What did you do on your layout today?

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Wow guys, really appreciate the comments but in reality my modeling skills have a long way to go to catch up with what some of you guys post.  So here is the end of the night update on subway station II.  For those wondering here is a link to subway station I.  Its the one 3rd from bottom posted at 11:25.

Bryan;

As someone born and raised in NYC (and whose family didn’t have a car until I was in college), I spent a lot of time in the subway system... I must say, you have REALLY captured the look and feel of an underground station - maybe a bit cleaner than expected, but I can let that go. BUT... as a legally qualified long suffering Met fan, I take exception to “Mets Station”   Willets Point is the true “Mets Station”, but it is elevated!!! I do have to give you points for using Shea Stadium instead of the current terrible moniker   

Fabulous job.

Bryan,

Your work on the subway is amazing. Your work is as good as anyone else who posts here!

I was in CO state until yesterday, riding every train I could, including the Royal Gorge, the Cumbres & Toltec, the Silverton and even getting a 'cab' ride on a galloping goose at the CO RR museum!

As for the layout, I fired it up an hour ago and ran a train down to Buladeen, TN and back.

I also had to get some mood shots:

Did layout visits:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...19#86324721320681819

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Arnold D. Cribari 

I think Bryan in Ohio is trying to fool us, taking pictures of a real subway station and pretending it's a model.

Just kidding! I totally agree with Frank that it is outstanding modeling. And if Frank had not pointed out the scuff marks in the photo, I wouldn't have noticed them. Arnold

Agreed....great work Bryan. The only thing missing is a sketchy looking guy in the corner playing a harmonica and looking for quarters. 

Bob

Bob, that's called busking. I have the guy doing that playing guitar:

Arnold

Yes Arnold- I know, but busking sounds way too nice for how most subway performers try and shake you down for money. The one's who ride the cars and walk up and down the aisles are the worst.

Bob

Yardmaster, Your bridge project sure sounds like quite the undertaking! Good luck and I cant wait to see the finished product!

Paul 2, The flats are looking great, I guess we all still learn new lessons here and there! I think once you get the windows in and against the wall they will look perfect!

Patrick, Your work platforms look great! I have a feeling when your all done with the engine house its going to look amazing!

Greg, Very nice work! Just wondering where do you get the EZ line from?

Bryan, your subway is just AMAZING! Just like Mark I have only seen them on T.V. or the Big screen! But WOW, to me it looks great!

Lee, Sure sounds like you had fun in CO. Also what a great Photo Thanks for sharing !

Brian, I know you have posted a couple of time after my last visit here, But I wanted to group them all together and just say what wonderful pictures you share with the rest of us! You sure know how to show the real life and your matching scene on your layout! Bravo! 

So I didn't get any free time in the train room Saturday as I had to go pick up the wife from the daughters from there vacation. But what a great surprise when I got there, The wife had bought me 5 Menards di cast trucks, the cement mixer and the dump truck, then 3 smaller ones fire engine, aid car, and power line truck. Also got me the new gas station from Menards, the led light strip was hanging down and it was the last one there so the manager gave her a discount on it. What a great wife! She then goes on to say that's not all and that something else is coming today!

I was able to have all day Sunday in the train room and got some things fixed up. made sure all my switchs worked properly, which was a good idea, I had a few loose wires. I installed another TSM, so it was overall a good day!

I wont get any time in the train room today as I am going in to get a full mouth teeth removal. Not sure if I will feel up to doing anything tomorrow. But either way I will let you all know what the next surprise the wife got for me when I find out. Here are a few pictures of what the CFO got me! LOL                                          Everyone have a Great Monday! Remember have FUN!

WOW Mike. What a great wife! Good luck with the oral surgery.

Bob

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Wow guys, really appreciate the comments but in reality my modeling skills have a long way to go to catch up with what some of you guys post.  So here is the end of the night update on subway station II.  For those wondering here is a link to subway station I.  Its the one 3rd from bottom posted at 11:25.

Bryan- I am not surprised in the least bit of your talent and dedication to such strong detail. I am always amazed with your work!! Love it!! 

And just saying i love the reference to Shea Stadium-- great memories!!! !! LETS GO METS!  hahahha

Porvoo Museum Railroad Finland. Still must waiting a couple weeks, before can see some trains here.

Ok so didn't want to start next major build (upper elevated line) so the next few days I think I will build and modify some building kits.  This one was modified and turned into another seedy joint for the red light district.  

Bryan, you did a great job on the subway but........but I think you should get out of the gutter and get to the elvated line and get that out of the way before you plunge into seedy town LOL. Just kidding buddy. Building looks great.

