What did you do on your layout today?

Been to busy with other stuff (golf, honey-do's) to work on the layout. I've been thinking about how I want to scenic the new yard tracks and decided to do a mock-up before messing things up on the layout. I did this last night. It's OK so far, I used the same foam board that I had painted but I set it flush to the ties instead of on top and will ballast up to the rail head. I won't let the ballast go all over the place and will keep it along the track edge too. The rest is a mix of light and mixed WS turf and some fine sand.

The glue was still wet in these pix.

Bob

Looks good Bob. Consider adding some weeds to the final product.

Jay- yes weeds and other details will be added once it's on the layout. I have a bunch of grass clumps (from paint brush bristles), from my corner tunnel along with lot's of clump foliage.

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice guys! I will give it a try here in a little bit.

Bob this came today. I like the look but the bell housing looks bent and the bell was off. I hope I can fix it!

I still have to put a battery replacement in it before I put it on the track. Once I get to see it run then I will start my redo of the layout.

Bob, your sample looks good!

Mike, the engine looks great!  I have had success gluing bell housings and other add on parts if I can’t get them bent back right or they break.  The more details engines and rolling stock have, the more I have to get out the bottle of glue.  As for the roadbed, I don’t put much glue underneath, so it is easy to lift up with a putty knife and reuse.  If the underside is too uneven with glue, I think it is better to use new roadbed.

Hi guys, I did a little test on both the ballast and cork. I'm still waiting for the ballast to dry out to see if I need to rinse some more.

The cork roadbed, well I don't have a heat gun, so the wife let me here try her hair dryer. It took a little bit and a nice sharp putty knife, after some heat it was coming up nicely. Some had some glue still on the back, so I soaked it in hot water for about 10 minutes and it came off easy.

Thanks for all the ideas!

I did a wash with some acrylic paints on my yard track mock up to make it look dirtier. I used mostly black with some brown mixed in, diluted with a little water. I'm heading in the right direction for sure. I went over the track and rail with it too. Looks like we have a winner!

On the layout I will do this before adding any foliage so I don't mute those colors. Green is green no mater where it grows.

Bob

That's looking really good! Remember weeds, etc, do not grow very well in oily dirt found around railroad yards.

I bought a Lionel B & O "Timesaver" boxcar (6-36281) and put it in service. Little joys.

Live steam pictures.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...8#155716354610956678

Ran some trains today - postwar F3s and modern LC+ FTs. Happy weekend, all!

You've made great progress out there on the coast. 

I enjoyed the vista passengers passing ...

Last couple days in the waning hours after kids go to bed I finally built the first of my double bridge drop down bridges. This one is drop down and the upper track will be lift up. I still have to cut the track but before I do that I need to get a power wire to the bridge. It is 40” Long and I ran the big boy over it to make sure it was good and solid. Here are some pics, I’ll do a video when it’s all done.

Gerhardt, I like your drop down bridge.  I'll look forward to seeing your lift up bridge and a video when it is all done!!!

Just for curiosity, where do you live in Canada.  Province is good enough, I'm not trying to pen you in. 

Bob, Things are really looking good! Once you get that on the layout you will have to put together a MOW crew to keep the weeds down! LOL

Kevin, great scenery and I love how the folks are railfaning! LOL Great little videos, Thanks for sharing!

Gerhardt, that is one impressive bridge @ 40", I would almost make some kind of safety arm that swings out under it while in use. I would hate to see those little wood screws give way and your big boy tumble to the floor!

Well guys I am a little PO'ed and I need some more advice. As most of you know I purchased my first steam engine. With the advice of many folks here I waited till I got a battery replacement before even getting it near the tracks. Well they came in yesterday and I was so excited like a little kid, I was going to run my first steam engine with smoke, bell and whistle!

I put the battery replacement in the tender, set the engine and tender on the track, hooked them both together, powered up the track, added engine to my DCS system and let it sit there for a few minutes. Started it up and man it sounded great, whistle was wonderful, so I started down the track chuffing away. 6 feet later DEAD ON THE TRACK!

So my question to you all is now what do I do?

I'm not sure if this counts as "layout", but I did add a couple sets of shelves and reorganized things.  Slowly I'm able to get more stuff out of boxes and it's like Christmas, I haven't seen some of these in a long time!

Gerhart,

Love the whole layout's design - looks well thought out.

