What did you do on your layout today?

Brian- Need to add one more car to the consist.....

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

RSJB18 posted:

Brian- Need to add one more car to the consist.....

                                             a full size one, REFRIGERATED...       

LaramieJoe, with the postwar 022 switches there is a little "fixed voltage plug" that you can shove into the side of the switch motor housing; it bypasses the power connection from the center rail. You connect a separate wire to it, can daisychain a bunch of them together, and connect it to a separate 14-18 volt source (separate from "conventional" track power. The transformer I'm using now is an older ZW 275 watt that has variable 4 outputs and a common bus, I will connect the wire from the fixed voltage plugs to probably #3 output, set the voltage to a level that the switches are happy with, and then Bob's your uncle and I or grandson won't have to have the engine in motion in order to switch switches...

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Maybe we could convince Rich "RV" Melvin to take us on a Grand Tour   

I’ve seen his RV at York.  It won’t hold all of us!!

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Bob,

If i remember right, you're located on Long island. You are welcome to come visit the St. James Club sometime.

LaramieJoe posted:

Very nice plan! Would be interested to know how you go about wiring the switches independently from the track. I’m struggling with the concept.  

More information is needed:

1. What kind of switch/machines do you have or plan to buy??

2. What kind of power supply(s) do you have or plan to buy??

Pat Kn posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Bob,

If i remember right, you're located on Long island. You are welcome to come visit the St. James Club sometime.

Thanks Pat- I will try and get out there when the weather is a little better. Hope you have recovered from the Great Polar Express Fire of 2017

Mark Boyce posted:

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

Hi Mark,

Actually the smoke unit stopped working last week, but a friend who is a Lionel tech knows What the problem is. He said it's a easy fix.

DennyM posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

Hi Mark,

Actually the smoke unit stopped working last week, but a friend who is a Lionel tech knows What the problem is. He said it's a easy fix.

That’s good!!

I really like that series of Menards WWII box cars!!!   Awesome graphics!  TrainManMike got me to looking at SCARM and it confirms what I read to be true about the Fastrack problem I was having.   And with all the statements made by highly experienced O scale folks I think its going to work out for the better using much wider curves!   Thanks guys!

Jim

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

I would love to do that too. Great bucket list item! Also loved the movie, Bucket List.

Today I am trying to finish up my Mannhiem Road bridge project.  I painted the sub-structure an aged concrete color and then cut the Masonite for the roadway.  I cut and added the strip wood for the sides of the roadway next.  It is glued up and will get a coat of paint as soon as the glue has dried enough for me to handle it.  I hope to get it painted tonight so it can dry overnight.

When the bridge is done, I want to finish the retaining wall up to the bridge.  I also have some plaster work to do in this area and then this end will be done other than final weathering and extra detailing.  

Art

 

Slowhands posted:

LaramieJoe, with the postwar 022 switches there is a little "fixed voltage plug" that you can shove into the side of the switch motor housing; it bypasses the power connection from the center rail. You connect a separate wire to it, can daisychain a bunch of them together, and connect it to a separate 14-18 volt source (separate from "conventional" track power. The transformer I'm using now is an older ZW 275 watt that has variable 4 outputs and a common bus, I will connect the wire from the fixed voltage plugs to probably #3 output, set the voltage to a level that the switches are happy with, and then Bob's your uncle and I or grandson won't have to have the engine in motion in order to switch switches...

Very well stated.

Nice work Art!!!

Hand making me some pine Trees

Slowhand, in addition to the standard alternate pin for these switches, Tin Man has a great addition. They discovered that if  you also modify the pin to supply power to the turnout it performs so much better. They have these plugs on their web site and are a sponsor of this forum. For their price it odes not pay to make your own. Check them out...

Did some wiring

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

I ran my classic Lionel postwar 681 Pennsylvania Turbine pulling classic Lionel postwar coal dump cars, log dump cars. gondolas and Pennsylvania lighted caboose, while playing classical music; namely, the beginning of Tchaikovsy's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

You want to be inspired? Just look and listen to this:

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

Wago connectors, perhaps?

