What did you do on your layout today?

After watching the movie, my 2 year old granddaughter spent the afternoon running the wheels off "her" Polar Express! Thanks to very generous curves on G-Pa's attic layout, derailment is a virtual impossibility. Tracks exit the room behind her to a unfinished area of the attic. She's waiting at first for the train to reappear on the opposite size of the room.

Lionel did a great job with the LionChief. She has zero problems running trains all by herself!

Big Sis is getting a pink GG-1 WbB Girl's Train from Santa for Christmas. Many thanks to Jeff @JDS for the PS-3 conversion! G-Pa's layout is command control, only....

Your granddaughter is doing great, Tom!!  That is a wonderful video!!

Mark Boyce posted:

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 I was but after lifting the top off several times already, this will work much better!  I won't have to move the airfield and buildings on top.

mike g. posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

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 I was but after lifting the top off several times already, this will work much better!  I won't have to move the airfield and buildings on top.

Excellent!!

Gilly@N&W posted:

After watching the movie, my 2 year old granddaughter spent the afternoon running the wheels off "her" Polar Express! Thanks to very generous curves on G-Pa's attic layout, derailment is a virtual impossibility. Tracks exit the room behind her to a unfinished area of the attic. She's waiting at first for the train to reappear on the opposite size of the room.

Lionel did a great job with the LionChief. She has zero problems running trains all by herself!

Big Sis is getting a pink GG-1 WbB Girl's Train from Santa for Christmas. Many thanks to Jeff @JDS for the PS-3 conversion! G-Pa's layout is command control, only....

What a precious video! She will enjoy that in years to come.

WOW all the stuff I've missed while doing my summer and fall  car shows and working on cars and buildings!   You guys have been getting it done!  Ive been moving backwards!    Had to take all the buildings, cars, and foam sheets off of one side of my layout to take down a big shelving thing that was hanging over part of it. Had a bunch of Christmas decorations on it (another one of my hobbies).  Now the sky is clear over this part of the Southern Railroad.  Just ordered two 72 watt DC power packs for the two main lines of the layout.  Should be a huge upgrade over the 10.8 watt wall warts Ive been running.  I am just amazed at all the work and progress you folks have been making!  

Jim 

Last night I got all of the switches wired and applied tinmans barrel plugs for fixed voltage and added track voltage. 

Tonight, I’m Testing the track before adding accessories.  More details in my thread, hyperlink in my signature line  

Connecting controls for 93 turnouts.

Gilly, wonderful video! Things like that will be remembered for ever!

JD nice looking layout! Things appear to run nice and smooth! Good job!

Tom T. WOW 93 turnouts! I thought 12 was bad enough! LOL

Looking good JD2035RR!

Tom, 93 turnouts!!!  Sounds great!!

Yesterday I ran a second engine via the DCS Wifi, a PS2 B&O Atlantic.  I finally replaced the old white battery with the BCR in that that been sitting on a shelf for several months.

Mark at the rate your going you will be a wiz with that DCS Wifi by the time your layout is up and running!

          me and IZZY ran trains and did more some decorating...

                                 or I should say,  while her and her buddy watched...

    a hopper train was running bringing Santa coal for all the naughty 'lil ones...

                                             'till someone got tired....

Brian, That load will fill a lot of stockings with coal!  Very nice video!  Izzy looks cute all tired with her stuffed toy. Most important; did she get her ice cream??

mike g. posted:

Mark at the rate your going you will be a wiz with that DCS Wifi by the time your layout is up and running!

My wife bought me a tablet stand at her favorite store.  

I find it works great with this hand-me-down iPad from one of the sons-in -law.  I have trouble holding the phone and running trains, and the iPad is too big; easy to drop.  Instant control panel!  

Mark, Mike;  Only 36 are planned  to be powered, the rest of them will be slide switches powering the frog while moving the points.  I just saw powering all these turnouts with motors to be a little much,  too time consuming.  May not even  do the whole 3 dozen 

This RR is a walk-around so I will be close to most all turnouts:

Tom, That makes things a little more manageable!  The turnouts look good!

