Skip to main content

After a long day finally being back to work (no comments from you Paul 2 about how great the retirees luncheon was) after my summer break I was able to start putting some of the pieces to my first subway station in.  I have many more items going into the station that are complete so hopefully by the end of the week station 1 will be done. 

DSC_1327DSC_1328DSC_1329

Attachments

Images (3)
  • DSC_1327
  • DSC_1328
  • DSC_1329

Yes the subway does under the ball field but haven't figured out where i want to install an entrance up top.  The subway line does head out from underground near the fields so maybe around there I might put a ramp.

Paul since you got home that late you should have stopped by with my shirts since you had to pass my exit....a true train friend would have done that. Lol

Bryan, Very nice looking work on the subway station..   I rode alot of NYC subways decades ago.  An excellent job with the details and depicting the feel of the subways.   

GandyDancer... I have been meaning to tell you the Train Cave is really well done, looks like a great room to relax in, run trains, and turn back time with all the Post War items..  

Today was a hanging out day with the grandchildren.

1 Boys Train Room

The grandchildren ate breakfast with grandpa in the train room.  We watched several train videos from YT & ran a few trains.

2 Boys

We had great weather today so we left the train room.  Off we went, walking to our community beach. Grandma showed up with lunch. We tried to built a diesel locomotive out of sand. Grandma was our ride home and they both took a nap.

Gary

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 1 Boys Train Room
  • 2 Boys

Chris A.

Thank you for taking the time to explain the process you used on the H21a Hoppers.  I will buy supplies and give it a try after I finish my NYC Dining Car and Coaches.

I finished adding Seat Backs to the Dining Car Floor Cubes and touching up the Seat Paint.  (Testors Flat Red Earth and Flat White)  The table bases have two coats of Flat Red Earth and Table Tops have six coats of Flat White.

The people are painted and need grinding and cutting to fit under the tables.  The men often lose the outside (exterior facing) leg to get them under the table.  The floor is often littered with legs and plastic debris.  It gets rough on my feet if I don't vacuum.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Attachments

Images (4)
  • DSCN6033: New York Central Empire State Express Dining Car #2, "Jon Jay"
  • DSCN6034
  • DSCN6036: Seat backs cut in strips, then painted, then cut to size.
  • DSCN6037

Bryan, Great job on the subway station part 1! Don't worry to much about the retired guys, they will forget what they did before you! LOL

Gary, sure looks and sounds like fun was had by all! What a great day!

Chris, once again great job on the cars!

John, really nice work on the dining car! Keep up the great work!

chris a posted:

Bryan, Very nice looking work on the subway station..   I rode alot of NYC subways decades ago.  An excellent job with the details and depicting the feel of the subways.   

GandyDancer... I have been meaning to tell you the Train Cave is really well done, looks like a great room to relax in, run trains, and turn back time with all the Post War items..  

Thank you Chris! Yes the train cave is my temporary escape from the world. It brings a certain calmness to me and takes me back. I'm sure most of us feel the same way about our trains. Again Thanks!

colorado hirailer posted:

Yesterday, l finished the American Model Builders grain elevator; today l finished the Carolina Craftsman Kit water mill.  Found a flyer with an O scale elevator, and  stamp mill kit.  But an email received a reply saying O scale versions not yet in production.

How about some pictures! All your work sounds great but your explanations need pictures for us to really appreciate your work.

gandydancer1950 posted:
chris a posted:

Bryan, Very nice looking work on the subway station..   I rode alot of NYC subways decades ago.  An excellent job with the details and depicting the feel of the subways.   

GandyDancer... I have been meaning to tell you the Train Cave is really well done, looks like a great room to relax in, run trains, and turn back time with all the Post War items..  

Thank you Chris! Yes the train cave is my temporary escape from the world. It brings a certain calmness to me and takes me back. I'm sure most of us feel the same way about our trains. Again Thanks!

Very well said about your train cave!!  All of us could say the same even if we don’t have a separate room for our trains.

