What did you do on your layout today?

Paul, Ah ha!  Thank you!

Nothing, just watching real trains. Here Dm7 Porvoo Museum Railroad railcars arrival from Helsinki to Porvoo.

The mailman dropped off a couple of packages this afternoon. Scored another Weaver wood chip hopper on the BAY and bought a non train related item. A Tee shirt commerating the Turkey drop on WKRP. A great oldies TV series. Yes I really do buy things other then trains every now and then LOL. Shortly after dinner I'll be heading back down to do more flats. Pics..............Paul

mike g. posted:

I just learned of it as the wife just bought me the 4 DVD collection of Rich's layout and build.. I still have one more DVD to watch, but I do that when I am not working on something and its nice and quite!

That woman is a keeper, Mike!

Just finished a renovation of an old 1033 transformer. Replaced the power cord; replaced the rectifier disc with a 16 amp rectifier diode, and replaced the circuit breaker with a Bussman 6am thermal circuit breaker.

I checked it out and got strong, crisp enthusiastic whistles from several post-war tenders. So it looks like the renovation was a success.

Been adding to my layout. The left side and bridge are new. Still need a couple switches but was able take the engines on the bridge today for the first time. 

Pete, Great job on the transformer!

Tanner111, congratulations on the bridge!  The layout looks great!!

Pete nice job on the transformer. I have one of those. How much were the parts and how involved was it?

p51/Lee, You picked the right word for that modeling - "really," as in REAL life. It looks totally realistic, as it is filled with memories of how some things use to be. Bravo.

FrankM

Lee, great shot. That looks like the real thing. Lighting is dead on.

TANNER111, you always feel good when you just got done with a section of track and can run a train through it. Bridge looks great.

I got the next section of flats glued. Glued the roof to the three sided roof building and cut out a piece for the top of the silos and glued that down. Called it a night. I decided to go to the train and toy show in Kirkland Sunday. I'll get there in the morning and then that will leave me the afternoon to work in the basement. Couple of pics...........Paul

Nice looking work Paul.  Have a great time at Kirkland!

Lee, I really like how it turned out too!!

Paul:  Nice work on the building flats, that whole scene is going to look great. 

Lee:  Totally agree with Frank's comments, outstanding work on the Grindstaff store....  Those gas pumps are exeptional...  Could we see a daytime shot of the store ? 

That store above makes me think of one l might have passed in my grandfather's '40 Chevy, coming home late from shopping on milk check day.  Well worthy of attention of us nostalgia freaks.   I did nothing so productive .. attended a show, bought nothing but discovered interesting books, including a new "gotta get" on Heislers.  I can hardly believe there are so many interesting railroad books, and this is a dying hobby?  Who's buying them?

Paul, the flats are getting there! Plus I like the new wood chip car you got, make me wonder how much more room you have! LOL The Turkey Drop T shirt is just a added bonus! You did a fine job on the roof for your silos! Very nice all around Paul!

Brian, look  at you smoking up the house! Sure looks like fun!

Thanks Pete, I think she is a good woman & worth keeping! Plus she really takes care of me! Nice work on the transformer! I would have no idea where to start and if I did try it would end up in the repair shop anyways! LOL

TANNERlll, Great looking bridge! I sure hope you will keep posting as you move along with your layout!

Lee, I am with Frank and Chris, such great work it makes one ask them self is it live or Memorex! Wonderful work and fantastic picture!

My latest victim project arrived today,  courtesy of @GTW Ralph: 

Nice thing about acquiring someone else's errors is that one can cheerfully do most anything to 'em with no painful twinges of conscience...  

Below,  the painted over window insert yields to the ministrations of generic Lectric Shave and a cotton swab... 

A bit of Lectric Shave on the shell revealed that this left the factory painted for the Reading.    I think it's gonna wind up sporting Razorback Red and a pantograph.  

Next up will be shaving the long hood with an eye towards creating an all electric switcher like the ones Deutsches Bundesbahn had... 

This won't be a Geep.  Or a Beep.  It'll be an EEEP!   

Mitch 

LOL Have fun with that one Mitch! I hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be! Please post as you go along!

