What did you do on your layout today?

RSJB18 Bob, very nice storage for your excess rolling stock, it’s a neat idea to use plastic containers and possibly it’s easy to see thru them and keep them clean and dust free. So cool. John Rowlen, Your George Bush train is Beautiful, and Lionel did an amazing job on the color of the George Bush SD70Ace, I’m sure the passengers are well pleased with their accommodations. Yard work has tied me up this summer, painting decks, porches, garage doors and all the trim, so running trains comes on rainy days, hopefully soon. Happy Railroading Everyone 

Completed another background building this week. This one became the Baltimore Spice Company originator of Old Bay. Working on an Atlas icing platform that I must have bought 8-9 years ago. Now I have room for it. 

Stay safe, 

Scott 

Introduced my 3 year old son to the magic of a Lionel crane. 

@lee drennen posted:

Bob. Very nice I like them 

Thanks Lee and Larry. I filled them up today, was like Christmas in August. 

I'll post some pix later if I have time.

Bob

Expanding the passenger yard from 9 tracks to 12 tracks.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...1#149239177268315541

Far from operational, but my 12x12 L-shaped portable 3 section benchwork stood for the first time this morning.  41.5 inches high w/o plywood.  I prefer the angled orientation as it provides walk around viewing and access of both wings, 15'-6" x 8'-2" in that configuration.  Now have to focus on pressure washing and then re-staining our backyard deck (in the 90's & humid).

Pix of the new Arnold Horshack Memorial Storage Facility

I was also able to clear my post-war ATSF passenger coaches of the window sill behind the layout so I turned it into ALCO storage.

And finally I ran a train

@RSJB18 posted:

Pix of the new Arnold Horshack Memorial Storage Facility

And finally I ran a train

 

Bob;

Very nice storage solution.

Sincerely;

Epstein's Mother 

P.S. love the train - NH and D&H... a beautiful combination!!!

@myles posted:

Here's a couple pictures of my latest paint project. I finished it late today while staying in out of the heat!   Hope you like it.     Well,.......    I guess i'm not out of the woods yet, I want to build a potash train so only,......Maybe 12-14 more cars to go.  That's not too bad, is it?           

Very nice work Miles! More pics of the layout please...

Dave

@Apples55 posted:

Bob;

Very nice storage solution.

Sincerely;

Epstein's Mother 

P.S. love the train - NH and D&H... a beautiful combination!!!

Thanks Paul.
The caboose was one of the items that I was able to pull from the box finally, along with the yellow box car. Expect to see more black/ orange and blue/ yellow on the layout for a while.

Bob

Bob, The Arnold Horshack memorial storage unit is great as is the nice nook it resides in.  I've been occasionally contemplating how to store my cars and engines once I have the heavy tools and materials out of the train room.

Thanks Mark. I was going to build something similar to what Mike G just completed but the CEO suggested these instead. By the time I bought the lumber and built the unit I'd have more money into it than the drawers cost, not to mention a mess to clean up too.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Thanks Mark. I was going to build something similar to what Mike G just completed but the CEO suggested these instead. By the time I bought the lumber and built the unit I'd have more money into it than the drawers cost, not to mention a mess to clean up too.

Bob

The CEO showed her wisdom!  That is how she became the CEO!  

I like Mike g.’s storage unit, on wheels, I also like RSJB18 Bobs plastic container idea, his CEO’s creative thinking, my idea, sell off my excess. Over the years, little by little I’ve accumulated entirely to many train items I’ll never use, some in boxes and many on display, and one day we’ll sell our home, downsize and travel. Today, I made a home for the Marx set. Happy Railroading Everyone.  

So I am really feeling bad I have done nothing on any of the layouts. I think the withdrawl systems are really starting to take a toll on me with no train shows to go to. So I have been browsing the net for buys a lot. Last week I decided to ordered the M&M cars from Menards. I do not usually do fantasy but last year I joined a modular group and decided kids may get a kick out of seeing a candy train. The cars are well done and better in person then the photos.  I also found a MTH caboose to go with it plus today I just located an MTH engine in the M&M paint scheme to go with these. Of course this is not to say that I will not run them on my layput. Pics........... Paul 2

@RSJB18 posted:

Pix of the new Arnold Horshack Memorial Storage Facility

I was also able to clear my post-war ATSF passenger coaches of the window sill behind the layout so I turned it into ALCO storage.

