@Richie C. posted:For those with cemeteries, Diecast Direct has a half-dozen 1/43 hearses for sale. They have various printed funeral home names and come with a scale casket.
Thanks Richie C! I already have two hearses but your post pushed me to look for scale caskets. A google search netted this on Etsy. Now to look through my people for some pallbearers, mourners and a funeral director. 
@pennsyfan posted:Thanks Richie C! I already have two hearses but your post pushed me to look for scale caskets. A google search netted this on Etsy. Now to look through my people for some pallbearers, mourners and a funeral director.
I just watched your YouTube video from your signature line and enjoyed it very much! It's great to see how you included the people in your life on your layout!
-Greg
Finished installing my ceiling lighting, placement not exactly as I planned, but close enough !
That’s a nice looking train room. Well done.
@trestleking posted:Finished installing my ceiling lighting, placement not exactly as I planned, but close enough !
Looks great. On to bench work! 
Bob
@trestleking posted:Finished installing my ceiling lighting, placement not exactly as I planned, but close enough !
Yeah, it looks off to the right!! lol Seriously though, they're up and working so it gets two thumbs up in my book!
-Greg
@Greg Houser posted:I just watched your YouTube video from your signature line and enjoyed it very much! It's great to see how you included the people in your life on your layout!
-Greg
Thanks Greg! I’m happy that you enjoyed it.
Lots of excellent work has taken place while we were enjoying the beach. Good going everyone.
While we were gone, Rich called several times wondering when we might return. The passenger station was left in the house awaiting Paula’s interior/exterior work. She completed work on the top level Monday morning and Rich arrived before 2:00.
We took it out to the train room, set it in place, hooked up the lights, and checked everything out, finally placing the three roof sections in place. We took photos, both to celebrate the occasion and to use to correct things that our eyes missed.
Today I spent three morning hours painting, changing, and going thru each photo to determine what needed to be tweaked. Several times, the photo appeared to show something wrong, incorrect paint, etc, and it was due to lighting; finally I said, “Enough.”
After lunch, I ballasted the three tracks that serve the station and replaced one of the trains. A Christmas train hidden on the rear track should not remain in August and was replaced by a N and W Pocahontas passenger train.
Paula spent several hours working on the track level platform scenes and is not close to completion. Suddenly she has a ton of additional figures, baggage wagons, and stuff, and I surprised her with several advertising signs that need the copy added.
She hopes to finish tomorrow. The station will be as complete as we want it to be at this stage and will still require completion of roads, a parking garage and outside lot, etc. photos will follow when Paula says, “Done.”
I have an update to my post regarding my Street Running efforts. The link below is to my original post.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#163461606170509539
My dilemma was that the boxcar couldn't negotiate the tight curves on the streets. I wasn't able to make the Streets loop any wider, @Wood suggested using Marx wheelsets. I ended up modifying a Lionel 655 boxcar. Don't excommunicate me! I cut the coupler support bars off and removed the hook couplers. Then I attached K-Line scale couplers to mate with the engine and caboose. I won't show pictures of me mutilating the car but here is a picture of the installed K-line coupler.
Street Running
Local Delivery
I'm contemplating repainting and or weathering the boxcar.
@pennsyfan Perfect! I didn't think about scale couplers. Good solution!
@pennsyfan posted:I have an update to my post regarding my Street Running efforts. The link below is to my original post.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#163461606170509539
My dilemma was that the boxcar couldn't negotiate the tight curves on the streets. I wasn't able to make the Streets loop any wider, @Wood suggested using Marx wheelsets. I ended up modifying a Lionel 655 boxcar. Don't excommunicate me! I cut the coupler support bars off and removed the hook couplers. Then I attached K-Line scale couplers to mate with the engine and caboose. I won't show pictures of me mutilating the car but here is a picture of the installed K-line coupler
Local Delivery
I'm contemplating repainting and or weathering the boxcar.
Nice work. We will forgive your transgressions with the car. From the top it still looks the same.
Bob
Took a couple days off work this week. Our fiscal year ends 8/31 so I had a couple days left to burn.
The CEO was otherwise occupied so what's a guy to do on a hot sticky day? Work on the trains in a cool basement of course!
I decided to tackle the switch modification I've previously discussed. I can say that it went well, and along with a couple of other ROW clearance repairs, I can now run my RS-1's around the outer loop on my layout. 
I had to clear all of the brush and spanish moss away from the switches before I took a cutting wheel to the solenoid frames. That stuff is tinder dry, don't need to start a fire. 
I'll restore everything after the painting is done. Interesting observation- Lionel actually took the time to shape the mold for the texture on the base plate around where the solenoid went.
First test run by. It's close but this ain't horseshoes......
While I was at it, I fixed a couple of wires that were bothering me. I cut a piece of styrene tube in half and made covers to hide them going to my upper level. Paint is next and then I'll clean up the scenery. I may finally do something about the black plywood too.
All in all a productive day on the layout.
Bob
You had a couple of very profitable days.
Way to go Bob. It must be very reassuring to your wife that you are productive even without direct supervision. Glad you were able to use up your days in a fun way.
@RSJB18 posted:All in all a productive day on the layout.
Bob
Well done Bob. Let the engines roll!
@Bill Webb @Tranquil Hollow RR @pennsyfan
I love it when a plan comes together! Yes. it's nice to be productive when working on the layout. Call it retirement practice.....
Bill- great work on the station. That's going to be a conversation piece when it's done.
Thanks gents!
Bob
Hi guys, it's been a couple days, so I am not too far behind! So here we go! LOL
@Putnam Division Peter wonderful looking modules! The new road looks great!
@Lionelski John Great camp sites! Looks like a lot of folks enjoying the sunny days of summer!
@Dave Ripp. Dave the cemetery looks wonderful! I really love the grave digger you posted on the other thread!
@trestlekingThe lights are up and they look like they should work just fine. That is one big step out of the way, now on to the layout!
@Bill Webb Bill you Paula, and Rich have done an amazing job on the passenger station!