Please keep updating for us

Started some scenic work on a little corner of the layout that is more of a nook but ideal for  a wooded rural cabin scene. I have a Woodland scenics Rustic Cabin which is the right size for the area. So far i have created the forest back drop and the water on the ground from images i found on the internet and printed locally. Probably will raise the cabin a bit to create depth . Will be adding trees and foliage to embellish the scene. It gives a nice impression.

John, wonderful looking trains! I would say something about the Shelf's but cant really see them! LOL

LIRR, looks like a great start! Its nice to see the little things that folks do to add just a little detail !

Well guys, it started today. I started dismantling the section of the layout where the city was to get ready to change things up. I will have to do one section at a time as I dont have all the room to store all the trains stuff I have! LOL here are a couple photos!

Good start, Mike!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Good start, Mike!

LOL Thanks Mark, it's going to be slow going as I have to clean all the ballast off the track and track bed. Then I have to go slow to try and get the roadbed up so I can use it again. But it's a start!

Tomorrow I will continue working on taking up track and cork and laying out the new loop. I hope to get that far if I can!

Updating my lake house layout with switches from Great Lakes last weekend and cork roadbed from Carlton Hobbies this weekend. It’s a slow process to be honest.  
Also, my operating track section was giving my layout some fitting pains. So, since my knowledge of power tools is limited to a power drill, my dad helped me cutting the length of Lionel’s half straight track to a first third, and it fits like a glove.

One more thing: Since I’m getting used to HO Gauge trains, I’m putting a simple oval underneath the table.

Yes your father's splice is fitting well.

Reminds me of A man's cap from a car show last weekend which read, "Dad's know some things, Grandfather's know Everything!"

And yes the cork will prove to be necessary on the bare plywood.  Take it slowly and enjoy your time with your father's assistance...

Take Care!

Busy weekend with honey-do's.

I did squeeze in a little layout time and started on the permanent ground cover for the yard. I cut the baseboard for between tracks two and three. I will wait on the area between track one and the main. I have to put my Lionel control tower, water tower, and passenger station back in place first.  On the mock up I thought the "ground" was too smooth and flat so I went back to my old cabinet making days and distressed the boards. I put it face down on my driveway concrete curb and whacked it with a hammer.

I painted the pieces with a mix of black and brown acrylic and will spray them next. Once they are on the layout I will start on the ground cover.

Bob

the paint is still wet in these pix.

Looking good -- don't be afraid of over doing the black; then add lots of yucky junk on the ground. I'm sure you've ridden the LIRR!

My subway tunnel is about ready to be placed on the layout now that the turtles have arrived.

prior to the turtles I did a test fit on the layout. It’s dark (as expected) so I have more lights coming that I can adjust brightness and hopefully get the right amount of visibility

Andrew, Looks like you have a nice start, since you can make sure you take the time and enjoy the time you are able to spend with your day and your trains and layout. Soak in everything as I am sure he has alot he can teach you! Have fun with him!

Bob, looking good, it's amazing what a hammer and curb can do! I am sure it's going to look wonderful on the layout!

Jrmertz, the subway tunnel is very cool ! Your doing an outstanding job and it's nice to see the turtles have shown up!

As for me I plan on working on taking up more track and road bed! LOL

Bob, was a very good idea to distress the wood. I’m going to keep that in mind for when I’m ready to build my yard area. Thank you.

Demonstrated to my visiting adult son all the changes that have taken place since he was last here.  Enjoyed running trains while sharing why I have chosen the Jersey Central.

Jrmertz, The subway tunnel looks great to me.  Are the turtles there to keep the bad guys out?

Bob, The hammer sure did make the wood look distressed.  I would be distressed too if someone hit me with a hammer. 

Andrew, Looking good.  While my did had no interest in trains, I used all I learned from him to do the carpentry and electrical work on my first layout when I was in my early teens.  Over 50 years have passed, and I still think of things dad said or showed me way back then.

All I did was a little painting of the Atlas signal tower kit parts.  Nothing really to photograph, and now I'm off to let the PT boys beat me up. 

Thanks for the comments guys. The stuff I'm using is actually a corrugated plastic sign material. Took the beating better than I expected.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Jrmertz, The subway tunnel looks great to me.  Are the turtles there to keep the bad guys out?

Bob, The hammer sure did make the wood look distressed.  I would be distressed too if someone hit me with a hammer. 

