@Steamfan77 posted:I placed the roof on the picnic table shelter to check the fit. Next I need to glue the support beams in place, then add some trim.
Andy
Neat project Andy, looking good.
The plan was: Phase transformer and 135W powerhouse brick. Then replace the transformer feed with the Powerhouse for the Legacy Powermaster. Add voltmeter to monitor the track voltage when using powermaster. I don't use the conventional/command switch, but just keep the powermaster in conventional. I turn up power full for legacy control.
What was done.
Phase Transformer
To keep phasing, paint one side of the transformer plug red, the one that goes in the small, hot side of the socket. Also paint the equivelent side of the outlet on my power strip, so I can tell without glasses which side to use.
Plug in Powerhouse, set Powermaster back to 135 watt. How did it get set to 180W? Maybe I should tape it down with grandkids around.
Hooked up voltmeter and system shorts. Take a hard look at the voltmeter I bought many moons ago and there is a small ammeter symbol on it. OK, hook it up to the "A" main from the powermaster. It works and shows how much load the engines are pulling. Now to get a true voltmeter.
Install remote control power plug. Thanks for the tip Gunnrunner John. No more reaching into power area to turn on power. Also a good "emergency shut off"
Solid core main wires from Legacy and Powermaster to track distribution block broke at the ends again when re-assembling. Good wires, but for layout use they have proven too brittle. Replace with multistrand wires. Add round terminals to wires for powermaster and legacy connections. So they easily tighten and don't come loose.
Find that one Lionel Plug and Play connector running my Track signal has shorted and melted itself together and no longer works. Remove the melted distribution link from the Plug and Play distribution block. Put in a new Plug and Play connector for the signal. This time make sure the unused ground wire is taped over, no matter how impossible it would be to ground out.
Then the package arrived. Add the BRLT to the new to me K-line Big Boy. No more 9v batteries leaking in my trains.
And this time the fixes are permanent, right?
Mike g,
Good luck with your knee surgery tomorrow.
@Lionelski posted:Mike g,
Good luck with your knee surgery tomorrow.
Thanks John! I am about ready to see if I can get connection with my tablet as I don't see myself getting up much for the next few days. But I want to be able to keep up on what everyone is getting done on their layouts and all the fun they are having!
@mike g. posted:Thanks John! I am about ready to see if I can get connection with my tablet as I don't see myself getting up much for the next few days. But I want to be able to keep up on what everyone is getting done on their layouts and all the fun they are having!
Well it’s a good opportunity to keep on top of everything going on on the Forum! I hope I have something to post.
@mike g. - I was just catching up and read about your Knee surgery tomorrow. I have had both done, orthoscopic not replacement, and it was not too bad, just laid up for a few days then a few days of taking it easy. I wish you all the best and a speed recovery.
Don
Thanks guys, the Head nurse/CEO has told me that the train room will be off limits for 3 days! the good thing is by the 3rd day she has to go back to work. Maybe I will be able to sneak out then! LOL
@mike g. Speedy recovery!
Mike G good luck on the knee surgery. Hope that you are pleasantly surprised with the recovery.
Rich was here this afternoon and graduated to “Experienced Turnout Installer Including Wiring, DCS control, Lantern, and Final Adjustment.” We completed the install on the two Ross 4-way turnouts etal. The etal part is step by step until done.
Next up, tunnels, retaining walls, bridges, put away Christmas trains, and install Roanoke star.
Good luck on the surgery Mike. My wife has had both surgery and replacement. She was doing grocery shopping within a week, at her insistence! Hopefully you will be mobile quickly.
@mike g. posted:Thanks guys, the Head nurse/CEO has told me that the train room will be off limits for 3 days! the good thing is by the 3rd day she has to go back to work. Maybe I will be able to sneak out then! LOL
Godspeed Mike.
Day three sounds like a train room day to me. 🤣🤣
@mike g. posted:Well guys as for me I know I haven't been here for a couple days and I am sorry for that, I have been trying to get as much done on the layout before my knee surgery on Wednesday. I was able to get my great cut out in the main bench work leading down to my future staging yard that will be under the layout.