@pennsyfan Great job on getting the street cars running, what a wonderful idea and Iam glad it worked!
@RSJB18 Bob great work on getting the clearance you needed! But inquiring minds want to know what you're going to do with the exposed post sticking up?
As for me guys I was working on another cheap auto I got at WM, it started out as a monster truck and I wanted it to be just a nice truck for the layout. here is a before and after shot.
The truck and Bronco bumpers used to matchup. But with the removal of the lifted suspension, it is now a normal work truck! 
I had a box truck that decided to donate the required parts, so it became a Dually! 
I hope you all have a great week and wonderful long upcoming weekend!
Most of all I hope you all find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
@mike g. posted:Hi guys, it's been a couple days, so I am not too far behind! So here we go! LOL
@RSJB18 Bob great work on getting the clearance you needed! But inquiring minds want to know what you're going to do with the exposed post sticking up?
As for me guys I was working on another cheap auto I got at WM, it started out as a monster truck and I wanted it to be just a nice truck for the layout. here is a before and after shot.
The truck and Bronco bumpers used to matchup. But with the removal of the lifted suspension, it is now a normal work truck!
I hope you all have a great week and wonderful long upcoming weekend!
Most of all I hope you all find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
The terminal posts are dead now Mike. The power to them came through the coils of the solenoid. I suppose I could have cut them down but for now they are painted brown and will be hidden by ground cover. I did the site restoration this morning but I'll wait till the glue dries and share more pix later.
Nice work on the truck!
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:The terminal posts are dead now Mike. The power to them came through the coils of the solenoid. I suppose I could have cut them down but for now they are painted brown and will be hidden by ground cover. I did the site restoration this morning but I'll wait till the glue dries and share more pix later.
Nice work on the truck!
Bob
Cool, and thanks for the compliment.
I will be looking forward to your new photos
I just put together a ET&WNC coal train ready to roll on the layout and placed some extra ET&WNC cars on the Junction track.
I also dusted everything.
It's as ready to go as it can be for the narrow gauge convention layout visit tomorrow.
Beats me how many people will visit considering in the second furthest layout from the convention hotel and I don't think any of the other area layouts are showing tomorrow.
If anyone visiting tomorrow is a regular here, please let me know when I talk to you, as I probably won't recognize anyone by a face.
@p51 posted:I just put together a ET&WNC coal train ready to roll on the layout and placed some extra ET&WNC cars on the Junction track.
I also dusted everything.
It's as ready to go as it can be for the narrow gauge convention layout visit tomorrow.
Beats me how many people will visit considering in the second furthest layout from the convention hotel and I don't think any of the other area layouts are showing tomorrow.
If anyone visiting tomorrow is a regular here, please let me know when I talk to you, as I probably won't recognize anyone by a face.
Good luck Lee. I hope some folks take the time to see your terrific layout.
Bob
@p51 posted:I just put together a ET&WNC coal train ready to roll on the layout and placed some extra ET&WNC cars on the Junction track.
I also dusted everything.
It's as ready to go as it can be for the narrow gauge convention layout visit tomorrow.
Beats me how many people will visit considering in the second furthest layout from the convention hotel and I don't think any of the other area layouts are showing tomorrow.
If anyone visiting tomorrow is a regular here, please let me know when I talk to you, as I probably won't recognize anyone by a face.
Lee that looks OUTSTANDING! I wish I lived closer, but then again we have family coming for the long weekend! Plus I have some friends coming over to see my train room that I haven't seen in years!
Good luck on your open house and I hope you get alot of people!
@mike g. posted:Lee that looks OUTSTANDING! I wish I lived closer, but then again we have family coming for the long weekend! Plus I have some friends coming over to see my train room that I haven't seen in years!
Good luck on your open house and I hope you get alot of people!
Lee, Mike, I hope you both have enjoyable visits. You both have great layouts to show. No trains for me this W/E; I’ll be showing my car at Lead East in NJ. https://g.co/kgs/y4v6y2
I got the scenery restored yesterday after modifying my switches. Ground cover and shrubbery was quickly replaced. Wish I could do it on the 1:1 scale "layout" so quickly.....
As mentioned, I also started on the black plywood area between the two tracks on the main level. I added some plaster cloth to give the area some dimension, not totally flat. Ground cover will be added as time permits.
By coincidence, the knurled nuts for the terminals fit perfectly in the tubing I cut for a throw handle.
Bob, you have been on a mission. Time for cocktails and decompressing.
@RSJB18 posted:
You must have been working really hard; you aged quite a bit since you’re avatar picture. 😱
Lee, can’t wait to hear how the event went. Your layout looks great.
Passenger Station renovation part 1 is hereby declared completed. That really doesn’t mean a lot. Paula is looking at the Scenic Express catalog for landscaping materials for the front as I type this. I say wait; oh well.
That’s a good thing. I can’t believe my good fortune to have a wife who is excited about the train room, has decided what she wants to do, and can do it well. Add a friend like Rich to handle the structural work and I can go fishing Saturday.
The station is modeled after the N and W Roanoke station. It is on two levels, the top containing the concourse and waiting areas, the bottom has three tracks and two platforms.
No, this is not Grand Central. After all, the N and W was a coal hauling railroad BUT that did not mean that passengers were forgotten or pulled by stinking diesels. The Roanoke built J was one of the premier engines ever made.
It isn’t’ practical to model Roanoke so selective re-creation is being used which places obstacles/opportunities in the paths of progress. We spend hours deciding what goes where, how, and when to do it.
Harry Heike built the station about five years ago. Until early 2022, it sat there alone with nothing close to the second level. Now there is a great deal within two feet and we are almost ready to add more Benchwork and lay track which will extend to the center and left away from the right side Engine Service area.
So, to celebrate progress, Rich and Paula decided to renovate the station.
The front brick building interior was gutted and both side business offices/dispatch area/freight service were redone. The main concourse features a Colonial Red rear wall, a custom hand-crafted mahogany ticket/service area, and a green marble floor, all of which perfectly compliment not only each other but also the famous French chandeliers which light the area.
