What did you do on your layout today?

Mark Boyce posted:

brwebster posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Nick, that sounds like good plans.

Chris, the caboose looks great!

It's all being held down by gravity only right now, but I think it may work.  

Still say the use of vinyl railing is brilliant.  A perfect basic structure that allows for further detailing if desired.  Plenty of bridge variations of the deck or through types could be added on top too...or just leave as is for a simplicity that doesn't distract from the main subject.

I'm going to have a look for this stuff at the local building centers.  I'll have need for it on the layout eventually.

Bruce

Thank you Bruce.  I was thinking of a more spindly look, but didn't want to put much money into a Christmas Display.  Then I remembered these leftovers.  I think I am just going to use the Polar Express girder bridge and leave the rest as is.  Time is a factor.  Also, on a permanent layout, I would paint the supports to look like concrete, but for Christmas, I'm going to leave them white and may decorate them if I think of something.

These were bought over 10 years ago, and I just have the open bag but no documentation.  There are probably new products out there by now anyway.

Mark,  I like the “kiss” approach. The supports look great. Why do more than necessary when pressed for time.  

Best of luck completing the Christmas project on time. 

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty sneaky mixing B&W photos of your layout with old time photos of the real thing.  Good job, Really had to look twice.  It was the silhouettes in the passenger coaches that gave it away.  I had to look hard at the engineer in photo #2.  Nice!

thanks Matt !!

Thank you, Matt!!!

Brian, I'm with Matt.  The silhouettes were the only way I was sure.  I agree, the engineer looked pretty authentic!

Mark, If you do need more support to stop shifting under centrifugal force just a few would need a screw, not all. 

Decorations? Red or green fuzzy yarn might be handy with those crafty women around...?  Ribbon? 

Adriatic posted:

Mark, If you do need more support to stop shifting under centrifugal force just a few would need a screw, not all. 

Decorations? Red or green fuzzy yarn might be handy with those crafty women around...?  Ribbon? 

Yes, I was thinking of needing a few screws to hold everything in place.  Fortunately for this design, I don't have any small children coming in.  Of course you never know when Yours Truly will have a senior moment, and the Polar Express starts to highball!  

You are right, I may come in and find yarn or ribbon and bows on all the pillars!!  That would be just fine with me!    My wife is a wonderful holiday and seasonal decorator, usual with 'cutesy' stuff, as she calls it.  

Just realized that yesterday was my two year OGR anniversary. Happy anniversary to me!

Great work on the Christmas layout Mark.

beautiful Caboose Chris A!

Thank you, Bob!!

Happy anniversary!!  I'm glad you are with us!! 

Mark Boyce posted:

Adriatic posted:

Mark, If you do need more support to stop shifting under centrifugal force just a few would need a screw, not all.

Yes, I was thinking of needing a few screws to hold everything in place.  Fortunately for this design, I don't have any small children coming in.  Of course you never know when Yours Truly will have a senior moment, and the Polar Express starts to highball!  

Mark;

Instead of trying to screw through the piers, some hot glue on the back side out of sight might work (and be easily undone). As the old saying says... “a little dab will do ya”!!!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

So there.  Nyah.   

Mitch 

Paul, I was thinking of screws for the track, Masonite, to piers.  I didn't think about screws to fasten the piers to the table until I was out picking up leaves just a bit ago, and thought I need something else.  Hot glue on the back side may be just enough.

Brylcreem!  I remember!  

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

 

So there.  Nyah.   

Mitch 

Wow, Mitch!  That's an interesting one!!

Mark,

I agree with Paul, hot glue should do it.  If that doesn't satisfy, and you're feeling ambitious, you could try this...

Jerry

Mark Boyce posted:

Wow, Mitch!  That's an interesting one!!

Part of a Marx B&O A-A consist...

Since the Marx locos have tab and slot couplers,  a Lionel Scout tender serves as an adapter.... 

And the Royal Blue is on its way!   

Mitch 

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, I was thinking of screws for the track, Masonite, to piers.  I didn't think about screws to fasten the piers to the table until I was out picking up leaves just a bit ago, and thought I need something else.  Hot glue on the back side may be just enough.

Brylcreem!  I remember!  

Screw the piers down. I wouldn't trust hot glue to keep everything in place. Then again I prefer mechanical fasteners to glue in most applications.

I glued the gas pump on its "concrete" pedestal and finished this Classics Miniature "Montezuma P.O.".  It is much larger than pictures on box make it appear, but it came out nice with minor bash.  I need to photo and post this and several other structures l have recently cranked out. Now doing another CCK barn that is bashed into another coal barn for retail sales.  Need excuses to drop hoppers on sidings.

JerryG posted:

Mark,

I agree with Paul, hot glue should do it.  If that doesn't satisfy, and you're feeling ambitious, you could try this...

Jerry

Lou1985 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, I was thinking of screws for the track, Masonite, to piers.  I didn't think about screws to fasten the piers to the table until I was out picking up leaves just a bit ago, and thought I need something else.  Hot glue on the back side may be just enough.

Brylcreem!  I remember!  

