Bryan in Ohio posted: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.
That’s nice, Bryan! Thank you. Yes it’s about 2 hours if I am right that Paul in Cuyahoga Falls.
Bryan in Ohio posted: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.
Thank you! Your prompt was all I needed. I went onto "the Bay" and found a few straights and will monitor it for more as they become available. I agree that they add tremendous interest!
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
Lovely work, but where are Jake and Elwood?
Mitch
Cop tires, cop motor, cop suspension.....
Ha, ha! I forgot about the chase scene and the bridge!
It could be like the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Pittsburgh. They built the Fort Duquesne Bridge over the Allegheny River, then it sat there for several years before they built the North Shore approach which is now between PNC Park and Heinz Field. And yes, someone drove off it and lived to tell about it!!
Wikipedea notes below.
The bridge was given the name "The Bridge to Nowhere" because the main span was finished in 1963, but due to delays in acquiring right of ways for the northern approach ramps, it did not connect on the north side of the Allegheny River. The total cost was budgeted at $5 million in 1962.[1] The lack of approach ramps meant the bridge ended in midair, rendering it useless. The northwestern ramps were completed in 1969, allowing access to Pennsylvania Route 65. The northeastern ramps were completed in 1986, with the construction of the northern section of Interstate 279 (North Shore Expressway) which runs through Downtown Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle and north towards Interstate 79. The bridge touches down halfway between Heinz Field and PNC Park Baseball Stadium on the City's North Shore.
On December 12, 1964, Frederick Williams, a 21-year-old chemistry major at the University of Pittsburgh from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, drove a 1959 Chrysler station wagon off the end of the bridge and landed unhurt on the other side. His adventure is documented in WQED-TV's double Mid-Atlantic region Emmy Award-winning documentary "Flying off the Bridge to Nowhere and Other Tales of Pittsburgh Bridges", narrated by Rick Sebak.
Within a few weeks of this near tragedy, an iconic Pittsburgh radio personality, Rege Cordic, distributed commemorative bumper stickers which read "Official Entry, Cordic & Company Bridge Leap Contest." With thousands of vehicles bearing these stickers on Pittsburgh's streets, the city responded by blocking off the end of the bridge with concrete barriers.
Good story Mark ! I remember seeing that bridge last week when I was in Pittsburgh.
Thank you Bob! I venture down to the big city once in a while, but I quit using that bridge getting off in downtown. It is a killer on the lower deck to see the signs up in the support beams of the upper level. I have to cross over too many lanes of traffic or I would be heading to Monroeville or across it’s twin, the Fort Pitt Bridge, and the Fort Pitt Tunnel. It happens so fast, and then you are crossing the Monongahela River!
Have I mentioned lately that I love Pittsburgh? Really loved the city and the people when we lived there. Always enjoy hearing stories about the Pittsburgh area.
Art
RSJB18 posted:Cop tires, cop motor, cop suspension.....
A little known fact is that Jake and Elwood were inspired by the Toonerville Trolley...
Mitch
Tree gone. Christmas is over... But winter isn’t, will keep the layout up a few more days. Then back in the basement.
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
Looks great Art! The road crew was on break, or they will say the machine that sets the barriers was broken. But that's ok cause we know you sill get them in line and get it done!
Progress is slowly creeping forward. I ended up taking all of the track off the table, painting everything green, then putting all of the track back on. The 022 switches that I had to resolder the strap to the curved control rail mostly worked :/ Two of the resoldered switches didn't work as expected. I think I'm just going to add a insulated rail section next to the curve and tie it to the binding post.
I built a sloped control panel, but after adding it to the side, it was taking up too much room. (I'm in the garage, still need to park cars, exercise equipment, etc). So I just placed transformers and switch controls on the table top. I'm still going to add some toggle switches to control the passing sidings. All of the accessories will be controlled from arcade style buttons on the front fascia.
Here is an overall view. Should be able to run 3 separate trains, juggling them between the top loop, bottom loop, and passing siding.
Most everything still needs wired, which I try to chip away when I have a spare 10 mins here or there. I really need a couple hours to just knock the whole thing out.
Having fun - and the kids really like it, and they haven't even seen it go full bore with the buttons and accessories.
Chugman posted:Have I mentioned lately that I love Pittsburgh? Really loved the city and the people when we lived there. Always enjoy hearing stories about the Pittsburgh area.
