What did you do on your layout today?

Jeff, I'm with Dave!  Your layout looks great!  Congratulations!

Built another paper model from Clever Models.  Not the best build, but I’m working on getting better.

Well I think I finished my rewiring project on the Northport Division.toaday. I had reached a point that I had one more section to connect. Before I did that , I decided to put some power to the layout and run a loco around. Test run  was in conventional mode. So when it reached the section I thought was disconnected I was amazed to see it continue right through, no stop plenty of voltage.

So a closer check of the tracks in this area, revealed a jumper from an djacent track section. Since DCS and TMCC signal was good up to this point, I decided not to undo that jumper but did connect the section to the main feeder I had run into the area. 

What I have on this end of the layout which started out as star wiring is two main runs that have a tie in the middlethrough that track jumper. Voltage is good  no drop, constant speed with dual motored lionel locos in conventional mode, good with dual motored early TMCC locos in command and MTH with DCS , no check track messages. 

Think I will leave it this way and move on to the other side of the layout now. 

I repurposed my mini blue tooth sound system cover/ crate; beginning with a door.  I was going to be a makeshift transfer caboose; but I got to recalling the pastie shacks that used to dot Ñorthern Michigan; some weren't far from makeshift crates; but the pie quality kept you coming back if you were brave enough to stop in the first place.... so much for a coboose I didn't really need. Now I have a small building with no room for it

These are actually ho cab windows, opened a bit.  Slightly larger than the silver side (1/32-1/16)

Don Juan and his competing restaurant aren't done yet

I plan to make it two sided.

I still havelhave to make the "Piping" portion. (googlesgoogle insists that is correct)... 

I also started to make a very small coach car the day before yeaterday, but playing with a glass bulb cover from a floor sconce/ lamp and wood scraps, the resulting shape made me think of a sombrero; so I let it "build it'self" and ended up with this. I think it also looks like a modern 50s deco roof OR a Japanese structure too... we'll see

I had dismissed the glass dome until I also dropped some scrap into nearly this exact position seen here, then it clicked it wasn't going to be a coach. A mini narrow gauge inspired dome car was also a thought. 

I think I need to light it to go further. I want to see if the glass's edge will collect light and "glow"; a feature which I might be able incorporate into a design of some kind.

@Michael Hasty posted:

Built another paper model from Clever Models.  Not the best build, but I’m working on getting better.

Looks great to me. My Dad always said "good from far but far from good" so if you have flaws put them farther away. Really neat looking building either way.

I've seen construction trailers that didn't look that good. I think it's very realistic. 

@Michael Hasty posted:

Built another paper model from Clever Models.  Not the best build, but I’m working on getting better.

Very nice. I've done a few scenic elements with paper prints and found that if you mount the print to thin cardstock or cardboard you can achieve some dimension to the paper. The added rigidity helps keep things straighter too. I realize this was a kit but I'm sure the same would apply. I've also added balsa where appropriate (the platforms and steps), to give the model additional dimension. Balsa helps with interior corners as well.

Bob

I made this wall holder for my Cab 1's out of scrap 1/4" plywood and painted it with the wall color paint.    The wire molding is power to my around the ceiling tracks. 

Made two video game models.  I'll probably build a small retro arcade at some point.  Got the idea from Frizzinbee.

This one I took from my favorite amusement in our rec room.  All seven images on the model were taken from pics of the real one.

Jerry

A Model Train Related Story from Michigan 🚂 Layout Update...

Yesterday it was a cold rainy day in Michigan. I started off the day finishing up a YT video and then published this video called: “Fire Department Box Cars from MTH • Rail-King”

To watch this video, Please click here….

After a long day in the Train Room. Tonight was our Westacress Home Owners Association Food Truck Night. We  skipped lunch so myself & my wife of 40 years went down and got dinner.  We all stayed six feet a part.  We are doing this to help out local businesses. It was fun to see our neighbors and they all call me, The Train Guy.

Over 300 families showed up, and it was well organized and the lines moved fast. We were ask to come by our street address to avoid chaos.

Dine at home, Bon Appétit………

I bring this to your attention because it was a fun way to get out of the train room and you may want to try this where you live. This would be cool for a train club or model train shop. ( I took my mask off for the photo only ).

Still in the Michigan Lockdown. Take care and stay safe. Gary 🚂

Great story supporting our local businesses during these unfortunate times. We all need to do our part just like you. Thanks

@trainroomgary posted:

A Model Train Related Story from Michigan 🚂 Layout Update...

Yesterday it was a cold rainy day in Michigan. I started off the day finishing up a YT video and then published this video called: “Fire Department Box Cars from MTH • Rail-King”

To watch this video, Please click here….