Screw the piers down. I wouldn't trust hot glue to keep everything in place. Then again I prefer mechanical fasteners to glue in most applications.

Yes Jerry and Lou, the hot glue or double sided sticky tape may not be enough.  I'll see.  Thank you and Paul too!  The little wedge looks nice Jerry.  I'll let everyone know what I end up with.  

I can see it now, the whole thing comes tumbling down like dominoes, but all at once!!! 

I'm a mechanical fan too. I hated hot glue... why is something from childhood now lost. I trust it more after adult use and realizing it came in differing strengths and temps., and is usually easily removed with some peeling effort.

Mitch, The Marx is neat!!  I remember Marx toys when I was growing up, but not their trains.

Mark Boyce posted:

JerryG posted:

Mark,

I agree with Paul, hot glue should do it.  If that doesn't satisfy, and you're feeling ambitious, you could try this...

Jerry

Lou1985 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, I was thinking of screws for the track, Masonite, to piers.  I didn't think about screws to fasten the piers to the table until I was out picking up leaves just a bit ago, and thought I need something else.  Hot glue on the back side may be just enough.

Brylcreem!  I remember!  

Screw the piers down. I wouldn't trust hot glue to keep everything in place. Then again I prefer mechanical fasteners to glue in most applications.

Yes Jerry and Lou, the hot glue or double sided sticky tape may not be enough.  I'll see.  Thank you and Paul too!  The little wedge looks nice Jerry.  I'll let everyone know what I end up with.  

I can see it now, the whole thing comes tumbling down like dominoes, but all at once!!! 

Actually, Mark, using screws might be a lot easier, faster, and more certain once you get into a screwing rhythm, so to speak.

HCSader73 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

JerryG posted:

Mark,

I agree with Paul, hot glue should do it.  If that doesn't satisfy, and you're feeling ambitious, you could try this...

Jerry

Lou1985 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, I was thinking of screws for the track, Masonite, to piers.  I didn't think about screws to fasten the piers to the table until I was out picking up leaves just a bit ago, and thought I need something else.  Hot glue on the back side may be just enough.

Brylcreem!  I remember!  

Screw the piers down. I wouldn't trust hot glue to keep everything in place. Then again I prefer mechanical fasteners to glue in most applications.

Yes Jerry and Lou, the hot glue or double sided sticky tape may not be enough.  I'll see.  Thank you and Paul too!  The little wedge looks nice Jerry.  I'll let everyone know what I end up with.  

I can see it now, the whole thing comes tumbling down like dominoes, but all at once!!! 

Actually, Mark, using screws might be a lot easier, faster, and more certain once you get into a screwing rhythm, so to speak.

Pete, I just came back in from rummaging around the garage with some screws I bought for a project I later abandoned.  They may work nicely, and I can use them up.  I'll give that a try and show the results.

It just arrived  

Came in from raking leaves to the street "AGAIN". I looked up at our tree and I still have a third of the leaves on it and my last leaf pickup is tomorrow. Oh well. But this afternoon I got all the lighting strips in the cars. Following the directions I ran a bead of glue across the strips in case the adhesive on the back of the light strips loosens. I'll let the glue set up. Pics..............Paul

I'm with you on the leaves still, Paul!!  I was out this afternoon, and I am finding I am not quite as able as I was even a year ago.  Turn 62, and I fall apart!  All ours are down, but there are still ones across the road that will blow in.  Well, I have done what I can do, for now.  Oh, I haven't touched my dad's yet!! 

The cars are coming along nicely!  I agree, I will run glue along the whole strip on mine too, when I get to them!

I mounted four of my upper level piers to the base this evening.  Yes, it got easier after the first.  The problem is, my base is 2-inch foam.  I bought these drywall and stud anchors a few years ago to secure track to foam as O-Gauge Ken suggested.  I never secured the track, I just let it float on the carpet top.

Not too bad, and they aren't going anywhere.  That is the back side.  If I think they are too eye catching later, I'll dab some white paint on them, but my guess is the piers will be decorated as we talked about earlier.

Just finished a second coal shed/dealer with "coal" in white lettering on the roof.  Got in a coal shed, and then a larger but similar country barn, so bashed it into a larger coal shed, so a couple of towns will have one on a siding.

Nice and tidy work there, Paul. 

Remember to cover the holes in car frame--I did and my cars road around with a couple of light beams floating along.

Looking forward to seeing the cars lit.

Matt. 

Matt I really enjoyed the black and white as well.  I've printed thousands of B&W 8x10's in my day. Primarily after working my day job...

This summer, As my grandson and I were watching my fleet of Silver Dawn, silver Bluff, passenger cars floating by he sweetly asks, "are those really people in there popaw? ".

Oh I wonder how many of us would like to begin over again at 5 years old?

I quickly said, Alex, we use our imagination as we run these trains...

And so I ask, anyone out there know who posed for all those silhouettes?

John d.