I got all the windows glued in. It took a while but they are done. The wife came into the kitchen and actually watched me and complimented me on my patience of doing one window at a time. The directions called for cutting off the window sills on both sides but after looking at them I decided to just cut off the sill on one side so I did left and right sides. Now have to find the plastic for the backsides of the flats and paint the doors. Pics............Paul 2

Paul, the flats really look great!

Bryan, yes you had better get started on that elevated line for sure!

Mike, your wife brought back some excellent looking trucks!!  I pray all goes well with the oral surgery!  While you are in pain, just remember we are here pulling for you!  Pun not intended, but I'll take it!  

Johan, what a serene setting for a railroad bridge to cross!  Beautiful!  

Brian, excellent photographs!

My grandson is over for three nights: We have been running trains, doing yard work... & fishing..... Middle Straits Lake, Commerce Twp., Michigan.

Gary

Your junior engineer is getting big, Gary!!

Started to tear it down.   I need more office space for my photography business and I will rebuild it as a much smaller layout.  

Bryan, excellent work on the subway. Paul, the flats look good. 

Andy

After dinner I got some time in on the basement layout. I started putting the flats up for the city. I moved the second over and brought the flats around the corner. Before I can go further I have to get some more flats for distance. Pics of progress so far..............Paul 2

Thanks Bob, She sure is a great woman to me! The Oral surgery went well I guess, its hard to tell cause it has me up at 2 AM typing to all you fine folks!

The second gift the wife got me while on vacation did not come yesterday as she thought. Who knows maybe it will show up today!

Johan, that sure is a nice scene! Big question one has to ask with your wonderful work, is it real or a model?

Bryan, I really like the Seedy section of your layout! Its nice to see that you model real life and not just the things that some think should be seen! Great job and wonderful idea!

Paul 2, The walls look great with the green windows. What do you plan on putting in the inside of the windows? People, pictures of offices? Also the flats you have in the corner of the Power & Light building look wonderful! Very Nice work!

Mark, thank you for the thought and prayers ! As I told Bob I think everything went fine, but sure has me up early LOL. I will see how things progress once the pain meds wear off!

Gary, looks like you have a very cool pal to hang around with, some really good activities, Fishing and Trains. Sure sounds like fun to me!

JDEVLEERTR, Sure sorry to see you talking down the layout, but totally understand! Its really good to know that your going to put up a smaller version of a layout! At least your not getting out all together!

I know it s Early, But everyone had a great Tuesday and most of all have FUN!

Jim, I'm sorry you have to tear down and build smaller, but your photography business does come first.  Please share what you come up with for space and a plan.

Paul, the city is booming!  Looks great!

Mike, I'm glad so far so good!  Yes, it could be different when the medication wears off!  I'll keep praying!

Wow Paul that is really looking great, should be perfect when you host in the fall. Lol

I soon will be posting a ton of Pictures from my recent railfanning adventures, so here is a sneak peak. I have been away so nothing has been done to the layout recently.

Mark Boyce posted:

Jim, I'm sorry you have to tear down and build smaller, but your photography business does come first.  Please share what you come up with for space and a plan.

 

Thanks Mark

I am actually not sad.  I tried to cram way too much into the room and there was very little space to actually work on the layout.  I had to crawl under it to access the other side.  This layout will be very simple and hold me over for a few years.  

Cut in half and moved it from New Jersey to new home in North Carolina.

Jim. sometimes we try to cram too much into an area. Your next layout will work better. Look forward to pics of the progress............

Bryan, thanks for the compliment. I'll host in the fall if you get your elevated line done by then without those other distractions LOL. If you are going to lunch I'll see you there...............Paul 2

I really need to get my butt in gear.. Im slacking on my layout!!! hahaha Bryan are you for hire?! hahha

Hey Paul,

I do like your flats and have been watching your progress. Maybe I missed it but where did you buy the original pics before mounting?

I have also been slacking on my lay-out. The V&NRR lacks funds because we had to pay our annual health insurance (about $1200 for the two of us, with no deductible) and I bought a new train, so the budget is busted for May and June.

But July is coming!

Stacey,

Amazing how much you can get done when work is not in the way.  Should have lots of updates over the next 2 months.  btw:  don't know if you meant it or not but way to say butt in gear when referring to the new club "The Rear End". 

Paul,

I swear I will have the elevated line up and running by the time I go back to work in August 12.  Actually I will probably have it done by July 7 since the wife will be in Europe for 2 weeks I will have no distractions or any reason to clean up my work area each day. 

btw:  great seeing you at lunch today.  now onto my new club.....CLUB XTC.

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Stacey,

Amazing how much you can get done when work is not in the way.  Should have lots of updates over the next 2 months.  btw:  don't know if you meant it or not but way to say butt in gear when referring to the new club "The Rear End". 