Art
Thank you, Art! I wish you were still in the area!!
TedW posted:
I agree, Ted! Who would want to take your railroad down!! My Christmas layout is still up as well!
Hi Mark, I too appreciate your posting about the unfinished bridge in Pittsburgh, and Thanks especially for the picture of it.
Back in the mid-60's, on a visit home from college, in Ohio, I deliberately ventured out onto that unfinished span riding my little Honda50 "motorcycle", knowing the bridge was unfinished and would end in midair, not reaching the other side. I eased past the barriers and went, cautiously, right up to the edge, and looked down into the very dark, very deep waters. It was nightfall. Then, I zipped theheck out of there. But I can still see that bridge edge and the dark waters below.
It was a remarkable feeling, never repeated again. But at least I got to see it close-up.
FrankM (from Duquesne)
First had to get the grocery shopping out of the way. Working with something new or you never used it before can be a small learning curve. I started out following the gluing directions but found out that I had to hold each one in place for far too long. So I had a drill bit that was close to the base of the cattails. When drilling I made sure I did not go through the plywood because when I pour the water I do not want it draining out. Half the cattails are in. The single ones I can go back and bend them after the glue dries. Later this afternoon I hope to get the rest in. But I have to run my truck into the dealer because there was something wrong this morning in the steering and I don't want to take any chances. But here is a pic so far I still have more to put in...................Paul
Looks like you have a good start Paul. It looks nice, hope they can fix your truck!
Paul- don't you hate when life gets in the way of working on the layout. 
The cattails and grass look good so far.
Bob
Great job, Paul! I am really enjoying your progress. Looks great.
Art
Moonson posted:Hi Mark, I too appreciate your posting about the unfinished bridge in Pittsburgh, and Thanks especially for the picture of it.
Back in the mid-60's, on a visit home from college, in Ohio, I deliberately ventured out onto that unfinished span riding my little Honda50 "motorcycle", knowing the bridge was unfinished and would end in midair, not reaching the other side. I eased past the barriers and went, cautiously, right up to the edge, and looked down into the very dark, very deep waters. It was nightfall. Then, I zipped theheck out of there. But I can still see that bridge edge and the dark waters below.
FrankM (from Duquesne)
The things we do when young, Frank! LOL I wonder how many folks did like you. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
paul 2 posted:First had to get the grocery shopping out of the way. Working with something new or you never used it before can be a small learning curve. I started out following the gluing directions but found out that I had to hold each one in place for far too long. So I had a drill bit that was close to the base of the cattails. When drilling I made sure I did not go through the plywood because when I pour the water I do not want it draining out. Half the cattails are in. The single ones I can go back and bend them after the glue dries. Later this afternoon I hope to get the rest in. But I have to run my truck into the dealer because there was something wrong this morning in the steering and I don't want to take any chances. But here is a pic so far I still have more to put in...................Paul
That’s looking good Paul! I’ with you on drilling holes for things like that. I can’t hold things steady very long, an I get things cockeyed using the fast acting glues. Drive safely!!
You are right Bob. I can't stand it when my train routine is inter feared with. How am I suppose to get things done with interruptions LOL. Still waiting to hear the news on the truck. I love shuttle service. While waiting for a call I got the rest of the cattails in and the first coat of water. Then I got the dirt devil and vacuumed all the track in the freight yard to get all the sawdust out from drilling holes for the screws. So now till the water dries I am going to start to layout the track for the brewery. Pics.................Paul
newest addition to the layout. Lionel blue strip passenger cars.....
Looks good Paul, I think the water is going to turn out wonderful!
Gandy, Nice looking train addition!
Mark Boyce posted:Moonson posted:Hi Mark, I too appreciate your posting about the unfinished bridge in Pittsburgh, and Thanks especially for the picture of it.
Back in the mid-60's, on a visit home from college, in Ohio, I deliberately ventured out onto that unfinished span riding my little Honda50 "motorcycle", knowing the bridge was unfinished and would end in midair, not reaching the other side. I eased past the barriers and went, cautiously, right up to the edge, and looked down into the very dark, very deep waters. It was nightfall. Then, I zipped theheck out of there. But I can still see that bridge edge and the dark waters below.
FrankM (from Duquesne)
The things we do when young, Frank! LOL I wonder how many folks did like you. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
Well, Mark, that is one of the especially nice and attractive features about this forum, we all enjoy sharing ideas and experiences.
