What did you do on your layout today?

Not today, but over the weekend...

Nice Paul, I am still worried about the room against the wall where your flats are going, but your there and I'm here, I have faith in you!

Andy, nice job on the lights! Looks good!

mike g. posted:

Nice Paul, I am still worried about the room against the wall where your flats are going, but your there and I'm here, I have faith in you!

Andy, nice job on the lights! Looks good!

Mike, maybe I should make a short jaunt over to Cuyahoha Falls and verify that Paul has enough clearance at the wall!  LOL. Yes it looks close, but maybe  it is his camera angle.  

Mark, your right, it just might be the angle from where he is taking the picture! But either way its looking nice!

I agree it does look good, Mike!

Mark, I guess you will have to make a quick trip to verify for MIKE G. LOL I will have to take another picture from a different angle tonight. ......Paul

What did I do on my layout today?   This is Part 2 

(Part 1 is on the previous page 408 of this thread), near the bottom.

1. Started the painting process with a 6 inch roller.

2. The paint is being applied to a 5mm plywood, sub flooring, from a big box lumber yard.

3. Started the cloud painting process with Acrylic Art Paint in bottles. Black & White and put them together to get a custom gray.

5. The retaining wall has been hot glued in place.  The buildings are a sample and will not be part of this project. I use a variety of paint brushes and a art pallet to mix the colors. (tray)

Hope you find these demos helpful: Gary

Looking good Gary!

paul 2 posted:

Mark, I guess you will have to make a quick trip to verify for MIKE G. LOL I will have to take another picture from a different angle tonight. ......Paul

 

 

Oh thank you, Paul!  I don’t think I could until after Christmas, and I know Mike wants to know!  LOL. I’m curious to see how different it looks from a different angle too!

Finished setting up the Formal Living Room RealTrax under the Christmas Tree layout today.  Using the Hallmark/Lionel Santa Toy Maker Express Train.

PCRR/Dave

Mark, I don't know how MIKE G does it but on the last siding I found I have to tweak it a bit. The second siding works but the building is not totally against the Masonite. As you can see I have it propped up with a screwdriver and the base is still sitting on the table. I may use another building. But here a a couple of pics to show the clearance.......Paul

Got an unexpected present in the mail today!  Someone sent me four Hallmark Lionel ornaments (N&W J, Chessie Steam Special, GG1 and Santa Fe F3). 

So, since I had teeny trains,  I decided to set them around my teeny tree!   

Round mat came from here:  http://craftingweasels.blogspo...t-semi-tutorial.html .  Took the mat, printed a copy on my laser printer, cut it out and voila! 

Mitch 

Last night I continued on Session 1 of my 6 operating sessions.  Each session has several types of manuvers to accomplish. First category is spotting existing consists of passenger and mail trains, tank car train and mixed freights so that they are on blocks that will allow room for other manuvers. 

Second category is yard work to build several types of trains and assign locos.  (1) through road passenger trains, mail trains, mixed freight, and tank car trains; and (2) switching trains with types of cars to be dropped off at businesses. 

Third category is switching work to drop off yard cars at businesses, pickup empties or full cars from businesses and transfer those to either other businesses in the city area at that time or back to the yard for through road trains to other cities.  (It's as complicated as I wish to imagine)

Fourth category is running some through road trains in between switching manuvers to break up the action and at the end of the session to run the through trains to their spots for the next session.  

Typing this out has been helpful for me to recharge my enthusiasm to operate with some sense of working trains. 

Edit. I now recall I had a thread on this with photos of my cards.

 https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ccesses-and-mistakes

Put up this cool little sign for my Desert Inn.

Paul, I know you will figure it out, you always do! I really like the building on the flat stock!

Brian, those are some really nice Western Pacific engines and love the caboose also! Your right I am just going to have to keep the one I got from the mother-in-lay and build from there!

paul 2 posted:

Mark, I don't know how MIKE G does it but on the last siding I found I have to tweak it a bit. The second siding works but the building is not totally against the Masonite. As you can see I have it propped up with a screwdriver and the base is still sitting on the table. I may use another building. But here a a couple of pics to show the clearance.......Paul

Paul, there is no doubt Mike has really honed his observation skills!!  Time and time again, he has seen things I had missed!!  When I get started again, I am going to ask Mike to look and point out what I don’t see!

Your sidings are coming along great!  The building flats are excellent!

So, I've always been an O Gauge guy. I have an O Gauge layout that's now being built around the Christmas tree. Right now it's about 7x4 oval. Today I plan on adding a new line in the middle. This is where I may be breaking the rules of the site, and I truly apologize if this is the wrong section..but is it stupid to flirt with the idea of adding a HO scale loop somewhere in the middle of my O Gauge ?

pennsynut posted:

Last night I continued on Session 1 of my 6 operating sessions.  Each session has several types of manuvers to accomplish. First category is spotting existing consists of passenger and mail trains, tank car train and mixed freights so that they are on blocks that will allow room for other manuvers. 

