Mark:
Thank you for your kind reply. I really appreciate this. I will give the MTH website a look.
Randy, here is the Website and you can see the different pages.
https://www.mthtrains.com/service
“For someone who doesn't have any background in electronics, then having a trained MTH technician do the upgrade would probably make sense. The boards are factory tested and sealed in static wrap. Once you break the seal, there is no warrantee on the board. That's the big chance you take with the consumer upgrade kits.”
That’s sound advice Mark. I was a switchman in NY Tel (today they are switching equipment technicians) during my time the system was electro-mechanical. Circuit boards were being introduced in certain applications. Your comment about the static bag reminded me about the wrist strap grounding me to the equipment prior to handling the board. All that makes me apprehensive to do my own work.
@Mark Boyce posted:The boards are factory tested and sealed in static wrap. Once you break the seal, there is no warrantee on the board. That's the big chance you take with the consumer upgrade kits.
@pennsyfan posted:“For someone who doesn't have any background in electronics, then having a trained MTH technician do the upgrade would probably make sense. The boards are factory tested and sealed in static wrap. Once you break the seal, there is no warrantee on the board. That's the big chance you take with the consumer upgrade kits.”
That’s sound advice Mark. I was a switchman in NY Tel (today they are switching equipment technicians) during my time the system was electro-mechanical. Circuit boards were being introduced in certain applications. Your comment about the static bag reminded me about the wrist strap grounding me to the equipment prior to handling the board. All that makes me apprehensive to do my own work.
I took a LONG pause before taking a knife to the seal on the stacker board kit I bought......
Bob
@John's Trains posted:I second Steve at Rescued Trains comment: EXCELLENT!
Mike, did you design the mechanism for that takeoff?John
Hi John, sorry it to so long to get back to you, its been a little busy around here and it has nothing to do with trains! LOL
Yes I designed it , it is a motor from an old printer and some fishing line underneath it. I can try and get a couple photos for you!
Hi guys I hope you remember me,
It has been about 3 weeks since I was here last! As you can see from my post above it took me about 45 minutes to read everything that everyone had done since John's question came up! I know I have been reading here for about an hour and a half just to see what I have missed!
I would comment on everyone but that is even too much for me! LOL, I know some of you will be mad at me as I just handed out a whole bunch of likes and I guess your email is going to be full of them! LOL sorry! They wouldn't be there if you all didn't do such great work and had so much wonderful information to share with the rest of the group!
Just so you all know I have nothing new to share with you as it has been busy around here! But I am glad you all were able to share your joy of your layout and trains with me!
I hope you all have a great weekend and have fun with your layouts and trains! I am going to try and go work on some switch machines!
Welcome back Mike, glad you're ok.
Steve
Thanks Steve, I was just out in the train room working on 5 switches and controllers from MTH. Some of the motors work and some of the controllers work. Only 2 of them as a team as intended! Lol lucky me, but I will work on them the next time I get a free moment.
Have a great weekend everyone! 😀
@pennsyfan posted:“For someone who doesn't have any background in electronics, then having a trained MTH technician do the upgrade would probably make sense. The boards are factory tested and sealed in static wrap. Once you break the seal, there is no warrantee on the board. That's the big chance you take with the consumer upgrade kits.”
That’s sound advice Mark. I was a switchman in NY Tel (today they are switching equipment technicians) during my time the system was electro-mechanical. Circuit boards were being introduced in certain applications. Your comment about the static bag reminded me about the wrist strap grounding me to the equipment prior to handling the board. All that makes me apprehensive to do my own work.
I worked a variety of jobs from the mid ‘70s to mid ‘80s. That was a tough time to get started working. Some jobs were cut short due to lack of work coming in, others were cut short due to companies completely shutting down. Some positions required working with state of the art electronics requiring grounded wrist straps, others did not. Then I worked in the power industry which was mostly electro-mechanical around higher current. We were downsized in 1995 and at the beginning of 1997 until retirement I worked for a regional telephone company and I was again exposed to concerns about static electricity like you.
@RSJB18 posted:I took a LONG pause before taking a knife to the seal on the stacker board kit I bought......
