What did you do on your layout today?

I had my layout in Oly Ops, a local op session day on Saturday.

Here's my morning crew, came up from Portland for the event:

Two groups of two people each, a good time was reported to be had by all. No glitches on the layout, either!

Boy if you don't log on for a few days it takes 45 minutes of reading to "catch up"..... Way too many posts to comment on tonight.    

Decided to try experimenting with "oil based washes" for weathering, followed up with Watercolor pencils to fade individual wood boards on single and double sheathed boxcars...  Still have some touch up to do, but I am reasonably pleased with the results on this Atlas Trainman 50 foot double door boxcar...  Before and after,  well actually one side done, one side to go which I just applied wash to after I took the photos. 

Lee Drennan:   I read all your posts on mounting wheel trucks on  the hoppers and gondolas...  I would like to keep the Weaver metal trucks and 3 rail claw couplers on a few Ultra Line PS-1 boxcars, but I want them to ride "lower"...  any tips or hints from your experience.    I am thinking about cutting the bolsters with a razor saw then filing them flat ???

lee drennen posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

One of the mine project is made a abandoned tank car. Some letters still a needed and after that more weathering.

Great looking tanker

Lee. Thank you.

Johan

mike g. posted:

Bob, I agree thatching and seeding is no fun! Wonderful job on the rewire of your little switcher! Runs smooth!

Carl, thanks for the link to Hennings trains!

Johan, great looking tanker! Your background looks just like where I live!

Brian, We are just good and Really good in the 4th Qtr~!

Steve, Great job on the farm scene!

Well today I did get some time in the train room today. I thought about cleaning, but when I got in there I just added to the mess already there! I worked on adding depth to the same corner by adding some foam to raise the houses that will sit up there, then plastered over that.

I then turned to the other corner on the same end of the layout where the mountain is going to be and started working on my tunnel walls. The one you see that is really tall will act at the outside wall of the lower track and the upper part will act as the inside wall for that track.

I just might get some time out there in the morning before I can start up the log splitter. I normally get up between 3:30-4oAM so it gives me a few hours before I can start making noise! Here are a couple picture.

I hope you all had a great day and an even better tomorrow!

Mike. Thank you🤝.  Wow, you live in very beautiful place. 👏

Johan

Lee, Looks like you had a fun time! Congrats on the Oly team showing up to enjoy your layout!

Chris, The weathering looks Great! One day I will give it a try, right after I try repainting a car or engine! LOL

Johan, thank you. Here is a picture of where I live from one of the lookouts over the lake.

Well it almost 5 AM so I should head out to the train room to try and get something done before I have to fire up the loge splitter. I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there trains and layouts!

You all have a great day!

                 awesome view ,   have a great day Mike !!         don't work to hard !

           don't forget to run some trains today,     mountains are looking good !!

Late Post Alert...

Yesterday.  Before I had my first quart of coffee in me, Grandson #3 was begging to shoot a shotgun.  I loaded  three rounds of bird shot, gave last minute instructions, and stood behind him.  As has happened with many first timers, he landed on his backside and the shotgun took flight.  I couldn't decide which one to catch!   We all survived.  He did not want a second try.

Into the train building for me and into the house for him.  Grandmother made everything better with waffles.  I felt inclined to replace two 2x4 elevation supports with almost anything else.  I found an old piece of 1/2 inch copper gas pipe.  I cut two pieces 5 1/16" long and put them in service.  Satisfied, I let my two #1055 Texas Specials chase each other (I love watching that.)  My attention then turned to the part time O22 switches.  While my switcher smoked up the room, I read what Mr. Greenberg had to say.  I removed the switch tower and passenger stop station so I could get up on the layout.  Why are problems always at the back of the layout?  I brought the offending switches, a transformer, and a VOM to the big house.  My bride pointed out that if I fixed the light on the ceiling fan, I could see better.  Guess what I did instead of switches.  All tuckered out, I snored loudly in my recliner until time for bed.

Today:  Now on my second quart, I'm up to date on the forum and ready to play switch doctor.

PS:  It is raining for the first time in more than two months.

mike g. posted:

Lee, Looks like you had a fun time! Congrats on the Oly team showing up to enjoy your layout!

Chris, The weathering looks Great! One day I will give it a try, right after I try repainting a car or engine! LOL

Johan, thank you. Here is a picture of where I live from one of the lookouts over the lake.

    

Well it almost 5 AM so I should head out to the train room to try and get something done before I have to fire up the loge splitter. I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there trains and layouts!

You all have a great day!

Mike. Wow. 👏👏👏 Looks like a paradise.

Johan

S.B.R. #307401.

Mike, fabulous view!!

