What did you do on your layout today?

paul 2 posted:

"ROAD TRIP" Mark, pack a lunch.............Paul

See Paul is back to his old ways of NON hospitality ....if you do stop over I would provide lunch.  

I thank Bryan for the compliments. And Bryan said it for me. Whenever you get time to see layouts you are more then welcome. Hosting the Tuesday night crew went without a hitch. So with the morning behind me now and I got pretty much everything cleaned up plus it is wet outside from the rain that means I can go to the basement and work on the layout the rest of the day. Got a few things that I can get into since I cleaned off the tables so everyone could see the layout. Maybe I'll have some pics later in the day.............Paul

Treat you nice Bryan with a happy face and this is how you treat me. I feel like Caesar LOL. Armed guards ( new younger ones ) will be at the door at my next night to host to escort you out of town. Mark is welcome to come. And I meant to pack something in case a person gets hungry on the road. Mark will be treated to good food but you if allowed in will only get water and some old bread.............LOL................Paul 

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Brian, Bryan, and Paul!!  Thank you each and every one of you!!  I needed that tee shirt last week when I went to York.    4 1/2 hours each way!  Yes, that is what I did, packed food, coffee, and pop.  On two days, I only bought a meal at the OGR Quaker Steak and Lube and a burger on the Turnpike on the way home, since I ran out of groceries!    

Lou, your track and "concrete" look great!!  I'll look forward to the city above the tracks!!

Mark Boyce posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

Well let’s see; I think Paul said he lives in Cuyahoga Falls.  That is about 2 hours away.  Bryan is somewhere nearby.  Toledo is 2 hours from Cuyahoga Falls, and Clem is just over the state line.  Minimum driving is 4 hours one way.  Wow, that’s a lot of railroading!!  Thank you Brian!!

No worries Mark- if you make it to Brian's (silvermustang), I'm sure you can bunk with Izzy 

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Looks great so far!

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Looking good Lou. I like what you did with the switch. I have the same 5121's but I only ballasted up to the body of the switch. Yours blend in to the scene better.

RSJB18 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

Well let’s see; I think Paul said he lives in Cuyahoga Falls.  That is about 2 hours away.  Bryan is somewhere nearby.  Toledo is 2 hours from Cuyahoga Falls, and Clem is just over the state line.  Minimum driving is 4 hours one way.  Wow, that’s a lot of railroading!!  Thank you Brian!!

No worries Mark- if you make it to Brian's (silvermustang), I'm sure you can bunk with Izzy 

He! He!

Thanks Mike, Bob, Mike and Mark.

Yesterday was the big day, my guy came over to take the photos for the convention (for the second time). This time he seemed more excited. I staged some trains for him, and I think he got some good shots. Now they'll be sent to the webmaster for selection. As soon as they are up, I'll put a new link in my signature.

When that was done, I did a couple of small projects. I got some more 3.5 gallon buckets. I use them to store scenic materials. So I spent some time putting away most of what I sorted a couple weeks ago. It's nice not having boxes full of random stuff.

After Patrick and I carved the roadbed, some of the lettering that I had applied to the fascia was messed up. The vinyl letters don't really like to stick to the semi-gloss paint. My solution was to go over them with Mod Podge, and secure them once and for all. So I repaired the damage in aisle three, and locked down aisle four. After that, I started fresh in aisle two, and got all of that done.

It's not too difficult, but it is time consuming, getting everything just right. I cut a strip of Masonite, and just clamp it on to serve as a guide. You can't really see it, but there's a small pencil mark where I wanted the center of the words to be. There are 14 letters in University Jct. The space counts as one.

I did Shoreham. Here it is with wet Mod Podge.

Same for Pig's Eye, as well as Red Wing and 35th Avenue. I still have to get the semi-gloss over in aisle one before I can finish over there.

Remember the last thing I said in my previous post from Monday, about the clearance on the new bridge? There's about a 1/4" gap for the auto rack...

but only an 1/8" for the Superliner. WHEW!!! May need to do some more testing using other passenger cars with skirts.

