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Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

For some reason I suddenly started twitching and feel the urge to straighten out some wiring.......strange......

Sometimes things don't go the way you planned them the night before. So I added another layer of water to the first half of the ditch. Then it seems like forever I was looking for the track bumpers, which I finally found but I still have not come across the uncouple tracks yet.Maybe I should just order a few more. I would probably get those quicker then finding them. LOL  I finally got the bumper on the siding of the Sauerkraut Factory. Now I can get two cars at the dock for loading or unloading. I now have the switches at the one end of the yard screwed down. If I can find the uncouple tracks I could get some sidings in. After lunch the quest will start again. Pics........PaulDSCN1231DSCN1232DSCN1233DSCN1234DSCN1235DSCN1236

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RSJB18 posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

For some reason I suddenly started twitching and feel the urge to straighten out some wiring.......strange......

Great reply! LOL

Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

paul 2 posted:

Sometimes things don't go the way you planned them the night before. So I added another layer of water to the first half of the ditch. Then it seems like forever I was looking for the track bumpers, which I finally found but I still have not come across the uncouple tracks yet.Maybe I should just order a few more. I would probably get those quicker then finding them. LOL  I finally got the bumper on the siding of the Sauerkraut Factory. Now I can get two cars at the dock for loading or unloading. I now have the switches at the one end of the yard screwed down. If I can find the uncouple tracks I could get some sidings in. After lunch the quest will start again. Pics........PaulDSCN1231DSCN1232DSCN1233DSCN1234DSCN1235DSCN1236

Paul, ask your wife if she has seen them! Maybe she moved them to dust!

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Arnold,

   Right there with ya buddy, mad man control panels all the way.  Just getting started on mine for the new Train Room layout.

PCRR/Dave

Ya got to love it!

DSCN2408

 

Dave, your wiring looks a lot better than mine.

As bad as mine is, I did do some good things. My feeder wires are pretty thick, either 14 or 16 gauge as I recall. I believe that is good for getting plenty of power to the 2 main lines from the MTH Z4000 transformer, which is a good one.

I have feeder wires for every 3 feet of track, which is a lot for 2 main lines (separately blocked and connected by several switch tracks with fiber pins in center rails), and my layout is about 36 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide with reverse loops on each end of the 2 main lines. I also have 8 sidings, each of which is separately blocked and independently powered, by 2 post war ZW transformers.

Here is my dilemma and where I went wrong. With that many feeder wires, you cannot do your wiring like you would for a simple layout under the Christmas tree.   If you look at my wiring mess, my many thick feeder wires are soddered to 2 copper strips in front of the transformer (one strip for ground or common, and one strip for power). What I should have done for conventional wiring is run a thick ground (or common) wire and a power wire the whole length of the layout under the bench work, and run much shorter feeder wires from those thick wires to every 3 feet of track. That would have eliminated most of the wiring mess near my transformers, and greatly reduced the amount of wire needed.

Another mistake I made is to use lock ons instead of soddering the feeder wires to the track.

Using Atlas switches for turning power on and off for my 8 sidings is another mistake. Those Atlas switches are intended for HO, not O Gauge trains. However, they have functioned OK.

I made other wiring mistakes but that is enough for now.

 

Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

All you folks on the East side of the states Please stay warm and safe! It will pass one day!

Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

imageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

 

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

Arnold;

Since we are going for laughter, two points. First, I would you like to offer you my sincere appreciation... your electronic spaghetti makes mine look like a model of organization. Second, since no one else has bitten the bullet, I will - do you use the Food Coloring/Egg Dye for scenicing material or did the Easter Bunny ask to borrow your trains to deliver his goodies???

Inquiring minds want to know  

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Thanks Arnold, It has been a heck of a Ride & if I don't share it, it'll be lost. Yea, It's cool to see what other people are doing with their trains & the humor bouncing around here as well. And to think there are people that would look at all this & think "What's the big deal with these people going to all this trouble with toy trains." It's Just A Thing & either ya Get IT, or Ya don't. & that's fine too.