Got around to finishing these up, mounting them, and wiring through the track power...

You guys are all making me feel inadequate.

Paul- the flats look great. That section is really gonna be nice. WKRP was probably one of the best sit-coms of all time. It doesn't get the praise it deserves.

Pete- It's fun taking this old stuff we play with a making it like new again. Gotta tackle my KW one day.

Lee- that service station looks like the real thing. But so does your whole layout. Bravo!

Tanner111- Nice bridge. Keep the pix coming.

Mitch- well....I don't know what to say except- Is there anything you won't paint red and stick a panto-graph on??

Steve- nice control panels

SMOKE ON Brian!

I'm heading to the Westchester Toy Train show today. Going to meet up with a bunch of OGR members. Hope to get my Polar Express going under the tree later too!

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Mitch- well....I don't know what to say except- Is there anything you won't paint red and stick a panto-graph on??

I draw the line at hamburgers.   

I'm heading to the Westchester Toy Train show today. Going to meet up with a bunch of OGR members. Hope to get my Polar Express going under the tree later too!

Have fun!  Give the OGR guys my regards!   

Mitch 

Slugger, nice, clean control panel!

Bob, don't forget you need more Beeps for your layout! LOL Have fun at the show and enjoy your time with the other OGR Members!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

My latest victim project arrived today,  courtesy of @GTW Ralph: 

Nice thing about acquiring someone else's errors is that one can cheerfully do most anything to 'em with no painful twinges of conscience...  

Below,  the painted over window insert yields to the ministrations of generic Lectric Shave and a cotton swab... 

A bit of Lectric Shave on the shell revealed that this left the factory painted for the Reading.    I think it's gonna wind up sporting Razorback Red and a pantograph.  

Next up will be shaving the long hood with an eye towards creating an all electric switcher like the ones Deutsches Bundesbahn had... 

This won't be a Geep.  Or a Beep.  It'll be an EEEP!   

Mitch 

Mitch, looking forward to your finished product.  Thanks for the tip on Lectric shave. 

Dan Padova posted:

Mitch, looking forward to your finished product.  Thanks for the tip on Lectric shave. 

My pleasure!  I learned about it at my former place of employment.  

Here's some test-fitting shots of the Eeep! 

I think I'm going for the scale pantograph, mounted on the roof.   It actually works with the Beep's scale end profile better than the traditional sized pan does.     

Incidentally, if anyone has Beep parts,   I could use both headlight/numberboard assemblies and the short handrail from the right hand side,  short hood forward.   Thanks!

Mitch 

chris a posted:

Lee:  Totally agree with Frank's comments, outstanding work on the Grindstaff store....  Those gas pumps are exeptional...  Could we see a daytime shot of the store ? 

Thank you very much for all the kind words, everyone.

Chris, here is a shot of the structure with the lights on.

Its a modified Woodland Scenics Ethyl's Gas Station structure.

                started getting out some Christmas trains last night...

          and IZZY was helping,  as long as she got to stay by her fireplace...

      my new girlfriend came over to help decorate with this neat surprise...

                         time to start filling IZZY's stocking with goodies...

                                                had a fun night... 

                 probably going to need a little coal in my stocking this year...

Lee, Looks just as great in the daylight as it does at night!

Brian, Sure looks like your new girlfriend sure is taking good care of you and Izzy! You might want to think about keeping her around! Have a great weekend~!

RSJB18 posted:

Pete- It's fun taking this old stuff we play with a making it like new again. Gotta tackle my KW one day.

I'm heading to the Westchester Toy Train show today. Going to meet up with a bunch of OGR members. Hope to get my Polar Express going under the tree later too!

Bob

 

 

You got that right, Bob! I have 2 old KWs that could benefit from a shave and a haircut.  Need to find some guidance media before taking them apart.

I am heading over to the Westchester County Center for the train show too.  Be there around 11:30. I’ll be wearing a suit because I have a K of C function later in the day. Hope we bump into each other.

Pete

Brian, I agree with Mike.  Like the decorations.

HCSader73 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Pete- It's fun taking this old stuff we play with a making it like new again. Gotta tackle my KW one day.

