What did you do on your layout today?

LOU1985, the redo came out great...........Paul

I'm slowly but surely buying more O-72 curved sections to replace all my O-36.

I'm still thinking about how to shoot that gap. Considering a lift out section.

Lou I m with Paul, The rebuild it looing good!

briansilvermustang posted:

mike g. posted:

Brian, can you explain the lights on top of the last passenger car? Is that normal as I have never seen one like that!

                                            Metroliner Cab Car...

     https://youtu.be/7kLIoWS3dwE                https://youtu.be/-zA-JrYGb2s                                   

 

 

         

Thanks Brian, Must be a East Coast thing!

Lou, Your new terminal area is looking great!  I’m sure you will have lots of action there soon!

Tom, upgrading from 036 to 072 will really make your trains look better besides letting you run longer equipment!

Brian, As always, great photographs of models and the prototype!!

   A super long Amtrak and a BNSF Military Train  https://youtu.be/-N_6mr4QOkA

Panther97 posted:

It took me a few years.   I finally purchased the last ride for my amusement park at York!   Next s the scenery.....

I may be able to fit an o-scale free fall ride!

Amusement Park

Just watched the video....nicely done!!!

I got a few hours in on Saturday, and made some serious progress on my girder viaduct. 

My painted parts are almost all used up.

I had to splice three pieces together to get the length I needed.

Now the fun part, getting my feeders reinstalled. I took a very long drill bit, and went through block on top of the pier, then through the pier, and finally through the plywood. I made four of these holes, one hot, one ground, and two detection.

Then I soldered them onto the web below the tie line. I used a dental pick to scrape the rail clean, it even took off the black coating from the center rail.

I glued the front girder to the frame. I still have to do the back one, but it's cut to length and ready to go.

Both ends of this thing still need their abutments, then I just have to clean up the paint and weather it. The good news is the auto rack makes it around, no problem. I'll have to check a Superliner.

Lou, your layout is obviously a labor of love. Looking great!

Mike 

Elliiot, nice work...!

Mike 

Guys my layout isn't that nice. Especially compared to most of the ones on here. It's only a 12'x16' tabletop with a 4'x5' extension for the passenger terminal/downtown. It's got two loops (072 outer, 054 inner) and conventional power with a ZW and Z. But at least all the trains are scale sized, except the 60' passenger cars .

I'm hoping to fill/smooth out joints, paint the supports and platforms, and wire the tracks in the terminal this week.

The bridge is coming together nicely Elliot.

Great Work Elliot! The bridge it looking great! I needed a long drill bit for my last layout and a friend took a welding rod took all the outside welding stuff off, then ground a Paddle bit out of it! It's 16" long so to go threw my old raised section all the way threw the plywood all in one hole!

But then again it doesn't matter you have great work going there!

The bridge looks great Elliot.  That’s good concealing wires.

Finally got all the LED's installed in the background buildings and got them wired through an adjustable AC/DC buck converter.   Added a 3 rd floor to the brick building over the tracks so it wasn't so "square", and weathered the large girder beam supporting the building ....  Time to start building more layout at the other end of the room.   Tried to take some night time photos but it's challenging ......  Also finally found a reasonable formula for ballasting the tracks in the engine service facility.....    

Things are looking good Chris! I agree that night pictures are hard! One day when you get a chance if you can make a video of your layout! Everything looks so great!

Lou1985 posted:

Guys my layout isn't that nice. Especially compared to most of the ones on here. It's only a 12'x16' tabletop with a 4'x5' extension for the passenger terminal/downtown. It's got two loops (072 outer, 054 inner) and conventional power with a ZW and Z. But at least all the trains are scale sized, except the 60' passenger cars .

Lou, Don't sell yourself short. Layouts are a reflection of what each of us likes about the hobby and our talents as well as the time put into them. Some are detailed. Some are toy train like. Most are never finished. The best layouts are the results of many years of improvements and changes that reflect our increased knowledge and talent in the hobby. You have a great looking layout. Better than most and capable of growing into much more. 

Pat Kn posted:

Lou1985 posted:

Guys my layout isn't that nice. Especially compared to most of the ones on here. It's only a 12'x16' tabletop with a 4'x5' extension for the passenger terminal/downtown. It's got two loops (072 outer, 054 inner) and conventional power with a ZW and Z. But at least all the trains are scale sized, except the 60' passenger cars .

Lou, Don't sell yourself short. Layouts are a reflection of what each of us likes about the hobby and our talents as well as the time put into them. Some are detailed. Some are toy train like. Most are never finished. The best layouts are the results of many years of improvements and changes that reflect our increased knowledge and talent in the hobby. You have a great looking layout. Better than most and capable of growing into much more. 

