What did you do on your layout today?

John,

I applaud you for caring for your Mum.  Today is a beautiful day here in Butler, so I am sure it is also in the Cleveland area!!  I am taking a break from paper and computer work for my 94-year old aunt, who is now in a nursing home.  My Mum and Dad are both 89, and confined in a personal care home, but contented.  Mum can no longer get in and out of my car, so I only go visit but can't take her on outings!  Dad could get out, but refuses to leave her alone.  It is the least we can do for those who did so much for us!!

Mark Boyce posted:

geysergazer posted:

Guitarmike posted:

geysergazer posted:

Today the Postman dropped off a box and I unpacked it. This beauty was inside:

        

After changing out the couplers to the hidden-tab type (I have standardized on them because the remote-uncouplers&car-stoppers are spaced accordingly) the new car went into the interchange yard (fiddle yard).

This pic is for Mark:

      

"built by Pullman Standard Butler, Pa" 

I like the level of detailing on these MTH PS-2CD cars, nice paintwork&lettering but not too delicate for old arthritic hands to handle without [too much] damage. 

This car fits into my developing scheme of having a car on the PER for each road I have ridden. Still need Reading, Western Pacific, Mopac and Amtrak. Some small lines like the Apache railroad (White Mountains of Aridzona), the East Broad Top, the Penn View Mountain Railroad (Blairsville, Pa) and the Oil Creek & Titusville prolly not gonna' happen.

That looks like it says “Putler” not Butler.....😜

Ha! You are so right:

        

It's a typogorical.  Oooooes! I wonder if that makes this car a rare collectible like those PW Lionel "production mistakes"?  Mebbe worth $$....A VL BB in my future?? 

 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$whe$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

When you sell it for a million, zillion, don’t forget my finders fee!

Today the Postal person dropped of my LOTS Convention car from last year. I like the color and graphics. I managed to take a small wall down in the back of the basement. That made it easier to walk through the back. I am still working on cleaning off the table. Guess I have to push a bit harder to get it done since I am having a few guys over on Sturday from the NE group. I am sort of surprised Bryan has not been woprking on me like I worked on him. Anyways here is a pic of the car.................Paul 2

LeapinLarry : thanks for the invitation to TN, wife and I travel from Tx to Ga 2x per year so might just make a side trip to Tn would love to see that great layout in real life!  My layout work today was again related to train room.  I thought I had all the periodicals and catalogs under control but this morning the COO reminded me that I had a few stacks in places other than the train room !   So I finally did finish up that work today...

As an aside, early this cold morning, my commuters and the traveling salesmen were braving the weather to head to the platform to catch the "small town" to "big city" local.  Yup - just another Monday!

Don MCERLEAN, You are always welcome to visit us here in Clarksville, Tennessee, 3 miles from Ft. Campbell, 101st Airborne, on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. I apologize for not getting my pictures ready of my book/catalog inventory, my wife had other chores for me to do, and of course, the NFL Football playoffs. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow, today being doctor visit day. Your train room is very nice, and your layout is really interesting.  If you do come visit, bring an engine of your choice, and you can run a train on my layout, I have 4 complete circuits that will allow us to intermingle trains via 2 different helixes going to all 4 levels of my layout. Last Friday, Owen Fox came over from Nashville and we ran his new NC&ST St.L Legacy Mountain Steamer. Lionel put a super smoke unit in this engine. Happy Railroading 

Spent some time fitting ,cutting and glueing some Styrofoam support sections for the coming scenery. Will apply the plaster cloth  over the styrofoamto create the terraion base later this week as wirk with the support structures progresses. Also my Mrs may be interested in doing some backdrop painting so could ne even some more progress with a artner in crime here. 

RSJB18 posted:

Before putting my Polar Express set away for another year I had to fix two issues with the observation car.

1- the lights kept flickering so I had two options, buy GRJ's passenger car cap kits, or go low tech and clean and tighten the wipers on the axles. Went with option 2 for now.
2- glue the &%$### observation deck on the back of the car so it doesn't keep falling off

Then I removed a trespasser from the layout

Happy Monday

I can relate.

That's good Randy. She usually never goes up on my layout but my son had the window open on the other end of the layout and she thought that there was a shortcut through the rail yard to get there.

Bob, Can't blame a cat for trying!!  

Looks good, Brian!!

The Monster That Ate The Great Northeastern Railway

Don MCERLEAN, this evening I will show you a few pictures of my back room. Where I have stored many of the original boxes, cartons, that go to my trains on the layout or are on display. Also, these boxes of the brochures and magazines of yesteryear, which needs to go to a new home some day. It is organized and labeled and I’m sure some of the newcomers to our Hobby might enjoy. This all began in 1994, and I also have a Lionel, MTH, K-Line, Atlas O, Catalog collection, it’s an Addiction. I hope everyone’s having a good week thus far. Happy Railroading.

What’d I do on the layout other than pack the books, I looked for all of  the Controls and directions to the MTH Passenger stations, and Baggage station. I’ve had them for many years, and all the necessary parts/directions have been found. Also, I took a few pictures showing my 60 amp electrical box that is designated to the layout. Also, some of the pictures and pins used on my girder looking bridgework for the passenger area. It’s all part of the Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines fun. It’s a 3 rail ball of enjoyment. Happy Railroading. Also, RJ Corman sent me a new 2020 Calendar, it’s pictured going through Nashville, Tennessee, 60 miles from my home. Unbelievable.

