What did you do on your layout today?

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

decoynh posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Tom and I use the same kind of track and switches, though he has wider radius switches than mine which are almost all 031 curves.

It's interesting to compare Tom's clean approach, and my intentional filthy approach, which includes a lot of real dirt, dust, ballast consisting of dirty asphalt fragments from a local road, and insects and spiders along the right of way that died because they couldn't take all the dirt and dust. 

Tom's trains will require a lot less maintenance and have higher resale value than mine because  of the layouts they run on.

My switches are 072 except for the mini yard behind the Holy Grail Brewery & Pub.  In the main yard I cut down 3 manual 042 prewar switches. to accommodate modern locomotives.  I wanted to use Atlas track 3 years ago when we moved  & I started a new layout.  In a way, I'm glad that I stayed with tubular,  the bad side is that there are so many more options with modern Ross, Gargraves, switches.  I'm 74 and I still think that my next layout will use modern hi rail trackage. My wife told me that I can use the finished 14X24 half of the basement for the next layout.  If I do that, it will be a modular system.  No more crawl under layouts for me.  I still have a few more dreams for this one , though.

Matt:

You put me to shame! I'm only 66 and at the moment cannot imagine tearing down my layout and starting over with new modern track.

I love your ambition, energy and passion!

Matt,  The Pan Am train looks and sounds great!! 

At 61, I'm already thinking about how to make my new layout as "crawl under free" as possible.  No climbing onto either.  I don't know if I will want to start over in a few years, so I'll do what I can now.  I was going to work on a little staging in the new train room today, but my dad, who along with Mum are in the personal care home, called and wanted me to check on something at his house.  Since he has anxiety issues, I did as he asked.  At 87, this is the first winter he hasn't been living in and maintaining that house except for the two years he was in the Army.  Hopefully we can get things worked out for our older daughter and her husband to move in (they have to sell their house which isn't in great shape)  Then a young man can take care of all those things a 19th century house needs, and I can build a layout!!!    Oh, I forgot, I still have my mother-in-law and 92-year old aunt I need to do stuff for.  

RSJB18 posted:

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

Looks like the motor replacement was a big success.  Both engines look great!!

Mark, it sounds like you have a lot going on and a lot to do. Good news is you have longevity in your genes: you should live to be 110, and you may be able to build 10 more layouts with that much time!

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

That looks great, Tony!!  I’m with you, my crawling around on a regular basis are done!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

Mitch 

Mitch;

I don't know whether to offer my congratulations on being included in the calendar, or to express my concerns over the spreading of the Gi-raff cult. Decisions, decisions...

OK... allow me to offer my qualified congrats and a happy and (mental) healthy New Year to you, Norma B, Fortesque, and the herd   

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Mark, it sounds like you have a lot going on and a lot to do. Good news is you have longevity in your genes: you should live to be 110, and you may be able to build 10 more layouts with that much time!

Arnold, It is hard to imagine living almost 50 more years in relative good health.  LOL  As happens to all of us, we just have a little harder time moving around.

Ran some trains.  Hung some pictures in the train room.  Took a few photos and got the layout ready for viewing by friends tomorrow. 

Designed a new layout today on scarm! The basement is getting remodeled in February. I would like to start fresh with something completely new. It’s 8x18 with a 2x5 walkway through the middle. Let me know your thoughts! 

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

Tony, I noticed 3 holes in the ledge board and I assume those are for alignment. What did you use for pins to keep the track aligned? Also I noticed the top sheet of decking is in 2 pieces. Is there any particular reason for that or were you just filling in with the pieces you had? I'm going to need a longer lift out section and this seems to fit the bill with a ledge, alignment pins, etc., on both ends in place of the hinge.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

I also love the NY Central switcher. It looks like a modern engine that probably has some very nice modern features. Is the style the same as the Lionel US Army #41, which was a gas turbine diesel?

Arnold- they are K-line Plymouth switchers. I have a PRR model too (blurry in the background). They are very nice engines. All die-cast bodies, very well detailed. Only draw back is the couplers look out of scale to the engine, otherwise I love them.