Hear! Hear! You are definitely too modest Lou. Your layout is very nice and will only get better with time.

Bob

Today: April 24, 2018 • Lunch with Grandpa in the Train Room

After lunch we went to the backyard to hangout and just have old fashion fun.

Then the rain came and back inside we went.........

Gary

Ok! Now I want to come play at Grandpa Gary's house! What a great deal that you can share this with your grandsons! I wish mine would get into it! It takes everything to get them outside to play! Darn computers!

Priceless Gary!  Your Grandsons have a great grandpa!!  I agree with Mike!  I never had a grandpa!  

trainroomgary posted:

Today: April 24, 2018 • Lunch with Grandpa in the Train Room

After lunch we went to the backyard to hangout and just have old fashion fun.

Then the rain came and back inside we went.........

Gary

Awww so precious.

I have been working on my new layout, it is basically a shelf around my reloading/storage room. I think it is 12x20. One part is the last remaining piece of my old O scale trolley line, the rail is code 148. I think I can use it as kind of a homage to my past. I have been blown away at the quality of everyone`s railroads, you all are quite an inspiration. I`ll get pictures this weekend and post them.

Mike

Dobermann, that sure did turn out nice! Great Job!

mike g. posted:

Dobermann, that sure did turn out nice! Great Job!

Thanks. 

Really nice looking building, Doberman.

                                      some early morning train watching...

                   down at the freight yard... looks like a busy day here...

                and then caught a neat surprise coming through the yard...

Well I have to hand it to Paul 2, he did a fabulous job hosting our Tuesday night train group last night.  Great food and train conversation and honestly the pictures he posts online don't do his layout justice.  The man is a machine churning out area after area in his basement.  Maybe not as big as the Treaty of Versailles but look what I saw when I arrived last night.  I guess roughing him up at the last meeting paid off.  

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Well I have to hand it to Paul 2, he did a fabulous job hosting our Tuesday night train group last night.  Great food and train conversation and honestly the pictures he posts online don't do his layout justice.  The man is a machine churning out area after area in his basement.  Maybe not as big as the Treaty of Versailles but look what I saw when I arrived last night.  I guess roughing him up at the last meeting paid off.  

I’m glad everyone had a good time at Paul’s house last evening! Great job Paul!

btw Mark our offer still stands if you want to venture over this way this summer and check out a few layouts.  

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Well I have to hand it to Paul 2, he did a fabulous job hosting our Tuesday night train group last night.  Great food and train conversation and honestly the pictures he posts online don't do his layout justice.  The man is a machine churning out area after area in his basement.  Maybe not as big as the Treaty of Versailles but look what I saw when I arrived last night.  I guess roughing him up at the last meeting paid off.  

I guess his security detail had the night off.

Bob

briansilvermustang posted:

 

Great shots as always, but I just have to ask, is it ever daytime on your layout?

Bryan in Ohio posted:

btw Mark our offer still stands if you want to venture over this way this summer and check out a few layouts.  

Bryan, Thank you again!  I hope to be able to take you up on that offer!

Paul, sure sounds like you stepped up to the plate! I sure am glad you all had a great time!

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

p51 posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

Great shots as always, but I just have to ask, is it ever daytime on your layout?

      not very often, it is usually later in the evening by the time I get to the trains...

briansilvermustang posted:

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

Well let’s see; I think Paul said he lives in Cuyahoga Falls.  That is about 2 hours away.  Bryan is somewhere nearby.  Toledo is 2 hours from Cuyahoga Falls, and Clem is just over the state line.  Minimum driving is 4 hours one way.  Wow, that’s a lot of railroading!!  Thank you Brian!!

          see you soon...

"ROAD TRIP" Mark, pack a lunch.............Paul

paul 2 posted:

"ROAD TRIP" Mark, pack a lunch.............Paul

See Paul is back to his old ways of NON hospitality ....if you do stop over I would provide lunch.  

I thank Bryan for the compliments. And Bryan said it for me. Whenever you get time to see layouts you are more then welcome. Hosting the Tuesday night crew went without a hitch. So with the morning behind me now and I got pretty much everything cleaned up plus it is wet outside from the rain that means I can go to the basement and work on the layout the rest of the day. Got a few things that I can get into since I cleaned off the tables so everyone could see the layout. Maybe I'll have some pics later in the day.............Paul

Treat you nice Bryan with a happy face and this is how you treat me. I feel like Caesar LOL. Armed guards ( new younger ones ) will be at the door at my next night to host to escort you out of town. Mark is welcome to come. And I meant to pack something in case a person gets hungry on the road. Mark will be treated to good food but you if allowed in will only get water and some old bread.............LOL................Paul 

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Brian, Bryan, and Paul!!  Thank you each and every one of you!!  I needed that tee shirt last week when I went to York.    4 1/2 hours each way!  Yes, that is what I did, packed food, coffee, and pop.  On two days, I only bought a meal at the OGR Quaker Steak and Lube and a burger on the Turnpike on the way home, since I ran out of groceries!    