Slow Motion - Am I moving?

Tuesday I started the Lionel 21" Santa Fe Coach #3139 from the 1927020 2-pack, the 5th car on which I have worked.  With great enthusiasm I started painting only to discover that this car was going to take an extra coat of paint on the seats.  The mold releasing oil made the first coat on the seats look thin and transparent.  The second coat was still allowing too much bleed through.  By the third coat, I had what I would normally get in two.  After the fourth coat of tan, the seats looked much better, but still need some touch up for light spots.

The bathroom fixtures which were not part of the floor mold acted normally, requiring three coats of Testor's Flat Acryl White.

It's now 9:00 P.M. and this is all I have to show for a days work.  It is a nicely done car, but it took forever.  There is another coach in the 1927010 4-pack so I will start painting it tonight.  I want to place the people while viewing both cars to make sure I don't put the figures in the same spot, and that I have switched them to the opposite side of the car if possible.

Note: I started the coach from the 1927010 4-pack.  The left two seats in the last photo show the bleed through with one coat of tan paint. The other seats on the right have two coats. It will take three plus touch up on this coach car #3136.

Have a good night.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

LEAPINLARRY : Great job on organizing the boxes etc...that is next for me after I play with the trains awhile!  Right now they are mostly under the layout - yes this makes it hard to troubleshoot, maintain, and fix wiring.   Your place looks great, just don't spend too much time looking at that "Playboy" mag however, yet at only 1$ a copy it must be an old one

My day turned out  to be disappointing.  I just got my first "Lion Chief" engine, a Jersey Central diesel.  I unpacked it from "Train World" and put it on the tracks.  Sound, lights all good but it made 3/4 of a loop around the layout and stopped, never to move again.  The entire gear drive on the motor truck stripped (with a load of only 4 of the "little" streamlined passenger cars on it).  The main gear from the motor no  longer meshes with the center gear that drives both of the truck wheels.  It appears that the entire gear set has just come off the drive,   Wow , what a disappointment.  I have engines nearly 100 years old that are still giving good service and this thing dies after 3 minutes and about 15 ft.  I  admit I was looking forward to trying some "command" control - now I am not sure its a good idea. Well we will see if that "warranty" means anything.

Don

Got 2 more wall sections done today, 5 hours each on the printer but came out good, only a dozen more to go.

shhhh.    Don't say it out load and jinx me.  All twelve #O22 switches are working correctly.  I finally replaced all '50s rubber coated wire on the controllers.   It's amazing when the electrons go only where you want them.   The second level is in place again.  My Lionel radio station is wired.  I hope to install a 9VDC @ 2.5 AMP wall wart to run all LEDs tomorrow.  More attractive uprights also made the "to do" list. 

Once again, so few words, so much work.

Bill, I’m glad you got all the switch’s working!  So all the ‘50s insulation was worn out!  Hmm... similar to the ‘50s parts in me that the orthopedic surgeon replaced that were worn out!!!  LOL

I did find another Western Railcraft Colorado Midland gondola kit, and have started it...with four CM cars, l really need to scratchbuild one of the CM side door cabooses...and then, one of the brass builders once offered a large (G scale?) CM loco, l think a 10 wheeler,...l need an O three rail one of those...that will be a challenge.

          happy Humpday everyone !!

"WHY?" you may ask, "did I spend a pleasant hour and a half assembling this bizarre-looking submarine from a Lego knock-off company?"

The same company puts out a $15 aircraft carrier, so I bought the $5 sub to see what kind of quality they have. Besides, I wanted the sub for my "Knights of Atlantis" lay-out.

Like most Lego knock-offs, there were problems with pieces not snapping together, even when properly aligned. (NEVER mix Legos with off-brands). There was one major mistake in the directions. But it turned out well, so I'll get the aircraft carrier.

My wife wanted to know if it would settle underwater. So I put it in the sink, where it fell on its side and stayed afloat.

          It looks pretty weird from a distance, but when you get close up----it still looks pretty weird.

This talk of Legos on this forum is interesting to me...my son (9 years old) has two big hobbies...O gauge model trains with me and an extensive Lego collection (including the trains) with his mom...I'll have to show him some of these posts...don't think he's considered melding the two.

Double Vision - Two Santa Fe Coaches painted and ready for Preiser 65602 Seated People.

I finished painting the interior seats and restrooms on my 5th and 6th Lionel 21" Santa Fe Coaches #3139 an #3136.  I will start adding seated people to the cars in an attempt to keep the arrangement different from each other.  (I have two similar cars in Broadway Limited with the same figure in the same seat position that drives me nuts. That correction is on my to-do list.)

Here are a few pictures of the last two days painting with four coats of paint on the seats.  Note: It is the people that make the pictures interesting.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I replaced a modern era Lionel 5132 O gauge switch on my layout this morning with a more robust 022 post-war Lionel switch. I know a lot of people complained about the later era 5132 switches but I got 26 years service out of the one I just replaced so I can’t complain.  However, it never fails but when one of these goes they are always situated in the most difficult places to get to.  In my case, smack dab in the middle of my 8x20 layout’s rail yard and flanked by two other switches on either side.  I had one other go about five years ago in the same area.  Oh my aching back.

