough! Well, back to the old drawing board!
Chris, thanks for the kind words. I still have ballasting to be done on the short line sidings. I need some landscaping around the church. I also have to assemble a large neon American flag. That will most likely be placed near the main line yard. Still lots to be done over there.
Matt, Sure looks good!
Mark, what about just a raised track above the lower one? All the way around.
I am on the way out to the train room to finish cutting the rest of the plywood for my bench top. I will check in threw out the day!
mike g. posted:Matt, Sure looks good!
Mark, what about just a raised track above the lower one? All the way around.
Mike, That thought has entered my mind. 
I am trying one single loop that goes up to the Polar Express through girder bridge and back down. I'll see how that goes, then I think I have enough FasTrak to do one over the other. I'll have to count out the pieces. I hope to not buy any more, since I like GarGraves much better for the Ceiling Central RR and the to be built Blackwater Canyon Line, but we will see. The advantage of one level on top of the other is I can space them however I want, just provide the supports. I'll check back in too. I also have to see how fast the leaves dry out and if I can help them along with the blower!
Mark, I thought you used command. Split the track into two blocks with a dpdt switch to swap voltages when you change direction. The low volt downgrade likely needs only a few volts. It's possible accessory 5v would work, my tmcc pulmore uses 6-7v. A few bridge rectifiers as a voltage dropper is what I used before I bought a $50 pre-war Z for it's 4 throttles. (#1 is up, #2 is level El, #3 is downgrade(6v),#4 is ground level).
Even a partial voltage drop will help make your reaction time more effective.
Adriatic, You are right, I use DCS, but I have all of it downstairs on the Ceiling Central RR and my test track for the new layout. I have a ZW upstairs on the Christmas layout, and have the LionChief sets I mentioned. The more I fiddled around just now, the more I thought I'm not going to try the up and down on the Christmas layout. Too many issues to work out for a layout that needs to be done in a little over a month. Thank you for the suggestions of swapping voltages as I change direction (Up to Down). That is a good idea that would be interesting to look at.
I did setup one oval and counted out pieces of Fastrak to build a second identical one above this one like Mike suggested. I'm going to leave it sit and go out and blow some leaves around after I get a sandwich and pick it up in a few hours; if nothing else comes up in the meantime to take my attention away from the layout!
You're still in my ballpark Mark ; Over & under El for ¾ loop; leaving the lower track slightly outside the top along one straight makes for much easier railing of new locos & cars. Adding an S or two along the straight to jog to the outside straight helps break up the "follow the leader" effect of two trains at similar speeds if they travel the same direction some days. The El does add an interesting depth to a layout without the challenge of grades (I'd say a very similar but more engaging challenge than a max car pulling test. Fun, but not a hands free layout without mods or command)
Edit: "with" is now "without"
"Without the challenge of grades".
"Spell-wreck"(off) "helped" me again 
Adriatic posted:"Without the challenge of grades".
"Spell-wreck"(off) "helped" me again
Yes, I have to Keep It Simple Stupid(Me)
Spell wreck certainly gave it the opposite meaning!
decoynh posted:Welcome Johan. I am glad that you like my area of the USA trains. New England has some great railroads. MTH Trains also makes 0 gauge European trains, Orient Express and so on. We are glad that you enjoy this hobby. I'm 75 and still learning.
Matt: Thank you. I have two BANGOR & AROOSTOOK GP`s, one BL2 and maybe 30 BAR cars, also have 1 MEC and 1 B&M Alco S2 with some cars. They are all MTH PREMIER series, expect another GP is Atlas Master Series. I really hope MTH can paint sometimes BAR EMD F3 or E7 -versions. Would be a nice get Aroostook Flyer or Potatoland Special passenger train. Your layout looking nice, keep up your good work. Today i added some new houses our layout, they are 3D printed Maine area style houses.
Johan
Mark Boyce posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:mike g. posted:Johan, your talent of making a layout come to life is amazing! You are for sure one to watch! Between you Chris A. and many others there is so much to earn here!