Lou, your track and "concrete" look great!!  I'll look forward to the city above the tracks!!

Mark Boyce posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

Well let’s see; I think Paul said he lives in Cuyahoga Falls.  That is about 2 hours away.  Bryan is somewhere nearby.  Toledo is 2 hours from Cuyahoga Falls, and Clem is just over the state line.  Minimum driving is 4 hours one way.  Wow, that’s a lot of railroading!!  Thank you Brian!!

No worries Mark- if you make it to Brian's (silvermustang), I'm sure you can bunk with Izzy 

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Looks great so far!

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Looking good Lou. I like what you did with the switch. I have the same 5121's but I only ballasted up to the body of the switch. Yours blend in to the scene better.

RSJB18 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

      hey Mark, you get that close, you can also stop by and see Clem and I ...

Well let’s see; I think Paul said he lives in Cuyahoga Falls.  That is about 2 hours away.  Bryan is somewhere nearby.  Toledo is 2 hours from Cuyahoga Falls, and Clem is just over the state line.  Minimum driving is 4 hours one way.  Wow, that’s a lot of railroading!!  Thank you Brian!!

No worries Mark- if you make it to Brian's (silvermustang), I'm sure you can bunk with Izzy 

He! He!

Thanks Mike, Bob, Mike and Mark.

Yesterday was the big day, my guy came over to take the photos for the convention (for the second time). This time he seemed more excited. I staged some trains for him, and I think he got some good shots. Now they'll be sent to the webmaster for selection. As soon as they are up, I'll put a new link in my signature.

When that was done, I did a couple of small projects. I got some more 3.5 gallon buckets. I use them to store scenic materials. So I spent some time putting away most of what I sorted a couple weeks ago. It's nice not having boxes full of random stuff.

After Patrick and I carved the roadbed, some of the lettering that I had applied to the fascia was messed up. The vinyl letters don't really like to stick to the semi-gloss paint. My solution was to go over them with Mod Podge, and secure them once and for all. So I repaired the damage in aisle three, and locked down aisle four. After that, I started fresh in aisle two, and got all of that done.

It's not too difficult, but it is time consuming, getting everything just right. I cut a strip of Masonite, and just clamp it on to serve as a guide. You can't really see it, but there's a small pencil mark where I wanted the center of the words to be. There are 14 letters in University Jct. The space counts as one.

I did Shoreham. Here it is with wet Mod Podge.

Same for Pig's Eye, as well as Red Wing and 35th Avenue. I still have to get the semi-gloss over in aisle one before I can finish over there.

Remember the last thing I said in my previous post from Monday, about the clearance on the new bridge? There's about a 1/4" gap for the auto rack...

but only an 1/8" for the Superliner. WHEW!!! May need to do some more testing using other passenger cars with skirts.

Lou, looking good. Elliot, you never know till you run a car over your work whether you allowed for the right clearance. Sometimes it is trial and error but better to catch it at the beginning. Today I installed a set of weaver three rail die cast trucks I got off EBAY on a Weaver flat I picked up at York that was for 2 rail. I also started placing more trees and shrubs on the other side of the bridge abutment. Tonight the wife has a game so that gives me a train night in the basement. Pics..............Paul

Lue, things are looking really nice!

Paul, the car and shrubs look wonderful!

Mark, Izzy might share her bed with you, but don't count on getting any of her ice cream!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Mike, Bob, Mike and Mark.

Yesterday was the big day, my guy came over to take the photos for the convention (for the second time). This time he seemed more excited. I staged some trains for him, and I think he got some good shots. Now they'll be sent to the webmaster for selection. As soon as they are up, I'll put a new link in my signature.

When that was done, I did a couple of small projects. I got some more 3.5 gallon buckets. I use them to store scenic materials. So I spent some time putting away most of what I sorted a couple weeks ago. It's nice not having boxes full of random stuff.

After Patrick and I carved the roadbed, some of the lettering that I had applied to the fascia was messed up. The vinyl letters don't really like to stick to the semi-gloss paint. My solution was to go over them with Mod Podge, and secure them once and for all. So I repaired the damage in aisle three, and locked down aisle four. After that, I started fresh in aisle two, and got all of that done.

It's not too difficult, but it is time consuming, getting everything just right. I cut a strip of Masonite, and just clamp it on to serve as a guide. You can't really see it, but there's a small pencil mark where I wanted the center of the words to be. There are 14 letters in University Jct. The space counts as one.