In reply to Paul's above comments, the dye on my "control panel" is not for Easter eggs, though my mother used to go crazy at Easter, dying 8 dozen hard boiled eggs and hiding them around the house for the Easter Sunday Easter egg hunt.  I use the dye for my #38 water tower, and only use a couple of drops of the blue dye.

I would be happy to give the Easter Bunny the red, green and other dye colors.

Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Mark;

A former colleague who I worked with for many years, retired after 40 years with the Company. After he retired, whenever some usual job didn't get done as it always had, without fail, someone would say "Oh... that's what Richie did"!!! For the next couple of years, around the time that the company's annual budget process started up, I'd run into Richie around the building. I finally asked him why he came back every year and he told me that they hired home for a couple of months each year as a consultant to basically do his old job. He said it paid for a really nice vacation for him and his wife every year!!! In your case, think of it as your train fund   

Apples55 posted:
Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Mark;

A former colleague who I worked with for many years, retired after 40 years with the Company. After he retired, whenever some usual job didn't get done as it always had, without fail, someone would say "Oh... that's what Richie did"!!! For the next couple of years, around the time that the company's annual budget process started up, I'd run into Richie around the building. I finally asked him why he came back every year and he told me that they hired home for a couple of months each year as a consultant to basically do his old job. He said it paid for a really nice vacation for him and his wife every year!!! In your case, think of it as your train fund   

R.C., Yep, that’s me!  LOL. This company pushes an early out to select oldsters about a year after the buy another company.  Well, I was the only engineer I could find nationwide who was pushed the offer.  I learned years ago it’s a crap shoot whether they would push you out later if you don’t take it.  So I took it, but knew a colleague in Texas needed contractors with my special skill.  So I retired, took a two week vacation, and went back to my old laptop working for him.  The two younger fellows in my group knew there was no one doing what I did, so now my time is split doing my two “specialties”.  The funniest thing is, the only guy they have me teaching is 3 years older than me!  Sometimes I wonder how the “decision makers” are paid so much money!  LOL. This has been going on for 2 1/2 years with no end in sight

Last edited by Mark Boyce

Pretty good day of work today. I went back and countersunk a bunch of the fascia screws, then got out the Spackle and filled them in. I sanded some of the Spackle that I had done last week.

When I installed the piece on the left, I didn't get a perfect fit. That left a funny little corner that needed to be filled. At first I thought I was going to have to break out the Bondo to fix this, but I cut a sliver of Masonite and glued it in.

IMG_7915

After some sanding, it looks like it's going to work out nicely. Clean it up with a little Spackle, done!

IMG_7916

Lots of holes to fill.

IMG_7917

When Patrick was here a few weeks ago, we ended up with this height mismatch. The solution is to raise the curved section on the left a half inch, and lower the straight section on the right a half inch. Now the plan is Patrick will be here on Sunday. We'll fix it then.

IMG_7923

Here's the other end of the curved section.

IMG_7921

IMG_7922

I did get a start on that project, by lowering the piece on the right a quarter inch.

IMG_7920

This is where the straight section starts.

IMG_7919

More Spackle. The gray look comes from adding black paint to tint it. If it gets scratched it won't show white on a field of black.

IMG_7918

Should look sharp when I get it sanded and painted.

IMG_7924

 

 

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Last edited by Big_Boy_4005
Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

A couple of photos from the campus where I work. The storm has passed but now the bitter cold is settling in for the weekend.

IMG951348IMG951354-1

I rode the exercise bike after supper just to warm up.  I’m off tomorrow, but have to go get my aunt signed in a rehab facility, then check on the empty house.  It’s snowing now and near Zero.

guess i better not add a photo of me with the top down today

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Pretty good day of work today. I went back and countersunk a bunch of the fascia screws, then got out the Spackle and filled them in. I sanded some of the Spackle that I had done last week.

When I installed the piece on the left, I didn't get a perfect fit. That left a funny little corner that needed to be filled. At first I thought I was going to have to break out the Bondo to fix this, but I cut a sliver of Masonite and glued it in.

IMG_7915

After some sanding, it looks like it's going to work out nicely. Clean it up with a little Spackle, done!

IMG_7916

Lots of holes to fill.