Bill, Waffles fix many a pain!  Two months no rain!  I know where Mike lives.  Where do you live?  I know it is hot country!!

Flag day. 

Mighty fine work, Johan!!

Mark,

I live near Odenville, Alabama.  About 35 miles North-East of Birmingham.  I own a large part of Bald Rock Mountain.

Bill

mike g. posted:

I then turned to the other corner on the same end of the layout where the mountain is going to be and started working on my tunnel walls. The one you see that is really tall will act at the outside wall of the lower track and the upper part will act as the inside wall for that track.

Mike, I just sent you a private note about Tunnel Walls but then thought others might also be interested.   Nice to see your progress!!

Tunnel walls:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...21#45355705289272221 11/13/15 10:23am

Cheers, Dave

Mark Boyce posted:

Mighty fine work, Johan!!

Mark. Thank you. I think i am gonna put those flags all my S.B.R. cars & engines. They looking a quite nice.

Johan

Odenville Bill posted:

Mark,

I live near Odenville, Alabama.  About 35 miles North-East of Birmingham.  I own a large part of Bald Rock Mountain.

Bill

 

Ah ha!  Now it all comes together!!  Excellent, Bill!  Thank you!

darlander posted:

mike g. posted:

I then turned to the other corner on the same end of the layout where the mountain is going to be and started working on my tunnel walls. The one you see that is really tall will act at the outside wall of the lower track and the upper part will act as the inside wall for that track.

Mike, I just sent you a private note about Tunnel Walls but then thought others might also be interested.   Nice to see your progress!!

Tunnel walls:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...21#45355705289272221 11/13/15 10:23am

Cheers, Dave

Wow!  From page 168!!  And I made the very next comment "I haven't seen that method for tunnel walls before.  Very effective!!"  Ditto from 2015!!

Tested my new Burlington Zephyr passenger train set: pictures and videos.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...4#105466462527851734

mike g. posted:

Lee, Looks like you had a fun time! Congrats on the Oly team showing up to enjoy your layout!

Chris, The weathering looks Great! One day I will give it a try, right after I try repainting a car or engine! LOL

Johan, thank you. Here is a picture of where I live from one of the lookouts over the lake.

    

Well it almost 5 AM so I should head out to the train room to try and get something done before I have to fire up the loge splitter. I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there trains and layouts!

You all have a great day!

Mike is that you fishing or did I just see Big Foot lol

lee drennen posted:

mike g. posted:

Lee, Looks like you had a fun time! Congrats on the Oly team showing up to enjoy your layout!

Chris, The weathering looks Great! One day I will give it a try, right after I try repainting a car or engine! LOL

Johan, thank you. Here is a picture of where I live from one of the lookouts over the lake.

    

Well it almost 5 AM so I should head out to the train room to try and get something done before I have to fire up the loge splitter. I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there trains and layouts!

You all have a great day!

Mike is that you fishing or did I just see Big Foot lol

My Goodness!!  It’s a ‘Squatch!!!!

What'd I do today? Worked on my DCTC project. Whazzat, you say? DeCentralized Traffic Control, that's what it is. It started with the Plywood Empire Route's acquisition of an MTH PS3 SW1500:

With speed control, switching became smooooth and slooooow, which quickly led me to the MTH DCS Remote Commander in order to inexpensively take full advantage of speed control:

 The remote unchained me from a stationary "transformer". Then along came the incomparable Atlas O Sw9:

which is similarly slow&smooth but without electronics and which works beautifully with an MRC Walkaround throttle:

The more I develop switching operation the more I want to be right up close and now, enabled by walk-around throttles, I am slowly eliminating the [familiar] central control panel in favor of mini-panels placed where switching operations occur. Not a "walk-around" layout but rathe a "roll-around" pike (because cape cod with a waist-wall on the second floor where the train room is). Roll-around via the old office-chair zoom.

It started with this mini-panel in front of the Paint Factory:

Today's project was a smaller panel in front of the track switch for the heating oil wholesaler:

The West End track switch, remote uncoupler and car-stopper controls so the operator is right up close to operation. Next will be similar setups for the East End and there will be no more master control panel. 

Lew, Your DCTC looks great!  Makes great use of the features of those nice engines

Mark Boyce posted:

darlander posted:

mike g. posted:

I then turned to the other corner on the same end of the layout where the mountain is going to be and started working on my tunnel walls. The one you see that is really tall will act at the outside wall of the lower track and the upper part will act as the inside wall for that track.

Mike, I just sent you a private note about Tunnel Walls but then thought others might also be interested.   Nice to see your progress!!

