What did you do on your layout today?

luvindemtrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Hey Bob, it was the wifes idea! But it worked out great cause it help me find problem spots before I got to far! Had to change the angle of the rise after the bridge a little and add a few drops !

Pete, Nice Christmas Train! Here is a picture of my Christmas train and a short video. I couldn't wait for Momma to get home, cause I wanted to share it with you all!

Yay Mike! Glad to see you are running trains. That was a fun video to watch. Your progress has been amazing to watch. I remember when you were telling everyone you were going to build this room. I never would have imagined you would be running trains this soon.

Dave

Great video, Mike! What satisfaction you must feel to have come so far!

Merry Christmas!

Mike, keep the videos coming. Trackwork is progressing rapidly now.

Tonight I got the ladder and safety cage painted. It should be ready to glue in place tomorrow. Pic......Paul

Did some more experimentation with the camera...

RSJB18 posted:http://www.quickmeme.com/img/af/af498b6ab7f372ff094586d542d8bd7edc276aee795d1c03ae28a798f2208720.jpg Great pix Mike. Christmas season and grand kids and trains. I'd jump on the little one's request thumb Too funny. I just spent a nostalgic night looking at Cookie Monster history and videos; the time inspired by the warm plate of peanut butter cookies I was busy sampling In the process I found my normally non-drooling dogs kryptonite is smelling peanut butter cookies...found out with my sock . There it was incredible; near a foot round thin puddle connected by thick tell-tale "shoelaces" to it's sad eyed owner. A cookie put an end to the drool machine, but not the persistence at getting more. Today is trick day without promting... and some pouting over plain toast laugh The night before I made muffins; man ;l Sweet blueberry and a plain, a bit denser batch for sopping (hopefully non-lumpy) gravy . Tonight I might be doing pineapple upsidedown cake and pineapple shortbread cookies. I just finished some lightly sweetened nut meg & ginger French Toast. A turkey is sitting in Vernors and citrus juice mix overnight after thawing 90% in a "Scarborough Fair" dry rub for the last 4 days. If I step back from the layout 6ft I'm in the kitchen and at the stove. I can see most of it from the rest of the kitchen too. My baking success is based on their being no catastrophic derailmaints during a timed mixing/event or at a batch end laugh A good mousse pie would be awsome cool I used to get an $18 mousse pie in the early 80s that would ruin desert for you for a long time thereafter. I still miss it. I can't imagine what it would cost today. An hour to the new local, $40-50 each, and maybe a few years to back on the holiday waiting list I'm glad the "old ladies" taught me a thing or two growing up. RSJB18 posted:http://www.quickmeme.com/img/af/af498b6ab7f372ff094586d542d8bd7edc276aee795d1c03ae28a798f2208720.jpg Great pix Mike. Christmas season and grand kids and trains. I'd jump on the little one's request thumb Too funny. I just spent a nostalgic night looking at Cookie Monster history and videos; the time inspired by the warm plate of peanut butter cookies I was busy sampling In the process I found my normally non-drooling dogs kryptonite is smelling peanut butter cookies...found out with my sock . There it was incredible; near a foot round thin puddle connected by thick tell-tale "shoelaces" to it's sad eyed owner. A cookie put an end to the drool machine, but not the persistence at getting more. Today is trick day without promting... and some pouting over plain toast laugh The night before I made muffins; man ;l Sweet blueberry and a plain, a bit denser batch for sopping (hopefully non-lumpy) gravy . Tonight I might be doing pineapple upsidedown cake and pineapple shortbread cookies. I just finished some lightly sweetened nut meg & ginger French Toast. A turkey is sitting in Vernors and citrus juice mix overnight after thawing 90% in a "Scarborough Fair" dry rub for the last 4 days. If I step back from the layout 6ft I'm in the kitchen and at the stove. I can see most of it from the rest of the kitchen too. My baking success is based on their being no catastrophic derailmaints during a timed mixing/event or at a batch end laugh A good mousse pie would be awsome cool I used to get an $18 mousse pie in the early 80s that would ruin desert for you for a long time thereafter. I still miss it. I can't imagine what it would cost today. An hour to the new local, $40-50 each, and maybe a few years to back on the holiday waiting list I'm glad the "old ladies" taught me a thing or two growing up. RSJB18 posted: Great pix Mike. Christmas season and grand kids and trains. I'd jump on the little one's request    Too funny. I just spent a nostalgic night looking at Cookie Monster history and videos; the time inspired by the warm plate of peanut butter cookies I was busy sampling     In the process I found my normally non-drooling dogs kryptonite is smelling peanut butter cookies...found out with my sock . There it was incredible; near a foot round thin puddle connected by thick tell-tale "shoelaces" to it's sad eyed owner. A cookie put an end to the drool machine, but not the persistence at getting more. Today is trick day without promting... and some pouting over plain toast    The night before I made muffins; man ;l  Sweet blueberry and a plain, a bit denser batch for sopping (hopefully non-lumpy) gravy .  Tonight I might be doing pineapple upsidedown cake and pineapple shortbread cookies.  I just finished some lightly sweetened nut meg & ginger French Toast.    A turkey is sitting in Vernors and citrus juice mix overnight after thawing 90% in a "Scarborough Fair" dry rub for the last 4 days.   If I step back from the layout 6ft I'm in the kitchen and at the stove. I can see most of it from the rest of the kitchen too. My baking success is based on their being no catastrophic derailmaints during a timed mixing/event or at a batch end      A good mousse pie would be awsome  I used to get an $18 mousse pie in the early 80s that would ruin desert for you for a long time thereafter. I still miss it. I can't imagine what it would cost today. An hour to the new local, $40-50 each, and maybe a few years to back on the holiday waiting list      I'm glad the "old ladies" taught me a thing or two growing up....

