What did you do on your layout today?

Mark, I like the paint scheme on the station. What interior details are you planning on?

Andy

I agree with others that Alex is a great choice. He is talented and will be more actively involved. I do hope that the originator of this thread is ok.
Andy

Dave,  I don't remember going into any details about uncoupler locations.  When I shot that video, I only had them on the stub sidings in the yard.  So....  on storage yard tracks, I am installing them as close to the switch as I can and still have clearance to get around the last car on the siding.   On the interchange tracks I am placing them like the yard tracks to maximize the # of cars I can drop at the interchange, so same scenario as close to the switches without causing fouling.   Same situation again with my "run around" track and switch set-ups.  I'll need to install at least in the run around, so I can drop a car(s), uncouple and then run around it and the get the engine on the other side to service facing point sidings.

On industrial sidings like the coal tipples I am placing the magnets, where I can take advantage of the "delayed coupling" feature with the Kadees.  So even though I may want to spot empty cars under the coal tipple, the actual uncoupler is about 3 to 4 car lengths away from the coal chutes.   If you're not familiar with  "delayed" coupling, essentially you uncouple two Kadees over the magnet, leaving one coupler over the magnet, then back away an inch or two, and then reverse direction, and come back in slowly.  The magnets will actually pull the shanks away from the centerline so that the knuckles don't line up and "couple".  At that point, you can push the car down the siding and drop it a warehouse door, or coal chute, or any specific spot you want to leave it.  Since the knuckles didn't lock and engage, you can spot a car anywhere down the siding, without having to have an uncoupler at every door on a warehouse.  Yes, awkward to explain, but I don't want to shoot anymore video tonight.   I think there may be videos on YouTube of Kadee Delayed uncoupling.   This is a feature I look forward to using once I start actually operating the layout more.

Mark  the station is coming along great.   

That’s an impressive process you are setting up Chris. I would love to see a schematic of your layout. It sounds intricate and interesting.

@necrails posted:

After years of looking at this space trees are growing.  Supervised by Sam.

Both are looking fine.

Congratulations Alex! My old friend deserves the honor of keeping this thread updated! Congratulations and good luck pal!

Mike R

@Steamfan77 posted:

Mark, I like the paint scheme on the station. What interior details are you planning on?

Andy

Thank you Andy!  Actually, since the kit built per instructions has the freight doors closed, not a lot would be seen except through the bay window.  I'm thinking a freight desk there and some crates, barrels, etc stacked up.  Also a couple of workers.  The kit comes with a nice dock on front and back that all kinds of items could be put on them to distract from looking in the windows anyway.

I was running my SW 8 yesterday for a while and was having an issue with it loosing DCS signal. At first I thought it was something with the engine, but soon found the cause. I have just a remote commander, no TIU for this layout, and it would stop functioning. Checking the wiring I realized that it was connected to the "B" handle for the upper level. My KW bleeds voltage through if the handle is not fully in the off position so the RC would get enough power to function occasionally. Don't know why I hadn't noticed this before but since most of the switching is done on the main level I moved the wires to the other track buss. Problem solved!

Bob

@necrails posted:

After years of looking at this space trees are growing.  Supervised by Sam.

The trees look great. Sam looks like trouble......

Morning all, been working on Williams P.R.R. passenger cars that I took out the silhouette people and adding plastic windows, purchased some passenger seats from scale city, waiting for another dozen to add to the other cars, also updated the lights to led strips. Also painting some people to add to my set.

Thank a Vet

@Lionelski posted:

I've been busy on the layout for the past week or so.

I started by making and adding railings to a "floating" piece of track between a small mountain and the viaduct:

This made an earlier railed section of track look shabby - so I redid it:

If you like the way these railed sections look, I updated my early (8/13/21) Blog post on www.Warrenvillerailroad.com to include a "How To" with several follow along pics. This post is entitled "Avoiding the Floating Track Look" - check it out.

After seeing how these two sections turned out, I no longer liked the way a railed section of elevated track in front of Cape Warrenaveral and Main Street looked, so I removed it to re-do it.  BUT, when I took it down I liked the unobstructed look without this section of track so I decided not to put it back at all. This resulted in track and trestle work. Here is a pic of an added Arch Under bridge needed to support some of the new track work.

It also resulted in me completely re-doing Main Street as it looked shabby too. Here is the new wide open view:

I neglected to note above that one of the above upgrades required a 3 x 11 triangular layout expansion! Here is a pic:

OK, to clarify (LOL), I meant 3 inch by 11 inch triangular shaped expansion. Needed for the foot of the Arch Under bridge added

WOW guys, guess I have been away to long again! LOL, I had to go back 2 1/2 pages to get up to speed!

As Chris said to many projects to cover everyone, but wow sure is some nice work!

Chris a. wonderful job on the station and lighting! Thanks also for posting the uncoupler project, I really like it. At some point I intend to get back switching everything over to Kadee. I like your video of the Kadee's in action!

Alex, welcome and it's nice to see your still around, have seen much about your layout. But as someone already stated sometimes life gets in the way.

John, thanks for your photos and the link to how to avoid floating track. Love your ideas and I plan on trying them out when I get my last loop up and running.

Well guys haven't been doing anything, but I did get in the train room to check for roof leaks and was able to order what I hope will be the last of the track needed to finish my upper loop!

I hope the snow on the news misses you all and you find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!

Cold and gloomy afternoon = basement time!

First I reorganized some shelves in my work shop. The top two shelves and lower left were addressed. Not all train stuff but better than it was before. Threw out a bunch of stuff and found a few things along the way. One was a LED puck light I had gotten as a sample years ago. I knew one day I'd find a use for it. Well, today was the day.