I'm heading to the Westchester Toy Train show today. Going to meet up with a bunch of OGR members. Hope to get my Polar Express going under the tree later too!

Bob

 

 

You got that right, Bob! I have 2 old KWs that could benefit from a shave and a haircut.  Need to find some guidance media before taking them apart.

I am heading over to the Westchester County Center for the train show too.  Be there around 11:30. I’ll be wearing a suit because I have a K of C function later in the day. Hope we bump into each other.

Pete

Last minute change in plans Pete- not going to make it after all. Enjoy the show.

Bob

Lee,  thanks for the daytime photos,  really well done scene.... everything, the colors, the weathering on the building and the roof, the mix of plants and vegetation...  

My girlfriend completed the last of the new skirts of the layout this weekend!

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

Tell her Nice work! She should make them to sell!

Working on the East River running under the Hellgate Bridge.  Trying to determine if I’m ready to pour the Envirotex??   Not completely satisfied with the color, Woodland Scenics Navy Blue/Hunter Green.

ericstrains.com posted:

My girlfriend completed the last of the new skirts of the layout this weekend!

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

Eric, I agree with Mike! She should put them up on Etsy for us to buy (although I would want mine to be in a camel-color) :-)

Mike, your right I am running out of room. I am going to hav to raise the tables to gert more under them LOL. 

This morning  I went to the Toy & Train show in Kirkland, Ohio. Not a very big show and I did not expect to find anything but I landed 3 Weaver reefers for a great price. With the fun time over, a quick lunch and it is back to work on the layout.Pic..........Paul

Eric, The skirts do the job, and they do so in a cheerful way! Real nice.

FrankM

Look at this entire thread. Look at this entire forum. Have you ever seen a nicer group of folks gathered together for the same purpose? Such good and nice people. Forever young, too. The joy here, on display, is unmeasurable. True joie de vivre!

May your hearts always be so joyful.

FrankM

P.S. As I am writing this, I am listening to Joan Baez singing, "Forever Young," which has made me think of the many very pleasant voices I have read on this thread and met in-person at shows and meets. I am a lucky man. Life is very good.

Thank you Frank!!  Very true!

Today after lunch I did a number of different things. Got all the flats along the long wall glued in groups. The last section is drying and when dry I can put furring strips on that one. Then except for maybe painting the inside of the windows they are set to be glued on the wall. Still have to cut balsa wood for the roofs over the doorways and a couple of loading docks. Also did the first section going around the corner. That called for a small section to be glued to the end. The roof building has one coat of paint on the roof and door. I glued together the safety cage and ladder for the silos. That will have to be cut to fit. Have to go searching for the stuff I bought to make the small building for the top of the silos. Still have to secide on a color for the inside of the windows that looks like incandescent color. Pics.............Paul

Moonson posted:

Look at this entire thread. Look at this entire forum. Have you ever seen a nicer group of folks gathered together for the same purpose? Such good and nice people. Forever young, too. The joy here, on display, is unmeasurable. True joie de vivre!

Very well said, Frank!

I am on a couple of other model railroad forums, and each is geared a different way, but this is the one that most feels like "home" to me.

Great bunch of folks here.

Paul, things are looking very nice! You are right about the silo ladder, it's a little tall! LOL

Lee and Frank, This is my home, I belong to no other forum! I can get everything I need right here!

SO today I went out to the train room and laid some of the track I have, left gaps where switches are to go! Here is a picture and a small video of my test cars!

Paul, Sounds like things are really coming together!  The ladder looks good too.

Mike, The tests look like the track is very smooth, the grades are very even, and it is just good to see you got some track laid!! 

Mark you are so right! Even the wife was happy for me, she said its been a long year to get to this point and its starting to really look like a train room! God Bless her heart~!

Mike, you're REALLY making progress here! So glad to see how far you've come...

mike g. posted:

Mark you are so right! Even the wife was happy for me, she said its been a long year to get to this point and its starting to really look like a train room! God Bless her heart~!

You are blessed having her, Mike!! 

Thanks Lee, one day at a time! Some days I don't even get a chance to work in the train room, just peek inside and move on!