I hope you all have a great week, but most of all I hope you all find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
Mike;
Best wishes for a successful surgery and a quick and complete recovery. I’ve had two total knees replacements done and the improvement to my mobility after each was amazing. Hopefully you’ll be able to tap dance on top of the layout when your done
Good luck on the knee surgery Mike g.
Just because the " nurse " might not keep up with what you are planning doesn't mean you should make the surgery recovery go in reverse...........it looks like you have WAY TOO MUCH WORK to get done on your layout to be goofing yourself up .
@MikeG, I wish you total success in your upcoming knee surgery, my suggestion, do exactly what the doctor/therapist say, this will help you for the rest of your life. You will be in our prayers. Happy Railroading Everyone
Good luck Mike, hope all goes well with your surgery.
Andy
@mike g. posted:Thanks guys, the Head nurse/CEO has told me that the train room will be off limits for 3 days! the good thing is by the 3rd day she has to go back to work. Maybe I will be able to sneak out then! LOL
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
Peter
Good luck Mike. Take Larry's advice. Do what the Doctor says. You'll be back in the train room in no time
@mike g. posted:Thanks guys, the Head nurse/CEO has told me that the train room will be off limits for 3 days! the good thing is by the 3rd day she has to go back to work. Maybe I will be able to sneak out then! LOL
Sounds like it's time for a portable air mattress in the train room !
Best of luck with the surgery, Mike.
Worked on my lower level in the turnaround loop. Figured I better solder track connections before I place another level over it - which will make access more difficult. My test mule Lionel FM w/ Pulmor motor purred around the loop. Soldering was made do-able with a vintage Weller 8200, recommended here & bought off de bay for $35 delivered.
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Steve, you are moving right along nicely!
Trestleking, the turnback loop looks nice! What material are the roadbed sections.
Mike, take care of the knee for a full recovery!
I build with 1/4" lauan and 1x2 T or L ladder frames. Will add felt under track. Sections with terrain drop down, I lay the track on a 1x3 pine board. Carpet padding will be under the bench work. No road bed required. The rest of the room will be industrial Street running with a small yard and marine Howe truss bridge for car floats. All standing eye level view.
Spent part of the day trying to get Woodland Scenics figures to stay upright with a bit of glue under their feet. Had to come up with ways to prop them up.
@DunningStation posted:Spent part of the day trying to get Woodland Scenics figures to stay upright with a bit of glue under their feet. Had to come up with ways to prop them up.
We use sticky wax on the club layout for this. Figures stay put but are easily moved when desired.
@Mark Boyce posted:Steve, you are moving right along nicely!
Trestleking, the turnback loop looks nice! What material are the roadbed sections.
Mike, take care of the knee for a full recovery!
@Mark Boyce, I wish I could tell you the proper name of the plywood for the roadbed ! It's some sort of cabinet grade "stable" 1/2" plywood from my local lumberyard. After I cut the lower loop's pieces I realized I needed a wider footprint to capture any derailments so I cut fill-in pieces from some cheap 1/2" stuff I had on hand. A low guard rail will also be installed after track screwdown occurs.
What did I do, more research
@trestleking posted:@Mark Boyce, I wish I could tell you the proper name of the plywood for the roadbed ! It's some sort of cabinet grade "stable" 1/2" plywood from my local lumberyard. After I cut the lower loop's pieces I realized I needed a wider footprint to capture any derailments so I cut fill-in pieces from some cheap 1/2" stuff I had on hand. A low guard rail will also be installed after track screwdown occurs.
That sounds like good material for the roadbed. Good thing you have a plan for derailments!
Hi guys thanks for all the well wishes! Surgery went well and been sitting on by rear all day, pain meds are working well, and the knee doesn't really hurt right now!LOL
Thanks for the update Mike we’re glad it went smoothly. Take the medication as prescribed because that is helping keep the pain in check.
Mike:
I am VERY glad to hear that your knee surgery went well. Was it a full knee replacement or a laparoscopic procedure? No matter what, get well soon! We don't want one of our good guys on the injured list.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...2#169515031444514452 Mike - speedy recovery. You’ll be chugging along before you know it. Make sure you do the pt needed to rehab properly!
@mike g. posted:Hi guys thanks for all the well wishes! Surgery went well and been sitting on by rear all day, pain meds are working well, and the knee doesn't really hurt right now!LOL
Good to hear!
