What did you do on your layout today?

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

I test fit the xmas tree holder. Used wood skewer cuttings to index the stand. Looks like I'll have to paint them black also. Still putting off "winterizing" that mountain/hill. Still haven't decided how to proceed with it. Too much work to make another winter one I think. Probably just "gofurit" at some point. Ideas??

 

Ted- Judging by what you've done so far, go for it. I'm sure the mountain will look great.

I ballasted a section of my FT last night just to see how I like it. Looks good so the rest will get done soon.

Bob

Golf, trains, golf, trains...  Don't forget, trains awhile, then play a round or two of golf.   

I just played Friday

You know Ted I was doing just fine with golf and trains! Then my brother-in-law threw in fishing and the wife loves fishing! So now its trains, golf, then Fishing! at least no fishing or golf for me in the winter! LOL

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

RSJB18 posted:

TedW posted:

I test fit the xmas tree holder. Used wood skewer cuttings to index the stand. Looks like I'll have to paint them black also. Still putting off "winterizing" that mountain/hill. Still haven't decided how to proceed with it. Too much work to make another winter one I think. Probably just "gofurit" at some point. Ideas??

 

Ted- Judging by what you've done so far, go for it. I'm sure the mountain will look great.

I ballasted a section of my FT last night just to see how I like it. Looks good so the rest will get done soon.

Bob

Golf, trains, golf, trains...  Don't forget, trains awhile, then play a round or two of golf.   

I just played Friday

You know Ted I was doing just fine with golf and trains! Then my brother-in-law threw in fishing and the wife loves fishing! So now its trains, golf, then Fishing! at least no fishing or golf for me in the winter! LOL

Is this how you fish Mike?

 

LOL Ted I am not that young! But it sure is fun to watch! LOL

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- could it be voltage drop due to the longer wire? That would be the first thing I'd check.

Bob

That's what I was thinking. I've added close to 50' of length to those 22 gauge wires. Simply rerouting them could cut off most of that length. That's about a one to two hour long project.

I have 26 and some 28 ga wire powering ROSS turnouts, wire runs 30+ feet with no ill effects.  New wire for new turnouts is 22ga with no noticeable operating differences.

Kerrigan posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Elliot- could it be voltage drop due to the longer wire? That would be the first thing I'd check.

Bob

That's what I was thinking. I've added close to 50' of length to those 22 gauge wires. Simply rerouting them could cut off most of that length. That's about a one to two hour long project.

I have 26 and some 28 ga wire powering ROSS turnouts, wire runs 30+ feet with no ill effects.  New wire for new turnouts is 22ga with no noticeable operating differences.

I was running about 55' before I moved the panel, no problems, but the move nearly doubled that. It's no longer necessary to follow the old wire route, since a much more direct route is available. The system works off a DC ground. The +24VDC is brought to the relay panel via 12 gauge wire as is the ground. The 12 gauge ground wire continues over the doorway and directly to the control panel where it supplies all the devices on the panel. Those individual control lines go back over the doorway in the phone cable with its 22 gauge wires. At that point, the lines controlling relays end their run. It's the turnout control lines that have to go the distance back to a different panel. That's where the distance factor comes into play.

ChessieMD posted:

Continuing to scenic and detail the layout. I found a great animal skull online and had to find a home for it on the layout.  I have been working from the right side to the left side of the layout over the past few months, finally reached the trestle/lake area. Placed Arizona rock and sand on the mountain overlooking the lake this morning (sand is dark in the photo below due to wet water and matte medium). Will be concentrating in this area over the next few months. Installed telephone poles as well, will string up EZ-line when scenery is complete. Have been adding other details such as a battery vault near the CWI signal...will be adding alot more details as the months roll on. Fairly pleased at how all of this has turned out so far.

 

The scenery is looking great!!  I really like the details like the skull, but the overall effect with that great backdrop is to be complimented.  I have an iPhone 6s as my only camera, and they certainly take pretty good photos!

Wow, so many neat scenes, ideas, and wiring experts, all working together for the fun of the hobby...A few pictures for your review, Enjoy.

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

TedW posted:

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

 

Looking great. I used non slip stair tread for my roads and parking lot.

Ted,

I use 220 grit sandpaper cut to fit, and sprayed on the back side with 3M contact adhesive to make my roads and parking lots.