Brian, looks great Marry Christmas is coming your way I can see!

Mark the tablet holder is a great idea and we shop at the same store also!

Tom, That's still a lot of switches! LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

Brian, That load will fill a lot of stockings with coal!  Very nice video!  Izzy looks cute all tired with her stuffed toy. Most important; did she get her ice cream??

  YEP, me too!  I don't think she will ever be to tired for her ice cream break...

Brian - Izzy looks worn out from decorating & running trains. 

JD2035RR posted:

Last night I got all of the switches wired and applied tinmans barrel plugs for fixed voltage and added track voltage. 

Tonight, I’m Testing the track before adding accessories.  More details in my thread, hyperlink in my signature line  

 

Looks great, JD!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

          me and IZZY ran trains and did more some decorating...

                                 or I should say,  while her and her buddy watched...

 

 

 

 

 

 

    a hopper train was running bringing Santa coal for all the naughty 'lil ones...

        

                                             'till someone got tired....

 

Everyone needs a bear.

I cut off a 1X12 section of my layout and dropped it lower to make the slip for my future ore boat. When I screwed it in, the boards moved 1&1/2 inches out of place. On the second try, it fit in properly.

Why do things the right way on the first attempt  when you can do over?

When the grandkids and friends kids come over they like to play with my Bump-n-go trolley. But standing up on milk crates and stepladders was getting a little precarious. So, I brought the trolley down to their level!

Put up some more table frames today, front section is not set yet. We are on a Rock Island budget in their last year's of operation.  The frame work is from our old layout in the old house . I am still undecided on a track plan. I have a idea on the 2 main lines. Just need to get the trains a rollin. It looks big and flat but I will cut some rivers and hills into it. The theme  will be Nebraska sandhill to the Black hills. Nick T.

Here's a little graphic example of why one must be careful when mixing paint brands.   In this case, Walleyworld rattlecan black isn't playing well with Krylon red... 

Will have to sand down the crazed bits, primer and respray.   Ah, well,  all part of the fun. 

On a happier note,  got the Allis-Chalmers track cleaning car completed!  

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...s-track-cleaning-car

Mitch 

Mitch, good lesson on paint!

The Allis-Chalmers track cleaning car looks great!!

Nick, Nice work on the train tables so far!

Tom Tee posted:

Mark, Mike;  Only 36 are planned  to be powered, the rest of them will be slide switches powering the frog while moving the points.  I just saw powering all these turnouts with motors to be a little much,  too time consuming.  May not even  do the whole 3 dozen 

This RR is a walk-around so I will be close to most all turnouts:

very ingenious Tom. Use the the micro switch to power the track and throw the point.

Got trains running under the Christmas tree last night.
Note to self- A CW-80 cannot handle a PE Berk and 5 lighted coaches...... Had to pull two coaches from the consist so no Hot Chocolate on this years run. Still need to put a second train together for the inside loop.

Bob

Sounds like you got a good start Bob!

Hmmm, Bob, this is last years’ bluetooth PE with 5 cars run by a CW80.  Runs great.  Wonder what I have thats different.  

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

Must be that PSEG electricity you’re using   

  Mitch, I'd go with stripping it with a soak in Castrol Purple degreaser. (Wear rubber gloves. This stuff prunes skin in a weird way if you work without them.)

The sooner the better.

  I should have been dusting the Christmas layout and searching out burnt bulbs but I played with my band saw instead.

  I had wanted to do some mock ups with these Jenga blocks for my game train, as a load, or cribbing; so I ripped some in half and clamped another hand full together making trim passes to each end on the clamped blocks, to get car width and retain offset justification of the logo.  The loads second tier is wider than the deck than x2 blocks for a top heavy, kinds imperfectly stacked appearance(levels askew helps too)  Still bulky; bland; static. I e., kinda lifeless. A little color wouldn't have hurt this game

   I"m not really loving either yet. Especially the stacked load. Without something a bit more special to throw at the idea, these won't last as cars; maybe a yard pile on the microlayout or something.