Peter
The SG Ives 116 Station arrived Wednesday 1/11. Unboxed it and set it in place on The VintageHubby's new (currently being created) Wide Gauge/Standard Gauge on-the-floor Basement Layout. Its on the lower platform, so lighting under the bottom of the upper platform is currently getting sorted. Then chased and bagged up all the packing peanuts from this box and another large train packing box n the Foyer in the evening.
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@DunningStation posted:Spent part of the day trying to get Woodland Scenics figures to stay upright with a bit of glue under their feet. Had to come up with ways to prop them up.
I use a hot glue gun. A little dab on a foot and set in place. The glue cools and sets in a few seconds. You can remove them by heating the glue again with a heat gun.
Lurch needed a little clean up with a razor blade after I set him in place. 
Bob
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Spent the last several days putting away Christmas decorations so not much progress on train stuff. Did add some bracing to my kitbash building attempt.
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@RSJB18 posted:I use a hot glue gun. A little dab on a foot and set in place. The glue cools and sets in a few seconds. You can remove them by heating the glue again with a heat gun.
Lurch needed a little clean up with a razor blade after I set him in place.
Bob
I do the same - a dab of hot glue.
I find no need to reheat - could usually just pop the figure off with a small screwdriver
@Lionelski posted:I do the same - a dab of hot glue.
I find no need to reheat - could usually just pop the figure off with a small screwdriver
I've had mixed results, sometimes peeling the finish below so a little heat does the trick.
Like Brill-cream......" A little dab 'll do ya! "
Last week I put in a brick road, a fence and vegetation.
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Another great offering from Miller Engineering. Next holiday season weary travelers to North Pole station will be greeted by a new marquis.
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Mike, glad to hear that you’re on the mend, you’ll be back to the layout in no time.
Bob, good idea about the hot glue.
Brian, the sticky wax sounds good too.
Rick, I like the building from Miller Engineering.
Andy
I made my first of many picnic tables for the park. I’ll weather them a bit before I place them on the layout. I also started gluing the beams in place for the park structure.
Andy
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Nice, Andy.
Are these the same diecut ones I used at the Warrenakka campground or are yours scratch built?
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I've had these oil tanks a while and found that the handrails on the tanks themselves were/are very brittle. Light handling and they simply broke off. The crossover piece is metal, so no issues there. Yesterday and today was spent replacing those handrails and moving the ladder from one side to the other on one tank so that both the lights and valves are on the same side. Been wanting to do that for a while. Terry
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Added new RMT Texaco Tank car to my Texaco Refinery 
Attached is a short video which shows my new bridge in place along with my new S curve girder. I am making slow progress but at least it is progress.
Here is the link to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_ySxJ6zZpv8
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Mike glad to see you doing well after surgery.
Put away the Christmas trains and checked out two problem engines that we had noticed. Today the gremlins had departed from both. Okay!
Made a note to check them again in September.
Backed the Polar Express passenger cars into the passenger yard and was pleasantly surprised to see them go in without a problem. One turnout has been a derailment source and we had not adjusted it yet. Maybe it won’t take long.
Cleaned up after installing turnouts and rearranged our Evan Designs/Lighting boxes. They had gotten to be a mess after almost constant use last year. Still need to determine what we need to replenish.
Tested the second 4-way turnout that we had completed. No problems.
Rich came over PM and we got back to work on the right side tunnel/retaining wall project that we started in early December. We have 11 tunnel entrances, six tunnels, and @ 40+ feet of retaining wall/rock walls to install.
Paula came in and we all discussed second level bridges and a left side deck bridge that we need to order from East Coast Enterprises and want to pick up at April York.
Our goal is to have the tunnels/retaining walls completed by June 1 so that we can install the bridges and restart left side level 2/3 track laying. It would be nice to have most track laid by Christmas while Paula works on scenery on the right side and middle rear station areas.
Good evening everyone! All of y’all’s projects are turning out great. I was able to run a few trains on the layout yesterday and make some videos on them. I also got to go to my friend’s layout and set up a 12 engine power move. The consist contained all ES44s (9 powered and 3 non powered). Looked good going down the 30+ foot straight aways. Thanks for reading!