OKHiker, that is one very realistic-looking lay-out.

Vincent Massi posted:

OKHiker, that is one very realistic-looking lay-out.

 

Vincent,  thanks for the compliment.  I had a great time constructing it over the years and I guess it doesn't look too bad but when I compare it to some of the modeling wonders some of the absolute geniuses on this forum have put together it pales in comparison. 

Finished, at least for now, with Starkweather Ave......

OKHIKER, cool layout, really interesting way you have mixed standard guage accessories, plasticville buildings, ceramic houses, and many other nice additions creating a fun train world. And yes, changing out the turnout would be a little bit difficult, thanks for posting. Please post more views. GANDYDANCER , Starkweather avenue looks like a busy street, fun to walk along, possibly just standing on the corners would be great entertainment, especially looking at the vintage automobiles. Wow. Great weathered scenes, looks awesome. SIDEHACK, I like your building project and the pictures of your really nice layout. Keep the pictures coming, their very interesting. BRIANSILVERMUSTANG, Wow, I like your engines, post some pictures of your layout. Mike G., I’m working on wiring accessories and it doesn’t show much layout progress, but, it’s working on the railroad. Hopefully your finding a little railroad time these days. It’s hump day, everyone have a great rest of the week. Happy Railroading 

Tell me if you've heard this one.

   I took down my second level!   Third time in two weeks.  The original was cut to fit O27 track.  It did not fit when I switched to O gauge.  Too many band-aids.  I removed the old level for the last time today.  I found a nice piece of paneling buried in my garage, 36 x 54.   It is stiffer, bigger, and a positive evolution.   The wood is down.  Track is down but not fastened.  Thunderstorms are close now.  Just right for a metal roof and a waterbed.

Bill

The 5th car, Lionel 21" Santa Fe Coach #3136 is completed.  I have the 6th car, Coach #3139 ready to add figures.  I will attempt to change the appearance of passenger groups and switch figures to the opposite side of the second coach when possible.  Creating a new look is always a challenge with a limited number of posed figures.

After working on so many 21" passenger cars, the interiors begin to look the same.  They are not the same, but it creates a challenge to avoid repeated patterns of passenger placement.

Have a good evening.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Bill, I’ve been caught patching stuff together until it doesn’t work anymore.  Looks like you have a good base to work on now

John you are right, the nice painted seats sue look better with passengers 

leapinlarry posted:

OKHIKER, cool layout, really interesting way you have mixed standard guage accessories, plasticville buildings, ceramic houses, and many other nice additions creating a fun train world. And yes, changing out the turnout would be a little bit difficult, thanks for posting. Please post more views. GANDYDANCER , Starkweather avenue looks like a busy street, fun to walk along, possibly just standing on the corners would be great entertainment, especially looking at the vintage automobiles. Wow. Great weathered scenes, looks awesome. SIDEHACK, I like your building project and the pictures of your really nice layout. Keep the pictures coming, their very interesting. BRIANSILVERMUSTANG, Wow, I like your engines, post some pictures of your layout. Mike G., I’m working on wiring accessories and it doesn’t show much layout progress, but, it’s working on the railroad. Hopefully your finding a little railroad time these days. It’s hump day, everyone have a great rest of the week. Happy Railroading 

Thank you LeapinLarry!

gandydancer1950 posted:

Finished, at least for now, with Starkweather Ave......

Always enjoy the Starkweather Avenue street scene. 

Please share with me the process you used for your roadway and streets.  Are they the Woodland Scenic road materials and road colors by chance.

Thanks

Seth Thomas posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Finished, at least for now, with Starkweather Ave......

Always enjoy the Starkweather Avenue street scene. 

Please share with me the process you used for your roadway and streets.  Are they the Woodland Scenic road materials and road colors by chance.

Thanks

The road was made with joint compound and colored with Woodland Scenics Stone grey which was then lightened with chalks till I thought it looked correct ......then added black chalk for tire and oil spills

I posted some pictures of my work in process layout, the C 2C layout, inthe  track plans and layout design forum..

John Rowlen, the seated passengers look great, as usual.

Question: do you put little people in the bathrooms?  I don't recall seeing any posed there.

Howard, the street scene looks great!

Carl,  I have put little people in the bathrooms, but mostly in the 180 Walthers HO passenger cars I detailed until my vision led me back to O-gauge.  There may be a few in my early Atlas O California Zephyr Rio Grande and Western Pacific 10-car sets.  The bathrooms in the Lionel 21" passenger cars don't have doors, so I just stopped placing figures on the toilet.  My Mom asked the same  question about people on the toilets.  She must be recalling seeing me place them on the Cal Zephyr sleepers with the stateroom bathrooms attached.

Gandy Dancer1950 and Leapinlarry,   I enjoy seeing the excellent details on your layouts.  Thank you for the pictures.

I am placing figures in the second Santa Fe coach #3139 today.  Hopefully there will pictures later tonight.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Hard to believe I am still trying to clean up the layout after all this time. Yesterday and today I got a couple of packages that I had ordered from Scenic Express and Nicholis Smith trains. Earth tone pigment and figures for my modular scene and an unloading dock on one of my buildings in the basement. And a black sound tank car to go with the two three pack sets of black tanks cars I ordered. I decided to add these cars to my BNSF oil tank car set. This will give me a total of 14 tank cars which I think will make for a better tank train. Pics.............Paul 2

All nice items you got, Paul!  It does take a while to clean up and put away everything after such big projects you have been working on.