Tunnel walls:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...21#45355705289272221 11/13/15 10:23am

Cheers, Dave

Wow!  From page 168!!  And I made the very next comment "I haven't seen that method for tunnel walls before.  Very effective!!"  Ditto from 2015!!

Greetings Mark,  I noticed that!, and it's nice that we are both still above ground and active!!!  Thanks for the Ditto! 

Cheers, Dave

darlander posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

darlander posted:

mike g. posted:

I then turned to the other corner on the same end of the layout where the mountain is going to be and started working on my tunnel walls. The one you see that is really tall will act at the outside wall of the lower track and the upper part will act as the inside wall for that track.

Mike, I just sent you a private note about Tunnel Walls but then thought others might also be interested.   Nice to see your progress!!

Tunnel walls:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...21#45355705289272221 11/13/15 10:23am

Cheers, Dave

Wow!  From page 168!!  And I made the very next comment "I haven't seen that method for tunnel walls before.  Very effective!!"  Ditto from 2015!!

Greetings Mark,  I noticed that!, and it's nice that we are both still above ground and active!!!  Thanks for the Ditto! 

Cheers, Dave

How true!

Brian, Thanks I got a little done in the train room before heading to the log splitter. I hope to be done by the end of Friday!

Bill, sounds like an action packed day! I am so glad you got the ceiling fan light fixed, it will help you see better! LOL

Johan, Thank you sir, that is what the wife and I call it! What a fabulous fleet of cars you have there! The flags really stand out and make a statement. Just wondering where is your crane car? LOL

Dave, I got the note, thank you so much! I got a little more done this morning!

Lee D, Must be Bigfoot! From that point your about 100' above the water! I guess you could fly fish from there! LOL

Lew, Very nice Switcher! But you do know if you upgrade to the full DCS system you can run both switchers with the same remote as long as you have a Z4000 with a side receiver on the same track.

Well guys As I stated earlier at 5AM I went out to the train room before splitting more dang wood. Well I did get a little more done on my tunnel side walls, The should be ready for rocks and more painting. I painted my walls earth brown just to hide the white. The coverings for that will get painted Black, I just didn't want to take any chance the white would show threw! Here are a couple photos .

I hope you all like it.

Well I better get some dinner before I forget! LOL I hope you all have a great night and have a great day tomorrow! I wont be on much as I have to be at the store tomorrow!

Mike and Mark- I'm not worried....been almost 50 years since the Jets won it all. My bank account is safe

geysergazer posted:

What'd I do today? Worked on my DCTC project. Whazzat, you say? DeCentralized Traffic Control, that's what it is. It started with the Plywood Empire Route's acquisition of an MTH PS3 SW1500:

With speed control, switching became smooooth and slooooow, which quickly led me to the MTH DCS Remote Commander in order to inexpensively take full advantage of speed control:

                    

 

 The remote unchained me from a stationary "transformer". Then along came the incomparable Atlas O Sw9:

        

which is similarly slow&smooth but without electronics and which works beautifully with an MRC Walkaround throttle:

                    

 

The more I develop switching operation the more I want to be right up close and now, enabled by walk-around throttles, I am slowly eliminating the [familiar] central control panel in favor of mini-panels placed where switching operations occur. Not a "walk-around" layout but rathe a "roll-around" pike (because cape cod with a waist-wall on the second floor where the train room is). Roll-around via the old office-chair zoom.

It started with this mini-panel in front of the Paint Factory:

       

 

Today's project was a smaller panel in front of the track switch for the heating oil wholesaler:

        

       

The West End track switch, remote uncoupler and car-stopper controls so the operator is right up close to operation. Next will be similar setups for the East End and there will be no more master control panel. 

Lew 

I'm really liking those tank cars 

mike g. posted:

Brian, Thanks I got a little done in the train room before heading to the log splitter. I hope to be done by the end of Friday!

Bill, sounds like an action packed day! I am so glad you got the ceiling fan light fixed, it will help you see better! LOL

Johan, Thank you sir, that is what the wife and I call it! What a fabulous fleet of cars you have there! The flags really stand out and make a statement. Just wondering where is your crane car? LOL

Dave, I got the note, thank you so much! I got a little more done this morning!

Lee D, Must be Bigfoot! From that point your about 100' above the water! I guess you could fly fish from there! LOL

Lew, Very nice Switcher! But you do know if you upgrade to the full DCS system you can run both switchers with the same remote as long as you have a Z4000 with a side receiver on the same track.

Well guys As I stated earlier at 5AM I went out to the train room before splitting more dang wood. Well I did get a little more done on my tunnel side walls, The should be ready for rocks and more painting. I painted my walls earth brown just to hide the white. The coverings for that will get painted Black, I just didn't want to take any chance the white would show threw! Here are a couple photos .

