What did you do on your layout today?

Late post again,

A new-to-me, serious cool American Flyer 8B transformer got here about 11AM yesterday.  While it works, I replaced the questionable cord with a modern polarized plug and cord.  This eliminates guessing on transformer phasing.  It is now powering all my accessory lights.  With my solder station already hot, I performed the same operation on an old Lionel Type S transformer. 

My #1 grandson arrived at 7PM for a rare visit.  He brought a pistol to shoot as well as his new girlfriend.  She is charming and polite.  She is the first girl he ever brought to meet us.  About midnight, I realized that sleep would not come easy.  So off too the train building for a little run time.  My LC+ Mikado has lost all electronic sounds.  By 2AM I was too tired to troubleshoot so, power down and back to bed.  I will look at it with fresh eyes later.

After our guests leave, I will box up a load of O27 stuff to ship to TinMan 3 rail.  Now about 3 quarts of coffee will help me take on a new day.

Lee, redoing the number plates made the world of difference. The engines look much better. 

Chris a, your pics and what you do are amazing.

Mark, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".

This morning since it was still cold outside I decided to color the plaster that I put down yesterday. The I laid the track back down. I still have to screw that down. Once the earth color is dry I can put the power station back in place and see what is causing it to not sit right on the table. But I may put sa second coat of earth on. Pics..........Paul 2

chris a posted:

Well I have been buried at work, that's a good thing... Finished weathering these 2 cars in the evenings watching the world series.   Trying to get better at weathering wood sided boxcars and gondolas.... 

It was like Christmas in October today..  opened my "new to me"  GGD  Ogle Coaling Tower which got delivered today....

Have the plans drawn to make the lift bridge attached to the last 90 degree mainline curve then finally I can run trains continuously.  

Nice work by everyone, it's been too many days for me to go back and comment on every post since I was here almost 2 weeks ago.

Chris,

The coaling station looks great on your layout! Thanks for posting.

Dave

Odenville Bill posted:

Late post again,

A new-to-me, serious cool American Flyer 8B transformer got here about 11AM yesterday.  While it works, I replaced the questionable cord with a modern polarized plug and cord.  This eliminates guessing on transformer phasing.  It is now powering all my accessory lights.  With my solder station already hot, I performed the same operation on an old Lionel Type S transformer. 

Bill, this is one fascinating post!

Howard, that scene is looking better and better!  That second photograph really shows how you can pack a lot in a small space at the edge of the layout!

Lee, those number plates really look great!

Rockershovel, Sounds like you got some track in there to do a better job.  Can you post a photograph?

Mike, Brian is a man with great ideas!!  He sur helped me out with my Mount Brian on last year's Christmas layout!

Bill, Putting new cords and polarity plugs is a great idea!  I'm glad your grandson and his girlfriend came to visit!  I'm sorry you have trouble sleeping.

Paul, The new ground cover is looking good.  Thank you for the birthday wishes!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Very handsome, Johan!

Mark. Thank you. I try test a new backdrops also. 

Johan

S.B.R. FM H10-44. 

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

S.B.R. FM H10-44. 

I like flag on your SB colors. Nice job. 

Johan, yes I am seeing new backdrops!  They are wonderful 

Happy Birthday Mark!

Thank you, Mike!!!

Johan, good looking addition to the Sharks Bay Railroad.

This afternoon I managed to screw down the track, add a second coat of earth color and leveled the power plant on the table. Still have to drill a hole to run the plug under the building. Have to see if I can negotiate more time after dinner. Still have to add ground turf too. Pics....................Paul 2

Hokey Smokes Folks! Mark is 39 years old today!

Vincent Massi posted:

Hokey Smokes Folks! Mark is 39 years old today!

 

Hee!  

HOPPY BIRDIE, Mark!!

I got all my close up the yard and car/power equipment oil changes done yesterday so this afternoon I spent 4 hours knocking out the base  of my 4 track engine house. It's made of 1/4" plywood and poplar wood. The outside will be covered with balsa and plastic sheets to imitate a poured concrete structure. I still have to make the roof and the floor. There's so much detail work to be done after that (windows, doors, roof vents etc) it's probably going to take me months to finish it. I'm hoping to have it completed by New Years, but we'll see. My 32 inch long MTH Premier Santa Fe Texas fits inside. Ended up being 34 inches long, 21 inches wide, and 7 inches tall.

