Packing trains.
The fun for me with a layout has been building them. Since around 2000, I’ve had 5. The last coming down now as I prepare for retirement which hopefully is folded in short order with a move to northeast SC. Cleaning out lots of unused, and never will be used stuff.
My grandson, and I will build one last Christmas layout together starting in October.
While I'm waiting on Timko to send my motor back for my Commodore Vanderbilt I went ahead and stripped down my Lionel 6-18043 C&O Hudson.
I have the ERR Cruise Commander on the way for the Hudson but I did do some pre-wiring on the loco and tender.
Congrats on your upcoming retirement Jim. The more layouts we build the better we get at it. I’m doing my 4th layout now and it’s going really fast compared to previous ones.
Cool damp weather. Nice change from mid 90s. So I spent time in the train room the last two days. Yesterday, replaced a overhead light fixture and wired and installed another light fixture near the layout. Then dusted my locos and rolling stock before the Decapod dropped the loaded coal train in the yard to be distributed to the coal business in town and at the engine facility to replenish the coaling tower. The switching order included spotting nine empty tank cars and an empty coal hopper and cabin car at the end for a Consolidation to return them to the refinery.
Today, I disassembled an Atlas train station to repaint. Not quite sure about the color yet. Made and glued cross arms to nineteen wood dowel utility poles and painted them and some freebee utility poles I received at a train show several years ago. Trying to work on a lot of unfinished scenic details.
This has been a whirlwind of a week. Still have not gotten around to capturing a video of my EP pulling a Milwaukee Road Hiawatha. Did wire in 6 track power switches so I can isolate engines on spurs. So far have 6 on the tracks and working up to 10 or 12 - can I fit all 20? The ABAs take up an awful lot of room for "1". Should be fun bringing one at the end of the spur line up to the mainline to run. I don't have a proper yard to do the needed switching.
Also working on a Walthers building - finally got the mortar to look the way I want it. Decided the best way for me is to paint the walls un-assembled. It will be named after my granddaughter - she will have to decide the type of business - Logan's (Coffee, Boutique, Deli anything goes).
Also was active on the CabinFever auction this afternoon. Picked up several K-Line intermodals, hoppers and Atlas Steam Classic Box cars. I did resolve my previous issue, so am quite willing to work with them again.
Anyone look at their MTH auction items? I am not seeing much that is a gotta have. Not really being a collector - sample and pre-production items just do nothing for me. Jeff
Added two more engines that came from the Canadian Club to the basement layout. Pic.............Paul 2
t8afao,
Very nice foam carving and paint for your tunnel and mountain.
John Rowlen
EB, Thank you for the greeting. The Pennsylvania "Catenary View" Vista Vision Camera Dome car is finished, It is time to take a break before the next car.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
Still trying to get within striking distance of the end of the to do list. Reshimmed the Atlas track I have on an MTH bridge to prevent it from sinking. Repainted an Atlas passenger station and lower story of an MTH switch tower and some detailing on an MTH produce store. Reglued some things that separated from a few structures. Ran the express mail train after a clear signal through the country and then through town continuing out west before stopping for a block signal. No. 505 B6s worked switch orders to spot 5 coal hoppers at the coaling tower and 4 to a business in town. Consolidation No. 1111 left the yard with 9 empty tankers and stopped on a siding for a 4 car local commuter train.
My train orders for tomorrow include reassembling repainted passenger station, ordering decals for my K-line headend kitbashed headend cars and maybe thinking about unfinished scenic work and of course running trains. Cheers.
Morning guys, there sure has been alot of great work being done!
As for me not so much with being stuck at our store and building a golf cart shed for my 92 year old neighbor, doesn't leave me much time. I do sneak out to the train room in the morning between 5-7AM. but I cant really do a lot as I don't want to make noise and anger the other neighbor. But I did get some building placed and lit up. I still need to work more on my road as the pin stripping that I got does not want to stick the the layout top. Anyways here are a couple photos as I know Lew states no photos it didn't happen! LOL
I hope everyone has a great weekend and finds time for there Layout and Trains! I am still working my my camera car as for some reason I cant get it to upload pictures or video to the SD card. I have to do some more research on it, but when I get it figured out I will post a video of my layout.