After a long day in the Train Room. Tonight was our Westacress Home Owners Association Food Truck Night. We  skipped lunch so myself & my wife of 40 years went down and got dinner.  We all stayed six feet a part.  We are doing this to help out local businesses. It was fun to see our neighbors and they all call me, The Train Guy.

Over 300 families showed up, and it was well organized and the lines moved fast. We were ask to come by our street address to avoid chaos.

Dine at home, Bon Appétit………

I bring this to your attention because it was a fun way to get out of the train room and you may want to try this where you live. This would be cool for a train club or model train shop. ( I took my mask off for the photo only ).

Still in the Michigan Lockdown. Take care and stay safe. Gary 🚂

Gary, I love your train videos and taste in food. And also that you wear a mask. My wife makes one, and I think she has some train fabric! I'll post a picture!

Have not run trains for a long time. But a couple of days ago I ran a train pulled by an MTH decapod (ERR installed) and encountered a place where the engine just stopped. I remembered that I always had a problem with that loco at that spot. I cleaned the track and wheels and rollers. Still stopped. Other locos sometimes stopped as well if they were not moving quickly. I checked the continuity and no problem. I pushed down on the tracks and found the continuity problem. It appears that when a heavy loco traveled over the place where two tracks connected, the track dipped just enough to cause the power interruption. I installed a narrow thin shim under each track and that fixed a long time perplexing problem. I celebrated by running the decapod freight through for several laps, then a fast mail train and finally a local  commuter train. Cheers.

Two things that I am working on today.  

First, I am looking at adding some graffiti to my layout in a few places, building and bridge piers etc.  Is there any place you recommend to download an image to be able to print it?

Second I have a new engine that is a MTH dummy and I am having a problem keeping the coupler staying shut.  It's a new engine that has the tack at the bottom.  I am open to suggestions.

John

Well I have been wanting to do this for a while now and decided today was the day. I picked up an inexpensive sports camera about 6 months ago and was going to use it as a dash cam, but it is so small it easily tapes to a car and has a remote to start and stop. Might even have streaming - has a wireless connection. Anyway here is a link to the video - hope it works. The layout has been a work in progress for about the last 2 years. This is the 5th version and the last - for now - I keep getting ideas on what would look better and be interesting running. Its mostly Ross track and switches with a little Gargraves thrown into the mix. (I have and like Atlas, but mixing the three did not work well - they tend not to play nice together.)  I can run 3 separate main lines or 1 interconnected line which is how this video was made. The outer loop is minimum 072 with 080 and 088 preforms thrown in. Long story on how I was going to have 042 minimum to run most passenger cars and ended up revising the whole layout to be able to run an MTH Burlington Zephyr.  Having grown up in the Chicago area close to the Proviso Yards, I've seen almost all the Flags run through the area. So I plan to focus on BNSF and CN and many of the merged/purchased flags. Of course I could not pass up the SP DayLight nor the Southern Crescent Limited and a Pennsylvania GG1.  Hope you enjoy the video. BTW - the town area will eventually span an entire corner and have a model of Chicago's Union Station (traditional version) sited above a three track terminal - one dedicated to a CTA elevated line. Unfortunately  due to space issues all three lines had to have movable sections for access. (never build a layout at 32 inches to the deck -- lesson learned) The MTH trestle is mounted on a 1x4 on a hinge so it can swing out. The next section is a lift out and the last is a lift swing attached to a piece of thinwall pipe - that was an experiment - works fine swinging in. Of course if anything derails I have to dive under all three sections - one of these days I may not be able to get back up.

  https://drive.google.com/file/...yLx/view?usp=sharing 

ScoutingDad:  Great video, clear picture and excellent view.  Thanks what a great idea!  Super

Respectfully

Don

ScoutingDad, Wow!  You fit a lot in a 9x13 layout space!  My layout is taking up 8x11 and the widest curves I have are 054.  A little more space really makes a difference.  I like your trackwork and different levels with roughed in scenery.

Thanks Mark, I was all over this forum looking for ideas as well as many others on the net - my thanks to all the posters. My aha moment was understanding vertical space meant down as well as up - 5th rebuild. In my video the Ross crossover is my zero vertical. It allows me to have the clearance at the tunnel of about 6.5 inches without having grades more than 2.5 percent up and down. My only cars that will not clear are the MTH double stacks - about a 1/4 inch off. I'll fix that in the next layout.  But to be honest I really like the K-line and Lionel scale containers. No they are not quite "scale" but they look better than the MTH "monsters" and the "S" scale Lionel 027 versions.  I did use SCARM software to figure out grades and layout. But when building, I made adjustments so its not quite what I layed out, but a big help. 