Bob

trumptrain posted:

Ran some trains.  Hung some pictures in the train room.  Took a few photos and got the layout ready for viewing by friends tomorrow. 

Patrick- The color window inserts look really nice. Who made the cars?

Bob

DoubleDAZ posted:

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

Tony, I noticed 3 holes in the ledge board and I assume those are for alignment. What did you use for pins to keep the track aligned? Also I noticed the top sheet of decking is in 2 pieces. Is there any particular reason for that or were you just filling in with the pieces you had? I'm going to need a longer lift out section and this seems to fit the bill with a ledge, alignment pins, etc., on both ends in place of the hinge.

The top sheet is in 2 pieces because I was low on homastoe, down to my last pieces, and I did not want to get another sheet.  Should be hidden when I do the ballast/scenery. 

It is heavy, that is why I added a pneumatic lift like you have on a car hood, make is so easy to lift and lower.  

This is all Ross track and I used their Ross Roadbed, really nice product.  So the Roadbed is screwed down and the track fits very snug in the Roadbed.  I did use a few track screws on this section but only near the cuts.  That is all I used for alignment as of now.  With a section this big, 30x47, I don't see the sections not being aligned, but I did think about using some pins, but I have not found any yet.  I am still looking.  

Not sure where the three holes are in the picture.

                                               time for a little steam...

Tony H posted:

This is all Ross track and I used their Ross Roadbed, really nice product.  So the Roadbed is screwed down and the track fits very snug in the Roadbed.  I did use a few track screws on this section but only near the cuts.  That is all I used for alignment as of now.  With a section this big, 30x47, I don't see the sections not being aligned, but I did think about using some pins, but I have not found any yet.  I am still looking.  

Not sure where the three holes are in the picture.

Sorry, I guess what I took as holes are actually screw or nail heads. It's interesting that you aren't using any pins. My section is going to be about 4' along the front, 2' deep and 7' along the back. My initial thought is to align the rails and then just clamp it from underneath. It will only get removed when the water heater needs to be serviced.

Today so far just the little things. Last night I cut up some straws for culvert pipes and glued them down. This morning first thing was paint the straws and the bottom of the drainage ditch. Then I mixed up a small batch of plaster to patch where I broke the plaster and then touch up a few little spots I missed along the sides of the ditch. Before I use up all the plaster I remembered I had a section to do by the Sauerkraut factory. I'll let everything dry and later color the plaster. Pics............Paul

Yesterday was busy with assembling track and and all those rebuilt 022 switches into the inner area of the layout. I also rewired about 3 of the controller switches, tested 5 more, and tied them into 8 of the 9 switches on the layout. The wiring is all run on top right now for testing purposes. Problems with a broken wire on the tender complicated things for a bit, however some time with the soldering iron took care of that. We ran trains, to the great enjoyment of both my grandson and I. Running them in the dark with just the switch lanterns, headlight, caboose light, and controller lights was just awesome.

Paul, you are moving right along! What do use to make the little hills in your plaster ? I like how it brings the ground cover alive!

Slowhands, sounds like you had a great night! Its nice when you can have fun at the same time!

Mike, when I mix the Gypsolite it tends to be on the soupy side. Basically I use a spatula for larger areas but for the drainage ditch I needed to use something with more control so I used a spoon. Using either the spatula or the spoon I just sort of swirl ( if that is the right word to use ) when I lay the plaster down..............Paul

Thanks Paul!

Purchased some Dept. 56/Lemax type Holiday backdrops during Holiday clearance sales and installed around the Holiday village.   Purchased LED and mini lights and installed one set on a bridge.  May try additional lights in buildings.   Also worked on improving the tunnels with portals and closing up the exposed sides as the track travels about 12" through one wall to the other. 

Our cat decided to play in the tunnels this weekend and jumped into the hollow part of the wall and got stuck.   The track is elevated 32" above the floor.   Made for an exciting rescue and one very frightened cat.

Santa Fe VA posted:

Purchased some Dept. 56/Lemax type Holiday backdrops during Holiday clearance sales and installed around the Holiday village.   Purchased LED and mini lights and installed one set on a bridge.  May try additional lights in buildings.   Also worked on improving the tunnels with portals and closing up the exposed sides as the track travels about 12" through one wall to the other. 