I hope you all like it.

Well I better get some dinner before I forget! LOL I hope you all have a great night and have a great day tomorrow! I wont be on much as I have to be at the store tomorrow!

Mike

Did you say Fly Fishing? I love to fly fish two  things are marked off my Bucket list Learning how to Fly Fish and owning a O scale layout. Also that tunnel is looking good 

RSJB18 posted:

Mike and Mark- I'm not worried....been almost 50 years since the Jets won it all. My bank account is safe

Yes, Joe Namath from nearby Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania had a bit Part in that. LOL 50 years ago last January.

Mike, nice work on the tunnel!

Sometimes  I just get into a post war mood I’m so glad I chosen 3 rail O scale.Theres a lot of people don’t understand this scale and the three rail thing especially the HO community. Eric from Eric trains summed it up on his review of the New Menards Caboose He said it’s all about tradition. So today I fired up my old Lionel FA 202 turned on my Lionel 404 Beacon grabbed my 027? Menards cars and had blast this evening 

We painted a few insulators on our telephone poles

Not on my layout but the results of 3 days of work and a PS3 upgrade kit: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...7#105466462533545087

mike g. posted:

Brian, Thanks I got a little done in the train room before heading to the log splitter. I hope to be done by the end of Friday!

Bill, sounds like an action packed day! I am so glad you got the ceiling fan light fixed, it will help you see better! LOL

Johan, Thank you sir, that is what the wife and I call it! What a fabulous fleet of cars you have there! The flags really stand out and make a statement. Just wondering where is your crane car? LOL

Dave, I got the note, thank you so much! I got a little more done this morning!

Lee D, Must be Bigfoot! From that point your about 100' above the water! I guess you could fly fish from there! LOL

Lew, Very nice Switcher! But you do know if you upgrade to the full DCS system you can run both switchers with the same remote as long as you have a Z4000 with a side receiver on the same track.

Well guys As I stated earlier at 5AM I went out to the train room before splitting more dang wood. Well I did get a little more done on my tunnel side walls, The should be ready for rocks and more painting. I painted my walls earth brown just to hide the white. The coverings for that will get painted Black, I just didn't want to take any chance the white would show threw! Here are a couple photos .

I hope you all like it.

Well I better get some dinner before I forget! LOL I hope you all have a great night and have a great day tomorrow! I wont be on much as I have to be at the store tomorrow!

Mike. Thank you. The tunnel looking a great, very much waiting more pics. Where is my crane? Well, just look that picture and you can find it. 😀🤝

Lee D., Sounds like you have a good start on your bucket list! Thanks for the nice comment on the tunnel and also very nice train video! Sometimes you just have to play!

Mark thank you sir!

Aldovar, Sure looks like you have a really good helper there!

Johan, Very Cool, you seam to have all your bases covered! Looks great!

Well guy thanks for the nice comments on my tunnel, Its a good thing I stopped yesterday cause this morning I realized the maybe, just maybe I should ballast the tunnel before I move on. So maybe Friday I will get to that!

I hope everyone has a great day and I will check in later!

lee drennen posted:

geysergazer posted:

What'd I do today? Worked on my DCTC project. Whazzat, you say? DeCentralized Traffic Control, that's what it is. It started with the Plywood Empire Route's acquisition of an MTH PS3 SW1500:

With speed control, switching became smooooth and slooooow, which quickly led me to the MTH DCS Remote Commander in order to inexpensively take full advantage of speed control:

                    

 

 The remote unchained me from a stationary "transformer". Then along came the incomparable Atlas O Sw9:

        

which is similarly slow&smooth but without electronics and which works beautifully with an MRC Walkaround throttle:

                    

 

 

The more I develop switching operation the more I want to be right up close and now, enabled by walk-around throttles, I am slowly eliminating the [familiar] central control panel in favor of mini-panels placed where switching operations occur. Not a "walk-around" layout but rathe a "roll-around" pike (because cape cod with a waist-wall on the second floor where the train room is). Roll-around via the old office-chair zoom.

It started with this mini-panel in front of the Paint Factory:

       

 

Today's project was a smaller panel in front of the track switch for the heating oil wholesaler:

        

       

The West End track switch, remote uncoupler and car-stopper controls so the operator is right up close to operation. Next will be similar setups for the East End and there will be no more master control panel. 

Lew 

I'm really liking those tank cars 

Lee, I'm pretty sure the GULF tank car is a fantasy paint scheme but I like it too. As a kid we would drive past the Gulf research facility which of course had a big orange GULF sign iirc on the roof of the building. We once toured the place and I was fascinated by the glass-blowers making laboratory glassware.