To all the other railroaders out there, I really enjoy seeing what you all are doing. From traditional post war Lionel to the high railers. Nice to know we can all enjoy the hobby in ways that suit our interests, available space and money. I don't even know where to put the tin plate and pre-war gear. 

My best to all you out there. Stay healthy and keep railroading.  Jeff 

But there is never enough space   ; )

Wow after seeing that hamburger and fries I'm jelious.  After 3 years in just now getting ready to eat any red meat. A crazy thing called alpha gall caused by a tick or chigger bite can cause a lot of problems.  Take care and don't get bit so you can have a steak or hamburger. Its been 3 years for me. Enjoy.

Working on lumber shed, framing is done and outer clapboard walls and flooring are cut and ready 

Wasn't fully happy with materials used for corrugated roofing until found this roll, very easy to make uniform blanks and once that was done the the dies were put into operation using the vise.

These dies pressed the blanks into very nice sheets all of uniform size so no cutting involved after pressed.

The actual production of the sheets went very well at less than a minute a piece and good quality

This is a view of the CAD model although colors will be different, the railings will be removable for loading 2nd floor with fork lift

@ScoutingDad posted:

Thanks Mark, I was all over this forum looking for ideas as well as many others on the net - my thanks to all the posters. My aha moment was understanding vertical space meant down as well as up - 5th rebuild. In my video the Ross crossover is my zero vertical. It allows me to have the clearance at the tunnel of about 6.5 inches without having grades more than 2.5 percent up and down. My only cars that will not clear are the MTH double stacks - about a 1/4 inch off. I'll fix that in the next layout.  But to be honest I really like the K-line and Lionel scale containers. No they are not quite "scale" but they look better than the MTH "monsters" and the "S" scale Lionel 027 versions.  I did use SCARM software to figure out grades and layout. But when building, I made adjustments so its not quite what I layed out, but a big help. 

To all the other railroaders out there, I really enjoy seeing what you all are doing. From traditional post war Lionel to the high railers. Nice to know we can all enjoy the hobby in ways that suit our interests, available space and money. I don't even know where to put the tin plate and pre-war gear. 

My best to all you out there. Stay healthy and keep railroading.  Jeff 

But there is never enough space   ; )

Jeff, It was certainly worth the wait and revisions!  Great job!

Started this Brennan model on Wednesday. Roof and weathering tomorrow. 

Great Northern Railway operating session: pictures and videos.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...1#145297443274299671

The first S.B.R. steam locomotive. 0-6-0 ST #12 "Earl". Still need some detailing parts, paint and weathering but i am quite happy.

Scouting Dad, Nice job!  Your over under, left and right and assortment of bridges makes for an interesting  run.

Typo, sorry

@WinstonB posted:

Started this Brennan model on Wednesday. Roof and weathering tomorrow. 

WinstonB,

Great job on the Brennan kit, I'm planning on using that one as well. Nice work!

Scott 

@sidehack posted:

 

These dies pressed the blanks into very nice sheets all of uniform size so no cutting involved after pressed

The actual production of the sheets went very well at less than a minute a piece and good quality

 

Ray- I just saw this paint tube squeezer used to make corrugated roofing on another train blog. Thought of yours right away. I like yours better

@RSJB18 posted:

Ray- I just saw this paint tube squeezer used to make corrugated roofing on another train blog. Thought of yours right away. I like yours better

 

That is cool, I did think about a roller when first trying to decide which way to go. I would like to see how well that works. You could cut a long strip of aluminum and run the whole strip through at once and then cut to size. One thing I like about mine is that if it gets messed up a little or if I do cut an end I can qualify it in the same dies and it comes out like new and pretty flat.

Thanks for the info

I think that since yours presses the aluminum flat it will make better quality pieces. Your pieces are also more prototypical since they are longer.

@RSJB18 posted:

I think that since yours presses the aluminum flat it will make better quality pieces. Your pieces are also more prototypical since they are longer.

I am also thinking about other dies for many different styles, would be pretty easy to do.

Ray, are you making these dies?  If not where did you get them from?  Jeff

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ray, are you making these dies?  If not where did you get them from?  Jeff

yes I designed them on CAD and built them using 3D printer, a simple set of dies that I use a vise to compress them on aluminum blanks

Four more Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People 24-packs arrived from Germany after two months delay.  I am painting the figures for the Lionel Norfolk Southern 21" Coach passenger cars that are used in the #611 Steam Excursion Train.

The women will have clothes in blue, pink, green, yellow, and lavendar.  The men with have tan, brown, navy and gray suits.

With several days of forecasted rain, I should make good progress.

