What did you do on your layout today?

WOW Elliot, you and the wife sure are busting some butt here! I sure hope you got her very own train! LOL But then again she has you and I would think that's much better then some silly train! Everything is looking great once again!

mike g. posted:

WOW Elliot, you and the wife sure are busting some butt here! I sure hope you got her very own train! LOL But then again she has you and I would think that's much better then some silly train! Everything is looking great once again!

She appreciates your thoughts on this. By her own admission, she doesn't feel she needs her own train, but she has had her thumb on the scale for a number of pieces in the collection. Daily progress is what we are going for. Gotta have it looking good by August, so I can spend that month cleaning up.

Here's the waif train from the Springfield show: 

The 8512 now features a bridge rectifier and a metal GG-1 horn (melted into position) in place of the broken-off bell.  Interestingly enough, the negative pole of the motor was counterintuitively wired to the center pickup originally, which means it ran backwards until I switched the wires around.   A DPDT reversing switch, working headlight and trolley pole are in its future...

This hopper car was caked with filth and missing all four wheelsets.  A good scrubbing and some donor highspeed wheelsets from my truck box set it to rights. 

This 6042 was the only one of the lot with a complete archbar truck.  Another archbar truck and some cleaning later, it's ready for service! 

This 6042 was so filthy, I had to run it through the dishwasher after clipping off the remains of its shattered archbar trucks.  It now sports Timken trucks.  

The Texaco tank car was a birthday present from CBS072.  It'll be Jack Benny-ed ere long.   

And the cabeese.  The broken-off chimney was replaced with one fabricated from Plastruct and sprayed with chrome paint.   

I swapped my 253 passenger set for this Bowser Brill and a bit of cash.  A bit of lubing on the motor and gear train, and it runs smooth as silk! 

Mitch 

water tower finally finished...

Great night hosting our Tuesday night train group.  I agree with what people said about being able to share the hobby with friends.  We really have something special with this group of about 30.  Trains ran perfect all night as well as all my accessories that I have hooked up so far.  Of course my seedy part of town (with animation and sound) was a complete hit. 

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Great night hosting our Tuesday night train group.  I agree with what people said about being able to share the hobby with friends.  We really have something special with this group of about 30.  Trains ran perfect all night as well as all my accessories that I have hooked up so far.  Of course my seedy part of town (with animation and sound) was a complete hit. 

The seedier the better! LOL

Bryan, good times at your house Tuesday night. You got a lot done on the layout and it showed. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the evening. It was nice to give my body guards the night off so they could enjoy the trains running. Great job Bryan.................Paul

The water tower looks great, Howard!!

Bryan and Paul, I’m glad you had a great evening!!  Thirty in your group!!  Wow!!  Of course I wouldn’t expect everyone to attend each evening, but that is an impressive group!!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Once again, my wife spent a couple hours sifting chicken grit. I continued sorting out the humongous box of trees and shrubs. Seems that sometime in it's 25 year history, a small rodent took up residence in the box. Cushy digs.

About a half hour in, my wife announced that she was almost done with the last bucket of grit, so I ran out and picked up three more 50 pound bags. That should be enough to finish East Minneapolis.

The Big Boy National Forest!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the bluff. Water seeps out from between the sandstone base and the limestone cap. I won't be modeling winter on this part of the layout, so no icicles, but the "saw tooth" limestone will be included.

When I cut the top pieces, I left them oversized so I could do this feature. Today, I added a strip of foam to thicken the cap. I'll be carving this section and the one to the right in the next day or two. Then I plan to repaint the lower and upper, because the lower is way too dark on this end. Easy fix.

Down at the opposite end, I needed to create a transition from bluff down to roadway. Nothing like the combo of a table saw, and a chop saw.

Unfortunately, I need to add a small piece of backdrop, where I misjudged slightly. Another easy fix.

Okay, this can of paint is 37 years old. I bought it when I lived in Denver, and painted my portable layout layout with it. The lid was really on tight. Using the key, I eventually got it open, but heard a bit of a whoosh of rushing air, like opening a soda. Took me a couple minutes to figure out what happened. Stirred the paint, good as the day I bought it. Have you figured it out?