Andrew, Looking good.  While my did had no interest in trains, I used all I learned from him to do the carpentry and electrical work on my first layout when I was in my early teens.  Over 50 years have passed, and I still think of things dad said or showed me way back then.

All I did was a little painting of the Atlas signal tower kit parts.  Nothing really to photograph, and now I'm off to let the PT boys beat me up. 

Yep the turtles are protecting the subway. Iron-man is up top already doing the surface protection

@jrmertz posted:

Yep the turtles are protecting the subway. Iron-man is up top already doing the surface protection

👍🏻👍🏻

Bob, I use the same stuff for some of my corrugated roofing.

Well the CEO let me play in the train room today so I was able to get more taken down. I still have more to take down before I can put down some cleaned roadbed and track.

Mike, it is amazing how fast it comes down after how long it takes to build it.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, it is amazing how fast it comes down after how long it takes to build it.

Lol it's really not coming down as fast as I thought it would. Here is some advice, if your building your first layout, don't build it like you want it to last forever. Save that for your next layout! LOL

I’m just throwing this out ….sort of late though.

Would it possibly have been easier to have relocated the heat/air rather than remove your track an layout 🤣

I apologize if I may have missed someone else’s mentioning this possibly.
But being trained as an internal auditor I always like to review the alternatives when I discovered any non-compliance, or costly errors 😚

The drawing of the track layout you are considering looks to be an enjoyable alternative Mike. I like multiple layers 😊

Hi Seth, I could have always moved the Heat/AC unit, but then I would not get the second level loop and who knows maybe even more. The good part is the CEO bought into it.

Good point!😊

Mike, I have built a few, and wouldn’t even build my last layout like I want it to last forever.  Our daughters and sons-in-law will have enough to do cleaning up my messes when they put me in a home or the funeral parlor.  😉

My advice is carefully plan what you want, look at what has been called your "givens and druthers", plan some more, then with old beat up pieces of track, a piece of chalk, and both a yardstick and a tape measure lay out what you think it will be on the floor, plan some more, repeat this process as many times as necessary, and then build your benchwork and lay your track. My two cents worth.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gerhardt, I like your drop down bridge.  I'll look forward to seeing your lift up bridge and a video when it is all done!!!

Just for curiosity, where do you live in Canada.  Province is good enough, I'm not trying to pen you in. 

Hi guys, thanks for all the nice comments. I was tied up all day yesterday with my 8 year olds Birthday! We are located in Edmonton, Alberta, so far west and far north. I’m working on constructing the upper loops and supports so I’m not going to cut the track around the lower drop down bridge yet in case I need to move the lower track a 1/2” or something to make things fit. So the video will be delayed. However I did continue tonight with some minor progress of cutting and fitting plywood for steel arch bridges. Also I’ve decided I’m going to try acoustic ceiling tile on top of the plywood to reduce the Fastrack noise as I read that works pretty good. We don’t have Homasote up here readily available, it’s a special order item.  I found some tile for cheap so I will try it  

Anyways, I love seeing everyone else’s progress. This is always my favorite thread, I just don’t chime in that often.

Getting my 2nd vaccine dose tomorrow. Flights are booked for York in October! Take care,

G

Gerhardt, that's a nice scene.  Thank you!

@Seth Thomas posted:

I’m just throwing this out ….sort of late though.

Would it possibly have been easier to have relocated the heat/air rather than remove your track an layout 🤣

I apologize if I may have missed someone else’s mentioning this possibly.
But being trained as an internal auditor I always like to review the alternatives when I discovered any non-compliance, or costly errors 😚

The drawing of the track layout you are considering looks to be an enjoyable alternative Mike. I like multiple layers 😊

@mike g. posted:

Hi Seth, I could have always moved the Heat/AC unit, but then I would not get the second level loop and who knows maybe even more. The good part is the CEO bought into it.

I'm with you on this one Mike. Those units can be moved but then you have a holes in the train room wall to patch. By the time the contractor gets a longer line set, moves the electric, adds gas to the unit, you will be well on your way to the new layout. Besides, if you just moved the unit, you would still want to change the layout but wouldn't be able to blame it on the unit anymore.

Wise move my friend!

Bob

PS- no layout time for me last night. I did hit the yard pieces with textured black spray paint. I left them in my shed overnight and they should be good and dry tonight so I can glue them down.

I agree Mike and Bob.  It just isn't worth moving all that stuff.  Carry on!!