Second category is yard work to build several types of trains and assign locos.  (1) through road passenger trains, mail trains, mixed freight, and tank car trains; and (2) switching trains with types of cars to be dropped off at businesses. 

Third category is switching work to drop off yard cars at businesses, pickup empties or full cars from businesses and transfer those to either other businesses in the city area at that time or back to the yard for through road trains to other cities.  (It's as complicated as I wish to imagine)

Fourth category is running some through road trains in between switching manuvers to break up the action and at the end of the session to run the through trains to their spots for the next session.  

Typing this out has been helpful for me to recharge my enthusiasm to operate with some sense of working trains. 

Edit. I now recall I had a thread on this with photos of my cards.

 https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ccesses-and-mistakes

Thank you for your update!!  Yes it is great to write it all down!  Thank you for your link to the previous topic!

Had a busy day yesterday and didn't plan to get anything done on the layout.  Last night I went down to the basement to try to find something I had misplaced and to try to develop a strategy to solve a couple problems.  Found what I was looking for and now have a game plan on the issue.  Which was how to finish a home-made plate girder bridge.  The last time I looked at this I didn't have a band saw and now the solution seems obvious.  I will cut the Scenic Express flexible girder sides to fit the sides of my bridge.  Hope to get that done today.  Will paint with flat black rattle can and weather with a rust colored rattle can.

Then I looked at the problem plaster areas in my river valley.  So I decided to just get started and if I don't like it, do it over.  Got the left side filled in with plywood, cardboard and ready for plaster cloths.  Did the same on the right side and should be able to finish it today.  Had to remove my highway bridge and climb onto the valley floor in order to access it.  Wished I would have had knee pads.

After today's work session I will try to add new pictures on my layout progress thread.

Art

mike g. posted:

Paul, I know you will figure it out, you always do! I really like the building on the flat stock!

Brian, those are some really nice Western Pacific engines and love the caboose also! Your right I am just going to have to keep the one I got from the mother-in-lay and build from there!

Mike, you are right, Paul will get it right!

Brian seems to come up with an endless supply of engines in various roadnames.  Yes I agree  the WP equipment looks great!

StillPlaysWithTrains1469 posted:

So, I've always been an O Gauge guy. I have an O Gauge layout that's now being built around the Christmas tree. Right now it's about 7x4 oval. Today I plan on adding a new line in the middle. This is where I may be breaking the rules of the site, and I truly apologize if this is the wrong section..but is it stupid to flirt with the idea of adding a HO scale loop somewhere in the middle of my O Gauge ?

Not stupid at all... I wish I could remember exactly where on this Forum I saw it, but someone had an HO loop in the middle of a big O layout. If I remember correctly, it depicted a train ride at an amusement park. I say go for it... Santa would approve   

With the Xmas season upon us and apologies to all, I offer this “Tongue-in-cheek” muse:

I sat in my rocker and stared at the space, with visions of track plans in front of my face. I pondered and wondered, my brain burned it’s best, but nary an answer to John Coy’s test. Some talk of free-wheeling and forgetting the plan, at the end they’re all happy and we give them a hand. I really do wonder, if I’ll ever get there, without simply losing, any more of my hair. For now I’ll continue with these knowledgeable threads, in hopes of defeating my perpetual dread.   Merry Xmas 

Ted, Great poem!!!  I really like it!!

Your planning drawing is great! The Swing Gate makes me wonder if you are thinking of having an around the walls layout with access to the middle with a section that swings in or out for access to the middle.  If that is what you are thinking of, I heartily agree it would be good.  You look to be someone like me who isn't interested in crawling under or over a big wide layout!  Maybe once upon a time, but not any more.

hello Ted. did the idea of moving the shelves to the other side of the room get veto'd...

          I think that would give you a lot more space, and 3 walls then to work off of then...

give me a call when you get a chance, Brian

Chugman posted:

Had a busy day yesterday and didn't plan to get anything done on the layout.  Last night I went down to the basement to try to find something I had misplaced and to try to develop a strategy to solve a couple problems.  Found what I was looking for and now have a game plan on the issue.  Which was how to finish a home-made plate girder bridge.  The last time I looked at this I didn't have a band saw and now the solution seems obvious.  I will cut the Scenic Express flexible girder sides to fit the sides of my bridge.  Hope to get that done today.  Will paint with flat black rattle can and weather with a rust colored rattle can.

Then I looked at the problem plaster areas in my river valley.  So I decided to just get started and if I don't like it, do it over.  Got the left side filled in with plywood, cardboard and ready for plaster cloths.  Did the same on the right side and should be able to finish it today.  Had to remove my highway bridge and climb onto the valley floor in order to access it.  Wished I would have had knee pads.

After today's work session I will try to add new pictures on my layout progress thread.