Paul,

I swear I will have the elevated line up and running by the time I go back to work in August 12.  Actually I will probably have it done by July 7 since the wife will be in Europe for 2 weeks I will have no distractions or any reason to clean up my work area each day. 

btw:  great seeing you at lunch today.  now onto my new club.....CLUB XTC.

Bry- 

Funny when i was writing that i was like.. Hmm. That totally makes sense right there in this topic!! ahahha Yes i liked the buildings as well. But the subway wow such great job! I really need to get myself to updating my layout and doing work. But its hard .. i dont have summers off like YOUuuuuu! hahaha

Started posting a few pics here. The photos at the bottom are from Altoona.

https://www.instagram.com/ns6770fan_productions/

"And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply."  Planting signs today, and figuring out placement.  Messing with some different picture filters on the camera too.  Trying to get that Polaroid, low quality effect of the early 70's. 

The Five Man Electrical Band has been hard at work Greg!

Mark Boyce posted:

The Five Man Electrical Band has been hard at work Greg!

Right on Mark!  "I am a lineman for the county." =)

i need a small vacation, but it don’t look like rain.

The layout is now a pile of wood in the garage, and about 7 very large garbage bags on the side of the house.

Tomorrow I need to pack every single train car back in its box if I still have it.  Paint the office, and start building the large desk.  

Made some good progress in finally wiring track over my swing out bridge.  That's been my main bottleneck.  Running all conventional now but have had no problems other than some second hand switches that needed to be wired.  With the track over the swing bridge wired in it really opens up my yard, passenger station, engine service and outer O64 loop, basically 60% of my layout.

Jdevleerjr posted:

The layout is now a pile of wood in the garage, and about 7 very large garbage bags on the side of the house.

Tomorrow I need to pack every single train car back in its box if I still have it.  Paint the office, and start building the large desk.  

  Hmmm. If you're a clean desk type, a flip up top might cover track and one story buildings.   That would be one heck of a good reason to skip "top drawers" 😯. 

  Monitors can be screwed to the top and are light enough to not be an issue imo; and "stuff" can go in other drawers.

  I have to admit, when you first said it was for your photography I thought you'd be turning into a dark room for a second😁  I even thought of red headlights and red lighted passenger cars before I reeled myself in again.

Anyone that hasn't seen JD's photography,  should.  One of his shots was my digital wallpaper for years until Google updated and reset me to sync, causing deletion of stuff after moving it to a cloud for what I thought would safe keeping. (deleted from MS too.... stupid personalization crap and zen organization vs logic sucks👹... I'm ok now, I blew off the excess😄

(Red headlights!; Who'd be that silly? 🤔)

Oh wait, that would me.. 😆

Works for cab forward anyhow 😎

Brain, the Western Pacific Looks Great! Just wondering, any update on your new layout?

Joe, Now that is one way to save your layout and at the same time save some good old cash for the rebuild!

Greg, Looking good. But it looks like your stop sign is about to fall over! Might want to talk to the crew about fixing that so it doesn't hit a passing car!

Kirk, Quit the tight layout. Sure looks like its going to be a blast to run when you have it all up and running! Nice Work!

Butch, there is nothing wrong with Red headlights! Better then an idea then a computer or cloud that fails!

So the wife's surprise for me arrived yesterday. I didn't get anything done besides unpacking it. Maybe today if I feel better and my mouth doesn't hurt so bad! Here are a couple pictures of my surprise.                                          Everyone have a great Wednesday and if anything else have FUN!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  

 

 

         

 

 

I see how you are Brian, sneaking in new photos while I am trying to respond to your last set! LOL Yellow and Blue really looks great! Have a great Day

Nice haul of track and switches Mike. How's the mouth doing?

Bob

Continue work on Proses engine house, painted and assembled office faceplate of motor mechanism overhead doors.

Bob, Yep quite the load! I don't know where she got her information for what I needed, but she did well! I am only short 6 072 curves, 1 30" straight section and 2 custom  "Y"'s  then all the track will be down till we decide to take it out the window into the garden. As for the mouth its killing me, but good pain pills help a little. The one good thing about getting all the teeth taken out is it's one step closer to beating everything this darn cancer gave me!

Patrick, the engine house is coming right along! I wish I had the detail skills you have. I find myself just building what I can and make it look good to me! LOL

So today after a morning shake I went out to the train room and got started on the track the wife bought me. It went really easy and fast. I still have to connect some power drops under the table but I can now run 3 different runs around the room. I have one siding that still has no power. I even had enough time to get the track painted and building put back. Here are a few pictures!                                          Tomorrow I might try and tackle the crane rails and home made drive motor!

Everyone have a great Wednesday Night ! and remember have FUN!

Great work everyone....here is my daily contribution.

