What did you do on your layout today?

Hey Mike, look familiar?

Haha.  Not quite the same, but, all the trains, controls, and transformers are behind this desk.   And....the next three rooms.

Jerry

Thanks Bob and Pingman. I had a bit of time so I got another section done. Got the front half of the table done. Tomorrow I'll get the back half done. I am slowly working my way around. Pics.........Paul

John, Well I was thinking of an engine on Mike’s cart at first so there wouldn’t be an AC cord tether, but then decided he would have to put an exhaust hose on it to the outside.  Mike got it right, battery powered.  You could rig the motor from the chair where it is easily removed and installed back on the chair when needed.  LOL

Mike, I acquired the Mr. Coffee from my mother-in-law who doesn’t drink coffee and a dorm fridge from our older daughter as she was cleaning their house out for sale so they can buy the family homestead from my parents.  I got the metal blue cart from the thrift store for $5 so that is all I have in mine so far!

Paul, thank you for the well wishes for the injection.  It all went faster than I expected and didn’t hurt at all. The doctor said to not expect it to start working for 5 days.  The track looks better, though I hadn’t paid much attention to the old screws.  I guess after 45 years in HO and N if the third rail didn’t bother me the screws wouldn’t either.

samparfitt posted:

population explosion:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...37#82382494778709437

 

Looking great!  Lots of riders at the station and the farmers are doing well too

Major milestone today. The knee is getting better. I was able to walk down the stairs, and also back up. I didn't do anything on the layout, but I did bring down a box of new locos that has been in the front hall for the last week. I also began cleaning up the utility room, where I had piled a bunch of materials in order to clean up for the convention. I need to have it cleared by next Tuesday, so they can install my water filtration system, and we can drink the tap water again. Thanks 3M.

Congratulations Elliot!  That is an excellent start!!

Thanks Mark. I guess this injury is all about reestablishing range of motion. Ninety degrees is fairly easy now, and I can swing the left leg up on the right knee to put my shoe on. There were a few weeks I couldn't do that. Now the challenge is trying to get to the point where I can kneel on it. Every night as I climb into bed, I try to put my weight on it with my right foot on the floor. It hurts, but that's getting better too.

paul 2 posted:

Thanks Bob and Pingman. I had a bit of time so I got another section done. Got the front half of the table done. Tomorrow I'll get the back half done. I am slowly working my way around. Pics.........Paul

Awesome work!   Looks like a different layouts track!  Amazing what a TINY change will make!!    Now if I only had buildings, and grass, and ballast, and a lift bridge ….   I have succeeded on one thing!  Getting to see more of your layout!! : )

Jim 

I started my first permanent layout about two months ago. I have been working on it a few hours a couple times a week.

I have started a collection of Menards buildings from Christmas gifts as well as purchased a few myself. Tonight I completed one wall of back drop. I am using a bulletin board paper glued to 1/8 masonite and hung from the floor joists. I wanted the panels removable so I can access the electrical box, etc.

Buildings are not in any final place. Just moving them around the tables as I work my way around the "U" shaped layout. (Trying to keep as many in original packaging for now to protect them from damage).

 -jarred

Mark and Elliot.  I hope you both get to doing better!  Enjoy watching progress from both of you!  

Tonight I got nothing done again.  Did get to go out to dinner with my wife, son, daughter and son in law.   Had a good time and a good meal at Chili's!  

Waiting to see what my Vetter's windows and sash building looks like.. and the free house!  I think the free house will take a bit of work to get it to a Menard's level.  I am really excited about the two big 1954 Ford stake trucks too!  Don't know what I'm going to do with the two Starbucks trucks. Park them with those two Hummers I reckon.  LOL  

Hope everyone is having a great evening!  

Jim 

Hey Jared I see you got Vetters also !!! And a lot of other cool Menard's stuff!!  That big building is AWESOME !

carsntrains posted:

 

Hey Jared I see you got Vetters also !!! And a lot of other cool Menard's stuff!!  That big building is AWESOME !

 

Yes the Vetter's was a Christmas present from my family. It is really neat. I just picked up that York Hotel last week from Menards. I see the free building offer they have this week and I am really trying to restrain myself from buying more, although I know that probably won't happen. I have had my eye on the World HQ and Taco Bell since they have been out.

brewcrew posted:

I started my first permanent layout about two months ago. I have been working on it a few hours a couple times a week.

 

I have started a collection of Menards buildings from Christmas gifts as well as purchased a few myself. Tonight I completed one wall of back drop. I am using a bulletin board paper glued to 1/8 masonite and hung from the floor joists. I wanted the panels removable so I can access the electrical box, etc.

