@FECRailroaddog posted:I purchased this MTH Ted's Tires building and decided to make some modifications to it.
Nice job on that original ' TED'S TIRE ' .
Morning guys I hope everyone is doing well!
@Jim Van Every Jim, quite the undertaking for a horse & Mule car! But it looks like you have a great start! Wonderful looking tanker!
@FECRailroaddog What an outstanding transformation! I love the look of a real neighborhood garage!
@Richard Pardo Richard, thank you sir! I have tried to get the grandkids into the trains, they will come out watch them run, I even try to get them to run them their self's. But in 5 minutes they are back on their tablets! I guess if I had the Wi-Fi controller, they might be into it! LOL
Well guys my grand plan for grabbing a cold one and just running trains went out the window at a face pace yesterday! No train running today, I am really hopping for tomorrow!
Everyone have a great day and please have some fun with your layout and trains!
@Don McErlean posted:Richard Pardo...I agree, my nightmare is that the collection goes in the trash w/o anyone even being aware that it could have significant value. As I said above, I am going to try Excel at first to get started and see how hard it is to do. My experience with Excel is that one you have the columns set up, it can be fairly easy. The nice thing about it is that you can put in the collectors value (for example) in dollars and then it can sum that column for you to give you totals. That at least might give my survivors an idea of the value.
Don
Don, that is what I did with Excel. It isn't very fancy, but it gives the value I paid for everything. My wife has a general idea of value, but certainly not specifics. It would definitely help her or my daughters!
Thanks Mark, appreciate your responding.
Don
Thanks to Steve A., the RTC work train has a second prewar AF flat car...
Mitch
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Relative to the question about inventory. I too have been using Excel with columns for item number (manufacturer) and description, date purchased, price, from whom and any comments relative to repairs or where the item is located. I also use the same spreadsheet for the circuit assignment(s) for the transformers. Each item has a hyperlink to a photo of the items. The photos are organized by year of purchase with a separate folder for materials like light bulbs. It's a lot easier when the spreadsheet is updated when a purchase is made.
I have been continuing to paint the rails on the tinplate track.
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@Mark Boyce posted:Don, that is what I did with Excel. It isn't very fancy, but it gives the value I paid for everything. My wife has a general idea of value, but certainly not specifics. It would definitely help her or my daughters!
How soon are you guys planning on leaving Mark and Don ? 
@Victor Bertolina posted:don.mcerlean
Relative to the question about inventory. I too have been using Excel with columns for item number (manufacturer) and description, date purchased, price, from whom and any comments relative to repairs or where the item is located. I also use the same spreadsheet for the circuit assignment(s) for the transformers. Each item has a hyperlink to a photo of the items. The photos are organized by year of purchase with a separate folder for materials like light bulbs. It's a lot easier when the spreadsheet is updated when a purchase is made.
I have been continuing to paint the rails on the tinplate track.
Victor, I have been contemplating painting my rails.
It looks IMO to be quite a daunting task. How do you paint your rails ? 🤔
I finished-up a postponed project ... to improve a MTH Country Church. I added these extra features:
* Cut and glued small pieces of "stained glass" acetate to all its gothic-style windows for a better, church-y look. I purchased the acetate sheet online from a vendor in the UK; several designs were available. I chose one without liturgical symbols or images of saints for a "generic Protestant" look.
* Installed two add'l light bulbs to the interior in order to "light-up" the stained glass windows. The MTH factory-installed single light bulb was not enough illumination. Now when the train room is darkened, the stained glass glows!
* Replaced the plastic cross atop the steeple with a fancier crucifix; a jewelry piece, actually.
* Installed a small transformer as a power supply for the sound board.
* Installed a sound board that plays the sound of a church bell and a music excerpt from "Here Comes the Bride." I placed a small speaker in the attic space of the building for playback. I can activate the sound effects with a Lionel #90 control button mounted on the nearby fascia board.