Our cat decided to play in the tunnels this weekend and jumped into the hollow part of the wall and got stuck.   The track is elevated 32" above the floor.   Made for an exciting rescue and one very frightened cat. 

What is it with cats and tunnels?? Do they think there are mice in those arched holes in the walls like on the cartoons?!  LOL

I’ll bet that was a rescue mission you may like to forget!!

Santa Fe VA posted:

Our cat decided to play in the tunnels this weekend and jumped into the hollow part of the wall and got stuck.   The track is elevated 32" above the floor.   Made for an exciting rescue and one very frightened cat.

That's when you call in  International Rescue!  

Mitch 

Started refurbishing my layout

Santa Fe VA posted:

Purchased some Dept. 56/Lemax type Holiday backdrops during Holiday clearance sales and installed around the Holiday village.   Purchased LED and mini lights and installed one set on a bridge.  May try additional lights in buildings.   Also worked on improving the tunnels with portals and closing up the exposed sides as the track travels about 12" through one wall to the other. 

Our cat decided to play in the tunnels this weekend and jumped into the hollow part of the wall and got stuck.   The track is elevated 32" above the floor.   Made for an exciting rescue and one very frightened cat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave it to our furry friends to cause trouble. Bet the cat won't go near the tunnel again.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

That's when you call in  International Rescue!  

Mitch 

Those bring back memories - Thunderbirds are Go!!! (And I'm talking the 60's puppet version)

This afternoon I colored the remaining plaster and laid down ballast. I still have to glue it down. If I can't get back down to work on it tonight tomorrow morning I'll glue it all down. I checked through my stuff and I have a half bottle and a full bottle of Realistic Water so I should be able to do more then one coat if I want to. Pics..........Paul

Looks like Senior moments are staring early this year. Here are the pics.......I hope...........Paul

Fun to see everyone's layout .... yesterday did a test run on the outside 3rd rail layout ... using track-age from an old layout form the 40's .   Running a 1937 Mini-Scale Hudson and Pullman ... ... I'll keep adding track till a full loop around the 4 basement walls.... last corner the issue of the hot water heater ... ...

Cheers Carey 

Carey Williams posted:

Fun to see everyone's layout .... yesterday did a test run on the outside 3rd rail layout ... using track-age from an old layout form the 40's .   Running a 1937 Mini-Scale Hudson and Pullman ... ... I'll keep adding track till a full loop around the 4 basement walls.... last corner the issue of the hot water heater ... ...

Cheers Carey 

Carey, regarding your hot water heater and layout, I also had that issue on my layout and decided to make a siding where my hot water heater and oil burner are in my basement. I keep oil tanker cars parked on that siding. 

The photos below show the siding with oil tanker cars near my hot water heater, and the oil burner (not shown in the photos) would be to the right of that siding. My tools and construction skills are limited and you may want to do much more than simply have a siding near your hot water heater, but I thought my photos might give you some ideas:

Tom Tee posted:

R.C. posted:

Not sure how to continue from the bridge construction thread , but, it's ready for paint!

And here's the problem; If I wanna spray it rusty red primer, gotta do it in the mower shop; Brush painting would be tedious. suggestions?

Thanks for the posting tips  & encouragement all.

You may wish to add the angle supports at the top and bottom of each vertical and end.  No need to copy all the lattice work just the basic angle outline.  You can go as nuts as you want.  Even add web plates at all junctures.  Maybe hold off on the paint until you have given it some thought.

Possibly check out an Atlas Pratt truss to get some ideas. 

Took your advice & glad I did;

  Added headers at all 4 ends

  added a rough walkway

  bolsters inners & outers

   side guard rails

randr posted:

Started refurbishing my layout

Randr,

I like those casters!!  Please share more of your upgrade.  I plan to build two sections of my new layout on casters to swing away from the wall when I need to get behind them.

Paul 2,

Senior moments!  Yes we all have them.  At work they often put the cart before the horse, but lack of experience is usually the cause.  Those of us who have been around the block quite a few times have the senior moments.