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In preparation for the new year, a young helper and I:
* Adjusted the " flight path" of a blimp suspended from a model of the Eiffiel Tower
* Replaced a faulty O42 LH Remote Control switch
* Fixed another O42 LH Remote Control switch - found a wiring error
* Installed a sound-effects circuit under my Lionel Bandstand; it now plays an excerpt from Copeland's
Fanfare for the Common Man
* Replaced the K-Line Stella's Diner with a new Menard's Rocket Diner
* Test ran a Lionel "General" steam loco and discovered a clearance problem; its smokestack and ornamental
whistle struck the underside bracing of the upper level and derailed. The "fix" for this is to raise the entire upper
level by 1/4 inch - an arduous task I'll likely never attempt. Instead, I'll place the Lionel loco, its tender, and three old timey
passenger cars on a display shelf
* Re-glued some people figures in place
* Stashed away the under-tree Christmas train and accompanying FasTrack until Christmas 2023
* Cleaned the track with a track-cleaning car.
Now I'm ready to run trains ...
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
@mike g. posted:Hi guys thanks for all the well wishes! Surgery went well and been sitting on by rear all day, pain meds are working well, and the knee doesn't really hurt right now!LOL
Excellent Mike. Just lay back for awhile. Lots of winter left for your projects.
God speed.
@Lionelski posted:Nice, Andy.
Ate these the same diecut ones I used at the Warrenakka campground or are yours scratch built?
They look slightly different than yours John. I got mine from Banta Modelworks. I actually like your tables better than mine.
Terry, nice changes, looks good. I’ll bet your glad you got it done.
Steve, the trestles look good, nice job.
Idea-thinker, I like the bridge, looks good.
Bill, glad you got some tasks done, you have some lofty goals for this year, hope you get them done.
Trainmaster, great videos, nice perspective.
Mike, lots accomplished, run some trains.
Andy
Hello everyone! Today I got a wild hair and decided to put up a couple of shelves to display my UP 119 and 700e. The shelves I used were a pair of floating shelves my mother did not get to use and allowed me to use.
I started by taking some masking tape and marked it to show where the mounting holes are located. Next, I used the marked tape to get an idea where the shelves will be. Once I got the tape where I liked it I mounted the shelves.
My 700e came with an original display case that was never used. The track and name plate were not mounted. I was able to fix both fairly quickly.
Now, both locomotives are nicely displayed and protected from the dust. West Texas dust gets every where!
Thanks for reading!
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Just got my S curve girder installed and my girder to truss bridge installed.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
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I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
YouTube says that the video is private.
Mallard;
I fixed the video problem on YouTube. My mistake.
Sorry.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@idea-thinker looks great. What is the height of your lowest level benchwork?
Rick
@Rixster posted:@idea-thinker looks great. What is the height of your lowest level benchwork?
Rick
Rick;
The lowest bench height is 24 inches.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Wow! Words escape me. This is amazing! Thank you for sharing this! 👍😎
@idea-thinker, Wow, that’s fantastic, a really great video, lots of action, beautiful bridges… Thank you very much for letting us see some of your amazing work. Happy Railroading Everyone
@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
I'm speechless.....
An absolutely amazing build.
Nothing but fun, fun, fun!
Bob
Finally got to sorting out the wiring and getting the Flyerchief controllers out. Turns out they clutter things up so I made a space for them....
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@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Wow! Great set up!
Peter
@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Wow, fantastic layout ans great running trains!
Is that in your home or a club?
Are you building it by yourself?
What control system are you using? Were you running all of these by yourself?
The most I can run at one time is 5 trains and a handcar, and that is only if no one distracts me (Especially in one area where the Main Line crosses the Upper level), and if I have no beers in me! Conventional control (pull the levers to make 'em go)
Morning guys, I hope your all doing well. I started writing my comments down for everyone's work that they have posted and got to the point that I have been gone too long to comment on everyone's wonderful work. I want you all to know that the work you all do is so impressive and informative to me, and I would think to many other people here!
I want to comment on just a couple of post.
@Randy Harrison Randy thank you! It was laparoscopic surgery.
@DrSteveDC Steve your trestles look outstanding and the lighting for Sandys really makes the scene come together!