* These add-ons make the church an accompaniment to a wedding in progress at the Pergola on the lawn outside, where the bride and groom, the dog of the groom, the wedding party, a priest and two nuns, and family/friends as the audience are present. A Caddy convertible is parked nearby with strings of tin cans attached to the rear bumper.
I know -- it's not a "railroad" accessory with RR-related sounds and motion. Nevertheless, it contributes to the acoustic environment of a scene, athough a visitor wouldn't recognize these improvements at first glance.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
@Dallas Joseph posted:How soon are you guys planning on leaving Mark and Don ?
Why, are you hoping to get our trains? 😄
(tries inventorying collection) (gives up after 15 gi-raffe cars) Nobody'd believe me anyway.
Mitch
@Jeff, thank you for the kind words. I have not made a video, but it is on my to do list at some point. I feel like the layout is a little “unfinished” and needs a ton of scenery work done, but I have been more active with some recent projects.
I really enjoy running a point to point layout. I get to follow the train around and throw some switches here and there. And there are many switching opportunities for freight runs.
Andy
Jim, outstanding car bashing.
FECdog, wow! That’s a big transformation, great work.
Mike M., can we see some pictures? Sounds like some nice additions.
Thank you Bob for the reminder about inventory. Also on my to do list.
Andy
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:(tries inventorying collection) (gives up after 15 gi-raffe cars) Nobody'd believe me anyway.
Mitch
ONLY 15! 
@Don McErlean- another idea is to create a photo library of your inventory. I like Victor's idea of adding links right on the spreadsheet.
@Mike H Mottler posted:I finished-up a postponed project ... to improve a MTH Country Church. I added these extra features:
I know -- it's not a "railroad" accessory with RR-related sounds and motion. Nevertheless, it contributes to the acoustic environment of a scene, athough a visitor wouldn't recognize these improvements at first glance.Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
Sounds like a nice project. Please share some pix when you can. The scenery makes the RR. I have an old sound board for a church, too bad I don't have room on the layout for one.
@FECRailroaddog- The gas station looks great. Nice customization work. Or is it kit bashing 
Still waiting for my replacement fire kit. Shipping delays.....
. So to pass the time I bought a new diesel.
LIRR SW-8, MTH w/ PS2
Bob
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@Mark Boyce posted:Why, are you hoping to get our trains? 😄
Oh Mark , I don't know where you are getting this idea from.
I'm innocently just sitting in my layout area printing up meager little fast stick price stickers and trying to figure out where your little lady likes to get gift cards for her shopping needs.
@RSJB18 posted:Still waiting for my replacement fire kit. Shipping delays.....
LIRR SW-8, MTH w/ PS2
Bob
Great idea Bob. I wish I was passing the time like you do waiting for a " replacement fire kit. "
HE! HE!
What's the old saying? Idle hands are the devil's playground?
Dallas Joseph - RE Painting rails - I am using rustoleum paint in a can ("satin black" and "rusty metal primer") and brushing it on the entire rail. After letting the paint set a little, say 30 to 60 minutes, I pass a paper towel strip wrapped around a block of wood over the rail tops so the top surface can conduct electricity. I am using clean paint thinner to wet the paper towel (not too much thinner, just dip part of the strip in the thinner and wrap tightly around the wood block). That keeps from removing too much paint. This tip was posted by someone else earlier - thank you very much. I found the best way was to paint the outside rails first with the red color, clean and let dry, then the center rail with the black paint since I could then touchup any excess red paint that got on the ties or turnout surfaces with the black at the same time. It does take a while and is a little tedious but there is no need to hurry when one is retired!
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:(tries inventorying collection) (gives up after 15 gi-raffe cars) Nobody'd believe me anyway.
Mitch
Maybe you had AGF turned on? (Auto Giraffe Repeat)
Still waiting for my replacement fire kit. Shipping delays.....
LIRR SW-8, MTH w/ PS2
Bob
That’s a sharp looking engine Bob!
Andy