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

I believe those are lever lock  connection terminals

installed this woodland scenics door factory today

Mill City posted:

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

Wago connectors, perhaps?

Mill City.    Adriatic .    Thanks.   I couldn't see them on this computer!!    

Well tonight I shortened a 6x2 section of bench work to a 5x2 section.  Got it put together and into place.   Bench work is about 50 complete.   17 feet of 3 feet wide.  5 feet of 2 feet wide.    Need to build another 4x2 section, a 4x8 section, some small fillers, AND a lift out, lift up, or swing gate??? 

Jim 

Worked on a couple things today. First I had to do some final tweaking to the fascia that Patrick and I installed on Sunday. After that, I mixed up a new batch of my tinted Spackle. Then I went and filled in all the holes and seams around the rest of the small helix.

I'll sand all of this down tomorrow, then it's ready for paint.

My plaster cloth came in last week. I started putting in my cardboard supports alongside the hump yard. This first section was so narrow, I just went with a solid piece.

As the hillside got bigger, I switched to vertical strips. Some were pretty short.

Got to the top of the hump, and ran out of cut cardboard. Not sure if I want to weave this. I like the profile the way it is.

Just this little bit sure makes a difference in how things look. Plaster cloth Wednesday.

Better arranged the cardboard track base on my  7x7 ft. loop of carpet railroad then straightened and squared away my two layers of indoor/outdoor carpet so the track sets on it better. The big,old standard gauge engines I am currently running are heavy.  Things are looking up a bit,though, closer to moving to where I can have a nice layout. God willing.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Worked on a couple things today. First I had to do some final tweaking to the fascia that Patrick and I installed on Sunday. After that, I mixed up a new batch of my tinted Spackle. Then I went and filled in all the holes and seams around the rest of the small helix.

I'll sand all of this down tomorrow, then it's ready for paint.

My plaster cloth came in last week. I started putting in my cardboard supports alongside the hump yard. This first section was so narrow, I just went with a solid piece.

As the hillside got bigger, I switched too vertical strips. Some were pretty short.

Got to the top of the hump, and ran out of cut cardboard. Not sure if I want to weave this. I like the profile the way it is.

Just this little bit sure makes a difference in how things look. Plaster cloth Wednesday.

The fun begins!   I will have to find some time to come up and play in the mud (plaster) with you.  Fun to see it take shape.   You're making great progress Elliot.   Can't wait to see it again.  

Dave

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

trainroomgary posted:

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

Great post, Gary. The wonderful day you had with your grandchildren and the trains is priceless, and what the World's Greatest Hobby is all about!

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Count me in on this bucket list tour of train layouts!

Don't know if I can do it soon, but certainly before I run out of time, which makes it a bucket list thing.

Hope to meet many of you guys at one of the two big train shows at York this year.

Arnold, I loved your video! Gary, those boys look like they are a lot of fun, thanks for sharing the pictures.

darlander posted:

The fun begins!   I will have to find some time to come up and play in the mud (plaster) with you.  Fun to see it take shape.   You're making great progress Elliot.   Can't wait to see it again.  

Dave

Thanks Dave, totally switching gears here. Big push is on for February for the convention layout tour. You're always welcome, let me know when. Remember M-W-F afternoons don't work anymore. You coming up for White Bear? I'll save that date for you if you are.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Count me in on this bucket list tour of train layouts!

Don't know if I can do it soon, but certainly before I run out of time, which makes it a bucket list thing.

Hope to meet many of you guys at one of the two big train shows at York this year.

Add in Laramie! I’d love to show off my fledgling layout! 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I ran my classic Lionel postwar 681 Pennsylvania Turbine pulling classic Lionel postwar coal dump cars, log dump cars. gondolas and Pennsylvania lighted caboose, while playing classical music; namely, the beginning of Tchaikovsy's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

You want to be inspired? Just look and listen to this:

Wow!

Well, if someone wants to pay the plane fare, I'd cheerfully do a world tour with Fortescue...  After all, my business cards DO say "Have Giraffe, Will Travel"... 

MItch 

Reminds me of folks sending cars cross country to be run on another layout. How does Forty feel about tight spaces and postage stamps?