Ran trains for a while. I put my LIRR RS-3 on the layout and was able to run it with my SW-8 despite the remote commander's ability to control only one engine. I could command both simultaneously so it sort of works. The RS-3 hits a couple of dead spots that the SW-8 doesn't so the experiment didn't last long. I dug out a custom car I had purchased early last year from the Railroad Museum of Long Island. They did a nice car honoring LI's duck farming heritage (courtesy of Lionel).

Bob

RSJB18 Bob, You’ve really been busy and your shelves look very organized, your  layout, and Long Island diesels are beautiful, also the the Long Island Duck Growers car is neat as well as the hopper car. You have a nice layout with lots of Action. Lionelski, you have a fantastic layout, also a great train collection, keep the pictures coming, your multi level track work is amazing.  Sitka, beautiful work o your passenger cars and you also have a super nice layout. Happy Railroading Everyone

@mike g. posted:

............John, thanks for your photos and the link to how to avoid floating track. Love your ideas and I plan on trying them out when I get my last loop up and running..............

Thanks Mike - I'm glad that you've found that blog post useful.

I like to see your layout update pics too - keep 'em coming.  Let us know if you come up with any other "avoiding floating track" ideas.

@leapinlarry posted:

.........Lionelski, you have a fantastic layout, also a great train collection, keep the pictures coming, your multi level track work is amazing.......

Thanks for the comments and encouragement leapinlarry.

Love the pics you post - are they of a Mid America 3 Railers club layout? Is there a website?

I'm envious of your photography skills too!

I add my thanks to Allen for wanting to keep this thread ongoing and welcome Alex as the new Author in Chief.    This post is destine for perpetuity!    It moves so fast that it’s hard to keep up with all the activity.     Always fun to view the many posts that inspire, provide help andI foster a host of new ideas.      

This past week I just learned of the passing of Paul 2.    I was curious regarding his lack of posting and saddened to learn of his passing in late 2021.    I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back at an event hosted by Elliot Feinburg AKA “Big boy 4005”.    It continues to be hard to accept the fact that life is tenuous and mortality statistics (100%), are against us!    Everyday is a gift!   

With that said, Sunday afternoon I put on my snow shoes and ventured out into the back yard to harvest some pulpwood stock for a new project I am finishing up.     This pasty week I received an eBay purchase of a Weaver flat car.    This car is now detailed and soon will be assigned to the DM&IR and will receive a pulpwood load.   The rebuild is complete and it's in primer.    Today I started building the load  but it looks like I need a few more chords to complete the project.   It is destine to become DMIR #6347.    Until then, wash your hands, cover your face (mask up), get your vacs and isolate yourself in your train room!  

Cheers, Dave

@leapinlarry posted:

RSJB18 Bob, You’ve really been busy and your shelves look very organized, your  layout, and Long Island diesels are beautiful, also the the Long Island Duck Growers car is neat as well as the hopper car. You have a nice layout with lots of Action. Lionelski, you have a fantastic layout, also a great train collection, keep the pictures coming, your multi level track work is amazing.  Sitka, beautiful work o your passenger cars and you also have a super nice layout. Happy Railroading Everyone

Thank You for the kind remarks, will post my passenger cars when completed and thanks on my layout its downsized from moving but we enjoy, and hats off to your layout always enjoy your photos great layout!

Mark

Sorry for the false alarm.   We'll wait till tomorrow and he'll have the 4K version published.

@Sitka posted:

Morning all, been working on Williams P.R.R. passenger cars that I took out the silhouette people and adding plastic windows, purchased some passenger seats from scale city, waiting for another dozen to add to the other cars, also updated the lights to led strips. Also painting some people to add to my set.

Thank a Vet

I see now how to get people with their legs still attached! Thankful part is they are cheap. Nice work and they look so much better with people and interiors,and the lights make it showtime.

Just wanted to compliment Chris a and his son on that video. You have excellent presentation skills. I sense a teaching background. As for your son he is an excellent videographer. Kudos to you both.

Dennis,  thanks for the kind words.  Not formal teacher, Industrial and Systems Engineer actually, but spent most of my career "teaching/thoroughly explaining" the how's and why's to my operations staffs.   Always took the approach that I could get people to buy in to new ideas and methods better if they had a clear understanding of why I was making changes to bring processes under control.

And yes I am really proud of the skills my son has developed doing photography and now videography, it's really awesome.  He's actually set up a small company and is doing commercial video work on the side.

  After I posted the "draft" video tonight, my son called, and recommended I take it down and wait for the 4K Hi Resolution version to get uploaded which will virtually take YouTube overnight as it's a huge file.   

So for everyone else that's wondering what the heck's going on.   I'll put the link up to the Christmas 2021: Walk Around Layout Tour and update when it's ready to go tomorrow.   

Very nice work everyone!

I glued the glazing onto all the window frames on the Altoona Branch Line Station kit.  Not much to see there.  I also ran some trains.  I discovered I do have enough time to switch a train while the other traverses the layout.

The log train was on the main line when the passenger train passed it using the passing siding.  While I let the passenger train circle the layout, I moved the log train to the passing siding.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I purchased this MTH Ted's Tires building and decided to make some modifications to it.

Well done!

Peter

Good morning all,

So i will make it my business just about every morning to check in on this thread. Geez i have to say it's a sight for sore eyes, such beautiful and interesting work , and photos.

Thanks, Alex

@Alex M posted:

Good morning all,

So i will make it my business just about every morning to check in on this thread. Geez i have to say it's a sight for sore eyes, such beautiful and interesting work , and photos.

Thanks, Alex

We will keep you on your toes Alex. This thread tends to move along pretty quick sometimes.

Didn't get to run trains this past weekend but did work on lighting improvements.  For one, added lighting to a Plasticville church.  Been doing upgrades to it in stages so thought I'd show the evolution.

1. Original structure colors with interior lights and cellophane windows (on an older layout).

2. Painted exterior and added exterior lighting

3.  Replaced interior lights with LEDs and added additional lighting to highlight tower/bell.

@Jim Van Every posted:

I see now how to get people with their legs still attached! Thankful part is they are cheap. Nice work and they look so much better with people and interiors,and the lights make it showtime.