Lou, looking good. Elliot, you never know till you run a car over your work whether you allowed for the right clearance. Sometimes it is trial and error but better to catch it at the beginning. Today I installed a set of weaver three rail die cast trucks I got off EBAY on a Weaver flat I picked up at York that was for 2 rail. I also started placing more trees and shrubs on the other side of the bridge abutment. Tonight the wife has a game so that gives me a train night in the basement. Pics..............Paul

Lue, things are looking really nice!

Paul, the car and shrubs look wonderful!

Mark, Izzy might share her bed with you, but don't count on getting any of her ice cream!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Mike, Bob, Mike and Mark.

Yesterday was the big day, my guy came over to take the photos for the convention (for the second time). This time he seemed more excited. I staged some trains for him, and I think he got some good shots. Now they'll be sent to the webmaster for selection. As soon as they are up, I'll put a new link in my signature.

When that was done, I did a couple of small projects. I got some more 3.5 gallon buckets. I use them to store scenic materials. So I spent some time putting away most of what I sorted a couple weeks ago. It's nice not having boxes full of random stuff.

After Patrick and I carved the roadbed, some of the lettering that I had applied to the fascia was messed up. The vinyl letters don't really like to stick to the semi-gloss paint. My solution was to go over them with Mod Podge, and secure them once and for all. So I repaired the damage in aisle three, and locked down aisle four. After that, I started fresh in aisle two, and got all of that done.

It's not too difficult, but it is time consuming, getting everything just right. I cut a strip of Masonite, and just clamp it on to serve as a guide. You can't really see it, but there's a small pencil mark where I wanted the center of the words to be. There are 14 letters in University Jct. The space counts as one.

I did Shoreham. Here it is with wet Mod Podge.

Same for Pig's Eye, as well as Red Wing and 35th Avenue. I still have to get the semi-gloss over in aisle one before I can finish over there.

Remember the last thing I said in my previous post from Monday, about the clearance on the new bridge? There's about a 1/4" gap for the auto rack...

but only an 1/8" for the Superliner. WHEW!!! May need to do some more testing using other passenger cars with skirts.

Elliot, things are looking great! I hope the bridge isn't going to become a problem as it looks so nice! If they don't chose you for the tour, just let us know! We can go find him and have a little chat!

The car and the scenery look great Paul!

Elliot, I’m glad the inquisition were all smiles when they visited!!

So while the wife watched the Cavs I got some work done. I spent the evening adding a bit more to the first bridge abutment I was working on. Then I jumped to the other side and started adding tree, a couple of bushes and ground turf. I still have to glue it down. I took a minute to add the coal loads I got from Don Kane to my AC&Y hoppers.He makes great loads. So the game is over and the wife wants me to spend time with her watching some TV. Can't say no. Pics of the work tonight............Paul

Paul, The scenery is looking better and better.  Yes Don makes dandy loads.  I have a few.  I’m glad you are keeping Mum happy!

Elliot, it looks great!  I thought that I had all my clearances checked out and then found that my new Atlas 21" California Zephyr cars hits my tunnel liner on my freight mainline.  I hadn't checked running passenger cars in the reverse direction on my freight line, but had checked everywhere on the passenger line.  It does make a difference what direction you are running on some bridges and tunnels as the cars swing out on curves.  I didn't have enough straight track before the bridge on one.

Art

I had an interesting, cleansing train day. I had several items ending on the bay 

today. Nothing sold even tho I had some nice things priced to sell, not make money on.

And the shipping I charge is so low I usually end up contributing. Anyway, after realizing

I have spent a lot of time trying to sell this stuff, I have decided to take a break from selling. 

I sorted thru the stuff and actually threw some in the trash. I started my Fortescue Foundation

box of stuff for him to donate to the Museum. ((coming soon Mitch)). It was actually kind of 

uplifting to throw some stuff away, fill the Fortescue box and know tomorrow I don't have to 

check my "all selling" on the bay. I even started breaking down and discarding boxes I had been

hoarding to ship things. My life is good.