Thanks again.
FrankM
Paul, The cattails look great!
Howard, the passenger cars look dandy on your layout!
Mark Boyce posted:Paul, The cattails look great!
Howard, the passenger cars look dandy on your layout!
Thank you!
JD2035RR posted:Progress is slowly creeping forward. I ended up taking all of the track off the table, painting everything green, then putting all of the track back on. The 022 switches that I had to resolder the strap to the curved control rail mostly worked :/ Two of the resoldered switches didn't work as expected. I think I'm just going to add a insulated rail section next to the curve and tie it to the binding post.
I built a sloped control panel, but after adding it to the side, it was taking up too much room. (I'm in the garage, still need to park cars, exercise equipment, etc). So I just placed transformers and switch controls on the table top. I'm still going to add some toggle switches to control the passing sidings. All of the accessories will be controlled from arcade style buttons on the front fascia.
Here is an overall view. Should be able to run 3 separate trains, juggling them between the top loop, bottom loop, and passing siding.
Most everything still needs wired, which I try to chip away when I have a spare 10 mins here or there. I really need a couple hours to just knock the whole thing out.
Having fun - and the kids really like it, and they haven't even seen it go full bore with the buttons and accessories.
I think what you've done looks delightful, and i bet your kids are very excited about it!
Moonson posted:Mark Boyce posted:Moonson posted:Hi Mark, I too appreciate your posting about the unfinished bridge in Pittsburgh, and Thanks especially for the picture of it.
Back in the mid-60's, on a visit home from college, in Ohio, I deliberately ventured out onto that unfinished span riding my little Honda50 "motorcycle", knowing the bridge was unfinished and would end in midair, not reaching the other side. I eased past the barriers and went, cautiously, right up to the edge, and looked down into the very dark, very deep waters. It was nightfall. Then, I zipped theheck out of there. But I can still see that bridge edge and the dark waters below.
FrankM (from Duquesne)
The things we do when young, Frank! LOL I wonder how many folks did like you. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
Well, Mark, that is one of the especially nice and attractive features about this forum, we all enjoy sharing ideas and experiences.
Thanks again.
FrankM
Very interesting dialogue about the awe inspiring Bridge to Nowhere before its completion.
By the way, Frank, I enjoyed reading about your diverse interests in your profile page.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:JD2035RR posted:
I think what you've done looks delightful, and i bet your kids are very excited about it!
Thanks Arnold! I really like your layout- I always wanted to create a baseball field.
My kids are the reason I got back into the hobby. It started with my oldest son when he was 3, "we gotta have a train around the tree for him" and it has snowballed from there. 
It sparked an interest in me, re-igniting the excitement I had as a kid. The more you learn about this stuff, the better it gets!
JD2035RR posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:JD2035RR posted:
I think what you've done looks delightful, and i bet your kids are very excited about it!
Thanks Arnold! I really like your layout- I always wanted to create a baseball field.
My kids are the reason I got back into the hobby. It started with my oldest son when he was 3, "we gotta have a train around the tree for him" and it has snowballed from there.
So many of us have had the same experience with our parents, and then our children and grandchildren.
Looks like a bunch of us have been very busy today!!!! Well when I got home from work today there were to big boxes waiting for me! Got my BLI water tower and 5401 Southern engine today for Trainworld!!! YAY!! Very good looking engine and water tower! Also got my fastrack order in from Mario!!!!! Excellent service and pricing from both! So I got right to it on bench work and got one 2x4 section done and then got the bigger 4x8 section done! All I lack now is a 28x24 section to connect one end, an angled area not sure of size. Then some kind of lift gate/bridge??? Moving forward!
Jim
In my last progress report Tuesday, I said plaster Wednesday because I forgot what day it was. I meant Thursday. So, here we are, and we have plaster! I finished the cardboard support strips for the entire hump. I really like the plaster cloth for putting down a base. Quick and easy!
The rolls are 4" wide by 15' long, so I cut them into manageable pieces, about 18" and covered the cardboard, forming a shell. Some of the steeper sections may need retaining walls.
Now that I have a shell, I'm going to get some regular plaster and smooth the whole thing out. Remember this area is going to be winter, so get used to the white.
Still trying to figure out how to disguise the tops of those two openings in the backdrop. Maybe something as simple as thin styrene strips painted blue, and set to the absolute max car height with no excess clearance.