Thanks Jim, when I picked these cars up like 20yrs ago the wiring melted, so I rewired and then found the seats on ebay, thinking about adding a latrine with a sink down the road.  Oh for sure on the people you can always repaint to change the colors, HAGD

Mark

@Mayor Magoo posted:

Didn't get to run trains this past weekend but did work on lighting improvements.  For one, added lighting to a Plasticville church.  Been doing upgrades to it in stages so thought I'd show the evolution.

1. Original structure colors with interior lights and cellophane windows (on an older layout).

2. Painted exterior and added exterior lighting

3.  Replaced interior lights with LEDs and added additional lighting to highlight tower/bell.

Well done!

Peter

OK YouTube finally finished processing the 4K final version of the video.   Many thanks to my son for shooting about 30 short videos and doing such a great job of editing and adding music.   And my daughter has done some great scenery work painting the clouds and mountains on the backdrops  and making some very realistic trees.

A few quick notes:   The layout is 23 feet x 40 feet around two long walls.   

The curves are 096 (48 inch radius) minimum.

It's powered by a ZW-C with 4 x 180 watt power bricks.   

The signal system is NJ International  B & O  CPL (color position lights ), Brass signal heads.  The single main line is 240 foot long and is a folded over dogbone configuration.   There are 11 blocks on the main, the signal system monitors and reports on "block occupancy" 2 blocks ahead.  This turned out, ironically,  to be exactly how the prototype B & O system worked.  Many thanks to Stan2004 for his help designing a 3PDT relay system to accomplish this.

The layout is actually built in irregular shaped modules, so it could be taken down, and moved if necessary.  I know I won't be starting another layout from scratch, at least not here on earth.  The 1st 3 modules were actually built and moved into the current basement.   The benchwork is L Girder/Joist.  All the lumber is dimensional 1 x 4.

Many folks have asked for "track plan".  I did the original track plan and early modifications in RR Track V4.0, which now will only run on an old off line desk top computer.  I don't actually have an "as built" track plan, and it's pretty confusing to review as I didn't make multiple levels.   Figured, it made, makes, more sense, to do a Walk Around and Talk about the track plan to show how and why it evolved into what it is today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_11HRZciRU

@Lionelski posted:

Thanks Mike - I'm glad that you've found that blog post useful.

I like to see your layout update pics too - keep 'em coming.  Let us know if you come up with any other "avoiding floating track" ideas.

Hi John, here is the only thing I came up with. It's Plexi glass screwed to 1/2" Plywood then covered with printed decal paper.

It was cheap for me as I had both on hand!

Chris, all I can say is WOW, WOW,WOW! That is truly a work of art in all aspects.      Your daughter did an excellent job with the backdrop and excellent cinematography by your son. You did a good job too with your commentary. Outstanding job and thank you so much for sharing.

Chris,

What a team you have! Thanks for the tour and explanation of your layout. Your production was informative, well thought through, and ultimately fun to watch. I really like how you gave us an explanation then let us see trains running on the layout.  Congrats!

Dave

P.S. Where did you get that very nice coaling station around 4:45, lol????

Jay thanks very much.  Glad you enjoyed it.   Hoping it will help someone who is in the process of building a layout or an extension, or just looking for ideas.  I found it really useful to do a bunch of research/reading - especially the "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John Armstrong. 

Dave,  coming from you that's a real compliment.  I subscribed to your channel, you have done some really good video work with excellent commentary as well.  We can thank  my son for integrating the running trains with the "lecture" !

After the center of the layout gets put back together, I'll do some short videos with a freight train arriving and getting broken down, and maybe a video spotting coal hoppers up on the mine run. 

As for what I am doing the last two days.  Watched a number of videos about cleaning track with odorless mineral spirits, and then treating the rails with a product called NO-OX-ID A Special, made by an American Company out of Chicago called SanChem.  It's a paste that prevents oxidation and micro arcing, pretty interesting stuff.  Anyway, as it may not play nice with traction tires, I am using it on the blackened center "hot" rail of all my Ross and Gargraves track.  So far engines are definitely running smoother, and lighted passenger cars and cabooses aren't blinking nearly as much as they were.  Only wish I had known about this stuff a few years ago, I would have used it on every Ross/Gargraves track pin.

Here's a link to the information on the product from their company website, I ended up buying a 2 oz. container on Amazon

https://www.sanchem.com/electr...ntact-lubricant.html

The Armstrong book has been viewed extensively; along with a half dozen other books. Your layout is the embodiment of such a publication; accompanied by a practical explanation. It was extremely helpful to be able to understand the concepts as well as the interconnection. That was an excellent tutorial. Thanks again.

Chris, I am in awe of your modeling talents and your sons videography skills.  Thanks for sharing!

Bob

Dave,  the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing.  Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass.   Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.

I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches.  Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes.    Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details.   My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end.    Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".

Here's some photos of both coaling towers: 

@chris a posted:

Dave,  the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing.  Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass.   Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.

I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches.  Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes.    Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details.   My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end.    Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".

Here's some photos of both coaling towers:

I have the Plasticville coal tower Chris.   What you did with multiple ones certainly turned out well sir.  A really nice looking construct.

@mike g. posted:

Hi John, here is the only thing I came up with. It's Plexi glass screwed to 1/2" Plywood then covered with printed decal paper.

It was cheap for me as I had both on hand!

Looks great Mike - looks like real rusted steel, who would have thunk decaled plexiglass.

Amazing customizing Chris A.

Thanks for sharing

Chris, I commented on your new thread on the video.  Here I want to say, I have the Armstrong book and read it many times over.  Unfortunately, there is only so much one can do with an 11 x 8 space for a layout.  The coaling towers look great.