Red light district added another club today.  lol 

Bought this little wooden building at York but totally stripped everything off of it today.  Painted the windows and doors, added dancer silhouettes in all the windows, wrapped the entire building in a brick paper I found on a great website that has thousand of images of textures and photo shopped it together, added some advertising and signs to the building (using photo shop was able to age some of them and make them look like they are painted onto the brick), added club name to back of building using some sparkle raised stickers that I got on sale at Michael's ($2 for about 4x each letter in alphabet), and finally the lighted club sign in the front.  This is a piece of clear plastic that is used to protect drywall corners.  After making the club sign I printed it on transparent sticker paper and back lit it using LED strips.  This then became a problem because it was too bright  and couldn't read the name or see the dancer figure.  So I then drilled holes in the building and put the strips inside the building.  Better but still too bright.  Then I put a piece of paper inside the clear plastic and as you can see from the pictures that did the trick. (see pictures for before and after paper)

Next project is my illegal casino.

What great work Bryan! I just love how you come up with this stuff! Maybe one day I can give it a try! LOL

Mike, great pics. Your layout is coming together great.

Bryan, building came out nice. You got the sign to light up perfect.

I got nothing done today. But weveryone else is making very good contributions to this topic. With rain coming tomorrow I hope to accomplish something  (layout wise). ....Paul 2

Now that my swing out gate has an energized track over it I went back to look at some switches to confirm they operated properly.  One switch is a curved RH O72-O54.  See below.

I got it second hand with other Ross switches but is it really a Ross?  No markings and doesn't look exactly like a Ross curved RH O31-O54 I recently purchased (sure... designs do improve).  Can anyone confirm this?  Also which of the two sets of outer rails would be the ones wired for anti-derail.  Where the green pencil points or where the white pen points?  What are your feelings on even installing the anti-derail here since the points can be pushed away pretty easily.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the switch and anti-derail installation.

Kirk R.

Mike, great track work! It’s really coming along. Nice job on the new building Bryan.

Andy

Testing command engines on the redesign with tubular.

JDFonz, the two upper city flats were from Scenic Express. The rest of them were from a friend of mine in our Tuesday night group. He has files of buildings in HO. I was going to use them for distance but decided to have them blown up. In my area it took a while to find a place that could make them that big. I believe they were at least 35 inches long when blown up and they were slightly expensive at 30.00 dollars a sheet. But to me it was worth the price. Paul 2

Decided to enlarge my layout. The original was a 4x8 "L" and I'm going to change the shape with a 69"x8' rectangle. 

Almost all my stuff is now boxed up.   I have also started to rework my layout design to fit in another area of the office.  The 5x5 I originally designed will take up too much room

Hey Mike, try a BK Whopper in a blender. Surprisingly, they still pretty much taste like a Whopper and decently satisfy a craving for meat & carry out, without all the jaw work. I had some of my buddy's Dad's lunchlu few times. (good enough I accepted a coffee mug full more than once to taste it )

More progress on my (late to finiish) "community barn build".

About a half a bottle of white glue & some odd 250 craft, popsicle, & tounge depressers later..... I'm still short two sliding doors and some shutters&window frames 😣 

  The upper level seems a tad to tall. I may add foundation blocks/beams to raise the bottom 3/8"-1/2", and or raise the lower roofs nearest the 2cnd level, adding more slope to them and changing visual proportions a little. It still comes apart into four sections that I hope will be able to serve as seperate buildings/ roadside stands if I chose to. A "Wheelless Transformer"

Kirk R posted:

Now that my swing out gate has an energized track over it I went back to look at some switches to confirm they operated properly.  One switch is a curved RH O72-O54.  See below.

I got it second hand with other Ross switches but is it really a Ross?  No markings and doesn't look exactly like a Ross curved RH O31-O54 I recently purchased (sure... designs do improve).  Can anyone confirm this?  Also which of the two sets of outer rails would be the ones wired for anti-derail.  Where the green pencil points or where the white pen points?  What are your feelings on even installing the anti-derail here since the points can be pushed away pretty easily.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the switch and anti-derail installation.

Kirk R.

It could be a Right-O-Way turnout which are very similar to modern day Ross products.   Check out:  https://right-o-way.us/index.php.

I would gap and isolate the two rails next to the pencil at the rail joints.   Anti-derail requires the use of a snap switch machine.    When you say pushed away, do you mean by a moving train passing through the switch against the proper point alignment?   Most engines would probably work through the switch but lighter cars may cause unwanted derailments.   Have you tested various engines and cars running through and moving the switch points as they passes?   If it works fine, that might be the way to go.  

Cheers, Dave

Jim, having to go even smaller did you consider running one or two loops around the ceiling. 

Some nice purchases made recently. 