Several Architectural awards have been received including one which recognizes the assistance of the VPI (Virginia Tech today) Department of Architecture.
The rear waiting area offers a comfortable place for travelers to pass the time watching East/west bound traffic while awaiting the arrival of epic passenger trains such as the N and W Powhatan Arrow, Pocahontas, and Cavalier, and also such famous trains as the Southern Tennessean.
On ground level, passengers board in comfort while enjoying the delightful Roanoke weather. Often they can be seen studying renderings about the Historical Heritage of the Roanoke area.
The station is a constant bee-hive of activity. Paula outdid herself in creating dioramas that offer sights ranging from a bevy of beautiful women and nattily dressed gentlemen to a purse snatcher being chased by the authorities and even a lady of the evening meeting her escort.
The last stage of the remodeling will likely begin in 2023 and will include parking areas, a park, plenty of landscaping, and additional cultural attractions, including a section devoted to the famous N and W photographer O. Winston Link.
As a note to Mark Boyce who has a station awaiting populace, Paula has placed 200 people, an estimated 20 baggage carts, and a ton of other stuff. She will be glad to assist you when ready.
This is almost turning into one of Alan’s OGR articles so let’s see the photos.
@Bill Webb- an amazing feet of modeling skill by a great team. I often watch the Roanoke camera on Virtual Railfan. The camera is across from the Hotel Roanoke, at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Was/ is the station still there?
Bob
Oh, Wow Paula, excellent job! A train terminal wouldn't be real without lots of customers and workers. This scene needs all these figures. Nice wagons, tables, signs, and activity.
Bill, I have had the pleasure of seeing this building before it's a great rendition of the N&W terminal. Perfect lighting and lots of detail and class. Tap this scene off as an eye catcher.
@Bill Webb posted:Lee, can’t wait to hear how the event went. Your layout looks great.
Thanks!
It went really well. I had everyone sign in on a guest book and haven't counted them yet, but I had a relatively steady stream the entire time.
One guy who also has a ET&WNC layout, but in HOn3 (and an excellent rendition of the real railroad) came by, along with other well known folks in the hobby.
Dropped off a photo for the model contest (which has a photo contest with it) afterward and hit the vendors room.
I saw some amazing model work:
I also met several big hitters in the hobby, some were folks I'd been wanting to talk to for years...
Also bought a book from the author, been wanting this for a while, from the dean of ET&WNC history:
That is worth attending. I will show this to Rich and Paula.
Glad that things went well.
Bob the station has been redone and is now the O Winston Link and History Museum of Western Virginia. It is done well and Winston Link’s photos are fabulous.
It is located across the street from the Hotel Roanoke entrance.
Thanks Wood. You made Paula’s day. We all had a good time with this building. Can’t wait to get back to it but have to do other things first. Brooklyn cars will be featured in the parking garage and lot.
@Bill Webb posted:Lee, can’t wait to hear how the event went. Your layout looks great.
Passenger Station renovation part 1 is hereby declared completed. That really doesn’t mean a lot. Paula is looking at the Scenic Express catalog for landscaping materials for the front as I type this. I say wait; oh well.That’s a good thing. I can’t believe my good fortune to have a wife who is excited about the train room, has decided what she wants to do, and can do it well. Add a friend like Rich to handle the structural work and I can go fishing Saturday.
The station is modeled after the N and W Roanoke station. It is on two levels, the top containing the concourse and waiting areas, the bottom has three tracks and two platforms.
No, this is not Grand Central. After all, the N and W was a coal hauling railroad BUT that did not mean that passengers were forgotten or pulled by stinking diesels. The Roanoke built J was one of the premier engines ever made.
It isn’t’ practical to model Roanoke so selective re-creation is being used which places obstacles/opportunities in the paths of progress. We spend hours deciding what goes where, how, and when to do it.
Harry Heike built the station about five years ago. Until early 2022, it sat there alone with nothing close to the second level. Now there is a great deal within two feet and we are almost ready to add more Benchwork and lay track which will extend to the center and left away from the right side Engine Service area.
So, to celebrate progress, Rich and Paula decided to renovate the station.
The front brick building interior was gutted and both side business offices/dispatch area/freight service were redone. The main concourse features a Colonial Red rear wall, a custom hand-crafted mahogany ticket/service area, and a green marble floor, all of which perfectly compliment not only each other but also the famous French chandeliers which light the area.
Several Architectural awards have been received including one which recognizes the assistance of the VPI (Virginia Tech today) Department of Architecture.
The rear waiting area offers a comfortable place for travelers to pass the time watching East/west bound traffic while awaiting the arrival of epic passenger trains such as the N and W Powhatan Arrow, Pocahontas, and Cavalier, and also such famous trains as the Southern Tennessean.
On ground level, passengers board in comfort while enjoying the delightful Roanoke weather. Often they can be seen studying renderings about the Historical Heritage of the Roanoke area.
The station is a constant bee-hive of activity. Paula outdid herself in creating dioramas that offer sights ranging from a bevy of beautiful women and nattily dressed gentlemen to a purse snatcher being chased by the authorities and even a lady of the evening meeting her escort.
The last stage of the remodeling will likely begin in 2023 and will include parking areas, a park, plenty of landscaping, and additional cultural attractions, including a section devoted to the famous N and W photographer O. Winston Link.
As a note to Mark Boyce who has a station awaiting populace, Paula has placed 200 people, an estimated 20 baggage carts, and a ton of other stuff. She will be glad to assist you when ready.
This is almost turning into one of Alan’s OGR articles so let’s see the photos.
Magnificent!
Peter
I decided to do a little Urban Renewal on my modules. I cover 18 feet of our modular layout. The original modules were built and decorated in 2009-2010. I will briefly try to take you through the journey......
First, pictures from the Summer of 2010 in my garage:
Have a great and safe weekend, folks!
Peter
Next stop was a major addition in 2017. I went from 12 feet to 18feet (where I remain).