Ive been busy buying buildings and setting them on my layout to see which ones look the best together.   Took a trip to the local hobby shop (uh oh) and dropped a few bills!!!   Now I am the slum lord of a trailer park!   Pretty nice Woodland Scenic models.  And "the old home place".   And a few sheds.  Now I need more room!!! Thanks Eric's Trains for those awesome videos that had great effect on my decision making process!! : )   

Jim 

Off to a bit of a slow start for the year. I only got three hours in on an off day when I like to get 6 or 8, T - Th - Sa. Had to deal with the car. It doesn't like this below zero cold. Throw in new tires, scheduled maintenance, and it costs a nice steam engine.

Anyway, I did get another piece of fascia hung, along with all of the associated supports.

It helps to see the river valley.

The last piece of fascia on the entire layout goes here. Patrick missed last Saturday, but is going to try again this week. Because this is going to take another full sheet, I'll get the supports ready Thursday. I also need to fill and sand the backdrop we did last time he was here,so he can prime and paint.

i have been working on adding a long siding under the upper level but my arms are not long enough. very hard to remove the old screws from the track so i can install the switch. my knees hurt mow. maybe tomorrow i will be able to run some trains.

Had a friend over today to view the layout.  She loves trains!  Her dad worked for the B&O as an accountant for his entire career.  She also worked for the Chessie during summer breaks from college.  She filed way bills.  

She loved the trains today!  Everyone's first reaction upon walking into the train room is to fix their eyes on Mt. Randolph and exclaim WOW!!    I had a couple of B&O freights running along with the ( Lionel )  N&W scale J class pulling Powahattan Arrow passenger cars.   Like most of us ( if not all of us ) here on the Forum, I love to share the layout with folks.  

trumptrain posted:

Had a friend over today to view the layout.  She loves trains!  Her dad worked for the B&O as an accountant for his entire career.  She also worked for the Chessie during summer breaks from college.  She filed way bills.  

She loved the trains today!  Everyone's first reaction upon walking into the train room is to fix their eyes on Mt. Randolph and exclaim WOW!!    I had a couple of B&O freights running along with the ( Lionel )  N&W scale J class pulling Powahattan Arrow passenger cars.   Like most of us ( if not all of us ) here on the Forum, I love to share the layout with folks.  

Very attractive layout, Patrick. I look forward to seeing more pictures of it.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

trumptrain posted:

Had a friend over today to view the layout.  She loves trains!  Her dad worked for the B&O as an accountant for his entire career.  She also worked for the Chessie during summer breaks from college.  She filed way bills.  

She loved the trains today!  Everyone's first reaction upon walking into the train room is to fix their eyes on Mt. Randolph and exclaim WOW!!    I had a couple of B&O freights running along with the ( Lionel )  N&W scale J class pulling Powahattan Arrow passenger cars.   Like most of us ( if not all of us ) here on the Forum, I love to share the layout with folks.  

Very attractive layout, Patrick. I look forward to seeing more pictures of it.

I see quite a few changes since I last visited your layout with Randy. I have to agree with you that sharing your layout with others is the most fun I have with my layout. I invite anyone in my area to come visit my trains any time. 

Nice Brian! That sure looks like fun!

My club had an unfortunate event at this year's Holiday Open House. I was running trains and one of our guests said to me: "Excuse me, I think one of your trains is on fire". I looked over and I saw smoke coming up behind the circus tent. I said "You're right" and shut down power to the whole layout until I discovered the cause. 

We has the polar express running on a small loop around our city scene. This loop is powered by an old ZW transformer. The polar express must have derailed behind the circus tent where I can't see it. The ZW's circuit breaker, as I just discovered, did not work. The car heated up and broke out in flames and the plastic caught fire. We put it out quickly and got everything running again minus one Polar Express Car. We are now in the market for an additional car for our set and a circuit breaker for the ZW. A little excitement but no real damage, except for the car. It could have been worse.