And finally I ran a train

Thanks for the pics and the video is great. Very impressive collection you have there Bob thanks for posting

Don't know if impressive is the word Lee. My wife was certainly surprised to see how much I have amassed in about 4 years. 😁

Thanks

@RSJB18 posted:

Don't know if impressive is the word Lee. My wife was certainly surprised to see how much I have amassed in about 4 years. 😁

Thanks

Bob. I can’t believe what I’ve Acquired  over the last five years either I think I’m finally at a stopping point this year. But then Menards comes out with a piece of rolling stock I can’t live without out. Thank God my wife understands my Hobbies 

John R. Love your video, very Impressive!

Bob, Nice find for storage, But I think the CEO wanted the clear cabinets so she could really see what all you had! LOL

Larry, I always love to see photos of your amazing layout!

Scott, The Baltimore Spice Company building turned out wonderful!

SuperChief, PRICELESS!

Sam, sure looks like alot of great work! I hope you post more when all done!

Mick, Nice looking bench work!

Paul 2, Who doesnt like M&M's Looks good to me!

Lee, So now we all want to know what Menards came out with you can't live without~! LOL

Well I was able to get into the train room the last 2 days and got a little done. I did some new ground cover and added trees to my mountian, I added some autos to the layout and am working on building a special container for my layout. I think I am going to do alittle rework on the area in the center of my reverse loop area where the town is going to go, but will think more ab out it tomorrow. Here are a couple photos.

When I finish the container I will post more about it~! I hope you all get time for your layout and trains! Most of all I hope you all have fun!

Mike. Wow looks great I like that Airplane gives your layout a nice touch and the Container looks good. Well just about every Menards Boxcar they have I think I’m addicted to them  

Thanks Lee! Me too as far as Menards is. I am going to North Dakota in October and that happens to be the nearest Menards to me so I plan on picking up a few things while I am there! LOL

Mike that’s sounds a long ways. I blessed to have one just 15 min away. 

@lee drennen posted:

Mike that’s sounds a long ways. I blessed to have one just 15 min away. 

1400 miles, but somethings are worth it!

mike g. if you're going in October, you have a good chance of arriving in time to find train stuff out on the shelf for the Christmas holiday season.  

Rusty

I am S TILL working on this Top Link (Danish) engine house, deciding to narrow the footprint by putting the tool room on the rear wall.  This involved partially filling the rear window with a door.  I also removed and repainted the Menard engine house signs to apply my road's custom decals. Neither engine house is long enough for an MTH Russian decapod, so l am mulling extending a bay on the Menard's.

@lee drennen posted:

Bob. I can’t believe what I’ve Acquired  over the last five years either I think I’m finally at a stopping point this year. But then Menards comes out with a piece of rolling stock I can’t live without out. Thank God my wife understands my Hobbies 

I've gotten more selective in my purchases this year. I'm still buying but only if it's something I really want/ need and a good deal. Yea- Menards always seems to throw a wrench in those plans. Especially when the run the promo for the free lighted vehicles with a $20.00 purchase. The Ford Cobra they have right now looks like it needs to be on my layout.

Bob

Yesterday, actually, I finally did it....after 3 days of work on and off, I finished the complex track section I had been working on. No matter what I did, I could not make track 5 at the back end of the pass-thru passenger depot connect to the complex trackwork entering the passenger yard. I was flummoxed. The angle of the track ends that had to meet was always wrong no matter how I arranged the track. But in the end, I found a combination that worked. 

That was the last of my complex yardwork. I still have some difficult grading to do, but I've planned that better (AMAZING!) and I know the track ends will meet at the angles they should. But for a while, I was very frustrated.

Don

Finished wiring track and did a test run on both tracks. I still have to cut the track currently exiting the table. Table is 19.4 by 69 inches with 054 and 042. Scenery is next. Sorry the action shot did not work and I couldn't get it to erase.