After that was done, I moved to the lower deck and filled in between the tracks on the big curve. In this case I just used solid cardboard.
I'll be plastering this area Saturday ! I also plan to deal with the part between the inner track and the backdrop. I'm going to cut some strips of Luan plywood, and fasten them to the backdrop to give me a stapling surface.
This area will be the winter - spring transition.
This makes the layout so different. I'm very excited! (and I don't usually get excited anymore)
Evening worked out well. Wife had a Cavs game so I got to have some more time to work on the layout. I got a second coat of water down and I think that will do it. Tomorrow I can add some ground foam around the water if it is dry. I also got the cork started in the brewery area. So all and all it was a great evening. Pics............Paul
Elliot, I'ts looking great!! I'm not that excitable either, but I would be excited too!
Paul, Gotta love those Cavaliers games! The water is looking good!
Brian, Always lots of good action on your railroad!!
Finished taking down the Christmas layout. 
. I do not have a permanent layout, since we are renting. Then I brought in to the house (from my trunk) my latest purchase, a used New York Central set. I just had to check it out so I put up a short run line just to make sure every thing worked. which it did. I ran down to my Local train store and picked up the two missing canisters for the gondola and completed the set, Packed everything up and get all my stuff ready for Storage. Actively looking for a house and hope to get one soon. Trying to find one that will work for us is hard, There aren't many homes with a "Train" room for sale around here. Most of the homes were built as winter homes for Northerners and are two bedrooms either have no garage or had the garage converted to a third bedroom.
Noah posted:Finished taking down the Christmas layout.
Third bedrooms work!! Thats what I'm using : )
Jim
Here's couple pictures of the revised track layout: one from the south end and one from the north end. The exposed spaghetti wiring is for easy access to testing switches and some accessories. My younger son and future daughter-in-law gave my grandson a battery powered train set for Christmas, which weirdly enough, the engine and cars fit pretty nicely on our O-Scale track. The black engine with red drivers and the tender are from that set, the other engine next to them is also a battery operated toy that he has had for a while. He really enjoys running his trains around the Fasttrack loop while I run the other train on the inner layout. He plays in this room quite a bit when I'm at work, and is always very careful about things. This first picture is the north end, which has two sidings and part of the loop that allows direction change.
The south end will have the 97 coaling tower, which now fits with the offset siding on the one side. I'm hoping to work on it this weekend, and get it cleaned up, lubricated and operational. I've also got a few of the operating coal cars that need to be worked on. I'm going to be busy with going through stuff tonight and tomorrow to figure out what parts I need, make a list, and pick them up this Sunday at the monthly train show at DuPage County Fairgrounds.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:In my last progress report Tuesday, I said plaster Wednesday because I forgot what day it was. I meant Thursday. So, here we are, and we have plaster! I finished the cardboard support strips for the entire hump. I really like the plaster cloth for putting down a base. Quick and easy!
The rolls are 4" wide by 15' long, so I cut them into manageable pieces, about 18" and covered the cardboard, forming a shell. Some of the steeper sections may need retaining walls.
Now that I have a shell, I'm going to get some regular plaster and smooth the whole thing out. Remember this area is going to be winter, so get used to the white.
Still trying to figure out how to disguise the tops of those two openings in the backdrop. Maybe something as simple as thin styrene strips painted blue, and set to the absolute max car height with no excess clearance.
This makes the layout so different. I'm very excited! (and I don't usually get excited anymore)
Elliot- what if you painted the wall behind the openings blue? Might help blend them in a little.
After all the nuts and bolts of fascia, wiring, track work, etc, on your layout, nice to see some color on the tables, even just white. Looking good
Bob
carsntrains posted:Noah posted:Finished taking down the Christmas layout.
Third bedrooms work!! Thats what I'm using : )
Jim
Noah- I see a huge shed in your future
Paul- I wish my wife was a Cav's fan too!
Brian - some early morning running there huh?
Noah posted:Finished taking down the Christmas layout.
Noah, I have heard that about Florida houses, and no basements either. I have never been to Florida though. I hope you can find a suitable house with a nice train room! It is hard to buy a train, run it a bit, then pack it up. I feel for you!