Mike: Thank you very much. I just love my hobby and try do it my best. I like learn new techniques and testing different materials. Some years ago i almost finished my hobby, because here in Finland you can find only some European trains and after many H0 European train years, it`s feel quite boring. But then i found an American trains (Bangor & Aroostook, Boston & Maine, Maine Central... ) & O-gauge forum. No everything goes well and i & our small group have Shark Bay layout project. I feel now at American O-scale trains is just a that what i like do it. Thank guys, very inspiration forum.
Johan
Johan, I'm glad you found what works for you in the hobby, and found some friends that share in the interest. I had trains since I was little, but never had any friends to enjoy them with until I found O Gauge Railroading magazine and this Forum!
Mark : Thanks again. This month our club have 20th year party, but next Sunday we packing our Shark Bay layout in to the car and travelling from Köln Germany where is one of the world biggest train show. https://www.modellbahn-koeln.de/en/modellbahn-koeln/
Johan
Johan, I hope you have a great time at the train show! I cant wait to see what you post from there!
As for me I got all my plywood cut and fastened down, then the surprise came when the wife brought me out a Hot Buttered Rum! I know it might not go with trains, but it sure is yummy!
mike g. posted:Johan, I hope you have a great time at the train show! I cant wait to see what you post from there!
As for me I got all my plywood cut and fastened down, then the surprise came when the wife brought me out a Hot Buttered Rum! I know it might not go with trains, but it sure is yummy!
Mike: Thanks. Hot Buttered Rum. Nice.
Johan
BAR GP7 #63 posted:decoynh posted:Welcome Johan. I am glad that you like my area of the USA trains. New England has some great railroads. MTH Trains also makes 0 gauge European trains, Orient Express and so on. We are glad that you enjoy this hobby. I'm 75 and still learning.
Matt: Thank you. I have two BANGOR & AROOSTOOK GP`s, one BL2 and maybe 30 BAR cars, also have 1 MEC and 1 B&M Alco S2 with some cars. They are all MTH PREMIER series, expect another GP is Atlas Master Series. I really hope MTH can paint sometimes BAR EMD F3 or E7 -versions. Would be a nice get Aroostook Flyer or Potatoland Special passenger train. Your layout looking nice, keep up your good work. Today i added some new houses our layout, they are 3D printed Maine area style houses.
Johan
Wow, Johan, you have a good collection there. For the last few years, I have been trying to collect the trains that run through our little town here in New Hampshire. PanAm lines & Guilford are also local trains. The MBTA is also seen at times. CSX is another train that operates some local freights in the east USA. How expensive is it to ship from USA to Finland?
BAR GP7 #63 posted:mike g. posted:Johan, I hope you have a great time at the train show! I cant wait to see what you post from there!
As for me I got all my plywood cut and fastened down, then the surprise came when the wife brought me out a Hot Buttered Rum! I know it might not go with trains, but it sure is yummy!
Mike: Thanks. Hot Buttered Rum. Nice.
Johan
Yep yummy! Plus a great wife & trains, what could be better!
That looks like a great event in Koln, Johan. Have a great time!
Great work getting all that plywood down, Mike!! Evidently Mrs. G. thinks so too!! Plus a great wife & trains, what could be better! I agree!!!
decoynh posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:decoynh posted:Welcome Johan. I am glad that you like my area of the USA trains. New England has some great railroads. MTH Trains also makes 0 gauge European trains, Orient Express and so on. We are glad that you enjoy this hobby. I'm 75 and still learning.
Matt: Thank you. I have two BANGOR & AROOSTOOK GP`s, one BL2 and maybe 30 BAR cars, also have 1 MEC and 1 B&M Alco S2 with some cars. They are all MTH PREMIER series, expect another GP is Atlas Master Series. I really hope MTH can paint sometimes BAR EMD F3 or E7 -versions. Would be a nice get Aroostook Flyer or Potatoland Special passenger train. Your layout looking nice, keep up your good work. Today i added some new houses our layout, they are 3D printed Maine area style houses.
Johan
Wow, Johan, you have a good collection there. For the last few years, I have been trying to collect the trains that run through our little town here in New Hampshire. PanAm lines & Guilford are also local trains. The MBTA is also seen at times. CSX is another train that operates some local freights in the east USA. How expensive is it to ship from USA to Finland?