Bob. Don’t they always it’s hard to resist 

Mike. When you get to Menards before October ask to see there Train stuff. I asked the other day when there bringing it out the man said it not out yet but you can go upstairs and pic what you want 

Dave. Nice layout 

Did more work on my 2nd K-line kitbashing project on a thread. Lots of modeling time and learning.

I have almost finished the Top Link engine house.  Paint is drying. I decided to put tool room on end, so cut out rear window and inserted a door, before adding the tool room.  I had fabricated doors, but today located roundhouse doors, so will try them for fit on this and the Menards version.  Also today decaled the signs on the Menards version.

I finally opened my two Lionel Alaska GP35 Legacy engines to pull the seven 21-inch Alaska passenger cars I detailed.  Here are a few views of the train on my "Valley of Bridges" layout that is a long way from being finished.

The view is at the Village of Deichman as the train crosses the double girder bridge and into the tunnel.

The cars may need more run time because the kinematic coupler arms are jerking the cars when the train rounds a curve.  My Bush Funeral Train did not "sling-shot" the cars on curves like the Alaska cars do.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Here is a view of the Alaska Passenger Train as it exits the tunnel and "snakes" along the side of the river to the Double Pratt Bridge.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

If you have any of Lionel's lumber industry accessories, here's a simple addition - a wood chip loader. I made this from styrene, based on 2 photos I had of one in South Fork, Colorado. The wood chips are air-forced through a tube into special hoppers via the shroud which is lowered over the hopper to prevent a lot of spillage.

John - Thanks for the Alaska RR videos.  I'm sure Brian will enjoy them also.  I've noticed that your passengers do not wear masks or abide by social distancing.  It's your world, YOUR rules!

Very good John.  We used to be a red state, now blue. 
The blue people tried to change our State motto, “Live Free or Die”, to “Live Free“. 

Working on my MASH military train. Need to order some more military flats. 

This place is supposed to be about trains NOT politics; let's keep it that way.

Finished the Top Link engine house kit (with another, l'd make half again as long, and use for an engine house,)  but with the Ellison Oblong Box Co., the two will make a caboose shop operated by the railroad.

Caboose Shops

John R love the ARR train. Looks like a scene from the TV show. 

Bob

Changed my switch at the end of the table and added one. The switch on the end will go to a Korbor grain elevator and the empty 2x 2 space  is for a farm scene. Added one more switch.

Hi all, decided to do a quick video of my progress so far. Been trying to figure out placement and potential structures especially for the town area. Finally figured out how to do a plug and play for my future building lighting, "Miller Engineering" signs and street lights.  With the card stock girder bridge turning out reasonably well, I decided to take a try at interior detailing. I really liked the Walther's building because I could spray paint the brick and then install the windows later. Thinking about what I need for my first order from Evan's.  Certainly will need a couple of flashing white lights in case we need to call The Doctor. 

Got the crossing wired in, still does not work quite right. And then since I typically get my switching messed up, decided to redo my switch board so I can minimize my mistakes. I can run three trains or have a single train run on all three lines. I figured out the inner loop could handle a 3 track passenger station that doubles as a staging area. My 5 car Southern Crescent just fits in the outer section. Probably have my Santa Fe Super Chief cars on the second track but my ABA F7s probably are too long. Lastly the Chicago CTA subway should get interesting running on the inner loop with auto stops programmed in. 

As always ideas are welcome. Hope you enjoy the video.  Jeff  

https://drive.google.com/file/...oS7/view?usp=sharing

Scoutingdad: "Lots to do" Nice buildings and interesting layout. Never ending enjoyment.

Today I worked on my kitbash and ran 2 freights. A mixed train behind a PRR M1a and ten 2 bay coal hoppers behind a PRR Decapod. 

I just got an email from one of my German Ebay sellers of the Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People.  He cannot ship to the United States or generate an Ebay shipping label,  He lists ten Preiser 65602 as available to the United States, but can't generate shipping labels to the USA.  Another German seller who has six, has listed that his store is closed until further notice.  My third German seller stopped listing on Ebay USA after blocking USA buyers for three months prior to disappearing.