IMG_7917

When Patrick was here a few weeks ago, we ended up with this height mismatch. The solution is to raise the curved section on the left a half inch, and lower the straight section on the right a half inch. Now the plan is Patrick will be here on Sunday. We'll fix it then.

IMG_7923

Here's the other end of the curved section.

IMG_7921

IMG_7922

I did get a start on that project, by lowering the piece on the right a quarter inch.

IMG_7920

This is where the straight section starts.

IMG_7919

More Spackle. The gray look comes from adding black paint to tint it. If it gets scratched it won't show white on a field of black.

IMG_7918

Should look sharp when I get it sanded and painted.

IMG_7924

 

 

Elliot,

Isn't it amazing what a nice clean look a bit of fascia does for a layout under construction.  Yes, I can see where you were worried the Bondo would break!  Another good idea mixing the gray into the Spackle.  No matter how carefully I do something like this, there is bound to be some pop outs later in time.  My guess is if your benchwork is rock solid and not wiggly even the slightest anywhere, you will cut down on pop outs.  I'm sure yours is rock solid!!

Elliot, you r right, you sure have a lot of holes to fill! But things are looking really nice! I would have never thought about adding color to the spackle! Great idea!

Bob, sorry you have to play in the snow, it is going to be raining and wet today but around 52 degrees! I will take that any day over snow and freezing cold!

Apples55 posted:
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.

DSCN2403

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

IMG_0827

 

mike g. posted:
Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

All you folks on the East side of the states Please stay warm and safe! It will pass one day!

  Anyone know how to ship a snowball that will throw itself out a Lionel shipper at this 50° guy? 

That's swimming weather in parts of Michigan. 

  Spared the deep snow so far, but I haven't seen the thermometer over 20° lately. The water main burst out of the street pavement yesterday, so I live with by a long narrow ice rink I can't walk on AND have B.O. now.

I really need to throw that snowball

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   I did a little more Wiring, added the Street Car line on the Fire Place Mantle and worked on the Power Station for the new layout, things are coming along slowly now.

PCRR/Dave

DSCN2409

 

 

Dave, I think I see a Bridge of some sort in your future up there by the crane? And, about that crane, looks like the same cab on my 165 ?  Is it a 165? I think they used that cab on another model. Pic please!

Drummer3,

 1963 Classic John Ford Directed Paramount Movie, DONOVANS REEF, Staring John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Jack Warden, Cesar Romero, Elizabeth Allen, Dorothy Lamour, Michael Wayne, Edgar Bucanan and Dick Foran.  The Lionel 027 Train layout is a classic Christmas Bar Layout, made just for the Donovan's Reef Movie by John Ford.  Ford was a decorated WWII Navy Captain and used his incredible back ground to Direct a Christmas Movie like no other, right down to the Lionel 027 Train given to Lee Margin's Character as a Christmas present.  IMO one of the very best movies ever made.

I was going remake the exact Bar Layout in the movie, I have the correct 027 Tin Plate Track and Switches as used in the movie.   However I wanted the newer FasTrack, so I redesigned the Bar layout bringing it into the modern era, Command Control switches and all.  The additional lower section in front of the Bar will be FasTrack also, with more FTCC Switches.  Featuring the 18' Bar as a big Train Tunnel.

The Bar is always open!

 

R.C.,

There are actually 3 Crane Cars on that Legacy driven Tin Plate Consist, the 2660 Crane Car, the 810 Crane Car being pulled and the Custom Made American Flyer Mini Crane Car being pushed out in front of the Legacy Shay Engine.

Yes there is going to be a nice Bridge of some kind where I left the open space in the over head FT shelf layout, have not decided just what type however at this point.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

    

 

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad

Don't remember seeing that train scene in Donovan's Reef, but I do remember the movie.  Speaking of which, Are you familiar with the short movie, "Joe McDoakes"?  That night not have been the actual name of the movie but Joe McDoakes is the primary character.  In it, he buys a train for his son, won't let him play with it but plays with it himself.  He starts to buy more and more trains until it becomes an obsession.  In one scene he has track coming out of the kitchen, onto the dining room table, arranged to serve each guest by train.  The scene ends when he dumps a bowl of soup right on his  Mother in Law's lap.