  Maybe if I made them so they shifted around? Setting up the top and bottom layers like bobbleheads thru wide holes in layer two leaving layer 2 loose to rattle and slide(tip some too if I bevel the bottom).. but they would shift but stay pinned by bobble spring(s) and limit bobble too(kinda needed)....🤔

 Too bad I don't have a geared operating truck, cam drive truck, or a scrap low rpm motor to shift the load around with. Hmm. I have some chain to pin it with too.

  The blocks are hard and pretty light. Like a scrabble tile.

  I'd like a better tank or other cribbed load too.

  Maybe Silly String?(I like the colors) Kerplunk? (I think I can pull that off actually)   Vats of silly putty? (slime dries{geen silly putty?} and I think play-dough was offically done; no?)   LOG! (by Blamo )

  2" pvc T "culvert" aka..a "Chute"(?) (with a "ladder" )...and the T cribbing can be much taller. It actually has the best Jenga-ish look overall too.🤔 

I'm thinkin' 'bout shortenin' these cars. Shorties roll better on 0-19" where they will kinda belong

Still shorter than my E-33, but it's close. 

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

Not sure this is helpful, but the kil a watt thing sez .48 amps and 51.3 watts.  This is the PE running and three static cars with streamlighting.  Wouldn’t venture a guess on the accuracy of the kill a watt.  I forgot the proper connections to use my multi meter to check the amps.  🤨 Didn’t want to dig up the instructions.

RSJB18 posted:

Got trains running under the Christmas tree last night.
Note to self- A CW-80 cannot handle a PE Berk and 5 lighted coaches...... Had to pull two coaches from the consist so no Hot Chocolate on this years run. Still need to put a second train together for the inside loop.

Bob

Something wrong there.    I use a CW80 to run my Wabash steamer and 6 incandescent  passenger cars on my 17x10 set up.  

Jim

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

If memory serves,  it is possible to program the CW80 to allocate a certain amount of power to the accessories.   Might wanna check to see if that's the issue. 

Adriatic posted:

  Mitch, I'd go with stripping it with a soak in Castrol Purple degreaser. (Wear rubber gloves. This stuff prunes skin in a weird way if you work without them.)

The sooner the better.

More trouble than it's worth, besides,  I'd like to take the little indefinite to the Sugar Creek holiday party tonight just to annoy the purists.      Already sanded it,  time for primer!  

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

 

Me thinks that is your Raison d'être  

carsntrains posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Got trains running under the Christmas tree last night.
Note to self- A CW-80 cannot handle a PE Berk and 5 lighted coaches...... Had to pull two coaches from the consist so no Hot Chocolate on this years run. Still need to put a second train together for the inside loop.

Bob

Something wrong there.    I use a CW80 to run my Wabash steamer and 6 incandescent  passenger cars on my 17x10 set up.  

Jim

Thanks for the info. My feeling too is that its not working right. It usually sits on my work bench to power my test track so I haven't given much thought to the output issues.

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

If memory serves,  it is possible to program the CW80 to allocate a certain amount of power to the accessories.   Might wanna check to see if that's the issue. 

Mitch- You are half right. The variable output is for the accessory terminals. You can set the voltage depending on the load served.

I do recall an old thread about different series of CW-80's. Something about the older ones verses the newer. Gotta look for that again too.

Thanks- Bob

Apples55 posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

 ... I'd like to take the little indefinite to the Sugar Creek holiday party tonight just to annoy the purists.    

Me thinks that is your Raison d'être  

Well, yes.     That and amusing audiences.     

Mitch

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

A CW40 maybe? Or the wrong bulbs? I mean you won't be at light speed but you shouldn't be clicking out. Have you oiled the Berk lately?

              oops, better hurry up and find me a siding,

                                            before the nightly  passenger run comes thru...