Thx, I'll take a look at the stair tread and sandpaper.  

Nothing today.  Yesterday a visiting colleague saw the layout and absolutely loved it!!  She's encouraging/supporting her husband's love of trains and he will begin building a layout as soon as they move to their new house. 

TedW posted:

Thx, I'll take a look at the stair tread and sandpaper.  

Hi TedW, If this is helpful for you, here are examples of the 3M stair tread being utilized in various layout scenes I crafted...

,,,and here, below, at the entrance gates, especially viewable, but also used inside the enclosure...

FrankM.

Moonson and I both used 3M stair tread as a base for our roads and parking lots. I weathered mine with a weathered black and then added some powered grey chalk to simulate sun bleaching. One work of caution. The glue on the backside is very unforgiving....once it's down....it's down.

gandydancer1950 posted:

TedW posted:

Repeated the snow berm on the oposite side of the layout. Will finish it up later.  Wish I had more space for something a little more interesting. Also applied some snow to some tree armatures. An order of winter pine trees came in so will mix them in. Just test fitting the trees for the time being. What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot. 

 

Looking great. I used non slip stair tread for my roads and parking lot.

I made roads out of thin corrugated cardboard (cereal boxes), and sprayed it with a textured black rattle can paint. A little line of black paint makes the seams look like tar filled joints.

trumptrain posted:

Nothing today.  Yesterday a visiting colleague saw the layout and absolutely loved it!!  She's encouraging/supporting her husband's love of trains and he will begin building a layout as soon as they move to their new house. 

And another one is drawn to the dark side.....

I have a Std. gauge IVES box cab engine, 3236, with a cast frame on my loop of track with my "transition" car that has a Lionel tank car with an Ives coupler on one  end and a Lionel on the other. Coupled to it are two Lionel freights plus a caboose. The 3236 is the smoothest running Standard gauge engine I have. Just glides around the track. Amazing how enjoyable a 6'x6' loop of track can be.

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

 

LOL Ted- Unfortunately had to call in work (as opposed to call in sick) today. Its a rain out in NY today anyway.

Bob

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Good to converse with you again, TedW. I must add that I really like the way GD1950 added the weathering factor to his use of the 3M. I am going to adopt his technique where I feel the added wear-and-tear and faded look would seem most fitting.

We both cautioned you about the bonding power of the 3M tape. I don't imagine its adhesive would have a corrosive effect on your foam, but I am very, very sure it would forbid any re-application once pressed - or even just lightly rested - into place.

FrankM

TEDW,

As to parking lot and road material, I used "Darice 2mm black foam sheet" (available from craft/fabric stores) in 11.8" X 17.7" sheets.

Please see the photo attached.

This material is very easy to cut, can be glued to any surface with white glue, and seems are virtually invisible.

I lightly spayed the surface with Rust-oleum multicolor textured paint "Aged Iron" to create the look of asphalt.

"Cracks" can be added with a large sewing needle and the material can easily be weathered with chalks and/or diluted acrylic paints.

"Tire tracks" can be added using a pencil eraser.

Auto pinstriping tape can be added and the finished project should be sealed with matte spray or dullcote.

'Hope this helps.

HMorgan125 posted:

TEDW,

As to parking lot and road material, I used "Darice 2mm black foam sheet" (available from craft/fabric stores) in 11.8" X 17.7" sheets.

Please see the photo attached.

This material is very easy to cut, can be glued to any surface with white glue, and seems are virtually invisible.

I lightly spayed the surface with Rust-oleum multicolor textured paint "Aged Iron" to create the look of asphalt.

"Cracks" can be added with a large sewing needle and the material can easily be weathered with chalks and/or diluted acrylic paints.

"Tire tracks" can be added using a pencil eraser.

Auto pinstriping tape can be added and the finished project should be sealed with matte spray or dullcote.

'Hope this helps.

Your application looks very nice.  I need to go to Hobby Lobby today, I will look at that product. Given my use of foam base, it may be more forgiving in my application. Thx for the idea.  Ted

Hobby Lobby may not carry this material (Darice Foamies 2mm)....You may want to try Joann Fabrics in the childrens' school supply area if they have a store where you live.