Oh, I added a "manger scene" with some old wood figures and $1 store animals I found.

Though the "little guy" looks suspiciously like a man in a small bathtub; it forced perception works for me though  

Izzy, you owe me $50. I told you they'd catch on eventually with you showboatin' selfies like that. Heck, Norma almost blew it till she "ball and twined" um with Fortescue in the spotlight.

Whataya think for my avitar

Too sexy eh?...

Too serious?

Comfortable and "real"....

But it on has one 'good side'. The rest scream "goofball

They'd never all buy into an avitar photo' but dog-gone it you still owe me $50 the others caught on, you win it back if you can train the rest... Merry Christmas Iz, Norma, Tank and the rest; good luck wit dat...With that. (Sorry, peanut butter was stuck in my teeth)

..Puppi.

And a very Merry Christmas from Fortescue,  Norma, Sylvia and me!   

MERRY CHRISTMAS:

New to the forum, and new to O scale. I started preparing the upstairs of my garage (17’ x 27’) to start roughing out the track plan for my 2 rail system. I’m shooting for a similar look of the Tehachapi loop and, if possible, a version of the Horeshoe Curve on the opposite end of the layout.

I‘ll try to post photos as I progress.

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe holiday season.

Butch, Your manger scene looks great!!!  The Izzy selfies look like most selfies, just not quite right.    

Thank you one and all for the Christmas wishes!!!

Here is my manger scene this year, right in the center of town at the foot of Mount Brian.  To the left is a couple getting married to commemorate my mother-in-law and late father-in-law who got married on December 23rd long ago.

May everyone have a very Blessed Christmas!!!

Nu2Oscale posted:

New to the forum, and new to O scale. I started preparing the upstairs of my garage (17’ x 27’) to start roughing out the track plan for my 2 rail system. I’m shooting for a similar look of the Tehachapi loop and, if possible, a version of the Horeshoe Curve on the opposite end of the layout.

I‘ll try to post photos as I progress.

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe holiday season.

Nu2Oscale, Welcome to a great Forum filled with very kind and helpful folks.  I am so glad you joined us here!!  Whether 2-rail or 3-rail, there are lots of folks here who will be glad to answer any questions you have.  I myself modeled in HO and N scales from the late '60s until 2012, when I decided to switch to O 3-rail because of my eyesight and arthritis.  I picked 3-rail over 2-rail simply because I do not have the space for the broader curves needed for 2-rail, but didn't want to settle for just a small switching layout.  Tehachapi Loop and Horseshoe Curve are great undertakings.  I live about a two hour drive from Horseshoe.  Welcome again!!!

Nu2Oscale posted:

New to the forum, and new to O scale. I started preparing the upstairs of my garage (17’ x 27’) to start roughing out the track plan for my 2 rail system. I’m shooting for a similar look of the Tehachapi loop and, if possible, a version of the Horeshoe Curve on the opposite end of the layout.

I‘ll try to post photos as I progress.

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe holiday season.