I finished my Corvette Dealership today. It started life as an MTH Smith Bros Used Car building. Lets just say it was a bit vanilla, gray on gray with gray trim. I totally disassembled the building, all doors windows and lights. Building was repainted as well as all window frames. A new checkerboard floor was laid as well as a new showroom mural. A new business sign and HVAC system were added. LED lighting by Woodland Scenics. This was my first attempt at re-purposing a building.
Bruce - I’d buy my next Vette there. Funny my wife and I went to Vette shows and said “we’ll get our ‘58 when we retire.” We retired in 2004 & found out we had a hard time getting in & out.
I have several on my layout. LOL
Bruce / decoynh (Matt) : Just so you guys don't feel alone, will tell you that wife and I (age 76) have same in/out problem with my '98! LOL
Don
@Bruce Jacobsen posted:I finished my Corvette Dealership today. It started life as an MTH Smith Bros Used Car building. Lets just say it was a bit vanilla, gray on gray with gray trim. I totally disassembled the building, all doors windows and lights. Building was repainted as well as all window frames. A new checkerboard floor was laid as well as a new showroom mural. A new business sign and HVAC system were added. LED lighting by Woodland Scenics. This was my first attempt at re-purposing a building.
Excellent first attempt Bruce!
Don/Matt, I fully understand. We are 74 and the hips and knees are a real problem some days. I sold our 98 Pace car last year because of that. But, Matt, I still have my 58 Roadster and a 69 Big Block conv. The most difficult sale was the 63 Split Window but I needed the room for the new layout
Reassembled an Atlas station repaint and placed a few people. Lots left to do. 
Bruce, WOW what a great job on the Vett dealership! Looks like one should really look!
Pennsynut, the station turned out looking perfect! Nice work!
I spent a good time yesterday morning trying to get my camera to download videos with not luck, this morning I am going to try a different camera. If it works I will have to redo the camera car. Wish me luck. LOL
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Please have fun with your layout and trains!
Bruce- I should have asked you to forward any picsof the '58 to my email decoynh@gmail.com instead of posting here. We don't want to clog up this topic with personal postings. thanks.
@t8afao posted:Little mountain work the last few days, still need to ballast inside one tunnel. When the glue is set i will be able to carve and blend everything together.
Looking Great! Please continue to post. Your ideas/techniques are being copied. What color paint are you using on the mountain?
T8afapo, wow your mountain is looking outstanding! It's really coming along!
Well guys I was able to get some video but I guess the old quad copter doesn't record sound but here is what I came up with! I hope you all enjoy!
Oh and Lew, yes it did happen! LOL
Oh I almost forgot, Batman showed up to make sure everything went well! LOL
Excellent video tour of your layout, Mike!!
Nice run Mike. I'm working on a flatbed with a back-up camera from a wrecked truck.
Bill
Thanks guys for the nice words, I just wish it had sound!
Bill I cant wait to see your future video!
It's been a while since I gave an update on the new layout so here we go...
The new ladder end of the yard. The elevated section above is the only part left from the old layout. The next few shots are of the branch line as we have been working on it.
The branch line will cross over the main line and staging track in the middle of a curve so my dad built two diamonds using a material from a cutting board. He finished them this evening and as always sent me pictures.
And this last photo is from my house. We had a rain storm the other night and the window right above the layout leaked water right onto the layout. I pulled what needed to be pulled that night but the next morning I took the rest of it out and cleaned up the dirt and dog hair that had accumulated over the past few months. I finally had a chance today to get something put back up. I changed the track plan and went with a loop of O-42 O-27 style track on the outside and then my Super-O on the inside. Hoping to get trains running tomorrow.
Sorry to be so long but I wanted to share what's going on. My dad and I are so excited to be building a new layout for the first time in 20 years.
Wow Mike. That was fun. You have some really cool buildings, lots of trucks and interesting track plan. Thanks for sharing especially the night video.