So today after a bit of a late start, I got lazy even though it is raining I finally started working on the flats. I managed to find enough clear plastic to cover all the windows on the inside. Now I'm giving the glue time to set up and then I'll be painting the backsides of the windows the same color I use on the brewery flats but also painting some windows black like the rooms are not being used. Once I get that done I can start to glue the walls together. Pics......Paul 2

paul 2 posted:

Jim, having to go even smaller did you consider running one or two loops around the ceiling. 

 

Actually the same amount of square feet, just narrower and longer.   

Maybe oneday I will do a ceiling layout but it wouldn't work in this room.  

Got the windows painted. When they dry I can start putting the building together. Pics......Paul 2

Its gone.  100% all gone now.  

I will be taking the weekend off of any work.  Monday I will start building the desk that will not occupy where the layout was. 

I will also start building the train table.  I hope to build most of it in the garage.  Put in all the grades using extruded foam.  Lay all the track and plaster cloth it all.  Carry it downstairs and put it in place.  

After taking a break from working on the layout to just run trains for a few weeks, I got inspired tonight and built a park.

Planted some trees, put in a pond, placed a foot path so passengers can get from the parking lot to the platforms. Life is good!

Butch, thanks for the idea about the hopper! A friend suggested a pizza in the blender also. I am just not sure about either one. LOL The Barn is really coming along, Your doing a wonderful job with popsicle sticks!

Paul 2, your moving right along with the windows, you will be done in no time. Do you back light the windows, and that's why some are tan color? cant wait to see it on the layout!

Kevin, very nice job on the park! Now all you need is some people enjoying the sun. I know they are there cause I see there cars in the parking lot!

So Yesterday I spent the day putting in extra power drops, toggles so I could control the power to the sidings, and cleaned up the joint. So as of yesterday every piece of track has power and works, all the TSM's are in and work like they should. Today after a fallow up to the oral surgery doc and a trip to the dump. I plan on putting another train on the layout just to see how it looks and have some fun! I will take pictures later!

Everyone have a great Friday and weekend! Remember Have FUN!

Mike g, I don't backlight the windows. I really tried to get some kind of color that would mimic incandescent light but gave up on that. Some windows are painted black to simulate dark rooms.

 Kevin, I like what you are doing on your attic layout. Is it a seasonal layout or do you have heat and air conditioning up there.

Yesterday I painted the doors of the building which I almost forgot about. Today unfortunately will be to train time. Weatherperson said sunshine today so I had dirt ordered to fill in a low spot in the yard. Although from tomorrow on it is showing rain till next Friday so maybe I can get a lot done layout wise. We shall see.........Paul 2

paul 2 posted:

Mike g, I don't backlight the windows. I really tried to get some kind of color that would mimic incandescent light but gave up on that. Some windows are painted black to simulate dark rooms.

 Kevin, I like what you are doing on your attic layout. Is it a seasonal layout or do you have heat and air conditioning up there.

Yesterday I painted the doors of the building which I almost forgot about. Today unfortunately will be to train time. Weatherperson said sunshine today so I had dirt ordered to fill in a low spot in the yard. Although from tomorrow on it is showing rain till next Friday so maybe I can get a lot done layout wise. We shall see.........Paul 2

Hi Paul - thank you! It is a permanent layout, HVAC provided by the Pacific Ocean. When a storm comes through, I close off the vents at each end of the room to keep the moisture out. Otherwise it stays very temperate all year. For that we are lucky. No good train stores nearby, though, like in other parts of the country. 

Putting final touches on my last expansion. Only option left is to break through the wall and take my neighbors basement  by Eminent Domain. LOL  Doug

Aliquippa & Southern posted:

Putting final touches on my last expansion. Only option left is to break through the wall and take my neighbors basement  by Eminent Domain. LOL  Doug

Doug - just wow!

Continue work on Proses engine house. Glued windows inside of both side of the buildings.

Patrick, The Proses enginehouse is looking even better now that I am seeing it on the computer screen and not on my iphone 6s! 

Doug, Eminent Domain sounds good to me!    The night scenes look great!

Brian, Great night scenes as well!

Paul, You sure do know how to use up a good day!  I only fill in holes that I can twist an ankle in or cause a fall.  With the rotting roots under the yard from two husky maples my in-laws had taken down a few years before we took the house cause me more holes every spring!  I need to hit the dirt pile behind the shed!

Mike, I'm glad you are getting a bit done on the layout while you are recuperating!  I take it you have avoided infection!  The second wisdom tooth I had pulled got infected.  Ouch.  I still have the other two, they never broke the gums.

Butch, the barn looks great!! 

I am afraid I didn't get anything done on the layout, although I did buy 4 Atlas O steam era classics cars from a gent on a FaceBook group yesterday.  Two fishbelly hoppers and two sheathed boxcars.  All Western Maryland Round Herald!  Surprise, surprise, surprise!!  They should be here for Father's Day. 