The German post office is blocking mail to the United States.  Maybe the German government is afraid that damaged packages will be returned from the USA to Germany with Covid 19 virus on them.  They still don't let average Americans into Germany, but then neither does Canada.  Mom wanted to visit Niagara Falls this summer, but we can't get into Canada.  My neighbors have a time-share cabin in Canada and they couldn't get to go this summer.

Stuck in my basement in my imaginary world.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

@John Rowlen posted:

I just got an email from one of my German Ebay sellers of the Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People.  He cannot ship to the United States or generate an Ebay shipping label,  He lists ten Preiser 65602 as available to the United States, but can't generate shipping labels to the USA.  Another German seller who has six, has listed that his store is closed until further notice.  My third German seller stopped listing on Ebay USA after blocking USA buyers for three months prior to disappearing.

The German post office is blocking mail to the United States.  Maybe the German government is afraid that damaged packages will be returned from the USA to Germany with Covid 19 virus on them.  They still don't let average Americans into Germany, but then neither does Canada.  Mom wanted to visit Niagara Falls this summer, but we can't get into Canada.  My neighbors have a time-share cabin in Canada and they couldn't get to go this summer.

Stuck in my basement in my imaginary world.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Interesting info - I was not aware...

George

Excellent video Jeff!  I did some work planning a town too.  It can ve seen on this link to my Blackwater Canyon Line topic.  Here is a teaser.

More work on my 2nd kitbash project today. Got notice that my PRR Tuscan Red spray paint is being shipped and should be here next Tuesday. Hope for pleasing results with some paint on my K-line bashed baggage car. Then I will look for decals for that and project car no. 2. Plan to run some freights and the mail train tonight. So involved with rr car projects that I have slacked off my train order operating sessions. 

Take a guess at what I did today for my railroad.  Yes, I am painting people for the Lionel Vista Vision Dome cars headed my way.  Figures are in Yellow, Violet, Green, Blue, Light Grey, and Pink.  These1/50 figures are good for the 21" Dining Cars.  Changing clothing colors helps disguise that these figures repeat in different cars throughout the passenger train.

I started with pastel color clothes for the women because when I first started detailing passenger cars it was spring, right before Easter.  My scenery is set in spring/summer, so pastels worked well.  The bright colors counter the dark suits of the men.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, More great painted figures.  Good tip on repeating in different cars.  Those ladies remind me of what the Queen of England wears.

Mark,  The woman with the hat is the most formal female passenger riding in my passenger cars.  The matching shoes and hat go back to a time when vacationing was a major, more formal event.  Some of my passengers are casually dressed.  The businessmen have suits with ties.  The parents with babies wear comfortable clothes with tennis shoes.  Being a caregiver is a 24/7 responsibility.  The parents grab their quiet moments whenever they can.  As children grow, stuffing a bottle in their mouth no longer works to satisfy the child. 

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, since my era of interest is the same as yours, I didn't even think twice about the dresses and hats.  It was the bright colors and coordination of outfits your ladies have, just like I have seen in photos of the queen (all lavender or all peach for instance).  I do remember when anyone going to town dressed up as they did going to church, unless it was to go to the hardware or farm store.  You are right, the family would be more casual to keep up with the kids.  I even recall in our rural high school, all the boys had to wear slacks and the girls all had to wear dresses or skirts, and no tennis shoes except for gym class.  Another example, for senior photographs in the yearbook all the boys wore jackets and ties.  I was a blue collar worker like my dad, and I always cleaned up before going to a church meeting, for instance.  I have a couple Menards buildings that have very nice figures, but I will have to alter some as they are not dressed for steam-diesel transition era.

Evening guys. I hope you all have had a good week sofar!

Rusty and Lee, I have always been able to get train stuff from Menards anytime of the year after my first visit. I went there and there were no train stuff out, I sent a message to Mark the Menards guy via Cabinet Bob here on the forum and he contacted the store to inform them to tell me where I could find the train stuff on the second floor and ever since then no problem!

Dave R. looks like you have a great start! I like the new switch location and the purpose for it!

Pennsynut, wow looks like alot of custom work! Cant wait to see the finished product!