I did Shoreham. Here it is with wet Mod Podge.

Same for Pig's Eye, as well as Red Wing and 35th Avenue. I still have to get the semi-gloss over in aisle one before I can finish over there.

Remember the last thing I said in my previous post from Monday, about the clearance on the new bridge? There's about a 1/4" gap for the auto rack...

but only an 1/8" for the Superliner. WHEW!!! May need to do some more testing using other passenger cars with skirts.

Elliot, things are looking great! I hope the bridge isn't going to become a problem as it looks so nice! If they don't chose you for the tour, just let us know! We can go find him and have a little chat!

The car and the scenery look great Paul!

Elliot, I’m glad the inquisition were all smiles when they visited!!

So while the wife watched the Cavs I got some work done. I spent the evening adding a bit more to the first bridge abutment I was working on. Then I jumped to the other side and started adding tree, a couple of bushes and ground turf. I still have to glue it down. I took a minute to add the coal loads I got from Don Kane to my AC&Y hoppers.He makes great loads. So the game is over and the wife wants me to spend time with her watching some TV. Can't say no. Pics of the work tonight............Paul

Paul, The scenery is looking better and better.  Yes Don makes dandy loads.  I have a few.  I’m glad you are keeping Mum happy!

Elliot, it looks great!  I thought that I had all my clearances checked out and then found that my new Atlas 21" California Zephyr cars hits my tunnel liner on my freight mainline.  I hadn't checked running passenger cars in the reverse direction on my freight line, but had checked everywhere on the passenger line.  It does make a difference what direction you are running on some bridges and tunnels as the cars swing out on curves.  I didn't have enough straight track before the bridge on one.

Art

I had an interesting, cleansing train day. I had several items ending on the bay 

today. Nothing sold even tho I had some nice things priced to sell, not make money on.

And the shipping I charge is so low I usually end up contributing. Anyway, after realizing

I have spent a lot of time trying to sell this stuff, I have decided to take a break from selling. 

I sorted thru the stuff and actually threw some in the trash. I started my Fortescue Foundation

box of stuff for him to donate to the Museum. ((coming soon Mitch)). It was actually kind of 

uplifting to throw some stuff away, fill the Fortescue box and know tomorrow I don't have to 

check my "all selling" on the bay. I even started breaking down and discarding boxes I had been

hoarding to ship things. My life is good.

Took some photos of buildings I bought at York last week.  I integrated these buildings into Patburg's Westend neighborhood.... a fire house and three town houses.  I also angled mirrors to give a down hill effect on one of the  streets and the other mirror was angled to give the impression that a Ford T bird is making a right had turn.  

Paul2- the bridge area is looking good. Funny- I think that's where you where when I started following your build a couple of years ago.

Patrick- I didn't think Patsburg had any vacant lots. The new construction looks good. The mirrors are a neat touch too.

Beardog- sometimes a good clean up is the best thing.

Art and Elliot- We can all sympathize with you about spots on our layouts where the scenery interferes with the trains. The reverse travel issue Art had is particularly annoying. Just when you think you checked everything BOOM!

Bob

I had to go back after looking at the last pics I took of the last hill I was working on. The big trees in the back just looked out of place so I pulled them out and added smaller trees. I can live with that now. Pic before and pic after......Paul

I put new tires on my NYC GP20 and added double pick-up rollers to a NYC caboose so the lights would stop blinking.

Dennis

Paul, the bridge abutment is looking really nice! I really like all the bushes and trees you are putting up!

Patrick, sure looks like you got some great deals ! I really like the mirrors!

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Your track looks good! I enjoy seeing layouts using 027.

A Northern Pacific 44 ton diesel hauling some of Lionel's more unusual postwar freight cars.....

balidas posted:

Lou1985 posted:

Got all the "concrete" painted before work today. Now I just need to wire the track, ballast the terminal tracks, and repair the scenery next to the support area. Then I can mount the plywood top and start rebuilding the downtown area. So yeah, almost done 

Your track looks good! I enjoy seeing layouts using 027.

027 profile track. Outer main line has 072 curves, inner 054. Lets me run scale sized equipment. I went with 027 profile because it's shorter and looks much better than 0 tubular track.

I did get the three terminal tracks wired in this evening. Tomorrow I hope to ballast and finish up scenery repair. Then next week I'll be on to mounting plywood and starting on the downtown area.

I am pleased to announce that, with the able assistance of Fortescue (and friend), I have successfully resuscitated a DeWitt Clinton belonging to our own John D.'s dad...  

Sylvia Siamese was on hand for the initial test flight...   

Mitch 

and the friendly and helpful flamingos slowly assimilate into the 

local populations..................