@Bill Webb Bill it sure sounds like you, Paula and Rich are going to be busy for a good while! I hope you reach your goal!
@idea-thinker WOW is all I can think to say! Your bridges and the complexity of your layout is just mind blowing!
I would really like to thank you all for the kind words for my recovery. It has been really tough to be just sitting on my rear and not getting anything done! The Doctor said take 3 days and do nothing but relax and ice so that is what I did.
But yesterday I got out to the train room and was able to get all the track for the long back wall laid and put in some power drops. I then took time to clean things up. Where I noticed that I had some new track that had not been painted so I had to hand paint the side of the rail, and I thought washing used ballast was fun! LOL While I was at it I painted the top of all the nails! More fun! LOL
Here are a couple of pictures for you all!
As you can see, I even got the track to the bridge. So, with everything laid and I needed to test things out, which is where I made my mistake. I got everything needed to attack the power drops to the main power run, got down in my rolling chair and was able to get all my drops connected. Then can the challenge to get out of the chair and off the floor. I swear it must have taken me 20 minutes just to get back on my feet with my knee killing me!
Oh well no need to cry over spilt milk. What better way to test the track then run some trains over them. I used a short, wheeled switcher to try and find any problems. Nothing showed up for now! LOL
Today I think I am just going to paint the table top to make it look a little cleaner.
I hope you all have a great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
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@mike g. posted:Morning guys, I hope your all doing well. I started writing my comments down for everyone's work that they have posted and got to the point that I have been gone too long to comment on everyone's wonderful work. I want you all to know that the work you all do is so impressive and informative to me, and I would think to many other people here!
I want to comment on just a couple of post.
@Randy Harrison Randy thank you! It was laparoscopic surgery.
@DrSteveDC Steve your trestles look outstanding and the lighting for Sandys really makes the scene come together!
@Bill Webb Bill it sure sounds like you, Paula and Rich are going to be busy for a good while! I hope you reach your goal!
@idea-thinker WOW is all I can think to say! Your bridges and the complexity of your layout is just mind blowing!
I would really like to thank you all for the kind words for my recovery. It has been really tough to be just sitting on my rear and not getting anything done! The Doctor said take 3 days and do nothing but relax and ice so that is what I did.
But yesterday I got out to the train room and was able to get all the track for the long back wall laid and put in some power drops. I then took time to clean things up. Where I noticed that I had some new track that had not been painted so I had to hand paint the side of the rail, and I thought washing used ballast was fun! LOL While I was at it I painted the top of all the nails! More fun! LOL
Here are a couple of pictures for you all!
As you can see, I even got the track to the bridge. So, with everything laid and I needed to test things out, which is where I made my mistake. I got everything needed to attack the power drops to the main power run, got down in my rolling chair and was able to get all my drops connected. Then can the challenge to get out of the chair and off the floor. I swear it must have taken me 20 minutes just to get back on my feet with my knee killing me!
Oh well no need to cry over spilt milk. What better way to test the track then run some trains over them. I used a short, wheeled switcher to try and find any problems. Nothing showed up for now! LOL
Today I think I am just going to paint the table top to make it look a little cleaner.
I hope you all have a great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
Your work is looking great Mike. Consider your struggles physical therapy LOL. I hope you start feeling better.
@mike g.- good to see you are back at work. Take it easy on the knee until it heals up. The layout is looking good.
Bob
@Lionelski posted:Wow, fantastic layout ans great running trains!
Is that in your home or a club?
Are you building it by yourself?
What control system are you using? Were you running all of these by yourself?
The most I can run at one time is 5 trains and a handcar, and that is only if no one distracts me (Especially in one area where the Main Line crosses the Upper level), and if I have no beers in me! Conventional control (pull the levers to make 'em go)
John;
This layout is in our home and it is in a room that is 40x50.
We are (my wife and I) building this ourselves including the bridges and girders and scenery (which does not exist yet).
We are using TMCC with some addition circuitry. I have been building a control system that integrates with TMCC using a combination of Arduino's and Raspberry PI's. We have created a messaging system across an Ethernet connection. We can control our own circuits as well as any of the Lionel modules such as TPC-400's, ASC-3000's, etc. We are using a scripting language that allows us to create scenarios for the trains so they behave differently so you will not see the same thing constantly. Most tracks have bypass tracks that allow us to switch out one train for another in either direction.