Mark,  39 again?  Happy Birthday!  My beard is older than that.

Johan,  Nice change of background.  I like both.  Do you make those?

Paul 2,  Good looking earth.  You are making quick progress.

I found a broken ground wire on the rear truck of my LC+ Mikado.  No big deal to fix but, still no sounds.  Color me not happy.  The coupler works on the tender and the speaker is good.    Next up was one of my Texas Specials.  It was derailing on every curve.  The speed nut holding the rear spring had come off.  So I fixed half of today's  issues.  I think a big bowl of ice cream would help me if not my Mikado.

I think I hurt my grandson's feelings by out shooting him with his new pistol.  No trains tonight.  I'm hitting the waterbed early.

Broken ground wire

Easy fix

Happy Birthday, Mark, good luck with your recovery and PT, i`m almost done with me redesign,now just have to wire it all and figure out what accesories to put where, will post pics when it`s all done, Phil

Vincent Massi posted:

Hokey Smokes Folks! Mark is 39 years old today!

 

Yes indeed, Vincent!!  For the 25th time!!    Thank you, Vincent, Lew, Bill, Phil!  

Bill, Easy fix, but no sound!  I hope that is an easy fix too.  Yes indeed!  Icecream and some rest will do you wonders!!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Johan, yes I am seeing new backdrops!  They are wonderful 

Mark. Thank you. Happy Birthday Mark. 👏

Johan

decoynh posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

S.B.R. FM H10-44. 

I like flag on your SB colors. Nice job. 

Matt. Thank you. I am gonna put that flag every S.B.R. item.🤝

Johan

Thank you, Johan!

paul 2 posted:

Johan, good looking addition to the Sharks Bay Railroad.

This afternoon I managed to screw down the track, add a second coat of earth color and leveled the power plant on the table. Still have to drill a hole to run the plug under the building. Have to see if I can negotiate more time after dinner. Still have to add ground turf too. Pics....................Paul 2

Paul. Thank you. The FM need a some letters before ready.

Johan

Odenville Bill posted:

Mark,  39 again?  Happy Birthday!  My beard is older than that.

Johan,  Nice change of background.  I like both.  Do you make those?

Paul 2,  Good looking earth.  You are making quick progress.

I found a broken ground wire on the rear truck of my LC+ Mikado.  No big deal to fix but, still no sounds.  Color me not happy.  The coupler works on the tender and the speaker is good.    Next up was one of my Texas Specials.  It was derailing on every curve.  The speed nut holding the rear spring had come off.  So I fixed half of today's  issues.  I think a big bowl of ice cream would help me if not my Mikado.

I think I hurt my grandson's feelings by out shooting him with his new pistol.  No trains tonight.  I'm hitting the waterbed early.

Broken ground wire

Easy fix

Bill. Thank you. They are almost ready pics, i use a lightly photoshop.

Johan 

Yesterday I increased the size of the chorale on my farm scene.  Added a section of fence that I purchased from Scenic Express at York, and removed some livestock.  The former scene had too much livestock and looked crowded.  By enlarging the chorale and removing some livestock the scene is now more realistic.  It still needs a few more tweaks before I take photos of this recent renovation.  When I do post, I'll post before and after shots.   

I also planted some really nice looking Martin Welberg bushes ( Fall colors ) which I also purchased from Scenic Express.  I find the Martin Welberg Studio line to be a superb product.  Although pricey ( at least for me ) I purchased a smattering of a variety of Welburg bushes this past York and the April York.  By mindfully placing these products among the less expensive trees and bushes, the Martin Welberg products bring a deeper dimension of realism to the overall scene.  Disclaimer: This is not a Martin Welberg commercial ... LOL!s

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

decoynh posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

S.B.R. FM H10-44. 

I like flag on your SB colors. Nice job. 

Matt. Thank you. I am gonna put that flag every S.B.R. item.🤝

Johan

As an American Veteran, I Thank you.

PS  Veterans Day, 11/11 is next week!

trumptrain posted:

Yesterday I increased the size of the chorale on my farm scene.  Added a section of fence that I purchased from Scenic Express at York, and removed some livestock.  The former scene had too much livestock and looked crowded.  By enlarging the chorale and removing some livestock the scene is now more realistic.  It still needs a few more tweaks before I take photos of this recent renovation.  When I do post, I'll post before and after shots.   