Mark Boyce posted:

I mounted four of my upper level piers to the base this evening.  Yes, it got easier after the first.  The problem is, my base is 2-inch foam.  I bought these drywall and stud anchors a few years ago to secure track to foam as O-Gauge Ken suggested.  I never secured the track, I just let it float on the carpet top.

Not too bad, and they aren't going anywhere.  That is the back side.  If I think they are too eye catching later, I'll dab some white paint on them, but my guess is the piers will be decorated as we talked about earlier.

Good job,Mark. If it bothers you later, put some underbrush in front of the screws.

Thank you, Pete!!

 My track is pinned to my foam with short screws except for 2 long screws on each end after each curve's first peace (45° to the straight).  I really don't think I need the long ones; they just telegraph noise. I just forget to do it. 

 

                                            adding more parking spots...

 

                                                    and  ran some trains...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob, Happy OGR Anniversary ! Its  a pleasure having you here! Keep up the wonderful work!

Paul, the cars a looking great! Looks like you have only a few steps away from getting them on the tracks! Great Job!

Mark, your supports are looking nice! They appear to be nice and strong! If all else fails you can use long screws and screw from the bottom! Keep us posted!

Noticed a bit of sparking and squeaking from my Beano Marx loco, so off to the workshop!  Popped the armature for a thorough cleaning and polishing of the commutator plate,  cleaning out the slots,  brush holders and brushes.   Oiled up all the wheels on the consist,  and now the little beggar fairly flies!    

Some folks have fun with the newest and latest in rolling stock.   Me?  I have fun with ozone therapy...   

Mitch 

Couldn't finish the cars last night. I thought I had some 18 or 20 gauge wire in black. Had other colors but I want to stay with the coloring of the wiring in the cars. So after breakfast a quick trip out to get some wire for the cars. Then I have the rest of the day to work on the cars.............Paul

Hey Paul, while your out, you might want to pick up some electrical Tape so you know where you lay it down! LOL Cars are looking really nice!

Mike, good point. I probably have a roll of wire  buried somewhere but down the road I'll find a lot of duplicates LOL ....Paul

 

 

 

 

Butch, I think you have a good plan for fastening down track.

Mich, You will have that Marx running smoothly with no arcing soon.

Paul, Seems Mike always thinks of everything.  More tape!

Brian, all nice photographs.

Mike, Thank you.  It is coming along.

John, The bridges and piers look great!  The landform for the canyon looks good too.  How long is the span?

John, I like that scene. Once it is done it is going to make a good spot for photos. Also I like the idea of two different types of bridges. Makes it a bit more interesting.

Mark, I never doubt Mike he always has all the bases covered.

Well I went to Homedepot to use up a card. No luck on wire but found a jar of paint fopr 50 cents plus I picked up some more glue. Came home and told the wife no luck I am going to Menards. Wel no luck on wire there but picked up some two packs of 4' LEDS to replace the flourecents in the attic. And I hit the train aisle and picked up a Katy bopx car. Now I have to figure what I am going to do for wire. Pics..............Paul

John, Five feet!  That is going to look impressive indeed!  I agree with Paul on mixing types of bridges gives a lot of character.

Paul, you are so right about Mike! 

Paul, So your wife says you went to the store to get something, didn't find it, but came home with some other stuff!  We all have been there.  Nice Katy car!!

Finally connected the wiring for the layout upper level and powered it from the d side of the ZW. The A side feeds the lower level through a DCS set. Ran two trains , one on each level for the first time. e

jgtrh62 posted:

Starting to make headway closing in Phantom Canyon.

John the bridge work looks beautiful great job! 

Snowed in today so I got ready for Switcher Saturday finally got to run the train. Tune in to SWSAT for more pics......

Lee, looks good for SWSAT!!  Excellent idea for a snowy day!!

I finished attaching all the piers to my 4x7 Christmas layout today.  Then I screwed down the track and Masonite to the piers at either side of the Polar Express girder bridge.  Finally, I ran wires through a hole I put behind a pier and powered up what is in place.  I won't attach anything more on the top level until I get the real Masonite and track fit in place.

John, your work on the Phantom Canyon is really coming along! Very nice work there! Keep us posted!

Paul, I am sorry to hear you didn't get any wire, but I also see you didn't get any tape either! LOL But atleast you didn't come home empty handed! From what I seen on the news this morning you folks on the East Coast should just stay inside and work on trains today!

LIRR Steamer, Congrats on getting the second level up and running! Hope you have tons of fun!

Lee, You got yourself a nice little switcher there, looks very nice!

Mark, way to go! You will have it done in no time and running trains!

As for me I went and got another sheet of plywood, I think it will be the last one I need. We will see as long as I don't make any mistakes I will be good to go! LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, looks good for SWSAT!!  Excellent idea for a snowy day!!

I finished attaching all the piers to my 4x7 Christmas layout today.  Then I screwed down the track and Masonite to the piers at either side of the Polar Express girder bridge.  Finally, I ran wires through a hole I put behind a pier and powered up what is in place.  I won't attach anything more on the top level until I get the real Masonite and track fit in place.

Very cool Mark!  Reminds me of what Stonehenge would look like with a train on top. I like it. Do you have a bridge that you could put in the back?  Good work. 