I did see a neurologist yesterday.  Guess what?  He said there was nothing between my ears!  Now that explains it!!!  No, I had a little tipsy episode a while back and he was very interested in my drop foot from the sciatic nerve problem.  So he scheduled me for 2 tests in early July and thinks he will do two more after that!  Probes on my head and all that!  I just hope he doesn't put in Abby Normal's brain!!    Could be an improvement though!     I have really been a loser at this new part time tech support job!

popping out.....

Doug, your layout looks great! 

Patrick, all I can say is it is going to look amazing when your done!

Mark, thanks no infection. But they still hurt like hell!

I got a little done yesterday, I was able to run 2 trains at once for the first time! I added my Amtrak F40PH with cars. I also added a few engines to sit on the sidings. I don't think I will get anything done today as I have an HOA meeting to go to and those seam to last forever! Here are a couple of pictures!                                          I think I might swap out the Up engine cause when I power the track up it just makes a god awful noise. The other ones just sit there with the lights and engines running! I have a couple Blue and Yellow Santa Fe engines I might throw on the layout!

Everyone have a great Saturday! Remember have FUN!

          your layout is looking GREAT Mike

briansilvermustang posted:

 

          your layout is looking GREAT Mike

 

Thanks Brian! Its been along time waiting, with a little more track then its on to scenery ! Then the fun really begins !

Great stuff Mike. Cool to see the layout coming to life.

Bob

PRR box car with a wood load.

               not too much train time lately,  Marci,  IZZY and

                                        I  have been busy  working outside in the yard...

               a lot more trimming and some painting to do to do...

                      still have a lot more work to do out here,

                                             especially with all the rain we have had...

                            hopefully will get to run some trains later tonight...

                                           have a GREAT weekend everyone !!

Mike g, you may not be putting a lot of time in on the layout but you sure have made headway.

Johan, another nice weathering job. What did you make the load in the doorway out of.

Elliot, good news indeed to hear it is just a small fracture and no need for surgery. You'll just have to take it ewasy for a while longer. Shirley had taken a fall two weeks ago. After a few days we went to get xrays of her hand and ribs. The ribs were okay. On the first reading of the xrays they said everything looked good but on the follow up and a second series of xrays the doctor found a small fracture in one of the small hand bones. She now has a cast to imobile it. The second xrays save her from going through a surgery down the road if they had not caught it. But we are still looking forward to seeing you two and again and it will be nioce meeting your son too. 

Got all the dirt moved yesterday but decided to get the grass cut this morning with the report of rain coming in later today and they are calling for rain for the next 7 days. Maybe this time raindays will work out to layout time. I was going to start putting the building together but then I realized I need to add age concrete to the backsides of the flats. I forgot the roof will sit a 1/4 inch down from the top. So got that out of the way along with finishing the doors in green. Pics.......................Paul 2

Get ready you boys in the east.  I’m sending it your way...   

        been raining here all day, just what we need, more rain, thanks Ted

                           yeah, but we can stay in and run some trains 

                                     oh,  how we doing on ice cream...

paul 2 posted:

Mike g, you may not be putting a lot of time in on the layout but you sure have made headway.

Johan, another nice weathering job. What did you make the load in the doorway out of.

Elliot, good news indeed to hear it is just a small fracture and no need for surgery. You'll just have to take it ewasy for a while longer. Shirley had taken a fall two weeks ago. After a few days we went to get xrays of her hand and ribs. The ribs were okay. On the first reading of the xrays they said everything looked good but on the follow up and a second series of xrays the doctor found a small fracture in one of the small hand bones. She now has a cast to imobile it. The second xrays save her from going through a surgery down the road if they had not caught it. But we are still looking forward to seeing you two and again and it will be nioce meeting your son too. 

Got all the dirt moved yesterday but decided to get the grass cut this morning with the report of rain coming in later today and they are calling for rain for the next 7 days. Maybe this time raindays will work out to layout time. I was going to start putting the building together but then I realized I need to add age concrete to the backsides of the flats. I forgot the roof will sit a 1/4 inch down from the top. So got that out of the way along with finishing the doors in green. Pics.......................Paul 2

Paul. Thank you. They take wood load out one by one. The background buildings looking nice, great work.

Johan

Mike g., great progress, you have really accomplished a lot over the last year, it’s fantastic, Briansilvermustang, Great Pictures and great yardwork, Beautiful dog,  Johan, Great PRR  weathered box car, looks real, Paul 2, your progress is great to, I like your window work, TedW, looks like a collection of rain water???, Gandydancer1950, Great looking scene, the Locomotive coming out of the great Lionel Tunnel, Awesome, Everyone’s Pictures are really nice, Happy Fathers Day to you All....

leapinlarry posted:

Mike g., great progress, you have really accomplished a lot over the last year, it’s fantastic, Briansilvermustang, Great Pictures and great yardwork, Beautiful dog,  Johan, Great PRR  weathered box car, looks real, Paul 2, your progress is great to, I like your window work, TedW, looks like a collection of rain water???, Gandydancer1950, Great looking scene, the Locomotive coming out of the great Lionel Tunnel, Awesome, Everyone’s Pictures are really nice, Happy Fathers Day to you All....

