What did you do on your layout today?

Mike g., looking good, your large curve is going to be really nice. Keep us posted., Everyone has posted some really neat pictures the last few pages. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Mike g., looking good, your large curve is going to be really nice. Keep us posted., Everyone has posted some really neat pictures the last few pages. Happy Railroading Everyone

You know Larry, every time I see photos of your layout I am so impressed of the detail! Love everything you post!

Finally got the last of the bench work made up, its now big enough for a dogbone with O-72 on each side. I can't believe the amount of space you need to runs Lionel's best engines but it will be worth it.

@Ian Y. posted:

Finally got the last of the bench work made up, its now big enough for a dogbone with O-72 on each side. I can't believe the amount of space you need to runs Lionel's best engines but it will be worth it.

Looking good! Just think of all the stuff you get to put in the middle of the loops!

@Jack Texas Special posted:

Thanks.  Any certain specifications I should look for?

I use TVS diode 1.5KE36CA  30.8v 1500w

I finally got around to working on the swing gate to support the MTH He!! gate bridge (I put exclamation marks to avoid it being censored.)  Here are some updated photos.  I started with changing the shape of the rear layout to give me space.  Than I started to build a support for the He!!  Gate bridge.

The problem with the He!!gate Bridge is that it is heavy and bulky.  I did not trust lifting or lowering it.

I decided to try a barn door approach with a hinge to swing it and wheels to support it moving back and forth.

I started with two by fours with single wheels which were more expensive than simply buying two dollies with larger wheels.

I than went with a 1x3 frame using cheap bed slat wood and measured from there.  It was challenging as I was dealing with multiple angles.

I did have a good friend who turned me on to Kreg screws which made the project easier but I could have used an extra hand or three.

As you can see in the above photo,  I started with one dolly in the front.  Then I decided to get rid of the extra 2x4 support in the rear and have the gate more self supporting and added a second rear dolly.

The dollies rolled a little stiffly and placed pressure on the frame.

I was required to add some metal framing to give the gate some support.  It now moves smoothly and I will start to improve the framing now that I know what sizes work.  I realize that this is "cut twice, measure once" but it works.  I start with cheap wood and can than determine what fits.  Than I can rebuild my prototype.  Heck, if it works for Menards . . .

If you look closely, you can see that my base is actually two small Harbor Freight dollies to support the swinging gate.   I have placed track in the bridge to test it to make sure it is level and electrically connected.  Now I have to figure out the best way to split the track at the tables and have the track mate when opening and closing.

Any thoughts?

I finally finished my truss under bridges today and got them set in place. They 48" in length. I placed some engines on the bridges to check perspective.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

That M1 looks soooooooo cool!  And the layout looks amazing too.

Ideathinker, your layouts looking great, the long bridges look beautiful, the M1 looks right at home to. Your so creative. Happy Railroading Everyone

@idea-thinker posted:

I finally finished my truss under bridges today and got them set in place. They 48" in length. I placed some engines on the bridges to check perspective.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Wow  IT.   Tracks unlimited.  I get dizzy just trying to figure out how you can put this together.

You deffinetly have " something to do on your layout "

Love the bridges. Bookmarked the page for future reference.

Rich came over this afternoon and worked on building one of Al’s Transfer Table Manager’s offices as a part of completing the table.

He is a retired orthopedic surgeon who builds cabinets so this would be a breeze… right.

He studied the plans like a good student.

Then he completed the roof like a champ. Rich was quite complimentary about Al’s design skills.

Then he worked on **** winders (windows for most of us), and finally completed ten of them and a door. Al’s name did not fare too well here. (Big fingers and poor eyesight notwithstanding).

Finally the building was glued together. To be honest, Rich did it his way by then.

Actually it turned out looking good.

The proud builder had a big smile.

Idea thinker. Man do I love those bridges and you know why. Thanks for building me one of those beauties.i finally started working on my scenery around my oil refinery.  These are some pics before I finished the lights.

Mike, I can picture the flextrack in place right now.

Ian, the table looks great!  How large is it?

Larry, great photographs as always!!

EML, the support for the bridge looks great.  I built a lift up, and have seen roll out bridge track where it meets the table, but can't offer any thiughts on it.

Ideathinker, those bridges are really great looking!

Bill, Rich did a great job on that transfer table office.