After repainting and decalling this Weaver RS3 last week, last night I continued weathering it.

Nice job, Mitch.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

I am pleased to announce that, with the able assistance of Fortescue (and friend), I have successfully resuscitated a DeWitt Clinton belonging to our own John D.'s dad...  

 

 

Mitch 

I'd forgotten it was out of commission! Thanks for your help!!

Let the trains run as I do physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury.

                                         had therapy running trains...

clem k posted:

Let the trains run as I do physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury.

                              hope you're getting better Clem !!!  

Chugman posted:

Elliot, it looks great!  I thought that I had all my clearances checked out and then found that my new Atlas 21" California Zephyr cars hits my tunnel liner on my freight mainline.  I hadn't checked running passenger cars in the reverse direction on my freight line, but had checked everywhere on the passenger line.  It does make a difference what direction you are running on some bridges and tunnels as the cars swing out on curves.  I didn't have enough straight track before the bridge on one.

Art

Good morning Art....If you use those really cool switch track lanterns from Ross make sure you move them far away from the track.

Clem

beardog posted:

and the friendly and helpful flamingos slowly assimilate into the 

local populations..................

Pat Kn posted:

Nice job, Mitch.

Thankee!   

If anyone else has problems with their DeWitt Clinton, let me know;  I am now familiar with the innards of the thing.   

John D. posted:

I'd forgotten it was out of commission! Thanks for your help!!

My pleasure!  The tricky bit was resoldering the plug...  and then reassembling the little indefinite...   

briansilvermustang posted:

                              hope you're getting better Clem !!!  

Seconded!  

Mitch 

A little bridge work... I dug out my atlas industrial rail track for this layout, but was missing one straight. I noticed this track uses the same pins and has almost the same rail profile as gargraves track, which I have a few sections of, so I cut a piece to match the missing straight, and immediately thought "gee, those sure look like bridge ties compared to the atlas track"... a few scraps of wood and some paint and now I have a bridge!

Jon, nice work! Way to think out of the box!

Thanks guys.

Yesterday I worked on a few things. I started with the girder on the back side of the bridge, and got it glued in place. The big cars were still OK for clearance, but of all things, the track cleaning car was hitting in a couple spots on the newly installed back girder. The car is only six inches long, but it has thumb screws sticking out the side, that were the problem. I just popped the glue joint in those spots on the bridge, and solved the problem. There are still some cars that will need testing.

I got my paints out and weathered the bridge. I only used two colors to do all of this, a bright rusty red-orange, and black.

Blending the two colors together, I got a range of rusty browns. I used a stippling technique to get this effect. I think I over did it on the piers though. I'll have to go back and fix that.

I spent a couple hours over at Hoffman, cleaning track and switches after ballast touch ups. Nothing like a dental pick for getting switches unstuck. Then I touched up paint on guard rails and frogs, where the track cleaning car scratched it off.

I just used a foam scrap as a pallet for the afternoon. The small brush was for the rail touch ups.

Finally, I totally switched gears, and soldered some plugs on one of my signal bridges. Seems like forever ago that I touched the signals. I'd like to get these off my workbench and onto the layout. They will make things look better.

Here's the best picture from Tuesday's photo session. I wish I could have had the signals lit up. That's a lot of work, but if I plan my time carefully, it could be done.

Good question. That was lifted from an email sent to me by the photographer. I'll have my wife check it out. If she can't see it, I'll try and fix it. 

She couldn't. I'll work on it. Check back in a little while, it's worth it.

Ran my MTH UP passenger train with Lionel Station sound diner, finished filming my video review of diner sound car.  

started the wiring for the upper level today. Have the holes drilled for the power leads from below and the jumper leads cut from the number 14 stranded reels for 6 or 7 connections planned. Installed and soldered two of the connections and ran some temp connections from the track below with alligator clips. Just to check out the running of the train.So far so good.  

It's fixed.

clem k posted:

Let the trains run as I do physical therapy for my rotator cuff injury.

Work hard, Clem!  I went through is about 10 years ago!  Fell on the ice.  The rotator cuff still gives me pain when I move a certain way.  Let the trains run!

Elliot, the bridge is really taking shape. You did a nice job with the painting. I really like the pic of the finished cliff area with one of my favorite railroads going through....CP Rail. Tonight I got a chance to work again on the layout. Wife watched the Cavs, Because I had the table top pretty much cleaned off I finally decided which two buildings I would put in that area. The Sur Sweet and the creamery from Walthers ( now Atlas ). Once I got them positioned I laid down some cork and glued it down. Once I lay down track I am going to extend the rail loading dock so I can spot two reefers there at one time. Then I glued down the ground turf I put down yesterday or the day before. Tomorrow morning I can pull the nails and paint the cork and should sometime during the day put down some ballast. Pics........Paul

Elliot, thing are looking great! Love the picture of the signal bridge! Who could ask for more!