AZGARY posted:

This is Woodward Ave. Dream Cruise week in Detroit. The Ferndale Police have a new truck to fit right in. Seems they have already have caught a pair of drag racers, and pulled them over on the dead end street between the Hobby Shop and Used Car Lot.100_5428

   It was funner when the cops flag started the drag racers and turned a blind eye to "squealing exuberance" the first year(s) Going PC took a lot of fun out of that weekend, it's just "ok" today, I can take it or leave it and do both now.

   I've run trains via car battery in my truck bed and VW bus along the fairgrounds and later just S.W. of 14 mile where friends have had a canopy in the same spot for many many years now.  So watch for a RR T shirt if in the area, I don't go far anymore

Mike and all,

Worked until 3:00 A.M. custom grinding Preiser 65602 People I painted for the Lionel 21" NYC Empire State Express "Jon Jay" Dining Car.  I was only able to place the middle eight people at the center couch tables in two hours.  Where did the time go?  The heavyweight man is a new addition to a dining car.  I had to do serious grinding to his backside and stomach.  Maybe that could work for me too.

This morning I finished the tables on the ends of the car.  I always leave one or two tables open to welcome new guests to the Dining Car.  This car is number 130 and the 50th car completed  since February 26, 2018.

I am running out of steam and need to load more coal and water.  I have clear track ahead, but need to crawl into a sleeping car for some rest before the next leg of my journey.  I wonder what the dining car is serving?  Out of the way Timmy, I'm hungry.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Attachments

Images (8)
  • DSCN6039: NYC "Jon Jay" Dining Car
  • DSCN6040
  • DSCN6041
  • DSCN6042
  • DSCN6043
  • DSCN6044: Serious backside and stomach grinding to place heavyweight man.
  • DSCN6045
  • DSCN6038: Time to close the car and run it.

NYC Empire State Express Dining Car is finished.  I snapped a few pictures of the people in the car.  

Tonight I am painting more people and will continue through the eleven boxes I have left.  No matter what I do, my Testors Acryl Flat paints dry out.  I am now at the stage of chipping away at the jar tops and using pliers to try to get them open.  The clock is ticking until I have to buy all new paints and custom mix my colors again.  There are very few bristles left on my Atlas brushes.  My shopping list is growing.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Attachments

Images (5)
  • DSCN6046
  • DSCN6047
  • DSCN6048
  • DSCN6049
  • DSCN6050

Rick,  The layout looks great.  My layout has a large table.  I suggest adding a couple of openings that allow you to reach derailed or stalled engines on the far wall.  My days of climbing up on the table are limited.  I need to modify my table for one or two access points.  I might add a lake or a square opening with the buildings secured so the panel can be moved.

My arms were never eight feet long.  What was I thinking?

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Ordered seven more Preiser 65602 packs from Ebay.  Painting people is fun.  Did I mention, along with the 3,000 plus O-gauge people, I also painted 1,800 HO Seated people for my 180 Walthers passenger cars.  I could see back then.  

Attachments

Images (4)
  • DSCN0981: My layout needs access holes in the table.
  • DSCN3773: I painted 1,800 HO Preiser People and bought many others.
  • DSCN3808: Some of the extra cars I sold on Ebay.
  • DSCN3820: A mixture of people. All cars have LED Light Kits.

Thanks Gandydancer1950 and Pete for the kind comments about the weathered woodside cars.  

Went back and decided to finish the far right end of the mine run road, it ends in a "tunnel" (that doesn't go anywhere), but I was missing a weathered installed tunnel entrance,  the rock casting to the left side of it.....   My daughter and I spent some time just trying to wrap this up and hide the tunnel entrance with some sage and super tree kits....   

DSC02826DSC02833 [2)

Attachments

Images (2)
  • DSC02826
  • DSC02833 (2)

Mark,  thanks.   Yes it's great that she and I get to spend some time doing scenery together....  It's hard to compete with "video, computer and smart phone screens", in this age,  but I am thankful for the time we spend together.   Between the 2 of us we are learning how to use an inexpensive airbrush I bought on Amazon...  that's been something I been wanting to do for a long time...  