Adriatic posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

A CW40 maybe? Or the wrong bulbs? I mean you won't be at light speed but you shouldn't be clicking out. Have you oiled the Berk lately?

I have suspected since day one that I have a 40 hiding in a 80 shell. The Berk only runs at Christmas since it's too big for my 027 layout. I serviced it before putting it on the track last night. When I first bought the CW,  I was running a carpet central with a Scout loco and the CW did the same thing.

Guess its time to open it up and see what I've got.

Tx

I got the top to my bridge that me and my son built!!   Found out the guy next door to us at work has a plasma cutting table.    1/8 inch steel.    Dang thing will weigh a ton!  Have to fit two small extensions to it and then its time to WELD ER UP!

Jim

Behold the Eeep!  

Handmade handrails.  Considering I was eyeballing the dimensions and soldering together 1/16" brass rod,  it came out OK! 

Not pleased with the roof,  but it's a perfectly acceptable ten-foot model... 

Footage of the inaugural run,  with dubious assistance from Chief Brakekitty Norma Bates Kitteh...

Once again,  thanks to @GTW Ralph for the project!

Mitch

Mitch the Eeep came out great!  Thanks for posting the photos and video.

Ralph

TedW posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Not sure Ted but I bought the transformer used and always felt that it was not working properly. It overloads very easily. I have several power drops out to the track too. Gonna put my amp probe on it tonight and see what wattage I'm pulling.

Bob

Not sure this is helpful, but the kil a watt thing sez .48 amps and 51.3 watts.  This is the PE running and three static cars with streamlighting.  Wouldn’t venture a guess on the accuracy of the kill a watt.  I forgot the proper connections to use my multi meter to check the amps.  🤨 Didn’t want to dig up the instructions.

Yea, something isn't right on kilowatt & .48a . But 51.3watt output continuous  output seems about right. (peaks could be higher without the breaker tripping.)

The specs of the two sides of a transformer are near each other, but separated by space or listing style. InfoI nfo ac volt and current it will use  and the low volt outputs max volt & amp, watt (or kilowatt, etc) or voltamp. If you have voltage and any of other values, you can figure out a missing value (online amp/voltage to voltamp/volt or watt/volt calculator, volt/watt to amp calculator, volt/Va to amp, etc. etc. etc....

Add watts or amps (miliamp,ma,etc) of bulbs, estimate the engine amps/watt/va current add it too, and compare the total to the transformer; 70-80% continuous off the transformer rating is about all you really get. The max are closer to the peaks.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Behold the Eeep!  

Handmade handrails.  Considering I was eyeballing the dimensions and soldering together 1/16" brass rod,  it came out OK! 

Not pleased with the roof,  but it's a perfectly acceptable ten-foot model... 

Footage of the inaugural run,  with dubious assistance from Chief Brakekitty Norma Bates Kitteh...

Once again,  thanks to @GTW Ralph for the project!

Mitch

What a great addition to the Razorback Traction Co!!!

Mark Boyce posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Behold the Eeep!  

Handmade handrails.  Considering I was eyeballing the dimensions and soldering together 1/16" brass rod,  it came out OK! 

Not pleased with the roof,  but it's a perfectly acceptable ten-foot model... 

Footage of the inaugural run,  with dubious assistance from Chief Brakekitty Norma Bates Kitteh...

Once again,  thanks to @GTW Ralph for the project!

Mitch

What a great addition to the Razorback Traction Co!!!

I think it would sound better in Latin... Ecce Eeep!!!

Somehow I think “the purists” are going to have a coronary conniption   

Those railings are very well done.

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Behold the Eeep!  

 

Handmade handrails.  Considering I was eyeballing the dimensions and soldering together 1/16" brass rod,  it came out OK! 

 

Not pleased with the roof,  but it's a perfectly acceptable ten-foot model... 