Paul, I think your trying to give Elliot a run for the money! Things are looking great at your place! I bet you guys have been trading secrets! LOL

Got the new terminal tracks ballasted and repaired the scenery damaged by removal of the mountain. Glue is still wet in the pictures. I've got to paint the underside of plywood base for the downtown area before I mount it. Also paint "rust" on the rails of the new track. Not bad for two weeks of progress. I probably won't get much done this week as I'll be busy. I'll hopefully make some progress again next weekend. 

Lou- looking good. Amazing want we can accomplish when we put our minds to it. Helps to have the free time too.

Paul- I notice mostly ground throws on your switches. Are you leaving them or adding motors? Can't believe you have another new area under construction

Elliot- the cliff photo looks great. Really brings your masterpiece to life.

Bob, this layout will have mostly manual ground throws. However there will be a spot where the switches will have switch motors  because they will be out of arms reach. Paul

Lou, things are looking very nice! You cant eve tell there was damage from where the mountain was! Great Job! I cant wait to see the city growing above the tracks!

Got the cork roadbed painted. Now just waiting for it to dry. Pics........Paul

Looking good Paul! While your waiting you might as well go up stairs and run some trains! LOL

The ballast is down and glued. I'll have to let it dry a bit before I start to put down track. So mike now I will go up and run some trains for a while. Pics...........Paul

Looks good Paul, I just have a question for you, do you go back and Ballast between the ties and rails?

Mike, I do not ballast the track. I just ballast beveled sides of the cork.............Paul

The buildings and spurs look good Paul!!

Remember this dummy? I rounded up some more LEDs and added headlights & ditch lights. There's a selector switch in the chassis that turns on either red for stop/reverse or headlights for forward/go.   Whenever I convert a powered unit to a dummy and I see a slider switch I leave it there for future use - like today!

Ralph, great job! All I can say is it looks wonderful!

Looking good John! keep posting!

I sure like the looks of that scene taking form, John!!  I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops!!

If I may, today its not so much what I did ON my layout, but what I did FOR my layout.

I finally purchased a MTH Premier Bombardier 4-car set for my local South Florida commuter railroad, Tri-Rail.  Got it today in the store from Bill and the guys at Ready To Roll in Miami.  No place or space to run it yet (we're in the process of moving again) but these items sell out quickly and when they do show up on auction are ridiculously overpriced.  Don't have the locomotive to pull it either .  I'll purchase the GP 40 in the next month or so. 

Now I have both an O and HO (which the coaches are illuminated inside) Tri-Rail sets!

Looks great, Kevin!  One piece at a time!!

I’m out of town this weekend, so the only work on my layout gets done in my head! But the advantage to getting out of town is visiting other hobby shops. And I found a Williams six car NP aluminum set. I thought I was in heaven till I noticed the trucks - they’re milky minty green! And  they are molded inexpensively too. I’ve got to open my books, but I don’t believe the NCL even ran on silver trucks, I’m sure they were black. So if I make the purchase am I headed for a really painful job of truck replacement or painting - I am a three rail toy train operator, but my heart is still in St. Paul!  (Lionel’s zephyr cars also had cheapened trucks if I remember correctly) the trucks from the 2500 series aluminum cars were the best! WhT are your thoughts guys?

I am kinda partial to the trucks on AMT aluminum passenger cars. Nice detail, flexible for track deviations....

Never got back to the layout last night but this morning I got the track down. Marked off where the buildings will be in pencil and then got the plaster wrap out and covered the table. Now just waiting for the plaster to set up and dry and I can start laying down Gypsolite. I have some Balsa wood left over so I am going to make a curving dock off the Creamery so I can set two cars there. Pics.............Paul

Last night I unpacked the rest of my York loot.  Ran trains and took a few photos.  Had BIG fun!!! 

Railroad PETS!

Cat begging for food from roof worker.

BAD boy!

Can I have an ICE CREAM?

Vegetable dog.

Dog teasing cat.

Bad KITTY!

All those scenes look great, Matt!

Latest addition to my construction area

fl9turbo2 posted:

latest addition to my construction area

Man, talk about some heavy lifting...!

Mike 

I didn't do much.  I just put in my first power drops to one location and fastened down the track with GarGraves track screws.  I used 4 screws here at the joint where my power drops are, but only 2 at the other joints of my 3/4 curve.  They seem to hold the track down fine.