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I'm temporarily banned from the train room (it's okay, some flooring is being installed), so I'm using the time to update/repaint a couple of locos. I'm fairly impressed with the Atlas "Trainmaster" Alco diesels with TMCC and Railsounds, and found two in nearly-new condition a couple of years ago on eBay. I prefer to get a great deal rather than be choosy about roadnames, so I ended up with locos that I'd eventually have to repaint. 

Since they're being dismantled anyway, I decided to upgrade the headlights and speakers. I ordered headlight kits from Royztrains.com today, and new Samsung speakers are coming from a distributor in Miami.

Rather than strip all paint from the engines, I just removed the lettering and logos, which is only microns thick, by dabbing on some automotive brake fluid with a cotton swab. After sitting overnight, the painted lettering and logos were soft enough to rub off with clean swabs. Now the engines are a nice, grimy black. The next step will be to apply some Pennsy decals. In hindsight I should have used gloss black as a base coat, since I'll have to spray on some clear gloss where the decals will be applied. 

I've been an avid modeler for decades, but these are my first O scale rebuilds. I'm enjoying it, and will post some periodic updates of the two makeovers. 

@BruceG posted:

I'm temporarily banned from the train room (it's okay, some flooring is being installed), so I'm using the time to update/repaint a couple of locos. I'm fairly impressed with the Atlas "Trainmaster" Alco diesels with TMCC and Railsounds, and found two in nearly-new condition a couple of years ago on eBay. I prefer to get a great deal rather than be choosy about roadnames, so I ended up with locos that I'd eventually have to repaint. 

Since they're being dismantled anyway, I decided to upgrade the headlights and speakers. I ordered headlight kits from Royztrains.com today, and new Samsung speakers are coming from a distributor in Miami.

Rather than strip all paint from the engines, I just removed the lettering and logos, which is only microns thick, by dabbing on some automotive brake fluid with a cotton swab. After sitting overnight, the painted lettering and logos were soft enough to rub off with clean swabs. Now the engines are a nice, grimy black. The next step will be to apply some Pennsy decals. In hindsight I should have used gloss black as a base coat, since I'll have to spray on some clear gloss where the decals will be applied. 

I've been an avid modeler for decades, but these are my first O scale rebuilds. I'm enjoying it, and will post some periodic updates of the two makeovers. 

Bruce, I am glad I am not the only one who has to type something to the effect of 'in hindsight'   It looks like you are well on your way with a great project.  I will look forward to your makeovers!!

Everyone, there are lots of great projects here.  What did I do in the last week?  Please check the Blackwater Canyon Line topic.  I nearly have all the layout table built.  Also please check the above link for news of an unexpected purchase.  Thank you for looking!!

Mark. You are doing. Smart thing by putting your backdrops in before your main build. I messed up on this now I've got to figure how to reach it and fix the problem. I should have at least put in clouds. I got in too big of a rush to see trains running.

John, thank you.  I made the same mistake on my last layout.  So I learned a lesson after being in a hurry to get trains running!  😄

I did not want to butcher the walls too much, especially the brick wall.  So I planned it to have slots in the back of the benchwork to drop the hardboard backdrops in.  With 30-inch bench depths, I thought it would be not too hard to put in place.  I’m not as young as I once was, obviously.  Some of the sections were a bit hard to move into place, but the theory worked.  Thank you again.

Though I don't have a layout I have often considered duplicating HO train sets from the 50's and 60s in O gauge.  One set that caught my fancy at the time was the Atlantic Coast Line set that Revell offered which included a purple and silver SW7 diesel switcher for power.  My stepdad worked many jobs during this period when I was growing up.  Since most jobs he took didn't pay much this resulted me receiving an allowance of $1.00 a week, if any money at all, for mowing the grass or hanging up my half brothers and sister's diapers on the clothes line for my mother.

I did spend a shiny new dime for a Revell HO scale catalog though and fell in love with the ACL freight set mentioned above.  My stepdad had moved us from my native Dallas TX to his home in Tampa FL where I started to watch the trains of both ACL and Seaboard.  Can't be compared to the Tampa today with CSX and Amtrak.  Even the flair that once was Tampa Union Station is gone.  Sad!

Anyway, if you are trying to put a freight train together to run on your O gauge layout and can't come up with any ideas, consider the top line sets that Athearn, Tyco, Revell, even Lionel (!) offered during this period.  A native Texan at heart (I now reside in Germany), the Lionel HO Texas Special freight set would be a winner as well as Revell's ACL set to bring back the fond memories of those innocent teenage railfan years a long long, long long, really long long time ago.  For the record, I will pass Milepost 74 this upcoming 2020 , Fourth of July, the Good Lord willing.

Have fun running your trains and stay healthy by all means!

Joe Toth Jr.

Added a bench for my transformers to my new layout.