John, the refinery is coming along great.  It sure looks bright with the blue compared to the Pennzoil refinery north of Oil City, Pennsylvania that I used to drive by often.

My station kit is coming along.  The walls, doors, windows, and trim are done.  I started shingling the roof with the peal and stick shingle strips that came with the kit.  I painted them gray to look like slate before hand, and will dry brush a bit when done.  The roof panels are just sitting on the building for the photograph.

I’m figuring out how to best fit my Valley Motors on the layout.

Thanks to my wife who bought me this for Xmas. ❤️🎁

Wow had to go back two pages to get caught up.   Glad I am not the only one hibernating in the basement, working many hours, what great work by all. 

Got the Pennsy Block wall done, finally !!.   Took out the new to me for Christmas, video camera from my son, and on the third video attempt finally started producing a result worth publishing...  No talking in this video, just trains running in 4K.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tEFy5I3c-w

Nothing level, nothing plumb.  Nothing straight, everything crooked and warped. At this point my OCBDds everything had to be perfect has worn off. After this adhesive has cured Ill fill and paint to a level my blind self can’t notice.

Idea Thinker,

What a great layout.  I was working on one bridge  and I count eight bridges and at least two levels of track.  What a great space.

Please keep us in the loop.  Would you share your layout plan?   

Chris, that truly is a work of art that you have created. The wall turned out great and if I didn’t know better, the backdrop and scenery look so realistic. That is a nice video and you let the operation and scenery do the talking. That’s going to get a lot of “likes”. Great job.

Man- Now I'm falling behind. Nothing new to report on my layout. I was going to work on some details for the caboose office last night but my butt hit the recliner after dinner and the rest is history as they say.......

Lot's of great pix everyone and a great video Chris.

Bob

Nothing wrong with recliner therapy Bob.

@RSJB18 posted:

Man- Now I'm falling behind. Nothing new to report on my layout. I was going to work on some details for the caboose office last night but my butt hit the recliner after dinner and the rest is history as they say.......

Lot's of great pix everyone and a great video Chris.

Bob

Sometimes I do my best work coming up with ideas while in the recliner. Then I wake up and forget half of it!🙄

Love your layout Chris A. I started to watch your video on my phone. Then I remembered I could just subscribe to your channel and watch it on a big screen.  

The recliner doesn’t work well for me with my back and sciatic issues, but I do come up with great ideas and forget half of them.  That is a big reason why I get ahead of myself and have to redo things.

@obxtrainman posted:

Love your layout Chris A. I started to watch your video on my phone. Then I remembered I could just subscribe to your channel and watch it on a big screen.  

I forget to do that too, OBX.

Chris, good start on using the new camera!

@obxtrainman posted:

Nothing level, nothing plumb.  Nothing straight, everything crooked and warped. At this point my OCBDds everything had to be perfect has worn off. After this adhesive has cured Ill fill and paint to a level my blind self can’t notice.

@obxtrainman That's what carpet is for, if one leg isn't level, the carpet soaks up the difference!

George

After a bit of a hiatus, I've started work on the layout again. It's been fun watching all the great creative work being done.

I've Just completed a house for part of my yet to be built coal mine scene. Thought this might make a good company house for a miner.

Stay Safe,

Scott

@chris a posted:

Took out the new to me for Christmas, video camera from my son, and on the third video attempt finally started producing a result worth publishing...  No talking in this video, just trains running in 4K.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tEFy5I3c-w

Thanks Chris, I really enjoyed watching that video!

George

@idea-thinker what an amazing room full of trains n' bridges n' tracks! Do you have a track plan you could show? Or are you just wingin' it? That would be a LOT of wingin'! More pics, please!

George

@Mark Boyce posted:

The recliner doesn’t work well for me with my back and sciatic issues, but I do come up with great ideas and forget half of them.  That is a big reason why I get ahead of myself and have to redo things.

Well Mark..... what do you do that helps instead of the recliner ?

I noticed the same issue.  The recliner seems to help but only when I am using it.....when I get out of it there is a renewal of discomfort.   

   Maybe we should start a Post on this issue so that all the ' mellowed adult  ' forumites might be able to continue to build all these amazing layouts. !?!

To catch my ideas I do it the old fashion way; I keep a note pad and pen next to the recliner.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Chris, that truly is a work of art that you have created. The wall turned out great and if I didn’t know better, the backdrop and scenery look so realistic. That is a nice video and you let the operation and scenery do the talking. That’s going to get a lot of “likes”. Great job.