Buildings are not in any final place. Just moving them around the tables as I work my way around the "U" shaped layout. (Trying to keep as many in original packaging for now to protect them from damage).

 -jarred

Very nice!! What are you using as roadbed!!!

Joh, I have most of what's on your list! But I did forget to tell you I also have  Mircowave in the garage along with a stereo!

Jerry, that looks great! Why not be comfy while having fun! Who says you have to sit on a bar stool or stand all the time! LOL

Mark, with what you have collected so far your on your way! But one good thing is you don't need much with the train room still in the house! LOL

Elliot, That is great news! Next thing you know you will be going up and down those steps for exercise for your knee! Take it easy and don't rush it!

Brewcrew, looks like you have a wonderful start to your new layout! Just one question why not around the room? Either way have fun and enjoy!

Jim, you did to get something done! You spent quality time with the family! Sometimes it's better to do that to get where you want to with your trains! LOL

Woodson- the road bed is a frothed urethane 1/4" commercial carpet pad. I own a floor covering business and had it leftover from a job. I covered the whole layout in it, laid the track then carved out around the track. I have 25 lbs of Brennans Ballast to start ballasting when I'm at that point.

Mike G-

Not around the room yet as this is also my workshop. My table saw, router table, and one of my work benches are all on casters and slide under. This still allows the work shop to be semi-usable for other projects. I have a feeling the layout might take over some day though.

JerryG posted:

Hey Mike, look familiar?

 

For the record,  here's my sanctum sanctorum,  across the hall from the laboratory and the layout room: 

In other train news,  I've taken delivery of a slightly distressed Alco 420.  Got the horn repaired,  so now all that's needed is some fresh traction tires!  

Look forward to this sporting Arkansas and Missouri livery later this year! 

Mitch 

Brewcrew, I get that. I would hate to lose my shop area!

Mitch, looks like a good addition to your train collection!

Mike, I was huffin' and puffin' pretty bad. Five weeks on the couch will do that.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Mike, I was huffin' and puffin' pretty bad. Five weeks on the couch will do that.

Maybe so, but seeing the type of man you are I know it will be in the past! I see a man that is on a mission and has a plan! Like I said before just take it easy!

Working on logging bunkhouse kit....this kit has an interior with bunk beds and lockers. Bunk beds are assembled, lockers to go.  Floor of the building was highly detailed with many parts.

Wow so many great post on this thread! Great work everyone. Just scanned through was very busy all day at work and after.     

Worked on my buddy’s layout all frame and deck work done besides the lift out piece which he is going to a lumber yard for. He’s also looking into getting a bridge custom built or we mite kit bash one  

Came home to run the PRR cars that arrived today.  Turn your speakers up....  also organized the all the shelves by era. Now the heater room is steam era to 1960s only.  Yes that makes me feel better lol. 

mike g. posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Mike, I was huffin' and puffin' pretty bad. Five weeks on the couch will do that.

Maybe so, but seeing the type of man you are I know it will be in the past! I see a man that is on a mission and has a plan! Like I said before just take it easy!

I hope you're right, but it seems like after every mishap I slow down a little bit more. Maybe what I really need is to have Patrick come down and get me motivated. I'm going to have a hard time keeping up with him.

The last few days I have run some trains on the main line and the "town loop".  I have found that my schedules for making trains, switching cars back and forth between businesses and the yard and running through trains gets too tedious for the time I want to devote to a train session.  So I am thinking about reducing the amount of "making trains" and switching operations to businesses and the yard.  In essence, I would rather do very limited time saver operations.  No problem for the fixed trains for passenger and mail trains, and tank car train.  The coal train requires only minimal switching.  I will spare you the OCD details, for now.

Tonight I decided to leave a few of the overhead lights off while running a passenger train and later a mail train.  It was pretty cool seeing trains go through bridges, hills and tunnels.  The low light and squinting makes a bit more realistic. 

Kon112H

Who makes those Pennsylvania passenger cars?  They look way better than the four new Lionel 19" cars I just returned to the dealer for a refund.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

             messed around with some chalk before I tore this section out...

brewcrew posted:

carsntrains posted:

 

Hey Jared I see you got Vetters also !!! And a lot of other cool Menard's stuff!!  That big building is AWESOME !

 

Yes the Vetter's was a Christmas present from my family. It is really neat. I just picked up that York Hotel last week from Menards. I see the free building offer they have this week and I am really trying to restrain myself from buying more, although I know that probably won't happen. I have had my eye on the World HQ and Taco Bell since they have been out.