After supper, I decided to bring my buildings down out of the attic, where I put them for safe keeping while heavy construction was going on.  I arranged some of them on the lower town site along with a few operating accessories I had in a bin in the garage.  I have more, and I will have an upper town.  This is just to start thinking again about what will go in each town and how it may fit.  The two sidings are not fastened down and can be moved to accommodate other building arrangements.  It was a happy time getting a start at visualizing what it may look like.  One thing I do know is that I want the operating accessories near the front so this little 61-year old boy can play with them, and the more realistic buildings and scenes in the background so the adult me can overlook the accessories and think he is up in the West Virginia mountains along the Western Maryland or Baltimore and Ohio back in the 1950s.

Ok Guy's a lot has been done today! A lot of great work! So here I go if I didn't like your post its because I am tired and missed it! LOL

Paul, the track work looks great! I also like the placement of your buildings! Things are coming right along. You blew me away with the Crane, man is that so cool! Where did you get it? Please don't say Menards! LOL

Patrick, I sure enjoy all the pictures you post of your layout! I can tell it would be a fun place to relax!

Matt, I just love how you have pets on your layout! Sure brings thing to life!

Mark Power to the rails is a great step in the right direction! Then the building is just and extra for the day! Great Job!

All I did was open boxes I have had packed for over a year just to see what I really had! After I packed everything back up I noticed I missed 4 more boxes that were full of box cars! LOL Here are a few pictures of what I have!This doesn't include the stuff in the house! Once its in the new train room the CEO is going to be so happy!

Thank you, Mike!!  Yes it wasn’t a great day to be outside, so good day in the train room.  High was 43.  Snow flurries when we went to church.  I let the dog out and she didn’t stay out long.

Mike, so you had stuff stashed away in boxes too!  Nice!  I have a crane too, but don’t think I will use it on this layout.

Spring has finally arrived and I have been taking advantage of the warm weather to complete the Minntac taconite plant which is located on the summit of Mountain Iron.  The summit has been in the garage for electrical work, ground cover and forestation.   It even spent some drying time out in the warm spring sunshine.  The building and yard lighting is functional and more than 125 trees have been planted.  It will soon to be back on the layout awaiting final landscaping and additional forestation.  I received one loan palm tree amongst a mixed order of trees from Amazon.  I will plant it on the layout as a challenge for visitors - Find the lone tree that does not belong in northern Minnesota.   The palm will move around the layout from time to time.  This will be my version of “Where's Waldo.”

My next step is to relocate the summit back on the layout for additional tree planting and landscaping.  Then I plan to hookup wireless DCS.

Cheers to all and to the progress that has been recently posted.
Dave

Cork foundations for some of the plant buildings.

Building placement - final check.

Added ground cover after completing electrical wiring.

Enjoying some springtime sun drying.

Lighting check - daylight.

Lighting check - nighttime.

Beginning of forestation.

Wayward palm tree in Northern Minnesota!

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, so you had stuff stashed away in boxes too!  Nice!  I have a crane too, but don’t think I will use it on this layout.

I bought the crane cause it was a good price, I will have to make a place for it. After looking at all the stuff I can see I am going to have to do some changes to my plan!

No pictures, but I finally have the power for all four of my districts all sorted out. When we were wiring, a friend came over to help. I made a bad strategic error of allowing him to terminate the feeds. Either the wiring plan didn't make sense to him, or he was not very diligent in his efforts. FWIW, feeds 10,11,12, etc. went to district "1", 20, 21,22, etc. to district "2", and so on. Made sense to me.

Three of four districts had feeders that were all crossed-up. Back-feeding TIU channels really makes for a mess when you're trying to run DCS. 

The only apparent casualty is one TIU Variable output channel will only work in fixed mode now.  Not the end of my day as I don't plan to run anything in conventional on this layout anyway.

Lots of great stuff going on folks  

Mike and Mark looks like Christmas in your houses. 

Bob

Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania!  The scene looks great!  One lone palm tree in Minnesota!!  That’s great!

Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!

RSJB18 posted:

Lots of great stuff going on folks  

Mike and Mark looks like Christmas in your houses. 

Bob

Yes, it seemed like it!!

Mark, the area is taking shape with all the buildings. Good job so far............Paul

Went to the CAMRC show in Charleston with my son on Sunday. It was a nice show, had nice HO and O gauge displays, and had good supply of vendors. Mostly saw HO stuff, but they had a few people selling O stuff as well. I honestly think I spent more in gas getting there/home than I did at the show*. Did walk away with a vehicle and a nice trackside detail item (I'll take a photo later) along with the number of the guy who makes them ... I may request some custom work done in the future when I get the layout finally sorted out ... I have so much stuff crammed onto the layout at this point that there is no more room for anything that has a width larger than 2.5".