One funny scene has him going to the hobby shop and seeing the brand new Lionel accessory, Animated Switch Tower, and exclaims:  "I gotta have it" and runs out of the store with the prototype.  Very funny movie, ending up with his wife taking him to a psychiatrist, only to find out the the "doc" is as much of a train nut as he is.  Came out in around 1952 or 1953.

Paul Fischer

I've built a lot of fences over the years. This is the first one I ever built in 1:48 scale. The posts are heavy gauge wire for hanging acoustic ceilings. I used a little flux and solder to assemble the frame. The fence fabric is from a carton of clementines. It was orange originally so I decided to paint it silver.

Bob

2018-01-05 13.57.212018-01-05 14.30.402018-01-05 15.07.582018-01-05 15.08.402018-01-05 15.17.302018-01-05 15.18.10

The road foreman inspected the job and approved. The railroad was worried about railfans falling down onto the team tracks below.

2018-01-05 15.18.41

 

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  • 2018-01-05 15.18.41
Mark Boyce posted:

Elliot,

Isn't it amazing what a nice clean look a bit of fascia does for a layout under construction.  Yes, I can see where you were worried the Bondo would break!  Another good idea mixing the gray into the Spackle.  No matter how carefully I do something like this, there is bound to be some pop outs later in time.  My guess is if your benchwork is rock solid and not wiggly even the slightest anywhere, you will cut down on pop outs.  I'm sure yours is rock solid!!

It certainly is amazing Mark. Yeah, my benchwork is rock solid. Even though there are three peninsulas, they are heavy with the two decks, and they are tied together by the raised floor. However, they will transmit vibration when I use my impact driver.

Introducing the black paint to the Spackle was (Mill City) Jon's idea. He did that all the time in the theater with the sets. My problem with the Bondo wasn't so much the possible cracking, as it was the mixing and the smell. I added a support block, which I glued and screwed on to provide some surface area for the Masonite sliver.

Soon as I get done with this fascia, I'm on to scenery. Not a moment too soon either, because the layout tour committee for the convention wants to see it in February not April as I had planned. Non dialysis days will be at a premium for the foreseeable future. Even on M W F I may have to cut out the after dinner naps.

fisch330 posted:

Don't remember seeing that train scene in Donovan's Reef, but I do remember the movie.  Speaking of which, Are you familiar with the short movie, "Joe McDoakes"?  That night not have been the actual name of the movie but Joe McDoakes is the primary character.  In it, he buys a train for his son, won't let him play with it but plays with it himself.  He starts to buy more and more trains until it becomes an obsession.  In one scene he has track coming out of the kitchen, onto the dining room table, arranged to serve each guest by train.  The scene ends when he dumps a bowl of soup right on his  Mother in Law's lap.

One funny scene has him going to the hobby shop and seeing the brand new Lionel accessory, Animated Switch Tower, and exclaims:  "I gotta have it" and runs out of the store with the prototype.  Very funny movie, ending up with his wife taking him to a psychiatrist, only to find out the the "doc" is as much of a train nut as he is.  Came out in around 1952 or 1953.

Paul Fischer

And here it is!  

Incidentally, George O' Hanlon (Joe) was the voice of George Jetson,  while Arthur Q. Bryan (Mr. Agony) was the voice of Elmer Fudd...

Mitch 

Last edited by M. Mitchell Marmel

Today a little of everything. I got two sidings done by the drainage ditch because I could only find two uncouple tracks so that is all I could do track wise. So I jump to putting down ground foam. I still have to put in some small bushes and trees.  After dinner I'll glue what I put down. Guess while I am on the computer I better order what I need to finish the yard. I was hoping my cattails would of come today so I could finish the water. Pics..............Paul

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Busy couple days on my 5x10' layout. Inspired by a yutube video I removed my hills at the ends of the layout and added a second level dog bone. Got structure work done managing to use my track I had from my dismantled larger layout. Bottom level two loops with 54" and 42" turns and upper level dog bone with 36" . I'm running both conventional and command.

