John, I can't remember seeing a more scenic river bed. It reminds me of our drives along the many rivers in Colorado and in/near Glacier National Park.
Outstanding, WP! Very real.
FrankM
Excellent work WP.
WP, good job capturing the real thing and doing it along the edge of the table. You made the straight line of the table disappear.......Paul
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:I have just proved that you don't need a 3376 or 3386 to have a gi-raffe car...
Mitch
Nice.. What is the maker of that car?? I have several that I bought at a train show some years back that I'm 'overhauling'.. Doesn't it have an aluminum frame??
Mark Boyce posted:Elliot! Absolutely superb!!
John, I can see my dad fly fishing in that stream; it looks so realistic!!
Thanks Mark!
DoubleDAZ posted:John, I can't remember seeing a more scenic river bed. It reminds me of our drives along the many rivers in Colorado and in/near Glacier National Park.
Thank you!
Moonson posted:Outstanding, WP! Very real.
FrankM
Thank you.
decoynh posted:Excellent work WP.
Thanks!
paul 2 posted:WP, good job capturing the real thing and doing it along the edge of the table. You made the straight line of the table disappear.......Paul
Thank you Paul.
WP posted:
Yesterday and today I finished a fourth coat of "water" for the river. Before I add more trees and some static grass and other details, I decided I needed to put in a pair of signals. I had to extend my constant voltage accessory lines another 10 feet to this side of the layout, so I did that and then tried out the location. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to wire the sensors. Then I'll really install them.
That is great work and a beautiful scene. Your trees are really well done. You have the artistic talents for sure.
Thanks Pat and Mark.
If you'd like to read more about the train, I started a topic about it here.
pennsynut posted:WP posted:Yesterday and today I finished a fourth coat of "water" for the river. Before I add more trees and some static grass and other details, I decided I needed to put in a pair of signals. I had to extend my constant voltage accessory lines another 10 feet to this side of the layout, so I did that and then tried out the location. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to wire the sensors. Then I'll really install them.
That is great work and a beautiful scene. Your trees are really well done. You have the artistic talents for sure.
You are very kind. Thank you. I appreciate the positive feedback from all you kind folks.
Elliot, your video really helps put the dimensions of your layout in perspective, as well as your tireless work and the progress you have been accomplishing. I could stay on the forum for a long time watching you and Art and others build. It's inspiring but I got lots to do!
pennsynut posted:Elliot, your video really helps put the dimensions of your layout in perspective, as well as your tireless work and the progress you have been accomplishing. I could stay on the forum for a long time watching you and Art and others build. It's inspiring but I got lots to do!
Thank you, I really appreciate those kind words. I really wish that everyone here could come and visit in person, but that isn't very realistic, though the invitation is always open. This forum has been a wonderful platform to share my love of the hobby and my experience with all of you.
If on the off chance you ever find yourself visiting the Twin Cities, drop me an email, and we can set something up. Chester7 (Chad) was just here on Sunday, and we gad a great time. Sorry I hadn't gotten the train going for your visit Chad.
Next time!
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Today I finally got around to programming my new Atlas Amtrak F7's. I put the powered A and B on the same TMCC channel, because I have no intention of ever breaking them apart.
The train they will be pulling is my early Amtrak Empire Builder AKA "The Rainbow", circa 1973. The Pennsylvania baggage and combine are scheduled for repaint and body modification, and will be turned into an NP baggage and a BN baggage/dorm with the "hockey stick" stripe.
Here's a short video I shot of its maiden voyage. The two powered units pulled the K-line GN dummy B and ten 21" cars (6 K-line, 2 Atlas and 2 GGD) up the 2% grade of the helix to reach the upper deck. Enjoy!
Been working on lots of other stuff over the last week, but this was more exciting.
Elliott: I have been watching the progress of your layout for years. It is a thrill to see it operable. Bravo! You are an inspiration to us all. Keep the progress posts coming.
Woodson posted:M. Mitchell Marmel posted:I have just proved that you don't need a 3376 or 3386 to have a gi-raffe car...
Nice.. What is the maker of that car?? I have several that I bought at a train show some years back that I'm 'overhauling'.. Doesn't it have an aluminum frame??