Aldovar posted:

We painted a few insulators on our telephone poles

This is a great idea - I hope you don't mind if I copy it! 

No layout work today due to York! Today I’ve been out at Strasburg for fun stuff happening before the meet. I took a lot of video today! I’m going to try to compile them into 1 video and post it on my YouTube channel. Hope that some you guys will make it out to York!

NSRailfan100 posted:

No layout work today due to York! Today I’ve been out at Strasburg for fun stuff happening before the meet. I took a lot of video today! I’m going to try to compile them into 1 video and post it on my YouTube channel. Hope that some you guys will make it out to York!

Here is the link to the video!

https://youtu.be/d6CjtN9vZe4

Today I continued the DeCTC project by installing a mini-panel for the East End branch:

NSRailfan100 posted:

NSRailfan100 posted:

No layout work today due to York! Today I’ve been out at Strasburg for fun stuff happening before the meet. I took a lot of video today! I’m going to try to compile them into 1 video and post it on my YouTube channel. Hope that some you guys will make it out to York!

Here is the link to the video!

https://youtu.be/d6CjtN9vZe4

That's a really nice video!  Have a great time at York!!

Hey Y'all,

I've been in bed most of the day.  Bad reaction to a new prescription.  About 7PM, I wondered out to the train building.  I cleared the main line and put two #1055 Texas specials on the track.  One is faster than the other when cold but that reverses when they warm up.  I played "don't tag" for two hours.  Anyone else do that?  It takes careful throttle work to prevent crashes on the South end.  I need to make a video of that.  It is silly and childish but very entertaining.  Now back to bed.

Bill

CoastsideKevin posted:

Aldovar posted:

We painted a few insulators on our telephone poles

This is a great idea - I hope you don't mind if I copy it! 

Hey there! No need to ask! :-) Here are a few more pictures of them completed, I took some tri-line braided fishing line and we strung them up. We got some fingernail polish from Walmart that sort of matched what I thought an insulator looked like. The color is a bit more blue than the one shown but I have a buddy who collects them. He said they came in pretty much every color you can think of. Over paint isn't a big problem for us because well.. there are also legos on the train set and a blue raptor. :-)

Ran trains for about 10 minutes before going to bed last night.  Tomorrow I go to York.   Good times!!

Start build a Bangor & Aroostook cattle car. Next must 3D print a new doors & order decals.

Finished the de-centralized control project. No more master control panel. The Plywood Empire Route is now set up for walkaround operation (actually roll around with an office chair):

Looking East four mini-panels can be seen.

Looking West. All track switches, remote uncouplers and car-stoppers are now controlled from close-by the action.

And of course, a walkaround throttle completes the control scheme:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Start build a Bangor & Aroostook cattle car. Next must 3D print a new doors & order decals.

that flatcar is sooooo realistic

Watch where your stepping in that cattle car, Johan! Yes, very realistic, indeed! 

Rusty

geysergazer posted:

lee drennen posted:

geysergazer posted:

What'd I do today? Worked on my DCTC project. Whazzat, you say? DeCentralized Traffic Control, that's what it is. It started with the Plywood Empire Route's acquisition of an MTH PS3 SW1500:

With speed control, switching became smooooth and slooooow, which quickly led me to the MTH DCS Remote Commander in order to inexpensively take full advantage of speed control:

                    

 

 The remote unchained me from a stationary "transformer". Then along came the incomparable Atlas O Sw9:

        

which is similarly slow&smooth but without electronics and which works beautifully with an MRC Walkaround throttle:

                    

 

 

The more I develop switching operation the more I want to be right up close and now, enabled by walk-around throttles, I am slowly eliminating the [familiar] central control panel in favor of mini-panels placed where switching operations occur. Not a "walk-around" layout but rathe a "roll-around" pike (because cape cod with a waist-wall on the second floor where the train room is). Roll-around via the old office-chair zoom.

It started with this mini-panel in front of the Paint Factory:

       

 

Today's project was a smaller panel in front of the track switch for the heating oil wholesaler:

        

       

The West End track switch, remote uncoupler and car-stopper controls so the operator is right up close to operation. Next will be similar setups for the East End and there will be no more master control panel. 

Lew 

I'm really liking those tank cars 

Lee, I'm pretty sure the GULF tank car is a fantasy paint scheme but I like it too. As a kid we would drive past the Gulf research facility which of course had a big orange GULF sign iirc on the roof of the building. We once toured the place and I was fascinated by the glass-blowers making laboratory glassware.

