What did you do on your layout today?

Lou1985 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Finished servicing my B6 and gave it a nice long test run. Very nice loco- I think I pinched a wire putting the shell back on and now the smoke unit isn't working . I'll have to take it apart again to investigate. First train with rail-sounds, pretty cool.

Bob

That's why I always test stuff before I take it apart. That way I know if it's broken before I tried to "fix" it 😁.

More than likely a wire came off instead of the smoke unit shorting out. So should be an easy fix.

It worked before it took it apart so we will see. I want to add a switch to turn if off and on also.

I have never been happy that my wife’s good friend’s artwork on the fascia board in front of the layout could not be seen nicely because the light was blocked.  I used an 8’ led strip glued to some cove molding painted flat black, and voilà, a much better look I think.

     looks GREAT Ted        Merry Christmas !!

Brian, your really getting into the spirt of Christmas! Looks good!

Ted, what a great improvement! Its nice to see the wonderful art work!

  thanks Mike       your layout is coming along GREAT     Merry Christmas

                           and IZZY has already got a jump start on it...

Ted, I agree that lighting did the trick to show off her excellent painting!!  The layout in the windows looks great again!  Merry Christmas!

mike g. posted:

Brian, your really getting into the spirt of Christmas! Looks good!

Ted, what a great improvement! Its nice to see the wonderful art work!

Mike, you are such an early riser! You could be here in Eastern time zone!

LOL Mark, its because of the wife & Tank, the wife gets up and leaves for work at 3:30 AM and after she leaves Tank just sits there and wines! So I have to get up as until he is quite there will be no more sleep in the house! Plus I go to bed at 8PM. LOL

Mike, Yes I have a similar problem with our dog, Annie.  Since I have not been working, and have had the sciatic pain, the meds seem to wire me instead of making me drowsy.  I didn't get to sleep until almost 3 am last night for instance.  Annie was scratching the door at 7:00 for me to get up and have breakfast with her.  She gets little pieces of turkey sausage.  LOL  So now I am drowsy, but have to go to PT soon.  The therapist will certainly wake me up!!    He's over 70, but he can sure make that leg scream in pain!!!  

Well don't work to hard at PT, you want to be able to come home and do something with trains! I hope you feel better soon!

   I toom the Christmas Tree and everything else on the mini-Christmas layout, and dumped it all into the bathtub. I then broke out the vacuume, changed about 10 tree bulbs, pulled one string off permanently because of a melted bulb socket. I added a new string, but that was too bright....the star was too bright now too with 50% more bulbs...so I added a dimmer, "re-assembled Johnny 5". I also knew where the Lionel/Hallmark were thist year so literally filled the tiny tree with them.

  Then I ran my cabforward dockside pulling a foil wrapped load of chocolate balls filling a gondola.

   Eating the chocolates wound me up with inspiration; so I finished the ore cars off; adding hooks & chains for coupling the cars (after the lead ore car's single knuckle coupler) I basically used three hooks per coupling. Two hooks on one end of a car, toward the sides, with a chain strung between the hooks, and one hook centered on the other end.  The single hook of one car is passed through the chain of the other car, just as easy as pie.

 .... Then the pile of fudgesicle sticks said "build me"...All of it wood except for the bearings sliced off broken trucks and superglued on the wood. The "stain" is just "Old English" dark woods furniture polish. So now I have a low slung shorty bobber flat car to run with the ore cars. I'm thinking about another matching car to follow it. Maybe a water vat or tank. Crap. They need a brake wheel.

Some N gauge made it into the tree too   Same size as these Lionels. Bash material

  You can't say "don't laugh" and then close with "lol"; because I'm already instantly laughing at lol...

 With you

You need to get two more switches and enough track for adding temp reverse loops for running is what you need.

micar g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

mike g. posted:

Bruce, that's a nice piece of work! It's funny for me anytime I open an engine I get scared! I guess I will have to learn to get over it if I want to save money down the road!

John, any time you can run trains its a good thing, I just came in from the train room running my train back and forth on the 25' of track I have down LOL! But was still enjoyment!

Mike,

There are still many facets of the hobby that I'm not comfortable with.  On the complexity scale, this re-motor wasn't all that difficult.  Plus, had the end result of the conversion been a total flop, the entire process could be easily reversed with little remaining evidence.  Had a longer screw been available to me at the time, that messy grinding performed at the mount could have been avoided too.  Just another learned lesson for when another similar conversion comes a!ong, which in fact is the plan for my equally anemic Commodor Vanderbilt.