Pat Kn posted:

My club had an unfortunate event at this year's Holiday Open House. I was running trains and one of our guests said to me: "Excuse me, I think one of your trains is on fire". I looked over and I saw smoke coming up behind the circus tent. I said "You're right" and shut down power to the whole layout until I discovered the cause. 

We has the polar express running on a small loop around our city scene. This loop is powered by an old ZW transformer. The polar express must have derailed behind the circus tent where I can't see it. The ZW's circuit breaker, as I just discovered, did not work. The car heated up and broke out in flames and the plastic caught fire. We put it out quickly and got everything running again minus one Polar Express Car. We are now in the market for an additional car for our set and a circuit breaker for the ZW. A little excitement but no real damage, except for the car. It could have been worse.

Luckily someone spotted it before things got out of control. Looks like it was cooking for a while.

Pat, With a new truck, some careful cutting, and a bit of serious modeling that car could be resurrected into an extra large open platform observation populated by a bunch of kids looking skyward for Santa.

Pat, sorry for the mishap! But sure like the idea of an open area on the back of the car!

modeltrainsparts posted:

Pat, With a new truck, some careful cutting, and a bit of serious modeling that car could be resurrected into an extra large open platform observation populated by a bunch of kids looking skyward for Santa.

Better still, replace the truck, leave the rest as is and have the hobo cooking breakfast by the burned part...  

Mitch 

Mitch, or just leave the roof off, and put a giraffe on it

WOW that must have been scary!  

Jim

Not so much what I did, but an article and some video was released this week, taken by another magazine (but not much in O so I don't consider a competitor of OGR):

https://www.tracksidemodelrail...18-archive/jan-2018/

They put a lot of the video they shot on YouTube (one of them might not work for non-subscribers):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHKCwwk9pRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjP_oTcxqTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIP4BYbtQZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61IWV42arGU

                                             some more "red, white & blue"...

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

modeltrainsparts posted:

Pat, With a new truck, some careful cutting, and a bit of serious modeling that car could be resurrected into an extra large open platform observation populated by a bunch of kids looking skyward for Santa.

Better still, replace the truck, leave the rest as is and have the hobo cooking breakfast by the burned part...  

Mitch 

Knowing no one was hurt and no serious damage done, I had thoughts similar to those of Mitch.

I liked the look of the burned up car; could make a very interesting scene with a work train and crane car. Could also have fire engines, firemen figures and figures of other first responders nearby.

On the lighter side, Gomez in the Adams Family would have loved the fire, burned up car and wreck! 

p51 posted:

Not so much what I did, but an article and some video was released this week, taken by another magazine (but not much in O so I don't consider a competitor of OGR):

https://www.tracksidemodelrail...18-archive/jan-2018/

They put a lot of the video they shot on YouTube (one of them might not work for non-subscribers):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHKCwwk9pRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjP_oTcxqTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIP4BYbtQZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61IWV42arGU

 

Great videos Lee....love the layout.  I've always said if I ever gave up my postwar Lionel I would go to On30.

Pat, you were so lucky it was confined to just the one car. May I suggest installing some external circuit breakers. On the other hand, there some electrical incidents that may never trip a breaker. In this case vigilance saved the day.

p51 posted:

Not so much what I did, but an article and some video was released this week, taken by another magazine (but not much in O so I don't consider a competitor of OGR):

https://www.tracksidemodelrail...18-archive/jan-2018/

They put a lot of the video they shot on YouTube (one of them might not work for non-subscribers):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHKCwwk9pRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjP_oTcxqTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIP4BYbtQZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61IWV42arGU

 

Great work there Lee! Congrat's for the article and some really great video's! Thanks for sharing with us!

J,

   I am building the Donovan's Reef Bar Top layout right now,  construction is coming along nicely, the front lower level will feature the Bar as a big Train Tunnel when completed.  

PCRR/Dave

Testing of the Bar Top Layout completed yesterday about 2:00 AM in the morning.

Nothing. It's too blasted cold in my train building, and my heat out there is marginal. Not usually a big problem on the Gulf Coast, but this week has been weirdly cold.

All that shade that makes it easy to cool in the summer is not my friend right now.