Thank you guys for the likes and compliments. I enjoy this thead and the people who follow it. It’s very uplifting and supportive I can’t say enough.

Being the nice guy that I am I painstakingly dug through boxes and boxes to find Paul some very (22g) thin black stranded wire.  I knew I had some extra laying around for my good friend and will give him freely all he needs when we meet up at Perkins tomorrow for breakfast.  

Also for the NEO and W PA guys looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning for the inaugural Western Reserve Breakfast Group meeting.   

mike g. posted:

John, your work on the Phantom Canyon is really coming along! Very nice work there! Keep us posted!

Paul, I am sorry to hear you didn't get any wire, but I also see you didn't get any tape either! LOL But atleast you didn't come home empty handed! From what I seen on the news this morning you folks on the East Coast should just stay inside and work on trains today!

LIRR Steamer, Congrats on getting the second level up and running! Hope you have tons of fun!

Lee, You got yourself a nice little switcher there, looks very nice!

Mark, way to go! You will have it done in no time and running trains!

As for me I went and got another sheet of plywood, I think it will be the last one I need. We will see as long as I don't make any mistakes I will be good to go! LOL

measure twice- cut once.

Bryan, yes it was nice you did that for me. True friend but the underlying things that went with free was I now have to bring my own milk for the cereal you are buying for my breakfast plus everytime you order from Menards I have to go pick it up. So much for free. But thanks buddy you are a life saver........Paul

Thanks for the advice Bob!

 

 

 

 

    had to shovel some snow,  still don't even have all the leaves raked yet...

 

  then sorted out some more engine parking...

 

Finally put my Atlas O BNSF dash 8 into service...

jgtrh62 posted:

Thanks guys, I really appreciate!

 

Mark, your Christmas layout is shaping up nicely! Reminds me though I need to get off my tail and get mine ready soon too, I'll put up a small G scale oval around the Christmas Tree for my Bachmann Christmas Trolley.

mike g. posted:

 

Mark, way to go! You will have it done in no time and running trains!

 

decoynh posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, looks good for SWSAT!!  Excellent idea for a snowy day!!

I finished attaching all the piers to my 4x7 Christmas layout today.  Then I screwed down the track and Masonite to the piers at either side of the Polar Express girder bridge.  Finally, I ran wires through a hole I put behind a pier and powered up what is in place.  I won't attach anything more on the top level until I get the real Masonite and track fit in place.

Very cool Mark!  Reminds me of what Stonehenge would look like with a train on top. I like it. Do you have a bridge that you could put in the back?  Good work. 

John, Thank you very much!  I wouldn't be this far along, but my semi-retired part-time status changed to semi-retired 'we don't need you for a while' status.  So, on days the weather was too bad to rake/blow leaves and I didn't have to help the elderly relatives I was able to get some work in on this.  Last year, I never got much done, but I had never gotten around to taking the Christmas layout down, so it didn't matter. 

Thank you Mike!  Yes, I am pleased.  Last night when I couldn't sleep because of the sciatic nerve, I dug out some more Masonite, fitted it, and marked it for sawing for the back half.  

Thank you, Matt!  Stonehenge!  Yes indeed!    I have a through truss bridge that would work, but I was thinking of making a mountain to hide the train.  Maybe an opening somewhere for the bridge to add some visual interest.  Hmmm.... Good idea.  I will have to mull it over, but I have to get as many of my wife's ceramic buildings and figures on there as I possible can.  

Just came in the mail,MTH blinking led boxcar PRR. When you only have a carpet, it is all about the lights,sound and what grandma will tolerate.   Also just figured out the using the Lionchief remote, lets you start the engine from a dead stop, while taking a video, might be difficult running the app and trying to make a video at the same time.  So another vote for a remote.  Oldmike

That's neat, Mike!!  Yes we must keep Grandma happy!  

Got a box with what some might call junk, but I call treasure last night.   One of the interesting pieces was this postwar AF station, in somewhat distressed condition but with all the major components still there:  

A bit of cleaning and some Elmers' Wood Glue later,  this charming little structure is well on its way to recovery! 

In honor of comments being made in another thread (coughcough @Adriatic cough cough),  I have decided to rename my Plasticville garage...  

If anybody wishes to roll their own,  here are the signs in PNG format: 

 

Mitch 

I started out the day taking the led lights to the attic to replace the flourecent bulbs. Unfortunately I bought the wrong ones so I had to take them back and get the right ones. Hope these work. No work on the passenger cars till I get the wire from Bryan tomorrow at the NE breakfast. I got a package coming in the next couple of days and I have no idea what may be in it. Well I will be pleasantly surprised no matter what it is.................Paul

Mitch, you will make the station look good!  Those are some very customized cars Joe services!! 

Paul, I tend to buy the wrong lights and the wrong furnace filters.  I'll look forward to seeing you at the breakfast!! 