I went about fixing a problem of my own making when, disassembling a truck to grease a gear, I pulled the wire connecting the pickup roller clean off:

So, I had to find my dirty soldering iron and fashion a clamp for the the connector (as well as a stand for the iron):

Lined everything up and dropped a dab:

Closed it up and runs good as new! (Which is good, because the little puller is new.)

- The Other Guy 

I had a 4 by 8 platform up for Christmas on a 6 ft folding table shakey so  I found a 8 ft folding table cheap and strong so down came the layout and re did the the layout. Now have 2 circular loops a trolley line and a  elevated loop on trestles. And added my Menard's police station with Philadelphia PD decals added and the airplane tower. 

Now this will keep my 20 month old great grand son occupied with all the action, I hope 

GG1GUYY

GG1Guyy - if 5 things in motion at the same time doesn't keep the grandson interested - you'll just have to add more elevated track. Just watch out for the plane circling overhead! 

Got my SCARM layout updated to show the different elevations. Kind of fun to watch the SCARM train run around the track using their basic simulator extension.  Each color shows independent lines, although I can jumper across the power feeds to run a single consist on all lines using transformer control. Haven't hooked up DCS yet. Now all I need is a little more room for a reversing loop. Lots of power drops to make that work! 

I primed the walls for the new country store last night, and sometime soon I'm going to put rubber cement on the areas were paint would likely peel off. Then, I'm going over it in white, then peeling the paint off with tape.

@ScoutingDad posted:

Got my SCARM layout updated to show the different elevations. Kind of fun to watch the SCARM train run around the track using their basic simulator extension.  Each color shows independent lines, although I can jumper across the power feeds to run a single consist on all lines using transformer control. Haven't hooked up DCS yet. Now all I need is a little more room for a reversing loop. Lots of power drops to make that work! 

Jeff, Your pictures aren't showing up.

@p51 posted:

 

I primed the walls for the new country store last night, and sometime soon I'm going to put rubber cement on the areas were paint would likely peel off. Then, I'm going over it in white, then peeling the paint off with tape.

Nice work, should turn out to be a good looking structure when done

Lets try this again

Jeff, that looks much better!  It looks like you have a great layout plan for running several trains at once, switch cars in a yard, and move any train to any track!  Very exciting!  Yes, it is fun to watch the trains run on the SCARM plan!  If you can do it, then it shows you have all the tracks connected properly and the plan should work on the real layout!!

Lumber shed is coming along, roof is almost ready to put on, then railings and last will be the corrugated sheet metal roof

@GG1GUYY posted:

I had a 4 by 8 platform up for Christmas on a 6 ft folding table shakey so  I found a 8 ft folding table cheap and strong so down came the layout and re did the the layout. Now have 2 circular loops a trolley line and a  elevated loop on trestles. And added my Menard's police station with Philadelphia PD decals added and the airplane tower. 

Now this will keep my 20 month old great grand son occupied with all the action, I hope 

GG1GUYY

That's EXACTLY my kind of layout--the kind you can change up. Nice! I have a table layout as well, although less than 4 x8. Still, I manage to accomplish three loops. Someday I'll get a 4x8 piece of ply and do exactly this.

More lift bridge work done today and some more track put down. 

Ok guys I am going to give a little advice. Don't stay away to long as it takes forever to go threw 5 pages to get up to speed on what everyone is doing! LOL It took me a couple cups of coffee.

I do want to say that there is really some amazing work being done by you folks! The track laying, model building, and structures are all outstanding! Its been awhile since I have been in the train room to work on my layout as life's other needs have got in the way! I normally try to check in daily but by the end of the day to tired! LOL Guess getting older sucks sometimes!

I do want to thank you all for posting your work as it gives some great ideas and motivates me to try and get back at it. My plan is to get out there today or tomorrow and figure out where I left off and start working on my check list.

I hope you all have a great week and please find time for your trains and layouts! Most of all Please have fun in doing whatever you do!

Hi, everyone! Well, it is a new day and I thought I would pull out a reserved video to post.

Hope y'all enjoy it and all of y'all's projects look very good! Thanks have a good day!

Covered 2 of 3 with paper. Started entering inventory in yard program

Still painting four Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People 24-packs.  I started a fifth pack in another color to give greater variety in the six Norfolk Southern Coach cars I have to detail.  The five packs will create 120 seated people for the cars.  I worked five hours tonight and two during the day.  Some figures needed a second coat of paint.

Preiser charges $5.00 to $6.50 per figure when their factory paints the people. Then add the shipping from Germany for the five separate boxes that hold the 24 people in the 65602 Unpainted set.  The man with baby comes in four pieces that must be painted, glued together and then touched up again. One woman with a baby comes in three pieces. Three other figures come in two pieces.  Taking a break, then back to painting.