Congrats on getting to finally run a train.  Even if only for a few feet, it actually allows you to trouble shoot problem areas as track laying progresses, rather than faced with an entire layout full of issues.   Test runs after each switch or crossover is laid helps prevent track work with rough operation, poor electrical continuity and signal interference. 

Most importantly, running trains is fulfilling in profound ways. I believe it harkens back to feelings the early manufacturers understood well....that we become masters of a world we created.  Powerful stuff!

Bruce

Changed out the hudson steamer pulling a short B&O mail train replacing it with a red and while Baldwin Locomotive Works R16 shark nose demonstrator ( Williams by Bachman ). I love the demonstrator paint scheme!   Now the train has a nice Christmas look to it.   Ran trains for a short time and enjoyed that time greatly!  

TedW posted:

I have never been happy that my wife’s good friend’s artwork on the fascia board in front of the layout could not be seen nicely because the light was blocked.  I used an 8’ led strip glued to some cove molding painted flat black, and voilà, a much better look I think.

Just gorgeous! Your lighting change was a great idea, Ted!

trumptrain posted:

Changed out the hudson steamer pulling a short B&O mail train replacing it with a red and while Baldwin Locomotive Works R16 shark nose demonstrator ( Williams by Bachman ). I love the demonstrator paint scheme!   Now the train has a nice Christmas look to it.   Ran trains for a short time and enjoyed that time greatly!  

Sounds like a perfect day!

brwebster 

Mike,

There are still many facets of the hobby that I'm not comfortable with.  On the complexity scale, this re-motor wasn't all that difficult.  Plus, had the end result of the conversion been a total flop, the entire process could be easily reversed with little remaining evidence.  Had a longer screw been available to me at the time, that messy grinding performed at the mount could have been avoided too.  Just another learned lesson for when another similar conversion comes a!ong, which in fact is the plan for my equally anemic Commodor Vanderbilt.

Congrats on getting to finally run a train.  Even if only for a few feet, it actually allows you to trouble shoot problem areas as track laying progresses, rather than faced with an entire layout full of issues.   Test runs after each switch or crossover is laid helps prevent track work with rough operation, poor electrical continuity and signal interference. 

Most importantly, running trains is fulfilling in profound ways. I believe it harkens back to feelings the early manufacturers understood well....that we become masters of a world we created.  Powerful stuff!

Bruce

 

 

 

 

Great observations, Bruce! I feel like I can fix anything mechanical but get spooked by electricals. I suppose, as a History major, I shouldn't expect to be an electrical engineering whizz kid, but there lays the frustration. 

mike g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

Hey Mike looks good..   Sadly I see something that you might want to change.   From where you start the train, the third upright makes a "bump", not bad with that diesel.  But could be a problem with steam.  Looks to be right in the grade transition.  I hope that doesn't sound anal but no better time than now to fix it!  I see that being a problem on a lot of show layouts.  Hope thats helpful! 

Jim

Adriatic posted:

.... Then the pile of fudgesicle sticks said "build me"...All of it wood except for the bearings sliced off broken trucks and superglued on the wood. The "stain" is just "Old English" dark woods furniture polish. So now I have a low slung shorty bobber flat car to run with the ore cars. I'm thinking about another matching car to follow it. Maybe a water vat or tank. Crap. They need a brake wheel.

Adriatic, that shorty flat is a work of art. Thanks for sharing!

HCSader73 posted:

brwebster 

Mike,

There are still many facets of the hobby that I'm not comfortable with.  On the complexity scale, this re-motor wasn't all that difficult.  Plus, had the end result of the conversion been a total flop, the entire process could be easily reversed with little remaining evidence.  Had a longer screw been available to me at the time, that messy grinding performed at the mount could have been avoided too.  Just another learned lesson for when another similar conversion comes a!ong, which in fact is the plan for my equally anemic Commodor Vanderbilt.

Congrats on getting to finally run a train.  Even if only for a few feet, it actually allows you to trouble shoot problem areas as track laying progresses, rather than faced with an entire layout full of issues.   Test runs after each switch or crossover is laid helps prevent track work with rough operation, poor electrical continuity and signal interference. 

Most importantly, running trains is fulfilling in profound ways. I believe it harkens back to feelings the early manufacturers understood well....that we become masters of a world we created.  Powerful stuff!

Bruce

 

 

 

 

Great observations, Bruce! I feel like I can fix anything mechanical but get spooked by electricals. I suppose, as a History major, I shouldn't expect to be an electrical engineering whizz kid, but there lays the frustration. 