Gonna second that . 😉

@EML posted:

Idea Thinker,

What a great layout.  I was working on one bridge  and I count eight bridges and at least two levels of track.  What a great space.

Please keep us in the loop.  Would you share your layout plan?   

EML;

     The layout is for the most part a total 5 and in some places 6 levels total. I will be posting additional pictures and a short video demonstrate a train running on the bridges.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

All;

   I have posted a short video of a Lionel Big Boy running through our new bridges which posted a few days ago. It is exciting to finally be able to run a train through the bridges and across the girders. It took a long time to create the bridges and girders.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

@GeoPeg posted:

@idea-thinker what an amazing room full of trains n' bridges n' tracks! Do you have a track plan you could show? Or are you just wingin' it? That would be a LOT of wingin'! More pics, please!

George

GeoPeg;

       It started off with a plan but there have been many changes to date to accommodate the trains such as wider turns, more distance between tracks for larger bridges and the like. I will likely be posted additional pictures as we make progress. I did just post a video of one of our Big Boys pulling a train through the bridges and across the girders. Finally able to run a train.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Evening guys, I have to say this is getting wild! I commented yesterday and its taken me a while to get up to speed on whats going on!

@EML Your swing table looks just fine, you might think about cutting your track at the same angle as the main table, that way you have no track just hanging in the air waiting to get caught by something!

@idea-thinker The truss bridges look perfect! Also, what an outstanding run with the Bigboy running across them! Very nice video!

@Bill Webb Bill the office looks great and it's nice to have a friend like Rich around!

@farmerjohn John, WOW what an Amazing refinery! But then again, your whole layout is AMAZING!

@Mark Boyce Mark, Your station is looking wonderful! Great job!

@ChiTown Steve Looking good, but I do have to say I think Vally Motors is going to need a little bigger parking lot! LOL

@chris a Chris, Nice job on your first video! The Pennsy block walls look outstanding!

@obxtrainman Looks good from here! Just remember that all it has to do is work as planned!

@B&O Fan Scott, Nice job on the house. It will look perfect on your layout as an office!

Well guys nothing new from me, I talked to the company who sent me the wrong stuff and they were very helpful. The only problem is it will probably be 2 weeks before I get my flex track! Oh Well I have other stuff to do like build the steal support for under the floating area.

I hope you all have a great night!

Scott, that is perfect for a company house.  Now you need a few more.

Idea-thinker, that is very impressive watching the Big Boy pull a train through and over the bridges!

I think the Quonset hut is ready for paint.

I just printed up plywood siding for the interior and flooring.

New Under The Hood up! 

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ersion-budget-boxcab

Mitch

@mike g. posted:

@ChiTown Steve Looking good, but I do have to say I think Vally Motors is going to need a little bigger parking lot! LOL

Mike, I’m going to build an elevator parking lot like they did back in the 1930’s. There are pictures on the internet of all different ones the city dealerships used instead of huge parking lots. 😉

Finished painting the rails on the O gage track today.

Started mocking up a possible idea for new industry/factory in the open lot in front of the new retaining walls.  Figured I needed to take some photos, step back eat some dinner and think about it.   Right now it's a combination of the IHC Engine House kit end walls with sidewalls from some Lionel Factory buildings.  Obviously, I had weathered them at two different times in the past, they'll get completely new weathering if I decide to go that route, for now I am just trying to determine whether it's the right

That's a good approach Chris. Mock up, eat, rest, take a look, and go from there 👍👍😁

The track looks good Victor.

Detail Progress on the MEC#11 project

in order of their appearance:

Emergency fuel cutoff sheath/door, GE builders plate, Fuel glass.

as well as the (funky) safety pilot stripes

weathering will be my friend.

That’s a unique idea with that structure Chris. What’s the foot print of the building?

Jay,  it's 10" wide x 28 " long x 10.5" tall to the peak.   Over the years, I picked up 3 Engine House kits, and  I accumulated 3 of the Lionel Factories and one of the "sister" engine shed kits ( basically the same building with different end ).   

Poured some concrete today.  Using 1/8 mdf. Paint, chalk and some small details.  Still need to weather the 2 building fronts. I will add a strip of concrete inside the track to. This is our Budweiser center. Nick T.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

After the 2457 discussion elsewhere on OGRR, I was nosing about the Bay and picked up a distressed shell for a couple of bucks:

So, here's what I have in mind:

Or, possibly:

What do you think, sirs? 