Larry. Thank you. Your layout looking a really nice. 

Johan

          "Briansilvermustang, Great Pictures and great yardwork, Beautiful dog"

                 thank you Larry !      still have a lot to do, if it ever stops raining !

                     going to go with bright colors this year,  a tropical theme..

                      I really enjoy seeing photos of your layout !   looks GREAT

           awesome engine area !!    keep posting shots of your layout,  thanks...

           like your scenery a lot !     cool train room !      have a good weekend !!

               will be running some trains tonight after I get home from work

Hey Paul,

thanks for the heads up on your backdrops. I may take some pics to my local printer. FYI if you ever want a nice frosted window look on the inside of your buildings, there is a spray paint called frosted glass that works well and looks good from the outside too. I believe it’s Krylon or Rustoleum.

Mike, The layout is looking great!

Brian, the gardens look great!  

Johan, that boxcar really looks nice!

Howard, that is a neat looking scene!

So, when I stored my trains when I got older in the early 70s, I wrote a diagram of the then layout. I've had that paper since and decided to try to replicate that layout from when I was a kid. It was O27 and now I'm using Marx O34 curves but th layout is the same. The only problem brought over from that time is the train can't switch and reverse direction. Near impossible to find a place to add a switch to send it the other way. Oh well, I'll check anyway but will keep the layout anyway. Here's the layout being screwed down ETC. 

darlander posted:

Kirk R posted:

Now that my swing out gate has an energized track over it I went back to look at some switches to confirm they operated properly.  One switch is a curved RH O72-O54.  See below.

I got it second hand with other Ross switches but is it really a Ross?  No markings and doesn't look exactly like a Ross curved RH O31-O54 I recently purchased (sure... designs do improve).  Can anyone confirm this?  Also which of the two sets of outer rails would be the ones wired for anti-derail.  Where the green pencil points or where the white pen points?  What are your feelings on even installing the anti-derail here since the points can be pushed away pretty easily.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the switch and anti-derail installation.

Kirk R.

It could be a Right-O-Way turnout which are very similar to modern day Ross products.   Check out:  https://right-o-way.us/index.php.

I would gap and isolate the two rails next to the pencil at the rail joints.   Anti-derail requires the use of a snap switch machine.    When you say pushed away, do you mean by a moving train passing through the switch against the proper point alignment?   Most engines would probably work through the switch but lighter cars may cause unwanted derailments.   Have you tested various engines and cars running through and moving the switch points as they passes?   If it works fine, that might be the way to go.  

Cheers, Dave

Dave, thanks for the input, exactly what I needed. 

Yes, when I mean push away I mean to basically push the point away from the outer rail against the switch machine "spring" which I've read a lot of people doing.  Certainly do understand that a lighter car may not be able to do this and then you get a derailment.  Since I use either older Lionel switches with built-in anti-derail or Ross switches (with this one possible exception) with a DZ1000 wiring for anti-derail is simple to install.  I have to assume that I can still use a control panel and future AIU to control the switch with no problem if the switches are wired for anti-derail... never done this before but assume it's possible.

Kirk R

Kirk, I'm pretty sure Dave is right about your switch. One way to tell a Right of Way is the small screw in the plastic frog. A close up picture of the frog and the spikes would confirm it. I have close to 100 old Right of Way switches on my layout. I know them quite well. They weren't the highest quality, but they were more economical than Ross or Curtis back in the day.

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, The layout is looking great!

Brian, the gardens look great!  

Johan, that boxcar really looks nice!

Howard, that is a neat looking scene!

 

Mark. Thank you.

Johan

JDFonz, thanks for that info about the paint. I went through my photos and found this which would help to show how big I had the HO flat pics blown up.........Paul 2

Kirk R, Elliot is right there was a difference between Right of Way, Ross and Curtis. One time my buddy and I took a trip to Akron when Right of Way was having one of their open houses. I lived in western New York at that time. Anyways he decided to buy some of their switches. I didn't but bought a 50 pound box of their rubber ballast which I liked. The Right of Way switches did not have the re-enforcing strips running through the ties on the bottom and after a short period of time they would start to curl up a bit. I think that may have been due to the rail being on a roll before being turned into the rail..............Paul 2

Happy Father's Day guys!

Bob

Virtual Railfan just added a new camera at Strasburg !