Two major buildings kitbashes: one of of a Korber factory and the establishment of MAX FOODS....these pictures are from Summer through Fall of 2017.....
.....and, Woodland Scenics Morrison Door Factory thrown in.....
Peter
Excellent work Peter! One of these days I will have to drive down and see one of your club's open houses.
-Greg
Since that time, I tried to declutter, moving out Morrison's Door Factory.......but, I wanted to change the look.....I decided to pave the streets and "declutter" a bit more.....then, defined the paved space with more foliage......
....I also "weathered" the "asphalt" a bit......
My next step will be to put the buildings back and adjust the "people" and add a few more vehicles since the road is now "paved".
Peter
My dilemma is that whatever I do, it :
1. Has to look reasonably believable.
2. Has to be easily portable.
3. Has to be easy to maintain.
4. Has to use most (if not all) of what I already have, since I already have a fortune invested in it.
My next challenge: I want to change the buildings in the next picture. I may want to re-define the place by switching out the lower building on the right, for a taller one......possibly a 3 story Buildings Unlimited or Woodland Scenics structure.
Thank you for your patience as I ramble on......
Have a great weekend.
Peter
Good morning everyone! I am currently on the way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but I have had a layover in Dallas, Texas. Train stuff has been delayed so not much new stuff has been happening. However, I was able to do some minor train operations. I decided to make a simple coal run up and down the mountain. Here is a video of it.
@Putnam Division posted:My dilemma is that whatever I do, it :
1. Has to look reasonably believable.
2. Has to be easily portable.
3. Has to be easy to maintain.
Thank you for your patience as I ramble on......
Have a great weekend.
Peter
Peter,
You have a lock on #1 no problem there.
As to #2 I have been amazed at the complexity of your modules. The amount of detail and the sheer size of some of the scenery is amazing and then to think that it gets taken apart and transported; I’m in awe.
Disassembled the floor layout and packed everything up in preparation for a layout build in a different room.
Follow my build progress by using the link in my signature.
I hope everyone is having a great labor day weekend!
Wow! I can’t believe the amount and skill level of the work! Well done all.
Bob, nice work on the switches and surrounding area. You certainly made good use of you time.
Bill, tell Paula she does excellent work. The transformation is an article by itself.
Lee, glad to hear everything went well. You have a layout to be proud of for sure.
Mike, the vehicles are ready for the road, we’ll done.
Peter, excellent transformation, wow.
I’m going back to reread the last two pages of this thread…
Andy
@Steamfan77 posted:Wow! I can’t believe the amount and skill level of the work! Well done all.
Bob, nice work on the switches and surrounding area. You certainly made good use of you time.
Bill, tell Paula she does excellent work. The transformation is an article by itself.Lee, glad to hear everything went well. You have a layout to be proud of for sure.
Mike, the vehicles are ready for the road, we’ll done.
Peter, excellent transformation, wow.
I’m going back to reread the last two pages of this thread…
Andy
Thanks Andy.
I really don't feel I'm in the league with some of you guys. My humble little layout with 027 track and curves pales in comparison to some of the layouts (yours included), that are showcased here.
That being said, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and will take these skills and apply them to a bigger and better layout one day.
Thanks again
Bob
My daughter took this light hearted video of my layout last week. Grandsons appear near the end.
Sorry Bob, I disagree. Many smaller layouts are very well done (like yours) and it’s what you do with the space you have that counts. You should be proud of your layout. It’s a lot of action in a small package. Can’t wait to see what you do with a larger space.
Andy
@Bob "O" posted:My daughter took this light hearted video of my layout last week. Grandsons appear near the end.
Bob, I thoroughly enjoyed the video, it was well done. I saw some really nice scenery, it would be nice to see some still shots to be able to study the scenes. The water was very convincing.
I painted the sides of the rails and weathered the Fastrack roadbed on my little oval. Now that it's mostly complete I'm very happy with the look.
One thing I'm not happy with is the Superfund cleanup site in the making over at Whaddle County Fuel. It's not quite clear how those guys get the petroleum products from the railroad cars into the tanks, but however it's done they're a little sloppy about it and oil is literally drenching the track. This is probably the kind of mess that the EPA would be very interested in, except that the EPA won't be signed into law for about another 12 years.
@Bob "O" posted:My daughter took this light hearted video of my layout last week. Grandsons appear near the end.
Great video Bob. The music frames the scenes on your layout perfectly.
Thanks for sharing.
@Steamfan77 posted:Sorry Bob, I disagree. Many smaller layouts are very well done (like yours) and it’s what you do with the space you have that counts. You should be proud of your layout. It’s a lot of action in a small package. Can’t wait to see what you do with a larger space.
Andy
Thanks Andy. I'm probably my own worst critic. Much appreciated. As to the larger space issue, gonna be a while until I can convince the CEO that we don't need all the baby clothes and toys any more (kids are 24, and 18 now).
@John's Trains posted:I painted the sides of the rails and weathered the Fastrack roadbed on my little oval. Now that it's mostly complete I'm very happy with the look.
Nice work John. I like the added "turnout" for the elevator.
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:...Nice work John. I like the added "turnout" for the elevator.
Bob
Than you, Bob. I'm kinda liking the constraints of a small space. There's no way I could fit a real turnout for that coal elevator and this fake one works for me.
John
@Bob "O" posted:My daughter took this light hearted video of my layout last week. Grandsons appear near the end.
Thanks for sharing. We go see the Glen Miller Orchestra every year. Nothing like a big band orchestra.
Paul
@Bob "O" posted:My daughter took this light hearted video of my layout last week. Grandsons appear near the end.
Tell your daughter......WELL DONE!
I shared it with the 40+ members of my modular group!
Peter
Nice work John, I like the updates you've made, The backstory is funny. Better keep an eye on those guys.
Andy
I have another batch of trees ready for some paint. Tan on the trunks and black on the tops. Next step is to add the flocking. In the last picture I have another batch drying waiting for paint.