Mitch

@M. Mitchell Marmel

Mitch:

Your creativity always amazes me. Bravo!

@t8afao posted:

Amazing work, spot on. Loved it!

@t8afao posted:

Poured some concrete today.  Using 1/8 mdf. Paint, chalk and some small details.  Still need to weather the 2 building fronts. I will add a strip of concrete inside the track to. This is our Budweiser center. Nick T.

Great job! The cracks and weeds are a nice touch.

Bob

Poured concrete today, and it already looks old!  Excellent job!

I now have everything I need to set up my Legacy 990 thanx to Mario’s Trains in Va. Kudos to the staff there. I received my items two days after ordering. I had conversations with two of the staff members.  They were kind and courteous. I also made progress on the shelf for it. Waiting patiently on paint to dry to finish it. If anyone is interested, I made my joints with a biscuit joiner. There won’t be much weight to support so the biscuits and glue should hold nicely. Getting anxious about finally after a years work finishing the TT and RH area.

@Mitchellmarmel

  I think option A looks the best!

@obxtrainman posted:

I now have everything I need to set up my Legacy 990 thanx to Mario’s Trains in Va. Kudos to the staff there. I received my items two days after ordering. I had conversations with two of the staff members.  They were kind and courteous. I also made progress on the shelf for it. Waiting patiently on paint to dry to finish it. If anyone is interested, I made my joints with a biscuit joiner. There won’t be much weight to support so the biscuits and glue should hold nicely. Getting anxious about finally after a years work finishing the TT and RH area.

That shelf really looks sharp!!

Well tried a few more ideas for the scratch build,  I think I am going to ditch the Engine House roof and add the roof from an old Korber small factory ..  It's a "saw tooth" roof design that was made to let ambient daylight into factories. 

Then waiting for the blizzard to show up I decided to open up my Lionel TMCC M1a Mountain 4-8-2.  Bought it new and haven't had it out of the box in over a decade.   Like Christmas on 1/28 !   Now I remember why this was only one of two steam engines I bought brand new.   Of course I threw a traction tire within 10 minutes of running it, but fortunately I just got some from Lionel, so put on 2 new ones and it's running great. 

Got the 'stump puller' out!

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...6#158955947661149566

Hello all,

Mitch, beautiful work on that conversion (caboose to boxcab)

Victor, the rails turned out great

Chris a,  you're knocking it out of the park with your layout WOW!

Leroof, nice work

t8afao, your work is top notch . WOW !

obxtrainman, nice job on the shelf

samparfitt, turbine looks great

Alex

Wish the photo had some tracks in it, but these piers to support an upper level are what Iʻm working on right now.

@Kelunaboy they look great!  What kind of wood are you using?

Rick

Thanks Rick - the bases are poplar and hemlock and the uprights are finished spruce shelves.

I went with near finished lumber because Iʻm not thrilled about sanding.  They are 8 by 6 and will provide 7 inches of clearance.

About a foot of snow has been deposited and removed from the necessary areas.

In between I started on a couple of details for the caboose office. I made a stack of lumber and I'm working on a short piece of track to put some wheels and an old truck on.

Bob

Finished another flatcar.

The Quonset hut might be done by tonight...

Bob, research has indicated that, with that much snow, double malt is indicated.

Hired a conductor to work the new LS&I rs3.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Bob, research has indicated that, with that much snow, double malt is indicated.

1 double malt = 2 single malt 👍👍

I made sure that I maintained proper core temperature while dealing with the task at hand....🤣🤣🤣

@p51 posted:

The Quonset hut might be done by tonight...

Looks good Lee. I'm sure you will add your special touches.

Here is the Altoona Model Works Branch Line Station in place on the layout.  I still want to streak the roofing some and tone down the wooden loading dock decking.  I think this station is actually a small freight and passenger station.  It will look pretty good there until I get LEDs and items to finish the interior and dock.

@p51 posted:

The Quonset hut might be done by tonight...

I learned how to make gumbo in a spot quite like this in Louisiana back when. The owners were very happy to share their knowledge with me over some cold beers. It was better than hanging in bars while traveling. I had a train problem back then too,

Chris-The PRR M1a looks wonderful on your layout.

Lee-The hut is looking really nice.

Mark-You did a wonderful job on this kit. It looks really good in place.