Pete,

Before anyone gets the idea that I truly know what I'm doing, let me stop you right there!  There's no electrical whiz or mechanical engineer here.  When the urge strikes, I foray into uncharted territory a bit at a time.  Example, find out how LED's are adaptable to your trains and tackle a basic job like adding an LED headlite.  Next you're doing flicker free passenger cars and so on and so on.   Soon you're upgrading locos with ERR or PS3 kits, maybe not because they needed to be upgraded, but just to prove to yourself that you can do it!

I was to understand conversion kits, modified parts or vast amounts of machining were the only routes to DC motor conversions, unless of course you sent it out to be done.  I wanted a way around that.  The loco itself gave me loads of room to work with so I avoided a lot aggravation trying to wedge a new motor into the less spacious shell of some smaller loco.  I got lucky I suppose, but time will tell.  It wasn't my first conversion but was definitely the easiest.  Simplicity being the key.

Bruce

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

Hey Mike looks good..   Sadly I see something that you might want to change.   From where you start the train, the third upright makes a "bump", not bad with that diesel.  But could be a problem with steam.  Looks to be right in the grade transition.  I hope that doesn't sound anal but no better time than now to fix it!  I see that being a problem on a lot of show layouts.  Hope thats helpful! 

Jim

 

I concur.  The track transition to grade should be smooth, as if mounted on a board bent down.  The longer that transition, the larger the locomotive that can safely travel over it without derailing.  Been there, done this too.

Bruce

Butch, That is a nice flatcar!  The tree looks great!!

Successfully re-wired two PW LIONEL uncoupler/unloader contollers for use with UCS track.  A third needs further attention to repair a faulty solder joint.

Stripped, then primed the 9224 horse coral ramp preparatory to shooting it a gloss red.  The fenced framework is already painted a shiny deep green.  The travel path for the horses will be painted silver in keeping with the creation of operating accessories in red/green/silver theme.

brwebster posted:

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

Hey Mike looks good..   Sadly I see something that you might want to change.   From where you start the train, the third upright makes a "bump", not bad with that diesel.  But could be a problem with steam.  Looks to be right in the grade transition.  I hope that doesn't sound anal but no better time than now to fix it!  I see that being a problem on a lot of show layouts.  Hope thats helpful! 

Jim

 

I concur.  The track transition to grade should be smooth, as if mounted on a board bent down.  The longer that transition, the larger the locomotive that can safely travel over it without derailing.  Been there, done this too.

Bruce

Hi guys, i agree, it was fine when I used flrx track and the bend was in the middle of the 3' section, but then I switched that out for ridige track and that's where the joint ended up. I plan on fixing it. Was just excited to have a train moving! Lol

Got in my menards flat car with the shell truck load. Not bad at all! 

mike g. posted:

brwebster posted:

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

Hey Mike looks good..   Sadly I see something that you might want to change.   From where you start the train, the third upright makes a "bump", not bad with that diesel.  But could be a problem with steam.  Looks to be right in the grade transition.  I hope that doesn't sound anal but no better time than now to fix it!  I see that being a problem on a lot of show layouts.  Hope thats helpful! 

Jim

 

I concur.  The track transition to grade should be smooth, as if mounted on a board bent down.  The longer that transition, the larger the locomotive that can safely travel over it without derailing.  Been there, done this too.

Bruce

Hi guys, i agree, it was fine when I used flrx track and the bend was in the middle of the 3' section, but then I switched that out for ridige track and that's where the joint ended up. I plan on fixing it. Was just excited to have a train moving! Lol

I hear ya Mike!   Is that in your new train building ??   Ive missed so much stuff going on its crazy!  

Jim

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

brwebster posted:

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Thanks again Bob!

I know this is Premature, but I am out of road bed, need switches and more O54 track and well more money! So I thought why not put some power to what I have. Here is a little video of the first engine on the new track! Please don't laugh! LOL

Hey Mike looks good..   Sadly I see something that you might want to change.   From where you start the train, the third upright makes a "bump", not bad with that diesel.  But could be a problem with steam.  Looks to be right in the grade transition.  I hope that doesn't sound anal but no better time than now to fix it!  I see that being a problem on a lot of show layouts.  Hope thats helpful! 

Jim

 

I concur.  The track transition to grade should be smooth, as if mounted on a board bent down.  The longer that transition, the larger the locomotive that can safely travel over it without derailing.  Been there, done this too.

Bruce

Hi guys, i agree, it was fine when I used flrx track and the bend was in the middle of the 3' section, but then I switched that out for ridige track and that's where the joint ended up. I plan on fixing it. Was just excited to have a train moving! Lol

I hear ya Mike!   Is that in your new train building ??   Ive missed so much stuff going on its crazy!  

