Mike, The hillside looks good!
Just spent the last hour before the Browns game setting up and running trains. Everything is running and working perfectly and my wife said if anything doesn't work tomorrow it probably is Paul's fault. Can't argue with that logic.
Oh no, Paul!! Bryan has Mrs. P convinced everything is Paul's fault!! 
Well I hope the Browns have a better game than the Steelers did. The way it is looking, by the time the first Browns/Steelers game comes around, the Steelers will be playing their yet to be signed 4th string quarterback!!
chris a posted:Hi Vincent, sorry I made it difficult to understand. I am bending Gargraves for my wide radius curves so that I have what's called an "easement" or transition curve where the radius, or curvature, goes from being straight to the desired constant radius of the 180 degree curve. Using easements, or transition curves definitely makes a positive difference especially with longer passenger cars, and articulated steam engines, but it general I do notice that trains run smoother and look better entering and leaving curves with "easements". When you bend Gargraves, it's almost impossible not to end up with a natural transition or easement, unless you really try to force the track to go from straight to the desired curvature.
I find it best to start the curve somewhere near the mid point of a 37 inch section of Gargraves, and wasn't sure exactly where the end of that transition curve piece of track would finally end up on the "straight section".... I learned a long time ago, not to try and start or finish curves at the end of the piece of bendable GG track. So, I figured I would do the 1st transition curve piece, then get the 096 (48 inch radius) Ross sections positioned and keep them 4 1/2 inches on center from the outer main line curve and get all that track work done and "the curves banked".....
Once that was completed, I figured I'd go back and cut a piece of straight track to fill in the gap between the 2 curves.... It took so long to do the curves, and I was pretty tired by last night, that I just grabbed a piece of scrap track that pretty much fit the hole so that I could roll cars down the grade into the curve... So hence the "place holder", temporary as it's missing some center rail.... I still have to cut and install a new piece of Gargraves to replace that section...
Sorry for even longer explanation....
Mike G: Looking good... You would have made less of a plaster mess using the Low-loft batting LOL....
Thank you, Chris. I understand your explanation. What you are doing makes sense.
The heatwave took a break today. I worked in the train building all day. I removed four 1122 switches and installed six O22 switches. Two new spurs popped up. When I pulled the track, I vacuumed in the tough spaces. I have not wired the switches yet but I tested them all before giving them a home. I also began the change to O31 track. I found 42 pieces cheap on the bay. It will be cool again tomorrow. Sounds like a good time to pull wires. Early to bed tonight.
Tried out the camera on my new phone and just ran some trains with my boys.
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Painted my Lionel kitchen car from unicolor white...
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Also spent the Sunday setting up some shelving cases at the base of the stairs leading to the train room for easier access to my engines. They were spending too much time in shipping boxes! I still need to add risers for the 2nd and 3rd rows of engines per shelf to make those back rows more accessible and visible. I'm testing simple 2x4 risers on a shelf on the left.
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Over the last couple of days I painted the Plastruct tanks. Much better. I still need to replace the modified MTH fuel column with an actual scale fuel oil column for my oil fired steam locomotives. I've found some but they are brass and pricey ($100). I'll probably wait till after the holidays to pick one up. In the meantime I've got plenty of cheap layout projects to keep me busy, like building a 4 stall engine house.
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Lou1985 posted:Over the last couple of days I painted the Plastruct tanks. Much better. I still need to replace the modified MTH fuel column with an actual scale fuel oil column for my oil fired steam locomotives. I've found some but they are brass and pricey ($100). I'll probably wait till after the holidays to pick one up. In the meantime I've got plenty of cheap layout projects to keep me busy, like building a 4 stall engine house.
Dad found an oil stand pipe from berkshire valley. It was a kit but looks nice and is the smaller size railroads used for the oil.
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Your small engine facility deserves a thread of its own, IMO, Eric.
Berkshirelover726 posted:Lou1985 posted:Over the last couple of days I painted the Plastruct tanks. Much better. I still need to replace the modified MTH fuel column with an actual scale fuel oil column for my oil fired steam locomotives. I've found some but they are brass and pricey ($100). I'll probably wait till after the holidays to pick one up. In the meantime I've got plenty of cheap layout projects to keep me busy, like building a 4 stall engine house.
Dad found an oil stand pipe from berkshire valley. It was a kit but looks nice and is the smaller size railroads used for the oil.