Matt: Almost forgot my MTH B&M BL2. Usually shipping (cars) cost 20-40 dollars and locomotives 50-60 dollars. Usually i buy all my locos from USA or Canada, but sometimes i can found something here in Europe. Also ebay working very well. I have maybe 300 blu-rays & dvd`s only USA & Canadian trains, always try get all Maine area train films.
Johan
Attachments
Images (2)
Ah, no hills on a temporary layout is sooo much better! The identical track sections are laying around. Now to see if I can come up with a good way to quickly support an upper level.
Attachments
Mark Boyce posted:That looks like a great event in Koln, Johan. Have a great time!
Great work getting all that plywood down, Mike!! Evidently Mrs. G. thinks so too!! Plus a great wife & trains, what could be better!
Thanks Mark! The wife (CFO) thinks it looks good and is happy I am making progress! I worked on outlining the track layout today, I got all the inside and outside lines brawn out on the plywood. Then it dawned on me, I have no idea where I am going to put all these building I have! LOL
I think I am going to add some curves to the layout so to fit most of the cause I really like them! If anyone is interested in helping me place the building on the layout, let me know and I will post a list of building I have along with a picture of the track plan!
Mark Boyce posted:Ah, no hills on a temporary layout is sooo much better! The identical track sections are laying around. Now to see if I can come up with a good way to quickly support an upper level.
Mark, my offer still stands! I will build you something if needed!
Thank you, Mike! I see two ways to go, yes there are more for sure.
One is to not put anything under the upper Fastrack, just put a support that straddles the lower level at every track joint.
Two is to cut thin plywood, Masonite, or something else under the upper track and put in maybe half the number of supports.
I have already clipped the lower level track pieces together with office binder clips to ensure the track sections don't pull apart. That would be best on the upper level if there is no upper level roadbed.
I'll ponder it and get back.
Mark Boyce posted:Ah, no hills on a temporary layout is sooo much better! The identical track sections are laying around. Now to see if I can come up with a good way to quickly support an upper level.
Sommat like this, perhaps?
Mitch
Mitch, I haven’t seen those. Do they stack up?
Daniel J. Gonzalez posted:
NSRailfan100 posted:I was able to weather 20+ weaver coal cars with an airbrush! I was quite skeptical at first but turns out airbrushing is very easy if you take your time! I recommend to try if you are interested in weathering your trains!
I have looked, just not too sure if the expense is worth it for me.
If you don't mind me asking, what unit do you use and where did you buy it. If the price is right I might look into it. I could imagine it make life a lot easier.
Thanks!
I just got an airbrush kit and 3 gallon oil less compressor. I spent a little under $80 for both! Both have worked out very well for me so far.
Today I cleared the clutter off my workbench surface. Now I can get down to working on a few projects. Ran trains the whole time while putting things in their proper place and or creating a proper place for them.
Also went to Home Depot, Michaels and Hobby Lobby to get material for new projects. One project is to create a Christmas store in memory of my Mom who was the "Spirit of Christmas" around our house! She absolutely loved the entire Christmas season! Her name was Mary so I'm going to create the " Mary Christmas Shop " with the slogan " Have a Mary Merry Christmas!" I'm using the MTH Christmas store ( which I just purchased off the Bay ) as a basis and have many ideas to expand upon the basic MTH offering. When it's completed I'll snap some photos and show it here on this thread.
I'm also thinking of creating an Eggnog Manufacturer in memory of my Dad whose homemade eggnog packed a more than hefty punch! 
The second project is to build a 4 x6 foot whimsical Christmas layout for underneath my tree this year. I'll use either Lionel Fast Track ( if I have enough ) or second choice MTH Realtrax, which I know I have enough of. At any rate it all should be lots of fun!
While at Hobby Lobby I purchased some large black foam boards to put around the perimeter of my benchwork. Once installed, the foam boards will hide all the boxes stored under the table.
I'm really looking forward to these projects!
I haven't had hot buttered rum since Christmas when I was about 8. A very Euro minded family, one drink or a beer once in a while was no big deal. I never got hung up being able to drink at 19 and rarely have more than one of anything today...if at all ... I can still taste it. I drink buttered coffee on occasion. I might have tonight but the female mastiff swiped my last stick the night before last. (The only things not safe alone are chicken and butter, she goes to the cage herself after a theft too. Always has )
I railed and ran my Marx E El Capitan today. Not buttered rum, but that was enough fun I guess
Recent photos of trains on my layout.