The arm is progressing, I can use it for really light duty tasks where my elbow is close to my hip, like "washing dishes!"...  and doing minor scenery stuff.   Still have another week of stretching only regimens, before we start doing any isometric strengthening....  So at least it's not a "dead" limb in a sling....   The therapist printed out the surgeons rehab protocol... it's humbling when you see a schedule for what exercises I will be doing out around week 12 to 18, and  18 to 26.... I am in week 5....   

We are planning to drive out to Scranton to visit Steamtown and take the excursion trip on Saturday 8/25, should be the only trip this summer before she goes back to college for senior year...

Mark,  thanks.   Yes it's great that she and I get to spend some time doing scenery together....  It's hard to compete with "video, computer and smart phone screens", in this age,  but I am thankful for the time we spend together.   Between the 2 of us we are learning how to use an inexpensive airbrush I bought on Amazon...  that's been something I been wanting to do for a long time...  

The arm is progressing, I can use it for really light duty tasks where my elbow is close to my hip, like "washing dishes!"...  and doing minor scenery stuff.   Still have another week of stretching only regimens, before we start doing any isometric strengthening....  So at least it's not a "dead" limb in a sling....   The therapist printed out the surgeons rehab protocol... it's humbling when you see a schedule for what exercises I will be doing out around week 12 to 18, and  18 to 26.... I am in week 5....   

We are planning to drive out to Scranton to visit Steamtown and take the excursion trip on Saturday 8/25, should be the only trip this summer before she goes back to college for senior year...

John, great suggestion but for now I have a Over The Top Creeper that gets me to almost every spot on what is up so far. What is in the video is less than have the bench work. I still need to finish some drywall and install the remaining ceiling. After all the bench work is up I will then look at where I may need access holes. Thanks everyone for all the likes and nice comments.   

chris a posted:
 My daughter and I spent some time just trying to wrap this up and hide the tunnel entrance with some sage and super tree kits....   

 

What a gift to your daughter, to share this enthusiasm with her father and to see on display his character, and talent. They will become part of her. Chris, long after we are gone, she will hold these memories in her heart.

Been working for off & on 3-4 weeks on 2 Ameri-Town shacks.  

One is inspired by briansilvermustang.  So he now has a place on the layout.

The second is not inspired by anyone that I know. AND as a disclaimer, I apologize in advance if the name of the establishment is also the name of a wife, girlfriend, significant other, etc.  The name was on a sheet in the box.  She's on the front porch talking to one of her best customers, while a couple of her girls are taking a break.

PS Both shacks need to find a more permanent place on the layout, but where they are is good enough for now.IMG_1539IMG_1540IMG_1542IMG_1543

Attachments

Images (4)
  • IMG_1539
  • IMG_1540
  • IMG_1542
  • IMG_1543
Last edited by decoynh
briansilvermustang posted:

 

               very cool Matt       trains and a ice cold one,  aahhhh

  will be having a few tonight for my birthday tomorrow, " getting a head start"...

 

                                                       

Best of B'days Brian!  Is that a Lensbaby shot that twists the track and flatcar?  I recently upgraded to a Sony a6000 mirrorless digital camera.  

One thing for sure, my Brian's shack couldn't hold all your trains. LOL.  

Today I did a couple of small things on the layout. I was looking at the silo area and decided to take one of the flats I got from Angiestrackside flats and cut off a piece to go at the side of the silos. At least now it is not all sky backdrop now. I started doing another Downtown Deco kit. Got the three walls glued in and will glue the back when they are dry. Yesterday I ordered more terminal blocks. I finally figured out where I will put the Z4000, Legacy base and DCS TIU and get it off the table to where I had it jury rigged. Once the parts come in the project will be that. Tomorrow I am heading to the Pittsburg area, Mark's stomping grounds,  to drop off passenger cars for painting. That is a project I had on the back burner for years. I just never got around to getting it done. So now it will become reality and my first fantasy paint scheme. A couple of pics.............Paul

DSCN2249DSCN2251DSCN2252DSCN2253DSCN2254

Attachments

Images (5)
  • DSCN2249
  • DSCN2251
  • DSCN2252
  • DSCN2253
  • DSCN2254

Brian, When I think I have seen it all from you, You pull more out of your hat of tricks~! Just incase I forget by tomorrow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

JGTRH62, John nice job on the decking! Also what a nice looking engine!