Might go down for another session tonight. We'll see.

Elliot - Like I've said to others here on OGR, I don't respond to every post but have enjoyed following the progress.  The time that you took us through each aisle was one of your best and gave me a true idea of the expanse of your layout.  I did watch your video earlier this year and that was an eye opener as well. Thanks for your efforts, be well & God bless!

A small rodent!!  Seemed like a great place to him!!  

You’re wife is a trooper!  That is tedious work!  Our younger daughter was in an archeology club in high school.  While I don’t mind digging, I didn’t think digging and sifting was a way to spend a hot Sunday afternoon!!  LOL. Tell Mrs. Big Boy I said many thanks on all ours behalf!!

Big Boy National Forest!!  I know the place!!!

Maybe after running some errands I will take a shot at another AF streamliner. Have three others

at least that all have probs with the reversing units. I have one aluminum zephyr that has the 

switch underneath so you actually have to disconnect the loco from the train to reverse it. 

Pointless, but I think reversing was a big marketing deal back in the 30's. I think Flyer copied 

lionel's, but got sued for it, so they came up with lots of bizarre ways to reverse trains. I never

saw the point of reversing the streamliners anyway, they barely stay on the track going forward.

I think the best solution may be to wire around the reversing units and just make the 

trains run forward.

John

Apples55, The flat's turned out looking wonderful!

Mitch, that is one cool looking little train! Hope you had fun at the show!

Gandydancer, great looking water tower! Really turned out nice!

Bryan and Paul, I am so glad you guys were able to have a great time last night running trains! I bet the SWAT team enjoyed the night off also! Really sounds like a great group of guys!

Received a delivery from a certain forum member on the Blackwater Line. We agreed on a fair price for the GP-7. (Don't know why this photo posted vertical ?)

The surprise was in the bottom of the box. Like Christmas when you find a present way back under the tree,  and find a second big orange box.

Thanks Mark!

Bob

Great score Bob! See that's what I am talking about, all the great people here!

RSJB18 posted:

Received a delivery from a certain forum member on the Blackwater Line. We agreed on a fair price for the GP-7. (Don't know why this photo posted vertical ?)

The surprise was in the bottom of the box. Like Christmas when you find a present way back under the tree,  and find a second big orange box.

Thanks Mark!

Bob

I’m glad it got there safely and you like it, Bob!  It is a nice engine for sure!  So everyone reading this knows, the PS2 hopper was a free throw in from another forum member to me!  I just thought it looked good with the GP7 and passed it along!

Gandydancer, I don't think there is a member on this forum - no, wait, in this hobby - who wouldn't love to have that handsome water tower. You did a perfect job with it.

FrankM

Moonson posted:

Gandydancer, I don't think there is a member on this forum - no, wait, in this hobby - who wouldn't love to have that handsome water tower. You did a perfect job with it.

FrankM

Thank you Frank, I sincerely appreciate your comment.

Frank, that is a perfect comment for Gandydancer’s water tower!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Frank, that is a perfect comment for Gandydancer’s water tower!!

you guys are way too kind....but thanks anyway!

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Received a delivery from a certain forum member on the Blackwater Line. We agreed on a fair price for the GP-7. (Don't know why this photo posted vertical ?)

The surprise was in the bottom of the box. Like Christmas when you find a present way back under the tree,  and find a second big orange box.

Thanks Mark!

Bob

I’m glad it got there safely and you like it, Bob!  It is a nice engine for sure!  So everyone reading this knows, the PS2 hopper was a free throw in from another forum member to me!  I just thought it looked good with the GP7 and passed it along!

That's what its all about here. Great folks supporting a great hobby. Gotta pay it forward now!

Thanks again Mark.

Bob

gandydancer1950 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Frank, that is a perfect comment for Gandydancer’s water tower!!

you guys are way too kind....but thanks anyway!

Same here Howard- the tower looks great. Should fit in perfectly on your layout.