I'm sorry   It was rude not to invite you directly Mitch 

How do you feel about tight spaces and postage stamps

Bob,

Semi-Locally I would suggest the New Jersey High Railers. Their yearly Trainfest is this weekend. I went last year and it's definitely worth the visit. Also an opportunity to meet OGR Members.

Chugman posted:

Today I am trying to finish up my Mannhiem Road bridge project.  I painted the sub-structure an aged concrete color and then cut the Masonite for the roadway.  I cut and added the strip wood for the sides of the roadway next.  It is glued up and will get a coat of paint as soon as the glue has dried enough for me to handle it.  I hope to get it painted tonight so it can dry overnight.

When the bridge is done, I want to finish the retaining wall up to the bridge.  I also have some plaster work to do in this area and then this end will be done other than final weathering and extra detailing.  

Art

 

Art your highway is looking just great! cant wait to see it on the layout!

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

For those of you who are NMRA members (or wish to join), be advised that the Hudson Berkshire Division of the NMRA will be holding its March monthly meeting here in Johnstown, NY on 3/16/18 featuring a visit to my Not So Great Eastern R.R. Visitors are welcome.

 

Elliot, its nice to see you moving to the point of bringing your layout to life! I bet your plaster work will look great, just like everything else!

Gary, Its great you are able to spend time with the grandkids! It's times like that you will remember forever!

trainroomgary posted:

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

Gary,

You know how to spend a day with young grandsons!!  Makes me wish I had a grandson!  I never had a son either.

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Bob,

Alright!  Good start!  I am actually only about a 2-hour drive from Paul2!

 I am hoping to start taking apart the massive workbench in my mother-in-law’s basement this week.  That will be the start of the layout build.

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Bob, that is a nice offer, but I have to get the room built first! Sure does sound like fun!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Count me in on this bucket list tour of train layouts!

Don't know if I can do it soon, but certainly before I run out of time, which makes it a bucket list thing.

Hope to meet many of you guys at one of the two big train shows at York this year.

if you are in the Delaware area stop by love to be part of your journey

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Bob, that is a nice offer, but I have to get the room built first! Sure does sound like fun!

Mike- I've got 30 years experience in construction. I can build more than just layouts

Bob

Adriatic posted:

Reminds me of folks sending cars cross country to be run on another layout. How does Forty feel about tight spaces and postage stamps?

Adriatic posted:

I'm sorry   It was rude not to invite you directly Mitch 

How do you feel about tight spaces and postage stamps

Are air holes included?  

Mitch 

Bob, I bet you can! But my build is a slow go as I am on a fixed income. That's why its not built yet, I use to work on a crew building custom homes. I built my garage myself, just got help rolling the rafters!

trainroomgary posted:

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

Those boys are getting big. Looks like everyone had a good time especially eating at Culvers.

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Yes, Culver’s looks like a good place to take kids, but is a new one to me.  I see they have some in Columbus and one in Findlay, Ohio.  Either are about 225 from me.  If We travel west from home, I will have to keep an eye out for them!  Thank you, Gary!

Brian, I want one!

Cool Brian....or should I say frost brewed

Guys, I appreciate you putting me on this bucket list but I am a minor league player compared to the others on the list and the ones that are not mentioned on the list yet. Being retired I am home most of the time and anyone is more then welcome to stop. Just call first so I can be decent LOL. Elliot, once again the pace that you are modeling is a "WOW" factor. It's almost like watching time lapse photography but it is being done in real time.  Same with Art. Bryan, thank  God you are back to work, now I can catch up with you LOL. Thanks to you guys that post  photos so we can go back and study them and learn new ideas. Yesterday I had a good train out day. First a luncheon with a bunch of retired TCA guys and then later that evening a Tuesday night get together with the Tuesday night crew. So my cork arrived yesterday and this morning my cattails and Gar Graves items arrived. One note,  you never know how an item will get to you. My cattails and glue should of gotten to me many days ago, usually in one or two days but somehow when it hit Middleburg heights ( OHIO ) it went all the way down to Columbus Ohio instead of coming to Cuyahoga Falls. But as said before water over the dam. I have all my items now. I can now finish the sidings in the back, do the water and pond, finish the freight yard. If there is still time left in the day I can lay out the track work for my brewery. Pics........Paul

Paul, It sure is nice you got all your supplies! But buddy your not getting anything done here! Please post some pictures later! LOL

Paul, Any layout is worth seeing!  We can learn from anyone.  Hopefully I’ll be posting some photographs soon, since I hope to tear down the big workbench at my mother-in-law’s soon.  That will provide a lot of wood to get started.