DECOYHN< Matt nice work on the buildings! If it were me I would put them right next to each other! That way its not a long walk from the tavern to the fun house! LOL

Paul Nice little addition to the silo's! Really dresses up the corner! Have fun with the new building also, WOW your going to get more clean table! LOL

As for me I was up at 3:30 this morning working on the bench work legs, cant make a lot of noise but can plan a lot out! I got all the legs in place for now, I will have to add some for the oil field area but the comes later! Here are a few pictures, I would be further along, but my Lumber package has not come in yet. They say maybe by 4 today!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!013014015

Attachments

Images (3)
  • 013
  • 014
  • 015

Mike G:    Looking really good,  I think you'll be really happy you didn't put down legs on the carpet....    BTW,  that is quite a Truss Bridge and lift assembly,  looks like it's really well designed and built....

Brian -  Happy Birthday !   

Paul,  good thinking filling in the corner with a backdrop building, definitely looks better and blends in.  

I received my flexible Pennsy Stone Block walls and seam sealers so I am working on mounting them on the fascia in front of the large MTH station on the wide radius curve.   I have 3 of them so I'll cover about 45 inches of the curve, down 7 inches from the lower track level...

I had built a small switch control panel and mounted it on a "drawer assembly" that slides under the station, with the intention of making the face of the drawer the Pennsy Stone Block walls.   Hate to keep taking photos of this area and have no scenery below track grade....   

chris a posted:

Mark,  thanks.   Yes it's great that she and I get to spend some time doing scenery together....  It's hard to compete with "video, computer and smart phone screens", in this age,  but I am thankful for the time we spend together.   Between the 2 of us we are learning how to use an inexpensive airbrush I bought on Amazon...  that's been something I been wanting to do for a long time...  

The arm is progressing, I can use it for really light duty tasks where my elbow is close to my hip, like "washing dishes!"...  and doing minor scenery stuff.   Still have another week of stretching only regimens, before we start doing any isometric strengthening....  So at least it's not a "dead" limb in a sling....   The therapist printed out the surgeons rehab protocol... it's humbling when you see a schedule for what exercises I will be doing out around week 12 to 18, and  18 to 26.... I am in week 5....   

We are planning to drive out to Scranton to visit Steamtown and take the excursion trip on Saturday 8/25, should be the only trip this summer before she goes back to college for senior year...

Chris, I’m glad your arm is progressing well.  It seems long, but before you know it...

Last year at college!  I remember those days for both daughters.  Your arm will be great when it’s time to applaud at commencement!!

jgtrh62 posted:

I’ve been working on this bridge deck along with landscaping the river valley below it. I will be getting to creating the river water soon, however I have never attempted a water scene before so I’ll let you know how that goes... or not.  I also finished installing DCC and a sound module in #800 and am really pleased how it turned out, I’ll post a short video of it on the DCC thread soon.

7C1957EE-F5DA-43D5-84AA-0807E00680D1

Bridge looks great, & the track looks real.

chris a posted:
 My daughter and I spent some time just trying to wrap this up and hide the tunnel entrance with some sage and super tree kits....   

 

What a gift to your daughter, to share this enthusiasm with her father and to see on display his character, and talent. They will become part of her. Chris, long after we are gone, she will hold these memories in her heart.

Pete F.

Pete,  I meant to thank you for your  comments above,  I don't tend to think about our spending time together working on layout scenery, and weathering train cars etc. , in terms of  creating memories that she will value far into the future.   Having said that, I sure hope your prediction comes true, and brings back fond memories for her, many years/decades from now...  thanks for your thoughts.     

Note, I am building this layout in large modules, which can be disassembled , moved and put back together...  I did this because I moved 5 times in 10 years, and figured I might have to relocate again.  In the back of my mind was that one of my 2 children might want part of it, or all of it...   They  will at least have the option to take it apart, move it and put it back together in a fraction of the time it's taking me to build it from scratch...    Heck one of the modules is a small "canyon" that my son and I built in 2003/4 in Maine, it's about 4 feet wide x 3 feet deep x 3 feet high....  It still looks great !  