I had to get the two heavy Vetters trucks.   I like the color on them.  But didnt have  a Vetters building.  lol  Id like to see that York Hotel in person before I buy it.  May not be able to do that.   I think the nearest Manard's is about 250 miles from here.  

Mike you are 100% correct.    Nothing better than a good time with family! 

Jim

John Rowlen posted:

Kon112H

Who makes those Pennsylvania passenger cars?  They look way better than the four new Lionel 19" cars I just returned to the dealer for a refund.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Older MTH premier  set.  

Kon112H posted:

John Rowlen posted:

Kon112H

Who makes those Pennsylvania passenger cars?  They look way better than the four new Lionel 19" cars I just returned to the dealer for a refund.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Older MTH premier  set.  

Konway just an out of the blue question.  I saw the Jegs stuff in one of your pictures...  I used to work in a speed shop years ago, so I am also into drag racing.   I am a member of a Historical Ford racing FB page and have seen cars lettered up as Kons Racing.  Would that be one of your family members? 

Jim

Lots of updates to the layout. It was a busy semester's break! You can see a video of the layout here:  https://youtu.be/UebDjkbrWPE 

1. Added several new Miller Engineering animated signs.
2. Raised three MTH structures with their second story add-on options. 
3. Using extruded foam insulation, made a road for my main street, replete with lane markings and traffic signals. 

Love this hobby!!

-- Dr Joe

 

carsntrains posted:

Kon112H posted:

John Rowlen posted:

Kon112H

Who makes those Pennsylvania passenger cars?  They look way better than the four new Lionel 19" cars I just returned to the dealer for a refund.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Older MTH premier  set.  

Konway just an out of the blue question.  I saw the Jegs stuff in one of your pictures...  I used to work in a speed shop years ago, so I am also into drag racing.   I am a member of a Historical Ford racing FB page and have seen cars lettered up as Kons Racing.  Would that be one of your family members? 

Jim

My father and I have a dragster , this is the 1st time I’ve heard of Kons Racing .  Our last name is Konefal ( Pernounced Kon A Full ).   So one day in high school some one called me Kon and it’s stuck since.  

The name Konway came from Conway yard , former PRR yard. Plus where in PA and have a thing for PRR my father pretty much lived next to the NEC his whole life and seen PRR to current day. So where Homer’s for PRR lol.  

Kon: cool!  We have been drag racing off and on for 30 some years.  If it had been Johnson's or Smith's racing I wouldn't have asked lol

Dr Joe: Watched that video!  Very nice layout!  Lots of cool stuff on it too! Looks like a big layout.  What size is it?  

Jim

carsntrains posted:

Kon: cool!  We have been drag racing off and on for 30 some years.  If it had been Johnson's or Smith's racing I wouldn't have asked lol

Dr Joe: Watched that video!  Very nice layout!  Lots of cool stuff on it too! Looks like a big layout.  What size is it?  

Jim

 

Do you remember the frantic ford owned by chris Gahns?   Well if so he owns Nicholas Smith too. 

carsntrains posted:

Kon: cool!  We have been drag racing off and on for 30 some years.  If it had been Johnson's or Smith's racing I wouldn't have asked lol

Dr Joe: Watched that video!  Very nice layout!  Lots of cool stuff on it too! Looks like a big layout.  What size is it?  

Jim

 

Jim, it is only 8' x 8' on top of Mianne benchwork, which takes it out a little past 8' but not enough for anything larger than O-31 curves (darnit anyway). I have two reversing loops on it, two main lines, and two inner loops. Thanks for asking!!!

Dr. Joe, great little video! I love your small layout it has a lot of action! Keep up the great work and postings!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

That poor BNSF Engine! Someone should give it a new paint job! LOL

Well so many good things again being done.  I want to make a few comments.

Elliot, I am glad it is getting better.  I know what you mean about getting out of shape.  I haven't been able to walk or use the recumbent bicycle for a couple of months, and am finally getting back and it is rough.  Kneeling, well I can only kneel on one knee, but it has gotten harder to get up.  Hopefully we will both get back into it.

Jim, Thank you for the well wishes.

Mitch, Command control looks impressive!  The Alco 420 looks great too!

Dr. Joe, You made made some nice improvements!!

Mike, You are right.  There is something to be said about having everything under one roof!  Too bad the roof isn't a little bigger, but at 62 I don't want to expand!!

Brian,  All Aboard!!!!

Mark, I am just glad I don't have to up and down stairs! LOL

Mike, I know!  We don’t like this split entry, but That is what Kim’s mom had and the price point left us with no mortgage.  Saved us 7 years of payments over the ranch on a basement on a cliff where we lived before!

Looks great Johan!  Reminds me of home!!