Looking good Dave! I don't know how you can stay up till 2AM I have a hard time staying up till 8! LOL

mike g. posted: 

Great work there Lee! Congrat's for the article and some really great video's! Thanks for sharing with us!

Great videos Lee....love the layout.  I've always said if I ever gave up my postwar Lionel I would go to On30.

-gandydancer1950 

Thanks a lot, guys! They were at the house for 5 hours and shot stills and video the entire time. I consider myself capable of creating better than average layout shots these days, but these great folks are way above my skill set for fantastic model photography.

Along those lines, I decided to frame the covers or first pages of my layout articles as you enter the layout room. I've left room to the right for another article that should come out early this year in another publication. Yes, I fully intend to pitch some material to OGR very soon (going to submit a couple of photos for the photo section probably this week):

Big Mike G,

   Believe me it's taking toll on the old body, thanks for nice complement!

PCRR/Dave

Congrats on the article and videos Lee. I can recall each of your posts on the Forum as I was watching the video. The cow pies in the pasture made me laugh

Bob

Pat Kn posted:

My club had an unfortunate event at this year's Holiday Open House. I was running trains and one of our guests said to me: "Excuse me, I think one of your trains is on fire". I looked over and I saw smoke coming up behind the circus tent. I said "You're right" and shut down power to the whole layout until I discovered the cause. 

We has the polar express running on a small loop around our city scene. This loop is powered by an old ZW transformer. The polar express must have derailed behind the circus tent where I can't see it. The ZW's circuit breaker, as I just discovered, did not work. The car heated up and broke out in flames and the plastic caught fire. We put it out quickly and got everything running again minus one Polar Express Car. We are now in the market for an additional car for our set and a circuit breaker for the ZW. A little excitement but no real damage, except for the car. It could have been worse.

Wow, Pat. So glad the damage was limited to the one car and no one was injured. I use a pair of old Post War ZW's to power my layout - I used Jim Barrett's Backshop Video (vol. 8) to add fast acting circuit breakers to protect my trains, and they have saved my bacon several times already. I believe that individual segments of the videos are available online, just don't remember where. 

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   I am building the Donovan's Reef Bar Top layout right now,  construction is coming along nicely, the front lower level will feature the Bar as a big Train Tunnel when completed.  

PCRR/Dave

Testing of the Bar Top Layout completed yesterday about 2:00 AM in the morning.

Where are you going to put the kegerator ?

All kidding aside, everything is coming together nicely. Maybe one day I can do the same with my basement.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   I am building the Donovan's Reef Bar Top layout right now,  construction is coming along nicely, the front lower level will feature the Bar as a big Train Tunnel when completed.  

PCRR/Dave

Testing of the Bar Top Layout completed yesterday about 2:00 AM in the morning.

Looking great, Dave, but 2:00 AM!!! That begs the question - was the bar open???   

You know Dave you and Lee do look a little a like! LOL

mike g. posted:

You know Dave you and Lee do look a little a like! LOL

Good point Mike, but I think the Fastrack is a dead giveaway!!!

Pat Kn posted:

My club had an unfortunate event at this year's Holiday Open House. I was running trains and one of our guests said to me: "Excuse me, I think one of your trains is on fire". I looked over and I saw smoke coming up behind the circus tent. I said "You're right" and shut down power to the whole layout until I discovered the cause. 

We has the polar express running on a small loop around our city scene. This loop is powered by an old ZW transformer. The polar express must have derailed behind the circus tent where I can't see it. The ZW's circuit breaker, as I just discovered, did not work. The car heated up and broke out in flames and the plastic caught fire. We put it out quickly and got everything running again minus one Polar Express Car. We are now in the market for an additional car for our set and a circuit breaker for the ZW. A little excitement but no real damage, except for the car. It could have been worse.

 I see a big trolley bashing oplrtunity

But then again, I'm sort of infatuated with my own lately....

modeltrainsparts posted:

Mitch, or just leave the roof off, and put a giraffe on it

Always a valid option!   

Mitch

645 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Santa Fe VA posted:

Our cat decided to play in the tunnels this weekend and jumped into the hollow part of the wall and got stuck.   The track is elevated 32" above the floor.   Made for an exciting rescue and one very frightened cat. 