Kusan 5124 box car.
The one I bought didn't have trucks, so I modded a pair of Lionel archbar trucks to fit. The one I have has a plastic floor. 
Mitch
WP (John),
The water looks great!! What kind of trees are they?
Last night I started adding risers to my small layout, I think I'm almost halfway done with them. So far I've only got the flat area done.
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Hey Mike you are really moving along with your layout.
mjrodg3n88 posted:WP (John),
The water looks great!! What kind of trees are they?
Last night I started adding risers to my small layout, I think I'm almost halfway done with them. So far I've only got the flat area done.
What size did you say that room is??
mjrodg3n88 posted:WP (John),
The water looks great!! What kind of trees are they?
Last night I started adding risers to my small layout, I think I'm almost halfway done with them. So far I've only got the flat area done.
Thank you! Your layout is really coming along. The track plan looks really good!
On the trees, some are some old ScentAre tree kits I built for a layout about 20 years ago. Many are scratch built, and some are a tree kit whose name I forget right now. A few are some commercially made pine trees. If you want, I can find the brand names for you.
Nice start Mike, but where's that gorgeous blond? I bet she's a big help!
Bought a 275 watt ZW today at an antique market in Monroe GA. Talked him down from $125 to $100. Works great! Enough power to run 4 trains simultaneously including AF post war engines on the inner loop. Circuit breaker works too. Click here for my youtube channel!
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M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Woodson posted:M. Mitchell Marmel posted:I have just proved that you don't need a 3376 or 3386 to have a gi-raffe car...
Nice.. What is the maker of that car?? I have several that I bought at a train show some years back that I'm 'overhauling'.. Doesn't it have an aluminum frame??
Kusan 5124 box car.
The one I bought didn't have trucks, so I modded a pair of Lionel archbar trucks to fit. The one I have has a plastic floor.
Mitch
Thanks, Mitch.. Old brain couldn't remember the name, mine came truckless also.. Two of mine are 'in the paint shop' and I'm waiting on longer screws and washers to mount sprung trucks and Kadees.. I think I have two more.. Finding them is another story... lol
Big_Boy_4005 posted:pennsynut posted:Elliot, your video really helps put the dimensions of your layout in perspective, as well as your tireless work and the progress you have been accomplishing. I could stay on the forum for a long time watching you and Art and others build. It's inspiring but I got lots to do!
Thank you, I really appreciate those kind words. I really wish that everyone here could come and visit in person, but that isn't very realistic, though the invitation is always open. This forum has been a wonderful platform to share my love of the hobby and my experience with all of you.
If on the off chance you ever find yourself visiting the Twin Cities, drop me an email, and we can set something up. Chester7 (Chad) was just here on Sunday, and we gad a great time. Sorry I hadn't gotten the train going for your visit Chad.
Elliot You did have a train going just not the Rainbow Empire Builder eh
Had a great time This is definitely one to see in person eh Thanks Again
I put my Menards hobby shop and train station on the layout tonight. Have to wait for an adapter to power them up and light them. I am very impressed with them! Along with the Woodland Scenic's Sullys tavern I got Sunday. Still haven't made a final decision on the track configuration. Trying to talk the wife into letting me go through a wall so we can add to the city!! : )
I have been working on installing Lionel telephone poles and detailing a 30 foot section of my layout. I have been working on plaster wrapping against a wall and between two lines. One line is on a grade and the other line is level. There is a grade change of the embankment between the tracks as the grade on the track hits its high point. I therefore had to fabricate something to hold the telephone poles on that embankment. I used railroad ties. The last several days I have also been making my rock castings. Today I used Dave Frary's method of incorporating some of the castings onto the layout. I have more plaster wrapping to do and more casts to install. Once done with that, I'll work on coloring, washing, and painting of the rocks and the plaster wrap.
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Tonight I spent 2 hours going through drawers, boxes and table tops to clean up the clutter and get rid of junk. Made some progress. Weather is warming so I feel the urge for Spring cleaning.