Dave

@Mark Boyce posted:

Here is the Altoona Model Works Branch Line Station in place on the layout.  I still want to streak the roofing some and tone down the wooden loading dock decking.  I think this station is actually a small freight and passenger station.  It will look pretty good there until I get LEDs and items to finish the interior and dock.

Nice work Mark. 👍👍

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks good Lee. I'm sure you will add your special touches.

Thanks!

I got it all in place, but I found the roof is too thin for the interior lights, so I'll have to line the interior ceiling with opaque tape as well as hitting the interior with a blast of dull coat tomorrow. But for the most part, it's done:

If you notice, the CO and 1st SGT are named as they often would. J Stuart is my nephew's first and middle name. Like me, he's also an Army Captain but he's still in the reserves (whereas I resigned my commssion when he was still a kid). R Sayes is one of my best friends and the most imaginative model railroader I've ever known.

I consider myself the Battalion Commander, as it's all a fictional unit anyway...

The foundation was glued in place after the scenery was scraped to the baseboard. The hole is for the wiring for interior lighting, you won't be able to see it from the outside. I lined the interior with prints of plywood in scale.

Note the weights, including a section of White Pass & Yukon rail...

Thank you, Dave and Bob!

The Quonset hut looks great, Lee1

I finished the detail pieces and got them set on the layout. Still working on more "junk" to lay around the caboose. And the crew showed up to check out the new digs.

Bob

That looks great Bob. The trucks, barrel, crew, and debris really enhance the area.
Given that you had to give time to your snow removal efforts, you had a very productive day.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

That looks great Bob. The trucks, barrel, crew, and debris really enhance the area.
Given that you had to give time to your snow removal efforts, you had a very productive day.

Thanks Jay. And just when I thought I was done for the night, the town plows came through again and buried the driveway and sidewalk. I'm covering 3 houses at the moment too. My in-laws are a house away and I always shovel them out along with my son. He's getting paid to do the neighbors in between who are in Florida until the end of February.

@RSJB18 posted:

Thanks Jay. And just when I thought I was done for the night, the town plows came through again and buried the driveway and sidewalk. I'm covering 3 houses at the moment too. My in-laws are a house away and I always shovel them out along with my son. He's getting paid to do the neighbors in between who are in Florida until the end of February.

Same thing here Bob.

22.4 inches of snow, I cleared it twice yesterday in order to make it manageable for my blower. 10:00 PM plows pushed snow on my driveway skirt (which is 25 feet wide) 3 feet deep by 6 foot wide. I have a good neighbor who came with his tracked blower to remove it - or I could have never cleared it.

Plows came again this morning, but this time it was manageable with my blower.

I'm gonna spend rest of the day downstairs, after I dig a path in the back for my dog, the show is over her head!

Lionelski:  Know this is not exactly trains...but take your time with that snow...22.5 inches is heart attack levels.

RJSB18 You too...keep safe and take your time don't overexert.

Keep safe, the snow will melt (eventually)

Best Wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Lionelski:  Know this is not exactly trains...but take your time with that snow...22.5 inches is heart attack levels.

RJSB18 You too...keep safe and take your time don't overexert.

Keep safe, the snow will melt (eventually)

Best Wishes

Don

Right you are Don! BTW, final local count came in at 24.7 inches.

My friend Mike C. was prepared - here is a pic from one of his layouts yesterday:

@Lionelski posted:

I'm gonna spend rest of the day downstairs, after I dig a path in the back for my dog, the show is over her head!

I'm glad that Warrenville's trackwork is straighter than this 75 foot path I dug for the dog!

take some wood - some screws  - some 3D printing and now

... getting some power to the layout ;-)

Bob, perhaps you should invest in a snow blower.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Bob, perhaps you should invest in a snow blower.

Did that the year we bought our house. I have a 24" 2-stage Craftsman. Back up is provided by a Toro 15" electric.

OK- back to the trains

Finished blending the wheel track into the yard and ballasted the yard feeder. I'm debating doing between the rails. So far it's a no. Too bad I didn't paint the cork before laying the track.

I also made some pipe bundles and added them to the caboose. I used some frames (sprues?) that I saved from past model builds.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

OK- back to the trains

Finished blending the wheel track into the yard and ballasted the yard feeder. I'm debating doing between the rails. So far it's a no. Too bad I didn't paint the cork before laying the track.