What is it with cats and tunnels?? Do they think there are mice in those arched holes in the walls like on the cartoons?!  LOL

I’ll bet that was a rescue mission you may like to forget!!

Santa Fe VA:  I have to ask - how many scratches did you get during the rescue operation? 

Sounds like the rescue wa a success then and hopefully Mr. Cat (or is it Mrs.?) has learned a lesson here... 

Thanks all for your concern about the cat.   He's 9 months old and very curious.   Doesn't care for the trains or smoke but he enjoyed those tunnels.   I guess the temptation to jump down to the floor between the walls was too hard to resist.    I was starting to cut through the drywall to make an escape hatch for him but he decided to jump back up to the track and exit the way he came.   

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

modeltrainsparts posted:

Mitch, or just leave the roof off, and put a giraffe on it

Always a valid option!   

Mitch

I am sure that your fussy shop steward would file a grievance with OSHA for unnecessarily exposing the Gi-raff Staff to carcinogens. This would inevitably lead to a general walk out led by Fortesque. A complete rebuild with removal of all damaged materials is the only way to go.

some recent updates and a strange discovery.

Terry, the layout looks great!  It’s not every day such ancient finds show up on a layout!!  Have the remains been identified yet??

Terry L posted:

some recent updates and a strange discovery.

Terry;

Very nice layout. I've seen many interesting vignettes on this Forum, but your "discovery" has to be one of the best and most imaginative.

Love that image and that movie.

Mark Boyce posted:

Terry, the layout looks great!  It’s not every day such ancient finds show up on a layout!!  Have the remains been identified yet??

Jimmy Hoffa???   

? Buried treasure?

? Dinosaur bones?

Apples55 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Terry, the layout looks great!  It’s not every day such ancient finds show up on a layout!!  Have the remains been identified yet??

Jimmy Hoffa???   

LOL. Just last night my wife told me the bones found deep in the hole on Oak Island belonged to Jimmy Hoffa!!  LOL. 

ET?

If it's ET he's not going home any time soon.

This afternoon I got the rest of the ballast down and I just got done gluing it down. After dinner the wife will be watching the Cavs play and that will give me time to start poring the water for the ditch. Maybe tomorrow I can start laying down track if I can locate the un coupling tracks I bought. Pics ........................Paul

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

? Buried treasure?

? Dinosaur bones?

 

 

Missing cat?? 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

? Buried treasure?

? Dinosaur bones?

 

 

is this oak island, I think dinosaur bones is the on thing they have not claimed is there. I do want to

talk to them tho. As a model railroader I have always found it difficult to keep brass and copper clean.

But they are "discovering" copper coins buried since the 1700's in pristine condition.

beardog posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

? Buried treasure?

? Dinosaur bones?

 

 

is this oak island, I think dinosaur bones is the on thing they have not claimed is there. I do want to

talk to them tho. As a model railroader I have always found it difficult to keep brass and copper clean.

But they are "discovering" copper coins buried since the 1700's in pristine condition.

 

There is something down there that someone long ago went to a lot of trouble getting down there.

The layout find is right at the surface  

Mark Boyce posted:

beardog posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

? Buried treasure?

? Dinosaur bones?

 

 

is this oak island, I think dinosaur bones is the on thing they have not claimed is there. I do want to

talk to them tho. As a model railroader I have always found it difficult to keep brass and copper clean.

But they are "discovering" copper coins buried since the 1700's in pristine condition.

 

There is something down there that someone long ago went to a lot of trouble getting down there.