Bob
Bob, you are absolutely right. It was one thing to fry a board the company paid for, but quite another to risk frying one I paid for. When my understudy and I fried a solid state unit protecting a 500KV transmission line while the line was in service, we received a slap on the hand, but actually earned overtime pay retrieving a replacement unit and putting it in service. If I fried the PS3 board, I would be out $200. 😄
Layout progress for today, 9/10/2023, Zora Maya and I were hard at work this morning. The photo below shows the "Z" lady, queen of the soldering iron, doing electronic soldering.
Though she spent most of her time soldering wire to SPDT momentary toggle switches for our control panel. In the above photos, she is doing some final soldering for the LED lighting in my PRR, Railroad Post Office (RPO) car that I am creating using a modified MTH, Madison, PRR, O-27, combine coach with a lighted and custom detailed interior. The LED lighting is from Gunrunner John's complete LED passenger coach conversion kit. I heartily recommend John's conversion system available through Henning's Trains, an OGR Forum sponsor.
Below, I am working on the wood planked floor of the RPO using a long, thin strip of wood that has the planking inscribed on it. the lines showing the planking did not pick up in the photos below but, are there and make for a good appearance in person.
Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
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Ran trains....it's not always about building/ fixing stuff.....😉😉
Bob
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No “layout work” today, but I did weather my TMCC J1 and the train following it today!
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@Randy Harrison posted:Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
Take care Randy. Hope all goes well.
@Randy Harrison posted:…..Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
Randy, best of luck with your surgical procedure. I’m sure everything will be fine. Say hello to Terry for Lynley and I!
@Randy Harrison posted:Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
Make sure Zora has plenty of ventilation in her soldering area .
And Randy , don't worry about getting back to the layout........give yourself the full measure of of recovery time . 
Best wishes sir.
@Dallas Joseph posted:Make sure Zora has plenty of ventilation in her soldering area .
And Randy , don't worry about getting back to the layout........give yourself the full measure of of recovery time .
Plenty of ventilation in the soldering area?!?! Getting in the Way-Back Machine no one said anything about ventilation!! Of course our lab instructor was a retired guy who checked for voltage with his thumb and finger. I believe he helped George Westinghouse get his business started… 😆 Kidding aside, good advice, Dallas!
@NSRailfan100 posted:No “layout work” today, but I did weather my TMCC J1 and the train following it today!
Super looking job!!! Let’s go Pens!!
No pics but I'm patiently working through all the room-prep "to-do" items, which for me includes prepping 3 windows that will be permanently closed-off when they're blocked by masonite backdrop panels, as well as doing the usual ceiling & lighting work.
Rich in WV.
@Randy Harrison posted:Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Peter
@Putnam Division posted:Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Peter
Seconded. Laptops are handy for hospital stays; my nurses dug my playng classical music... LD
Mitch
@Randy Harrison posted:Layout progress for today, 9/10/2023, Zora Maya and I were hard at work this morning. The photo below shows the "Z" lady, queen of the soldering iron, doing electronic soldering.
Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.
Randy, with my teasing comment to Dallas, I forgot to comment to you! First, I’ve prayed for the surgery to be effective and you recover well.
Zora Maya is doing a great job! It looks like she could work at the place a former coworker worked when he was young, where he had to get NASA certified on soldering. It takes a delicate and steady hand, something I no longer have.
That flooring of the RPO looks great! Hopefully you will be able to get back at it very soon!
@Mark Boyce posted:Plenty of ventilation in the soldering area?!?! Getting in the Way-Back Machine no one said anything about ventilation!! Of course our lab instructor was a retired guy who checked for voltage with his thumb and finger. I believe he helped George Westinghouse get his business started… 😆 Kidding aside, good advice, Dallas!
Thanks Mark.
And THANKS to THE FORUM for info about handling the lead was indeed one matter and the flux vapor was the issue for ventilation. 
......... ( even a close acquaintance of mine , an electrical engineer for over 40 years , didn't realize flux vapor was the issue. ) 
Don't know if someone with no health issues will have a problem though ........
@Mark Boyce posted:......... on soldering. It takes a delicate and steady hand, something I no longer have.
How about a desk size AI SOLDERING ROBOT for those delicate jobs Mark !?! ( maybe on one of the auction sites )
Had some time for the trains and got some railings installed, tying them into the stairs. I also got some vines done on the concrete wall. More railings to go next, and maybe some ballasting. Looking forward to York, it's coming quick.