I also made some pipe bundles and added them to the caboose. I used some frames (sprues?) that I saved from past model builds.

Bob

Really nice, Bob. That yard extension came out fantastic.  

I started the day having a blast running trains. Then I began some track cleaning followed by routine maintenance cleaning up a couple of subway sets. Before I knew it, eight hours had passed. Man I love getting lost working on the layout. What a great hobby!

It’s looking real good Bob. I see what you mean about the cork. Perhaps, using tweezers,  some carefully place ballast?

@Strap Hanger posted:

Really nice, Bob. That yard extension came out fantastic.  

I started the day having a blast running trains. Then I began some track cleaning followed by routine maintenance cleaning up a couple of subway sets. Before I knew it, eight hours had passed. Man I love getting lost working on the layout. What a great hobby!

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

It’s looking real good Bob. I see what you mean about the cork. Perhaps, using tweezers,  some carefully place ballast?

I can do the same Strap. It's easy to get lost in our little worlds.

I will leave it for now Jay. I'm sure it will get done eventually.

Bob

Rich completed the Transfer Table today by building and attaching the rail and the cab including figures. Then we placed the platform back in place.

It fit perfectly and no realignment was needed.

The lighted cab and buildings will be supplemented by floodlight towers, additional tracks added, and external scenery will be completed… eventually. A lot remains to be added and we need to place everything to see how it is going to look. Knee replacement is two weeks tomorrow and we need to have a plan on what to do while I can’t easily get on and underneath the layout to work.

I

While he built, I ballasted track, truly one of the joys of model railroading.

Just ran trains today.

Looks great Bill. I'm sure you will be up and around in no time. Just follow the PT and you will make a quick recovery.

Bob

Excellent looking details, Bob!  I know what you mean about the cork under the switches.  I learned the hard way trying to ballast around N scale switches; it was so hard not to get ballast or glue where you don't want it.  HO was bad too.  I'm glad I painted my cork, I'm not going near moving parts with ballast.  I'm a lot clumsier now.

Bill, Rich did a great job on that transfer table!  It looks great!

Matbe this will keep the 3 year-old off the layout.

Tom neat idea.

“But Dad, I want to run your trains too.”

@Mark Boyce posted:

Excellent looking details, Bob!  I know what you mean about the cork under the switches.  I learned the hard way trying to ballast around N scale switches; it was so hard not to get ballast or glue where you don't want it.  HO was bad too.  I'm glad I painted my cork, I'm not going near moving parts with ballast.  I'm a lot clumsier now.

Good idea about the paint Mark. 

Ballast and moving parts on switches and engines can test your temper .

Happy 6th Anniversary to my layout.

Day one of track laying 1/31/16

Inaugural run

Fast forward to today.

Can't believe 6 years have gone by. Time flies when you're having fun!

Bob

Happy Anniversary Bob, that’s quite an accomplishment. You deserve to enjoy a libation as you observe your operation today.

RSJB18: CONGRATULATIONS  Looking good.

Tom M :  Good idea, with my grandson at age about 1-3 I took a bunch of old Lionel track (came with some trains) and built a long "layout" on the floor.  Then took some older cars and a "dummy" loco (so it didn't have a motor)  and we pushed those around the layout.  He really liked it...so I think you are on the right track (so to speak).

Don

Hi guys, I don't have a lot of time left after getting caught up on what everyone is doing! I do have to say there sure is a lot of great work being done by you all! I would comment on everyone's work, but that would take the same 2 pages I had to go over to get here! But do what to say once again OUTSTANDING work everyone!

I haven't been to the train room for a while now as for you that have been fallowing my build from the train room addition to now know about Tank the Inspector! Well, he is not doing too well right now and the CEO and I have been spending all our time with him! We hope to know more about him tomorrow!

For those who don't know the inspector let me introduce you all, he has been there from the start!

Here he is inspecting the concrete and of course union break!

@RSJB18 posted:

OK- back to the trains

Finished blending the wheel track into the yard and ballasted the yard feeder. I'm debating doing between the rails. So far it's a no. Too bad I didn't paint the cork before laying the track.

Bob have you considered using black paint and a small artist’s paint brush between the tie’s? Nevertheless the scene looks great.

@Rich Wiemann posted:

Bob have you considered using black paint and a small artist’s paint brush between the tie’s? Nevertheless the scene looks great.

