What did you do on your layout today?

I made the buss board and a device to help pull wires

Last stages of "Pandemic Project" ......still need to finish wiring coming out, check all lights, minor touch up, some chalk weathering and then it will be ready for the layout

                                            Finishing up section two...

Painted 2@ 4x8 tables for my next extension of my layout.

A little ground cover around the silo and coal tower

Supports for newer section...

@Vincent Massi posted:

The cow is eating moongrass. Now I'm hoping that someone will tell me that there is no grass on the moon.

It's called "Spacegrass" and it is still illegal to chew in this galaxy, despite some planetary laws impotently permitting it when it feels right or you're in a "CLUTCH"... 

..."Dodge Swinger"... 

Enlarged layput today to  8' x 20'

I'm thinking about adding a yard to the extension, roughly  8' x 8' to work with.

Everyone great work, very impressive ideas, Jushavnfun, neat expansion job, looking great. Today we ran a few trains, just had a little fun. Hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy, praying continually. Happy Railroading 

I think I left off here....

Someone was jealous of my attention to this.

glass dome on... now has blk pinstipe frames.

I have been having outdoor fun too.

Error forced me to split the post. Are there new image rules or issues? I'm having lots of issues with them.

@Adriatic posted:

Error forced me to split the post. Are there new image rules or issues? I'm having lots of issues with them.

I like that.

So do most of neighbors. It has led to some good long distance socializing. Hopefully they all dig theirs out now too.

@darlander posted:

Lee, You burst my bubble!   All this time I thought your photos were real!!!!!   It's almost like finding out there is no Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy or Santa!   Life will never be the same!

Cheers, Dave

PS:  Well done!

And how could you have forgotten The Great Pumpkin?

Finally got a green train worthy of being pulled by my restored green Postwar 1666 and tender! Found a set of the 2400-2402 Lionel lines Pullman cars online.

They're a bit beat up externally, but nothing broken and after some TLC today today and a thorough cleaning and tune-up in their wiring they all function 100 percent! Couplers all fire, wheels all roll freely and there's passengers needing places to go! Just need to grab some more light bulbs and she'll be good as 70 years old! 

@Adriatic posted:

So do most of neighbors. It has led to some good long distance socializing. Hopefully they all dig theirs out now too.

The strategically placed road block so someone doesn't try to turn around in your driveway is a necessity.  However, It isn't orange.  Someone may say green beans go.  

Excellent job!  I have never seen a driveway layout before!!

Yea, I should have left it there. I swear the day after this video was shot, a Home Depot delivery truck ran over the 1950s gas lamp trying to turn around rather than loop the block.  It still worked, the mantle, etc was out for cleaning.  Luckily I watched it happen and checked the extra shut off valve was off.

It was really to stop my idiot friend I rent a room to. He is in a hurry while sitting down

@Jeff_the_Coaster_Guy posted:

Finally got a green train worthy of being pulled by my restored green Postwar 1666 and tender! Found a set of the 2400-2402 Lionel lines Pullman cars online.

They're a bit beat up externally, but nothing broken and after some TLC today today and a thorough cleaning and tune-up in their wiring they all function 100 percent! Couplers all fire, wheels all roll freely and there's passengers needing places to go! Just need to grab some more light bulbs and she'll be good as 70 years old! 

For a diesel alternate to pull those, watch for a CN 227 or 228 FA Alco. (I think the latter is the magnetraction one)  Both could likely use a second motor, but the green/yellow is a close match if I recall. Maybe exact.

1. Last weekend installed DCS with the WIFI unit onto layout. Very hard to find. Watched a used one on ebay with older handheld unit sold for 470! Surprised it got so high. Paid much less for my new one.

2. Just finished install of wireless key fob switch throw control setup. Big thanks to Stan2004 for all his help. AIU not needed as switches used very rarely. Beats climbing up a ladder and throwing by hand. Eventually will run both, after next switch installment. Dont need trains meeting at the crossover, and rain down to the floor below.  Installed parts in a vented box I built.