John R, What a wonderful Alaska train you have put together! Really impressive! I kinda feel for you, one minute you think your done painting people and here you go again!

Colorado Hirailer , Nice work on the Caboose shops! I hope you will post some photos of your engine house kitbash!

Jeff, Thanks for the outstanding video of your layout and the progress you have made sofar!

Mark, what a tease! LOL But I have to say things are really looking nice on your layout! Keep up the great work!

Well I guess more then me have been working on there towns lately. Here are a couple of photos of what I have sofar!

Last time I was here I told you all I was working on a scratch built box car/container. well I got it done and want to give you all a little back story of it. My son came to me with a broken Quad copter and wanted to know if I could fix it. long story shot there was no way to fix it, one of the motors heated up and melted the housing for it and it was done flying. He said if I could use it for my train layout I was more then welcome to it. So here is a few photos of what I came up with.

Made my own track video car from the camera from the quad copter. I had to make a mounting plate to it was at the right angle as if it were flying. I made some videos but cant seam to get them off my phone so I have to get a SD card and try it that way. Once I get a video I will post it for you all!

I hope you all have a great weekend and find time for your layouts and trains! But most of all I hope you all have fun!

So, Dad and I have been taking the layout down over the past few weeks. We are building a new one. We had this layout for 20 years and it gave us a lot of fun but we felt we had as much as we could with it. This new one will be more based in operation with more switching (we've been researching over the past few years about real railroad operation and watching lots virtual railfan lol). I'll keep posting as  construction continues but we've already got trains running again...

WOW Cody, thats quite the undertaking! I dont know if I will ever get to that point but if I do, I am sure it will be when I get a lot more time with the one I am building now! Good luck and please keep us all posted!

@mike g. posted:

WOW Cody, thats quite the undertaking! I dont know if I will ever get to that point but if I do, I am sure it will be when I get a lot more time with the one I am building now! Good luck and please keep us all posted!

I sure will. Dad kept saying for the past few years that he wanted to do something different and we finally pulled the trigger. 

Got some new arrivals today. 2 new engines and a used Atlas double bridge.

First engine is a Norfolk Southern AC6000 by MTH.

The bridge is beautiful, sadly has some minor repair needed but it should be no problem to get looking like new. Will be using this and an atlas single bridge to have a walkway into the middle of the layout.

Finally I got these drop dead gorgeous K-Line Pennsylvania F3s that were factory sealed, Not only do they look great, they are so far running flawlessly.

Today UPS dropped off my MTH EP-5 in the M & M's paint scheme. Brand new in the box. Made in 2010. Now I have the beginning of a candy train.......pic  Paul 2

 

Very nice work being done by everyone.  I need to revise my new layout track plan through the yard along the wall I cannot reach.

Until then, I am painting more people.  Here is a picture of last night's work, Nineteen people done.  The woman is a figure I seldom use,  She is short and her rear end does not fit well in seats . . . unless I grind a lot off her back.  But, I have her finished if I need another passenger.  To make the woman more interesting, I painted a Chrome Silver bracelet on her right arm.

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

With people social distancing, the model train business is booming. So management approved a building rehab project. New paint, tuck pointing and LED lighting so customers can see the detail on the inventory. 

Here is the 15 year old version with windows removed for dramatic affect. 

Here is the new version up and ready for more stock. 

Put this puppy on the rails for the first time.

Working on the next group of seated passengers.  UPS dropped off a large box that contains three Vista Vision Dome Camera passenger cars.  My focus will probably change to detailing one of the cars.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I have been working on an expansion to my existing layout.  I finally got all the track laid, the switches correctly wired and the Blocks wired.  So this morning I moved all of the locomotives I had on the existing portion of the layout to the new area.  It took along time because I had to refer to my cheat sheet of which switch number was for what switch.  There are now 52 switches on the entire layout and 32 blocks

A few odds and ends like people, a couple of cars, and started placing a few trees. Also picked up an additional animated track gang and lights. I hope to get the lights wired, a street through the small town and continue to work on my 'yard'. Running out of space quickly and I'd like to expand my loop eventually since I have plenty of track, but that's not in the cards anytime soon. Stay safe everyone, fingers crossed for spring York! 