Thanks for the tip. I checked and it doesn't appear that Berkshire Valley makes that kit anymore.
I ran my new Lionel Nickel Plate Road GP35 #910 that arrived with issues. That makes 14 new Lionel engines in a row with issues. I recently was made aware that my three (3) H-10 Steam Engines have sound board issues. My UP Challenger is at Lionel. My previous Track Mobile had smoke shoot out of the coupler and was returned to the dealer.
The NKP GP35 has a gray Lift Bar Stanchion on the front left corner. The engine had been lubricated when I received it. Both Lift Bars on the ends are bent toward the left. The rear coupler droops and needs to be tightened if possible. The truck side frames are a shinny black crackle finish. It is another Lionel disappointment.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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paul 2 posted:Today I spent the day with train buddies at the Berea train show in berea. Weather turned out nice. I don't usally find anything here but this time I was lucky. I found a Weaver Dow Chemical of Canada tank car for a good price. When I got home I was happy to see my tank car truck kits arrived and the decals I ordered were there too. The trucks are nice and are 1/48 scale and because they are of the right time era I want I think i'll get a few more. The decals are for an engine project. Years ago I bought two Boy Scouts of America 080's for a reall good price. I plan to strip the decals off them and make them Buffalo Creek engines. So it turned out to be a good day ll the way around. Pics..................Paul 2
Great score Paul!
Berkshirelover726 posted:I love the smell of smoke pellets in the morning!
Great video!
John Rowlen, If it weren't for bad luck, you'ld have no luck at all!! So sorry!
Scott, the kitchen car and shelves look great!
Brian, speaking of shelves... Looks great!
Eric, that is a nice engine service building!!
Chris, I know what you mean about the plaster, but I wanted to give it a try! I still might put low batting over it and paint it first before any rocks or grass!
Cody, I bet once you get it working properly it will smoke up the whole house!
Paul, look out! Brian has already planted the seed! Now his wife has gone to the dark side! LOL
Bill, I am glad the heatwave broke! I sure wish it was here, its hailing right now! Sure sounds like you have been busy, but again I guess your playing catch up!
Aldover, Nice Photos, Looks like a fun layout!
Scottv, Kitchen car looks great! Also Nice work on the Shelves!
Lou, I have to agree much better! Nice work!
Brian, great pictures, I see you got some stuff unpacked! Izzy must be a happy girl now! LOL
Eric, Very Impressive! Wonderful work on the service building and the home made outside lights!
John R, wow you just cant get a break can you! I sure hope they are taking care of you at no charge to you!
Well guys nothing from me today as I am stuck at the store once again for the next 2 days. But it sure is nice to get on here and see all the great work being done by all! Keep it up!
I hope you all have a great day tomorrow and find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!
Well I'll start off by saying Bryan did a great job of hosting all of us. It was a great Tuesday night and his layout ran almost all the way through without any gremlins showing up. Although I will say upon my arrival I was greeted with a sign on the door that I was not to use the entrance. Of course being a senior citizen I did not read the sign. We all enjoyed the evening. Liz and Bryan are great hosts and his layout will be outstanding when he has finished all the senery. On a little side note. At the end of the evening I was standing next to Bryan and as one of the trains came by us I pointed my finger at the train and the engine uncoupled from the cars. I then told Bryan that is what you get when you mess with an ornery old man ROFL. Paul 2
Ran trains before going to bed last night. Good times!!
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Paul, Amazing powers you have as a Senior! Excellent sage advice for the rest of us seniors to not be intimidated by juniors. I need BIG words to be able to read.
Brian and Liz, great job hosting the Tuesday event!
Yes, great evening and must give accolades to my wife for doing all the cooking and serving prep work as I made sure everything on the layout was working. I think I topped out at 27 people and the last ones left a little before 11. As Paul said everything was running great all evening until he pointed at the one train and then it let go of its freight. What my friend failed to mention was the other mishap of the night as we passed through the Paul Stackow Bridge (yes I named a bridge after Paul in thanks to him giving me, an unknown at the time, his signature on my TCA application many years ago) for the first time in the evening the engine went one direction and the auto carriers went another after going through this bridge. That is why I am now a firm believer in never doing anything nice for anyone ever again...well maybe not everyone just Paul.
Bryan, LOL
What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it? 