Andy
I don't do a whole lot of major stuff to the layout in the summer. Kids are too busy with stuff. I usually do minor things like change out car loads and figures. I've been playing with some engine blocks and things I 3D printed on the Mars 3. I finally got some ratchet strap handles printed that I think work. Not exactly to scale, but the smallest I could print and not destroy while painting or glueing together. Plan to place these on some flatbeds or gondolas
@LT1Poncho posted:I don't do a whole lot of major stuff to the layout in the summer. Kids are too busy with stuff. I usually do minor things like change out car loads and figures. I've been playing with some engine blocks and things I 3D printed on the Mars 3. I finally got some ratchet strap handles printed that I think work. Not exactly to scale, but the smallest I could print and not destroy while painting or glueing together. Plan to place these on some flatbeds or gondolas
Nicely done!
Not an especially fun week. In the middle of switching 16 yard turnouts from Touch Toggles (don’t work with Legacy) to DCS control.
This involves wiring and adding 2 AIUs (done), 32 relays (20 wired and mounted on board), connecting 32 AIU terminals to the relays (10 done), disconnecting the 16 turnouts from the Tough Toggles and connecting them to the relays (6 done), programming 16 turnouts into the remote (0 properly), labeling everything, and loading it into the computer so we can locate it a year from now when something breaks.
Everything has to be tested; invariably something is wrong and the problem must be found and corrected (1 to troubleshoot).
Time for a glass of Chardonnay.
@Bill Webb posted:Not an especially fun week. In the middle of switching 16 yard turnouts from Touch Toggles (don’t work with Legacy) to DCS control.
This involves wiring and adding 2 AIUs (done), 32 relays (20 wired and mounted on board), connecting 32 AIU terminals to the relays (10 done), disconnecting the 16 turnouts from the Tough Toggles and connecting them to the relays (6 done), programming 16 turnouts into the remote (0 properly), labeling everything, and loading it into the computer so we can locate it a year from now when something breaks.
Everything has to be tested; invariably something is wrong and the problem must be found and corrected (1 to troubleshoot).
Time for a glass of Chardonnay.
So if I look up self-inflicted torture in Webster's, will I find this post? 
@Bill Webb posted:Not an especially fun week. In the middle of switching 16 yard turnouts from Touch Toggles (don’t work with Legacy) to DCS control.
This involves wiring and adding 2 AIUs (done), 32 relays (20 wired and mounted on board), connecting 32 AIU terminals to the relays (10 done), disconnecting the 16 turnouts from the Tough Toggles and connecting them to the relays (6 done), programming 16 turnouts into the remote (0 properly), labeling everything, and loading it into the computer so we can locate it a year from now when something breaks.
Everything has to be tested; invariably something is wrong and the problem must be found and corrected (1 to troubleshoot).
Time for a glass of Chardonnay.
You mean time for the whole bottle!
Hang in there - it'll be worth it in the long run!
-Greg
WOW after a page and a half I finely got to the end! LOL
You all have been doing such wonderful work, I wish I would have read all this sooner! Well either way here we go, you all know what is about to happen! If you guys don't like it let me know and I will just hand out a lot of likes when I have been off for a few days!
@RSJB18 Bob, outstanding work on the switch getting it all to blend in! The ground cover between the tracks sure is going to be nice when your completed!
@Bill Webb Bill you Paula, and Rich have done such an Amazing job on the station! I have never thought about getting that detail into it, maybe I will have to rethink that! LOL
@p51Lee I am glad you had a good turn out to see your wonderful layout! It would have sucked after what you went threw to get ready and not may people showed up! Let's just say I know! LOL
@Putnam Division Peter You know when you go in for an urban renewal you really go all in! OUTSTABDING!
@Jstewart204 WOW that kind of sucks! I hope the new layout is better for you!
@Bob "O" Great video of a wonderful looking layout with great scenery! Tell your daughter thank you!
@John's Trains John GREAT job on the fast track! I had to look twice! LOL As for the cleanup keep your job and don't tell the EPA! LOL
@Steamfan77 Andy the trees look outstanding! Very nice work, maybe I will give it a try this winter! LOL Then again maybe not!
@LT1Poncho The engine blocks look perfect along with the cargo straps! I wish I have a 3D printer, but then again I would have to learn how to use it! LOL
Well now that I have reached the end of my comment section, I hinted in my comment to LEE P51. I spent a little time last week trying to make sure all my trains ran fine, and everything worked as I was excepting the kids, grandkids, friends from my old work with their kids and grandkids!
The good thing is that when I tested everything it all ran just fine, and it gave me a lot of time in the train room running trains!
The bad thing is nobody showed up to see the trains running! So, it was me and my Coors Light along with the CEO when she was free from what she was doing! Either way we had a good weekend with each other, and the weather was really nice!
I hope you all have great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
Mike, I’m sorry the kids didn’t show up, but glad you had fun running trains.
@Mark Boyce posted:Mike, I’m sorry the kids didn’t show up, but glad you had fun running trains.
Mike, that's a shame no one showed up. Hopefully they can stop by in the near future. I'm glad you went ahead and made the best of it!
-Greg
Final assembly of my eight remaining NP NCL passenger cars (one was completed some weeks ago) continues.
Assembly includes the trucks and frames, but these cars have interiors with little people and receive @gunrunnerjohn DIY regulators and LED strip lighting.
The combo car is complete except for windows/glazing. Next up is the diner.
Just click on the image to view full size image.
Note: I'm out of 3528 LEDs, so I used 5050 size.
@Pingman posted:Final assembly of my eight remaining NP NCL passenger cars (one was completed some weeks ago) continues.
Assembly includes the trucks and frames, but these cars have interiors with little people and receive @gunrunnerjohn DIY regulators and LED strip lighting.
The combo car is complete except for windows/glazing. Next up is the diner.
Just click on the image to see full size.
Note: I'm was out of 3528 LEDs, so I used 5050 size.
Carl, the Northern Pacific passenger car looks awesome! Nicely done!