Well said Mark, every layout has something to learn from!

 

 

R.C. posted:

Made a Video last night Featuring new W&LE Power

2 Part Video with Caption's edited in on my you tube channel @13min

WLE Take the Grade pt1-The Drag up Wooster Hill

WLE Take The Grade pt2-The Return trip to Craneville

The video cover's the entire 10 x 12 dbl tier inter-connected shelf layout & features 2 new WLE locomotives (106 is non-powered) added to the fleet over the weekend by RC Jr.

Over the past 2 months the layout has received;

    1 new MTH ABC (Akron Barberton Cluster) SW1500 Switcher (1501 Pusher in video)

    Scratch Built dbl track trestle bridge

    The entire lower tier added with Y Loop & 3 yard tracks

    MTH WiFi Module with multiple devices

    Also on loan from RC Jr is the MTH 999 Empire State Express set

Enjoy!

PS; These MTH GP35's have the canac radio control antenna & sticker on carbody, system's which I installed on the actual units years back!

R. C.,  I finally took the time to watch your videos.  Hooray!!  I have a couple questions.

What is the diameter of the turnback curve at Shreve, I believe it is?  The place the track gang or road crew were working all day.

What material did you use for the shelves?

i guess I have a third question.  I see the shelf brackets you used under the narrow shelves.  They are similar to some on my Ceiling Central RR.  What did you use to support the turnback curve I asked about above?

The engines really work going up Wooster Hill.  I am glad to see the gluten free Cheerios mill as one of the W&LE’s customers!

 Thank you for the videos!!

I have not worked on my small layout since November as I have been waiting to receive my Broadway Limited Imports Operating Water Tower that I pre-ordered back in April.

The water tower was delivered two days ago and I think that it was well worth the wait.  

I am currently in the process of working on the scenery around the new tower at this corner of my layout so the photos and video attached do not show the final installation.

The (somewhat poor quality) video has only one set of dialog but the tower plays recordings of several different sets of comments on a random basis.

 

Hmorgan125,

That water tank was well worth the wait!  I really like it!  Your scenery by it looks great too!!

I think you might regret this statement

 Being retired I am home most of the time and anyone is more then welcome to stop.

So I take it you removed the Bryan not welcome sign from your side door.  lol 

 

 

My Mannhiem Road bridge was finished last night and traffic started on it right away this morning.  A trucker and a car got on it before it has been striped or road signs put up.   Greyhound is anxious to start using it to get to the downtown Chicago bus terminal beside my Union Station.  Streets and Sand dept has road work to do before it officially opens too.

There are Illinois State Police on both sides so this could get interesting.  I better hurry up and completely finish this area.

Art

It looks like somebody didn't get the road barriers up?   I wonder who will get thrown under the bus for that?  I have to go to lunch with my train buddies.

Art

Wow!!  Art, it looks great!  Now if only we could get PennDOT to work like that, we would really have something!  LOL   (Apologies to any PennDOT employees; we in the telecom business could definitely take a lesson from Art!!)

HMorgan125 posted:

I have not worked on my small layout since November as I have been waiting to receive my Broadway Limited Imports Operating Water Tower that I pre-ordered back in April.

The water tower was delivered two days ago and I think that it was well worth the wait.  

I am currently in the process of working on the scenery around the new tower at this corner of my layout so the photos and video attached do not show the final installation.

The (somewhat poor quality) video has only one set of dialog but the tower plays recordings of several different sets of comments on a random basis.

 

Nice pictures and video!   I also have one on the way from Trainworld.com !  Got the unlettered brown weathered one.   Glad you like  yours!!!  Hope mine is here today or tomorrow!  