UPDATE: Making progress on five Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People.  I am painting the men and getting ready to remove the 120 people from the sprues.

Have a good evening. 

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Actually I started thinking

 1. The 3/4" mdf is perfect for a small layout.

2. 20 inches off ground is right height. 

3 rather that combining 2x4 mdf to make 4x4 by more legs seperate for more effect ( bridges, rivers, etc).

4 cant get bigger on same plane. Can I build tiers. (Higher, lower?) Where am I gonna put all these trains (6)?

Cant just use o27 curves need bigger. Next level maybe Menards?

Like I said just thinkin. Time for a beer.

@John Rowlen posted:

Still painting four Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People 24-packs.  I started a fifth pack in another color to give greater variety in the six Norfolk Southern Coach cars I have to detail.  The five packs will create 120 seated people for the cars.  I worked five hours tonight and two during the day.  Some figures needed a second coat of paint.

Preiser charges $5.00 to $6.50 per figure when their factory paints the people. Then add the shipping from Germany for the five separate boxes that hold the 24 people in the 65602 Unpainted set.  The man with baby comes in four pieces that must be painted, glued together and then touched up again. One woman with a baby comes in three pieces. Three other figures come in two pieces.  Taking a break, then back to painting.

Have a good evening. 

Sincerely, John Rowlen

 

 

I am hiring you to paint my stuff. Enjoy!

the roof is on, need to finish wiring lights, add siding and railings

And got rid of the old window AC unit and added a split system head for heat and AC

@sidehack posted:

the roof is on, need to finish wiring lights, add siding and railings

And got rid of the old window AC unit and added a split system head for heat and AC

That a great shed. Great work!

@ScoutingDad posted:

Lets try this again

... 

That's a ton of great action within that footprint, SD. Great stuff.

- The Other Guy

This afterrnoon I hauled a fast mail with K4s to a block where it had a stop signal. Hauled a 4 car commuter with an E6 Atlantic to a block with a stop signal.  Moved 9 tanker with a B6s to a siding.  Split a 10 car freight and spotted 8 cars in a staging spur and 2 box cars at an industry along the spur.  Pulled a mixed freight to a staging yard to be taken to town business loop where cars will be dropped at various industries and cars collected as ordered for pickup. Parked Decapod near engine shop and spotted Mountain at coal tower for coal and sand.  This took about an hour. Next session, I'll work the B6s to complete switch orders in town industries.  

Sometime back I made a train order session cards. While it was an interesting exercise I found my sessions quite ambitious and really logistically complicated.  I plan to use the same format but reduce the number of car spots and pickups. 

Today, I finished a final contact sheet for all the "local" Menards-billboard-compatible images created for my outdoor layout. Will be hanging this on the fence lining the sidewalk, accompanying some "rail history" posters: one (Promontory Summit) I finished today; the other 2, made and hung a few weeks ago.

- The Other Guy

.... spent some time reinforcing the joints on the O27 tubular track floor loop in my study. The curves are now O42 with O54 transitions, this allows running large locos like the Williams scale Hudson (with its semi-scale pilot wheels) plus seven cars, but this tends to push the track joints apart.

I’ve mitigated this by tying the joints with small cable ties, in pairs at each joint. I saw this suggested in another thread and it seems to work well, although it needs attention to get all the locking blocks in the right alignment 

Lots of great work being done! 
Ray I love the lumber shed, it really turned out nice!

Other Guy, nice work on the billboards and History papers, They are going to look great on your outdoors layout!

I just had a couple of minutes so I installed a Step down buck convertor for my small crane so it would swing lower speeds!

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for fun with there layout and trains!

Thanks Rob and Mike for the kind remarks about the lumber shed

Good idea on the Buck Converter

@sidehack posted:

Thanks Rob and Mike for the kind remarks about the lumber shed

Good idea on the Buck Converter

Add me in Ray. Great job on the shed. Now you need to load it up.

@RSJB18 posted:

Add me in Ray. Great job on the shed. Now you need to load it up.

yes we have cars waiting to unload their freight as soon as I finish wiring the lights an put on OSHA regulated safety rails.....

I uploaded some videos to YouTube - enjoy

https://youtu.be/77a-qlxBQGY 

https://youtu.be/ddWFeX2tYzU

https://youtu.be/BikQWpL2ezg

https://youtu.be/5fYgkeIFbVI

https://youtu.be/fnyEVFlLp_8

https://youtu.be/zklm68fb0MQ

I also put a lot of cars and engines away that were sitting in various spots around my basement.  This was long long overdue.