You are right there Mark!

Well I ran a train on the Ceiling Central RR using the DCS WiFi and didn't even touch the remote.  I am using an old tablet and am getting the hang of it.  I see it is available to set a maximum speed on the engine.  I thought I was advancing the speed a bit, and it took off towards maximum.  Before I got it to stop, I did prove the integrity of my track realignment from a month ago.  That RSD-5 and 15 cars were flying, but held the track. 

Max speed set!  Check!!  

Mark, sounds like you got lucky this time! I bet you have already set max speed! LOL I wish you would have taken a picture if it!

Yes Mike.  Max speed is 40 now.  Higher than I run, but reasonable.  I was fumbling like a fool trying to stop it.  Big stop button up top!  No time for pics!  LOL

It's been quite a while but I finally found some time to "work on the railroad".  Here's a few PIC's

Chief Bob (Retired)

PUFFRBELLY posted:

It's been quite a while but I finally found some time to "work on the railroad".  Here's a few PIC's

 

 

 

 

Chief Bob (Retired)

Beautiful work, Bob!

paul 2 posted:

Today after lunch I did a number of different things. Got all the flats along the long wall glued in groups. The last section is drying and when dry I can put furring strips on that one. Then except for maybe painting the inside of the windows they are set to be glued on the wall. Still have to cut balsa wood for the roofs over the doorways and a couple of loading docks. Also did the first section going around the corner. That called for a small section to be glued to the end. The roof building has one coat of paint on the roof and door. I glued together the safety cage and ladder for the silos. That will have to be cut to fit. Have to go searching for the stuff I bought to make the small building for the top of the silos. Still have to secide on a color for the inside of the windows that looks like incandescent color. Pics.............Paul

 

 

Really making beautiful progress, Paul!

mike g. posted:

SO today I went out to the train room and laid some of the track I have, left gaps where switches are to go! Here is a picture and a small video of my test cars!

Those test cars aren't the only thing that turned a corner, Mike. Your layout is coming together beautifully from all that effort and hard work. Each tack you lay from now on will give you an instant reward.

More night shots...

Tanner111 posted:

Pete nice job on the transformer. I have one of those. How much were the parts and how involved was it?

Thanks, Tanner!  I bought the power cord at a train show for $3. On EBay it will cost $5 or $6 plus shipping. The Bussman 6 amp breaker goes for $4 - $5. The diode can be had for $5 but the usual suspects will charge $6 - $7. Do a little comparison shopping and you'll save 20-30%.

Nothing is "hard." Everything involves simple steps. I recorded the renovation in multiple sessions, and will splice them all together to make a YouTube video. I will send you the URL when it is ready.

FYI, the renovation went so well because I bought a junk 1033 for $6  to practice on.It was a piece of garbage, so I didn't mind breaking it further. I did learn a lot of things NOT to do, and saved myself a lot of grief when working on the restored 1033. I hope the video will save others a lot of grief too.

Chief Bob,  Great scene you have coming together there.   Nice job with the elevation changes and blending in the backdrops.   

Mike, You're making a lot of progress,  track work looks great.   It seems like just last week you were still contemplating several different layout designs.    

p51 posted:

More night shots...

THAT is so cool!

Went to the Westchester County, NY Toy & Train Show today.  When am I going to learn to make a list of things I need with parts numbers before going to a show! Instead I blew a C note buying 4 cars I don't need and some other small "stuff." I think I'll turn the basic caboose into a rolling tanning salon with lots of lights inside. just for fun.

Chief Bob, It looks great!

Worked on the small things again. All the flat sections have the furring strips on them. Almost have the roof building done. Another coat of paint and painting the hinges it is done. With the corner glued to the flat I can now go back to the front of the flats and apply spackling compund to the joints between each section. After it dries I can apply the concrete paint. Now I just have to decide if I am going to go with that sample color for the window lighting or go to the Depot in the morning and come up with a color closer to incandescent light. Pics..............Paul

   I like this , short end forward   I never say short forward...short forward  

Id like to see pads vs skids I think. It looks like it could fit; more so 1/4" up.