Thanks - Scott
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That’s very impressive looking Scott. Where did you get the railings and stairs?
Jay
@Dallas Joseph posted:Thanks Mark.
And THANKS to THE FORUM for info about handling the lead was indeed one matter and the flux vapor was the issue for ventilation.
@Dallas Joseph posted:How about a desk size AI SOLDERING ROBOT for those delicate jobs Mark !?!
Dallas, yes that flux vapor is nasty smelling and I’m sure not good to inhale much of it. When I did more soldering at work in my younger days, hence the “Way Back Machine“, no one ever said a word about it. Hmmm…I wouldn’t be surprised if it can cause respiratory distress and even cancer.
If I got an AI machine to solder, it may just take over and tell me my layout is all messed up! 😆😆😆
@Mark Boyce posted:If I got an AI machine to solder, it may just take over and tell me my layout is all messed up! 😆😆😆
Hey, that's what posting on the forum is for!
Are we in danger of being replaced by AI??!
@Tranquil Hollow RR The handrails are mostly plastruct with some scratch built add-ins for the curves. The basic stairway was also a kit with scratch rails and landings.
Thanks - Scott
@Steve Tyler posted:Hey, that's what posting on the forum is for!
Are we in danger of being replaced by AI??!
Hey Steve......I think I have a deranged AI steam engine .
@Dallas Joseph posted:Hey Steve......I think I have a deranged AI steam engine .
O.K., here's the remedy: first turn it off, then turn it back on . . . a hard reboot will cure a multitude of problems, and show the AI who's boss! 
Interesting history of K-line.
I had several of their products including their outstanding 21" SF streamlined cars which I thought were the 'best on the market'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_tlDJyDFuo
Video of my K-line passenger cars:
WOO HOO Morning guys and it has only been a week from my last post! LOL
I hope your all doing well and keeping safe from all that life has to throw at you!
@Randy Harrison I know I am a day or two late, but I hope the surgery went well and that your recovery is going even better than expected!
@RSJB18 Bob there is nothing wrong with just running trains! I would do the same today, but I still have to swap out a couple switch motors and controller that lead to my upper-level yard.
@NSRailfan100 Wonderful looking job on the weathering! Also, a great looking train!
@B&O Fan Scott the handrail and stairs look great! But I do have to say that the whole scene looks OUTSTANDING!
Well guys I haven't done anything all week or yesterday, but today I plan on being in the train room to swap out a couple of switch motors and controllers that lead to my upper yard. If I get that done, I am going to pull a Bob and just run some trains after I move some stuff out of the way! LOL
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
waiting to get over this sinus head cold, or whatever it is. No energy at all. Had it since last week. Got Train projects to do !!
@Joe Cassiday Jr posted:waiting to get over this sinus head cold, or whatever it is. No energy at all. Had it since last week. Got Train projects to do !!
Might be Covid. I just got over it again. Started with a cough and chest congestion, then moved to my head and sinus.
@mike g.- Hope you get the switch machines fixed. Been a while since we've see what you've been up to. You know the drill.....no pix? then it didn't really happen. And yes, it's been nice just running trains.
Bob
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Something completely different.
Yesterday I bought a box of Trix 3 rail HO track from the Illinois Railway Museum Model Railroad Store. 24 straight, 24 curve, terminal section, 2 bumpers, and 2 pairs of switches.
Today I cleaned up the track and ran some trains. A Marklin 0-6-0 and some American freight cars. Trains ran nicely.
Not my layout but tinplate room. I hung 30’ of GSDS. That’s almost as much fun as hanging wallpaper by yourself! Oh I’m dating myself.
No pictures still have to cleanup; got too tired.
Haven't done anything on my layout for a week. Really bad, Head-Cold, feel tired & Weak. Nota a good time to be working on Electronics !!
A series of projects begin before my open house in November. I always push myself to see how much I can achieve before the event. These are some roof accoutrements for an industrial building I'm currently working on. I still need to weather them but they're constructed and painted. More to come.
Dave
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I cleaned up the work area and loaded the shelves today. https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...8#179650963008554838
My main purpose of adding the shelves was to make room for the Blue Streak and arrange it with all the articulated sets. I also wanted the 224E and 226E to be in this room. I rearranged the old wall and filled in the new wall.