John

Hey guys, I finally got to work with the trains for a few minutes, and Mike G. is correct, if we are away from the forum for several days, we get way behind. So, everyone, great work. Sidehack, I like your new structure....Wow. Everyone, have a great rest of the week, stay safe, stay healthy, pray continually. Happy Railroading 

Sidehack, That shed looks great.  Was that a kit build or scratch built.  That would go great with our logging / lumber theme.

Well, yesterday we put the 3rd mud coat on & intended to put the finish coat on today, but due to damp / wet weather and slow drying we decided to end here for this trip. Son may keep going with finish coat , sand and paint while i'm gone.  Hopefully, next trip, drop ceiling, track lights, and floor go in.  Still on schedule to start table construction in Dec.

Time to roll back north. 

@jbmccormick posted:

I uploaded some videos to YouTube - enjoy

https://youtu.be/77a-qlxBQGY 

https://youtu.be/ddWFeX2tYzU

https://youtu.be/BikQWpL2ezg

https://youtu.be/5fYgkeIFbVI

https://youtu.be/fnyEVFlLp_8

https://youtu.be/zklm68fb0MQ

I also put a lot of cars and engines away that were sitting in various spots around my basement.  This was long long overdue.

John

Very Nice John: Love the Layout. How big is it?

@jbmccormick posted:

I uploaded some videos to YouTube - enjoy

https://youtu.be/77a-qlxBQGY 

https://youtu.be/ddWFeX2tYzU

https://youtu.be/BikQWpL2ezg

https://youtu.be/5fYgkeIFbVI

https://youtu.be/fnyEVFlLp_8

https://youtu.be/zklm68fb0MQ

I also put a lot of cars and engines away that were sitting in various spots around my basement.  This was long long overdue.

John

John:

The videos and your scenery are SUPERB! Thank you for sharing.

Boomer - nice idea on the cab holders.

Lancer - really like that lift bridge. We're planning on incorporating a lift bridge on our layout, but won't know len dims till we get farther along & verify ceiling clearance etc.  Where'd you get that bridge from. 

Scouting Dad,  9 x 13 - that layout seems much bigger than that and esp w only 2.5 grades.  Is that correct 9x13??

@leapinlarry posted:

Hey guys, I finally got to work with the trains for a few minutes, and Mike G. is correct, if we are away from the forum for several days, we get way behind. So, everyone, great work. Sidehack, I like your new structure....Wow. Everyone, have a great rest of the week, stay safe, stay healthy, pray continually. Happy Railroading 

Great layout, could never do marketing today like those "vintage" posters. What is your mermaid's name?  

@TomSuperO posted:

Boomer - nice idea on the cab holders.

Lancer - really like that lift bridge. We're planning on incorporating a lift bridge on our layout, but won't know len dims till we get farther along & verify ceiling clearance etc.  Where'd you get that bridge from. 

Scouting Dad,  9 x 13 - that layout seems much bigger than that and esp w only 2.5 grades.  Is that correct 9x13??

TSO - I wish I had a couple more feet in any direction. It really is 9x13. Getting the grades moderate was a real challenge - that is where SCARM was a huge help. The key is anywhere one is going down another is going up - so over ten feet I have a vertical change of 3 inches in one direction - 6 inch clearance both ways. I was trying for 2.5 to 2.8 grades and probably have one short section pushing 3%. My SCARM drawing is not entirely correct as I would adjust sections as I was building and making sure there were no "kinks" or odd grade changes. Of course that means both of my big loops have no flat sections except where the cross over is. Put a car on the tracks and it will roll on its own down hill. 

5 X 24 = 120 + 24 = 144

Now the uphill climb begins.  Here are three of the five Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People 24-packs almost ready to remove from the sprues.  Can't paint the hair with the figures stuck on the sprue.  All need shoes,  Some need ties and sweaters.

The figures now get individual attention to reach the rough finished level,  Final inspection makes them perfect before I put them in the passenger cars.

UPDATEL  I did a sixth pack of 24 for the sixth Norfolk Southern Coach. Waiting on the arrival of the NS 4-pack.  These cars should take the rest of the month to finish.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I'm not sure if he is playing it too safe, or taking a risk ....🤔

My mock-up using baggage/mail  K-line version for a more accurate car. I really like the ggd version that I missed out on. It's too much work that I don't have the skills to do. But it was fun to experiment.

I was looking at the prr rolling stock design drawing website. Lots of versions there. 

@ScoutingDad posted:

TSO - I wish I had a couple more feet in any direction. It really is 9x13. Getting the grades moderate was a real challenge - that is where SCARM was a huge help. The key is anywhere one is going down another is going up - so over ten feet I have a vertical change of 3 inches in one direction - 6 inch clearance both ways. I was trying for 2.5 to 2.8 grades and probably have one short section pushing 3%. My SCARM drawing is not entirely correct as I would adjust sections as I was building and making sure there were no "kinks" or odd grade changes. Of course that means both of my big loops have no flat sections except where the cross over is. Put a car on the tracks and it will roll on its own down hill. 