Second time is a charm. I got the new bulbs installed. Has anbody replaced 4' flourecents with 4' LED's. Reason I am asking is these bulbs seem to have a dark strip on one side. When installing them do you place the strip on the top or on the bottom showing. Right now I have the strips on the top. Pics.............Thanks Paul

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Got a box with what some might call junk, but I call treasure last night.   One of the interesting pieces was this postwar AF station, in somewhat distressed condition but with all the major components still there:  

A bit of cleaning and some Elmers' Wood Glue later,  this charming little structure is well on its way to recovery! 

In honor of comments being made in another thread (coughcough @Adriatic cough cough),  I have decided to rename my Plasticville garage...  

If anybody wishes to roll their own,  here are the signs in PNG format: 

 

Mitch 

Awesome, Mitch!

paul 2 posted:

Second time is a charm. I got the new bulbs installed. Has anbody replaced 4' flourecents with 4' LED's. Reason I am asking is these bulbs seem to have a dark strip on one side. When installing them do you place the strip on the top or on the bottom showing. Right now I have the strips on the top. Pics.............Thanks PaulYes, Paul, I took out the ballasts and

Yes, Paul I pulled out the ballasts and rewired the fixtures for the LEDs. The lights are very white. Black strip towards the fixture.

jgtrh62 posted:

Starting to make headway closing in Phantom Canyon.

 

That looks great!

There is a scene in the movie "Castaway" when Tom Hanks pounds his chest and bellows with pride that he made a fire, thereby enhancing his own survival. That's kind of how I feel now. I just opened up a 1033 and  RW transformers, replaced plug wires, and replaced the rectifier discs on the whistle controllers. Those fast nuts Lionel used to secure all the rectifier discs are awful and a really bad idea! No doubt someone's brother-in-law had a stolen truckload of fast nuts from New Jersey that Lionel bought cheap.

This was the first time I opened up a transformer and really didn't know what I was doing until I did it. Both transformers whistled poorly, hesitant and without conviction. I bench tested both repaired transformers and the test whistle tenders sang like canaries. WOO HOO!

Now I know that whenever I am evaluating a whistle tender I should also evaluate the transformer.

HCSader73 posted:

There is a scene in the movie "Castaway" when Tom Hanks pounds his chest and bellows with pride that he made a fire, thereby enhancing his own survival. That's kind of how I feel now. I just opened up a 1033 and  RW transformers, replaced plug wires, and replaced the rectifier discs on the whistle controllers. Those fast nuts Lionel used to secure all the rectifier discs are awful and a really bad idea! No doubt someone's brother-in-law had a stolen truckload of fast nuts from New Jersey that Lionel bought cheap.

This was the first time I opened up a transformer and really didn't know what I was doing until I did it. Both transformers whistled poorly, hesitant and without conviction. I bench tested both repaired transformers and the test whistle tenders sang like canaries. WOO HOO!

Now I know that whenever I am evaluating a whistle tender I should also evaluate the transformer.

Yep good feeling.  I just did 2 KWs... rollers, whistle diodes and modern circuit breakers

Fendermain

 

 

Fendermain posted:

HCSader73 posted:

There is a scene in the movie "Castaway" when Tom Hanks pounds his chest and bellows with pride that he made a fire, thereby enhancing his own survival. That's kind of how I feel now. I just opened up a 1033 and  RW transformers, replaced plug wires, and replaced the rectifier discs on the whistle controllers. Those fast nuts Lionel used to secure all the rectifier discs are awful and a really bad idea! No doubt someone's brother-in-law had a stolen truckload of fast nuts from New Jersey that Lionel bought cheap.

This was the first time I opened up a transformer and really didn't know what I was doing until I did it. Both transformers whistled poorly, hesitant and without conviction. I bench tested both repaired transformers and the test whistle tenders sang like canaries. WOO HOO!

Now I know that whenever I am evaluating a whistle tender I should also evaluate the transformer.

Yep good feeling.  I just did 2 KWs... rollers, whistle diodes and modern circuit breakers

Fendermain

 

 

I was tempted to replace the rectifier discs with diodes. Some people swear by the diodes, and the more modern circuit breakers. If it weren't for those nasty fast nuts I doubt any one would give diodes a second thought. I am more convinced about the circuit breakers, and will likely put in modern ones when the old ones fail.

HCSader73 posted:

Fendermain posted:

HCSader73 posted:

There is a scene in the movie "Castaway" when Tom Hanks pounds his chest and bellows with pride that he made a fire, thereby enhancing his own survival. That's kind of how I feel now. I just opened up a 1033 and  RW transformers, replaced plug wires, and replaced the rectifier discs on the whistle controllers. Those fast nuts Lionel used to secure all the rectifier discs are awful and a really bad idea! No doubt someone's brother-in-law had a stolen truckload of fast nuts from New Jersey that Lionel bought cheap.

This was the first time I opened up a transformer and really didn't know what I was doing until I did it. Both transformers whistled poorly, hesitant and without conviction. I bench tested both repaired transformers and the test whistle tenders sang like canaries. WOO HOO!

Now I know that whenever I am evaluating a whistle tender I should also evaluate the transformer.