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@pennsyfan posted:I cleaned up the work area and loaded the shelves today.
Hey, I still see a few empty slots . . . and, y'know, York is fast approaching . . .
Steve has a point, Bob! The Blue Streak looks great, as does the whole collection on display!
Got my new to me Lionel SW1200 unpacked and on the rails.
First diesel with a dual shaft drive. Makes a bit of noise so I will have to open it up and check the grease in the drive train. Programmed it into my Cab 1L and the LC app.
Runnin' the worms......😁😁
Bob
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Just uploaded these:
https://youtube.com/shorts/dlz8xPvy1xs
The Chesapeake, & Delaware has been restoring the Freehold Secondary, which runs from Farmingdale to Freehold. They recently installed these cRoss bucks on every grade crossing. I decided to make a copy of one and install it on my layout. I stood next to one of the cross bucks; I’m 6’3”. I estimated it was about 8 1/2- 9 feet so that’s what I made my model. Since I don’t have a secondary; I installed it on a siding that has a grade crossing.
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I can't take credit for this, but my young son made this stop sign for me. I shall display it proudly. 
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@pennsyfan posted:The Chesapeake, & Delaware has been restoring the Freehold Secondary, which runs from Farmingdale to Freehold. They recently installed these cRoss bucks on every grade crossing. I decided to make a copy of one and install it on my layout. I stood next to one of the cross bucks; I’m 6’3”. I estimated it was about 8 1/2- 9 feet so that’s what I made my model. Since I don’t have a secondary; I installed it on a siding that has a grade crossing.
@Donnie Kennedy posted:I can't take credit for this, but my young son made this stop sign for me. I shall display it proudly.
Two great signs.
Sorry Bob, but Donnie's wins on the cute factor. 
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:Two great signs.
Sorry Bob, but Donnie's wins on the cute factor.
Bob
😂
Well afternoon and evening guys I hope your all doing well! I just came in from the train room and thought I would check in.
@RSJB18 Bob Wonderful looking new SW1200 I am sure you will work all the noise out of it! As for the switch's I am still working on them, to be honest the last couple of times out I moves buildings and other stuff around and just ran trains with a nice cold one and did a lot of thinking!
@luvindemtrains Dave great start on all your roof pieces! I am sure you will do an amazing job weathering them!
@pennsyfan Bob all I can say is wow! you sure have been busy with all those shelves. Not only putting them up, but filling them also! l was going to point out the obvious but the guys beat me to it. It kind of looks like you need to buy a few more trains! You did an outstanding job on the new RR crossing sign!
@Lancer Lance good start, and don't worry no matter what is going on in your life your trains and layout will be waiting for you as you get free time!
@Donnie Kennedy Wonderful stop sign, I can tell you have a great assistant and artist helping you out! Keep him motivated and he will keep supriseing you!
Well guy as I have said I have spent the last couple of time out in the train room just running trains and thinking! I it so nice to be able to set 2 trains at 20 MPH and let them run with all I have to do is throw a switch now and then!
But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
@mike g. posted:Well afternoon and evening guys I hope your all doing well! I just came in from the train room and thought I would check in.
Well guy as I have said I have spent the last couple of time out in the train room just running trains and thinking! I it so nice to be able to set 2 trains at 20 MPH and let them run with all I have to do is throw a switch now and then!But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
Nothing wrong with just running trains Mike. Works for me every time.
Moving? I'd hate to see your train room go but if moving is in the plan then go for it. Obviously, detailed scenery will have to wait, but as long as you can run trains then all is well. Don't ballast, paint the bare plywood, place your buildings and enjoy.
Bob
That’s a huge undertaking on every level Mike. It’s a matter of what makes sense financially and practically. When we moved the first must have was one floor living. Plus, the outdoor upkeep needed to be moderate. Of course, there had to be a train room/space. As far as your layout if there is something you want to experiment with go ahead and practice. You just got finished with the redo on your layout. However, a cold one and running trains will assist with the decision making process.
Jay
@mike g. posted:But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!
Mike thanks for your comments.
