What did you do on your layout today?

A little Lionel, a little early Williams brass, a little raw brass and copper, a little solder, a lot of zinc shavings...J1e 5344 moves along. Slowly.

Still not sure what "AT&SF" is doing on a NYC Hudson casting.

paul 2 posted:

Today I worked on getting measurements for three more tables. Have make a run to Home Depot to get more plywood and 1X4's and Masonite so I can start putting them together. In the meantime  I rearranged shop lights over the tables. I like the ones you can string together together...........Paul

So the money from the sale of the treadmill is already gone I see.

Since I'm not starting to build the layout until fall, I thought I could setup to do a PS3 upgrade to the ProtoSound Western Maryland BL-2 I bought from a Forum member.  I recalled I loaned my static mat and wrist bands to one of my sons-in-law, who told me today it is at his dad's house.  He forgot about it.  Well, this is as far as it goes on the project until I get the static mat.  Fortunately, they all live within 2 miles of me.  

Mark Boyce posted:

Since I'm not starting to build the layout until fall, I thought I could setup to do a PS3 upgrade to the ProtoSound Western Maryland BL-2 I bought from a Forum member.  I recalled I loaned my static mat and wrist bands to one of my sons-in-law, who told me today it is at his dad's house.  He forgot about it.  Well, this is as far as it goes on the project until I get the static mat.

Don't you hate it when that happens? 

I did not tap into that yet Bryan. That I am saving for the future..... Another Menards building maybe or something at York this fall. Sorry the tree did not fall the way you intended it too. Maybe catch you at the next TCA lunch seeing you are off for the summer......Paul

MaxSouthOz posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Since I'm not starting to build the layout until fall, I thought I could setup to do a PS3 upgrade to the ProtoSound Western Maryland BL-2 I bought from a Forum member.  I recalled I loaned my static mat and wrist bands to one of my sons-in-law, who told me today it is at his dad's house.  He forgot about it.  Well, this is as far as it goes on the project until I get the static mat.

Don't you hate it when that happens? 

Ha, ha!  Yes, that kind of thing seems to happen a lot; when I do get time, I find I'm missing something.

This latest blasphemic project began on Friday night.  The victim...Lionel's 1990's revision of the prewar B6.  The goal was to remotor and add an ERR CC upgrade. 

The simplest and most convenient way to mate a Legacy diesel can motor to the existing worm gear shaft was to fit 2 of the diesel truck gears onto the motors flywheel end and onto the worm gear shaft.  The large gear on the worm shaft needed more clearance, so the chassis was releaved in this area, which explains the sloppy grind marks in this pic.

With motor shaft lengthened, gear installed and can motor mount reversed, it was easy to position the assembly and drill mounting holes into the existing motor mount casting.  With rubber washers in between, minor adjustments for attaining smooth operation are made by adjusting the mounting screws.   The extension on the motor shaft is for a flywheel ( flylog?), if needed.  Here she is test running

Putting the Cruise Commander board and R4LC in the tender meant removing the original first gen. RailSounds.  There was just too little room inside the boiler for the full sized CC being used.  For now the B6 will remain silent.  I added my patented antenna in place of the plastic coal load, along with real coal over the antenna.  Of course, adding directional lighting and a coil coupler was a given.

With the Pulmor gone, there's at least room for a crew and some interior detail inside the cab.  The new motor position is less than ideal, but I can live with it.  What's left is to hook up a headlight and coil coupler up front...which is where I'm headed right now.

BTW, I'm liking the new Shutterfly enhanced pics....much better quality.

Bruce

Max, I really like your boat and the layout around this scene....Wow. It looks real..

Also, Mark, wait till you get into your 70's, there are new experiences daily, moment, by moment....Good looking Locomotive.

And, RSJB-- neat B&O diesel....Wow......

I took a few pictures for fun, Happy Railroading..

MaxSouthOz posted:

Thanks, Paul.

Where can we see more of the layout?

trumptrain posted:

Opened the door to the train room and looked at the layout.   Shut the door.  Been way too busy to even run trains let alone do anything on the layout.   

Things will slow down soon and I'll get back to the projects yet to be started and or completed on the layout. 

Oh thank heavens I'm not the only one who does that!

I put a band aids on things, beginning on a paint job gone wrong. The translucent candy red paint pooled; which = uneven & spotchy; so contingency stickers to the rescue till Im ready again.