Chris,

Thank you for your video. The scope and features of the layout are amazing. Rivals the best in the hobby.

Andy

@chris a posted:

OK YouTube finally finished processing the 4K final version of the video.   Many thanks to my son for shooting about 30 short videos and doing such a great job of editing and adding music.   And my daughter has done some great scenery work painting the clouds and mountains on the backdrops  and making some very realistic trees.

A few quick notes:   The layout is 23 feet x 40 feet around two long walls.   

The curves are 096 (48 inch radius) minimum.

It's powered by a ZW-C with 4 x 180 watt power bricks.   

The signal system is NJ International  B & O  CPL (color position lights ), Brass signal heads.  The single main line is 240 foot long and is a folded over dogbone configuration.   There are 11 blocks on the main, the signal system monitors and reports on "block occupancy" 2 blocks ahead.  This turned out, ironically,  to be exactly how the prototype B & O system worked.  Many thanks to Stan2004 for his help designing a 3PDT relay system to accomplish this.

The layout is actually built in irregular shaped modules, so it could be taken down, and moved if necessary.  I know I won't be starting another layout from scratch, at least not here on earth.  The 1st 3 modules were actually built and moved into the current basement.   The benchwork is L Girder/Joist.  All the lumber is dimensional 1 x 4.

Many folks have asked for "track plan".  I did the original track plan and early modifications in RR Track V4.0, which now will only run on an old off line desk top computer.  I don't actually have an "as built" track plan, and it's pretty confusing to review as I didn't make multiple levels.   Figured, it made, makes, more sense, to do a Walk Around and Talk about the track plan to show how and why it evolved into what it is today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_11HRZciRU

Chris.....the layout video left me speechless......fabulous!!!!!!

Peter

@chris a- add me to the list of impressed modelers. WOW! Goes to show that proper planning makes for a great layout.

You and your kids make a great team. Thanks for sharing the video of your layout.

Bob

Thanks for all positive feedback.  Of course, I forgot to mention what an integral role all of you, the members of this great forum, have played in this almost 8 year long project.   It's been, and continues to be a fruitful journey.   Clearly, this forum provides opportunities to see and read about what's possible, and at every turn members have been extremely helpful posting photos, descriptions and learning points. 

Bob, about the "planning"... It's turned out to be a huge benefit that I decided to build this in removable modules. While it took much longer, it enabled me to slow down, do some basic scenery work along the way, and actually make some significant changes to the original plan.  A blessing in disguise is how I look back at it, now. 

On top of all that and this point has been made before, it's great to get to know folks here, even if you'll never get to meet them face to face.    I was clearly in the "lone wolf" lane with this hobby before joining the OGR forum. 

Been fooling about with the ancient mystic art of wire wrap, last done by me a quarter-century or more ago...

Should make wiring up LEDs a lot easier! 

Mitch

@chris a posted:

Many folks have asked for "track plan".  I did the original track plan and early modifications in RR Track V4.0, which now will only run on an old off line desk top computer.  I don't actually have an "as built" track plan, and it's pretty confusing to review as I didn't make multiple levels.   Figured, it made, makes, more sense, to do a Walk Around and Talk about the track plan to show how and why it evolved into what it is today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_11HRZciRU

Wonderfull video Chris! However, It does foster up a boatload of envy!    Your trackage is so realistic, interesting, and functional which must provide you hours of great operational opportunities. Your level of realism is outstanding.   I’m also jealous of your long mainline run and signal system!    Would like to see more images of the engine facilities in addition to the far right and left side return trackage. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more!

Cheers, Dave     

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Been fooling about with the ancient mystic art of wire wrap, last done by me a quarter-century or more ago...

Should make wiring up LEDs a lot easier! 

Mitch

Oh my goodness!!!!  I had a job where I did that every day!!  Let's see.  When did they lay me off prior to closing down?  1979!  I haven't touched those tools in 43 years!!

I agree, it will make wiring those LEDs a lot easier!

Morning guys I hope your all doing well!

Chris, I just watched your video and all Ican say is WOW! I posted on your video thread but also wanted to post here. What an amazing layout and a work of love. You can see it in every detail you have on your layout! You and your kids have done an Outstanding job!

Well guys, I think today is the first day I will be getting out to the train room. I have to remove my tank yard and some other building as I am excepting the final order of track to finish the top loop. I want to be ready for when it gets here! LOL

I hope you all have a great day and please find time to watch Chris's video and have fun with your layout!

@chris a posted:

Dave,  the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing.  Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass.   Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.

I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches.  Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes.    Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details.   My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end.    Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".

Here's some photos of both coaling towers:

Excellent job. I think many compliments will follow.

@chris a posted:

Dave,  the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing.  Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass.   Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.

I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches.  Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes.    Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details.   My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end.    Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".

Here's some photos of both coaling towers:

Hey Chris,

They both look good. I did the P.S. on the end of my reply because I thought the Plasticville tower was the Ogle tower. It looks so much better on your layout than in the box before you saved it from me.

Dave

Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”.    The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass!   Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYo0AdtLgUY

PS: I also added the white ceiling beam in my reconstruction (look above the right elbow of the gentlemen in the doorway).

Also, at the end of the video, be sure to click on the link to learn about the Northland!

Cheers, Dave

Hi guys got all the buildings and trucks moved for future upper-level completion!

Chris the coaling towers are outstanding! I don't have anything like that on my layout, but maybe down the road now that I have a Steam Engine!

Dave, Wonderful work on the Northland car! I love the detail you put into your projects!

"Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”.    The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass!   Enjoy!"   

Dave,  Thanks for posting that video, that was awesome.  I loved following the project when you did W24 and the companion company car, but the video ads volumes of detail and interest.   Also meant to mention that pulp car project turned out great as well.