Adriatic posted:

   I like this , short end forward   I never say short forward...short forward  

Id like to see pads vs skids I think. It looks like it could fit; more so 1/4" up.

Something like this?

If I relocate the horn and shave off the hood details, I could cut the skids down to pads and mount the pan that way...

Mitch the Insomniac 

Okay, shaved the hood details off and removed the horn.   Skids cut down to pads:  

I'm with Adriatic on this one.  Very elegant!   

Horn will be mounted on the roof.   I plan to use one of the leftover RDC three chime horns.  

-MMM-  (Master of Midnight Modelling)

Long nose forwards works now too . I just hope it can close and fit. If not Id consider shortening the fwd. plate legs & 2 new holes for the insulators. 

I  think it was the overhang.

The buildings are looking better and better Paul!

So our Midnight shift dynamic duo of Mitch and Butch are really coming up with great ideas for the EEEP!!  Yes, I was up all night too with this sciatic nerve thing.  Still wide awake!  

Mike - Based on your video, it won’t be long b4 you can apply power. Continued good luck. I like the bridge. 

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

Excellent Brian!  A real Christmas layout with a smoking steamer.

Adriatic posted:

Long nose forwards works now too . I just hope it can close and fit. If not Id consider shortening the fwd. plate legs & 2 new holes for the insulators. 

I  think it was the overhang.

Closes fine with a bit of shifting... 

Using a heated square file, a hole is punched for the horns.

The new horns,  test fit. 

A bit of Squadron Green to fill various holes and such. 

YAY! Mike has cars on the rails. Looks great Sir!

Mitch- The EEEP is coming along. They are long hood forward normally so you nailed it.

Paul- The flats look good. You could leave the ladder longer and put a flag on top.

Lee- great photos once again.

Puffer- nice to see you are back at "work"

Nice Christmas scene Brian.

Mark- glad you averted disaster.

Wound up NOT going to the Weschester show yesterday . We had tons of stuff to do, but I did manage to get the Fastrack set up under the tree. I need to go to Trainworld today to pick up a few short straight sections. I rotated the oval 45 degrees this year and now I can extend it a bit. Pix to follow when I'm done.

Bob

   thank you Matt and Bob !

Brian that is some nice Christmas railroading you got there!

Mitch, looking mighty good!

        thank you Mark,   yours really turned out GREAT !!   looks nice, like it !

Ok Here we go! Thanks everyone for the nice words on my track and test cars! A lot of you have been very helpful for me and I would not be here without all of you! I would name you but I know I would forget someone so Thank you all so very much!

Chief Bob Looking good! Your layout is really coming along! Keep up the wonderful work!

Pete, thanks still along way to go!

Lee, you do such a great job on your layout and pictures its just amazing! Just one question where is the campfire ot burn barrel for the night shots! LOL

Chris, Thank you Sir!

Paul, Looks good! One suggestion would be to use different colored paper behind the window till you find the color you like then take that to the store and have them match the paint to that!

Mitch, There you go again thinking outside the box! Looking good!

Matt, Thanks I have a lot of soldering to do as I didn't notice it when I got them but I bought a 8 or so flex track used and yesterday while putting track up I found out that all of them have one rail cut on the outside. I will just solder them back together but just one more step in my day! LOL

WOW Brian Great Christmas layout! Did the girlfriend and Izzy help you with this also! Just wonderful!

Well Bob, no train show, but it still sounds like you have a nice day! Plus you still had time for trains!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

        thank you Mark,   yours really turned out GREAT !!   looks nice, like it !

 

Thank you, Brian!  Yes, Mount Brian turned out well!  Thank you for the suggestions!!

mike g. posted:

WOW Brian Great Christmas layout! Did the girlfriend and Izzy help you with this also! Just wonderful!

                 Mike, your layout and train room are looking GREAT !!

     thanks Mike,  yes they have been helping,  and we are having fun...

                                     and I think she may be starting to like trains a little bit...

                 thinkn' IZZY just likes watching and staying warm by her fire...

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

I can hear Bing Crosby singing in the background!