Art

 

Sounds like a rough day there Art! Also knee pads are a must ! But I be things are going to be just fine, they always seam to turn out great!

Mark Boyce posted:

paul 2 posted:

Mark, I don't know how MIKE G does it but on the last siding I found I have to tweak it a bit. The second siding works but the building is not totally against the Masonite. As you can see I have it propped up with a screwdriver and the base is still sitting on the table. I may use another building. But here a a couple of pics to show the clearance.......Paul

Paul, there is no doubt Mike has really honed his observation skills!!  Time and time again, he has seen things I had missed!!  When I get started again, I am going to ask Mike to look and point out what I don’t see!

Your sidings are coming along great!  The building flats are excellent!

Lets just say been there done that! LOL

TedW posted:

With the Xmas season upon us and apologies to all, I offer this “Tongue-in-cheek” muse:

I sat in my rocker and stared at the space, with visions of track plans in front of my face. I pondered and wondered, my brain burned it’s best, but nary an answer to John Coy’s test. Some talk of free-wheeling and forgetting the plan, at the end they’re all happy and we give them a hand. I really do wonder, if I’ll ever get there, without simply losing, any more of my hair. For now I’ll continue with these knowledgeable threads, in hopes of defeating my perpetual dread.   Merry Xmas 

 

This is priceless Ted 

I think I'm going to print it and hang it by my layout like the motivational posters in the office.

I call it- "T'was the Night Before the Layout Build"  By TedW.   

Ted you should write Christmas cards for Hallmark! Just for train guys and gals!

TedW posted:

With the Xmas season upon us and apologies to all, I offer this “Tongue-in-cheek” muse:

I sat in my rocker and stared at the space, with visions of track plans in front of my face. I pondered and wondered, my brain burned it’s best, but nary an answer to John Coy’s test. Some talk of free-wheeling and forgetting the plan, at the end they’re all happy and we give them a hand. I really do wonder, if I’ll ever get there, without simply losing, any more of my hair. For now I’ll continue with these knowledgeable threads, in hopes of defeating my perpetual dread.   Merry Xmas 

 

Ted, your muse (poem) is marvelous!

TedW posted:

With the Xmas season upon us and apologies to all, I offer this “Tongue-in-cheek” muse:

I sat in my rocker and stared at the space, with visions of track plans in front of my face. I pondered and wondered, my brain burned it’s best, but nary an answer to John Coy’s test. Some talk of free-wheeling and forgetting the plan, at the end they’re all happy and we give them a hand. I really do wonder, if I’ll ever get there, without simply losing, any more of my hair. For now I’ll continue with these knowledgeable threads, in hopes of defeating my perpetual dread.   Merry Xmas 

 

                                         Ted,  something more to ponder on...

                                                upper level not shown on left....

                            3 train running.  084 outer loop, 072 minimum radius...

                                     rough sketch, let me know what you think...

briansilvermustang posted:

TedW posted:

With the Xmas season upon us and apologies to all, I offer this “Tongue-in-cheek” muse:

I sat in my rocker and stared at the space, with visions of track plans in front of my face. I pondered and wondered, my brain burned it’s best, but nary an answer to John Coy’s test. Some talk of free-wheeling and forgetting the plan, at the end they’re all happy and we give them a hand. I really do wonder, if I’ll ever get there, without simply losing, any more of my hair. For now I’ll continue with these knowledgeable threads, in hopes of defeating my perpetual dread.   Merry Xmas 

 

 

                                         Ted,  something more to ponder on...

 

                                                upper level not shown on left....

                            3 train running.  084 outer loop, 072 minimum radius...

                                     rough sketch, let me know what you think...

Brian, I appreciate your gentle prodding to “get going” on “raising” this layout, and the plans will certainly help,(I saved them to the iPad), but the aformentioned meandering was supposed to be somewhat humerous.  And, not taken literally as the beginnings of a layout plan.  We’ll develop something in the future, I promise.         

                     " but the aformentioned meandering was supposed to be somewhat humerous.  And, not taken literally as the beginnings... "                                                                           

                                                                       oops...

You know Brian, you have almost every train anybody would want! I wish I would have started younger, but I didn't get my first train till I was 45!

   glad Mom & Dad and grandma & grandpa's started me out young     52 young"s ago !!

Tweaked the siding that was just a tad too close. Got out the other roll of buildings and cut them out. I put some up against the Masonite to see how they would fill in between the buildings already there. Think I got the right combination now but I have to make a trip to Staples to get more black foam board so I can glue buildings to the foam and then they are ready for putting up. Pics..........Paul

mike g. posted:

You know Brian, you have almost every train anybody would want! I wish I would have started younger, but I didn't get my first train till I was 45!

45! That's ancient!

Paul, I knew you had it in you to fix a little thing like that!

Arnold, lol I am old!

Finished up the formal living room layout for the wife, came out real nice too.

PCRR/Dave