Here's some more photos of the steam engine service facility (below)

The other Dave (luvindemtrains).....  Saw your post, I'd forgotten who I bought that Ogle tower from.  I enjoyed doing the upgrades to that Ogle Coal tower.   Not sure how GGD ever let it get out the door with what appeared to be "G Scale" stairs, but having worked on the Plasticville tipples definitely applied to working on the GGD tower.   

There was a great article on upgrading Plasticville Coal Tipple/Towers but I can't tell you exactly when it was published.  I think I saw it in Model Railroader circa late 1990's.   It was a really comprehensive how to, well written, good bill of materials (Plastruct) required, and some full size templates of how to fabricate your own chutes.   My recollection is a gentleman running S scale did it, and without it, I would have never gotten mine done.   I probably still have that issue, problem is I have about 350 other old model train magazines and publications too, (and not well organized), so going digging for it right now isn't on the schedule. 

Chris, your empire really needs to be featured in the magazine.

I'll second that.

Joe has seconded the motion. All those in favor, sound your whistle.🚂

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Joe has seconded the motion. All those in favor, sound your whistle.🚂

Toot Toot

@darlander posted:

Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”.    The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass!   Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYo0AdtLgUY

PS: I also added the white ceiling beam in my reconstruction (look above the right elbow of the gentlemen in the doorway).

Also, at the end of the video, be sure to click on the link to learn about the Northland!

Cheers, Dave

Dave,

Fantastic video - loved the car's history.

Great model!!

Thanks for sharing

Hopefully one of these days I'll get the opportunity to be featured in the magazine.   Still have to do the scenery at the far west end ...  It's 10 x 16 feet...  Urban Canyons....    Thanks for your thoughts. 

@chris a posted:

Hopefully one of these days I'll get the opportunity to be featured in the magazine.   Still have to do the scenery at the far west end ...  It's 10 x 16 feet...  Urban Canyons....    Thanks for your thoughts.

I vote for a magazine article too!  Toot, toot!

I'm in for an article! Would love to read more about it!

TOOT! TOOT! @chris a

Dave- great work on the coach. Thanks for sharing the video of the real thing too.

I received the replacement fire kit from Evan Designs and started rebuilding the burn barrel last night. I glued the kindling back in this morning so that I can reassemble everything later.  Hopefully I can get the diorama on the layout over the weekend.

Bob

'Road testing' a GN R-2 2-8-8-2 steam engine.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...8#158674373623625048

TOOT  TOOT

Pulling up foam roadbed that was glued down on latex paint over 2 inch rigid foam to make track changes. Wellbond glue was supposed to be water soluble glue but peeled up more latex paint than the glue by wetting the foambed and glue so will be having to repaint that area of the layout after I remove the plastic wall anchors in the rigid foam that the track was screwed into, fill in the holes from them, and where wiring ran down through the foambed, rigid foam, and plywood to under the layout. Trying to reuse as much of the foambed as possible so have it over the heat registers drying out tonight.  Always something! That's why a layout is never finished!

Just got through adding 6.5" to the width of my layout. This allowed me to add a loop for running AF along with my postwar Lionel.

About six weeks ago I set out on restoring a rare Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car....circa 1921. This car and the # 31 Combine can be quite difficult to find as they were late additions to the passenger line.

@gandydancer1950 posted:

About six weeks ago I set out on restoring a rare Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car....circa 1921. This car and the # 31 Combine can be quite difficult to find as they were late additions to the passenger line.

Wonderful restoration, thanks for sharing.

It's been awhile since I had time to work on the layout.  With temps below 0 I went to the basement and worked some scenery.  It's just the base, still need to add the brush. I installed some block wall then the ballast and dirt.  Once the glue is dried I will finish the area up. Nick T.

@leapinlarry

Larry:

I so much enjoy photos of your layout. There is so much care, attention to detail and modeling skill on display in each photo. You sir, are an artist! Your layout is an inspiration to us all.

Have been updating computer on blocks and turnout descriptions/locations with plan to label wires after complete. Then computer died and we are replacing it.

So moved on to preparing to ballast the right side main lines and will begin that today. That is less than exciting but has to be done.

Rich and I installed two speakers in the Roanoke Shops area that play roundhouse sounds. That gives a total of four and allow the sounds to be heard and keep the volume low.

His next project is to construct the building for the transfer table operator, the railings, and some accessories that go with it. Then we can add figures.

Cleaned off the cob webs

Finalizing my Standard Gauge Track plans.

Good morning all!

I Finally had the chance to dust off the layout and run some trains.

Morning guys, looks like everyone has been busy!

Nick looks like you have a great start on your scenery with the block wall. I really like how its turning out with the ground cover and bushes!

Alex, Nice to see trains running on your layout! I think Alan did you a favor and got you really involved with this thread as it seems to have motivated you back to the train room! Love seeing your layout and how it has come along from the beginning!

I'm going to work more on my 072 templet today and if I feel good about it, just might cut some plywood!

Well, I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!

A page or so back, people were talking about their inventory programs.....I need to get control of my inventory.....1st step......a load to Cabin Fever.

Peter

That’s quite the thinning of the herd Peter.

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys, looks like everyone has been busy!

Nick looks like you have a great start on your scenery with the block wall. I really like how its turning out with the ground cover and bushes!

Alex, Nice to see trains running on your layout! I think Alan did you a favor and got you really involved with this thread as it seems to have motivated you back to the train room! Love seeing your layout and how it has come along from the beginning!

I'm going to work more on my 072 templet today and if I feel good about it, just might cut some plywood!

Well, I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!

Thank you Mike !

I didn't know what i was missing , this thread is amazing !

I thank Alan for giving me the shot at this !

Alex

@Alex M posted:

Thank you Mike !

I didn't know what i was missing , this thread is amazing !

I thank Alan for giving me the shot at this !

Alex

Like I said Alex, welcome to the party!

Good to see trains running on your layout.

Bob

Bill, sorry the computer went down.  It’s always something!  The roundhouse sounds should make for a good effect.