Bob

Howard, I am chiming in late but the water tower turned out great.............Lunch and I am off to the basement to start the unmentionable...........wiring............Paul

paul 2 posted:

Howard, I am chiming in late but the water tower turned out great.............Lunch and I am off to the basement to start the unmentionable...........wiring............Paul

LOL Sure you are Paul! I am sure you might find something else down there! But if you do I hope you all the best luck!

Thanks for the words of encouragement Mike. Right after lunch I am really getting into the wiring and not going to look for anything else to do or finish....................Paul 

paul 2 posted:

Howard, I am chiming in late but the water tower turned out great.............Lunch and I am off to the basement to start the unmentionable...........wiring............Paul

I know how you feel about wiring Paul. After the flood I had to disconnect some layout wiring to disinfect the basement floor. Well........I have yet to hook it back up! Some folks love wiring....I don't. I have to be in the mood to force myself to do electrical.

That water tower is awesome. Here is this tiny load of Balsa I purchased today from a local fellow who called and said he had a little bit of balsa I might be able to use. That is 29 ~ 4 x 6 x 48 chunks with varied hardness, 150 1/16 - 1/32 6 x 48 and a stack of skins and a few 1/2" pieces. There is more he will give me when he digs to that section of his basement, he is cleaning out and has had this stored for 30 =/- yrs. The price I paid was a God send when He knew I needed to make some cuts to the project budget. This is a life time supply!

Roads and parking lots are painted.

working on scene placement

yay, the flamingo frosty bar

gandydancer1950 posted:

paul 2 posted:

Howard, I am chiming in late but the water tower turned out great.............Lunch and I am off to the basement to start the unmentionable...........wiring............Paul

I know how you feel about wiring Paul. After the flood I had to disconnect some layout wiring to disinfect the basement floor. Well........I have yet to hook it back up! Some folks love wiring....I don't. I have to be in the mood to force myself to do electrical.

DID SOMEONE SAY WIRING????????

RSJB18 posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

paul 2 posted:

Howard, I am chiming in late but the water tower turned out great.............Lunch and I am off to the basement to start the unmentionable...........wiring............Paul

I know how you feel about wiring Paul. After the flood I had to disconnect some layout wiring to disinfect the basement floor. Well........I have yet to hook it back up! Some folks love wiring....I don't. I have to be in the mood to force myself to do electrical.

DID SOMEONE SAY WIRING????????

Holy wire nut, Batman!!

Im glad you guys are poking fun, cause I know my time is coming! LOL By the time I am done with you guys and my questions you will wish they would remove me from the forum! LOL

mike g. posted:

Im glad you guys are poking fun, cause I know my time is coming! LOL By the time I am done with you guys and my questions you will wish they would remove me from the forum! LOL

Wiring? We can get Bob to make a coast to coast trip to help you out!  LOL

Well I stopped to take a break. I actually started to wire. I made up two terminal blocks putting jumpers on the one side to make it all one. One is for power and the other strip is for ground. I got a couple of power wires hooked up and decided to run a train down through the track. It got further but I see I need to get some ground wires hooked up before I can run down the section of track. I also decided to mount the blocks on the outside of the table and later make up some covers to protect them. Couple of pics and they are not photo shopped, it is the real deal...Paul

Mark, I think it might be better for Bob to help me from his nice warm house with a drink in his hand! LOL

Paul, not only me but everyone else that is reading this is so PROUD of you for taking that big leap! Great start!

RSJB18 posted:

DID SOMEONE SAY WIRING????????

If I had to chose a response to that, it'd be like this:

In all humility, I am a relatively smart person and have a darned high IQ, but there are two things I have long given up with trying to understand:

• Electricity in any practical concept
• Reading sheet music

I can explain the overall concepts of each, maybe even to the level of being able to teach it in school. But I simply don't get either. And I'm sick of people telling me how easy it is. Yeah, for some folks. Not me. After a good 20 years, I cut bait with the idea of getting it. I know there are some things I get that others simply cannot (I can shoot almost any weapon, almost with the first shot/launch, hitting a target right away and I can draw pretty well) but I don't think that everyone else gets these concepts as I do.