Attachments
Videos (1)
There is always something new that a person can do to a layout. Nice video of your trains running on your layout, Pat.
BAR GP7 #63 posted:decoynh posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:decoynh posted:Welcome Johan. I am glad that you like my area of the USA trains. New England has some great railroads. MTH Trains also makes 0 gauge European trains, Orient Express and so on. We are glad that you enjoy this hobby. I'm 75 and still learning.
Matt: Thank you. I have two BANGOR & AROOSTOOK GP`s, one BL2 and maybe 30 BAR cars, also have 1 MEC and 1 B&M Alco S2 with some cars. They are all MTH PREMIER series, expect another GP is Atlas Master Series. I really hope MTH can paint sometimes BAR EMD F3 or E7 -versions. Would be a nice get Aroostook Flyer or Potatoland Special passenger train. Your layout looking nice, keep up your good work. Today i added some new houses our layout, they are 3D printed Maine area style houses.
Johan
Wow, Johan, you have a good collection there. For the last few years, I have been trying to collect the trains that run through our little town here in New Hampshire. PanAm lines & Guilford are also local trains. The MBTA is also seen at times. CSX is another train that operates some local freights in the east USA. How expensive is it to ship from USA to Finland?
Matt: Almost forgot my MTH B&M BL2. Usually shipping (cars) cost 20-40 dollars and locomotives 50-60 dollars. Usually i buy all my locos from USA or Canada, but sometimes i can found something here in Europe. Also ebay working very well. I have maybe 300 blu-rays & dvd`s only USA & Canadian trains, always try get all Maine area train films.
Johan
Very nice work Johan. It almost looks like home. Your details & weathering are realistic.
Ive seen videos of the show in Germany before. My neighbor grew up in Hamburg during the war & he emailed me some videos. Have fun & try not to spend all your money.
Mark Boyce posted:Ah, no hills on a temporary layout is sooo much better! The identical track sections are laying around. Now to see if I can come up with a good way to quickly support an upper level.
Mark, Can you use Gargraves that you might have, for the upper level. Whatever you do, it’ll be good.
Matt, What is in the picture above is one 048 section coming off each straight, then two full and one half 036 section so it will fit on a 4-foot wide sheet of 2-inch foam. My GarGraves is all all 042 and 054, so half circles of 042 would come out close to the same. I have a little bit of bendable GarGraves that I bought for my jogs in two walls on my Ceiling Central RR also. I think I'll make up an 042 half circle and see how it looks. Thank you for the suggestion. I agree, either brand will work out okay, with the right support
Johan, keep the pictures of the progress coming. You are creating some great scenes.
Chris, your module is taking shape. Hope the back gets better.
Pat, very nice video.
Matt, you have done a nice job with your layout.
After spending a long weekend with the kids and grandkids I got home Monday and I had some nice pacakages waiting for me. I had to buy the video of Norm's layout, my cars came from the Canadian club and the Schaeffer beer reefers arrived from the NJHR's. Have to do some errands and laundry but hope to do some work on the liftout section. I have to redo a couple of the ground wires. I made the mistake of connecting all of them when I should of left three wires for the crossing signals. Pics ..............Paul
Attachments
Images (3)
Mark Boyce posted:Mitch, I haven’t seen those. Do they stack up?
Yeah. Those are, if memory serves, Model Motoring (or maybe Tyco) bridge piers, and the idea was to stack them in order to raise the roadway in a grade. Just checked, and 1:67 slot car track is about the same size as Fastrack, so if you can get ahold of a sufficient quantity, they should do the job. Say! Here's an idea: Have you considered Legos?
Mitch
Paul, nice haul awaiting you for sure!! I received a copy of the Norm-Griffith Club video too. I haven’t opened it yet!
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Mark Boyce posted:Mitch, I haven’t seen those. Do they stack up?
Yeah. Those are, if memory serves, Model Motoring (or maybe Tyco) bridge piers, and the idea was to stack them in order to raise the roadway in a grade. Just checked, and 1:67 slot car track is about the same size as Fastrack, so if you can get ahold of a sufficient quantity, they should do the job. Say! Here's an idea: Have you considered Legos?