Dave and Alex, cobwebs and dust is a start.  Nice seeing your layout again, Alex!

Peter, your thinning the herd looks about as big as my whole collection!  Good idea to go to Cabin Fever and let someone else do it.

Mike, I forgot what you are doing with the 072 cutting!

I discovered an issue with a troublesome B&O Mikado last evening.  It may go back on the shelf for now, so I can run other trains and build the station and scenery

@RSJB18 posted:

Like I said Alex, welcome to the party!

Good to see trains running on your layout.

Bob

Yes i agree !  this is an awesome thread

Alex

@Alex M posted:

Good morning all!

I Finally had the chance to dust off the layout and run some trains.

Alex

Good to see the layout running

Steve

Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,

Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL

Here are a couple photos!

This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!

I hope you all have a great night!

@mike g. posted:

Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,

Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL

Here are a couple photos!

This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!

I hope you all have a great night!

Looks great Mike. I'm sure with your skills it going to be spot on....

Hi guys, just a quick update, the FedEx guy just dropped off my track. First thing in the morning I will be test fitting everything!

Wow, doesn't take much to make me happy! 😂

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys, just a quick update, the FedEx guy just dropped off my track. First thing in the morning I will be test fitting everything!

Wow, doesn't take much to make me happy! 😂

Looking forward to it Mike.

You’re going to love those large curves. It make the trains more realistic.

Hey fellas,  I thInk is the, not only excellent thread to list our layout updates in general, but a good place to glean what others are doing. Uh, or was that the point😜. Anyhow here’s a pic of what I got done today. It’s a start on tying in some shelving space for my future Legacy and the Lionchief remotes, and other stuff.  I sure do like my toy trains🤪

I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire. 

Obxtrainman, your woodworking skills look terrific. Keep us posted.

Mike, You will be spot on!!!

OBXtrainman, nice looking shelving you are making.

FECrailroaddog, you did a great job paining and weathering that caboose.

I didn't do anything on my layout today.  This evening I met with the other Train Club of Zelienople fellows finalizing some plans for a 4-module layout.  I dropped off a lot of extra Ross curve sections and #24 wire I didn't use on the home layout.

Thanks Mark

@mike g. posted:

Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,

Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL

Here are a couple photos!

This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!

I hope you all have a great night!

Mike, impressive cutting job the curve out of a 2 x8 plywood piece!  The layout is really coming together!

Paul, you are right about Mikes curves!  The saber saw has a mind of its own in my hand!  😆

@t8afao posted:

It's been awhile since I had time to work on the layout.  With temps below 0 I went to the basement and worked some scenery.  It's just the base, still need to add the brush. I installed some block wall then the ballast and dirt.  Once the glue is dried I will finish the area up. Nick T.

I

Looks great with nice before and after,   Like the block wall.   Did you make the block wall or if not curious where you sourced it from as have a few areas I am looking to do something similar.   Thank you

@t8afao looks great.  I also want to know about the block wall.  And also, did you use pins to mate the Fastrack to Gargraves?

Rick

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.

That caboose looks familiar. I guess it was made for bashing. Nice work  on the conversion.

@mike g.- can't wait to see the new reverse loop completed.
@obxtrainman- The shelf looks good so far.
@t8afao- Not sure if I missed your OP on the retaining wall. Nice work Nick.

I plan to get my yard office installed on the layout today. The barrel is rebuilt and wired up. Pix later.

Bob

Morning guys, thanks for all the nice words! I know I have more cutting and fitting to do buy hope to have it fitted in today. Chris a. brought up a wonderful idea of laminating 2 1/2" pieces together to give me a stronger roadbed where it is not supported by the bench work under it. I would buy I am out of plywood, so I plan on trying to make a steel "C" channel to support as I have some just laying around. Just takes some cutting and welding to bake the bends! LOL Wish me luck!

@obxtrainman, your in the right place and the shelf is looking good!

@FECRailroaddog Outstanding job on the caboose! It really looks factory done if not better!

I hope everyone has a great Saturday and fun with there layouts!

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys, thanks for all the nice words! I know I have more cutting and fitting to do buy hope to have it fitted in today. Chris a. brought up a wonderful idea of laminating 2 1/2" pieces together to give me a stronger roadbed where it is not supported by the bench work under it. I would buy I am out of plywood, so I plan on trying to make a steel "C" channel to support as I have some just laying around. Just takes some cutting and welding to bake the bends! LOL Wish me luck!

I hope everyone has a great Saturday and fun with there layouts!

Mike- If you add some sort of side to the curve it would add some rigidity to the ply. If you have any masonite or thin plywood, glue it to the side and that should give you added strength. Plexiglass would even work. Maybe you can incorporate this into a finished truss bridge like you did on the other side of the layout.

Bob

@Rixster posted:

@t8afao looks great.  I also want to know about the block wall.  And also, did you use pins to mate the Fastrack to Gargraves?

Rick

I used the Lionel fastrack that has pins on one side and the fastrak connection on the other side. The fastrack is 5 inches long. It works great in connecting the two or used with Atlas track. The block wall I purchased of Ebay.  It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible.  I have used both on the layout.  It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches. 

@jjwyatt posted:

Looks great with nice before and after,   Like the block wall.   Did you make the block wall or if not curious where you sourced it from as have a few areas I am looking to do something similar.   Thank you

The block wall I purchased off Ebay.  It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible.  I have used both on the layout.  It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches.  Easy to cut with knife or hacksaw blade. I do carve the stones on the top row so that it doesn't look like one long stone.  Paint the desired color you like and weather. I tried carving my own out of pink foam and it never looked good. This has saved time. I also line the inside tunnels to, that can be seen.

t8afao For some reason I forgot to comment on the original post of the stone wall.  You have really applied the product well!  I really like it!

mike g. since you have the material and can weld, you will make short work of it.  Bob has a good suggestion for those of us who don't have the option you have.  I'm in the Masonite camp.  I have a good bit of it and have next to zero metal working and welding skills.  When one product is unavailable or the price goes up, there is always an alternative. (No political comments please.  I'm just trying to state how a modeler needs to be an innovator)

I searched for a suitable future location for a Lionel Base3.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.