Last night I drove the "golden spike" in my layout.  I started the benchwork over 5 years ago.  It felt really good to be able to run a train around the whole thing instead of just the outside loop.

There is still much to do, got to wire up all the turnout motors and place the buildings I have.  Then make a road and get more buildings and trees and such.

It's amazing even with such a small and simple layout how much delay there is when life gets in the way.

Gandydancer... Starkweather St is just great

I've been working on my hotel project, still 3D printing walls, designing a basement which will show through the elevated line stonework and designing the stonework which will also be 3D printed.

Sinclair, I certainly know how life can get in the way of a hobby, but admit the hobby has to take a back seat to our obligations.  Congratulations on the Golden Spike, and I hope you get more layout time in the near future!

Ray, the building is going to look great!  You may have seen me comment on other Forum topics that delve into 3D printing.  I think it is great!

Thanks Mark, yes I have been following you as your knowledge is vast. I'm still learning the 3D part and see endless possibilites.

SINCLAIR, now the real problems will come into play. You'll spend more time having fun running trains than working on scenery and such. Keep a record of how many times you attempt to work on the layout but only ran trains and got nothing accomplished other than total relaxation. I've been retired five years and still no trees have been planted on my layout. Have fun.

I figure out my DCS WiFi issues. I’m a happy man.

Rod, Exactly what happened to me after "driving the golden spike".  I did very little for over a year except run trains.

sidehack posted:

Thanks Mark, yes I have been following you as your knowledge is vast. I'm still learning the 3D part and see endless possibilities.

Ray, Thank you very much!  I think I have more knowledge than skill, and maybe more encouragement than either.  I do truly appreciated the reply!

The fifth and sixth Lionel Santa Fe 21" passenger cars of nine total are finished.  I glued the last figure and took some pictures of the two Santa Fe Coach cars side by side,  The Coach #3136 is in the rear. Coach #3139 is in the foreground.  I had to run to the store for more Krazy Glue to finish the 6th car.

I will work on the Observation next, leaving another 10-6 Sleeper and the baggage car to finish.

(After viewing Coach #3136 on the layout, I added two more figures to the rear of Coach #3139.  The people are pictured in the last picture.)

Have a good evening.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Rod...I guess I'm lucky that my work area is on the first floor and the trains on the 2nd, maybe it's good for getting things done but not so much fun. 

Been planning and working on the new signal system for the entire main line.   Decided on 11 blocks (around 25 feet each in length)....  STAN2004 had provided me a great schematic to control the B & O Color Position Light signals I purchased from another OGR member.... 

Using 3PDT relays the system will "look ahead" 2 blocks and control the G/Y/R lights accordingly....  So I decided that I really need to do bunch of research to understand how the prototype B & O CPL signal system worked and what all the different light aspects (with the additional white marker lights) were communicating.   As I was reading through two really great pieces on the web, I found out that the prototype system was specifically designed to look at block occupancy 2 blocks ahead, so that was a pretty cool discovery.

Anyway, it's taken alot of time to lay out and identify all the signals on the track plan, for both eastbound and westbound protection, label all the blocks so that when I start wiring the 24 relays, I don't get "lost"....   

Also, made a major improvement to the base of the Brass NJ International "bracketed signals with 2 heads"  epoxied in a brass tube with heat shrink liner to protect  the wiring and make it possible to mount the signal in a 25/32 diameter hole drilled through the table top.   

Got to stop and eat, but at least I got the relay panel laid out, everything screwed down and the first 3 relays are 90% wired....

Chris, Very impressive project.  It sounds like you have done your homework, and those are really nice signal towers!  I’ll look forward to seeing how the project progresses.

chris a posted:

Been planning and working on the new signal system for the entire main line.   Decided on 11 blocks (around 25 feet each in length)....  STAN2004 had provided me a great schematic to control the B & O Color Position Light signals I purchased from another OGR member.... 

Using 3PDT relays the system will "look ahead" 2 blocks and control the G/Y/R lights accordingly....  So I decided that I really need to do bunch of research to understand how the prototype B & O CPL signal system worked and what all the different light aspects (with the additional white marker lights) were communicating.   As I was reading through two really great pieces on the web, I found out that the prototype system was specifically designed to look at block occupancy 2 blocks ahead, so that was a pretty cool discovery.

Anyway, it's taken alot of time to lay out and identify all the signals on the track plan, for both eastbound and westbound protection, label all the blocks so that when I start wiring the 24 relays, I don't get "lost"....   

Also, made a major improvement to the base of the Brass NJ International "bracketed signals with 2 heads"  epoxied in a brass tube with heat shrink liner to protect  the wiring and make it possible to mount the signal in a 25/32 diameter hole drilled through the table top.   

Got to stop and eat, but at least I got the relay panel laid out, everything screwed down and the first 3 relays are 90% wired....

Chris, I learned a lot just by looking at your photos.

Mark and Vincent,  thanks.   When these came up for sale at a price I could afford, I couldn't resist.  The level of detail is over the top, all hand fabricated brass.....    So I jumped, and just about bought everyone he had for sale figuring they were long out of production and no longer available....