The layout find is right at the surface  

My money is on there is nothing on oak island. and the dinosaurs are not a surface find, they are buried in what appears to be

a lot of limestone, Great modelling.

paul 2 posted:

This afternoon I got the rest of the ballast down and I just got done gluing it down. After dinner the wife will be watching the Cavs play and that will give me time to start poring the water for the ditch. Maybe tomorrow I can start laying down track if I can locate the un coupling tracks I bought. Pics ........................Paul

Nice work Paul, Its a good thing the cav's don't play every night! You would run out of things to do! LOL

Well I had intentions of getting the water in but then I got to thinking that at the end where the small pond would be it might look better with some cattails in a couple of parts of it. So I placed an order with Scenic Express for two sizes of cattails and a small bottle of their glue to glue them in place. I added water to the upper half of the ditch and started laying out the switches and track. Nothing screwed down yet. I am still looking for my uncoupling tracks.  As soon as I get my cattails I can do the other half of the water. This afternoon I ordered another box of cork so I have it in case I want to start track in another area. Pics.................Paul

Terry L posted:

some recent updates and a strange discovery.

Sorry, couldn't resist. 

Mitch 

R.C. posted:

Tom Tee posted:

R.C. posted:

Not sure how to continue from the bridge construction thread , but, it's ready for paint!

And here's the problem; If I wanna spray it rusty red primer, gotta do it in the mower shop; Brush painting would be tedious. suggestions?

Thanks for the posting tips  & encouragement all.

You may wish to add the angle supports at the top and bottom of each vertical and end.  No need to copy all the lattice work just the basic angle outline.  You can go as nuts as you want.  Even add web plates at all junctures.  Maybe hold off on the paint until you have given it some thought.

Possibly check out an Atlas Pratt truss to get some ideas. 

Took your advice & glad I did;

  Added headers at all 4 ends

  added a rough walkway

  bolsters inners & outers

   side guard rails

THE BRIDGE IS IN SERVICE!

Dbl Track Open Deck Trestle Bridge with 2 suspension spans

Specs;

Material Cost;

   @ $60.00 (who would a thunk?) from Pat Catans (best selection of hobby wood @here) 

    54" L x 8.5"H  x 10.5"W overall

   Wood is Basswood with some balsa wood (entrance headers & some angles) with

   super size popsicle sticks for bolsters (cut off ends worked perfect), walkway & side rails.

   Elmers professional wood glue

   Paint; Krylon (Leather Brown) Color Master spray (1 can)

I went open deck which gives a nice visual to upper wall shelf layout.

Was fun for an old retired guy wintering in with his 10 x 12 - 2 tier shelf layout

(Lower second tier was added in Nov 2017)

(MTH DCS wifi was added in Dec 2017)

Exceeded budget in 2017!

Attaboy!  That is one snazzy bridge!   

Mitxh

Great looking Bridge! Nice work and price!

Paul, The track and ballast looks great!  I'm glad you thought of the cattails!  They will be a great addition!

Mitch, Han Solo!  Why not?  

R.C., That bridge looks great up there!  You did a great job at a minimal cost!!!

The fossil is a great discovery for your layout.  Could lead to a roadside museum.

Mitch you definitely have way too much fun. Long, long ago in a giralaxy far far away...

Working on a On30 MOW water car out of an old tender I got off eBay a while back...

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Terry L posted:

some recent updates and a strange discovery.

Sorry, couldn't resist. 

Mitch 

I'm disappointed Mitch. I expected to see Fortescue

mike g. posted:

paul 2 posted:

This afternoon I got the rest of the ballast down and I just got done gluing it down. After dinner the wife will be watching the Cavs play and that will give me time to start poring the water for the ditch. Maybe tomorrow I can start laying down track if I can locate the un coupling tracks I bought. Pics ........................Paul

Nice work Paul, Its a good thing the cav's don't play every night! You would run out of things to do! LOL

Not every night but the season does run till June so......

Paul- the more I watch your work the more I like your method of road bed and ballast before the track goes down. Gives the impression of ballasted track without the mess of ballasting over the track and switches.

Bob

Blizzard conditions here on Long Island this morning. Good day to stay inside and play with trains!

Bob, fun times playing with trains! If I were you I would plan on staying in for days! From what the news is showing here in the west coast! Today overcast and 48! Have to go out and work on the garage door today and have a coors light!

RSJB18 posted:

Blizzard conditions here on Long Island this morning. Good day to stay inside and play with trains!

Nice layout and control panel. 

For laughs I will post pictures later of my disgraceful, disorganized control panel, the product of a madman (me).