Took some photos of buildings I bought at York last week.  I integrated these buildings into Patburg's Westend neighborhood.... a fire house and three town houses.  I also angled mirrors to give a down hill effect on one of the  streets and the other mirror was angled to give the impression that a Ford T bird is making a right had turn.  

Paul2- the bridge area is looking good. Funny- I think that's where you where when I started following your build a couple of years ago.

Patrick- I didn't think Patsburg had any vacant lots. The new construction looks good. The mirrors are a neat touch too.

Beardog- sometimes a good clean up is the best thing.

Art and Elliot- We can all sympathize with you about spots on our layouts where the scenery interferes with the trains. The reverse travel issue Art had is particularly annoying. Just when you think you checked everything BOOM!

Bob

I had to go back after looking at the last pics I took of the last hill I was working on. The big trees in the back just looked out of place so I pulled them out and added smaller trees. I can live with that now. Pic before and pic after......Paul

I put new tires on my NYC GP20 and added double pick-up rollers to a NYC caboose so the lights would stop blinking.

Dennis

Paul, the bridge abutment is looking really nice! I really like all the bushes and trees you are putting up!

Patrick, sure looks like you got some great deals ! I really like the mirrors!

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Your track looks good! I enjoy seeing layouts using 027.

A Northern Pacific 44 ton diesel hauling some of Lionel's more unusual postwar freight cars.....

balidas posted:

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Your track looks good! I enjoy seeing layouts using 027.

027 profile track. Outer main line has 072 curves, inner 054. Lets me run scale sized equipment. I went with 027 profile because it's shorter and looks much better than 0 tubular track.

I did get the three terminal tracks wired in this evening. Tomorrow I hope to ballast and finish up scenery repair. Then next week I'll be on to mounting plywood and starting on the downtown area.

I am pleased to announce that, with the able assistance of Fortescue (and friend), I have successfully resuscitated a DeWitt Clinton belonging to our own John D.'s dad...  

Sylvia Siamese was on hand for the initial test flight...   

Mitch 

and the friendly and helpful flamingos slowly assimilate into the 

local populations..................

After repainting and decalling this Weaver RS3 last week, last night I continued weathering it.

Nice job, Mitch.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

I am pleased to announce that, with the able assistance of Fortescue (and friend), I have successfully resuscitated a DeWitt Clinton belonging to our own John D.'s dad...  

 

 

Mitch 

I'd forgotten it was out of commission! Thanks for your help!!

Let the trains run as I do physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury.

                                         had therapy running trains...

clem k posted:

Let the trains run as I do physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury.

                              hope you're getting better Clem !!!  

Chugman posted:

Elliot, it looks great!  I thought that I had all my clearances checked out and then found that my new Atlas 21" California Zephyr cars hits my tunnel liner on my freight mainline.  I hadn't checked running passenger cars in the reverse direction on my freight line, but had checked everywhere on the passenger line.  It does make a difference what direction you are running on some bridges and tunnels as the cars swing out on curves.  I didn't have enough straight track before the bridge on one.

Art

Good morning Art....If you use those really cool switch track lanterns from Ross make sure you move them far away from the track.

Clem

beardog posted:

and the friendly and helpful flamingos slowly assimilate into the 

local populations..................

Pat Kn posted:

Nice job, Mitch.

Thankee!   

If anyone else has problems with their DeWitt Clinton, let me know;  I am now familiar with the innards of the thing.   

John D. posted:

I'd forgotten it was out of commission! Thanks for your help!!

My pleasure!  The tricky bit was resoldering the plug...  and then reassembling the little indefinite...   

briansilvermustang posted:

                              hope you're getting better Clem !!!  

Seconded!  

Mitch 

A little bridge work... I dug out my atlas industrial rail track for this layout, but was missing one straight. I noticed this track uses the same pins and has almost the same rail profile as gargraves track, which I have a few sections of, so I cut a piece to match the missing straight, and immediately thought "gee, those sure look like bridge ties compared to the atlas track"... a few scraps of wood and some paint and now I have a bridge!