Once the spackling dried I painted the concrete. All that I need to do is make up some roofs and loading platforms at the doors for some of the flats and add light color to the back of the windows. The little roof top building is all done and ready to glue in place. Pics.............Paul

Mark Boyce posted:

So our Midnight shift dynamic duo of Mitch and Butch are really coming up with great ideas for the EEEP!!  Yes, I was up all night too with this sciatic nerve thing.  Still wide awake!  

Mark, I don't know how you stay so cheerful and positive with that sciatic nerve issue.  I found I needed those cortisone shots to reduce the inflammation by the spine and take an edge off the pain. It gave me a window of opportunity to do PT, but still was no fun.

HCSader73 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

So our Midnight shift dynamic duo of Mitch and Butch are really coming up with great ideas for the EEEP!!  Yes, I was up all night too with this sciatic nerve thing.  Still wide awake!  

Mark, I don't know how you stay so cheerful and positive with that sciatic nerve issue.  I found I needed those cortisone shots to reduce the inflammation by the spine and take an edge off the pain. It gave me a window of opportunity to do PT, but still was no fun.

Pete, There is no doubt about it that it is rough!  I think it may have to do with the fact that I had a couple of classmates pass on this year, and I have several friends with serious health issues.  I still feel blessed, though the pain, sleeplessness, and trouble with insurance is no fun.  

Brian, thank you and I am glad everyone is having fun at your place! Is the girlfriend is starting to like trains that's a plus and as long as Izzy gets to stay next to the fire I think she is liking the girlfriend even more! LOL Looks Great Brian! P.S. Don't use to much smoke the new GF might think the house is on fire!

Paul, the flats look good!  wonderful job on the roof access! I cant wait to see them up and trains running by!

Mark, I hop your back gets better soon, also maybe you could get some sleep! But if not you always have Mitch to talk with at 3 in the morning! Get well soon buddy!

Thank you, Mike!!!!!!!

Installed a brand new DCS system. Works great. I can't believe I didn't do this earlier. It's stupid easy to use in both command and conventional mode. 

That's great, Lou!  I know.  I ran conventional from the late '60s until about 5 years ago, and never knew what I was missing!!

SORRY ELLIOT!                                                                 Still love what you do man! You Rock!

                   here is Santa taking " Rudolf II" on their 1st test run...

Rudolph with your nose so bright...That sure is a bright nose on that engine, Brian!!

       "Rudolph with your nose so bright..."

              won't you guide my train tonight...

          and a blurry video...

I installed my new Cab1-l to my layout which is under construction 

Ran over to Menards and picked up these items. Dave's garage will work on my attic layout. Needed a few more REA box cars for switching purposes. That is it for today. Heading out to a train luncheon and then going tonight to the Tuesday night crew get together. Tomorrow back to the layout. Pics.........Paul

Nice buy Paul!

I was out in the train room this morning before I leave for work, cause I felt guilty cause I didn't feel like being in the train room yesterday. While looking my mountain area I realized I had no access to the back of the mountain to the hidden switches. so I took out the foam and put in risers and a plywood top that I will cover with 1" foam. Here are a couple pic's!

Looks great, Mike!  It’s funny how we don’t notice or think of the obvious right away!

Mike,  It is good you caught the need for an access point in the mountain.  I have a similar feature in the one mountain on my "Valley of Bridges" Layout.  I am also needing to create an opening in my freight yard for access to the far upper level along the wall.  The eight-foot wide table is a distance my arms can't reach, and I can no longer climb up on the table.  As I get older, I take longer reaching places I could quickly reach a couple of years ago.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Thanks guys! Your both right, sometimes you don't see the obvious at first. But I am sure glad I cought it before I got to far into it!

I actually thought it had been discussed and you were already on top of it.  Must have been some other aspect of the layout.

Mark Boyce posted:

That's great, Lou!  I know.  I ran conventional from the late '60s until about 5 years ago, and never knew what I was missing!!

It's nice to be able to walk around and control a locomotive. The DCS system even runs my conventional stuff well. Now I'm planning on upgrading some of my older Pullmor equipped locomotives with ERR AC commanders and getting a Cab 1-L remote and base to run them, so I can have all command locomotives. But for now I can run them pretty well with the DCS remote.