Ran a few trains over the weekend for my grandson. He sure loves trains! I had him work the controls for a bit. He did good for being just over 2 years old but still likes to go heavy on the throttle!
I need to do a few small adjustments and the inner loop will be up and running again.
No work currently being done and it might be a while before work is done. More on that later.
@Bill Webb posted:Not an especially fun week. In the middle of switching 16 yard turnouts from Touch Toggles (don’t work with Legacy) to DCS control.
This involves wiring and adding 2 AIUs (done), 32 relays (20 wired and mounted on board), connecting 32 AIU terminals to the relays (10 done), disconnecting the 16 turnouts from the Tough Toggles and connecting them to the relays (6 done), programming 16 turnouts into the remote (0 properly), labeling everything, and loading it into the computer so we can locate it a year from now when something breaks.
Everything has to be tested; invariably something is wrong and the problem must be found and corrected (1 to troubleshoot).
Time for a glass of Chardonnay.
Bill,
So here we go. I'm new to all this. I took up trains after I retired. I had my first mini layout at Christmas. We inherited a Lionel set from the 1930s, but I didn't want to run it too much as it had sat in an attic for the better part of 40 years. When we were sure that the grandkids would be able to make it here this year, I was allowed to use the dining room, so I set up 2 4x8s and started collecting. It wasn't much, but the kids loved it.
Now that the kids are gone, so is my train room. I cleared the basement and opened up a large area with electricity and internet. Now I have to decide exactly what I want to do. A couple of things. It has to stay simple, I want to get it done and run trains. I have no artistic talent, none, zero. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. Also, not great at carpentry, like measure 4 times and still cut wrong. I so envy the work I see folks doing here and on Youtube.
Hopefully, I can come up with something that will be within my means and look good.
@mike g.- Thanks for the compliment. It's a never ending process.
Sorry no one showed to see the trains but look on the bright side, everything ran flawlessly, you had a few cold one's, and relaxed with the CEO.
@Pingman- The cars look great Carl.
@Bill Webb- As much as I like a good wiring challenge, sounds like you are up to your eyeballs in it. Personally, I'd be into the single-malt by now.
No train time for me this past weekend- I was "assigned" a project by the CEO to patch and paint a wall in the in-law's house. I did manage to snag this at HD while picking up a gallon of paint. They were running a free battery sale for Labor Day.
The 2-drill kit was $229. The battery alone was another $89.00 so a good deal for sure. I have a Milwaukee mini sawzall with the same battery already.
@TimMacPA posted:So here we go. I'm new to all this. I took up trains after I retired. I had my first mini layout at Christmas. We inherited a Lionel set from the 1930s, but I didn't want to run it too much as it had sat in an attic for the better part of 40 years. When we were sure that the grandkids would be able to make it here this year, I was allowed to use the dining room, so I set up 2 4x8s and started collecting. It wasn't much, but the kids loved it.
Now that the kids are gone, so is my train room. I cleared the basement and opened up a large area with electricity and internet. Now I have to decide exactly what I want to do. A couple of things. It has to stay simple, I want to get it done and run trains. I have no artistic talent, none, zero. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. Also, not great at carpentry, like measure 4 times and still cut wrong. I so envy the work I see folks doing here and on Youtube.
Hopefully, I can come up with something that will be within my means and look good.
You’ve started, that’s step 1. And it looks like there is plenty of room to expand. 😜
Is that base board heat that I see? I read that you want to go simple; but some things are easier to do before the table. Are you going to rock the wall? Are going to put a drop ceiling; or rock it? Don’t let me scare you away! If you would rather not do that; maybe put casters on the table legs for future use.
Final—It’s your layout and it must please you!
@pennsyfan posted:You’ve started, that’s step 1. And it looks like there is plenty of room to expand. 😜
Is that base board heat that I see? I read that you want to go simple; but some things are easier to do before the table. Are you going to rock the wall? Are going to put a drop ceiling; or rock it? Don’t let me scare you away! If you would rather not do that; maybe put casters on the table legs for future use.
Final—It’s your layout and it must please you!
On the floor, that's a french drain. Heat is overhead. I'm not doing anymore to the basement.I want to get the table up so I can run trains, that's it.
@TimMacPA posted:So here we go. I'm new to all this. I took up trains after I retired. I had my first mini layout at Christmas. We inherited a Lionel set from the 1930s, but I didn't want to run it too much as it had sat in an attic for the better part of 40 years. When we were sure that the grandkids would be able to make it here this year, I was allowed to use the dining room, so I set up 2 4x8s and started collecting. It wasn't much, but the kids loved it.
Now that the kids are gone, so is my train room. I cleared the basement and opened up a large area with electricity and internet. Now I have to decide exactly what I want to do. A couple of things. It has to stay simple, I want to get it done and run trains. I have no artistic talent, none, zero. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. Also, not great at carpentry, like measure 4 times and still cut wrong. I so envy the work I see folks doing here and on Youtube.
Hopefully, I can come up with something that will be within my means and look good.
Hi Tim- I'm jealous of your space. A couple comments.
1- If you don't want to build benches from scratch- check out Mianne Benchwork (a sponsor). They can build and ship you a modular system that will suit your needs. Just add tops and you would be ready for track.
2- If you aren't adding a ceiling, then at least cover the insulation with plastic. It will contain the dust and fibers that will continually rain down on the layout.
What kind of track plan do you have in mind?
Bob
@TimMacPA posted:On the floor, that's a french drain. Heat is overhead. I'm not doing anymore to the basement.I want to get the table up so I can run trains, that's it.
Tim, that’s a nice large space! Yes, I see the French drain. My mother-in-law had to get one put in her last house, then promptly bought a house near us.
Yes, I can see the urge to get trains running, and why not. It looks like you have some table started. You could build something not complex like you did at Christmas, then do something different as you gain some knowledge and skills. I hear you about measure 4 times and still cut wrong. I still do it, and my carpentry is rough. It will be covered with scenery…someday. Yes there are a lot of folks here with great skill and better tools than I have, but my guess is guys like you and me outnumber them.