Mark Boyce posted:

mike g. posted:

Im glad you guys are poking fun, cause I know my time is coming! LOL By the time I am done with you guys and my questions you will wish they would remove me from the forum! LOL

Wiring? We can get Bob to make a coast to coast trip to help you out!  LOL

You know Mark, I think I might even post a picture of my layout plan on the electrical forum tomorrow just to get a jump start on wiring help! LOL

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 

Okay, this can of paint is 37 years old. I bought it when I lived in Denver, and painted my portable layout layout with it. The lid was really on tight. Using the key, I eventually got it open, but heard a bit of a whoosh of rushing air, like opening a soda. Took me a couple minutes to figure out what happened. Stirred the paint, good as the day I bought it. Have you figured it out?   A

Might go down for another session tonight. We'll see.

Altitude Change.

Bruce

BruceT47 posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 

Okay, this can of paint is 37 years old. I bought it when I lived in Denver, and painted my portable layout layout with it. The lid was really on tight. Using the key, I eventually got it open, but heard a bit of a whoosh of rushing air, like opening a soda. Took me a couple minutes to figure out what happened. Stirred the paint, good as the day I bought it. Have you figured it out?   A

Might go down for another session tonight. We'll see.

Altitude Change.

Bruce

What Bruce said.  The fact that the paint is water based and still usable it quite astounding.  I have oil based paints that are quite old and still usable, but have never had a latex paint last more than a few years, unless it was never opened.  

mike g. posted:

Mark, I think it might be better for Bob to help me from his nice warm house with a drink in his hand! LOL

Paul, not only me but everyone else that is reading this is so PROUD of you for taking that big leap! Great start!

Great idea, Mike!  Bob appreciates it!!

Paul, that is a great start!!  I have been contemplating a similar idea of putting all my connections within easy reach!  It is now obvious I will have to learn to manage my osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  I don’t want to set myself up for issues with the layout down the road!

Bought the last of the wood for my layout bench work at Lowe's  plus two 6 X 8 ft green ECO carpets there that will be used to cover the layout. Still need Homasote but that will be later. The hardest part wll be to find a nice warm sunny day or two  to cut lumber outside.

Jim, sounds like your one a roll! Please post pictures as you go!

                      " morning run..."

OK Mike- Here's the deal. I will provide all the assistance I can from home. Just don't ask too  late in the day. The bar opens around 4PM eastern daylight time.

Besides- My service call rates are $125.00 for the first half hour, $75.00 per hour after. PLUS MILEAGE!

Mark- I put the GP 7 on my test track last night. Very cool having the sounds and crew talk. I put the 9V battery in too so it goes through the full shutdown now. I found a manual on line as well.

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Paul- I found these on Amazon saves time on making the jumpers.

https://www.amazon.com/Positio...QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Bob

Mark - YOU are an enabler  

and as for you, Bob... Repeat after Mr. Simon...

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you're slip slidin

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Bob

Mark - YOU are an enabler  

and as for you, Bob... Repeat after Mr. Simon...

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you're slip slidin

Paul- I never ever met a cliff that I didn't go over.....I'm already at the bottom looking up

Sounds fair Bob, but just so you know I wont be calling! LOL As far as the 4 PM EST that makes it 1 PM PST either way I find that I do some of my best thinking after 4 PM and a couple beers!

I guess my first question is 1 Z4000 enough power? I have other transformers for acc.

Mike, you will do all right when the time comes time for wiring.  Ask the questions and you will get your answers. Mark thanks for the pep talk. This morning I am still at it. I did wiring this morning. In the area I am working on I got all the power leads hooked up. After lunch I hope to get all the ground leads in. I have to keep at it because I offered to host a Tuesday night crew night after York so I would like to have at least a small portion of the layout running. Pic............Paul

Nice Paul! next thing you know you will be running trains! I thank  you for your vote of confidince in me and my wiring!

                                                    " down by the station..."          

briansilvermustang posted:

   

 

                                                    " down by the station..."          

Sure is a sweet looking superliner!

         thanks Mike...