Yep good feeling.  I just did 2 KWs... rollers, whistle diodes and modern circuit breakers

Fendermain

 

 

I was tempted to replace the rectifier discs with diodes. Some people swear by the diodes, and the more modern circuit breakers. If it weren't for those nasty fast nuts I doubt any one would give diodes a second thought. I am more convinced about the circuit breakers, and will likely put in modern ones when the old ones fail.

I figured since I was in there doing the rollers I would do the other two as well.  I was also concerned that if a problem occurred the old breakers would not trip fast enough to save modern electronics.

Fendermain

That's good work Pete and Fendermain repairing those old transformers.  They will still be working when we are long gone.

Mark Boyce posted:

That's good work Pete and Fendermain repairing those old transformers.  They will still be working when we are long gone.

Thanks Mark.  I feel like I'm just a caretaker for these items.  Like Pete I feel good about my transformer work..my first adventure as well.

Fendermain

HCSader73 posted:

This was the first time I opened up a transformer and really didn't know what I was doing until I did it. Both transformers whistled poorly, hesitant and without conviction. I bench tested both repaired transformers and the test whistle tenders sang like canaries. WOO HOO!

Attaboy!  

Mitch 

jgtrh62 posted:

Is this name by any chance influenced by Zappa?

Mmmmmm...could be!   

Mitch 

Last night I installed a new wall shelf to display and store my scale tank cars.  I also lubed the N&W J 611.  Put my Williams brass 4 - 6 -0 camelback on the point of a mainline trains and ran trains the whole time I was doing the shelf work and lube job ...  had a most enjoyable time!!

Mitch, that looks like fun at your house!

Paul, the lights look great Nice job! Did you get the tape this time around? LOL

Pete, your way above me on this one! I would probably send it out! LOL I am afraid I would burn the train room down! LOL

“Hi, It's me, I'm back... I bring you a special presentation to show what can happen to you if you choose a life testing theory like does humor belong in model railroading.” 😲 Get your pink or black napkins ready for the drool Mitch🤤. Gee Mitch, One car looks to be from.... “the future” 🤔😀… Oopah! 😈😁 Is it “a new car?; do you like it”. You must have had to break open your “chrome piggy bank from the closet”. It's no “mystery, man, the layout's out of sight. Why pay a nominal service charge, when you can show um how to do it right”. Thanks for using your “Brownie to show it all complete” “(like those jokers Brian & Bryan causing trouble every day” ) . I’m glad it's in color,” there a whole lot of times I wish it wasn't black&white. It stirs a fire in my heart I'll not put out it tonight”. Outside that “ little white box uptown, along the line. The guy ridin’ the prairie on that small tiny hoss is mighty little. Where did you find the blanket and saddle? He’s a good hoss, even though he's a bit dinky for dinky daddy to strap a big saddle or blanket on anyway”.. “Even if you think it is a little silly, folks; I don't care if you think it's silly folks. It's hard breeding a dwarf; like reading a mean tarot”. “But I'm gonna find me a horse just about this big, and ride him all along the line too. Every other wrangler would say I was mighty grand. By myself I don't have no boss and and, and and, and and”….I think” Yuda man I'd like to work for” so “stick it out”, “dont be taro-fied it's just a token of my extreme”. If I AH-MET a “pigmy ponies (or gi-raffe), brillo-y mane gleamin' in the MOON-lighty night, I'd get a cup o’ coffee, baby snake python boots (for pushin’ off DE-WEEZILs into a breach with my foot), and don a Mexican poncho (not a Sears poncho) to keep my T-shirt from getting all wet and jiggly if I get caught in the showers, then just jump back on an’ ride like a cowboy into the dawn. Maybe to Montana or Idaho or Kansas”. But where would the hoss water come from? “From a swimming pool if the water hasn't been turned black from Bobby washing his stanky poodle bites (Who could imagine in Kansas?) Yippy-tye-o-tye-aye”. Ike! A brave man might likely quit with that head Turner phrase afore “they has a fit at my social suicide, but yowsa yowsa yowsa, I'm a fool” Is there room for “44 men working on a tank?” “Is a green burning camp-fire ring to ever show ?” A big screen TV? Chain motels? Flossy thrushy shrubbery (ni) or green Brillo bushes? “A watermelon to go with the Easter hay turf?” “(I hear he used to cut that grass)” I think a bashed “Packard Goose” would fit in better than ever now, no denyin’. One might “scrutinize” such a place in such close proximity to a paired, parallel, iron railed, conveyance mechanisms “you can hear the steam”-”roll-o-n’ ” by might be “researched” for an “anointing” with a “utility” zone for ‘loading’. Or even ‘unloading’. “ The white zone is for loading or unloading only. If you have to load or unload, go to the white zone”. When “the water comes”, “most people would prefer a yellow under snow to be ogled at on that tundra”. “While regular folks like to marvel such lofty scenes as though through the dysentery green of attic bedroom windows resembling crystal balls” “ I myself care less for them in icing applications”. “ I say there is naught, nor ought there be, nothing so exalted on the face of God's grey earth as that prince of colors, white”. It may seem I'm “arrogantly twisting my sterile snoot near….ha ha, let's try that again… at your canvas”, and may be perceived at various moments to be the “vivacious father of the oblivious”, who “a huffin’ and puffin’ and cryin’ to the night, didn't know nothing”. And “I may be totally wrong and a fool”. Butt, please be “seated at the ‘chair” and table’ (“commercially sold strictly” at the San Ber’dino Square, a real deal'o)’ of your “utility laboratory”, first removing any remaining “slime” or “dried pumkin’ remnants not yet sensationally barking(not arf arf arf) overnight, and proceed whipping out a choice oversized chrome (or zircon encrusted) razor from your shaving kit in your robe, dip that mustache in wax and swoosh it around, brush your scapular to the side, or steal mama's apron from serving the boys at Ed's cafe to protect your tie if it's in your way and go with the conceptual continuity of pooting forth a white zone.” “Or can't you do that on a forums stage anymore?” It may seem “I plucked all day an' all nite an' all afternoon” to do this. Like some “Lonesome Electric Turkey” on “hoop.la oink oink” thinkin’ “I'm so cute”. But it kinda comes ‘natural’.. except for “carrying on without commas” and dwelling on all the lovely “Apostrophe’ “ and quotes which mostly denote titles and quite convoluted mixes of lyrics that only a true Zappaite MIGHT catch without them. and I really only barely touched on the more “commercial” of the lot. “Don't dare to look behind my eyes, you don't know what I have seen”. If this isn't your audiophiliac bag (”tears a fallin’), he also conducted symphonies and did a “ jazz from hell” album of things that shouldn't work out if you follow established music theory, but do. That's genius ioo (Plus the Packard Goose & hoopla (honestly lyrics!) reference alone was reason enough to test “Does humor belong in forums” eh? Besides, I'm only trying to inspire him further; being a proud enabler & all.