Welcome to the forum. Lot's of great info from a great bunch of guys. Sounds like an impressive project. I'd suggest starting your own build thread in the 2-rail area. Feel free to post here to as we all love to see anything trains.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

That looks great Pete. Hopefully you have created a life long interest in trains for this little girl.

Would love to see how she decorates the board. Please share photos if you can.

I hope so to, Bob! I also gave her a container of Woodland Scenics “snow” and s package of winter trees in scale size. Told her she can hairspray the trees and sprinkle snow on the branches to make a wintery effect for her layout. Her eyes lighted up and I could see her imagination take flight. If I can, I will get a pic of her improvements.

Right now I have to cook a couple of pounds of shrimp and make a big batch of whipped cream  for the chocolate mousse I made yesterday. My kids and grandkids will be here later today. Everything else seems ready except for constantly policing the tracks around the tree for fallen tinsel.

Merry Vhristmas to you and yours!

Mark Boyce posted:

Butch, Your manger scene looks great!!!  The Izzy selfies look like most selfies, just not quite right.    

Thank you one and all for the Christmas wishes!!!

Here is my manger scene this year, right in the center of town at the foot of Mount Brian.  To the left is a couple getting married to commemorate my mother-in-law and late father-in-law who got married on December 23rd long ago.

May everyone have a very Blessed Christmas!!!

An absolute fantastic scene. Reminds me from the Scrooge Movies. Love the old style Christmas Tree in the top right. Looks like one my father has as well. Thank you for sharing this nice photo and scene for Christmas Eve.

Mark Boyce posted:

Nu2Oscale posted:

New to the forum, and new to O scale. I started preparing the upstairs of my garage (17’ x 27’) to start roughing out the track plan for my 2 rail system. I’m shooting for a similar look of the Tehachapi loop and, if possible, a version of the Horeshoe Curve on the opposite end of the layout.

I‘ll try to post photos as I progress.

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe holiday season.

Nu2Oscale, Welcome to a great Forum filled with very kind and helpful folks.  I am so glad you joined us here!!  Whether 2-rail or 3-rail, there are lots of folks here who will be glad to answer any questions you have.  I myself modeled in HO and N scales from the late '60s until 2012, when I decided to switch to O 3-rail because of my eyesight and arthritis.  I picked 3-rail over 2-rail simply because I do not have the space for the broader curves needed for 2-rail, but didn't want to settle for just a small switching layout.  Tehachapi Loop and Horseshoe Curve are great undertakings.  I live about a two hour drive from Horseshoe.  Welcome again!!!

Thanks for the welcome gentlemen. I’m still navigating the site and trying to get the topics sorted out. I started model railroading in G scale, for 10-12years, but had to abandon due to arthritis and other medical issues that kept me from crawling on the ground...besides that, my nephews didn’t show the interest I hoped they would :-(

Missing the hobby, I decided an elevated O scale layout would be my salvation. I like the fixed pilot locomotives, as that was my motivation for 2 rail over 3. As long as it’s related to a train, we’re all happy....LOL.

I was born/raised in NJ and grew up watching passenger service, but always loved seeing the long freights and locomotives. BNSF colors and schemes were always a favorite, and my heart will always have a place for the east coast runners, CSX, NS, and Conrail.

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

             MERRY CHRISTMAS  everyone !!   from Me, Marci, and "Izzy"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all

LMAO Brian- we posted the same image at the same time.

Bob

Nu2Oscale posted:

New to the forum, and new to O scale. I started preparing the upstairs of my garage (17’ x 27’) to start roughing out the track plan for my 2 rail system. I’m shooting for a similar look of the Tehachapi loop and, if possible, a version of the Horeshoe Curve on the opposite end of the layout.

I‘ll try to post photos as I progress.

Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe holiday season.

And to you!  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  We might just know the answer!  If you're REALLY lucky, it'll be a correct answer!   

Welcome aboard!

Mitch 

Merry Christmas everyone! You guys are the best thanks for all the likes and encouraging comments this year 

RSJB18 posted:

LMAO Brian- we posted the same image at the same time.

Bob

Bob and Brian, It is a winner indeed!! 

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

             MERRY CHRISTMAS  everyone !!   from Me, Marci, and "Izzy"

Brian, Thank you for the Merry Christmas wishes from you, Marci, and Izzi!!  They both sound like keepers!!!  

wrawroacx posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Butch, Your manger scene looks great!!!  The Izzy selfies look like most selfies, just not quite right.    