Hi Mark, thanks for the kind words. But I will still be able to have some elevation cause the legs are just for the L girders to sit on. Then the 30" wide crossmembers on top of that, then the sheeting, which still leaves me room for height changes!

I would have got more done, but only half my lumber came in, but I guess that is a good thing cause I ran out of screws! I will be waiting there in the morning for them to open! LOL

Chris, you live the model railroaders dream life! Great layout that your working on, with your daughter and son being involved! Cant get much better then that!

Mike, isn't there an old saying the best laid plans. Don't feel bad I was in the same boat. I ran out of screws for the basement layout. Went to Menards to replenish. Got home only to discover I bought the wrong screws. Never look at the screws. They didn't have the phillips head top. So there I sat till I got back to the store to buy the right ones but I also bought a bit to use the others............Paul

Having finished and photoed the AMB elevator, and CCK water mill, l looked through the kit boxes for something that looked quick to build. I found a Thomas Yorke small store.  Instructions say this store is found all over the country, but l disagree. This is a Chinese influenced building like found in California gold country, such as in Columbia, or elsewhere on Hwy. 49. I have visited a lot of ghost towns, as far west as Montana and Arizona, but not Nevada, Oregon, or Wash. , and seen nothing similar.  It is an interesting building with those iron doors classic to Hwy. 49, and a different style roof.  I don't know if it is sacrilege to bash a Yorke building, but l modified and simplified the front facade, leaving the columns with Chinese characters. I previously bashed a Yorke elevator, so have sinned again.  I will make this structure "The Joss House Saloon".  It is going together nicely and is a quick build.

 

The site decided to post before I was done. This area is a great place to visit. All around

"Hangtown", Placerville as it known in civilized times. Sutters Mill, Columbia, Jamestown and 

the railroad museum there. There are ties to "Petticoat Junction" here. Further up north

in Nevada City is the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum. The drive from Placerville to

Lake Tahoe along the South Fork of the American River can be exciting to say the least. 

Best visited off season. 

Went on a field trip to get supplies for the layout.

My LHS • Stockyard Express • Annual Open House

1 Open House2 Open House 3 Open House4 Open House5 Open House

Wait there is more…. Things I brought back

6 Key Chain

Key chain

7 Rolling Stock

All the RailKing rolling stock was $3.00 off the orange tag. New York Central, Flat Car w/Operating Helicopter & I could not leave this car behind, Detroit & Mackinac 4-Bay Hopper Car w/Coal Load.

Gary

Attachments

Images (7)
  • 1 Open House
  • 2 Open House
  • 3 Open House
  • 4 Open House
  • 5 Open House
  • 6 Key Chain
  • 7 Rolling Stock

Ordered supplies and worked on finishing five more packs of 24 Preiser people. (120 people)  The people are partially done.  I will inspect, touch-up and finish the people before I place them in the cars.  

Bought Trainworx Elevated track system and some of the vertical pillars.  I have been stalled on completing my upper level of the "Valley of Bridges" layout.  I hope the system will assist in completing the reverse loop and Rotary Dump siding by-pass.

Two-pack of Amtrak 21" passenger cars arrived from Nicholas Smith Trains: 10-6 Sleeper and combine/lounge.  I will do the 10-6 first.  Woodland Scenics Freight and Bicycle Buddies Bikes for the Combine/Lounge are on the way.

It is time to inspect and then paint the 10-6 interior.  Picked up more 3/16" E-clips at Home Depot to hold the trucks on the cars.  I have had five silver E-clips fail, dropping the trucks off five of the 50 cars I have detailed since February 26, 2018.  (Note: I never attempt to remove the E-clips under the sound system of the dining cars.  I do not want to damage the sound system.)