Not a lot done on the layout, itself.  But.... did my first Kadee coupler conversion, today.  And about time, I acquired the couplers and drill bit/tap/machine screws from local OKC train store last year, got time to use today.  Last year I had acquired a great Lionel GS2 #4410 from Doug "Laid Off Sick".  The tender has a Kadee scale coupler and I have only "lobster claws"... until today.  Using a K Line SP Express Service BC, I cut the large claw coupler off and, with a little effort... and shimming, now have a transition car to enable pulling the two sets of 18" SP Daylight passenger cars.  Not to mention the scale size K Line Golden State streamline cars consist, of which I have a photograph of a GS4 pulling the Golden State cars with a few Daylight/green mixed head cars.  Now, see about finding time tomorrow to actually have this great GS2 pull several different passenger consists for grins. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275IMG_1586IMG_1588IMG_1589

 

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Last edited by texastrain
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

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

GEDC0735

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

20180106_112830[1]

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

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Just got back from a train show in Parma Ohio. Usually I don't find anything there but it is just so good to get out to a train show after being couped up for weeks without a show. I found two city backdrops, two die cast trucks for a good price and before I left my building flats from Angie's were on the door step waiting for me. 3 HO buildings and one N gauge building. I am going to put the N gauge before the HO ones to see if it adds more depth. So after lunch I be back down working on the layout...............Pics.............Paul

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Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Bob,

   I wanted to tell you I really liked the fence building you did, as a Welding Engineer I think your home made fence is Top shelf stuff, the very best!

PCRR/Dave

My Pre War Wood fence is nice but your metal home made fence is serious stuff!

DSCN1720

Thanks Dave

I just make this stuff up as I go. Kind humbling to hear such nice compliments from you guys.

Now just imagine what I could do with Elliot's space......

texastrain posted:

Not a lot done on the layout, itself.  But.... did my first Kadee coupler conversion, today.  And about time, I acquired the couplers and drill bit/tap/machine screws from local OKC train store last year, got time to use today.  Last year I had acquired a great Lionel GS2 #4410 from Doug "Laid Off Sick".  The tender has a Kadee scale coupler and I have only "lobster claws"... until today.  Using a K Line SP Express Service BC, I cut the large claw coupler off and, with a little effort... and shimming, now have a transition car to enable pulling the two sets of 18" SP Daylight passenger cars.  Not to mention the scale size K Line Golden State streamline cars consist, of which I have a photograph of a GS4 pulling the Golden State cars with a few Daylight/green mixed head cars.  Now, see about finding time tomorrow to actually have this great GS2 pull several different passenger consists for grins. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275IMG_1586

 

Jesse, Yes I know Doug upgraded most or all his engines and rolling stock to Kadees.  I used them in HO, but have not bothered since I switched to O gauge 3-rail 6 years ago.  Your transition car conversion looks great!  You will really have a super looking train with the bright colored GS2 pulling your consist!!

John D. posted:
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

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

GEDC0735

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

20180106_112830[1]

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

Mitch and John, I got a kick out of railfanning the Arkansas and Missouri when my in-laws lived in Fort Smith back in the late '80s and early '90s!  Looks like a great calendar!!  

John, How are you doing in Lansdale weather wise?  Here in Butler, we have had only an inch of snow a day, but brutal temperatures and wind!  I understand we will be getting a heat wave next week.  Bring out the short sleeves and sun block!    I hope to make it out to the open house in July!

Last edited by Mark Boyce

Bob, That fence looks superb!  I think I would go nuts trying to build one!

Berra, the wall and bridge looks like you shrunk the full size down to 1:48 size!!  What a great addition to your layout!

Paul, You did great at the Parma show today!  The buildings and trucks will find a great home on your layout.  My hat is off to you braving the weather!  I was going to go to the Worlds Greatest Hobby show in Monroeville today, but after being out and about all week, I just don't feel like it today!  Besides, I spent too much money already and I saw manufacturers displays at York in October.  I guess my first York spoiled me, or is it that the weather makes my over 60 bones feel like not braving it!  

RSJB18 posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Bob,

   I wanted to tell you I really liked the fence building you did, as a Welding Engineer I think your home made fence is Top shelf stuff, the very best!