Excellent makeover! No more plain Jane.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.

Great job! Very cool.

I love custom cabeese and have so far made 15 of them to match my postwar diesels and electrics

Thanks for all the nice comments! Bob nice conversion on your model.

Here is the second part of the conversion, I converted an old Lionel MPC Amtrack to match the caboose, this FEC color scheme is impossible to find in O scale.

t8afao amazing job on the retaining wall.

Nick, nice job on the retaining wall, looks great.

Alex, good to have you back. Glad you got to run some trains.

Mike G., the sub roadbed looks good, nice work.

OBX, nice work on the shelving, well done

FECdog, the caboose looks great.

Andy

Wow! I saw a lot of nice work fellas. Mike i like those wide curves you’re building, Semper Fi.  Love the different levels and your retaining walls t8afao.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Thanks for all the nice comments! Bob nice conversion on your model.

Here is the second part of the conversion, I converted an old Lionel MPC Amtrack to match the caboose, this FEC color scheme is impossible to find in O scale.

Outstanding, Railroaddog. I’m starting to think I really need to head east over on Pines Blvd past I75 to check out your layout.

Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car...before and after...

Afternoon folks.

As promised, I have installed the caboose office on the layout.

I wired up the lights, which brings up another topic which I will post on the electrical forum. I split up the lighting, the interior is on one circuit, and the exterior/ burn barrel on another.

Also, added ground cover around the diorama and copious amounts of wet-water and glue. I will add more detailing after the glue dries.

(More pix in the attachment box below)

Bob

Lol your welcome here Strap Hanger..

Been busy today, got these in yesterday and began working on transforming them to FEC.

@RSJB18, Bob, that’s a super nice scene with the burning barrel and the caboose, very creative, @@Mike g., it’s really nice to see your back to working on the railroad, and that wide curve is going to be nice. @Strap Hanger, your layouts coming along fine to, Happy Railroading Everyone

Afternoon guy, I hope you all had a great Saturday!

@t8afao The block walls look great on your layout and thank you for the information where you got them and what size to look for!

@FECRailroaddog Outstanding work on the transformation of that engine! Looking at it now you would never know it use to be Amtrack!

@Gandydancer Great job on the restore! Looks like new!

@RSJB18 Bob That looks AMAZING! I like the fact that you can turn off the lights inside and still have the fire burning outside!

@leapinlarry Larry you are the man with an AMAZING layout and every time I see photos of it I just drool! LOL

Well guys I have to be totally honest with you all today really sucked!! I opened the box with my track order this morning and low and behold they sent me (10) 072 curves, (5) 080 curves for a total of (15) curves when I ordered a total of (16) 072 curves.

I was at least able to use the correct curves they sent me to check my roadbed and it all looks great. But I have one problem that is just killing me! I have been back and forth to SCARM plan and the layout with a tape measure, but neither end are lining up in the middle. the switches are in the correct location. At this point I am not sure what to do! Any ideas or help would be great!

Here are a couple photos so you can see what I am talking about!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be spending my Sunday scratching my head trying to figure out what to do to fix this!

@t8afao posted:

@t8afao

Nick:

You appear to have the scenic infrastructure for a GREAT layout. Your scenery is superb. Also, I love your stone walls. Did make those walls or were they purchased? If you purchased them, where are they available?

Again, I think your layout is outstanding. Keep up the good work and keep sharing the progress photos.

@Randy Harrison posted:

@t8afao

Nick:

You appear to have the scenic infrastructure for a GREAT layout. Your scenery is superb. Also, I love your stone walls. Did make those walls or were they purchased? If you purchased them, where are they available?

Again, I think your layout is outstanding. Keep up the good work and keep sharing the progress photos.

The block wall I purchased off Ebay.  It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible.  I have used both on the layout.  It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches.  Easy to cut with knife or hacksaw blade. I do carve the stones on the top row so that it doesn't look like one long stone.  Paint the desired color you like and weather. I tried carving my own out of pink foam and it never looked good. This has saved time. I also line the inside tunnels to, that can be seen.

Bob, excellent work on the on the yard office. When I saw the pics and video my reaction was: “that’s so cool”.

Andy

Mike,  the switch back against the wall near the crane,  Consider moving it back considerably.

Move if a foot or so  and you will have the curves match up, move it further and you will then be able to have a tangent in the "S" curve.

Hi Tom, are you talking about the one near the window? If so I can't move it, unless I remove the switch that goes outside.

That turned out really nice Bob; congratulations. Excellent idea to separate the power. There is definitely one of these in my future.

@gandydancer1950 posted:

Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car...before and after...

Awesome job 👍

Here is another project on a busy weekend, I got this 3 car set on ebay for 42.00 and decided to convert them to the FEC passenger car, since once again they are hard to find, if they were ever made with the FEC road name.

@mike g. posted:

Hi Tom, are you talking about the one near the window? If so I can't move it, unless I remove the switch that goes outside.

Mike, I can not see the overall  setting but, if using 072 and the "S" reverse curve is an absolute the one thing I can suggest is:

Make up the 072 "S" reverse curve either with or without a 21"  tangent.  (in three rail with truck mounted couplers the "S" tangent may be optional).  Use of the tangent mid section is always best.

Fabricate the track and the plywood subroadbed connecting everything tacked up in place with the switches added at each end.   Make sure the tangents of the switches are on a perfect 90 degree right a way alignment.    A complete kind of elevated railway.

Make sure that this sub-assembly does not kink the track connections and give false readings.  Screw it together accurately and firmly.