ELLIOT - Great progress once again! Thee plaster roll over cardboard looks like our winter landscape around here in NH. If you run into small areas, that need to be filled in, Woodland Scenics Shaper Sheets works well. I used it for my 3'X4' mountain and several small rock areas. It would be costly for your application. It does not required the cardboard support. Thanks for the progress reports.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:
Still trying to figure out how to disguise the tops of those two openings in the backdrop. Maybe something as simple as thin styrene strips painted blue, and set to the absolute max car height with no excess clearance.
Do you have room between the track and backdrop for a small embankment to cover the two openings? Form it with cardboard strips as you did for the front slope. You can stretch it out beyond the openings and it would blend with the topography of the hump. Dave
Not to glamorous but it’s back to work now with heat in the train room
Well guys Mark covered it all! LOL But Elliot, I like how things are looking. it will make a great winter area! Maybe if there is room just set something up on the upper level so when you look that direction you cant see the holes. That way you don't have to worry about clearance.
Paul, the water is looking wonderful and its nice to see more cork going down, which means more track soon!
Brian I am glad your having fun, things must be warming up back there, they say we should get close to 60 tomorrow!
mike g. posted:Well guys Mark covered it all! LOL But Elliot, I like how things are looking. it will make a great winter area! Maybe if there is room just set something up on the upper level so when you look that direction you cant see the holes. That way you don't have to worry about clearance.
Paul, the water is looking wonderful and its nice to see more cork going down, which means more track soon!
Brian I am glad your having fun, things must be warming up back there, they say we should get close to 60 tomorrow!
Mike- 55 this morning, 13 tomorrow night on LI. gotta love wacky weather 
Railroad Passenger Car Alliance weekend at the A&M, so I've been too busy to take happy snaps. However, the Polar Express and AF Franklin train are hits! Had to take down the Dino train and the Marx circle owing to lack of space, but they're safe in storage...
Mitch
Slowhands posted:Here's couple pictures of the revised track layout: one from the south end and one from the north end. The exposed spaghetti wiring is for easy access to testing switches and some accessories. My younger son and future daughter-in-law gave my grandson a battery powered train set for Christmas, which weirdly enough, the engine and cars fit pretty nicely on our O-Scale track. The black engine with red drivers and the tender are from that set, the other engine next to them is also a battery operated toy that he has had for a while. He really enjoys running his trains around the Fasttrack loop while I run the other train on the inner layout. He plays in this room quite a bit when I'm at work, and is always very careful about things. This first picture is the north end, which has two sidings and part of the loop that allows direction change.
The south end will have the 97 coaling tower, which now fits with the offset siding on the one side. I'm hoping to work on it this weekend, and get it cleaned up, lubricated and operational. I've also got a few of the operating coal cars that need to be worked on. I'm going to be busy with going through stuff tonight and tomorrow to figure out what parts I need, make a list, and pick them up this Sunday at the monthly train show at DuPage County Fairgrounds.
That's great it fits on your O gauge track! Your little engineer can have at it! Good plan to get things going for him!!!!
RSJB18 posted:mike g. posted:Well guys Mark covered it all! LOL But Elliot, I like how things are looking. it will make a great winter area! Maybe if there is room just set something up on the upper level so when you look that direction you cant see the holes. That way you don't have to worry about clearance.
Paul, the water is looking wonderful and its nice to see more cork going down, which means more track soon!
Brian I am glad your having fun, things must be warming up back there, they say we should get close to 60 tomorrow!
Mike- 55 this morning, 13 tomorrow night on LI. gotta love wacky weather
Yes, and starting tomorrow night lows in single digits, some plus and some minus; not counting wind chill. A good bit of snow coming our way starting tonight so they say. Look out Bob, I don't want to hog it all, so I may be sending some your way! Brian and Paul should be seeing it before me.
just starting, big white flakes... 
here we go again...
I'm not going to hit "Like" on that reply Brian!! Thanks for the warning!!
Ah a little snow is better than the drizzling rain we have been getting. Although two days around 70 was nice for rounding up supplies! I really enjoy seeing all the progress folks are making! Helps me keep rolling myself!
Jim
Mark and Brian- no snow for the east coast this time. I'll let you guys have all the fun this time.
Bob
gee, thanks Bob... 
was in the 50's yesterday, and all the snow melted...
Well you know if it snows you have to stay inside to nice and warm! Funny thing is that are not the trains inside also!
good thing, kinda nervous running the trains around fire to stay warm... 
specially around my hand warming car...