Mitch
Mitch, You are brilliant!! LEGOs; my older daughter would love it!!! She uses a LEGO base and blocks to build up a holder for her castings of custom designed doll parts. They are easy to come by as well! Easier probably than the 067 slot car supports, though with the Internet, either may be as easy as pie!!!
Thank you for the ideas!
Patrick, sounds like you have some wonderful projects planned this winter! Way to honor your mom! I cant wait to see what you come up with. What a great looking layout you have! Must be fun to just sit back and run trains!
Butch, I was just telling the wife a couple days ago that I use to drink Hot Butter Rum's while I was up skiing. Then while working in the train room yesterday with a little nip in the air, here she come with a nice warm one just for me! What a great day!
Paul2, Sure got some nice looking cars there! I hope you don't have to work to long on the lift out section! Have a great day !
Well Matt, here is the 042 half circle. It's a little bigger than I expected; maybe closer to the edge than I had hoped, although I didn't jam the track sections in until they meet. The jury is still in deliberation.
Attachments
Mark Boyce posted:Mitch, You are brilliant!! LEGOs; my older daughter would love it!!! She uses a LEGO base and blocks to build up a holder for her castings of custom designed doll parts. They are easy to come by as well! Easier probably than the 067 slot car supports, though with the Internet, either may be as easy as pie!!!
Thank you for the ideas!
My pleasure!
I would think that 2x2 squares would be fine for the pillars, with 2 x whatevers for the crosspieces... ^.^
Mitch
You could sand off some of the Lego nubs if they bother you. I'd leave some under the roadbed to keep it from shifting. Other than the top, the rest will look like brick. Consider a flat, brick red or cinder block grey craft paint so they can be washed clean and returned if only borrowed from younger folk (gotta set those social examples )
Mark Boyce posted:Ah, no hills on a temporary layout is sooo much better! The identical track sections are laying around. Now to see if I can come up with a good way to quickly support an upper level.
2 levels, only stack the back straight...
some thing like this...
Attachments
Images (3)
I was pretty excited on Friday when my order from Scenic Express made it to my doorstep just a day after ordering it, but was quickly disappointed when I opened it and found out my concrete walls were backordered. So no work was done on the layout, but we ran some trains. My son did give me a few ideas for some scenery though.
Attachments
Videos (1)
Looking GREAT Ted !! cool video !
Thaddeus, Nice video!
another idea Mark, using plywood to support the 036 upper level loop...
maybe add a siding on each level to store some extra cars...
Attachments
Images (2)
Mark Boyce posted:Matt, What is in the picture above is one 048 section coming off each straight, then two full and one half 036 section so it will fit on a 4-foot wide sheet of 2-inch foam. My GarGraves is all all 042 and 054, so half circles of 042 would come out close to the same. I have a little bit of bendable GarGraves that I bought for my jogs in two walls on my Ceiling Central RR also. I think I'll make up an 042 half circle and see how it looks. Thank you for the suggestion. I agree, either brand will work out okay, with the right support
That's what is good about OGR, sometimes other members think out side the box. Your idea of laying the upper level on masonite makes sense & fewer supports will be required. Good luck on whatever way you choose to go.
Thaddeus posted:I was pretty excited on Friday when my order from Scenic Express made it to my doorstep just a day after ordering it, but was quickly disappointed when I opened it and found out my concrete walls were backordered. So no work was done on the layout, but we ran some trains. My son did give me a few ideas for some scenery though.
Nice video, Thaddeus. Those beautiful passenger cars definitely qualify as “varnish”!!!
briansilvermustang posted:
another idea Mark, using plywood to support the 036 upper level loop...
maybe add a siding on each level to store some extra cars...
Attachments
Images (1)
paul 2 posted:Johan, keep the pictures of the progress coming. You are creating some great scenes.
Chris, your module is taking shape. Hope the back gets better.
Pat, very nice video.
Matt, you have done a nice job with your layout.
After spending a long weekend with the kids and grandkids I got home Monday and I had some nice pacakages waiting for me. I had to buy the video of Norm's layout, my cars came from the Canadian club and the Schaeffer beer reefers arrived from the NJHR's. Have to do some errands and laundry but hope to do some work on the liftout section. I have to redo a couple of the ground wires. I made the mistake of connecting all of them when I should of left three wires for the crossing signals. Pics ..............Paul
Paul: Thanks. I like those reefers, specially BC -reefers are really beauties. Please, where i can order that Norm´s layout dvd?