 

Footage of the inaugural run,  with dubious assistance from Chief Brakekitty Norma Bates Kitteh...

 

Once again,  thanks to @GTW Ralph for the project!

Mitch

Grand job on the EEEp, Mitch! The layout looks wonderful, and well guarded.

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

Mike, what an amazing Christmas gift for you and your family.  That is fantastic news. Merry Christmas!

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

That’s fabulous news, Mike -  looks like the Magi brought their gifts a little early this year. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family, and many Happy New Years to come.

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

Great news, Mike! This is the best present you could give your train brothers!

Merry Christmas!

Mike, that is one fantastic early Christmas present. Very good news indeed........Paul

Mike:  Bravissimo!  Fortescue and the kittehs send congratulations as well!  

Mitch 

  I put pinstripe on the wallwart ore car, and painted it and then some bricks to put in it. (jenga trimmings) Some brighter rust highlights and a grime wash and couplers till done.

The wall wart cars and loads look great!!  Yes the ore cars got some excellent weathering!  Great project!

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

Mike, that is great news!!!!   I have been wondering if you were having any follow ups, so now I know.  

I agree wholeheartedly that the Forum is a great support tool; the positive conversation about toy and model trains, prototype trains, but also the commradery, the encouragement, and the willingness to share information and even models with folks most of us have never seen face to face.

I too have received encouragement during my 'minor when compared to cancer' health issue.  Several folks have emailed me, and we have had great discussions.  Mine is just a mobility problem; no big deal in the grand scheme.

God bless you Mike and your faithful, loving wife!!  I'll continue praying for you and everyone here who has shared health issues.  God bless everyone here!  You are wonderful friends!!!

Mike- that's great news for a great guy 

Now go get some trains running and celebrate!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Behold the Eeep!  

Handmade handrails.  Considering I was eyeballing the dimensions and soldering together 1/16" brass rod,  it came out OK! 

Not pleased with the roof,  but it's a perfectly acceptable ten-foot model... 

Footage of the inaugural run,  with dubious assistance from Chief Brakekitty Norma Bates Kitteh...

Once again,  thanks to @GTW Ralph for the project!

Mitch

the Eeep looks great Mitch!

Had to laugh at "ten-foot model" . My father used to say we had a 30 mph lawn. Looks great driving by at 30 mph

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

God bless. 

First off I want to thank you all for the kind words and sharing this special time with my family and I!

Mitch The EEEP looks wonderful, I didn't know they could go that fast! Must be running from something, maybe miss Kitteha? I bet Fortesue is in there somewhere driving!

Butch, the ORE cares are looking great and way to make a load out of Janga!

As for me I am happy and motivated so I am heading out to the train room to get something done today. Not sure what but I hope to have a report later today!

Everyone have a great weekend!

           hello Mike,  GREAT NEWS   and yes, I consider you a good friend !

                        hopefully we will get to meet in person some day!!

                                   have a really good train day today !!!

Mike g, that’s great news and I agree, our friends on the forum and in our love of trains is a very healthy part of our lives. Sharing our life’s ups and downs with each other is also a way of getting our feelings out in the open and finding answers we need for life’s journey. May the Lord keep blessing you and your family. 

Now, I am so happy to see the great progress you’ve made on your layout. Wow, it’s looking fantastic. From building the She shed, to planning your layout, to actually executing your thoughts into Action....Wow....It’s exciting. Keep us posted and the pictures coming....

Its Wonderful to see so many Forum friends chime in....Happy Railroading, and Merry Christmas to you and your family...

Mike that is AWESOME!  So happy for you!     BIG NEWS FOR SURE!    

Jim

Mark I was watching some youtube videos last night of the Artic Line O gauge layout.    Guys says "Mark Boyce sold me these empire builder cars"!   Aluminium passenger cars ... 

Jim

That is nice he mentioned me, and nice you brought it to my attention.  Was that the Glacier Line, not Arctic Line?  