I got the rest of the cork glued down this morning. I have one section yet to do but I am waiting on the switches I ordered from Ross. On the section where the drill is sitting I am hoping to add a switch to add another short siding. I think it is a 0-31 switch. If that gives me the right angle I am set if not I'll just add more building in that area. After lunch while I am waiting for the glue to dry I'll start adding ground foam around the water. Pics..........Paul
RSJB18 posted:Mark and Brian- no snow for the east coast this time. I'll let you guys have all the fun this time.
Bob
That’s good for you!!
Mark - Thanks, maybe now I can legitimately participate in the Scenic Sundays topic.
Bob - As I was looking at the picture, painting back there crossed my mind. Just not sure if it will come across the same color because there is no light back there.
Matt - Thanks, actually the cardboard is fun and easy to do, and I have tons of it. Wish I had Amazon stock, my wife gets me an endless supply.
BTW, you don't have a monopoly on winter. They don't call Minnesota the great white north for nothing. Though it has been rather thin this year. My plow guy only comes when we get 2" or more. He came out for the first time yesterday. I pay him by the season, flat rate, so he's doing well.
Dave - There's not much room back there, so I'm not sure if that's going to work.
Mike - I was thinking of sticking some intermodal containers back there. That is a technique I'm using to cover another hole over at Park Junction. That one needs the full height blocked because it's out in the open.
Well the retrieval of the lumber from the old workbench in ma-in-law's basement is on hold. The two days of warm weather brought a lot of rain, melting most of the snow, and now Mum's basement has water in it. It isn't into the workroom, but the main room needs dried out. The temperature is dropping fast, and snow is starting to fall, so we will see what I have to work with next weekend.
Nice work Chris! Very inviting to the eye. I bet it will be fun watching the trains run behind the city blocks!
Sorry to hear that Mark. Hope you don't get too much snow tonight.
Bob
Thank you Bob!! Me too!
Mark, you know the old saying, if it doesn't rain it snows! Sorry for the bad break! I hope things get better soon!
Running western roads thru the loop on the Overland Expressway
mike g. posted:Mark, you know the old saying, if it doesn't rain it snows! Sorry for the bad break! I hope things get better soon!
Thank you, Mike!! No one was hurt, so all is swell!!
With possible 8 inches of snow coming, I probably wasn't going to get it all out of her basement anyway.
Daughter number 1 and her husband had a thawed frozen pipe leak Monday night. Her father-in-law and I got there the same time. We got the problem located in a basement wall and shut the water off. Since he retired a year ago, he went over the next day and fixed the leak. Daughter number 2 and her husband just signed the mortgage papers buying her in-law's house, as the in-law's are moving to Virginia. So they will be happy old-house homeowners too! Bwa-ha-ha!!! 
Finally got around to making a video of my layout, which is too long to post here other than to link to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfS8DnUlXtI
The whole thing was not done in a day, although the video was, thus permitting me to post it here on "What Did You Do Today on Your Layout' :-)
Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Elliot, you outdo yourself everyday. That blue is a great color. And where you started your plaster wrap that is going to look real good when you have completed the whole area. Mark, sorry you were not able to get to the lumber but at least it did not get wet. Always next weekend. So after lunch the glue was dry and I was able to pull up the nails and paint all the cork. While the paint was drying I decided to pull up the plaster up where the switch tower will be and painted that black. Once everything dries I can lay down track at the brewery and set the switch tower in place and then add ground foam around it. After I did that I started cleaning off the table that goes to the brewery area. I'm going to cut in a switch and bring track out to the front of the table, adding another switch and sending the track in both directions which will give me two more sidings for some kind of industry. Haven't decided what kind yet. Hopefully the wife will watch her game tonight and that will give me more time but if she decides to tape it I will be in the living room. Pics..............Paul
Thank you, Paul! You are certainly making good progress!
Paul, I don't know what your talking about with Elliot! Your right there with him, stepping up the game each and everyday! But hey I don't mind I love seeing what you both are doing and along the way I am learning so much! You both and many others do such great work here! Thanks!~
Dr. Joe, I liked the video! Aren't those Menards buildings great? I have 3 or 4 myself. Thank you for posting!!
Mark Boyce posted:Dr. Joe, I liked the video! Aren't those Menards buildings great? I have 3 or 4 myself. Thank you for posting!!