*My goal was spend time with my son, and then to possibly get vehicles and people, and I didn't see anyone selling people that I wanted.

paul 2 posted:

Mark, the area is taking shape with all the buildings. Good job so far............Paul

Thank you, Paul!

Well not on the layout but under it I guess.  The wife had a girls weekend away so I used that time to organize the basement and everything that was underneath it.  I was getting tired of going through box after box looking for stuff that I knew I bought but just couldn't find.  (Small electronics was the real pain)  So I dumped everything out and started to categorize it.  Good thing the wife wasn't home as it was a huge mess.  Surprisingly, in a good way, I found a lot of people and vehicles that I had completely forgotten about along with 2 korber building kits.  

With the day turning out to be nice I got down to the layout after breakfast and added plaster to the table and painted the foot prints for the buildings black. Got to go outside and do some yard work but I hope later today to add color to the plaster if it is dry by then. Pics.................Paul

Looking good Paul. Every available square inch is being put to good use in that basement for sure.

I'm liking the plaster cloth technique. I may try that on my layout too. I've been using grass paper in some areas but it doesn't look very realistic IMHO.

Bob

Mark Boyce posted:

Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania!  The scene looks great!  One lone palm tree in Minnesota!!  That’s great!

Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!

Mark,  If it is OK with you, we're keeping the warm weather here for a while.   Will send it on in JUNE!   It has been a tough spring.  Dave

darlander posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania!  The scene looks great!  One lone palm tree in Minnesota!!  That’s great!

Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!

Mark,  If it is OK with you, we're keeping the warm weather here for a while.   Will send it on in JUNE!   It has been a tough spring.  Dave

Ha, ha!  I don’t blame you!  

Yes it has been a tough spring here too!  

Bought a few KwiKonnect 2-pin connectors from Model Power. They seem like an ideal way to get some of my accessories connected without having to use a wire nut between my 14/16/18 gauge track wire and those puny wires that come with a majority of the Lionel and MTH accessories (as well as the Model Power LED figures I recently purchased).

Darlander, Your work looks wonderful! It's hard to believe its in your garage, as it looks fine by it's self! Once again I think everything looks great and love the night picture!

Gilly, I sorry about the electrical problem, but and glad you got it fixed! I know its going to be a nightmare for me!

Bob, a lot of the stuff I had forgotten I had ever bought! LOL

Paul, the Plaster is looking great I sure like how it turns out! After you put the cloth down, what method do you use for the molding compound?

Mike, I was using a spatula but now for the ground areas I am using a plastic spoon. When I do the hills and cliffs I use the spatula..... Paul's

Thanks Paul! With the spoon I guess you put a dab down and put an indentation in it?

Mike, I spoon it out of a small mixing pail and then after putting it on the plaster wrap I use the bottom of the spoon and sort of spread it around. Today the postman brought another set of die cast Weaver trucks I got off the Bay. So the plaster was dry enough that I got a coat of earth color on the plaster. Now I am going to let it dry all night, check it out tomorrow morning and add another coat of color. Pics.............Paul

I got the rails on the new tracks painted so they match the "rusted" look of the other tracks. I'm hoping to paint the underside of the plywood I'll be using for the downtown area this weekend. Things should move along quickly once the painting is done. Waiting for paint to dry slows progress 😉.

Paul, that sure looks great!

Lou, Waiting for paint give us time to do something else! Like Paul work on different section of the layout, while I use the time to play with my bulldog and have a beer! Sometimes wet paint can be a good thing! LOL

mike g. posted:

Darlander, Your work looks wonderful! It's hard to believe its in your garage, as it looks fine by it's self! Once again I think everything looks great and love the night picture!

Gilly, I sorry about the electrical problem, but and glad you got it fixed! I know its going to be a nightmare for me!

Bob, a lot of the stuff I had forgotten I had ever bought! LOL

Paul, the Plaster is looking great I sure like how it turns out! After you put the cloth down, what method do you use for the molding compound?

Thanks Mike!  The taconite plant is located in a darker area of the room so the plant lighting will show up even in daylight.   I do like the lighting effect from the yard lights.    They came from China, $14.95 for 10 and that included shipping.   Can't beat the price and quality.   As far as the garage is concerned - the work was done in the clean corner of the garage! 

Dave

Put out people ...

Placed vehicles...

And put out trackside details ...

And then brought my son out to run trains... until the wife came out and started saying "Is that new? When did you get this? I dont remember seeing that last time." So much for my shop being a place of refuge. I guess I'll start going drinking with the guys at night.

The DeWitt Clinton is back home home at John D's dad's layout!   

Here's some more happy snaps of Joe D's layout!  Scenicking is by local artist Gene Austin.   

Mickey Mantle says hi!