Lew 

I’ve always liked Gulf we had one in town then Gulf went out of business here a couple years ago I guy restored the old Gulf station and did a great job I’ll get some pics for you 

Johan

you can always out do your self great looking Cattle car can’t wait to see it done I like how the floor boards look warped 

Ed, She did and Excellent job on the pols and insulators!

Pat, nothing like running trains!

Brian, B&O serving 13 great states!

Lew, roll around operating is the best!  Watch out for obstacles!!  

Johan, Yes I agree, the interior of the car is fantastic!!!

made more building lights

Spot filled with putty and sanded,  then re-primed the cars for the Great Northern Empire Builder.

gandydancer1950 posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Start build a Bangor & Aroostook cattle car. Next must 3D print a new doors & order decals.

that flatcar is sooooo realistic

Gandydancer1950. Thanks. 🤝

Johan

Diverging Clear posted:

Watch where your stepping in that cattle car, Johan! Yes, very realistic, indeed! 

Rusty

Rusty. Thank you, i try. 🤝

Johan

lee drennen posted:

Johan

you can always out do your self great looking Cattle car can’t wait to see it done I like how the floor boards look warped 

Lee. Thank you. It's can takes some weeks before i get the decals. 🤝

Johan

Mark Boyce posted:

Ed, She did and Excellent job on the pols and insulators!

Pat, nothing like running trains!

Brian, B&O serving 13 great states!

Lew, roll around operating is the best!  Watch out for obstacles!!  

Johan, Yes I agree, the interior of the car is fantastic!!!

Mark. Thank you. I post more pics when the car is ready. 🤝

Johan

                          it's getting close to that time again...

                                                                 to open more presents... 

                         and run lots of trains... 

                                        have a great weekend everyone !!!

Uuuuu! Brian, that Atlas box looks especially interesting....

Hi guys, I know I am a day or 2 late but great work everyone!

Lew, Your mini panels look great, Its going to be nice to be right on top of the action! I would have done wood flooring but it gets cold in the garage/train room.

Bill, I am glad your feeling better! I run 2 trains on the same track only I feel LUCKY! LOL

Aldovar, I think they turned out looking great! Nice job on stringing the wire! Looks as real as can be!

Patrick, running trains before bed can be relaxing! But on the other hand it can suck you into the train room for hours before bed time! LOL

Brian, wonderful pictures as always! I am excited for you and your early Christmas time! I hope your letting Marci and Izzy help you!

Johan, what realism with your cattle car! I am happy for you that you are able to 3D print the doors! At my place if the car was missing the door or it got broke it would just have to go without!

Eric, Nice work on the lights! If you don't mind me asking where do you get the stuff to build them?

Carl, things are looking good! If my wife walked in and see that hanging in the shower she would kill me! LOL

Well I hope to get out and work a little more on the tunnels today before splitting more wood, I should really work on the wood to get it done and out of the way, but a day not in the train room just doesn't seam right! LOL

 I Hope you all have a great day and an even better weekend! Please try and find time for your trains and your layout!

Pingman posted:

Spot filled with putty and sanded,  then re-primed the cars for the Great Northern Empire Builder.

 

Interesting shower curtain you have there .

                       "IZZY  and  TIA"   testing their drawbar strength...

mike g. posted:

Hi guys, I know I am a day or 2 late but great work everyone!

Lew, Your mini panels look great, Its going to be nice to be right on top of the action! I would have done wood flooring but it gets cold in the garage/train room.

Bill, I am glad your feeling better! I run 2 trains on the same track only I feel LUCKY! LOL

Aldovar, I think they turned out looking great! Nice job on stringing the wire! Looks as real as can be!

Patrick, running trains before bed can be relaxing! But on the other hand it can suck you into the train room for hours before bed time! LOL

Brian, wonderful pictures as always! I am excited for you and your early Christmas time! I hope your letting Marci and Izzy help you!

Johan, what realism with your cattle car! I am happy for you that you are able to 3D print the doors! At my place if the car was missing the door or it got broke it would just have to go without!

Eric, Nice work on the lights! If you don't mind me asking where do you get the stuff to build them?

Carl, things are looking good! If my wife walked in and see that hanging in the shower she would kill me! LOL

Well I hope to get out and work a little more on the tunnels today before splitting more wood, I should really work on the wood to get it done and out of the way, but a day not in the train room just doesn't seam right! LOL

 I Hope you all have a great day and an even better weekend! Please try and find time for your trains and your layout!

 

Mike. Thank you Sir. The reason why i need to 3D print a new doors is a orginal doors not looking same than BAR -car.

Johan

Aha! Brian, it looks like you have two train-room helpers.

My helper was soooo bored yesterday because it rained all day: no walk and no fetching-the-ball X 100.

Rainy days she spends badgering me to give her skritches.