  The mention of the scrap styrene the other day got me thinking about my old 1:24 model stuff, and I raided my decal collection and some other fun from the boxes.

  Since the 382 decals failed, I've had three paint jobs on this I didn't like, and one that was just o,k..

Ive been unable to find Mich. Central or suitable scrollwork/gilding decals for the pair, so some old discarded pinstripe decals become another band aid. 

  I like the tender, but I think I'm going to try to cut the engines pattern in half to shorten it's height, and refloat it. I think its too large. The engines number needs to go to the cab too.

Now look at the stack below.

It could use a press down, sure... But can you guess what it is?

  It is the top half of an oil lamp; dollhouse furniture kicking around the model  parts box for forty years A small extension at the base for more stack height, and it will be a fun alternative anyhow.

  Straight as a crooked arrow, someone misaligned the rivet holes during the last rebuild . One off keeps the door open while you're in it though

Brassicles! Brass tube coating with a creamy solder center all on a steel stick! 3 chime, yum! I like the mixed flavors best..

leapinlarry posted:

Max, I really like your boat and the layout around this scene....Wow. It looks real..

Also, Mark, wait till you get into your 70's, there are new experiences daily, moment, by moment....Good looking Locomotive.

And, RSJB-- neat B&O diesel....Wow......

I took a few pictures for fun, Happy Railroading..

 

Thanks, Larry.  I'm enjoying your layout as well.

luvindemtrains posted:

MaxSouthOz posted:

Thanks, Paul.

Where can we see more of the layout?

If you click on the blue Port Elderley link under my signature, you can see the whole sorry story. 

Adriatic posted:

  It is the top half of an oil lamp; dollhouse furniture kicking around the model  parts box for forty years A small extension at the base for more stack height, and it will be a fun alternative anyhow.

Well scrounged!

  Straight as a crooked arrow, someone misaligned the rivet holes during the last rebuild . One off keeps the door open while you're in it though

At least you can throw the boat anchor out if the brakes fail. 

Brassicles! Brass tube coating with a creamy solder center all on a steel stick! 3 chime, yum! I like the mixed flavors best..

My favorite flavor! 

Mitch

suzukovich posted:

p51 posted:

Looks good to me. Just thought the uniforms would be darker for the enlisted.

They did have summer weight kakhi Class A uniforms stateside in WW2.

Here's one without the jacket.

Went from this

To this, today. I ran out of ballast 

   Ok Mitch, just for that remark, I didn't scrounge this.... except that I got at Wally's, so I'm not sure if that's considered scrounging, or not?

The hog ring stays

Also got some more blue paint to explore some more background possibilities, before I just can the thought due to lack of easy access.

 Ohh, OK I can't leave you and Norma disappointed Mitch, so how about this chain scrounge?

  Last I checked, about $200 worth of toy chainfall...... I never wore. (Gold is my color )

"The worlds most expensive scrounge”

  Hey; aren't anchors used on a cartoon trolley? 

Matt Makens posted:

Went from this

 

 

To this, today. I ran out of ballast 

.

Nice work. 

Thanks Max

Max, the boat looks fantastic. 

This weekend I added a tether to my two Pennsy Beeps. This should keep them from losing electrical contact when going over switches. I'll bring them down to the club this Wednesday night to see how they run. Next step is to add tethers to my four military Beeps. (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines).

leapinlarry posted:

Max, I really like your boat and the layout around this scene....Wow. It looks real..

Also, Mark, wait till you get into your 70's, there are new experiences daily, moment, by moment....Good looking Locomotive.

And, RSJB-- neat B&O diesel....Wow......

I took a few pictures for fun, Happy Railroading..

 

Thank you sir! if I told you it was under $60 bucks would you believe me?

Bob

luvindemtrains posted:

trumptrain posted:

Opened the door to the train room and looked at the layout.   Shut the door.  Been way too busy to even run trains let alone do anything on the layout.   

Things will slow down soon and I'll get back to the projects yet to be started and or completed on the layout. 

Oh thank heavens I'm not the only one who does that!

Very therapeutic. Sometimes I do my best thinking while staring at my layout

Trying to learn how to use my 3D printer so I can start making my own freight cars,  detail parts and passenger car parts still have some ways to go 

Working on placing structures this weekend.  I finished the elevation changes over the river on the right side of the layout.  