Just FYI  terminal strips and jumpers on Amazon, If you look for them on

ebay they can be much cheaper, just take longer to get to you

Fruitful day today. I got all the ground wires hooked up. And then made up the next two terminal blocks and screwed them on to the side of the next table. So all set for either later tonight but the wife would like to go out for dinner which I will take her because she is the best CEO I ever had. I will be wiring again after grocery shopping tomorrow morning. Pics .............Paul

Looking good Paul! Keep plugging away and you will be done in no time! Have a great dinner!

Barracks and eating facilities seem to have sprung up overnight around 

Flamingo HQ. Rumors are rampant...........

RSJB18 posted:

OK Mike- Here's the deal. I will provide all the assistance I can from home. Just don't ask too  late in the day. The bar opens around 4PM eastern daylight time.

Besides- My service call rates are $125.00 for the first half hour, $75.00 per hour after. PLUS MILEAGE!

Mark- I put the GP 7 on my test track last night. Very cool having the sounds and crew talk. I put the 9V battery in too so it goes through the full shutdown now. I found a manual on line as well.

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Paul- I found these on Amazon saves time on making the jumpers.

https://www.amazon.com/Positio...QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Bob

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Bob

Mark - YOU are an enabler  

and as for you, Bob... Repeat after Mr. Simon...

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you're slip slidin

Bob, I have two MTH Western Maryland GP7s in the Circus paint scheme.  I don't need two!  

Apples55, To quote Bugs Bunny, "Ain't I a stinker??" 

paul 2 posted:

Mike, you will do all right when the time comes time for wiring.  Ask the questions and you will get your answers. Mark thanks for the pep talk. This morning I am still at it. I did wiring this morning. In the area I am working on I got all the power leads hooked up. After lunch I hope to get all the ground leads in. I have to keep at it because I offered to host a Tuesday night crew night after York so I would like to have at least a small portion of the layout running. Pic............Paul

Paul, Those look like good solid heavy duty connections to me!!  We don't need any wimpy stuff on our layouts!

Bob, I forgot to mention I like those you found on Amazon!!!

Paul- I found these on Amazon saves time on making the jumpers.

https://www.amazon.com/Positio...QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Said I was going to try to get another Zephyr running yesterday. Was dogsitting the

train hating dog so it was postponed. Anyway I took one out tonight, it simply not run

so I decided to eliminate the complicated manual reverse. Still won't run, one wire

from one brush to the pickup, one wire from the other brush to ground, right?

I have a third wire from the field to .........? Any ideas. 

One wire from the pickup to one brush, wire from the other brush to the coil, other end of the coil to ground.  

i don't have that many wires unless the other end of the coil is already attached to the ground

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

OK Mike- Here's the deal. I will provide all the assistance I can from home. Just don't ask too  late in the day. The bar opens around 4PM eastern daylight time.

Besides- My service call rates are $125.00 for the first half hour, $75.00 per hour after. PLUS MILEAGE!

Mark- I put the GP 7 on my test track last night. Very cool having the sounds and crew talk. I put the 9V battery in too so it goes through the full shutdown now. I found a manual on line as well.

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Paul- I found these on Amazon saves time on making the jumpers.

https://www.amazon.com/Positio...QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Bob

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

You may have created a monster though. Now my old conventional stuff just doesn't cut it all the sudden.

Bob

Mark - YOU are an enabler  

and as for you, Bob... Repeat after Mr. Simon...

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you're slip slidin

Bob, I have two MTH Western Maryland GP7s in the Circus paint scheme.  I don't need two!  

Apples55, To quote Bugs Bunny, "Ain't I a stinker??" 

You guys are going to be the death of me.

Seriously- I hear rumors that the CEO has a hit out on me

I think I'm good for a while Mark. I have a RMT Beep scheduled to arrive today. Besides....I'm running out of space on my layout to run them.

Bob

beardog posted:

i don't have that many wires unless the other end of the coil is already attached to the ground

 

Going by the picture, it is.   So, just connect the coil to one brush, the pickup to the other brush, and it should run.  Swap the brush wires if it goes in the wrong direction.    Good luck! 

Mitch 

          a little Easter color...

                                                      have a great Easter weekend everyone !!