To answer your question. We had a two family house in Brooklyn for 43 years. The last couple of years there we got tired of deadbeat tenants and left it empty. I started a layout and was working on it for about a year and a half; when we finally started looking in NJ. We were at it for six months. One day I asked my wife to come up and look at a scene I just finished. She came up and said when are you going to stop? What happens when we find a house. I told her that I would stop building when we had a contract to buy; and I’ll start taking down the layout when we have a contract on our house. I did that because a friend started taking his layout down when he listed his house. He moved 10 years later. The only part of the layout that I took with me was the Mianne bench work; and Gargraves track, Ross switches. Oh BTW we signed a contract for our new home on Friday, and had a contract for our Brooklyn home on Monday. I was busier than a 1 armed paper hanger.
Mike, I would echo others' comments. If there is something you want to experiment with, go ahead. However don't take anything apart before you have a move firmly planned. We are in a similar spot as Jay was. We want to move to a single floor home. However, we are staying put as long as my wife's mom lives across the road. Since we don't know how long she will be there, I'm keeping on with the layout. I plan to be like Bob, take the Mianne benchwork, track, switches, electronics, buildings, and trains; and scrap my hodge podge of lumber.
@B&O Fan posted:Had some time for the trains and got some railings installed, tying them into the stairs. I also got some vines done on the concrete wall. More railings to go next, and maybe some ballasting. Looking forward to York, it's coming quick.
Thanks - Scott
The "Nighthawks" vignette is just magnificent!
Peter
Thanks to Tropical Depression Ophelia, I got a reprieve from house painting, lawn mowing & firewood splitting today. 😁. So my train room time was spent assessing track, etc.,inventories and making a York shopping list ! I AM bringing my GMC pickup, but it’s only got a 6-1/2 ft bed , lol !
Rich in WV
Hi guys I took all your advice and went out to the train room today! I have to say I am not impressed with MTH switch motors or their controllers! I must have checked 10 sets and mix controllers with motors before I got everything to work for 5 switches. I was running trains and bumped on of the controllers and it got stuck. Needles to day it melted one of my motors here are a couple photos of the motor and controllers.
Next time in the train room I will be switching them all over to SPDP momentary toggle switches!
As for the layout, I am going to keep going, just no real scenery. I will place buildings and build roads; you know all the good stuff! Absolutely no more ballast till I know what the plan is! LOL
I wonder if I can make DZ motors work with scale track? Guess I will have to buy one and figure it out!
Well I hope you all had a great weekend and had fun with your layouts and trains! I will try to check in before next weekend as a lot can happen in a week! LOL
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Last week or so has been spent thinking about how to install a wall in front of my elevated town. So far one section will be a concrete wall with arch panels in front to provide depth. Another section will be arches which will allow a view of the trains running in that short section. (I do not think brick or stone will work visually) Added supports to install the upper level decking for the town. Nothing to add to the photos already posted.
@mike g. I suggest limiting the thinking to what you really want to see on another layout. Having bought 2 homes with good sized train rooms only to have the deals fall apart at inspection, the result was a skewed idea of what I wanted to do when faced with the reality of a much smaller available space with the 3rd house. Once you have the home and see the space then decide on what goes where. Regardless keep running those trains. If you do decide to ballast try not to glue it down, we know how much fun you had recycling your old ballast.
@mike g. posted:Hi guys I took all your advice and went out to the train room today! I have to say I am not impressed with MTH switch motors or their controllers! I must have checked 10 sets and mix controllers with motors before I got everything to work for 5 switches. I was running trains and bumped on of the controllers and it got stuck. Needles to day it melted one of my motors here are a couple photos of the motor and controllers.
Next time in the train room I will be switching them all over to SPDP momentary toggle switches!
As for the layout, I am going to keep going, just no real scenery. I will place buildings and build roads; you know all the good stuff! Absolutely no more ballast till I know what the plan is! LOL
I wonder if I can make DZ motors work with scale track? Guess I will have to buy one and figure it out!
Well I hope you all had a great weekend and had fun with your layouts and trains! I will try to check in before next weekend as a lot can happen in a week! LOL
Mike- I have 3 Realtrax switches on my yard. The motors are wimpy to say the least, and the controllers are not much better. I usually wind up flipping them by hand.
I like the plan going forward. Just limit the amount of permanent stuff for now.