I also planted some really nice looking Martin Welberg bushes ( Fall colors ) which I also purchased from Scenic Express.  I find the Martin Welberg Studio line to be a superb product.  Although pricey ( at least for me ) I purchased a smattering of a variety of Welburg bushes this past York and the April York.  By mindfully placing these products among the less expensive trees and bushes, the Martin Welberg products bring a deeper dimension of realism to the overall scene.  Disclaimer: This is not a Martin Welberg commercial ... LOL!s

"chorale" or corral?  Very punny, your animals must have musical talents.

decoynh posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

decoynh posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

S.B.R. FM H10-44. 

I like flag on your SB colors. Nice job. 

Matt. Thank you. I am gonna put that flag every S.B.R. item.🤝

Johan

As an American Veteran, I Thank you.

PS  Veterans Day, 11/11 is next week!

Matt. Thank you Sir. 🇺🇸

Johan

Bill, talk about pulling an all nightery! an hour and a half later is when I normally get up for the day, but then again I am in be by 7-8! LOL The new to you B8 transformer looks really cool. You should know not to out shoot your grandson in front of his girl! LOL

Paul 2, The area is really coming together, I really like the ground color and am happy you were able to get the power plant level! It really looks good in place with the new track and ballast!

Johan, Now what a great looking background, I also really like the Flag on the front of your engine! Its going to look sharp when your done with it!

Lou185, Wonderful start on your engine shed! Man is that one long engine and tender!

Well yesterday was mostly a bust for me, I went out to get started on some of the ideas Brian gave me, build a parking lot out of some scrap 1/4" tongue and grove, glued it all together when the glue dried I put a skim coat of plaster on it and set it aside to dry. Then I started building my bridge out of plexiglass got everything cut and glued together, Painted the side rails and set it to the side to dry before I painted the road bed. 

I went back to the parking lot and the plaster had caused the tongue and grove to bow so now I have a mound. Well that went to the trash and I hope to start again this morning after my doctors appt. I hope to have some more pictures for you all later today, but here are a couple of the beginning of my bridge.

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there trains and layouts!

Mark Boyce posted:

Bill, Easy fix, but no sound!  I hope that is an easy fix too.  Yes indeed!  Icecream and some rest will do you wonders!!!

          Did somebody say Ice Cream...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

Bob

PS- my late Aunt Del stopped having birthdays at 59 and had anniversary parties of her 59th birthday thereafter.

decoynh posted:

trumptrain posted:

Yesterday I increased the size of the chorale on my farm scene.  Added a section of fence that I purchased from Scenic Express at York, and removed some livestock.  The former scene had too much livestock and looked crowded.  By enlarging the chorale and removing some livestock the scene is now more realistic.  It still needs a few more tweaks before I take photos of this recent renovation.  When I do post, I'll post before and after shots.   

I also planted some really nice looking Martin Welberg bushes ( Fall colors ) which I also purchased from Scenic Express.  I find the Martin Welberg Studio line to be a superb product.  Although pricey ( at least for me ) I purchased a smattering of a variety of Welburg bushes this past York and the April York.  By mindfully placing these products among the less expensive trees and bushes, the Martin Welberg products bring a deeper dimension of realism to the overall scene.  Disclaimer: This is not a Martin Welberg commercial ... LOL!s

"chorale" or corral?  Very punny, your animals must have musical talents.

Yes those cows really do enjoy singing  and that's why the are called the " Madricows" 

Worked on getting my Starlite Diner planted and powered up. Haven't seen it lit up since we moved 6 years ago.

Looks great! I like the Pepsi truck too

mike g. posted:

Lou185, Wonderful start on your engine shed! Man is that one long engine and tender!

 

Thanks. The scale 5011 class Texas is pretty massive. I think it's just about as big as a scale Big Boy or Cab Forward. Here it is next to a scale Santa Fe 3460 class Hudson and a scale Southern Pacific C5 Consolidation. 

Gotta' love the Badlands background in this pic, Brian:   

Working on another bump and go "Mister Rogers" trolley concept: 

Brass angles to add strength to the more than somewhat brittle plastic in the early MTH bump and gos... 

Um.   Minor setback while doing a test fitting.  

Er...anybody got a spare MTH bump and go shell? 

Mitch 

B&O Fan posted:

Worked on getting my Starlite Diner planted and powered up. Haven't seen it lit up since we moved 6 years ago.

The diner looks nice, but that Pepsi truck is fantastic!