Thought before I go down to the basement to work on that word that brings fear to most of us" WIRING" LOL. I thought I would explain the reason for  my method of madness. The terminal blocks make it look like over kill but my idea was to bring a main feed for power and ground to these areas and branch off to the different tracks from there without have to get on the floor to do a lot of stringing of wires. Also on both of these tables I have a mix of Ross switches. Older ones that were not prewired and the ones I have been buying of late already prewired. As I get to other tables the wiring will be less intense because I have used up all the old switches.  Also I wanted to make sure I had no dead spots for Legacy and DCS......Paul

Brian, Easter weekend is for ROOFING! LOL

Paul, you can do it man! It's just a little wire, not like your going to burn the house down!

mike g. posted:

Brian, Easter weekend is for ROOFING! LOL

     Mike, here is some Easter roof decorating ideas for you...

              be careful, and have a safe and Happy Easter !

                                 don't work to hard...

          and here's a couple Easter baskets for you...  enjoy 

                    got a little more cleaning done on the new storage area...

                 a little more cleaning and another coat of paint on the floor...

                                          then some cabinets and shelves...

mike g. posted:

Looks like a good trade to me brian! When you get done with the new layout, you can build one in the trailer! Lol        

   nmp...            here's the new layout built in the trailer idea Mike...

briansilvermustang posted:

mike g. posted:

Brian, Easter weekend is for ROOFING! LOL

     Mike, here is some Easter roof decorating ideas for you...

              be careful, and have a safe and Happy Easter !

                                 don't work to hard...

          and here's a couple Easter baskets for you...  enjoy 

Lumber store didn't have enough roofing! So now I have to wait till tomorrow! But I did get the framing done so that's good!

I hope you have a great Easter also!

briansilvermustang posted:

                    got a little more cleaning done on the new storage area...

                 a little more cleaning and another coat of paint on the floor...

                                          then some cabinets and shelves...

mike g. posted:

Looks like a good trade to me brian! When you get done with the new layout, you can build one in the trailer! Lol        

 

   nmp...            here's the new layout built in the trailer idea Mike...

Brian, the trailer looks GREAT! I also love the idea, when you start that don't forget to take pictures! 

You know if you copy that bridge lift I built you, you could have a around the trailer layout! LOL

Mike: You get all the good presents... can't you share with your dear Dad? .... PLEASE....

Presented without further comment.

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Presented without further comment.

Mitch 

REALLY?

Matt - Thank you! That's one of the great things about the forum, being able to share my layout with everyone, even if they can't visit in person.

Mark - My wife has been very helpful over the years, doing a wide variety of layout related tasks. This latest one is not nearly as bad as an archeological dig. First, it's climate controlled. Second, it can be done while seated, and third, we're not looking for anything. We has the Twins game on while she sifted, and I carved the foam on the upper part of the bluff . In all, a very constructive afternoon together.

Bruce - Give that man a cigar! That can lost over 4000 feet in altitude coming to Minnesota. That begs the question, had the trip been in the opposite direction, would the lid have popped off in transit? I'd say probably yes, since a little more than half the paint was gone.

Dan - Yeah, I wish there was an easy way to vacuum seal paint. I wouldn't have to throw so much of it away. Thirty seven years is just crazy. Now that I've opened it, the clock is ticking. BTW, for me, a few years to keep paint is nothing. I have a huge batch that's 25 years old. Some went bad, but others are still viable. The paint I used on my house is now 18 years. Some people have wine cellars, me not so much. If you're looking for vintage paint, I have plenty. May I interest you in a 1981 vibrant green?

---------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday, I carved the foam uppers using a couple of tools. For the angular top section, I put a special knife blade in my saber saw. Dang, was that slick! Zero mess. Then I used a heavy duty hot knife from Micro Mark to carve the lower section.

It's nice having the photo right there for reference.

One of the trickier parts, is getting the primer in to every crevice.

A base coat of color is where I left off last night...

there are still many color passes left to do. Should finish up this weekend. I still have to build two more sections at the far left. Now that I have my tools figured out, foam work is rather fun.

cabinet Bob posted:

Mike: You get all the good presents... can't you share with your dear Dad? .... PLEASE....