Bob
imitating the prototype
Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.
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@pennsyfan posted:imitating the prototype
Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.
Can't see the pix....
@RSJB18 posted:Can't see the pix....
I put it up again.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...6#180214019277026006
@pennsyfan posted:imitating the prototype
Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.
last time I went to Brooklyn, we literally had to wait at Jamaica for a crew to move a train that was fowling the switch for our track.
You can't make this sh%$ up! 
Great photo, worth the wait !
Hi guys just checking in. I see on the news that you folks on the east are getting tons of rain! I hope you are all safe and able to keep your layouts high and dry!
The wife and I went shopping in town today, i wanted to get this but i dont do B&O plus a little spendy. I did get a couple trucks but will have to post them tomorrow when I get them on the layout.
Tomorrow's plan is to run trains and more work on switches
I hope you all have a great night and please be safe!
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Cleaned residual glue from ballasting off the rails, vacuumed up loose ballast for re-use, and filled divots in ballast where glue wasn't uniform. 2/3 of mainline tracks now ballasted. Two more bags of ballast arrived this week, so the mainline can be completed soon. Fussed at Lionel for sending me one motor when two were ordered and acknowledged.
Hi guys I hope you all had a good night! LOL
I have been out it the train room a little this morning and looking at putting in new toggle switches for my switch motors. My question to you all is do any of you have recommendations for a bi-color switch so I can just look at it and know it is turning or going straightforward?
As I said yesterday here are the 2 trucks I picked up, I just posted in another thread about them, but I think they will look cool on the layout!
As for the move I spoke about a couple post ago, it will be happening sometime next year and we are looking at moving to Missouri to be closer to my wife's family. Wish me luck! LOL
I will still be working on the layout and running trains, but nothing will be done with scenery, and I am thinking about packing up most of what I don't use just to make life easier! I will keep out an engine and a switcher to keep testing things along with some cars. But I think my Amtrak train and steam engine will get packed up for now.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and fun with your layout and trains!
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Mike, I like both of the trucks! Nice picks. I’m glad you made a decision on moving. Sure, there is a lot of fun to be had before you have to take down the layout! 👍🏻
Missouri is halfway between northwestern Washington and here in northwestern Pennsylvania! You are moving in the right direction!! 😆😆
Congratulations on your decision Mike; that’s that’s a big undertaking. It can be exhausting but exhilarating as well. Good luck.
Jay
@mike g. posted:Hi guys I hope you all had a good night! LOL
As for the move I spoke about a couple post ago, it will be happening sometime next year and we are looking at moving to Missouri to be closer to my wife's family. Wish me luck! LOLI will still be working on the layout and running trains, but nothing will be done with scenery, and I am thinking about packing up most of what I don't use just to make life easier! I will keep out an engine and a switcher to keep testing things along with some cars. But I think my Amtrak train and steam engine will get packed up for now.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and fun with your layout and trains!
That's a big move Mike. Hopefully you find a great train room with a house attached.
A big ranch house with a nice basement would be great!
Bob
Thanks guys you are correct it is a big move, but after talking with the CEO its better to do it now before we get to old to make a new place the way we want it to be!
Bob you are right on target with the idea of a ranch style house with either a basement or a storm shelter. If not something that already has a nice size shop on it that I could put in a second floor.
@mike g. Mike, start packing now. Your strategy of leaving something up to run is a good one. When I took down TwinPines I , the biggest problem was disposing of all the plywood etc once it was down. The disposal company only allowed one "can" per week. I was able to save most of the support structure and drag it up to Michigan. Fortunately I only ruined a couple pieces of track and no switches when I pulled up the ballasted track. It will take far longer to tear down that you imagine.
Hi Jeff, thanks for the advice, the good thing is I haven't started Ballantine the new layout. The track should be easier to take up. I am not.to worried about the plywood, but definitely want to keep the backbone of the layout as I can use it on any future layout.
I am going to start collecting boxes and take my time packing as I know it will make things alot easier when it co.es time to unpack!
Good advice Bob and Jeff! As soon as Kim’s mom, who lives across the road, passes or goes in a home we are going to start looking for a ranch. Ma-in-law is only 87 and going strong, so we will be on the split entry home we never wanted for a long time. No reason to slow down on building the Blackwater Canyon Line. However, I did decide I am not going to glue down ballast no matter how far I get on the layout.