They are, Mark! We had been out of country for a few years and had no idea that Menards had come into the hobby as they have! I need to get over to Cheyenne to pick up one of their tall cranes.
mike g. posted:Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula.
LARAMIEJOE,
Wow!, what a really cool video. I will watch it over again after dinner and research your accessories and structures, and the neat buildings....The Lionel Diner is really nice, a super smoker. The trains running, your verbal descriptions are great. Thank you. I look forward to more train action on your layout....Happy New Year.
LaramieJoe posted:Mark Boyce posted:Dr. Joe, I liked the video! Aren't those Menards buildings great? I have 3 or 4 myself. Thank you for posting!!
They are, Mark! We had been out of country for a few years and had no idea that Menards had come into the hobby as they have! I need to get over to Cheyenne to pick up one of their tall cranes.
An OGR Forum member who is a member of the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers has one of the cranes on one of his modules. I saw it at the Monroeville Pennsylvania Greenberg show, and it is striking to say the least!! Maybe you can order one. Since there are no Menards in Pennsylvania, I have ordered all of mine online.
leapinlarry posted:LARAMIEJOE,
Wow!, what a really cool video. I will watch it over again after dinner and research your accessories and structures, and the neat buildings....The Lionel Diner is really nice, a super smoker. The trains running, your verbal descriptions are great. Thank you. I look forward to more train action on your layout....Happy New Year.
Larry, You are right about Joe's diner. It looks great and really smokes! I think someone burned all the hamburgers!!
LaramieJoe posted:mike g. posted:Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula.
Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!
Dr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!
mike g. posted:LaramieJoe posted:mike g. posted:Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula.
Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!
VDr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!
I dont know about anyone else, but I am retired in the Carson Valley near Carson City, NV. No state income
tax, not much rain or snow, very few annoying bugs. About 4500 feet elevation. Cost of living is moderate.
I really like it here. Gets a bit hot some days, but not unbearable with low humidity. No below zero ever.
Highs usually 90's at most. I only had about 4 ac days last summer. Check it out.
mike g. posted:LaramieJoe posted:mike g. posted:Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula.
Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!
Dr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!
Sign me up, Mike! I have an elderly aunt and uncle in Seattle and two cousins with grown children outside of Seattle! The Olympic Peninsula would suit me better!!
beardog posted:mike g. posted:LaramieJoe posted:mike g. posted:Nice video Dr. Joe! thanks for sharing your layout with us!
Jushavnfun, nice layout, but the video is a little out of focus or something, but got the idea of your layout!
Hey Mike, sorry about that. I try better each time I do them. My daughter grew up with iPhones and therefore knows a lot more about it than I do! On a separate note, how is life in your part of the world? The wife and I have begun thinking of places to retire and I am lobbying hard for the Olympic Peninsula.
Hi Dr. Joe, if you don't mind some rain in the winter, and love a nice green place to live. You would love it here. We are right up the hill from Hoods Canal. always green, last summer was a record summer for days without rain and temps over 80 f. You should check it out!
VDr. Joe, your video was jut fine! Nice and clear and fund to watch with your tour! Thanks again!
I dont know about anyone else, but I am retired in the Carson Valley near Carson City, NV. No state income
tax, not much rain or snow, very few annoying bugs. About 4500 feet elevation. Cost of living is moderate.
I really like it here. Gets a bit hot some days, but not unbearable with low humidity. No below zero ever.
Highs usually 90's at most. I only had about 4 ac days last summer. Check it out.
Sign me up Beardog! I’ll be fully retiring in a couple or 3 years!
To all of those contemplating retirement. Don't. Keep working. You'll find you have more time to play why your still employed. Don't ask me. All I know is I don't have enough time for anything anymore. Probably has a lot to do with the honey doo list!
Dave, My problem is 4 elderly relatives that always need something. We actually have our own home fairly maintenance free. But....We just got back in from another "emergency" trip to my mother-in-law's. Actually, I had to take a forced early retirement with a pension that was frozen years ago. The good thing is they hired me as a contractor, a lot less pressure, but sometimes I don't get as many hours as I would like. No, I'll be working a few more years, until they tell me to go out to pasture for good.
Tell me about being busy! I got another small section done tonight. After work. Then had to go grocery shopping and get something to eat with my wife. Also got the new 072 and 060 curves laid out on one end of the new bench work. Hooked up my new mobile homes and heck one of them has a playing TV in it!!! : ) Might even run a train this weekend!!!