warming up the old Switcher 

Started by cleaning track in the tunnel that goes through the mountain in the far left side of the layout as I face it. Then, I decided to replace 3 old tubular track sections on the outer loop at that location with new track sections.

This was not easy because, although my layout top is 48 to 50 inches above the floor, I still have to crawl on my hands and knees and contort my body to do the above track work.

Good news is the trains seem to run better at that location on the layout as a result of doing the above work.

I did some more on my Christmas layout adding Masonite roadbed to the back section.  I forgot to take photographs, and am not going to at this late hour.  More later. 

Tomorrow, I'll be going to the Northeast Ohio (Western Reserve) group's first breakfast and outing to the Warren, Ohio Menards.  I've never been to a Menards.  Yes, they were kind enough to invite those of us who are just across the border in Pennsylvania.

Ok Mark, I just had to get up to let Tank out, I heard the mail notification and guess what! LOL Its time to take a break Mark, I know it has to be late for you cause its 12:15AM Here!~ Have a great night Mark, I hope you know I am just kidding!

  I was surprised to see him posting so late myself.  It's been pretty quiet late night this year. Even I had been getting some good rest though. (not so much since the cold crept in; weather seems to have a part in it)

Moved some vehicles around and after months of this old REA White 3000 broke down at the XYZ warehouse they got it running Now he’s running double time to get that Railroad freight moved.

In the process of putting my Millhouse Rivers Studios turntable into my layout 

Chalk this up to Maryland Football trying to upset The Ohio State.

I started cutting the wood for benchwork for a Christmas layout while watching the Big 10 game in my garage.  Just a couple of 4 x 8's in an L shape.  

Well, the Terps were trying to be giant killers and I ended up building the benchwork and added the 4 x 8's to the top as I got caught up in the game and forgot my original plan.  I went to add some insulated foam boards to the top and I realized....

I can't fit completed 4 x 8 tables down my basement stairs.  So just like the Terps, I came up short and need to rebuild.  UHG.

Fear the Turtle!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Got a box with what some might call junk, but I call treasure last night.   One of the interesting pieces was this postwar AF station, in somewhat distressed condition but with all the major components still there:  

A bit of cleaning and some Elmers' Wood Glue later,  this charming little structure is well on its way to recovery! 

In honor of comments being made in another thread (coughcough @Adriatic cough cough),  I have decided to rename my Plasticville garage...  

If anybody wishes to roll their own,  here are the signs in PNG format: 

 

Mitch 

I love that Monkee's Pontiac.  Waiting on the "Last Train to Clarksville" ?

Adriatic posted:

“Hi, It's me, I'm back... I bring you a special presentation to show what can happen to you if you choose a life testing theory like does humor belong in model railroading.”

I LIKE him.  He's SILLY.   And very conversant with the oeuvre of one Frank Vincent Zappa...

SteveC posted:

I love that Monkee's Pontiac.  Waiting on the "Last Train to Clarksville" ?

Got it in one!  The station,  of course, is named Clarksville...

A new Under The Hood is up!  https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...tation-by-mini-craft

Mitch 

Over the past several days:

Continued repairs, including fabricating broken/lost parts, for the Plastruct Truss Bridge.  Stalled when I needed to order some component parts that I did not have on hand. 