Brian, That looks like a massive drawbar strength test!

Lew,  know what you mean about a dog needing skritches.  Ours does the same.  Our dog, Annie, is on my wife's lap, older daughter's Teagan in the green sweater, and younger daughter's Frisk with the ears, all 'need' skritches.

Mark, lotta' skritches needed all around. Good thing we humans are trainable .

Hey, that locomotive has sound!

Vincent Massi posted:

Hey, that locomotive has sound!

That little scamp is full grown at a whopping 7 pounds.  Yes it has sound!!!

Hi Guys, looks like everyone is having fun! I would post a picture of my buddy but haven't taken any lately!

Well I spent all day working in the train room, ballast the track going under the mountain and started working on the mountain it self. Its quite the project as I have to make it so I can take up the top incase something happens inside the mountain.

Tomorrow will probably be all wood splitting since I skipped it today. Time will tell as my body can only take so much of splitting. But I will tell you climbing up on the layout to build a mountain sure take its toll on the knees and back.

I Know Lew, no pictures it didn't happen. Well I have such a mess I would be ashamed to have anyone see it in the state its in! If I get a chance tomorrow to clean it up a little I will take a couple pictures and post them then!

I sure hope everyone has a great Weekend and please don't work to hard! LOL

I'll take your word for it, Mike!  I'm glad you got time for the layout yesterday.  I didn't get any train time myself.

Thanks Mark!

Lew sorry it was a typo in my last post but I went back and fixed it so everyone else will know if they don't post pictures LEW says it didn't happen!

Well its 5:10 AM here so I thought I would go out and get some cleaning done as I cant start the log splitter till 8 AM. I will work on getting some pictures for you all today!

Mike, It is a good thing we have Lew here to keep us on the straight and narrow!!    I certainly appreciate both of your input!!!

I'm in Indiana for a family reunion.  No room to bring my trains.  I will get to spend time with my Father, and Mr Greenberg's prewar book, trying to recall what he had as a boy.  It's cold up here!  I need coffee.

geysergazer posted:

Finished the de-centralized control project. No more master control panel. The Plywood Empire Route is now set up for walkaround operation (actually roll around with an office chair):

                  

Looking West. All track switches, remote uncouplers and car-stoppers are now controlled from close-by the action.                     

Well done.   I'm also a big fan of locating controls on the fascia for close-by action.   It also helps avail visitor involvement in the operation.   

         hey Bill,  you are getting pretty close to me over here in Ohio !

                      swing on by and say Hi ...

                  looks like it is going to nice out here this weekend !! 

                                   have a great weekend everyone !

Bill, I hope you have a wonderful time with your family and father! I wish my dad was still around but the big "C" took him many years ago!

Dave, Nice looking controls!

Brian, I hope its nice there. Its just pouring rain here! Great weather to be outside splitting wood! LOL

Well I have been out in the garage/train room cleaning and it doesn't even look like I made a dent in it. I still have an hour and a half before I can start the splitter so I am heading back out. I just wanted to check in and take a break!

Everyone have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your trains and layout!

I visit to our Museum Railroad and take some pics & videos.

mike g. posted:

Thanks Mark!

Lew sorry it was a typo in my last post but I went back and fixed it so everyone else will know if they don't post pictures LEW says it didn't happen!

Well its 5:10 AM here so I thought I would go out and get some cleaning done as I cant start the log splitter till 8 AM. I will work on getting some pictures for you all today!

Mike, I find the most useful thing about smarty-pants phones is the camera. It is so easy to take a pic. I think back to the days when Dad and I would load 35mm film cartridges from a roll of bulk film and then develop the film and make enlargements to get a pic. These things we use now are like magic. Talk about instant gratification.  

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

I visit to our Museum Railroad and take some pics & videos.

Johan, are those diesel powered railcars, similar to American RDCs?

darlander posted:

geysergazer posted:

Finished the de-centralized control project. No more master control panel. The Plywood Empire Route is now set up for walkaround operation (actually roll around with an office chair):

                                     

Well done.   I'm also a big fan of locating controls on the fascia for close-by action.   It also helps avail visitor involvement in the operation.   

Cheers, Dave

 

Nice, Dave! I have a definite case of fascia envy. 

geysergazer posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

I visit to our Museum Railroad and take some pics & videos.

Johan, are those diesel powered railcars, similar to American RDCs?

Lew. Yes, Dm7 is a quite similar diesel powered railcar than RDC's. Powered by eight cylinder Valmet diesel, built 1950's-1960's.

Johan

Mark Boyce posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

Hey, that locomotive has sound!

That little scamp is full grown at a whopping 7 pounds.  Yes it has sound!!!