I bought that set used to go with an MTH GN F3 set.  As time passed two things happened., I decided to put my emphasis back on the Western Maryland and some B&O like I had in my HO and N days.  Second, I decided to not try to put 072 and larger curves in my new layout space.  Therefore the 21” cars were just too long.

As always, if I have something that I’m not using, and someone else can make use of it, I would rather sell than leave it on a shelf or buried in a box.

Mike, that's fantastic news! Makes for a great Holliday. Have a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year for you and your family. 

Congrats Mike, keep on fighting. Jesus is with you and all of us here are praying for you. 

Merry Christmas and a happy healthy new year.

Dave

This morning I got out the wood chip hopper I got from the Bay and started putting it together. Waiting for all the glue to dry so I can put the frame on and mount the trucks. Add a wood chip load and it will be set to join the rest of the wod=od chip hopper consist. Pics.............Paul

That wood chip hopper is looking great, Paul!  I remember building so many car kits in HO, but I haven't done any in O gauge.

Mark Boyce posted:

That is nice he mentioned me, and nice you brought it to my attention.  Was that the Glacier Line, not Arctic Line?  

I bought that set used to go with an MTH GN F3 set.  As time passed two things happened., I decided to put my emphasis back on the Western Maryland and some B&O like I had in my HO and N days.  Second, I decided to not try to put 072 and larger curves in my new layout space.  Therefore the 21” cars were just too long.

As always, if I have something that I’m not using, and someone else can make use of it, I would rather sell than leave it on a shelf or buried in a box.

Yep it was Glacier!   Sorry!    Doug on that Facebook page told me to look at his switching videos.  

Jim

Came home today and go to the train room to find this. My Pennsy GG1 laying on the floor with hanging trucks and totaled pantographs. I started taking it apart, and found a lot more damage than I thought I would. One drive shaft snapped in 2, gearbox cover broken, motor leads pinched between gear tower and frame, totaled truck sideframe, exterior details almost nonexistent at this point. I assume this was doing of my cats in the train room, as no one else was home all day. Welp time to go start digging through the attack to find my parts GG1 to hopefully fix this one. I’ve only ever had one loco hit the floor with this layout, and it was a 2-10-4, but it landed in a box on the floor. Maybe this is a sign to install some panels to stop things from falling. 

Mike G, I'm happy to hear that you are doing well! I look forward to seeing your progress on the layout, that airport looks cool on top of that Mountain~Plateau! Have fun working on the layout today! I'm wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rusty

NS6770Fan posted:

Came home today and go to the train room to find this. My Pennsy GG1 laying on the floor with hanging trucks and totaled pantographs. I started taking it apart, and found a lot more damage than I thought I would. One drive shaft snapped in 2, gearbox cover broken, motor leads pinched between gear tower and frame, totaled truck sideframe, exterior details almost nonexistent at this point. I assume this was doing of my cats in the train room, as no one else was home all day. Welp time to go start digging through the attack to find my parts GG1 to hopefully fix this one. I’ve only ever had one loco hit the floor with this layout, and it was a 2-10-4, but it landed in a box on the floor. Maybe this is a sign to install some panels to stop things from falling. 

This is why, when the time comes, that I wont allow cats or other animals in the train room.

Rusty

Hi Guys, thanks for the nice words! I feel a lot better as my mind is now clear and ready for more train work!

Paul, the woodchip car looks wonderful! You must have had them clear cut a large section of forest to be able to fill all those cars! LOL

NS6770FAN, I am so sorry about your GG1~! I sure hope you will b3e able to fix it!

So here is my lunch time up date! I got my first switch mounted and worked on the airfield! From a suggestion from Paul2 I hung the end of the runway over the lower tracks ! It will have to tunnels under the airfield. But I do have a question, can someone tell me the inside dimension of a single and double porthole, say MTH or Lione it doesn't really matter I don't think!