For the video I made it was only me running the trains. They are currently controlled by a combination of conventional and TMCC and my hybrid TMCC.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Had pickle packing house, scratch built, like a rough Indiana tomato structure found on web, used real metal corrugation sheet sprayed rust color over construction "cardboard".....The underlay is warping and must reglue, with two part epoxy, and do paint touchup. Rough prototype now looks more like an amateurish model! Started repair.
@mike g. Glad you are back and are doing well! Just listen to your doctor and you will be fine.
Every once in a while the 3r stuff goes on the back burner. My small 2r switcher is being tested, wiring all good, atlas sw switcher runs great, old atlas plymouth switcher not so much. All freight cars now properly weighted. Now im wondering if i can't add another 8 ft section stretching this to an easily taken down 2 ft by 16 ft switcher. Next will be a bit of ground cover to dress up the pink foam.
Finished up with the tunnel modification for the Class A
Well worth the effort!
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@mike g. posted:Thanks Dave and Bob,
I know I just posted 2 hours ago, but I went out and painted and that is it for me today. Back in shorts and ice pack for the rest of the day! couple photos.
After:
Cleaner always looks better!
Looks great Mike!
@Cogen1981 posted:Finished up with the tunnel modification for the Class A
Well worth the effort!
Looks like it's always been there. Nice lemons/ lemonade solution. The steamer looks great too.
Bob
Triainmaster, the shelving looks good, nice job.
Idea-thinker, the layout is tremendous, and the video really shows it off.
Dr Steve the lighting looks great
Timpix, nice solution for the controllers.
Mike, glad to see that you’re back at it, but ice is your friend right now along with PT.
Cogen1981, the portal looks great, nice video.
Andy
Thanks TrainMaster, Bob and Andy! Might get some time tomorrow, you never know.
@Cogen1981 nice work on the portal looks great and the steamer doesn't look to shabby either 😉
@Cogen1981 posted:Finished up with the tunnel modification for the Class A
Well worth the effort!
Portal looks GREAT! I may steal your design, lol
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#170218859954224549
let that knee heal before you mess it up again!
@DrSteveDC posted:Finally wired the lights in Sandy Acres
Terrific looking photo of this scene Steve. 
Nice.
@DrSteveDC posted:https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#170218859954224549
let that knee heal before you mess it up again!
I plan on it Steve, after yesterday it's taken me almost all day getting back to where I was before the other day.
@DrSteveDC posted:Portal looks GREAT! I may steal your design, lol
Thanks!!
I used 1/4" x 3/16" x 36" balsa wood from hobby lobby. I used a cardboard template, miter box, and machinists squares. I crafted it and glued it together.
I stained it with Hunterline rail-tie brown then Creosote black. Let it dry for 48 hours after staining. You may have to glue some of it back together because the stain breaks down some of the bonds.
I finished it with weathering it with a micromart distresser weathering brush. Pan pastels and weather Chalk is helpful.
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Great looking portal
@Cogen1981 posted:Thanks!!
I used 1/4" x 3/16" x 36" balsa wood from hobby lobby. I used a cardboard template, miter box, and machinists squares. I crafted it and glued it together.
I stained it with Hunterline rail-tie brown then Creosote black. Let it dry for 48 hours after staining. You may have to glue some of it back together because the stain breaks down some of the bonds.
I finished it with weathering it with a micromart distresser weathering brush. Pan pastels and weather Chalk is helpful.
I knew this portal looked familiar...I used a paper print that I added balsa to for depth.
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I've been busy (and, it feels good to be building again).......this is the TW TrainWorx 3 stall Engine House.....
This is where I left off last week....I had assembled the foundation, painted and weathered it.....and, I had done subassembly of the internal support structure:
Metallic paint; spray on rust; and. then yellow to highlight the lower edges of the posts:
Very light gray paint (Behr Granite Dust) to the internal walls:
A light weathering with oily black:
Session planned for Weds with my modular group colleagues.....Transfer Table to go in.... once the tracks are set, then the rest of the building goes up.
Have a great day, everyone!