Hi guys, so last night I did some more dismantling and a very little today. I have so much track to take up and put back down that I have come to the conclusion that I will save as much road bed as I can. But I'm not going to kill myself over it. I still have all that track to clean. So I ordered some new cork! Lol

I agree, Mike!  New cork doesn’t cost much.

Good morning everyone! Well, after a long time of "putting it off" I finally started building the mountain. So far I am using the classic cardboard skeleton method with newspaper "buns" behind the structure. If y'all have any input, it would be very appreciated. Thanks for reading, and happy railroading!

Nice to see someone using the old tried and true method. Keep it up.

Mike g., I feel for you redoing your layout, but I bet when your done it will be fantastic. Actually, you and Farmerjohn seem to always be upgrading, building the layout is always fun, challenging, and inspirational. Gunrunner John, wow, that’s a great display of beautiful motive power, I’m sure it does seem like Christmas unpacking all those boxes. Trainmaster04, that’s going to be a super scene when finished, keep posting pictures, very nice. Gerhardt, awesome work, nice bridge and I like the Lionel artwork behind the bridge, it’s a cool scene. RSJB18, Bob, I like your new yard, it’s a great addition to your layout, keep posting pictures, also, I completely understand Honey Do projects, it’s a good thing. Happy Railroading Everyone

Your images leave something to be desired.

@RWL I'll take your word for it.

Morning guys, looks like everyone has been busy on there layouts! I haven't been on in a couple days as I have been trying to get as much done on the layout dismantling as I dont think I will have much time time this weekend, between meeting and helping our son move into his first house and changing the locks for him its going to be a busy weekend.

But I was able to get more taken down and level out the back wall grade to tie it into the upper level. It sure is slow going getting all the cork up and cleaning as much ballast off the tracks that I can. I ordered a 90 degree cutting attachment for my dremel tool cause I have to cut in some switch on some of the track I lucky get to leave in place. Well here are a couple photos for now.

I hope you all have a great weekend and find time for your layout and trains! Most of all I hope you all have fun!

Lookin' good Mike.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Your images leave something to be desired.

Not again, they were there.
I don't understand what is going on.
I will put the in again.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Your images leave something to be desired.

Probably too late to be noticed, but:
All Images for my Crossover switch wiring have been reattached.

Hello fellow model railroaders! Well, the saga continues. Yesterday I was able to continue over the mainline and continue down the side of the mountain. I have currently taken a break from that section of the layout and worked on the mountain from the opposite end. Here is a photo of the tunnel and if all goes well I should have another few photos to share later today. Thanks, and happy railroading!

The tunnel is in place. Mostly complete. I’ll be adding some more black paper/foam where wood can be seen to sort of make the tunnel disappear into blackness.
I am quite pleased with the result, I think the kids will enjoy peaking in to see it and see the turtles as well. The tunnel section is viewable from the little window below the legacy remote.

Nice job on the subway tunnel, jrmertz.

Trainmaster04, your plaster hill and tunnel entrance look great.

RWL, the wiring for the switches is very neat!

Mike, you sure are moving along with the demolition!

A customer of my daughter's generously gave me a Hafner Trains clockwork Overland Express train set circa depression era 1933. The wind up set sold for $3.00 back in the day with a figure eight of two rail track. A few small parts, gentle cleaning and a tune up and it runs as good as it did some 88 years ago....

@mike g. posted:

Really like the design of you new layout!    Anxious to see the rebuild.

Cheers, Dave

I added some work lights under the layout.  It's nice not to have to drag a shop light with me.

LE LED Under Cabinet Lighting Fixtures, Puck Lights Kit, 1020 Lumens

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I added some work lights under the layout.  It's nice not to have to drag a shop light with me.

LE LED Under Cabinet Lighting Fixtures, Puck Lights Kit, 1020 Lumens

What a great idea!!

Thanks!!

Cheers, Dave

So, I will try this again, and hopefully the images will stay attached this time.
I added a few as well.
------------------------------------------------
I wired up the two Ross Regular 11 Crossover Switch pairs in the outer loop of my layout.
They have been wired to operate in pairs, each pair from a single actuator.

I wired up the two Ross Regular 11 Crossover Switch pairs in the outer loop of my layout.
They have been wired to operate in pairs, each pair from a single actuator.

Red Arrows are spade connectors, for non-derailing, bent at 90 degrees, and offset, to insure that they can't be inavertantly pulled out from below.
Yellow arrows are insulated pins.