My day started at 12:20AM. That was when I knew it would be a sleepless night. So out to the train room with a tall Cherry Dr. Pepper. First I wired three of my new-to-me O22 switches. Second I cut down a piece of track to correct an alignment problem. I squirted smoke fluid in my switcher and let it push my track cleaning car around the layout. While the building filled with smoke, I put new wires on four more O22 switches. I tested everything and made a list of LEDs to be bought for the switch controllers. Those suckers get HOT. About 4AM, I cleared the track so the 4501 could run an excursion to Chattanooga and back. The boss woke up about 5:30 and brought my first cup of coffee. I ran a net for an hour on 7.251 and here we are. We will get flu shots today. I will try to return to my railroad this afternoon.
Y'all don't forget your flu shots
Bill, N4GUV
Bill, I got my flu shot! Yes I have those nights too! Usually from leg and lower back pain. You made great use of the time! Bravo!
Lew, Atlas SW9, handsome livery; a winner indeed!
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geysergazer posted:What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it?
Lew. 🤝 lucky man.
Johan
BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it?
Lew. 🤝 lucky man.
Johan
Johan, . We live across the Hoosic River from the old B&M East-West mainline (Albany-Boston) so I thought it was about time.
geysergazer posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it?
Lew. 🤝 lucky man.
Johan
Johan,
Lew. Excellent. Very interested. Always nice to see some another B&M engines than my own.👏👍🤝
Johan
BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it?
Lew. 🤝 lucky man.
Johan
Johan,
Lew. Excellent. Very interested. Always nice to see some another B&M engines than my own.👏👍🤝
Johan
Very nice Lew. Been contemplating a purchase of the same loco.
Guess I know what you will post on SWSat this week. 
Bangor & Aroostook GP7 #63, somewhere in Maine.
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Mark, I got the flu shot when I was teaching. I didn't get the flu, but had two bouts of Pneumonia that year. If you climb stairs and get tired and dizzy and sweaty, you might have pneumonia. If you climb the stairs and have stomach discomfort, you probably have gas.
I will never get a flu shot again. I have seen how some companies have poor quality control.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
John, That is a bummer you had trouble! I had a co-worker who would never get a flu shot because of a similar incident. I have never had any trouble. Knock on wood! I did get viral pneumonia way back in my '20s. The doctor kept me home from work for 2 weeks because of it.
Kerrigan, the feuling racks look great! They will make a great addition to your diesel servicing facility!!
RSJB18 posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:geysergazer posted:What'd I do today? I bought-it-now on eBay:
Atlas O Sw9. Another switcher, who'd a' thunk' it?
Lew. 🤝 lucky man.
Johan
Johan,
Lew. Excellent. Very interested. Always nice to see some another B&M engines than my own.👏👍🤝
Johan
Very nice Lew. Been contemplating a purchase of the same loco.
Guess I know what you will post on SWSat this week.
This will be my first Atlas O engine. I'm quite curious to see what it's low-speed (yah, SWITCHING ) performance is like.
Mark Boyce posted:John, That is a bummer you had trouble! I had a co-worker who would never get a flu shot because of a similar incident. I have never had any trouble. Knock on wood! I did get viral pneumonia way back in my '20s. The doctor kept me home from work for 2 weeks because of it.
Kerrigan, the feuling racks look great! They will make a great addition to your diesel servicing facility!!
Roomie was a teacher so we never-ever skipped the flu shot. When she retired we skipped it, figuring she was no longer around all those little plague-vectors: never again. We were in Florida when it hit us and we were both too sick to make the drive home so sat (actually laid) it out for 2 weeks.
Wow Lew, An extra 2-week vacation - Not!
Lew, beautiful B & M SW1500, I have always liked the maroon / yellow gold paint scheme. Make sure to thoroughly clean the wheels and pick up rollers before you set it on the track. I purchased the Atlas O RS-1, similar locomotive used. It was giving me fits until I got on the forum and started asking questions about erratic running.....
Turned out my Atlas RS-1 has only one pick up roller per truck, and only one axle that picks up ground (common) since the other axle has traction tires. The drive wheels didn't look that dirty, but when I started cleaning them with electrical contact cleaner and 91% isopropyl alcohol, I was amazed at the dirt coming out of the cast wheels. It ran 100% better after a really thorough cleaning.
Johan, the BAR GP7 looks amazing especially in front of that backdrop !
Trumptrain, this is a great photo , really like the "near ground level perspective"
No train time for me this week, trying to get a couple of jobs done at work before the weather gets worse.