SD. I feel your pain. The 8x7 L i have squeezed into apt is kinda giving me fits. I am trying to keep grades under 2.5 but i may not have a choice. I was wondering about clearances too so all that will have to be figured out. Love your idea.

I temporarily moved a small shelf beneath one edge of the newly built train table to assist with the ongoing logistics of layout construction.

@TomSuperO posted:

Sidehack, That shed looks great.  Was that a kit build or scratch built.  That would go great with our logging / lumber theme.

Well, yesterday we put the 3rd mud coat on & intended to put the finish coat on today, but due to damp / wet weather and slow drying we decided to end here for this trip. Son may keep going with finish coat , sand and paint while i'm gone.  Hopefully, next trip, drop ceiling, track lights, and floor go in.  Still on schedule to start table construction in Dec.

Time to roll back north. 

Thanks Tom, it is scratch built all the way but I designed it (and of course used other's ideas that I liked) then made all the parts on a 3D printer except for a little wood and  the sheet metal for the roof which I made dies on the printer to stamp aluminum blanks into corrugated metal sheets. If you go back here you will see pictures as I went along. 

This is my original CAD design and the railings are removable for moving the lumber.

I added a small extension to the end of my layout to give some needed space to allow more scenery. I made the mistake of pushing my track plan too far to the edge at first and I have wanted to correct the issue for a while now. 

@NS1975 posted:

I added a small extension to the end of my layout to give some needed space to allow more scenery. I made the mistake of pushing my track plan to far to the edge at first and I have wanted to correct the issue for a while now. 

What a difference and great scenery also. Nice job blending the old with new it looks like it was worth the wait.

@NS1975 posted:

I added a small extension to the end of my layout to give some needed space to allow more scenery. I made the mistake of pushing my track plan to far to the edge at first and I have wanted to correct the issue for a while now. 

You did a great job adding that support and the scenery!  It looks absolutely seamless.  A great improvement!

@NS1975 posted:

I added a small extension to the end of my layout to give some needed space to allow more scenery. I made the mistake of pushing my track plan to far to the edge at first and I have wanted to correct the issue for a while now. 

Nice modeling - well done!

Looks great, I love the cabin.

@NS1975: Great job and super job blending the scenery.  I have one dimension, the short side on one end, of my layout where I could expand a small amount.  I made the same mistake as you, put the tracks down too close to the edge and could use some scenic effects to make the loop more realistic (i.e. give the RR a reason to turn).  This method of yours might work for me too.  Great idea

Don

And so it begins NS1975, this is how the never ending expansions of Warrenville began, small. Not enough room to make it bigger over time you might say? I said the same but a wall removal, gutting a closet, and later cutting another closet (that was in my way) in half changed that.

Your layout looks great, have lots of fun with it.

Lionelski:  You forgot...MOVING TO A BIGGER HOUSE!

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Lionelski:  You forgot...MOVING TO A BIGGER HOUSE!

Don

Don, no need to move.

Me and a friend of mine are splitting the cost of a basement stretcher, but they are on backorder due to the shutdown. This should give each of us an advertised push/stretch of "up to an additional 10-15 feet"  without disturbing landscaping or the upper floor configuration.

There are 2 versions, manual and hydraulic, we have our order in for the manual version, the hydraulic one is just too expensive.

I'll just have to remove paneling from two opposite walls so that it can push directly on the poured concrete foundation. But that is no big deal.

As a side note, they caution about attempting to use it on a block wall foundation. As you can only do a single stretch per basement, when we are finished we'll list it on the Buy & Sell section of this forum.

Wow what a deal. Can’t wait till you list it!! Live in Tx so many basement at moment. Am digging hole in backyard to initiate my stretch!!

Regards. Don 

Above should read. ...”so NO basement at this time”. Fat fingers small phone and spell check did me in. 

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Above should read. ...”so NO basement at this time”. Fat fingers small phone and spell check did me in. 

Don

Thats the story of my life

Covered last platform table got track down. 

I need to put a reverse somewhere in double loop. I will post scram later. I m going to get a beer and get in the pool

@ROB O GAUGE KID posted:

I need to put a reverse somewhere in double loop. I will post scram later. I m going to get a beer and get in the pool

With the siding coming off in the foreground, doesn't that give you the reversing loop?  What I want to know is how high do the trains fly when the recliner opens and hits the track from below? Of course you may no longer be able to reach them so it may not be an issue. Enjoy the pool and da beer in which ever order you choose.