Now use this sub-assembly to absolutely locate the exact place where you will need to splice in the assembly.

The proper locating of the insert may require other modifications like adjusting the position of another switch and it's diverging track.

This brings up the disconnect that a track plan program may produce.  When needing to insert a track feature nothing beats using the actual desired configuration as the template.

Doing this properly will provide flawless performance down the road.

@mike g. posted:

I was at least able to use the correct curves they sent me to check my roadbed and it all looks great. But I have one problem that is just killing me! I have been back and forth to SCARM plan and the layout with a tape measure, but neither end are lining up in the middle. the switches are in the correct location. At this point I am not sure what to do! Any ideas or help would be great!

Here are a couple photos so you can see what I am talking about!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be spending my Sunday scratching my head trying to figure out what to do to fix this!

Mike- SCARM can be off by quite a bit. What you could try is using a couple of tighter radius curves to get the alignment you need. Even a half of an 060 could make a big difference. Reverse loops take up a lot of real estate. I'm with Tom on avoiding the S curve if possible too. A short straight section will help the rolling stock go through the curve easily.

If you can't move the switch by the window, can you move the other one further away from the corner? That would give you more room to make the reverse.

Bob

All;

   I posted some time ago that I was working on re-creating the Lionel D-225 Display Layout I have posted a few photos of our progress. We are getting close to laying track. I will post more photos as we make progress.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

The work justs keeps on getting better and better as i tune in each morning. It's great to see this hobby thriving stronger and stronger!

Thanks, Alex

This wasn’t just today but I finished up this section of the layout with Menards building and my own twist on one of there building fronts.  

@t8afao posted:

The block wall I purchased of Ebay.  It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible.  I have used both on the layout.  It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches.

@t8afao

Thanks for the informatio0n on the block wall. It looks like the retaining walls sold by Scenic Express. Is ti the same, to your knowledge?

Mike I just saw how much the track plan is off.

We use RRTrax and have never found it to be off by more than 1/4”. (Me off, yeah, but RRTrax has been pretty much dead on.)

Our layout is 38 x 18 plus/minus (Paula says slightly more) and we are working on level 2 so it is a pretty good test.

Good luck with the turnout/s curve. We are fighting that problem today after we check out the nee computer that was hooked up last night.

Nick, like the walls a lot. Like Randy, we would like to know more.

@RSJB18 posted:

That caboose looks familiar. I guess it was made for bashing. Nice work  on the conversion.

I plan to get my yard office installed on the layout today. The barrel is rebuilt and wired up. Pix later.

Bob

Great minds think alike Bob. Here, tucked behind an Icing station and under the upper level, is a similar build I made about 20 years ago.

Check out the electric sub-station (or whatever it is) to the left of it. Can anyone guess what it's body and other parts were made from?

Alex, you are so right!  That certainly is a lot of great projects! 

Mike, What a dilemma.  Hopefully Tom's great suggestions will help you find a solution!

Ideathinker, that is quite a track plan.  You should have tons of action once you get trains rolling!

Bob, the caboose shed looks great!

We had some discussion about whether I should open the doors on my Altoona Model Works Branch Line station, and the verdict is the doors will stay closed.  The kit provides a loading dock for all 4 sides which will provide plenty of room for interesting activity.

I finally found my sanding stick to clean out the bay window openings.  A file would have been hard to make a nice straight edge.  I have all the other windows installed.  With it snowing outside, I'm going to work on this and wait until later or tomorrow to run the snow blower.  Have a great Sunday!

We put up the last bit of shelving. Basically on the wall on the left side. Pops has been busy getting engines out so we can see them.

Also put some ash in and around the ash pit. Outside of that it was a lot of train running

Today I applied the matte finish to my eBay Weaver flat and cleared my workbench so I’m ready for a new project start!    During the rebuild I also completed a pulpwood load for the “tie load flat”, so I currently have the option of supplying three cars for shipping pulpwood. Besides handling iron ore shipments to the steal industry, the DM&IR was busy helping transport lumber products for construction and the paper industry.    Life is good in spite of Covid!   It is so nice to have this diversions!!

Cheers to all, wash your hands and play it safe,  Dave

@Tom Tee posted:

Mike,  the switch back against the wall near the crane,  Consider moving it back considerably.

Move if a foot or so  and you will have the curves match up, move it further and you will then be able to have a tangent in the "S" curve.

Hi Tom, I tried everything I can think of and still can't get it to work. Here are a couple photos, maybe they will help.I can move this switch to the left about 4 to 5 inches but that's it our it will hit the lift bridge.I can't move this switch at all. As you can see it's right in the curve in my upper loop and is to switch the train to go outside.

And this is what I get! Lol

Mike, maybe using flex track the whole way will help? Just shooting this our there . Dont know if you tried it yet .

@mike g. posted:

Mike, this might be a place for some insertion of flex track!   It would help smooth out the S curve!  

Cheers, Dave

Mike, just to clarify; is the track going into the American Power and light station the one that will lead to the outside of your building?  If so, yes I see you are butted up against that switch and the lift-up bridge. 

Are you able to rebuild the lift-up bridge so the hinge pint and linear actuator are on the opposite side of the entrance aisle giving more room for the curve there?  Probably not, or you would have already thought of it. 

Hi guys, I have been thinking about flex track, but trying to make it work if I can.

Yes Mark you are correct the track behind the power station is the on that goes outside. As for moving the lift bridge to the other side won't happen, as you know it takes a little bit of work to get it set up in the first place.

If worse comes to worse I will fall back on the flex track.

I used flex track for a majority of my track, almost three cases which is 450 feet.  Once you get used to working with it, it's a ton easier to do stuff like that s-curve.   Sectional track doesn't always make it easy to do certain plans.

Mike, I understand completely why you don’t want to reverse the lift up bridge!  😩 Yes see how flex track works out!  👍🏻