I'm retired too, almost 3 years now. It took a while to get trains running, and now I’m making a change, so the continuous mainline is broken again. I said that just to say you can change things around as you go.
What kind of track did you use on the Christmas layout and what did you use to control the train(s)? Do you want to stay with that or make an upgrade? Do you have any buildings and are you interested in building kits?
Finally for now, Welcome aboard! This is a great hobby and don’t let anything you see on the Forum intimidate you. Ask plenty of questions. I had HO trains for years and it was these Forum members who helped my learning curve moving to 3-rail O gauge and modern trains.
Not on my layout; but on my workbench. My buddy called that his Bascule bridge was humming but not moving. I went over there and tried to turn the spring shaft as he applied power. It moved. I decided to take it with me. I took the house off and applied power. I noticed the armature plate moved. There was a screw missing at the bottom of the plate. When I held the plate in position it ran. I installed a new screw and it’s all good. I applied the NY Telephone test requirements and ran it for 25 cycles before I gave it back.
I have never been happy with my city of New Haven along with an old Bowser 20" turntable. So we ripped it all out and I am now putting down a hardboard sub base over plywood to help smooth out the multiple pieces of wood. Also doing some landscaping around that area as well. Everything is pretty well scattered. 
TimMacPa, congratulations on getting started and that is a good sized space. Please recognize that the majority of us don’t have the artistic and construction skills. However, we do possess imagination and that is what inspires our efforts. I might suggest that you do some research on the forum, review back issues of OGR and read other materials. Train shows are also good sources. Many can probably attest to this that we see something and the imagination is ignited.
Jay
Wired one of my Fastrack uncouplers to the auxiliary on my transformer. Know I can uncouple cars without highballing out of the siding to generate enough voltage to activate it.
This came today.......great service from Trainz......ordered mid-day on Monday.
Look for it to replace on the one story brick building with the red trim on the modular layout.... maybe as early as tomorrow....
Have a great evening, folks!
Peter
Took a break from the wiring yesterday. Had fun at our grandson’s 14th birthday.
Got up about 5:00 and entered wiring information on the computer. I have found that it is best done soon after completing the work…CRS syndrome acts quickly.
Into the train room after Paula and I walked and I tackled the turnout that would not work. I would love to brag about the expert repair but the truth is that I moved wires around and it started working. The last thing that I touched was the wiring connector for the Tortoise so I tightened the screws. It is still working.
I connected two more AIU/relay wires and tested the associated turnout. It worked. We are up to six working turnouts with 10 to go. Our green wire was gone with more expected late today. Time for lunch.
The doorbell rang. “This feels like wire.” Wow, ordered Tuesday and here by noon Thursday. If you need wire, try BULKWIRE.COM. We have ordered from them for years and their service is fantastic.
Paula and I ran four more AIU/relay wires and hooked them up… the relays work. Then wires started looking alike ( I can’t take but so much of this) so I switched to changing the brief name I had assigned in the MTH remote to the correct name that describes the turnout. Rich called to report on his trip to the nephrologist today… kidney stone blast day is Tuesday if it doesn’t pass. I kept programming while we talked and eight are now programmed.
So far so good. We hope to finish five turnouts tomorrow which will complete the freight yard. Five passenger yard turnouts are next followed by labeling everything so that we will still know what it is in two months.
Bill, sounds like a productive day! Thank you for the tip on bulkwire.com I am out of wire and will need some more. I can only count on longer runs instead of shorter for whatever changes I make.
I did nothing on my layout, but did visit George (G3750) to make a delivery and see the beautiful progress he has made on his PRR Panhandle 2 layout.
Urban renewal continues to move forward......my plan was to revise the business district and replace the one story bakery with a building taller than the Walter's buildings.
Before:
My solution:
In place and will be tweaked a bit......
Have a great and safe weekend, folks!
Peter
Peter. You are creating some amazing scenes. It must be difficult to transport the layout to the different shows. How do you pack them? When you are building a scene how do you make sure everything is secure on the table?
And, I love the airport you have in your last picture.
@Putnam Division- I like the new building Peter. The sidewalk between the buildings makes for a nice alley to hide some neat stuff. IIRC don't you run a raffle to find hidden things on the layout?
@Bill Webb- Add me to the thanks for the wire supplier. Glad you are making progress on the switches. I agree that it's best to log the info now while it's fresh in your head.
Bob
Peter, the new building looks great with the others. I see you have a very many citizens in and about your town.
@Wood posted:Peter. You are creating some amazing scenes. It must be difficult to transport the layout to the different shows. How do you pack them? When you are building a scene how do you make sure everything is secure on the table?
And, I love the airport you have in your last picture.
It varies with the module. My scenery all comes off into 4 plastic containers and a few boxes.... 2 of the boxes are custom-built. Others have scenery built onto 1" or 2" building foam.
All go in a 24' trailer that we own.
With 10-12 people, we can set up in 4 hrs.......or take down in 2hrs.
Here are the two custom boxes.....
Custom built for these two buildings....
Thank you for asking.
Peter
Not so much my layout, but I got my author copies of run 326 with my Army railroader article. Alan did a great job with the way it appears in the magazine!
Hopefully someone will find it interesting. At the very least, it's not the same article you read over and over in the hobby press.
Pulled and connected rest of freight yard wires (5) tortoises to relays.
Completed two turnouts, three to go. Need to run wires AIU to relays (6), program remote, test.
After that start on passenger yard. Five turnouts there. Have to wire and add twelve relays to board.
Rich passed two kidney stones; called to say he plans to be here tomorrow.
Maybe we can complete this project and move to connecting levels one and two late Sunday after church.