There aren't many of these left standing and still operating, most have been replaced after 2000 by CSX.   Took quite a while to understand what all white marker lights are for.   In short, they are "approach speed" indications for the block the engineer is entering, as well as what speed he/she needs to be going approaching the next signal...  

Anyway, after I found the 2nd resource, it was much easier to comprehend, and plan with.   

There are a more than a few signal  wires running between relays, so I finally broke down and realized I needed to put all the relays on one panel, then run multi-wire cable out to the actual signal locations.  

I will keep posting as I make some progress. 

Finally getting around to ballasting more track

Chris, Thank you for the additional information!

W&W, The ballasted track looks great!  It reminds me of the old double track B&O mainline we used to walk as kids.  It was always well maintained!

I have been pondering taking down the ceramic buildings and snow blanket over the layout I started building last year.  Today I took down the "train tree" as my wife calls the little Christmas tree she bought for the train room a couple years ago.  All the train related ornaments she has bought go on it.  Maybe I'll get the layout back to normal this weekend, since my replaced knee isn't up to the trip over the state line to join the Northeast Ohio guys at Paul 2's house Saturday.

John Rowlen posted:

The 5th car, Lionel 21" Santa Fe Coach #3136 is completed.  I have the 6th car, Coach #3139 ready to add figures.  I will attempt to change the appearance of passenger groups and switch figures to the opposite side of the second coach when possible.  Creating a new look is always a challenge with a limited number of posed figures.

After working on so many 21" passenger cars, the interiors begin to look the same.  They are not the same, but it creates a challenge to avoid repeated patterns of passenger placement.

Have a good evening.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

They looked awesome John!

chris a posted:

Been planning and working on the new signal system for the entire main line.   Decided on 11 blocks (around 25 feet each in length)....  STAN2004 had provided me a great schematic to control the B & O Color Position Light signals I purchased from another OGR member.... 

Using 3PDT relays the system will "look ahead" 2 blocks and control the G/Y/R lights accordingly....  So I decided that I really need to do bunch of research to understand how the prototype B & O CPL signal system worked and what all the different light aspects (with the additional white marker lights) were communicating.   As I was reading through two really great pieces on the web, I found out that the prototype system was specifically designed to look at block occupancy 2 blocks ahead, so that was a pretty cool discovery.

Anyway, it's taken alot of time to lay out and identify all the signals on the track plan, for both eastbound and westbound protection, label all the blocks so that when I start wiring the 24 relays, I don't get "lost"....   

Also, made a major improvement to the base of the Brass NJ International "bracketed signals with 2 heads"  epoxied in a brass tube with heat shrink liner to protect  the wiring and make it possible to mount the signal in a 25/32 diameter hole drilled through the table top.   

Got to stop and eat, but at least I got the relay panel laid out, everything screwed down and the first 3 relays are 90% wired....

I am very interested in what you are doing here. What is it that you read?

Balidas:  

1st resource:        https://www.railroadsignals.us/signals/cpl/index.htm

2nd resource:   

https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.ne...ual.pdf?t=1495202492

Chris A, Wow, I just took a few minutes to check out the latest on this topic and was amazed at the pictures of your new signals. This is great and will be an interesting journey to see how this enhances your train layout and Operation of your model railroad. This will take a lot of concentration, and are you using insulated rail to activate the signals? I am getting ready to hook up my Atlas O signal system, and also with Custom Signals. It requires lots of thinking. Your signals look very nice. Keep us informed and good luck. Fantastic. 

Chris A,  You signals look fantastic.  I am using Atlas O signals with good results.  Your signal bridgework looks amazing.  Good luck with your installation.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Thanks John and Larry...   Yes Larry I haven't thought about something in this detail for some time....  Went through several copies of the track plan trying to come up with a number ID system for eastbound and westbound signal heads, plus ID labels for the insulated blocks, that I could transfer to the relay board and the signal locations so I don't end  up in the "corn maze" !!

Didn't think it was going to be that complicated, until I started drawing it out and trying to label it for both directions.  Good thing I was working in pencil, because I was using the eraser pretty frequently!!!   Ended up making all the eastbound signals odd numbers, even numbers for the westbound, and then I used letters for track blocks so I could make sure the right insulated block was wired to the correct relays.... signal protection in both directions means that the same insulated rail section has to communicate with signal control relays for both the east and west directions.... I can't wait to run a bench test after I get the eastbound direction done to see if I did it right the first time.    Once everything tests out ok, I plan to pull up the masking tape labels and print labels for the wires, relay ID's and terminal strip ID markers and tape them down with HD clear packing tape...

John Rowlen, trust me I had a few days this week when I had the same frustrations you were sharing above...."Is that all I got done today ? "     These were the original NJ International brass signals,  I have had to resolder a few joints, but with the new temperature controlled soldering station I purchased making small brass repairs was actually not too bad.   

Got a long way to go, but at least I've gotten off to a pretty decent start this week.  

WOW, took me 2 pages to get up to speed on what everyone is doing! There sure is a lot of great work being done!

Howard, wonderful job on the street scene! Looks so real!

John, its nice to see you moving right along with your passenger cars! I can see how that could be a daunting task!

Brian, great photos as usual!

Chris, just reading what your doing makes my head spin! Your signals look amazing and I cant wait to see your future progress!