Jim

Chugman posted:

My Mannhiem Road bridge was finished last night and traffic started on it right away this morning.  A trucker and a car got on it before it has been striped or road signs put up.   Greyhound is anxious to start using it to get to the downtown Chicago bus terminal beside my Union Station.  Streets and Sand dept has road work to do before it officially opens too.

There are Illinois State Police on both sides so this could get interesting.  I better hurry up and completely finish this area.

Art

great work!

Great work!!!

                                            some lunch time train running...

Art- the bridge looks great. If the troopers are there they should be able to control the traffic.

Bob

trainroomgary posted:

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

Gary - That's a great look into a day you'll never forget.  These days go by fast.  Our grandson is 14 and our granddaughter is 11.  They both like trains, but their friends and sports are in the vanguard now.

Chugman posted:

It looks like somebody didn't get the road barriers up?   I wonder who will get thrown under the bus for that?  I have to go to lunch with my train buddies.

Art

Art - I like the way your highway goes through a wall.  The troopers are in their cars having coffee, instead of directing traffic in a construction zone.

Worked on cleaning track this morning and then ran trains.  I still have a lot of work to do in the yard area, but sometimes I think better when the trains are moving.

Track cleaning...............

A Freight is just passing through.........

My version of the "Downeaster" pulling into Exeter in SENH...........

Great job on the bridge, Art. The Troopers are probably why everyone is driving in the right lane and (I assume) going slow. 

Matt!  Very cool layout and nice videos!   Bad season for Coppertone?? LOL   

Jim

The videos are great Matt. Hope you are defrosting a little bit. We are up in the 40's here on Long Island today. A regular heat wave!

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

The videos are great Matt. Hope you are defrosting a little bit. We are up in the 40's here on Long Island today. A regular heat wave!

Bob

Bob - We are defrosting slowly.  Today it got up to 38f.  Yesterday it was over 40f.  Expect rain by Friday night.  

Jim -  We found out the hard way that reflected glare from the snow/ice can give sunburn to unprotected skin.  With the wind that we have experienced, we find that SPF50+ helps a lot.  So I guess my little billboard can keep pushing CopperTone!

 

Here you go Mike. I made some headway today. The track bumpers I got are all in place and so are the uncouple tracks. So now the whole freight yard is screwed down. I had a Korber switch tower that I had used on the attic layout but I think with all the switches I found a perfect spot for it by the small pond. I still have to vacuum up from drilling holes for the screws and lay down ground foam. The track work around the power plant is on hold until I can buy a small step ladder so I can get to the back of the tables. I can't quite reach standing on the ground. After dinner I would like to start placing the cattails but I am still in negotiations with the CEO for layout time after dinner. While I am up here I'll get an order into Ross. I need a couple of more switches and a bunch of Caboose ground throws. Pics......................Paul

          looking GREAT Paul !!   very nice...

paul 2 posted:

Here you go Mike. I made some headway today. The track bumpers I got are all in place and so are the uncouple tracks. So now the whole freight yard is screwed down. I had a Korber switch tower that I had used on the attic layout but I think with all the switches I found a perfect spot for it by the small pond. I still have to vacuum up from drilling holes for the screws and lay down ground foam. The track work around the power plant is on hold until I can buy a small step ladder so I can get to the back of the tables. I can't quite reach standing on the ground. After dinner I would like to start placing the cattails but I am still in negotiations with the CEO for layout time after dinner. While I am up here I'll get an order into Ross. I need a couple of more switches and a bunch of Caboose ground throws. Pics......................Paul

Sure looks nice Paul! You do really wonderful work! Dad should be proud of you!

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Bob, that is a nice offer, but I have to get the room built first! Sure does sound like fun!

Mike- I've got 30 years experience in construction. I can build more than just layouts

Bob

That's so unfair, Bob, that you do all kinds of construction and I don't. You have such a huge advantage building layouts over someone like me.  I'm even afraid of power saws and tools, but forced myself to use them to build the bench work for my current layout. LOL.

I did a good job, my bench work is very stable and I get very few derailments. I was very nervous using power saws.

My fear is that I might get distracted and saw off my fingers, and I kinda want to keep my fingers.