Thanks to help from my friends Sam and Lynn last weekend, we got yard ladder tracks installed and wired for the east end of my main yard.  After some preliminary electrical testing, it seemed like a good idea to populate some cars from the east side to see how they looked.

Next up, purchase more switches for the west end ladder!

I need to go back several pages to get the names so I can compliment the different folks on there contributions to this really nice thread, however, Mike G, and Anthony K, Your Layouts are looking good. I am getting ready to go to work finishing mine. You will see the bridges out....Happy Railroading 

Added this to the layout 

Anthony K, WOW that is fantastic! What wonderful work! It has to be nice close by to give you a hand! Keep up the great work!

Larry, I can only dream of having a layout half as good looking as yours! You have what some call a dream come true!

FL9TURBO, Now that is really cool! Looks spendy but really cool!

Much-needed train therapy after exams today.

Anthony K posted:

Thanks to help from my friends Sam and Lynn last weekend, we got yard ladder tracks installed and wired for the east end of my main yard.  After some preliminary electrical testing, it seemed like a good idea to populate some cars from the east side to see how they looked.

Next up, purchase more switches for the west end ladder!

Is all that for staging or for switching?  Either way it all looks great!!!   

Jim 

After installing the drill rig I thought I double head my 2 cc2s together for the first time 

Trainman, running trains is always a good relaxing time!

FL9TURBO, Great looking train! Love the NASA cars, Nice set up!

mike g. posted:

Hi Everyone, I would like to start of by saying what great work that is being done by you all! I know I normally write something on each work you post, but today I haven't been in the mood for that the last couple of days. But great work!

So my wife has been spilling this all over FB, So I thought I would share this with my train friends! I hope you don't mind that I call you friends! Yesterday I had to go in for a C.T. Scan to check for Cancer, A lot of you know I have had it in the past and beat it. Well today we got an early Christmas Gift that I am still Kicking Cancers BUTT! 

Not bad for going from Stage 4 Head and Neck Cancer to cancer free for 2 years in a row now! I want you all to know that I think a lot of it has to do with all the positive stuff shared here and how it makes me feel happy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you all and God Bless everyone here!

Great news Mike!!!  Thanks for sharing.  Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you and your family.   Now, get back to work on the layout!  Dave

Thanks Dave! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a great new year! Maybe by the end of next year I will be planting trees and weathering cars! But I am working at it! LOL

Lots of good progress everyone!

Mike, I like Paul's idea about the railroad tunnel under the airport.  Just like Cumberland Maryland!

Anthony, that is great you got a lot done on the yard.

FL9TURBO, looks like a nice train.  Lots of power!

Larry, looking forward to more bridge work

RSJB18 posted:

the Eeep looks great Mitch!

Had to laugh at "ten-foot model" . My father used to say we had a 30 mph lawn. Looks great driving by at 30 mph

Yeah, it's based on car show jargon.   A car can be a 5 footer,  10 footer,  20 footer et cetera.  Any closer and you see the flaws.   

mike g. posted:

Mitch The EEEP looks wonderful, I didn't know they could go that fast! Must be running from something, maybe miss Kitteha? I bet Fortesue is in there somewhere driving!

Could very well be!   

NS6770Fan posted:

Came home today and go to the train room to find this. My Pennsy GG1 laying on the floor with hanging trucks and totaled pantographs. I started taking it apart, and found a lot more damage than I thought I would. One drive shaft snapped in 2, gearbox cover broken, motor leads pinched between gear tower and frame, totaled truck sideframe, exterior details almost nonexistent at this point.

Owie!  Hope you can get that poor G up and running!  

I assume this was doing of my cats in the train room, as no one else was home all day.

(innocent looks from Norma Bates Kitteh and Sylvia Siamese) 

Diverging Clear posted:

This is why, when the time comes, that I wont allow cats or other animals in the train room.

(hurt looks from Norma Bates Kitteh and Sylvia Siamese) 

Mitch 

For my next number:  

Ebil is afoot.    