3. Currently adding LEDs to bottom lid to know which way switch is thrown.

Some ground cover in front of the lumberyard and telephone poles installed. Wires coming next. 

Finally the new Lionel #8003 Union Pacific Challenger Dome Diner from the 2027170 2-pack #3 is finished.

The car has Tables in the Dome that were a challenge to paint and to seat people between the table and chairs.  There was a lot of grinding. 

The next car to detail is the Challenger Coach from the 2027170 2-pack #3.

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Hi John,  I saw your posts on the brushes you use. What kind of paint do you use? The finish looks smooth.  I have been using cheap craft acrylics and those just will not cover to do detail such as hair, eyebrows.  Love your work, you must have an extraordinary amount of patience.  Jeff

Jeff,  

I use Testor's Flat Acryl Acrylic paints and Tamiya Flat colors like red, blue, yellow, green and flesh to mix with white to get my pastel colors for women.

One lesson is to paint an area and move on, but do not go back over the drying paint that was just laid down.  It might skin off the object that you are painting.  I use a 1/4 wide flat brush to do larger areas, so I get the paint down quickly and resist going back over the drying paint.  When I am trying to get the painting done, it is easier said then done.  Resist temptation to over paint.

The seats and table tops have three to five coats of paint.  Yes, I painted every seat three times.  1. The first coat mixes with mold release oils still on the car and creates a lot of streaky "show-through", like priming, but with the final color.  2. The second coats covers most "show-through" and begins looking darker like the color I mixed.  3. The third coat smooths out any remaining "show-through", ... usually,  Sometimes a little touch is necessary here and there.  (See the first picture with one coat of paint on the left and two on the right. There is still some "show-through" after two coats.)

Too thick a coat of paint sounds like a fast way to cover an area, but brush strokes may create valleys and high areas in your painted area.  Going back over thick paint can create a rough scratched/carved surface.

TIME:  It is necessary when painting to "let it dry".  The next coat of paint is wet, softening the layer underneath.  If show-through appears on the next coat, the previous coat may have softened and it is being moved around by the pant brush.  I have several areas of paint that I jump from one to another to allow enough time for the paint to set up.  Have a cup of coffee.  Avoid the cookies ---they have done me in during the stay at home order.  I may be at home, but I will need a bigger door to get out.

The bottom picture shows the increased "depth -of-vision" that the painted seats provide in the interior.  The color I chose also blends well with the pastel color schemes I use on clothing.

Have a good time painting. 

Sincerely, John Rowlen

@John Rowlen

Perfect timing with the kitchen photo👍

. I was about to log out and look for inspiration for the carry out noodle house's tiny "kitchen" area. I can manage burners and 3 banquette bins of "slop" I think.

John, thanks for the details. There was no way I could tell there were 3 coats plus on anything in the photos - appeared as an exceptionally smooth finish. Glad to see you painted the tables and most everything else inside the car.  

I used to build a lot of plastic models and used Testors - was OK at it - and the paint was solvent based back then. Amazingly, I still have  a pretty steady hand - of course need help to see anything small now-a-days.  Jeff 

Finished the Union Pacific Excursion 2-Pack #4 "Lone Star" Business Car.  I had the conference table populated, but needed to do the Observation end and two bedrooms.

Have a great week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, great looking interior in that car!  Thank you for giving us advice on your painting methods. Jeff, thank you for asking!!  I really have to brace my hands to paint fine work these days, though the eyes are a good bit better with the cataracts removed.  Still a really good light is necessary 

John, can barely tell the difference between yours and the real thing! Nice work!

Lumber Co. on the layout

Mark,  I use a AAA battery-powered Headlight when I paint.  The extra bright LED light helps me see the details that room lighting does not show.  The lights I use have three AAA batteries that last about three hours before they start to fade.  I strongly recommend the headband with light on it.

Jeff,  Thanks for the picture of the UP Lone Star Business Car.  I hope excursion trains will be able to run again soon.

Sidehack,  Why do I think I smell pine lumber?  Nice lumber yard.  I could look at it for a long time and never get "Board".