Peter
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@idea-thinker posted:I thought I would post a video of our layout running some trains finally. We have 15 trains running and two tracks of Super Streets running. This is the start of our project, we plan to eventually have somewhere between 50 and 75 trains running at one time. The quality of the video is not great since I do not often do videos, so just overlook that part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0ZcFlcqJY
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Amazing stuff; can’t wait to see progress.
Got some work done this weekend on the new elevated line I'm building for my layout. I was able to get the trestles painted and assembled and even mocked up the track plan and did a small test run. I need to cut and add a little piece of gargraves track to make the loop slightly bigger to create clearance for the lower inner line but it is coming together.
Long way to go still, I need to cut wood for under the track, paint it, add cork roadbed and then screw the track down, but happy with the way it looks.
I added a video link below where I explain my full plan for the new loop.
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A little more progress on my bash...
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Played yesterday and today with placement of structures, peeps, lamps, and other accessories on The VintageHubby’s new WIDE GAUGE/STANDARD GAUGE Basement Layout. 
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Good evening everyone! The wild hair I had over the weekend stayed and showed itself again this evening.
Close to the new display shelves both the main line and yard loop curve and turn straight to the front of the layout. This makes this corner a unused focal point.
In comes the project!
Over the past few months I had planned on adding a hill in this corner and have a tunnel go through it. To add a bit more depth to the detail, and “lore” to the layout I diced to place a church on top. I plan on making the church look abandoned but triumphant in still being able to stand. With my mind set on what I wanted to do I set to work after school.
I started by taking my original Lionel Hillside tunnels, been saving these for years, and placed them so that my largest O36 model could pass through. Next, I created a boarder around both portals. Since they are original I did not want to damage them by permanently attaching plaster cloth to it. From there I built the structure of the hill with the tried and true cardboard strip method.
I did not want to make the hill too big but big enough to look like it was meant to be there.
As of right now, I left the project for the evening with about 50% textured with paper “bun” and the structure complete.
Thanks for reading and hopefully more updates will come soon.
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Hi guys and gals great work everyone! I love how everyone is having fun with there layouts! It really brings a smile to my face to see so many Big kids here! LOL
As for me all I did yesterday was clean and remove the old upper level section on the right side of the room and got things ready for track layout for the main level. I know I am going to have to add for the wide loop, but that will be an open gride build so I can get to the track underneath the future upper level.
Before on the right side of the room. 
And after! LOL 
I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
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Here's my layout update as of 1/18/23. Just track and trains so far. Buildings and scenery to come.
Hope you enjoy!
Click here: https://youtu.be/2bTVtaw8j4U
@Drummer3 posted:Here's my layout update as of 1/18/23. Just track and trains so far. Buildings and scenery to come.
Hope you enjoy!
Click here: https://youtu.be/2bTVtaw8j4U
Great start!
Peter
I didn’t dilute the glue very well on the ground cover in the shop area, so now I’ve had to rip out the turntable, scrape everything away, and start again. Ugh. All the cinders in the steam service area have to go, too. Blah!
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Hello everyone! Thanks for all the likes on my previous post. Yesterday I did not get to work on the hill so no new updates on it. Instead, I recorded a sound video from one of my train vinyl albums. It has a great sound and is really enjoyable in the background. I hope you all are able to enjoy it as much as I have while working on y'all's layouts.
Morning everyone I hope your having a great day!
@Drummer3 Dave that is a great start! Keep us posted on updates!
@RIRocket Sorry you have to chip everything up, but if you dont want to buy new cinders, just soak them in water with dish soap and just keep washing them and rinse them alot. Once done washing them spread them out on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven to dry. Just keep an eye on them while drying. I do the same thing with my used ballast but dry them on a cookie sheet on my BBQ grill!
@Trainmaster04 Great sounds, I would love to have it, but I have a hard enough time figuring out which of my engine sounds are already on! LOL
As for me nothing today, but I hope to get out to the train room and start laying out the main level loop on the right side of the layout to see what lumber I am going to have to cut! Wish me luck! LOL
Great work by everyone, I've learned so much by following this thread let alone all the other OGR forums.
Some more progress on my building as of late yesterday.
Platform on right is for 2nd floor entrance. Still working on stairs...good thing I'm terrible at putting together my own as I was trying for the old and falling apart look.
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