Mitch

Worked on the Christmas tree loop and related transformer issues. Accidentally pulled a section of track apart (all the way in back of course ). So I took it all apart and re-set everything. Next year the track is going to be mounted to plywood. Fastrack works OK right on the carpet but now that I've had it for several years the plastic tabs are not holding as tight as they used too. Thought about the mini binder clips on the joints but I don't have any on hand.

I did a few tests on my CW-80. Definitely need more lithium crystals Jim. I'm givin' her all she's got! The OL breaker is tripping well below even 60 watts draw. I'll live with it for this year and take it apart after Christmas and see what's going on.

Bob

mike g. posted:

Hi Guys, thanks for the nice words! I feel a lot better as my mind is now clear and ready for more train work!

So here is my lunch time up date! I got my first switch mounted and worked on the airfield! From a suggestion from Paul2 I hung the end of the runway over the lower tracks ! It will have to tunnels under the airfield. But I do have a question, can someone tell me the inside dimension of a single and double porthole, say MTH or Lione it doesn't really matter I don't think!

Mike- gotta watch the over hang with tunnel portals on curves. Take your biggest loco or rolling stock and mark the clearance needed to travel the curve. I do it by holding a pencil at the widest point, usually a pilot step or cab hood on a steam engine, and draw a line on the board as you move the piece through the curve. Do the same in the center for the inside of the curve. Do this in both directions too. Geometry is a PITA .
Once you have the lines on the board you can determine how big the portal needs to be. Make sure to add at least a 1/2" on both sides.

Bob

carsntrains posted:

Anthony K posted:

Thanks to help from my friends Sam and Lynn last weekend, we got yard ladder tracks installed and wired for the east end of my main yard.  After some preliminary electrical testing, it seemed like a good idea to populate some cars from the east side to see how they looked.

 

Next up, purchase more switches for the west end ladder!

Is all that for staging or for switching?  Either way it all looks great!!!   

Jim 

Thanks for the comments guys.  Jim- this will be my main switching yard.  There is a hidden staging yard directly below, and it's pretty much the same layout.

Anthony K posted:

carsntrains posted:

Anthony K posted:

Thanks to help from my friends Sam and Lynn last weekend, we got yard ladder tracks installed and wired for the east end of my main yard.  After some preliminary electrical testing, it seemed like a good idea to populate some cars from the east side to see how they looked.

 

Next up, purchase more switches for the west end ladder!

Is all that for staging or for switching?  Either way it all looks great!!!   

Jim 

Thanks for the comments guys.  Jim- this will be my main switching yard.  There is a hidden staging yard directly below, and it's pretty much the same layout.

Thats what I need to figure out.   Where to stage and where to switch.   After taking the summer off of choo chooing and doing a lot of thinking, switching is moving to my top wants.  When I started I wanted every inch for mainline length! 

Jim

Mitch, that sure is going to be sharp when your done! Cant wait to see it in motion!

Bob, I hope you get the power problem figured out soon! Thanks for the Geometry Lesson, That is a great idea of drawing the over hang of the biggest car!

Mike- Happy to help- I've got the lopsided tunnel portal to prove it too

t8afao posted:

Put up some more table frames today, front section is not set yet. We are on a Rock Island budget in their last year's of operation.  The frame work is from our old layout in the old house . I am still undecided on a track plan. I have a idea on the 2 main lines. Just need to get the trains a rollin. It looks big and flat but I will cut some rivers and hills into it. The theme  will be Nebraska sandhill to the Black hills. Nick T.

Very nice bench work and I also like the shelf you keep your trains on well done 👍 

RSJB18 posted:

Mike- Happy to help- I've got the lopsided tunnel portal to prove it too

 

Bob, do you know the dimensions of regular Portholes so I have a starting point?

Mark Boyce posted:

Lots of good progress everyone!

Larry, looking forward to more bridge work

 

That's what I love about this group. When we talk about "bridge work" we ain't talking about teeth.