@Mark Boyce posted:Good advice Bob and Jeff! As soon as Kim’s mom, who lives across the road, passes or goes in a home we are going to start looking for a ranch. Ma-in-law is only 87 and going strong, so we will be on the split entry home we never wanted for a long time. No reason to slow down on building the Blackwater Canyon Line. However, I did decide I am not going to glue down ballast no matter how far I get on the layout.
Reminds me of a story i read some time ago about a guy who bought an old woman's house (europe somewhere) and said she could live there until she died. He planned on renovating and moving in afterwards figuring she'd die sooner than later....she ended up outliving him. (I'm Not saying you want MIL to pass sooner than later mind you)... ;-)
@Farmall-Joe posted:Reminds me of a story i read some time ago about a guy who bought an old woman's house (europe somewhere) and said she could live there until she died. He planned on renovating and moving in afterwards figuring she'd die sooner than later....she ended up outliving him. (I'm Not saying you want MIL to pass sooner than later mind you)... ;-)
Joe, good point!! She is only 20 years older than me, and it seems the only thing that will stop her is osteoporosis. I can see her living to 100. My wife and I will have to leave the goofy split entry stairs arrangement long before that. Kim's knees have been replaced, and she still has trouble.
I do have some sketchy ideas in mind for a Blackwater Canyon Line II depending on how much space we can manage in another house.
Worked on laying some track for the upper level…
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The past few days, I finally got down the basement and did some minor work on the layout. My helper, Zora Maya is out of commission with a case of Covid. So, she was not available this past Sunday. My control panel with track diagrams of all 3 levels came back from the sign shop on a 3/16" thick sheet of Plexiglass. It turned out to be GREAT. Thank you to the artists at "Signs in One Day" for their great work and professionalism. I will post a photo of the panel in a few days. Today. I cut the wood to proper lengths for the rim of the control panel. Tomorrow, if I feel up to it, I will try to get back downstairs to begin assembling the rim and prepare it for panting for when Zora Maya returns. She is a GREAT painter and I dislike painting. I am still somewhat weak and having digestive issues as a result of my abdominal surgery. But I am improving in small increments. Recuperation takes time.
Glad you are getting back to the train room Randy. Pay attention to what your body tells you.
Jay
@Randy Harrison- Good news on your control panel, glad it worked out well. However, YOU TAKE IT EASY! I know that is not what some will say being hungry for progress, but your health is #1 concern. Recover and get healthy, lots of time left for the layout.
Best Wishes
Don (from the "Photo Chain" thread)
Don:
Thanks for your caring and great advice. Surgical recuperation takes time. I do only go to my work area when I feel up to it. You are absolutely right. Our health is of utmost importance and has to take priority.
@Randy Harrison posted:Don:
Thanks for your caring and great advice. Surgical recuperation takes time. I do only go to my work area when I feel up to it. You are absolutely right. Our health is of utmost importance and has to take priority.
Randy, Don, you are so right! When I posted I wouldn’t be working on the layout because of each of my 3 surgeries in 4 years, many forum members encouraged me to take it easy and just do what the therapists told me to do! I’m glad to see you up and around some, Randy!
Accomplished a minor milestone on my layout room prep today. Finished painting the ceiling(s) ! There are five mini-ceilings , each separated by some solid pine trim -that I didn’t have the heart to paint over, so each segment was taped-off & painted. Just need a little touch up & then I can move on to hanging the last 3 light panels. Yee hah !
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Spiking progress.
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Dennis, that’s really sharp looking hand laid track!! Do you hand lay switches too?
@Mark Boyce posted:Dennis, that’s really sharp looking hand laid track!! Do you hand lay switches too?
Thanks Mark, I will need to build at least a couple of switches for these loops so I'll either figure it out or be frustrated lol 
Starting to weather the fence sections for the park. Since the fence is right next to the yard, it’s pretty dirty.
Andy
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Back in August I started this New Hope and Ivy project.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#177398552098955039
The shells came back from the painter.
I test fitted the people in the chairs that I bought.
I used Evans diodes for lighting; I affixed the wiring and diodes to the roofs using double stick “Alien Tape”. Then came the tedium; painting and installing about 75 seats; followed by installing 75 people.