Thank you one and all for the Christmas wishes!!!

Here is my manger scene this year, right in the center of town at the foot of Mount Brian.  To the left is a couple getting married to commemorate my mother-in-law and late father-in-law who got married on December 23rd long ago.

May everyone have a very Blessed Christmas!!!

An absolute fantastic scene. Reminds me from the Scrooge Movies. Love the old style Christmas Tree in the top right. Looks like one my father has as well. Thank you for sharing this nice photo and scene for Christmas Eve.

Thank you, Tom!!!!  Well you have an observant eye!  Since my wife has such a large hoard of ceramic buildings, I have to pick a theme for each Christmas.  This year the theme is Dickensville as most of the over 40 buildings I crammed onto this 4x7 are Dickenville she inherited from her grandmother.  There are a few Dickens Village buildings are thrown into the mix.  You're welcome!  Merry Christmas!!

 

                                        how about them BROWNS

 

                 don't forget, I get to open a present every time they score

Layout is ready for Christmas!   Family coming tonight!  woo hoo!  Foam done, got some buildings lit and running for tonight, choo choo is running well.  Glad to see Mike G. getting to run a train for his family! Well done sir!     Hope Santa brings us all some train goodies!   Merry Christmas everybody!   

Jim 

I have long wondered why DM&IR SD40-3’s are equipped with a reddish-orange colored box or tray attached to the side frame of the forward truck on the engineers side of the engine.  Note picture of #413.

I posted a question concerning this on the Missabe Historical facebook page last week and quickly received a reply.   It’s a storage rack for a FRED or EOTD, End Of Train Device, which is used today in lieu of a caboose.  Some call it a FRED bed.

I have never seen this storage rack pictured on other RR road locomotives, so thinking this rack is somewhat unique to the DM&IR, of course I had to add this detail to my two SD40-3’s.  I found a small sheet of thin copper in my material supply pile that proved to be ideal for fabricating the storage rack.  I had to judge the dimensions of the tray based on photos of road engines and web pictures of EOTD’s.   I am not a “rivet counter” so I felt that a general facsimile there of was quite sufficient.   The paint stir stick was perfect to form the tray. 

I cut a band of copper to the desired width (length of tray) and bent formed it over a paint stir stick that was a scale foot wide.

 Trimmed to the desired depth of the box and then stood it upright on a piece of copper, that I first coated with flux and then heated and secured with a touch of solder.

Repeated process for the other end piece.   I found it best to first secure the small end piece with masking tape.  

 I trimmed off the excess with a scissors and honed the joint with a fine file and emery paper.

With a project like this you usually end up making several and choosing the best.  The pieces were then washed. primed and painted. 

 

Project complete.  

I also scratched together a cosmetic EOTD to ride in the tray.  

 

This month, I have also added more street lighting to the layout and painted the fascia.

I chose to use the room’s wall color rather than the traditional black or green color seen on many layouts.

Thanks for all the great posting this month.   Hard to keep up with all the back and forth chatter and progress.

Merry Christmas & Holiday to all and Happy New Year!
May your stockings tonight be filled with Trains!!!

Cheers, Dave

 

Jim, Nice work on the Farm!

Pete, thank you Sir! It sure does feel Great to be running a train!

Paul, the ladder is looking nice! Cant wait to see it all finished up!

Lee, what a wonderful Picture! Are you sure you don't do that for a living!

Butch, what a nice story I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

NU2OSCALE, Welcome! You will find that you are going to have a blast with these folks! Lots of information to be had, just ask!

Mark, Wonderful Manger Scene! Both you and butch! Merry Christmas!

Brian, sure are some nice pictures of you all! Looks like a great crowd to hang out with! Merry Christmas!

CARSNTRAINS (JIM) I hope you have a wonderful time with family over Christmas! Out kids and grandkids just left as we had Christmas yesterday. The wife, I and Tank have to work at the store tomorrow so we can give our employees Christmas off to spend with there loved ones!

Dave, Amazing work! I too have never seen a box like that on an engine either. What a perfect match you built, keep up the wonderful work and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Sorry Brian, I had to barrow your card as I don't have one!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Fiddling around with a track cleaning car ala @M. Mitchell Marmel. Tried pulling it with a K-Line MP-15, no good, had to pull out the big guns. Cast bodies  and magna-traction can pull out tree stumps. Works OK- gotta figure out how to get even pressure across all three rails.