The two switch controllers to the upper left are for these switch pairs. The other two are not hooked up to switches yet.
(LOOP No 1 CROSSOVER)

Space for all 15, required, switch controllers.

Commons for switches (15 total)
Upper Arrows: Two used two switch pairs.
Bottom Arrows: Extra connections for future accessory groups.

Brake out connections under table.
Control wires coming in thru holes at top.
One of the cables to a switch pair going off to the bottom left.

Terminal Block at switch pair.
Three Green wires to the left,
Three Red Hot wires in the center,
Three Yellow (White) wires at the right,
Two Green Non-Derailing wires to the right of and connected to the Yellow Wires.

GRJ,

There appears to be a connection between the junction box and the power control.  Can this be extended?

Gandydancer 1950  Great Hafner set.  Hafner never produced an electric train, he felt they would be too expensive to be considered toys.  He made trains (actually his son led the company for most of the more modern era) through the 1950's when he sold out to Wyandotte Toys who continued to make the trains but under their name and only for a short period.

You might consider re-posting these pictures under the "Tinplate" pictures post, I bet other tinplaters would love to see the set.

Respectfully

Don

Started ballasting the yard last night. I quickly ran out so I will continue after I pick up more tomorrow. This small gravel disappears much faster than the larger stuff I've been using on the mains.

The end of track 2 is up against a turnout so I did a wooden bumper for this one instead of using a Lionel bumper. I'm going to add a red LED on top tied in to track power for the siding.

Happy Fathers Day to all!

Bob

Bob, yes where does that stuff go.  It does seem to disappear.  The bumper looks good

@RSJB18. I hope you can locate more supplies as you need them Bob.

Have a great Day

I know you will enjoy displaying your engines in the new yard!

@Seth Thomas posted:

@RSJB18. I hope you can locate more supplies as you need them Bob.

Have a great Day

I know you will enjoy displaying your engines in the new yard!

I'm using a floral gravel from Michael's Crafts. They usually have it in stock.

Thanks

@RWL posted:

Did you make your own jumpers or did you buy them for the Euro terminal blocks?

John

@Windy City posted:

GRJ,

There appears to be a connection between the junction box and the power control.  Can this be extended?

Sure, it's just a 12V supply, it could be as long as you like, it's a max of around one amp.

@RSJB18 posted:

Started ballasting the yard last night. I quickly ran out so I will continue after I pick up more tomorrow. This small gravel disappears much faster than the larger stuff I've been using on the mains.

Have you considered roofing granules?  You can buy buckets it from many big box stores, it's tons cheaper than buying little bottles of ballast.  I comes in various grits and all sorts of colors.

@Craftech posted:

 

Did you make your own jumpers or did you buy them for the Euro terminal blocks?

John

I purchased the Terminal Blocks and matching jumper bars from Mouser Electronics. In that pic, the jumper bar was cut to suit the need.

@Craftech posted:

 

Did you make your own jumpers or did you buy them for the Euro terminal blocks?

John

I order my Euro Style Terminal Blocks and Jumper Bars from Mouser Electronics.

These are the parts that I am using:
Terminal Block - Mouser PN:    538-39100-2012
Jumper Bar - Mouser PN:    845-HCL10-12

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Have you considered roofing granules?  You can buy buckets it from many big box stores, it's tons cheaper than buying little bottles of ballast.  I comes in various grits and all sorts of colors.

The gravel is about $4.00 a jar. Reasonable enough for my little layout. Now...if I was ballasting your layout, I'd look for quantity for sure.

The larger ballast I'm using is a $1/ lb bag. Can't do much better than that IMHO.

Thanks

@RSJB18

I used the gray asphalt shingle grit for my ballast 4 years ago.  Purchased a 5 gallon bucket from another train friend.  Then I bought another half a bucket to complete.

It passed my inspection.😆

view the attached video for an up close look.

Hello everyone, and happy father's day to our father's! Over the past few days, I was able to make a lot more progress on the layout. To start, I continued to work on the mountainside that cascades off of the top level of the layout. As you can see, I continued to use the cardboard and newspaper method for this section and was able to get a good-looking result. The only difference between this section and the section I started with, is that I place the newspaper "buns" on the outside of the cardboard. I had to do it this way because one, I wanted to create a more rocky surface, and two, the mainline curves around behind the cardboard structure. As a result, I only had enough clearance between the track and the structure to build out the tunnel. Currently, the project has been halted, for now, due to running out of building materials. Thankfully though, I placed an order of supplies through TrainWorld three days and it should arrive by Friday. In the meantime, I will finally be producing more product review videos, so stay tuned for them. Thanks for reading, and happy railroading!