I installed the chairs on strips of plastic using AC glue and then painted them.
When they were dry I started selecting passengers and installed them on the seats. I used a few tables in the car simulating fhe prototype open air car.
I installed the strips on to the car chassis. Then I reassembled the car bodies and installed them on the chassis.
I used a PRR saddle tank to give them a run. Now the wait for the NH&I engine to be delivered.
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Well, after an epic late night struggle, I finally got the #38 operating water tower installed on the layout and wired:
Dennis Holler, nice Old 2 rail adventure! Been there, really like the collection as seen.
hand laid old rail really cool. Thx for the videos. Keep those door stops greased and rolling! Lol.
Dennis, that track looks terrific.
@pennsyfan Bob, those NH&I cars look great; both exterior and interior! I have one set of cars that I have to remove and paint the seats, then paint passengers as well.
@Steve Tyler the water tank works great! I had never seen one of those until I saw your posts.
@Mark Boyce posted:@Steve Tyler the water tank works great! I had never seen one of those until I saw your posts.
Yeah, I hadn't either before mine showed up in a mixed auction lot.
In another thread, someone noted it was likely a modern reissue of a piece first released about the same time I was, some seven decades ago! Given the problems mentioned about that first release, I guess I can count myself lucky it was not an original, and that I was able to restore it to functionality!
@pennsyfan posted:Back in August I started this New Hope and Ivy project.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#177398552098955039The shells came back from the painter.
I test fitted the people in the chairs that I bought.
I used Evans diodes for lighting; I affixed the wiring and diodes to the roofs using double stick “Alien Tape”. Then came the tedium; painting and installing about 75 seats; followed by installing 75 people.
I installed the chairs on strips of plastic using AC glue and then painted them.
When they were dry I started selecting passengers and installed them on the seats. I used a few tables in the car simulating fhe prototype open air car.
I installed the strips on to the car chassis. Then I reassembled the car bodies and installed them on the chassis.
I used a PRR saddle tank to give them a run. Now the wait for the NH&I engine to be delivered.
Great job Bob!
Thanks guys, the car bodys were painted by Christine Brandon. I reached out to Evan designs for the lighting. I told them that I didn’t want the lights to be to bright. They sized the diodes accordingly. I think they hit the nail on the head. They added a resistor because I was afraid that the track voltage could exceed the upper limit.
Today Rich and I completed the two bridges that span the walkway. Now we need to touch things up.
Thanks to all those who assisted with getting things to work. Space was really tight.
Next we begin laying track on the left side.
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Bill, I’m glad you got them working! They look great!!
@pennsyfan posted:The shells came back from the painter.
Great looking project Bob. A lot of patience and organization on your part was well worth it.
You can't even see the third rail on that inner loop unless you zoom in....
Nice Thomas IND Roma Wine tank car and a prewar Rail Craft tin 55 ton hopper.
First run on the new track using the outside third rail. Running a 1935 Mi Loco K5 that I got from Carey Williams. It will get a repaint but it runs as is for now.
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@Dennis Holler posted:
First run on new track
Err . . . at least in the photos, this looked like the prelude to a tandem suicide leap! Design by Gomez, perhaps?
Evening guys I hope your all doing well! I know this is late for me on a Sunday night but it better then nothing! LOL
@Dennis Holler Dennis wow that is one heck of an undertaking! The track looks great, and the first runs shows that you have that special skill!
@Randy Harrison Randy it is nice to see your back but as others have said please take it easy till your fully healed or at least feel better!
@trestleking If you ask me I think the ceiling look perfect!
@Steamfan77 Andy wonderful work on the fence area! Question what are the clamps for?
@pennsyfan Bob what a great job on the New Hope & Ivy RR, It really shows Patiance!
@Steve Tyler Steve nice to see it working! I am along with you and Mark as I have never seen one of those!
@Bill Webb Bill what an amazing set of bridges! I am so glad you Rich were able to get everything working properly!
Well guys as for me I did some work out in the train room today, I found out the no matter how I tried to wire a DZ2502 controller up to a MTH switch motor I could not get it to work! So, I just put in a momentary toggle switch.
Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL
I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL
I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!