Mike. Sounds like you got a key to the mint. 

John the figures look great as always 

Steve. Those buildings look nice and yes the guy I’m selling my HO stuff to says it’s been a lot more busy 

Jim. The bench work looks great 

Bob. That’s a nice loco enjoy it 

Today I made a gravel side road made from sand I got about 10yrs ago where my oldest Daughter was playing Softball. I plan on this being a team track road 

Lionel 2027160 Alaska 21" Dome Coach Vista Vision camera passenger car arrived today.  The car is a Dome Coach with the camera boards hidden behind walls in the lower Lounge.  I do NOT recommend disconnecting camera wires, but rather unscrew LED boards and Dome Seating Floor in order to paint and add Passengers.

I will add pictures as my interior painting progresses.  The Dome Camera is in the center front as seen in the first picture. I need one more coat of paint on the seats.

UPDATE:  The car detailing is finished.  It is time to close the car up and test run it.

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, I did not know there was such a thing as a camera passenger car.  That is slick how they hid the electronics and the camera!  It will be another great looking interior when you are done!

Lee Drennen: I like your side road for your team track. Good idea to use natural materials in some cases, that mean something, to you! For instance, I think you'll think of her and where you were at, when you see the team track road. 

I went to Arkansas two years ago, for my 99 year old Grandfathers funeral and picked up rocks, and some dirt, while there, to put on my layout when it's built, eventually. 

When I see those rocks and red dirt, I'll think of him.

Rusty

Diverging Clear. Thanks for the complement and the kind words. Yes I will always think of that day she was playing up town at the sports complex after the game I seen that old pile of sand and took a cup of it. Now she’s in College working at our local Grocery store and part time at the Middle school I’m very proud of her 

John - thanks for the pictures of the interior of your beautiful Alaska Camera car. No Lionel people?  I’m sue you’ll fill it up. Maybe you could leave a seat fo me and Brian Silver Mustang? LOL 😝 

John Rowlen, that’s fantastic work on your Alaska Camera Vistadome Passenger Car. Beautiful. Lionel has made a lot of really cool cars for our enjoyment. Happy Railroading Everyone.

Yesterday I received the GarGraves 042 right hand switch from Sidehack Ray that I needed for the yard.  I assembled the tracks for the yard and placed 40-foot boxcars on to see how many the yard will hold.  It looks like 8 if I foul one switch with a car.  If I filled the yard with 2-bay hoppers, I should be able to get one additional car on each of the two longer tracks.  It would be nice if the tracks were longer, but this isn't bad for a small layout that I want to emphasize mountain scenery.  None of the yard tracks are wired or fastened to the roadbed yet.  I did run a train both ways through the new 054 right hand switch leading off the mainline and all worked well.  I still have lots of wiring to do.

Getting ready for more sanding before I spray this with Rusto flat red primer. That should highlight areas that need more sanding. Hopefully I can get a first Tuscan red gloss on it in a week or so.I forgot, I need to make postal doors too.

I've been busy all summer, which has kept me away from OGR for much too long. Here's a video to make up for it: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...JY&pbjreload=101

Leapin' Larry, 

Your Lionel Dome and Theater cars look very good.  I just started putting people in my Alaska Vista Vision Dome Coach.  It will be a busy and late night of grinding, touching up paint, and gluing.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I recently finished adding details to my PRR passenger shelter. You can see more and read about it here.

Ran trains last night and made some videos.  Several of the engines are from my Christmas in July and had the engines in MU or lash-up.  All units powered.  Featured roads are NYC, Union Pacific, Conrail, Southern and Burlington.  Freight cars are either MTH Premier or Atlas O Master Line.  Really enjoyable time relaxing in the basement.

https://youtu.be/1FoaBa2CP_Y

https://youtu.be/00ev0_JNuCs

https://youtu.be/YRYSUhLtUKA

https://youtu.be/vtB20urdA10

https://youtu.be/F7ilpkZkDns

https://youtu.be/1s7pRW9Xb2U

Ever since I bought my Premier ATSF 5011 class Texas the incorrect black smokebox front has bugged me. Today I painted it the correct gray. Looks 100% better and is now prototypical.