Do you know that Phil Rizzuto, former Yankee shortstop who won the MVP award in 1950, and who was obviously very well coordinated, sawed off a finger after he retired while using hedge clippers. Now I was a good, but not a great, baseball player, but not nearly as good as Phil Rizzuto. I figure if Phil could saw off a finger, I'm certainly capable of doing that. LOL

Very good looking, Paul.  I like your building flats.  You are able to run track right in close to them because they look like they are the backs of old mill buildings/ factories.  Nice job.

Warmed up enough so I could cut some lumber in my unheated garage

Was a nice day here today also.  So took down most of my Christmas display (outside). Then ran down to Home Depot to get a load of 2x4s and plywood.   Have to do some more getting rid of stuff and make the room I need to finish the bench work.  Just keep on chugging along!   

Jim 

Had another snow ice day on Monday so I am a few days ahead.  Got the rest of the rides wired up, all of the little rides (pony, miniature golf, swing set ect), and all of the midway food/beer establishments and midway games.  Everything is on its own switch and instead of using train/hobby controllers I just used regular light switches.  Can buy a ton of those cheaply from Menards/Lowes.  Future plans are to start landscaping around the areas with grass, dirt, asphalt, concrete walkways. 

Bryan, really came out great. You did a good job grasshopper LOL...........Paul

posted:

 

Very nice, Bryan

Okay Paul or anyone else how do I post a youtube video so it shows up here and not just a link to the site? 

Hopefully Bryan someone will chime in that does that stuff. I haven't a clue............Paul

Okay got it figured out here is a video with everything working....

Bryan- the amusement park looks great.

Arnold- As long as I've been using power tools I still give them plenty of respect. Doesn't take but a split second to loose a finger, eye, etc. No worries here, a little fear is not a bad thing. Call it a healthy respect.

As for the Scooter, Bobby Oheda of the Mets did the same thing on the day he was supposed to pitch in the '86 World Series. Don't know what he was thinking at the time but I wouldn't be trimming bushes right before pitching in the WS.

Paul- the freight yard is coming together nicely.

Bob

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Bob, that is a nice offer, but I have to get the room built first! Sure does sound like fun!

Mike- I've got 30 years experience in construction. I can build more than just layouts

Bob

That's so unfair, Bob, that you do all kinds of construction and I don't. You have such a huge advantage building layouts over someone like me.  I'm even afraid of power saws and tools, but forced myself to use them to build the bench work for my current layout. LOL.

I did a good job, my bench work is very stable and I get very few derailments. I was very nervous using power saws.

My fear is that I might get distracted and saw off my fingers, and I kinda want to keep my fingers.

Do you know that Phil Rizzuto, former Yankee shortstop who won the MVP award in 1950, and who was obviously very well coordinated, sawed off a finger after he retired while using hedge clippers. Now I was a good, but not a great, baseball player, but not nearly as good as Phil Rizzuto. I figure if Phil could saw off a finger, I'm certainly capable of doing that. LOL

My baseball glove I had as a boy had Phil Rizzuto’s signature emblazoned on it.  I know; trivia!!  LOL

Paul and Bryan, wow I wish I lived a bit closer!  Your work always looks great!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Paul and Bryan, wow I wish I lived a bit closer!  Your work always looks great!!

Your not that far away once the weather breaks this summer.  you could make it a day and see both as we are only about 30 minutes from each other.

WOOOO HOOOOO   Got the room cleaned out finally!   Have all the materials ready to build more bench work inside and ready!  Now it looks like a TRAIN ROOM!!! 

Jim 

Bryan, love the layout! I just bought a monorail set myself (identical to yours) and decided, as you did, that I needed to raise the stanchions. But, I am wondering if it's possible to buy additional straight pieces of track along with a few extra support stanchions. Do you happen to know? And are you happy with the way the monrail performs?  

Yes, they are on the bay all the time both curves and straights.  I just bought 3 curves a few weeks ago for about 12.00.  I didn't want a perfect oval so I needed the extra curves.  I really like the monorail as it adds interest to the outside of the amusement park and I haven't had any problems.  obviously you know it's not true o scale but doesn't look that bad since it higher than anything else.