Bob you did a good job on that scenery. BTW, did you do the mural as well? Colorful. I have some background color on my walls but I have to practice on cardboard to get the technique down.
pennsynut posted:Tonight I spent 2 hours going through drawers, boxes and table tops to clean up the clutter and get rid of junk. Made some progress. Weather is warming so I feel the urge for Spring cleaning.
Bob you did a good job on that scenery. BTW, did you do the mural as well? Colorful. I have some background color on my walls but I have to practice on cardboard to get the technique down.
Pennsy,
I am done with the backdrop now, but here is a link that includes more pix and shows the before and after in progress and some details about the method used. It really was easy to do. You don't have to be an artist to implement this technique and you probably need no practice.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...47#70833919153316747
Bob
Carsntrains,
My room size is 100" x 117".... small
John (WP),
If you can get those brands, that'd be great, if not, thats fine too!
Matt (Decoynh),
Believe me, she was there the entire time, but had just went upstairs since I was done for the night!
Bob - Boo Man,
That is some excellent backdrop painting!! I took the easy way out and bought used pained backdrop.
mjrodg3n88 posted:Carsntrains,
My room size is 100" x 117".... small
John (WP),
If you can get those brands, that'd be great, if not, thats fine too!
Matt (Decoynh),
Believe me, she was there the entire time, but had just went upstairs since I was done for the night!
Yep that is small! Maybe going through a wall would be a good option for you?
Jhainer posted:I feel I got a lot done tonight I rearrainged track on the upper level added feeders to the upper level added track support for one side of the reverse loop made a siding . and reworked the bridges
Bridges look awesome! Looks like you got a whole bunch of work done!
Mark Boyce posted:Bob - Boo Man,
That is some excellent backdrop painting!! I took the easy way out and bought used pained backdrop.
Thanks Mark. The technique deserves more of the credit than I do. It really was very easy to follow.
Boo Man posted:Mark Boyce posted:Bob - Boo Man,
That is some excellent backdrop painting!! I took the easy way out and bought used pained backdrop.
Thanks Mark. The technique deserves more of the credit than I do. It really was very easy to follow.
I understand . Technique is our friend!!
Finished wiring the buildings and lights that I have set in place to date last week (photos attached). 'Still have a lot more to add to my current in-work 5' X 10' layout.
All of the buildings and lights were placed on a separate transformer from my Z1000 that is dedicated to powering the track.
Last Friday I powered everything up and found that the circuit breaker on the Z1000 was tripping as soon as I advanced the throttle at all. Since the track wiring was fine before I ran the new wires to the buildings and lights I assumed that I had either knocked something loose or crossed some wire somewhere.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and yesterday were spent inspecting all of the wiring under the layout, inspecting all of the track connections, inspecting all of the track for pieces of metal, dirt, etc., checking all of the track with a multimeter, hooking up a different transformer, calling Lionel customer service regarding a possible continuity problem on their "new" 6-81248 girder bridges, replacing one piece of ballasted 10" Lionel Fastrack that had a high continuity reading, and repeating the entire process over and over without finding the apparent short circuit that was tripping the breaker on the transformer brick.
Last evening I was again re-checking the initial track wiring that was completed months ago and noticed one single strand of wire from a Cat 5 cable that I had used to extend the length of a turnout switch that was wired into a terminal block sticking up from the screw on the terminal block. Not a full piece of wire - just a single copper strand.
I had apparently touched the Cat 5 cable while installing the building wiring and pulled it away from the terminal block screw.
After re-attaching the single Cat 5 switch wire everything is now working fine.
Lesson learned: it doesn't take much to trip a circuit breaker and shorts are not always "easy" to find.
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Randy Harrison posted:Elliott: I have been watching the progress of your layout for years. It is a thrill to see it operable. Bravo! You are an inspiration to us all. Keep the progress posts coming.
Thank you Randy.
Actually, the railroad has always been operable, it's just that the focus has been more on construction. Proof that trains do run can be found on my Youtube channel, the link to which is at the bottom of my signature.
Check out the very first video I posted back in December of 2013. Then compare that to either the eastbound or westbound videos, which show the full extent of the mainline. Those are from December of 2015. A lot got done in those two years. It's definitely time for a new whole layout tour video.
HMorgan,
The lighting looks great! Yes those single strands can get you! I know from experience.