Adriatic,  I would usually add someone in the kitchen, but I used up my supply of figures when I scratch-built an interior and detailed the empty space in the Lionel Santa Fe 36-seat Dining Car.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Ray, Have you ever thought about selling your work. Wow, quite impressive.  I assume you are using goose neck lamps (LEDs invented at the Univ of Illinois by Nick Holoynak) -are they HO scale or O scale. I seem to remember someone saying the HO scale looks better in O scale buildings ? Thanks ,,, Jeff 

Ray- the building looks great. Nice addition to the lumber shed. Reminds me of the yard I used to go to with my dad.

John- thanks for the painting tips. The headlight makes good sense. No matter what you do, the room lights always throw shadows.

@ScoutingDad- Check out Evan Designs. They make lots of great LEDs and fixtures for modeling. I just used these on a new building on my layout. They are O scale.

@John Rowlen posted:

 

 

Sidehack,  Why do I think I smell pine lumber?  Nice lumber yard.  I could look at it for a long time and never get "Board".

 

 John Rowlen

 

 

Thanks John, I think I can smell bacon and eggs, very nice

@ScoutingDad posted:

Ray, Have you ever thought about selling your work. Wow, quite impressive.  I assume you are using goose neck lamps (LEDs invented at the Univ of Illinois by Nick Holoynak) -are they HO scale or O scale. I seem to remember someone saying the HO scale looks better in O scale buildings ? Thanks ,,, Jeff 

Thank you Jeff, never thought of selling as I do this to keep my mind working. yes the front outside is HO and all the others are LEDs from Evans  

@RSJB18 posted:

Ray- the building looks great. Nice addition to the lumber shed. Reminds me of the yard I used to go to with my dad.

Thanks, glad it brings back some memories, your lighting looks terrific, I have been using Evans lighting for years as well as their power supplies and am very satisfied, they are very nice people.

@sidehack posted:

Thank you Jeff, never thought of selling as I do this to keep my mind working. yes the front outside is HO and all the others are LEDs from Evans  

Good call.  It rarely works out when you try to convert something you love as a hobby into something you sell. As soon as you take money for it, that involves expectations, delivery deadlines, complaints about design choices, stress...

It's easy to live with small things that you might have done differently if you're doing it for yourself.  Nothing as aggravating as getting a call from a customer with high expectations to the tune of "...you said in your message the cooks would be making bacon and eggs.  But it's clearly goetta and grits...I want you to re-do it in time to give to my grandchild for her birthday on Tuesday.  I paid yo $200.00 I expected bacon and eggs.  My grandkid hates goetta."

I ruined two other hobbies by letting them make money for me. Comic books and cars.... oh, and electronics.  I try to enjoy them still, bit most of my deep enthusiasm died long ago.

Sorry I have been away for a while. I am really enjoying all the posts. Everyone is doing such fantastic work and I want to thank you for putting it up here for the rest of us to enjoy!

There is nothing new from me as the CEO has been keeping me busy. I do have some ideas of what I want to get done next, just have to get time on the train room to get a good plan together.

I hope you all have a great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!

More trees...

Dave

@Adriatic posted:

I ruined two other hobbies by letting them make money for me. Comic books and cars.... oh, and electronics.  I try to enjoy them still, bit most of my deep enthusiasm died long ago.

This  is a big issue. I got stuck in a buy/sell loop with vintage electronics where I needed the sale money to buy my next toy (which was also eventually sold to buy the one after that!). I got started even before eBay existed--using the PC bulletin boards and Unix groups. The constant buying and selling not only took my hobby away fro me, it took substantial and important pieces of my family life. But I did eventually learn my lesson in time to save and enjoy this train hobby for what it is instead of wondering where my next shipping box is coming from--and why mailing costs are so high! 67 years old is late though. I am a slow learner! It too me years to lean that...

The radio hobby did snag me though. I ended up President of the local antique radio club--even though I have less than a dozen radios and spend all my hobby time on trains! I can't win!

Don Merz