@mike g. posted:Thanks guys for the nice words, I just wish it had sound!
Bill I cant wait to see your future video!
Yes, Mike, that is wonderful video! Your Pike is coming along nicely. 
Lancer
I had the same problem with warp-age. How I fixed it was to lay them on a piece of plywood painted black and set them in the sun. They straightened right out and never had a problem with them afterwards.
@mike g. posted:Thanks guys for the nice words, I just wish it had sound!
Bill I cant wait to see your future video!
The videos look great Mike. Seems like yesterday you were pouring footings for the train room. My son has a couple small drones that he doesn't use any more, I may do the same thing one day.
Bob
Morning guys, I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Cody, it's wonderful that you and your dad are able to work on the layout together. Things are really coming along nicely! Sorry to hear about the window leak.
Lance, Looks like you have a great start on your engine house! I wish you luck on the rest of the build. I was going to suggest maybe laying your parts on a cookie sheet and putting them in the oven.
Pennsynut, Lew and Bob thanks for the nice words! I know what your saying that it seams just like last week pouring the footings! Its hard to believe its bee 2 years already!
Everyone have a great weekend and remember please find time to have fun on your layout and with your trains!~
@Berkshirelover726 posted:It's been a while since I gave an update on the new layout so here we go...
The new ladder end of the yard. The elevated section above is the only part left from the old layout. The next few shots are of the branch line as we have been working on it.
The branch line will cross over the main line and staging track in the middle of a curve so my dad built two diamonds using a material from a cutting board. He finished them this evening and as always sent me pictures.
And this last photo is from my house. We had a rain storm the other night and the window right above the layout leaked water right onto the layout. I pulled what needed to be pulled that night but the next morning I took the rest of it out and cleaned up the dirt and dog hair that had accumulated over the past few months. I finally had a chance today to get something put back up. I changed the track plan and went with a loop of O-42 O-27 style track on the outside and then my Super-O on the inside. Hoping to get trains running tomorrow.
Sorry to be so long but I wanted to share what's going on. My dad and I are so excited to be building a new layout for the first time in 20 years.
This looks like great fun! You are definitely getting along. Thanks for sharing your progress!
Don Merz
I think I can finally say that I am over half finished with the trackwork. It has been one heck of a ride--with miles to go yet. I used no plan, though I started with the yard from an old John Armstrong book. and attached everything to that. My primary construction technique was 2 inch insulation foam glued together with Gorilla glue. I have become Gorilla glue's best customer.
I see everyone using 1/2 inch or better plywood for underlayment. But I am WAY too lazy for all that work. So I used 1/8 inch luan with 2 inch foam supports glued frequently underneath. Just four bridges so far. I will probably have a couple more. Next I need to work on the engine terminal and industrial area next to it. That is flat so it will be easier. No bridges in the terminal!
Don Merz
Don what is your reason for putting luan on top of 2” foam? Foam would deaden the sound. In any case it looks good.
Have to say this Hobby has come along way, I wish I had the room from my other house, Had to down size Always wanted a turntable, By chance how do you add more than one photo?
Did our best to bring Rico Station back to life with some paint touch ups and weathering chalk. We’ve had this for as long as I can remember (I’m 39, so ours is at least that old). We also put down some ground cover around the ice house and the saw mill. 
Working on detailing the Lionel 2027270 Union Pacific "Challenger" Vista Vision Dome Camera passenger car.
The seats have three coats of paint along with tables and storage areas.
The Lower Level Lounge has five people. Three are visible from the right side, and two can be seen from the left. I added four people to the Dome so far. Others are selected to finish the Dome Seating. I still need to touch-up a few.
UPDATE: The "Challenger" Vista Vision Camera Dome passenger car is completed with 34 adults and babies.
Sitka, To add more photos, click on the add attachment button in the post. There is a file size limit, but you should be able to include several pictures.
Have a good day.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
I should have painted my seats, Have 4 passenger sets from RailKing full of people, Looks good!
Like your ice station well done!
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