And since we're sharing this year..... Got the Christmas lights up and running on the layout. Heading out for Christmas Eve soon.

Once again- Merry Christmas to all the OGR members and families.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Fiddling around with a track cleaning car ala @M. Mitchell Marmel. Tried pulling it with a K-Line MP-15, no good, had to pull out the big guns. Cast bodies  and magna-traction can pull out tree stumps. Works OK- gotta figure out how to get even pressure across all three rails.

And since we're sharing this year..... Got the Christmas lights up and running on the layout. Heading out for Christmas Eve soon.

Once again- Merry Christmas to all the OGR members and families.

Bob

Christmas Trees look great Bob! As for the track cleaning car, try gluing some small spacers under the car where you want more pressure! Just a thought, They should be small enough when not cleaning track you wont see them from the side!

Either way, Merry Christmas!

Dave, Nice looking addition to the DM&IR engine!  The street lighting looks great too!  Merry Christmas!

Bob, I have to work on a track cleaning car too.  I have the Magic Erasers but haven’t picked a car.  The Christmas lights look great!  Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I detailed a Lionel Union Pacific Challenger 21" Baggage Car.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, looks like great interior detail!

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS: PART 2

Merry Christmas everyone. Nativity scene after last night open house in CT. 

Hope everyone had a great Christmas waking up to trains running around under the trees and packages full of trains to open. Last night I got my ladder glued into place. I had been trying to figure out what type of structure to place on top of the silos. Then it finally dawned on me that I had worked for Nabisco in Niagara Falls NY and there we had silos. So I took a trip on google back to the falls. Scratched down what I think will work. Now comes the fun of fitting into the area. But I think it will be a fun project. Pics.............Paul

Looks like a good plan, Paul!  Merry Christmas!

darlander posted:

I have long wondered why DM&IR SD40-3’s are equipped with a reddish-orange colored box or tray attached to the side frame of the forward truck on the engineers side of the engine.  Note picture of #413.

I posted a question concerning this on the Missabe Historical facebook page last week and quickly received a reply.   It’s a storage rack for a FRED or EOTD, End Of Train Device, which is used today in lieu of a caboose.

I have never seen this storage rack pictured on other RR road locomotives, so thinking this rack is somewhat unique to the DM&IR, of course I had to add this detail to my two SD40-3’s.  I found a small sheet of thin copper in my material supply pile that proved to be ideal for fabricating the storage rack.  I had to judge the dimensions of the tray based on photos of road engines and web pictures of EOTD’s.   I am not a “rivet counter” so I felt that a general facsimile there of was quite sufficient.   The paint stir stick was perfect to form the tray. 

I cut a band of copper to the desired width (length of tray) and bent formed it over a paint stir stick that was a scale foot wide.

 Trimmed to the desired depth of the box and then stood it upright on a piece of copper, that I first coated with flux and then heated and secured with a touch of solder.

Repeated process for the other end piece.   I found it best to first secure the small end piece with masking tape.  

 I trimmed off the excess with a scissors and honed the joint with a fine file and emery paper.

With a project like this you usually end up making several and choosing the best.  The pieces were then washed. primed and painted. 

 

Project complete.  

I also scratched together a cosmetic EOTD to ride in the tray.  

 

This month, I have also added more street lighting to the layout and painted the fascia.

I chose to use the room’s wall color rather than the traditional black or green color seen on many layouts.

Thanks for all the great posting this month.   Hard to keep up with all the back and forth chatter and progress.

Merry Christmas & Holiday to all and Happy New Year!
May your stockings tonight be filled with Trains!!!

Cheers, Dave

 

Dave,

First off Happy Holidays. The project looks like it turned out great. You can never have enough details. The layout looks fabulous. Would love to see more. Thanks for posting.

Dave

Nu2 welcome to the forum!

Thanks all for the uplifting and interesting projects, photos, and ideas.

Merry Christmas to all! I absolutely love this thread. I got some very cool train items from the wife today! I was able to sneak away from the festivities to shoot this video of the new layout! If you look at my previous 2 layouts on my YouTube channel you will see lots has changed over the years. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the holiday! 

https://youtu.be/PDil8FFbG7U

Well, it’s Christmas Day, and a great time to clean track under Mountains, and bridges, it’s been a long time coming, and I am finding that age is catching up rapidly....Merry Christmas all.