Now a days I only get them like that on the computer! Havent had something like that since my 50th birthday! LOL

The bluff is looking great Elliot! I am glad your having fun carving, it's better then dreading it! Keep up the wonderful work and have a great EASTER!

         that is looking GREAT Elliot !!!

Thanks Mike and Brian. I'll be working on it both days this weekend, as well as doing the monthly update tomorrow night. There are no holidays in my world, just non-dialysis days. Next Friday we have our fourth annual modelers retreat, so I need to clean up, so I can take a full set of pictures to show the progress from last year. Should be a dandy! I'll share the before and afters somewhere on the forum.

Brother, no presents even on my 50th! Lincoln had just been shot and people forgot about me! LOL

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Presented without further comment.

Mitch 

Wow, Mitch... can't wait to see when Fortesque learns of your cannibalistic proclivities   

Yes, he may run to the flamingo side

Wow Elliot the cliff looks great. I have one of those knife saber blades. Never thought of using it for foam.

Personally I prefer a 92 vintage 😁🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

Bob

beardog posted:

Yes, he may run to the flamingo side

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

beardog posted:

Yes, he may run to the flamingo side

Mitch 

An appetizer??? 

A couple of views into the valley now that we've got a little ground cover.

Terry L posted:

A couple of views into the valley now that we've got a little ground cover.

 

Very nice layout!

RSJB18 Bob, I thought one was enough.  Once the comment was out there, I couldn't resist adding to it.  

Brian, That trailer is even bigger than I first thought!!  Yes, you could build a nice layout in it!!

Elliot,  The layout is looking better and better all the time!

Terry, That scene looks great!!!

I had a couple hours today to do some more on my layout.  I glued down the Homasote I had cut, and also fastened it down with screws.  I also clued down cork roadbed, holding it down to dry with little tacks.  The track is just lying on top to see if I goofed on the curves for the cork.  I got it in the correct positions.

Another AF tinplate zephyr set running again. I had to completely eliminate the 

manual reverse and wire around it. Thanks for the help, Mitch, cannot believe

after all these years I could not figure that one out. Good thing cuz I just won another

on the bay today. Couldn't resist, less than 40 bucks for 4 unit train, prewar banked

flyer track, trans, and a couple of accessories, and an extra motor. I still want to try and

remotor one of these to get rid of the steam type wheels. I am looking for Marx postwar E7

diesel motors, but just too expensive. I think it would look a lot better. 

Beardog,  I think it runs great, and as you said a day or two ago, who runs these in reverse anyway!!!  

Congratulations on another one coming your way!!

BTW, Now we know what you look like!    That is the kind of videos I can do!  

Kidding aside, I'm glad you are making good progress!  They are really neat trains!!

that was not me, it was 00pink, the flamingo spymaster

Excellent disguise!!

we have already infiltrated dueces layout, hehehe

BTW here is a pic of the train hating dog, notice the eyes, I think he is an alien

at least he is on the flamingo side

 He looks like a dog we once had!  But he was the most laid back cockapoo you could imagine.

I borrowed the old ZW from the Ceiling Central RR and picked out the nearest engine available.  Here it is, 

First Run on the Blackwater Line

this is my friends bichon who stays here once in awhile. In the beginning

he would bark at the trains then go to sleep under the table, now he just

barks nonstop, so no running trains when he is here, neighbors are too

close

beardog posted:

Another AF tinplate zephyr set running again. I had to completely eliminate the 

manual reverse and wire around it. Thanks for the help, Mitch, cannot believe

after all these years I could not figure that one out.

Glad to help!   

Good thing cuz I just won another

on the bay today. Couldn't resist, less than 40 bucks for 4 unit train, prewar banked

flyer track, trans, and a couple of accessories, and an extra motor. I still want to try and

remotor one of these to get rid of the steam type wheels. I am looking for Marx postwar E7

diesel motors, but just too expensive. I think it would look a lot better. 

P'raps a 666 steam loco motor?  Those are common as dirt.  

Mitch