Jim

Hi Jim, yep it's the new train room and that is the first sections of track down. I'll try to move the support so I don't have to take the track back up!

Mike if you don't mind maybe you can do a walk around video of the benchwork and stuff!  Really would like to see how your building worked out!   Need to get caught up on what everyone is doing!  

Jim 

Mike,  The work is looking very good.  Keep having fun.

I have a slight hump in the transition off my ramp.  My VL GG1 #4935 can handle it, so I'm OK with it.  The Vision Line GG1 is like a giant sled with little flexibility. It has to be the least forgiving of all of Lionel's engines for climbing grades.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Today I finally got my Azatrax MRD-1 working. @mike g., you were right! John at Azatrax was especially helpful. And so I did what every good capitalist would do - I bought even more from him! :-)

@mike g., agreeing with @carsntrains here: Would love to see a walk-around video of the whole room!

LaramieJoe posted:

Today I finally got my Azatrax MRD-1 working. @mike g., you were right! John at Azatrax was especially helpful. And so I did what every good capitalist would do - I bought even more from him! :-)

Thank you Joe for contributing to the economy!!  

Oh, BTW, I'm glad you got it working as well!  

I was able to work out the kinks with my MTH HO GP38-2. Needed to work on contact issues and now she runs like a charm. I dragged my Bachmann dummy SD40-2 around for a little bit. Hopefully the SD40-2 will soon get replaced by a BLI or Athearn model, as the Bachmann is not at all prototypical. Not to mention she can’t pull because I pulled her worm gears so I could run her with sound units. I am not very happy with the noisy and slow Lenz decoders that Bachmann uses. Also cleaned all of the cat hair out of the rods of my J1. When you have your cat also be your road foreman, there may be some extra hair lying around! I still have not finished cutting out my other switches in the yard for the temporary bypass to the shops. I soon hope to begin a rebuild on my Bachmann NS heritage units. I hope to put either lok pilot or some sort of wowsound decoders in them. I also want to super detail the Bachmann fleet until I can find Athearn Genesis units. 

Happy Holidays to you all!

-NS6770Fan

John Rowlen posted:

Mike,  The work is looking very good.  Keep having fun.

I have a slight hump in the transition off my ramp.  My VL GG1 #4935 can handle it, so I'm OK with it.  The Vision Line GG1 is like a giant sled with little flexibility. It has to be the least forgiving of all of Lionel's engines for climbing grades.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Man, ain't it the truth!   I constructed my layout using MTH GG1's and 21" cars as test vehicles for clearances, super elevation an curved track work.  Along came the VL 4800 and showed up every little flaw in my workmanship...and some big ones too!  Articulated train sets,such as Zephyrs and Turbos are also bad actors in this regard.

Bruce

I am currently in the process of diversifying and downsizing in order to make my current home clutter free in order to put it on the market for sale. One of the key items need to be removed is my award-winning Atlas O Golden Spike Central layout.

Drew Madere posted:

I am currently in the process of diversifying and downsizing in order to make my current home clutter free in order to put it on the market for sale. One of the key items need to be removed is my award-winning Atlas O Golden Spike Central layout.

WOW that sucks!   

Jim 

Thanks for sharing and congrats for the award on your layout, Drew. Letting go isn't easy - of the train pieces, the home, the layout.

Of all these things, we are but their stewards. 

Jim, Bruce, and Dr. Joe, Thanks for the nice comments. I will try to get a room video for you guys soon, it might take a few days as we are doing Christmas this weekend for the kids so they can go to other families homes on Christmas,. Its all good the wife and I along with Tank will be running the store on Christmas day anyways!

Dr. Joe, I am glad you were able to get your Azatrax MRD-1 working! John is a great guy that stands behind his product! Wish there were more like him!

Drew, I am sorry to hear the layout is coming down! I hope the house sells and you have the layout going back up soon!

Mike, Have a very Merry Christmas with the kiddos!! 

Is Tank your salesman or your security monitor at the store??  

Thanks Mark! Thanks is the official greeter! Everyone love to pet him! But to be honest he hates the store as there is no carpet just a blanket to lay on!

I hope you and everyone here also has a great Christmas!

I am on the way out to the train room to try and get some work done out there before I have to head to work at 10.

Mike, That's what I thought about Tank actually.  The official greeter is actually a salesman!  He greets, makes folks feel good, so they buy.   Yes, I can see where he wouldn't like the store.