HMorgan125 posted:

Hobby Lobby may not carry this material (Darice Foamies 2mm)....You may want to try Joann Fabrics in the childrens' school supply area if they have a store where you live.

 

Thx. My wife is there as I write this. Texted her the info. Let's see if she can handle it!    

TedW posted:

GD1950, FrankM, I remember your recent id contest on the material of choice for this modeling element.  I guessed wrong, btw!  I'm working on a foam surface so I have to be careful with adhesives. Contact cement for some foam ballast under my O27 track darn near melted a hole through it!!  Both of your applications look perfect. GD, your striping is auto pinstripe tape I believe??  I'll be back with the result. Thx

Bob, it's Monday, play some golf.   

 

Yes, I used auto pinstriping of various widths in white and yellow.

I don't do much on my layout as I need to get a few things to finish up the track work, that I have not been able to purchase yet. Though I do enjoy looking at what others do. 

I am still trying to figure out exactly how I am going to do my small town and the road way. I am trying to figure out what I can use to put a road down with crossings, but not have the road permanently attached to the track, since I am fairly certain that once we are able to get all of my wife's fathers items out of the basement that was all stored there after he passed away(one of the reasons my layout is named J & SO Lines).

 Any other options for roadways and parking areas and other such items. I don't think it will be a big deal with the roadway not over the crossing, since I will more than likely get rid of my bench work I currently have and go with some type of modular bench work when I can build my bigger layout. Mainly wondering about grade crossings.

TedW posted:

 What do you guys use for parking lot?  I need a small one around the depot.

Admittedly, it's a little tough on the scenery, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs... 

Mitch

Stick with what you got Mitch. You need greenery for your herd of geraffe to graze. We can't starve the little buggers. Lol

Mike

When I first started scenery, there was one area that I had made into a grassy field. Then, I changed my mind decided it should be the parking area for a little Flagstop. I got lazy when I did that, by putting gravel over top of the pre-existing ground foam. So, the end result was done with rather coarse gravel, and it looked very spongy. That always bothered me. So, today, I took a scraping tool and removed the entire section. Then, I put down very fine gravel, with some grass over top of that. I think it looks tremendously better than it was before.

At this point, I'm just waiting for the glue mix to dry, so I can later place the figures, a truck and a bench with lanterns on it.

This is what it looked like before:

Country Joe posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Carl Machen posted:

My son in law has been playing around with LEDS and automobiles. today we installed a fire engine with all kind of lights and a fire chief car in a MTH fire house. it turn out great and I hoe he will be back tomorrow and show me how to post a video of it in operation. doing all I can to get ready for next Saturday when the train club comes to my house to see my trains for the first time. trying to tidey up things. i hope pictures and video follow tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Am I the only one who can't see Carl's photos?

Sounds like you have a nice layout Carl, I would love to see the pix. Bob

I'm another one that can't see Carl's photos. I just see a white box that says, "Image Not Found".

 I do not know what i'm doing wrong with these pictures. when I look up my post I see all the pictures I posted. please tell what to do as i do not do computers very well. I will take all the help I can get. I'm very sorry about all my pictures. I can try to post the pictures again if you like. Please let me know thanks 

Hey Carl, I hope you or someone else can figure it out. I can't wait to see your work as it sounds really neat!

Mike

I think I figured it out so I'm going to try and post the pictures of the fire house with the flashing lights on the fire truck and the fire chiefs car. if this works I will repost the fuel farm pictures to.

i will now try to do the esso oil farm i just finished last week. 

Abolutely worth the wait. I love it Carl !!! Glad you figured it out as I'm sure everyone else will be glad to see your work too!

Mike

Took some photos tonight and ran trains.

They came through great Carl and look equally as cool.

Mike

Very nice Patrick !

Mike

running my Erie Alcos.......

thanks to all the good replys. now all I need to do is remember what I did. I'm getting to old for this stuff

These are my photos of my portable layout, O scale, S scale, Ho scale and N scale.....

Yesterday got back to the layout and started putting down track on the last table built. Hope to get back to it today but it is the second Tuesday of the month and once again it is lunch out with a bunch of TCA guys. After that I plan to stop at one of the guys houses and take a few pics of his coal mine to see when I get home if it will work in a spot I am thinking of on the table and build it....................Paul