Yeah Paul, the lack of a spline reinforcement running through the ties is another defining characteristic of the Right of Way switch, and not in a good way either. They actually used super glue in combination with simple sheet metal spikes, which were more like staples, to hold the rails to the ties. They were OK when first installed, but in my case, when they were removed as salvage and stored for years, the glue failed to keep the ties in place, and they could easily go out of gauge. Some of mine were so bad, that I came up with an idea to use a thin sheet of black Evergreen plastic and 77 spray adhesive, to basically mount the switch to the plastic, and hold the ties in place until they were ballasted. Worked pretty well too. Sure was cheaper than replacing them with Ross, new or even used.

Mark Boyce posted:

Patrick, The Proses enginehouse is looking even better now that I am seeing it on the computer screen and not on my iphone 6s! 

Mark,

   Thanks. 

Patrick 

mike g. posted:

Patrick, all I can say is it is going to look amazing when your done!

Mike,

Thanks. 

Patrick 

Late morning I got down to glue the supports on the building flats. I was pretty sure I read the directions right. It said to glue the 12" strips of wood to the long flats 1/4 inch down. I applied glue and when I went to glue them down they were too long but I already had the glue on so after the glue dries I'll have to go back with my dremel and cut off the ends. Pics..........Paul 2

paul 2 posted:

Late morning I got down to glue the supports on the building flats. I was pretty sure I read the directions right. It said to glue the 12" strips of wood to the long flats 1/4 inch down. I applied glue and when I went to glue them down they were too long but I already had the glue on so after the glue dries I'll have to go back with my dremel and cut off the ends. Pics..........Paul 2

Don't let your wife see this Paul

Bob

Hi Guys, First of I would like to thank everyone for the nice comments! So Brian, Bob, Paul2, Larry, Elliot and Mark thank you so much for the kind words!

Johan, wonderful job on the PRR box car, the wood load looks perfect!

Brian, Your yard is looking very nice! Marci must have a green thumb! LOL I have been slacking on yard work in exchange for train rom time, but I think the CEO has a different plan coming up! Izzy is looking good, but I would have to say she looks like she might be getting shorted on her share of Ice Cream! LOL

Paul 2, The flats are looking really good, I am sorry about the poor directions that came with the building! I know it was not your mistake, but things like that do happen. If it isn't one thing its another, I know it happens to much in my world! LOL I am glad you can fix it!

Larry, every time I see pictures of your layout my jaw hits the floor! You have such an amazing and beautiful layout! Something you would see in a museum !

Mike23, It sure is nice that you were wise enough to keep your layout plan from your childhood! Its really looking good and a fun layout to just sit back and run trains!

Well guys I did get some time in the train room today and ran my F40ph Amtrak train, the funny thing is with its small wheel base it found 2 dead spots on the layout that the Es44ac went threw with no problem. Its all good cause it was an easy fix. Then I started working on the drive motor install for my crane. I got the hole and grove cut next to the track got the drive motor and 3' all thread mounted under the table. Then I ran into a small problem, the 2/56 screws are not long enough to reach the grove so tomorrow I will go to ace hardware and see what I can find. If I can get what I need I hope to have it up and running by tomorrow night!

Well guys I hope you all had great fathers day! I know  I did, the wife took me fishing first thing this morning at 5 AM. Was back by 10 with 2 fish and plenty of time in the train room! She really rocks!

I know it sucks, but tomorrow is Monday, but try and make it good! And remember HAVE FUN!

This evening I glued all four sides together and clamped them for the night. A lot of errands to run tomorrow soI won't get back to it till late afternoon. Pics...........Paul 2

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Kirk, I'm pretty sure Dave is right about your switch. One way to tell a Right of Way is the small screw in the plastic frog. A close up picture of the frog and the spikes would confirm it. I have close to 100 old Right of Way switches on my layout. I know them quite well. They weren't the highest quality, but they were more economical than Ross or Curtis back in the day.

Big_Boy, I do have a ROW switch with the screw but the problematic switch was not it.  Anyhow got the problem fixed.

On other news on this Father's Day, I had 4 second-hand Ross switches that all had issues one way or another but fixed them all so now I can run my mainline O64 loop over my swing out gate.  All blocks are connected using twist on wire connectors just so I can test out my new layout so it's a rats nest for now.  Just got a yard to do and then I can do some fine tuning of block power.  Long ways to go but all good!

Paul 2

Nice work on the building.  Impressed with how you got all the clamps to work. 

My bridge isn't finished by any stretch of the imagination, which is what my model train architecture firm is called, "stretch of the imagination designs."  But here is a photo of the "bone structure", as I like to call it.  Again it's modeled after a bridge I saw on line built somewhere in North Carolina and I like the open air design.  I plan to start skinning it when I get the roof line bones finished and get the trusses a bit more squared up.

Paul , the building is really looking good! Just wondering where on the layout is it going?