I haven't done anything in the train room for a couple of weeks now. Between working on the house and shoveling snow I haven't had much time for anything. The good news is the wife, kids, grandkids and I are going to the train show tomorrow. I need to see if I can find some gondolas for my future scrap yard with both my cranes are sitting.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and finds a lot of time for there trains and layouts!

mike g. posted:

 

The good news is the wife, kids, grandkids and I are going to the train show tomorrow. 

Glad to hear you're going there. I got my ticket already and plan on being there first thing, myself....

chris a posted:

Balidas:  

1st resource:        https://www.railroadsignals.us/signals/cpl/index.htm

2nd resource:   

https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.ne...ual.pdf?t=1495202492

 

 

 

I appreciate this, Thank you!

                                       have a great weekend everyone...

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

 

The good news is the wife, kids, grandkids and I are going to the train show tomorrow. 

Glad to hear you're going there. I got my ticket already and plan on being there first thing, myself....

Morning Lee, We have our tickets already also. We hope to be there around 10 or 11 as the wife has to work 2 hours in the morning. I hope to see you there!

Chris a, signals are going to look good when placed at the tracks. You are an electrical guru. 

Brian, as always great pics.

Yesterday I opened up the woodland scenics unloading crew and placed the forklift on one of my loadfing platforms. I like it so I think I am going to get a few more. Hoping today to clean the last of the table off. I started lining up the buildings at the back of the table. I see already I have to recut the PVC...I measured wrong ( what else is new for me LOL) plus I have to fill in more of the backdrop) . Waiting for the tank cars to come today but I found a box I can throw the rest of the stuff on the table in and stuff it under the table. Couple of Pics...............Paul 2

romiller49 posted:

SINCLAIR, now the real problems will come into play. You'll spend more time having fun running trains than working on scenery and such. Keep a record of how many times you attempt to work on the layout but only ran trains and got nothing accomplished other than total relaxation. I've been retired five years and still no trees have been planted on my layout. Have fun.

modeltrainsparts posted:

Rod, Exactly what happened to me after "driving the golden spike".  I did very little for over a year except run trains.

Okay, so I have to come clean.  It didn't take me long to get the bench work done, just a couple months.  Then it took me probably another couple to finalize the track plan.  I got the outside loop done and powered, and then all work came to a halt because I started running trains.  That lasted a few months and then life really got in the way.  It was about a year a go I decided to really finish it, so I ordered the rest of the track, and then got laid off.  So now I had time to work, but no money to buy the wire and LCS parts I needed.  Once I got a job it took me a while to rebuild my savings and so I then got to work.  I should really get the buildings I have on there, but last night I had to get the important stuff done.

There be trains on those tracks.

Hi Guys: Lots of work going on...Leapinlarry - I loved the NYC F-3 in front of the roundhouse, I love my 1952 NYC F-3 its my favorite engine, smooth, steady, and pulls anything I ask of it..  Odenville Bill - I am contemplating adding a second level to my layout so I appreciated the picture of your starting point, will be tracking any other photos you post.  Gandydancer 1950 - really liked the pictures of Starkweather Ave.

My activity has not been near as satisfactory.  My brand new CNJ RS-3 died right out of the box after traveling about 10 ft.  I had waited for this engine for many months so this was a real downer.  Well, after a phone call to Lionel I am pleased to say that they responded well and agreed it was covered by warranty and sent me shipping instructions and a shipping label to send it back. So...its on its way back to Lionel for repair (I hope). 

By the way, anyone in our area going to the big train show in Plano, Tx both Sat/ Sun?  I  will be there on Sat and would love to meet 1:1 anyone of you folks who are there.  Just look for a short, heavy, balding guy with the confused expression on his face

Don

Here are my NYC F-3's with the evening express in tow.

Don

The GNRW's mission statement:

Hauling nothing, nowhere, on time, everyday!

Also, excellent safety record: We've gone 14,600 days with no fatalities!

Opened up my Santa Fe 21" Observation and was greeted by the surprise that the center Bar Area was not in this car. (The holes in the floor are not there for the Bar pegs so this is an intentional omission.)

I posted two pictures of my second Chesapeake and Ohio Observation with the Bar factory installed.  Filling the area with the Bar makes a big difference.  I will have to see what I can create for this large middle space.

UPDATE:  I painted most of the Observation Lounge seats and tables. (There are no rooms in this Observation.)  It will need something to fill the middle void where the Bar has been on other Lionel Observations.  Perhaps I will build a Buffet Table and a smaller Bar/Service Area.  The last three pictures are from tonight's painting.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, that's a heck of a void.  Is that a factory error?  At least you won't need to turn crates into seats on this interior.

Have to pat myself on the back. I actually got the table cleared off so I can show it to the group tomorrow. I did the attic first so when they come I'll have four trains running. Now I will just have to remember where I put all the stuff so I can go back to working on it.  Pics...............Paul 2

Paul, Looking mighty good for the group coming tomorrow.  Please tell everyone I would have been there if my knee was replaced earlier in the fall!  Have a great time!!

Sinclair, We all have off and on periods that total up to a longer amount of time than we had hoped for.  Looking good!

          having a fun day train day... 