My cat is 15 pounds, that is one small dog.

Guitarmike posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

Hey, that locomotive has sound!

That little scamp is full grown at a whopping 7 pounds.  Yes it has sound!!!

My cat is 15 pounds, that is one small dog.

My wife is...Never mind.

Finished the lights and installed them on my Korber engine house.

I have reached that age where it has become so easy to not do anything on it. And then I feel guilty.

Johan, Nice pictures and wonderful video. Reminds me of when I was in Sofia Bulgaria and Vienna Austria. Road the trains everywhere!

Lew, I agree! Back in High School I was in Photography Class. 35 MM Fill and a darkroom! The good old days! LOL

Eric, What great work! Very nicely done!

Dennis, I haven't reached that age yet, but sometimes I feel older then I am. Like today! LOL

Well folks, I got the garage cleaned, some of the train room cleaned, but most of all I got all the firewood split! Now I have to stack the rest of it that the CEO didn't get too. Good thing is there isn't much left to stack, so I hope to get back in the train room tomorrow!

I sure hope everyone has had a great Saturday!

In this fantasy world a Golden State Lounge and Diner were saved from the scrapper's torch and now carry tourists at a railroad museum:

Same with the B&M SW9, saved from the torch and painted up by a gang of volunteers.

Guitarmike posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

Hey, that locomotive has sound!

That little scamp is full grown at a whopping 7 pounds.  Yes it has sound!!!

My cat is 15 pounds, that is one small dog.

She has so much energy, I don't know how she packs it all in!!  She was 4 pounds when they got her.

Wow looks like this threads has gone to the dogs Lol they are cute.  Anyway I carried some lumber in to the garage today I was thinking about using this next section of 4 x 8 on my existing layout but I’m leaning towards making a new layout strictly dedicated to 027 traditional with some not so detailed vehicles and people and traditional three rail track  Kind of layout I would’ve built back in the late 50s early 60s I dug these trucks out today these would be going on the layout if it happens and I’m already buying some O27 scale rolling stock any thoughts or input Suggestions from you guys would be appreciated

Bought this today at Menards just had to try it out on the layout 

You are right, Lee!  Dog gone!  
Now let’s talk trains, or in this case cool boxcars and tractors!!

Lee D, I think that's a cool idea! It would have been something your dad or grandad would have built! As I don't thing you were around in the 50's LOL

POP's

Lee, that really looks like the Dodge snub-nose (maybe '51-'53) we used to place mobile homes. It was so short we could easily swing coaches into tight spots. This was '72-ish when 12X70s were the thing and lots of trailer courts were built in the '50s for 8X30s. That Dodge was such gutless wonder with a flathead straight-six straight out of a Dodge sedan. But with a two-speed rear-end granny&reverse were great! 

geysergazer posted:

Lee, that really looks like the Dodge snub-nose (maybe '51-'53) we used to place mobile homes. It was so short we could easily swing coaches into tight spots. This was '72-ish when 12X70s were the thing and lots of trailer courts were built in the '50s for 8X30s. That Dodge was such gutless wonder with a flathead straight-six straight out of a Dodge sedan. But with a two-speed rear-end granny&reverse were great! 

Lew 

Its a LC190 International I’m sure you remember them my Grandpa had one 

mike g. posted:

Lee D, I think that's a cool idea! It would have been something your dad or grandad would have built! As I don't thing you were around in the 50's LOL

POP's

Mike you are so right I was born in 1968. I think I’m going to do it but be warned it’s not going to be detailed or Proto typical mostly fictional and animated but not to crazy. I just watched a video on YouTube with the log car and the Saw Mill that is so cool. 

lee drennen posted:

mike g. posted:

Lee D, I think that's a cool idea! It would have been something your dad or grandad would have built! As I don't thing you were around in the 50's LOL

POP's

Mike you are so right I was born in 1968. I think I’m going to do it but be warned it’s not going to be detailed or Proto typical mostly fictional and animated but not to crazy. I just watched a video on YouTube with the log car and the Saw Mill that is so cool. 

Lee, it's gotta' have a Magnetic Gantry Crane!

geysergazer posted:

lee drennen posted:

mike g. posted:

Lee D, I think that's a cool idea! It would have been something your dad or grandad would have built! As I don't thing you were around in the 50's LOL

POP's

Mike you are so right I was born in 1968. I think I’m going to do it but be warned it’s not going to be detailed or Proto typical mostly fictional and animated but not to crazy. I just watched a video on YouTube with the log car and the Saw Mill that is so cool. 

Lee, it's gotta' have a Magnetic Gantry Crane!

     

Thanks for the idea I have to start a wish list that crane of yours is so cool