Jim
Jim, we will each run a train even if only for a few minutes!!
I hear you there Mark.
Family is always 1st though. Hope the mother-in-law is doing ok.
Yes Dave. Thank you! She has water in her basement, and we moved some stuff upstairs. We just got in as the ice before the snow started getting bad.
The Summit is in the garage awaiting warmer weather for ballasting, detail painting and scenic greenery. In the mean time I have been working on the lighting for that area. The yard lights are wired, tested, and attached to the filler strip that will be glued between the taconite loading tracks. I have also wired and added exterior building flood lights to some of the plant buildings. I am using a 6volt DC power source so resisters were added. They came with the lights and are needed for power sources greater than 3 volts. It still needs to warm up before the buildings get the final color coat and weathering. I am hoping for a nice January thaw in the coming weeks to get it all done. It is currently, -2 outside.
I am also replacing all my fascia toggle switches with rocker switches. DPDT for the switch machines and SPST rockers for the track sections. Radio Shack has some good liquidation pricing on the internet with free shipping for orders over $19. The toggle switches would occasionally catch on clothing, belt loops, etc when walking by. The rocker switches provider a much smoother passing.
Dave
Just finished working on the layout for today. Got another small area prepped with cardboard and put the plaster towels on it. Then I caulked all the cracks and holes that I could find in my lake and river beds so hopefully it won't leak when I apply my Envirotex Lite for my water.
Then I made a decision on my water color and painted both beds with the same blue that I painted on the top of my walls. I had painted a small patch earlier and have been trying to decide if I liked it?
Now I am going to live with it for a little longer. My son-in-law is a man of many talents including being a professional painter. He has an excellent color eye. (I don't.) I am going to see what he thinks and make suggestions. In the meantime, please tell me what you think. I promise I have thick skin and won't get mad at you.
It looks a little different in person, but not a lot. Looks lighter in the pictures by a small amount.
Thanks for your help.
Art
Dave, it looks like like you are making a lot of progress!
Art, The river and bridges look great!
Looks good Art. What is the curved arch bridge constructed of and is it scratch built? Any closeup pictures of it? It looks incredible!!!
You've definitely made some progress Dave, as Mark said. Keep up the good work guys!!!
Mike
Art, great looking bridges and piers. I also would like to hear more about the materials and construction of the curved arch viaduct. Looks great.
Thanks. It is scratch built. I first constructed a framework of Masonite and wrapped it with 1/8" thick foam. It is the foam sold at home improvement stores for insulation under metal siding. I carved the block pattern using a normal pencil and then painted it with a base color and then highlighted individual stones with contrasting colors. I then glued the foam to the Masonite framework using carpenters wood glue. It was a time-consuming project but I did all the carved at the kitchen table while listening to Cubs games. The Cubs won the World Series and I like the way the bridge turned out, so it was a win-win.
Art
Greetings Everyone,
Traffic has picked up as a result of the strong economy and the interlocking tower that controls the cross over just west of the tunnel is being manned 24 hours a day. The gentleman sitting at the desk doesn't appear very enthusiastic about working second shift but it sure beats the unemployment line. 
Chief Bob (Retired)
Hi again ,Art. Could you post some more closeup photos of that magnificent bridge when you get a chance? Also did you use pink foam in its construction?
mike
carsntrains posted:Tell me about being busy! I got another small section done tonight. After work. Then had to go grocery shopping and get something to eat with my wife.
If you would stop grocery shopping and eating, you could have gotten a lot more done on your layout. LOL
Dave2 posted:To all of those contemplating retirement. Don't. Keep working. You'll find you have more time to play why your still employed. Don't ask me. All I know is I don't have enough time for anything anymore. Probably has a lot to do with the honey doo list!
I agree with Dave.
And continuing to work will provide the extra money for building your dream layout and/or buying the trains of your dreams.
ideally, it is best to continue the work that you find most enjoyable and less stressful. For instance, being a divorce lawyer with my own practice, I plan to retire soon from litigation (very stressful), but never from doing mediation and collaborative divorce (much less stress and more positive).
Some people have work that is always stressful and even dangerous (police officer, firemen, people in world of high finance where they have to work 24/7). They may be better off fully retiring so they can enjoy life, ideally after making a killing financially, or acquiring a lucrative pension/retirement funds so they are set financially.
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