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Attachments

Images (3)
  • DSCN6054
  • DSCN6055
  • DSCN6059

I continued cleaning-up my train room and lounge area after the flood of last Friday, 8/12. I was determined to get stuff off the layout and the three large folding tables I had temporarly set up. My goal was to run a train or two tonight, and I achieved that goal. Everything crowding the top of the layout and two of those three tables is now safely packed away in sturdy plastic containers, with one table of stuff left to do tomorrow. There will be NO paper boxes, cloth items, or other items subject to water damage within 10" of the floor, including under the layout. The exception will be the layout skirt once it is ready and installed. I will post a before-and-after photos tomorrow.

Because we were able to act quickly, and with the help of several friends, no trains were damaged or lost in the flooding. Three duhumidifiers and three high-velocity box fans are still running to get the place thoroughly dry, and the entire basement has been treated with Hi-Con-128 and (earlier on) with a bleach solution. Humidity level is now at a consistent 38-40% throughout the entire basement. Dehumidifiers and fans will be left running on "high" for a full two weeks.

All this while trying to deal with several kidney stones, but all the work/activity sure does help to keep my mind off that little nuisance.

Last edited by Allan Miller

  I missed any the flood news.  It sounds like you've already well into turning it to a minor setback.  Any major losses down low, or were you somewhat prepared?

Allan Miller posted:

I continued cleaning-up my train room and lounge area after the flood of last Friday, 8/12. I was determined to get stuff off the layout and the three large folding tables I had temporarly set up. My goal was to run a train or two tonight, and I achieved that goal. Everything crowding the top of the layout and two of those three tables is now safely packed away in sturdy plastic containers, with one table of stuff left to do tomorrow. There will be NO paper boxes, cloth items, or other items subject to water damage within 10" of the floor, including under the layout. The exception will be the layout skirt once it is ready and installed. I will post a before-and-after photos tomorrow.

Because we were able to act quickly, and with the help of several friends, no trains were damaged or lost in the flooding. Three duhumidifiers and three high-velocity box fans are still running to get the place thoroughly dry, and the entire basement has been treated with Decon-128 and (earlier on) with a bleach solution. Humidity level is now at a consistent 38-40% throughout the entire basement. Dehumidifiers and fans will be left running on "high" for a full two weeks.

All this while trying to deal with several kidney stones, but all the work/activity sure does help to keep my mind off that little nuisance.

Allan Miller posted:

I continued cleaning-up my train room and lounge area after the flood of last Friday, 8/12. I was determined to get stuff off the layout and the three large folding tables I had temporarly set up. My goal was to run a train or two tonight, and I achieved that goal. Everything crowding the top of the layout and two of those three tables is now safely packed away in sturdy plastic containers, with one table of stuff left to do tomorrow. There will be NO paper boxes, cloth items, or other items subject to water damage within 10" of the floor, including under the layout. The exception will be the layout skirt once it is ready and installed. I will post a before-and-after photos tomorrow.

Because we were able to act quickly, and with the help of several friends, no trains were damaged or lost in the flooding. Three duhumidifiers and three high-velocity box fans are still running to get the place thoroughly dry, and the entire basement has been treated with Decon-128 and (earlier on) with a bleach solution. Humidity level is now at a consistent 38-40% throughout the entire basement. Dehumidifiers and fans will be left running on "high" for a full two weeks.

All this while trying to deal with several kidney stones, but all the work/activity sure does help to keep my mind off that little nuisance.

Allan, so sorry to hear of your flood. I too had a flood in my basement train room on February 9th. Fortunatley I also had friends and family get everything off the floor so the was no damage to the trains. Had carpeting down there and all of it had to be removed. Did exactly as you..... treated the floor with a chemical (twice) and had dehumidifiers and fans going for a 2 weeks. In the end I put all cardboard boxes that were under the layout up into a spare bedroom and I will NEVER put anything under the layout again. Even my layout skirt is 8" off the floor.

Very happy to hear that you have everything now under control because ....we know the hassle. I've included a few attachments of my new basement train cave. Best of luck to you!CVRR 349CVRR 34820180811_21375520180811_21382220180811_214007

Attachments

Images (5)
  • CVRR 349
  • CVRR 348
  • 20180811_213755
  • 20180811_213822
  • 20180811_214007

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×