For the past couple of day’s I’ve been correcting an oversight. As I began converting my layout to wireless there is a central control console for throwing switches, turning structures, accessories and power to sidings on/off using a keypad. So far it seems to be working very reliably (for homegrown software). I also can perform the same functions from an Android tablet. Originally both the layout and the tablet powered up in ‘Default Route’ state so the two would match. Then in a sort of “Duh!” moment it dawned on me that the odds of me making changes on the layout (throw a switch, turn something on/off) prior to connecting the tablet were astronomically high. In my fear of getting ‘This is not the Droid I’m looking for’ response from the master controller I had to code for the Tablet being updated when it first connects to the layout. So, I’ve been re-coding the Arduino sketch and the Android App to fix that problem and so far everything is testing ‘OK’. Haven’t declared victory yet, but confidence is high. Attached are a couple of android screen shots, the keypad mirrors the keypad on the master console. The screen shot with the red dot in the lower right is the Switch Map, including siding power, the power plant coal dump and the track power cutoff for the bridge approaches. The screen shot with the blue dot is the Accessory Map. Changes are made by either entering a code on the keypad or taping a dot on the map. Switch between screens by touching the menu on the keypad, or the red or blue dot on the two other screens which then shows the keypad menu choices. After a couple days of re-coding and ¼ bottle of extra strength ibuprofen, I’m hoping the worst is behind me.
bd
@barnun posted:For the past couple of day’s I’ve been correcting an oversight. As I began converting my layout to wireless there is a central control console for throwing switches, turning structures, accessories and power to sidings on/off using a keypad. So far it seems to be working very reliably (for homegrown software). I also can perform the same functions from an Android tablet. Originally both the layout and the tablet powered up in ‘Default Route’ state so the two would match. Then in a sort of “Duh!” moment it dawned on me that the odds of me making changes on the layout (throw a switch, turn something on/off) prior to connecting the tablet were astronomically high. In my fear of getting ‘This is not the Droid I’m looking for’ response from the master controller I had to code for the Tablet being updated when it first connects to the layout. So, I’ve been re-coding the Arduino sketch and the Android App to fix that problem and so far everything is testing ‘OK’. Haven’t declared victory yet, but confidence is high. Attached are a couple of android screen shots, the keypad mirrors the keypad on the master console. The screen shot with the red dot in the lower right is the Switch Map, including siding power, the power plant coal dump and the track power cutoff for the bridge approaches. The screen shot with the blue dot is the Accessory Map. Changes are made by either entering a code on the keypad or taping a dot on the map. Switch between screens by touching the menu on the keypad, or the red or blue dot on the two other screens which then shows the keypad menu choices. After a couple days of re-coding and ¼ bottle of extra strength ibuprofen, I’m hoping the worst is behind me.
bd
My head hurts just reading this post.....
Nice work!
Bob
We have never liked the way the City of New Haven looked. Last weekend we took up the buildings and such and decided to put down a base material over the first layer plywood to sort of level things up. The press board material was then cut and screwed to the base. The plan is to now cut bases for all the buildings using 1/8" material and forming the base dimensions to meet with adjacent building to form sidewalks or whatever. We added some formed wall sections and plastered them in along with other landscaping. Also added a spur track for an RPO to sit adjacent to the station. Today we are adding a pop out cover and see the best way to install it. Once this is finished, we can add the roads and other details along with the lights and people, etc.
@barnun posted:For the past couple of day’s I’ve been correcting an oversight. As I began converting my layout to wireless there is a central control console for throwing switches, turning structures, accessories and power to sidings on/off using a keypad. So far it seems to be working very reliably (for homegrown software). I also can perform the same functions from an Android tablet. Originally both the layout and the tablet powered up in ‘Default Route’ state so the two would match. Then in a sort of “Duh!” moment it dawned on me that the odds of me making changes on the layout (throw a switch, turn something on/off) prior to connecting the tablet were astronomically high. In my fear of getting ‘This is not the Droid I’m looking for’ response from the master controller I had to code for the Tablet being updated when it first connects to the layout. So, I’ve been re-coding the Arduino sketch and the Android App to fix that problem and so far everything is testing ‘OK’. Haven’t declared victory yet, but confidence is high. Attached are a couple of android screen shots, the keypad mirrors the keypad on the master console. The screen shot with the red dot in the lower right is the Switch Map, including siding power, the power plant coal dump and the track power cutoff for the bridge approaches. The screen shot with the blue dot is the Accessory Map. Changes are made by either entering a code on the keypad or taping a dot on the map. Switch between screens by touching the menu on the keypad, or the red or blue dot on the two other screens which then shows the keypad menu choices. After a couple days of re-coding and ¼ bottle of extra strength ibuprofen, I’m hoping the worst is behind me.
bd
I need to buy another bottle of extra strength Ibuprofen as well! I think I’ll stick with the controls I have. 😄
I installed some mailboxes in the back ally today. I also painted some parking meters [ Grandt Line 3590 O Scale Parking Meters ] but need to touch up my roads and weather my sidewalks before installation.
Lots of nice work guys! I’ve been away from the forum for too many days…
I added leaves to the next batch of trees.
Andy
@Bill Park- New Haven is certainly in need of urban renewal.....
@Dave Ripp.- You need a vintage USPS Jeep for all those mailboxes. Nice work.
@Steamfan77- You are getting to be a pro at making trees Andy.
Bob
Thank you Bob.
Andy
@Mark Boyce posted:I need to buy another bottle of extra strength Ibuprofen as well! I think I’ll stick with the controls I have. 😄
LOL, Mark I totally understand. But everyone's layout is a bit different and my whole intent was to eliminate as much as possible inter module wiring (7 modules). So to use one of the 'canned' layout control options would have been 7 x $$$ and still would have required additional wiring between the modules (PDI Buss, etc.). Thats my story and I'm stickin' to it. 
bd
@barnun posted:LOL, Mark I totally understand. But everyone's layout is a bit different and my whole intent was to eliminate as much as possible inter module wiring (7 modules). So to use one of the 'canned' layout control options would have been 7 x $$$ and still would have required additional wiring between the modules (PDI Buss, etc.). Thats my story and I'm stickin' to it.
bd
You make a valid case for going with your method. Once it is all working, it will pay dividends!!
NMRA MCR DIV 7 post meeting layout visit pictures:
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