Weather today was not the greatest so I made the decision to cancel the group get together at my house today. I didn't want anyone driving in this bad weather. Hopefully I can reschedule it for next month. So today I think I'll run some trains for a while and then since I have the table cleaned off I'll get some work done on the basement layout. In the meantime I opened the two packages I got yesterday. Two three pack tank car sets. Have to say these are long tank cars........................Paul 2

Paul, I thought it would be cancelled.  Wise decision!  Hopefully I will be up to it if you are able to reschedule.  Running trains is an excellent idea.  The tank cars sound great!

I'm taking all the ceramic Christmas buildings off the layout.  I had to stop after standing and walking back and forth to the adjacent garage for an hour because my leg was hurting too much.  I'll give it another go later.

briansilvermustang posted:

 

          having a fun train day... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I already slapped a "LIKE" on this but I really do like the diversity.  It's a very eclectic display of pictures.  Steam & overhead electric is missing, but it is still different.  Who makes the nice looking Penn Central green coach?  It looks long.

Brian, I agree with Matt!  This is a very diverse group today.  Usually you definitely follow a theme!  Or is there a theme we are missing?

Eliminated two Lionel 153IR signal controllers and replaced them with two Lionel accessory activation tracks and two Azatrax double pole relays. Now I don’t get false green signals with dark colored engines and cars.😀

Brian, I agree with Matt!  This is a very diverse group today.  Usually you definitely follow a theme!  Or is there a theme we are missing?

Mark

       no theme today,  just messing around running different trains today...

I already slapped a "LIKE" on this but I really do like the diversity.  It's a very eclectic display of pictures.  Steam & overhead electric is missing, but it is still different.  Who makes the nice looking Penn Central green coach?  It looks long.

 Matt

               the Penn Central green coach is a new Lionel car,

                        to go in my Amtrak rainbow train,  all 21" cars I'm putting together...

          Steam & overhead electric is missing...

                                               have a great weekend !!

Very nice once again, Brian. I wish that I designed in 072 curves at both ends of my layout to handle 21” cars. I have the track. Hmmm 🤔 🧐!  Maybe it’s time to relocate the workbenches. Measuring is in my future. I’ve been told that 096 is what’s really needed for 21” cars, but 072  would improve the look of my 18” cars. 

Today I'm an EXTREMELY happy camper!  For the past two weeks I have been ignoring a mystery short in my LED lighting and Tortoise switch machine power circuit.   I’m 12 months shy from completing my 80th trip around the sun, so you can imagine how much enjoyment I get from crawling around under my layout!   Yet, I was determined to find that short today!

Luckily, I’m able to isolate the main part of the layout from the yard area with an easy disconnect.   After that, the switch machines and signal indicators came to life on the main part of the layout which indicated that the short was somewhere along the industrial yard and scrapyard.   To make a long story short, I found the short in one of the DPDT rocker switches which activate the switch machines.   You’re probably familiar with the 6 posts and wire arrangement used with this type of switch, they are small and crowded.   Somehow, one of the lead wires got bent and kissed a neighbor.   I have no idea how that happened as this circuit has been working fine for several years and I don’t play much under the table.     I guess gremlins do exist and, from time to time, like to visit train rooms and raise havoc.

I am sharing this simply because I have to tell someone that might appreciate the magnitude of this day as my wife does not totally understand the pure joy one gets from such a find!

Chris, you're giving me a bad case of signal envy!   Impressive project! 

John, you are quite the passenger agent!   Amtrak should hire you to fill their trains.   Wonderful detailing!   Are you keeping all these passenger cars for your layout or are you doing custom work for others?   Your work is very impressive!  

Paul, you have a very understanding wife to give you both the Attic and the basement (laundry room)!   Way to go!!

To all others, keep on posting.   Great way to share!

Double cheers, Dave

Meet the Bad Boy!

Finished with the design of the hotel basement, just need to finish printing the all walls and then on to finish the 3D design of the elevated arches. 

Dave, Congratulations!  We can appreciate the aggravation and joy in fixing it.

Ray, looks great 

Please don't accuse me of lying.

We had 19 kids on the church van and my van. The church van broke down at church. I was taking half the kids home in my van when the left front axle collapsed on a busy highway. They got the church van running, and it broke down in the mountains in a crowded area with all narrow streets. After getting my van towed away, I took my SUV and went after the church van. Mayra, the woman driver who had her four year old son with her, was crying. I got half those kids home and then sent Mayra off with my vehicle and the other kids while I waited for the mechanic. After two hours of work, we got the van three blocks and had to give up.

And then we had Mayra and her son over to our house, and her son and I had a wonderful time with my trains.

https://www.facebook.com/vincent.massi.1

Wow, Vincent!  It sounds like it all ended well with Mayra and her son enjoying trains!  

I skipped to my 8th Santa Fe 21" passenger car, the Pine Gorge 10-6 Sleeper in the 1927010 4-pack.

I was starting to place people in my Observation and my nose kept dripping.  I decided to paint the interior of the Pine Gorge sleeper instead.  The car is painted and ready for my sniffles to subside.  Got to keep my nose to the grindstone. 

I will add figures to the Observation and Sleeper as soon as I am able.

Only the Santa Fe Baggage remains to be painted.  I will load the car with baggage and freight, and bicycles and all kinds of Woodland Scenics figures.