Waiting for parts to come in, l found I had two Oakridge Corp. kits for "The Old Mill".  Guess l better build one, and began to. Naturally, unable to leave well enough alone, l am bashing away, and have lengthened the building, and deleted and moved windows.  These are not shake-the-box kits as walls have to be pieced together, and windows cut out, all a good excuse to bash.  I will probably make other changes. Some years ago l visited the kit builder on the south side of Chicago, and last heard of them with a shop farther north.

@BruceG posted:

I've been busy all summer, which has kept me away from OGR for much too long. Here's a video to make up for it: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...JY&pbjreload=101

Great video Bruce. Looks like your grandson is enjoying himself too.

John. Nice work on the Vista Coach and the figures look nice as well

Larry. The Theatre car is Beautiful have fun with it 

Mark. The Switch looks nice hope the wiring does give you any trouble 

PennsyNut. Keep us posted on the painting I would like to see it 

Bruce. I know the feeling I just got back to posting regularly here a couple weeks ago. Yard work, Garden, and updating my Chicken House has kept me busy 

jbmccormick  nice run 

Lou1985. Nice steamer 

Nothing from me I started packing up my HO stuff for storage I was going to sell it but the wife said I need to keep it for the Grand Kids I thought to my self why would I wish that HO on my Grand kids when O Scale is much better. Enjoy your day 

Lee, I agree on the HO stuff. Only I found out it did not work with a 5 year old a long time ago. Took me 30 years to sell it, but its finally all gone, except for a couple of transformers. Now the grand kids seem to like the O scale.  

Loose Caboose.....why so many blocks? I have 12 and have had people tell me that is too many. Not sure of the reasoning. Why do you have 32?

Don Merz

@Don Merz 070317 posted:

Loose Caboose.....why so many blocks? I have 12 and have had people tell me that is too many. Not sure of the reasoning. Why do you have 32?

Don Merz

Two would be too many if I only ran Command Control.  However I have conventional Locomotives that I like to run occasionally.  Is 32 too many even to run conventional? I am not sure but I had or was able to obtain the BPC's to accommodate this number so now I don't have to say, "I wish I had made more Blocks to isolate one Locomotive from another".  I have included a picture of my layout.  the red numbers are my switches and the green numbers are for labeling my blocks.  I leave it to the reader whether I have too many blocks.

Loose and Don,

I run nothing conventional, and I have blocks 4 blocks per each of the two main lines, so 8 in total.  For me the blocks are good at stopping something BEFORE a crash occurs.  This is typically due to an unplanned uncoupling.  Also if I am running two trains on the main lines its nice to have them stop, again to avoid a collision.

John

@jbmccormick posted:

Loose and Don,

I run nothing conventional, and I have blocks 4 blocks per each of the two main lines, so 8 in total.  For me the blocks are good at stopping something BEFORE a crash occurs.  This is typically due to an unplanned uncoupling.  Also if I am running two trains on the main lines its nice to have them stop, again to avoid a collision.

John

I would assume, because not knowing your layout, that you have no sidings as they should have a block assigned to them also.  If you do not any conventional engine would start moving when the throttle is advanced.  I have numerous sidings as you can see in my picture and each has an individual block number assigned hence the reason I have so many(?).

I'm confused: Before acquired TMCC, I divided my layout into what my fellow HO modelers called "blocks", or sections of mainline trackage powered in such a way (by rotary switches) as to prevent more than one train occupying the same block at the same time. All the stub end sidings were not part of this block arrangement but rather powered by simple on-off toggle switches; they never referred to these as "blocks". Should they have been called blocks too???

Running my current 6 car mail train, in order: Ggd b70, for now  a stock K-line bm, Weaver New Haven and PRR b60s, a kitbashed K-line baggage and then another Weaver PRR b60. I will substitute a Ggd PRP bm70 for the K-line bm car when it arrives. I think I can successfully disguise the K-line bashed baggage between the two prr 60s after I paint the K-line. Scenery helps disguise the overhang  of the ggd car in many of the O72 curves.