Johan
Johan, I ordered the video from TM Books and Videos. Here is something to try. If these don't help somebody might chime in with the proper information..........Paul
Call (800) 892-2822
info@tmbv.com
paul 2 posted:Johan, I ordered the video from TM Books and Videos. Here is something to try. If these don't help somebody might chime in with the proper information..........Paul
Call (800) 892-2822info@tmbv.com
Thanks Paul.
Johan
Attachments
Images (3)
Thaddeus, That is a shame you have to wait on the retaining walls, but the trains running are great!
Johan, More great photographs!!
Brian, All good ideas. I have scads of ceramic Christmas buildings I need to fit as many as possible on to meet Mrs. B.'s approval. That is why after the over and under proved to not be practical, I thought of just one loop of track. An identical loop over it to maximize building real estate would be best. I've been busy all day at my Mom and Dad's empty house, then at the personal care home with them and the nursing/physical therapy staff for my mom. I just got in. I'm going to look at some of the support options we discussed (Brian, Mitch, Matt).
Here is an idea I had last evening and tried it out today. Free material. My in-laws put in a new front stoop roof and railing about 10 years ago, and there was an almost complete bag of spindles left behind in the garage when my mother-in-law sold us the house. I cut pieces with a neat miter saw I retrieved from my dad's house and put it to use for the first time. I cut and glues pieces for the prototype. I will need to make the opening wider than 4 inches on the rest so I can have clearance on curves, but you get the idea. In the rear, I think I will build up a mountain like Brian suggested.
As you can see, I need to clean up leaves now, and get back to this project later.
Attachments
very cool idea Mark !! they will look good ! might have to borrow that idea !
Looks like a great idea Mark! will give it a nice open look!
Have fun with the leaves! LOL
Mark Boyce posted:Here is an idea I had last evening and tried it out today. Free material. My in-laws put in a new front stoop roof and railing about 10 years ago, and there was an almost complete bag of spindles left behind in the garage when my mother-in-law sold us the house. I cut pieces with a neat miter saw I retrieved from my dad's house and put it to use for the first time. I cut and glues pieces for the prototype. I will need to make the opening wider than 4 inches on the rest so I can have clearance on curves, but you get the idea. In the rear, I think I will build up a mountain like Brian suggested.
As you can see, I need to clean up leaves now, and get back to this project later.
Looks great, Mark! Well done!
Glad to see Old Glory flying too!
Mark Boyce posted:Here is an idea I had last evening and tried it out today. Free material. My in-laws put in a new front stoop roof and railing about 10 years ago, and there was an almost complete bag of spindles left behind in the garage when my mother-in-law sold us the house. I cut pieces with a neat miter saw I retrieved from my dad's house and put it to use for the first time. I cut and glues pieces for the prototype. I will need to make the opening wider than 4 inches on the rest so I can have clearance on curves, but you get the idea. In the rear, I think I will build up a mountain like Brian suggested.
As you can see, I need to clean up leaves now, and get back to this project later.
I like it Mark. Paint it gray/cement & it will look like cement piers. A Mountain with over and under tunnels will be cool or even only an under tunnel with the upper area open. Very nice.
Chalk up 2 brilliant ideas from Mark. To be fair, one is from his daughter and will come in handy when I begin some casting projects. I just know there are other uses for the vinyl railing posts around the layout, especially where durability is reqired. Thanks Mark!
Bruce
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:RSJB18 posted:I finished removing the spray paint from my Pennsy ALCO. Looks pretty good IMHO.
Cleaned and greased everything and put it on the track for a test run. It moves but not well for a K-line. Back to the bench today for further investigation.I've purchased my entire collection used- this was by far the worst engine I've gotten, but I knew that going in from the pictures in the listing. I like the challenge
Attaboy! What did you wind up using to remove the paint?
Mitch
(who is now humming "George Washingmachine Bridge")
It was in one of my posts Mitch. Guess you missed it.
Thanks
BAR GP7 #63 posted:
Beautiful work- so inquiring minds want to know..... what runs on the two rail (HO?)
Bob