Have a good day.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Hi folks- lot's of great work and play going on. Hit the 'like" button a bunch of times.
John- your dedication to your little people is amazing. You better watch out that they don't revolt and tie you to the ground like Gulliver.
Chris- please share more details on your signal project. How are you controlling the relays? Isolated rail or IR sensors? I have a set of crossing signals that I control with a ice-cube relay on an isolated rail. The relay chatters with lighter cars so I'm watching closely for tips and tricks.
Matt- go for it....you won't regret larger curves.
Brian- your never ending collection constantly amazes.
Paul- I hope you made a list of where all that stuff went. Too bad about the weather. We're out in the Poconos this weekend and we just made it to the resort as the flakes started flying.
Dave- glad you found the short. 30 years as an electrician I've seen it all. Wires do weird things sometimes. I swear its the electrons........

Everyone have a great day with their trains and.......FOOTBALL!

Brian, I think you are the only one to have one of everything! What a great collection you have! Very Impressive! Between your amazing layout and your collection anyone would be a happy person!

Paul 2, Sorry you had to delay your group meeting at your house. But its better everyone be safe! I agree now you have a clean slate, time to mess it up again and see what you come up with!

Mark, Take it easy on that knee! Remember baby steps will take you along way! You have plenty of time to get things moved before you have to start moving them back out again! LOL

N5cjohnny, Looks good. I just love the products from John at Azatrax!

Dave, I am glad you got your short fixed! I had the same problem with the tight wiring of the DPDT switches!

Ray, your 3D printing project is just amazing to fallow as you go! Very Impressive!

Vincent, Way to step up to the plate and take care of the kids and Mayra! They are lucky to have a friend like you! 

John, Wonderful work! Sounds like you can see the light at the end of the tunnel on this project!

As for me I did nothing, but went to the train show yesterday. I was able to pic up 8-10 gondolas and 1 switcher for $200, I needed them for my scrap yard area and I didn't have any in my collection. They are a bunch of different road names which I will have to change down the road, And the switcher is a New Haven switcher that will one day get either a BN or BNSF repaint. I will post pictures later in Buy anything cool lately!

I hope you all have a great day with your train and layout! I will be working on the house again! LOL

mike g. posted:

As for me I did nothing, but went to the train show yesterday. I was able to pic up 8-10 gondolas and 1 switcher for $200, I needed them for my scrap yard area and I didn't have any in my collection. They are a bunch of different road names which I will have to change down the road, And the switcher is a New Haven switcher that will one day get either a BN or BNSF repaint. I will post pictures later in Buy anything cool lately!

I hope you all have a great day with your train and layout! I will be working on the house again! LOL

REPAINT A NEW HAVEN????????

OH THE HUE MANATEE!!!😲

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

As for me I did nothing, but went to the train show yesterday. I was able to pic up 8-10 gondolas and 1 switcher for $200, I needed them for my scrap yard area and I didn't have any in my collection. They are a bunch of different road names which I will have to change down the road, And the switcher is a New Haven switcher that will one day get either a BN or BNSF repaint. I will post pictures later in Buy anything cool lately!

I hope you all have a great day with your train and layout! I will be working on the house again! LOL

REPAINT A NEW HAVEN????????

OH THE HUE MANATEE!!!😲

But Bob, as you can see there is no  green on here! LOL

Well Mike. The NH did use green at one time so you could keep the foreign power by adding a green stripe.

Nice looking loco btw. 

Vincent Massi: You are a hero! What a story and I know its one those kids will remember as well.  Setting a great example is the best thing any of us can do for our young people...Thanks!

Mikeg :  I also went to the train show yesterday, it was quite a show.  Sorry that there is very little way we might identify each other and thus meet for coffee or something.  Glad you had good hunting. 

I too had good hunting at the show.  Found a pre-war (I think although dating Flyer pre-war accessories is tough) Town Depot.  A little lithographed station on a 6" x 4" grey metal platform.  The station itself (more like a shed) is lithographed brick with white trim and is only 5 1/2"L x  2 1/4" W x 3" H to the peak of the roof.  Roof is dark green metal.  Litho is quite detailed with a baggage cart and scale on the long side and a bicycle , a window, and a clock (12:33 is the time) at the peak on the short ends. The baggage cart has a barrel or keg and a crate on it.   It is labeled on the ends as  "Flyer Town Depot" No 93, Made in USA.  My books on Pre-War Flyer are good on trains but nearly blank on accessories or structures. Folks, if anyone has any data on the No. 93 that you would be willing to post I would appreciate it as my reference material has come up dry!

As you can see its a long way from "LN" but then again ... so am I!!   By the way while I was waiting for the picture to move to my computer, I took a look with a magnifying glass as the crate that is lithographed on the baggage cart actually says :  "from American Flyer Mfg Co , Chicago, Il."

Anyway it was fun to find!  I have a Flyer pre-war freight station on my layout this may find a place next door. 

Don

samparfitt posted:

The GNRW's mission statement:

Hauling nothing, nowhere, on time, everyday!

Also, excellent safety record: We've gone 14,600 days with no fatalities!

Auxiliary to GNRW mission statement:

 GNRW operating rules:

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

John, Your baggage car is great!

Don, Very nice station!

I did take a rest, Mike.  The knee did prove to be a little more swollen than normal, so I will heed your words today.    The knee is back to normal, if you can call it normal.    Just now I did get all the Christmas buildings and snow blanket put away, so I am looking at the bare tabletop today.