Today I had to do yard work but timing was great as I finished USPS dropped off a package. Atlas had a closeout sale and I managed to get a Industrial Rail Corn Product tank car. Now I have two cars for the Pepsi Plant so far. While in the basement I took measurements for tables and I will be heading to Home Depot to get lumber and the nice thing is they cut the pieces so I don't have to mess with it, length wise. Pics............Paul

paul 2 posted:

Today I had to do yard work but timing was great as I finished USPS dropped off a package. Atlas had a closeout sale and I managed to get a Industrial Rail Corn Product tank car. Now I have two cars for the Pepsi Plant so far. While in the basement I took measurements for tables and I will be heading to Home Depot to get lumber and the nice thing is they cut the pieces so I don't have to mess with it, length wise. Pics............Paul

Paul, did that second car grow up on growth hormones? Sure is a big difference!

Matt Makens posted:

Went from this

 

 

To this, today. I ran out of ballast 

Looking good Matt! With a little more ballast you will be looking really good!

Mike g , I think that is what corn syrup does to you LOL. The larger tank car is a Weaver model and a more modern one. I don't like to buy cars with the same number. I have on order a Lionel tank car so when that comes it will be interesting to see if it is bigger then the Atlas one. I still may get another Weaver one. After all when switching if you take out an empty you should have a full one to put in there.......Paul

Finally got some time and can't start upper level until later in week.  (Nephews in town and they want to see things run) So in the meantime my mother in law made a bunch of panels to use for layout skirting. 

Pat Kn posted:

Max, the boat looks fantastic. 

Thanks, Pat.

Bryan, looking real good. Skirting makes the layout look like it is floating in air. Keep plugging away. Get that upper level out of the way and it is only downhill from there. Quit procrastinating LOL...........Paul

paul 2 posted:

See, this proves that corn syrup and sodas are the root cause of the obesity epidemic in this country! Even the tank cars get fat!

Just kidding, folks...

Greetings Everyone,

 For all intents and purpose, the "Power Distribution and Control Center" is complete.   I have labeled the tracks starting with the track closest to the edge of the layout as "Track 1".  The Elevated loop is "Track 3".  I decided to tin the ends of the wire rather than use spade connectors.  The MTH Terminal block has a "clamp" arrangement which insures a very positive connection without the use of a spade connector (IMO).  You will notice that there are no wires connected to Track 3 terminal block.  The connection is functional, however, I have not started wiring the elevated loop as of yet.

 Power for the TIU, Track 3 and the Legacy 990 Command Set are permanently located on the Power Distribution Control Center board.  Power for Track 1 and 2 is supplied by the Z4000 located on the cart shown in the pictures.  It is connected via 16 gauge wire and banana plugs.  The "U" wire from the Legacy 990 Base is connected with 16 gauge wire and a banana plug as well making access relatively easy.

 Chief Bob (Retired)

I actually ran trains for about 10 minutes late last night.  It's always a ripping good time whenever the trains run!!

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Finally got some time and can't start upper level until later in week.  (Nephews in town and they want to see things run) So in the meantime my mother in law made a bunch of panels to use for layout skirting. 

Man Bryan, with a layout that size I couldn't think of a second level! You will be joining Elliot with that size of a layout! But what you have there looks great and the curtains give it a nice finished look!

Mike,

Sorry not really a 2nd true level but an elevated line that will go over the main level.  So in truth this layout has a subway level, a main level, and an elevated line. 

Bryan, you're not getting the work done chit chatting on here. Quit dragging it out  LOL.............Paul

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 For all intents and purpose, the "Power Distribution and Control Center" is complete.   I have labeled the tracks starting with the track closest to the edge of the layout as "Track 1".  The Elevated loop is "Track 3".  I decided to tin the ends of the wire rather than use spade connectors.  The MTH Terminal block has a "clamp" arrangement which insures a very positive connection without the use of a spade connector (IMO).  You will notice that there are no wires connected to Track 3 terminal block.  The connection is functional, however, I have not started wiring the elevated loop as of yet.

 Power for the TIU, Track 3 and the Legacy 990 Command Set are permanently located on the Power Distribution Control Center board.  Power for Track 1 and 2 is supplied by the Z4000 located on the cart shown in the pictures.  It is connected via 16 gauge wire and banana plugs.  The "U" wire from the Legacy 990 Base is connected with 16 gauge wire and a banana plug as well making access relatively easy.

 Chief Bob (Retired)

Looks good Bob. Should give you many years of trouble free operation.

Bob