Re-wired threee PW LIONEL RCS/UCS two-button controllers with fresh conductor; very slow process for me the novice; very interested to find out if I did them correctly.

Sprayed LIONEL elevated trestles a very Christmas-like red for an elevated loop around the Christmas Tree--glossy clear coat tomorrow,

Sprayed a Scalecoat dull finish on what was previously a very shiny red oxide LIONEL truss bridge.

Don't know which forum member posted the information on stuffing jumper wires in Gargraves track ends (in the space below where the track pins connect the track) as a method for providing power and common, but I'm using it for the two under the tree loops--applied solder to about 3" of stranded 18 awg wire and stuffed it in the trackend

The one thing I wanted to do, but didn't, was buy a circle of Ross or Gargraves used 032/032/036 track.

Well Lee, from the Corvair experience, to the bad toe, the All Nations freights, and now the bad White has been down and the REA boys are humping it to make up lost time.

Who was it said that we use our imagination to run these trains. Why, you are living the real world on that Layout!😆

John d.

The Monkeemobile will be going to the Museum with the station.   

Fear not, however.   Fortescue has the matter well in hand:

And yes, that is an Indian chief riding a triceratops.   

Mitch 

mike g. posted:

Ok Mark, I just had to get up to let Tank out, I heard the mail notification and guess what! LOL Its time to take a break Mark, I know it has to be late for you cause its 12:15AM Here!~ Have a great night Mark, I hope you know I am just kidding!

Adriatic posted:

  I was surprised to see him posting so late myself.  It's been pretty quiet late night this year. Even I had been getting some good rest though. (not so much since the cold crept in; weather seems to have a part in it)

Yes, you are both right.  I try to be in bed by 11 Eastern, and today I was getting up early to join the Northeast Ohio guys for breakfast, but not 3:15 am early!!    The sciatic nerve was giving me fits, so I was walking around, went down to the basement, saw a few posts on the computer, and decided to write.  I assumed someone would notice; namely Mike!    By the time I got back home from Ohio, I was drained!!!  At least I didn't doze off on the way though!   Thank you both for checking in on me!! 

Ok I’ve got the fever bad I had to run this guy one more time before closing up the shop. Enjoy 

I don’t blame you Lee!  Looks great!

Lee share with me please the overall  height in inches from rail to top of the C&O tractor trailer found in your video consist tonight.

I have a Lionel 624 C&O switcher like your black one also in your video tonight.  Will u kindly tell me what the use of the circular wheel with the vertical shaft found on the top front on our switchers?

thanks

John d.

John d Sewell posted:

I have a Lionel 624 C&O switcher like your black one also in your video tonight.  Will u kindly tell me what the use of the circular wheel with the vertical shaft found on the top front on our switchers?

Very early radio antenna.   

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

John d Sewell posted:

I have a Lionel 624 C&O switcher like your black one also in your video tonight.  Will u kindly tell me what the use of the circular wheel with the vertical shaft found on the top front on our switchers?

Very early radio antenna.   

Thank you Mitchell for answering that question because I had no idea what it was.

lee drennen posted:

Thank you Mitchell for answering that question because I had no idea what it was.

My pleasure!  Glad to help! 

Mitch 

John d Sewell posted:

Lee share with me please the overall  height in inches from rail to top of the C&O tractor trailer found in your video consist tonight.

I have a Lionel 624 C&O switcher like your black one also in your video tonight.  Will u kindly tell me what the use of the circular wheel with the vertical shaft found on the top front on our switchers?

thanks

John d.

John 

I will tomorrow I put that trailer on there it did have the two REA trailers that’s on the layout. The trailer is 12’ 9” in real life it’s a low profile I’ll get the over all for you on the track 

Worked on creating the Mary Christmas Shoppe which, when complete, will be in memory of my Mom who was the " spirit of Christmas"!  Her name of course was Mary.  I'm having lots of fun doing it and it's coming along quite well.  I'll get some photos up soon.  

I also installed a black foam board covering around the base of my layout.  Now all those stored boxes, etc. are hidden from view.   I like how it all looks! 

Of course I did all this while running trains!  BIG FUN!!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

lee drennen posted:

Thank you Mitchell for answering that question because I had no idea what it was.

My pleasure!  Glad to help! 

Mitch 

I remember as I kid I thought it was an emergency brake wheel    My logic was it was bigger because the engine would be harder to stop manually so needed more leverage I have no clue what set me straight 

  Then there were those cool "handrails" on top of enginese and cabooses to figure out as well

  Lee, the like button never seems to work when you post, I owe you a bunch fyi. (everyone else too, but Lee's "luck" has been just awful). 

As a side note, I used two academic sites and didn't have to chase down a single "spell-wreck" or "vindictive text" mistake...  It seems I only have issues here, and on email composers.  It almost makes me want to catch up on command line changes.

Was out of my mind last night adjusting shims until 1 AM on George Washing Machine Bridge and other places on my layout.

I am about to detonate that exploding boxcar on the bridge. LOL, Arnold