@Seth Thomas- the ballast looks good. I will keep this in mind when I build a larger layout.

@Trainmaster04- the mountain is coming along. Good idea to run a steamer through to check clearances.

Finished the bumper yesterday and installed it on the layout. I had enough gravel left to ballast it too.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Finished the bumper yesterday and installed it on the layout. I had enough gravel left to ballast it too.

Bob

I really like this bumper.
Very nice job.
Could you post pics of what it looks like at the bottom, where it mates with the track, and maybe how the light is hooked up?
BTW, those beams look bigger than the ties.
Are the track ties?

Fathers day was very good to me this year.
Here is what I received from my loving wife and kids.
My wife made it happen, and the kids helped her pay for it.

Just in time too, as I still have the lions share of the wiring, under the table, left to do.
   

@RSJB18

Bob, you have a good imagination in the rough ties and red caution light.

What is your source for the red light.  And what is the correct description?
I assume it’s an LED…

thanks

@RWL posted:

I really like this bumper.
Very nice job.
Could you post pics of what it looks like at the bottom, where it mates with the track, and maybe how the light is hooked up?
BTW, those beams look bigger than the ties.
Are the track ties?

Thanks @RWL

The bumper is modeled after the Fastrack earthen bumper. I've made several of these for the layout. The pieces are all scraps of balsa from previous projects. The uprights are 1/4" and the braces are 1/8". I mounted the LED on a small piece of project board and ran the two leads to the rails and soldered them on. It's just glued to the ties of the track. As long as the engineer is paying attention, it should hold up.

The others I've made are glued to the plywood board. These two have taken decent hits from over eager engineers and survived.

That is really a nice "chair". I could see myself in it! LOL

I finished sealing the Homasote roadbed today. The platform is 1/2 plywood on L girder construction with 1/2" Homasote roadbed. The Homasote was relatively easy to cut with a 45 degree bevel using the table saw (outside of course) and then cutting kerf slots at about 1/2" intervals for the curved sections. I used half width strips for the curved sections. The saw blade was about 1/16" wide and the curve fits very snug on the O31 tubular track. It is very fragile though and I did break some pieces. The Homasote was glued down with Elmer's School Glue and held down while the glue was drying with drywall screws. (later removed) I used Zinsser Kilz all purpose water based primer. It is fast drying and has good gap filling ability.

@RSJB18 posted:

Thanks @RWL

The bumper is modeled after the Fastrack earthen bumper. I've made several of these for the layout. The pieces are all scraps of balsa from previous projects. The uprights are 1/4" and the braces are 1/8". I mounted the LED on a small piece of project board and ran the two leads to the rails and soldered them on. It's just glued to the ties of the track. As long as the engineer is paying attention, it should hold up.

The others I've made are glued to the plywood board. These two have taken decent hits from over eager engineers and survived.

Those as well as the new one you did with the red light look awesome, Bob.  I'm definitely going to add this to my future projects list.

@Seth Thomas posted:

@RSJB18

Bob, you have a good imagination in the rough ties and red caution light.

What is your source for the red light.  And what is the correct description?
I assume it’s an LED…

thanks

Seth- I am a scrounger at heart. Part of the fun of modeling is taking a pile of #$@% and making something out of it

The light is a red LED - 3 mm I believe. I put a 1K resistor in line to run it on the track power.

Bob

Wow guys, what great work being done! Bob nice job on the track sidings, ballast and the stopes. Model train, the mountain looks like it's going to be a great addition to your layout. I know there has been more not I'm on the phone as the grandkids are sleeping in my office/ guest room.

Jeff how did you like the West coast?

I did get a little more taken down and 2 sections of cork put back down. Lol I hope to get some time today, and will try and take a couple photos.

Testing crane fitment/height for the final install -

I needed a solution to my station "road to nowhere", so I came up with an idea to build an off ramp under construction.  Unfortunately, I needed to remove the station once again to install the newly constructed base of the crane (I needed more height. Thank gosh I made the station with easy disconnect wiring blocks). Now that I think I have the right height and location right, I'm going to remove the crane and install a blinking red LED at the top (need to warn those future model airplanes).