Jim and Jackson,

Everything I run is either DCS or TMCC/Legacy.  On my layout, I have 2 yards, one of which has the toggle switches that Jackson is describing, (being able to power off a section of the track).   The other yard does not.  I don't consider that a block, rather more an on/off switch.  Call it what you like though.

I actually wish I had another signal block on my layout as that would allow me to run 3 trains on my main line instead of 2.  I should have been more clear.  With the use of relays, and a signal system, if a block is occupied the power to the track is killed until the block is cleared.

Here is a video of my layout https://youtu.be/vcemh0Qbiq0 

John

The Lionel 2027160 Alaska Vista Vision Dome Car is completed.  Starting the Lionel 2027260 Union Pacific Excursion Vista Vision Dome Car next.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Very well done John. I hope you saved us a seat LOL

@modeltrainsparts posted:

I'm confused: Before acquired TMCC, I divided my layout into what my fellow HO modelers called "blocks", or sections of mainline trackage powered in such a way (by rotary switches) as to prevent more than one train occupying the same block at the same time. All the stub end sidings were not part of this block arrangement but rather powered by simple on-off toggle switches; they never referred to these as "blocks". Should they have been called blocks too???

I have to remember back some thirty or forty years to my work at a RR supply company.  Yes Blocks were defined as the Entry OS (On-Station) to the exit OS.  sidings in true fashion were not referred to as a Block.  However I use the Lionel BPC's (Not to be confused with BPC2's) as a three position (in my case) rotary switch; TPC0, TP1 and Off.  So I also wire the sidings to be able to turn them on and off and hence they get a "Block" number or on the legacy remote "ACS" number.  So again Technically in the real world you are correct but we in the imaginary world make accommodations even if not correct terminology.

Took a SCARM version of my draft layout and separated it into about 9 different layers,

such as: Base, Shelves (upper/lower), roads, buildings, trees, accessories, inner loop, outer loop.

If anyone has some recommended improvements to it, I'd appreciate it!

Trying running your layout in simulation mode. You can then see how the layout operates. I am seeing lots of disconnected tracks. You have done a lot of detail in SCARM, perhaps focus on the track and how it operates first, then add the details. I am not really interested in making my layout match SCARM, just want it to provide guidance on what to expect when building. 

What do you want to do relative to operating your layout. Freight, passenger, continuous operation, multiple engines at the same time. Minimum curve to run your engines?   I have found you need to have a purpose to what you are doing, otherwise you will not be happy. Its OK to change the layout as you learn more about the hobby and your interests. I did lots.  Jeff

I opened my new Lionel 2027260 Union Pacific Excursion Vista Vision to start detailing it and found the wrong car in the factory box.  The box contained a "Kenefick" Business/Observation from the Lionel George HW Bush Funeral Train with the Little People in it.  The box contained the Instruction Booklet for Camera cars.

I am stopped until I can get a replacement from Grzyboski Trains.  I have the Pennsylvania "Catenary View" Vista Vision that I could start, but the interior is light beige, not red like the two ten-car Broadway Limited passenger sets that I detailed.  Lionel stated that the NEW Vista Vision cars would match previous passenger trains in their literature.  A dealer with the Amtrak Vista Vision emailed me that the interior is beige/off-white, not blue like my seven car Amtrak set that I detailed.

I guess I get a night off from detailing.  Maybe I will paint some of the unpainted seated people I purchased from Evemodel in China on Ebay

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John. Nice run they look good 

pennsynut. Nice landscaping they make the cars really stand out 

@lee drennen posted:

John. Nice run they look good 

pennsynut. Nice landscaping they make the cars really stand out 

Thanks Lee. That used to be one of my early, "what am I going to do corners" that I finally worked out. 

Matt,  There are always a few extra seats available on my passenger trains,  The Excursion and Executive trains tend to fill up faster than daily trips.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

@John Rowlen posted:

Matt,  There are always a few extra seats available on my passenger trains,  The Excursion and Executive trains tend to fill up faster than daily trips.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John;

Unfortunately, I don’t have your patience nor talent, but your work is very impressive. That being said, I’d love to see your response to the number of residents question on the 2020 Census form  

John. The Pennsylvania my is favorite