PCRR/Dave

My Pre War Wood fence is nice but your metal home made fence is serious stuff!

DSCN1720

Thanks Dave

I just make this stuff up as I go. Kind humbling to hear such nice compliments from you guys.

Now just imagine what I could do with Elliot's space......

Elliot's space!!!   I think I would just stand there in shock for a year or two if I suddenly was granted space like Elliot has!! 

Mark Boyce posted:
John D. posted:
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

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

 

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

Mitch and John, I got a kick out of railfanning the Arkansas and Missouri when my in-laws lived in Fort Smith back in the late '80s and early '90s!  Looks like a great calendar!!  

John, How are you doing in Lansdale weather wise?  Here in Butler, we have had only an inch of snow a day, but brutal temperatures and wind!  I understand we will be getting a heat wave next week.  Bring out the short sleeves and sun block!    I hope to make it out to the open house in July!

Mark,

I'm in Bethlehem (for about 2 years now).  We got about 3" of snow Thursday.  We got a dusting Christmas Eve.  We have not seen temps above 30 since Christmas Eve.  We might hit 35 Monday and 48 by the end of next week! 

It's been so cold that even after driving on the snow in the driveway for three days, it still just brushes right away.  Highs have been in the 10s for several days in a row.

John D. posted:

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

From what I hear, the paperwork at the A&M's end is straightened out and the ball is in Lionel's court... 

Mitch 

Been gone all day and so much is going on! All great work!

Berra, The retaining wall looks right out of books and movies!

Paul, its nice that you picked up so really nice stuff, but one wants to know do you have enough walls for all the flats?

Dave, don't knock your fence. its fits right in with your tin-plate layout, the newer fence of Bob's would look out of place.

While I am at it, once again Bob very nice fence!

Elliots space? They wife would probably pack up and leave me! LOL Plus I would have to get a couple of job to try and fill that space! I will stay small!

Brian I am with Matt, Nice CSX train! but then again it seams like you have nice trains everywhere!

Mitch, Make it happen and post pictures!

Keep up all the great work everyone!

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:
John D. posted:

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

From what I hear, the paperwork at the A&M's end is straightened out and the ball is in Lionel's court... 

Mitch 

Lionel's not known for running the same tooling on MTOs more than once...and highly unlikely for just one road name.  Ball's in Lionels's court, but I just fear the play clock may have expired.  😕

Mark Boyce posted:

Congratulations Mike for keeping straight what each person reported on today!  I would put the wrong project with some folks if I tried that many at one fell swoop!!  

LOL Mark, it's kind of like being back in school. Take notes as you read along!! I don't want to leave anyone out cause they are all doing great work and they may not know it, but teaching at the same time!

carsntrains posted:

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

LOL I sure hope it's not a Bearing wall!

mike g. posted:
carsntrains posted:

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

LOL I sure hope it's not a Bearing wall!

Naaa Its just a small closet wall.   Got part of it out already.   Fixin to eat dinner and get back at it! 

Jim

Mark Boyce posted:
carsntrains posted:

Decided to take the ole Wabash for a spin before taking down the layout.  

Very nice!!  Why are you taking the layout down?  Are you going to move or build another layout in the same place?

Moving the layout into another room.    The 12x6 "tabletop" was temporary  I used to learn some things before trying to build a better layout.   Cutting that table in half and doing an "around the room" in a spare bedroom.  So a little work and I'll have 24 feet of bench work @ 3 ft wide.  

well I finally finished the siding under the upper level so I can park trains and cars awaiting to be picked up and run around the track. Did do some running not much to tired and my knees hurt from knealing on the concrete. Durn floor is hard. plan on a full day in the train room having fun. I got a phone call from Miller Engineering yesterday and they have fixed all my problems and shipped the back to me. I could not ask for a better company to do business with. What a great product.

Here in the woods of SENH, it was -7f on the 7th day in January @ 7AM!  Hope that the diesels turn over this morning!  We went to church last night when it was a warm 9f.  Yesterday it was -38f with -97f Wind Chill on top of Mt. WASHINGTON, north of us.

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By the end of the week it'll be 40f, T-shirt weather!

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