This is the side of the station that will have the adjoining ramp under construction scene -

I have room to build an elevated on ramp for the other side, but this construction scene should nicely take care of the lack of any ramp for the right side of the scene.

Mike, you could put the grandchildren to work.  Kids love demolition!  LOL

Strap Hanger, an under construction ramp makes a lot of sense for that scene.  That crane will handle the job!

I have been slowly putting coats of different colored paint on the parts for my Atlas switch tower.  I needed three coats of gray craft paint to cover the tan clapboard siding to make it look like a Western Maryland building.  I have two coats of a sort of maroon on the brown trim, Windows, doors, etc.  The brown plastic still pokes through a bit, but I may leave it.  I’ll post photographs once there is more to see.  It is slow going since I can’t sit very long 4 weeks after surgery.  Yes Mike, I am taking it slow and easy.  😉

@Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, you could put the grandchildren to work.  Kids love demolition!  LOL

Strap Hanger, an under construction ramp makes a lot of sense for that scene.  That crane will handle the job!

I have been slowly putting coats of different colored paint on the parts for my Atlas switch tower.  I needed three coats of gray craft paint to cover the tan clapboard siding to make it look like a Western Maryland building.  I have two coats of a sort of maroon on the brown trim, Windows, doors, etc.  The brown plastic still pokes through a bit, but I may leave it.  I’ll post photographs once there is more to see.  It is slow going since I can’t sit very long 4 weeks after surgery.  Yes Mike, I am taking it slow and easy.  😉

Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing some pics of your Switch tower, Mark.  I owe MikeG for the crane idea.  I came up with it after viewing some photos posted by MikeG of his old layout.  Just another example of how this forum really helps with layout ideas.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing some pics of your Switch tower, Mark.  I owe MikeG for the crane idea.  I came up with it after viewing some photos posted by MikeG of his old layout.  Just another example of how this forum really helps with layout ideas.

Thank you.  Recovery is going as well as can be expected after they take stuff out and put metal in.

I owe Mike for my lift up double bridge idea.  Seems like a common thread.  These are the best compliments to Mike!

Strap Hanger, The crane looks great and that with the construction site it is going to be outstanding! I cant wait to see it all together!

Mark Nice to hear your able to work on your yard tower! I know all about the several coats of paint to cover things! LOL I am really glad your taking it easy and hope you get back to full strength soon!

Thank you both for such kinds words! I have learned alot form both of you and others here on the forum! Thats why I keep coming back! LOL

Well I was able to get some more cork down and got the upper level corner track laid to where it runs to the outside loop area. I still have to solder in power drops and hope to do a little test before I turn back to the lower level in the same area. The big chore is going to be moving the double bridge and actuator to the upper level. Here are a couple photos!

As you can see I had to remove the Morton Salt building as it wont work with the new lower level track plan where it was. I will find a place for it!

I hope you all had a great day! Also I hope you had time to have fun with your layout and trains!

Mike, I was hoping the bridge and actuator wouldn’t need moved.  I made so many adjustments, I had to replace two boards on mine because of all the holes I had drilled that ended up in the wrong place after all.

Hi Mike

Progress looks good. What are you using for the gray retaining walls? I appreciate the slim profile.

@RWL posted:

Fathers day was very good to me this year.
Here is what I received from my loving wife and kids.
My wife made it happen, and the kids helped her pay for it.

Just in time too, as I still have the lions share of the wiring, under the table, left to do.
   

Pretty sure I would sit in that wrong and it would pop up and slam my head into the underside of the layout!

George

Where did they get that George? I definitely need one.

Hi Mark, I use welding clamps to hold things in place while I test things out.

Hi Victor, it's old 1/8 paneling cut 6 1/2" tall with 1" strips painted with primer.

Mike, it figures you did it the smart way!

First, happy Tail End Tuesday brought to you by a Williams N5C.

I had the joy of finding out that I didn't fix the leak in my roof when the storm came through today. So lots of clean up there. But I did have a great time just running trains today. I actually used my new Lehigh Valley NW2 switcher for most of the operating session but I decided to take a pics when I switched to the road power...

Hope y'all enjoy!

@GeoPeg posted:

Pretty sure I would sit in that wrong and it would pop up and slam my head into the underside of the layout!

George

It works perfectly.
Very stable, and the perfect height for the underside of my table.
Also rolls nice and smooth.