I have Rich......then I laughed for a while......

I will drop some ballast in between just to hide the cork. I will leave it loose so the glue doesn't gum up the works.

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys, I don't have a lot of time left after getting caught up on what everyone is doing! I do have to say there sure is a lot of great work being done by you all! I would comment on everyone's work, but that would take the same 2 pages I had to go over to get here! But do what to say once again OUTSTANDING work everyone!

I haven't been to the train room for a while now as for you that have been fallowing my build from the train room addition to now know about Tank the Inspector! Well, he is not doing too well right now and the CEO and I have been spending all our time with him! We hope to know more about him tomorrow!

For those who don't know the inspector let me introduce you all, he has been there from the start!

Here he is inspecting the concrete and of course union break!

Sorry to hear Tank is not doing well. Heres hoping he gets better!

I hope it all works out for Tank Mike - inspectors are important.

My girl, Belle, tore a tendon in her hind leg 2 months ago and we find out tomorrow if she will need surgery. She was 48 pounds but now she is back to where she should be at 42 -I hope this weight loss helped.

As respects to doing stuff on the layout, I just finished a Plasticville kitbash to a WVRR Maintence building.  I have a spot to clear for it and then wire in a light. Still need to wire lights in the apartment building move I made a couple weeks ago - it is tough for me under the layout. I probably should lose weight for my own good too!

My dad and I have been working on his postwar-era Santa Fe 2343 ABA set from his childhood. Got it running this morning, but it still needs a little work.

Lots of great projects everyone!  Happy anniversary on the layout, Bob!

Tom, my wife bought one of those at the thrift store a number of years ago.  Still no grandchildren!  🤷‍♂️

Mike G Good luck with Tank  

Here’s my contribution. It’s small but all I have time for at the moment.

Before

The bright white lights on Valley Motors are cool but don’t match the warm light on the rest of my layout. See left of the engine.

After  

I painted the lights Tamiya orange like the rest of my layout  I think It’s a nice change. I also put some cars in the showroom.
Next up is the car vertical storage. I also want to put an on-off switch on the rotating truck so I don’t burn out the motor.

@ChicagoUP3976 posted:

My dad and I have been working on his postwar-era Santa Fe 2343 ABA set from his childhood. Got it running this morning, but it still needs a little work.

Still looks great.

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys, I don't have a lot of time left after getting caught up on what everyone is doing! I do have to say there sure is a lot of great work being done by you all! I would comment on everyone's work, but that would take the same 2 pages I had to go over to get here! But do what to say once again OUTSTANDING work everyone!

I haven't been to the train room for a while now as for you that have been fallowing my build from the train room addition to now know about Tank the Inspector! Well, he is not doing too well right now and the CEO and I have been spending all our time with him! We hope to know more about him tomorrow!

For those who don't know the inspector let me introduce you all, he has been there from the start!

   Sorry to hear about Tank,  my wife's an animal chiropractor and has many dog patients.  Tank doesn't look like he's feeling well in your photo.

Here he is inspecting the concrete and of course union break!

I got the shelf installed. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but my table is stuffed with 3 inch thick styrofoam.   I hope Tank gets better.

@obxtrainman posted:

I got the shelf installed. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but my table is stuffed with 3 inch thick styrofoam.   I hope Tank gets better.

The shelf looks great!

@mike g. posted:

Here he is inspecting the concrete and of course union break!

Here's hoping Tank , your CEO and you are going to be OK.

We have lost two Schnauzers and now we have one older little guy  that has very little sight and hearing.

It certainly affects the whole ' Crew '  when an " Inspector "  has issues.

@obxtrainman posted:

I got the shelf installed. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but my table is stuffed with 3 inch thick styrofoam.   I hope Tank gets better.

Looks great. The Lionel color scheme is a nice touch too.

@Mark Boyce- thanks Mark. It's been a fun ride so far. Made even better by you guys and the forum.

@ChiTown Steve- the building looks much better. Color changing LED's are pretty cheap. I don't know why the mfr's don't use them.

@mike g.- Hope tank is doing OK.

@Lionelski posted:

it is tough for me under the layout. I probably should lose weight for my own good too!

Amen brother!

Nothing new for me yesterday.

Bob

Thank you, Bob!  It is so true, my layout wouldn’t be nearly what it is without you and all the other great folks on this forum!!

… a left over MTH truck and some 806 Kadees lead to a small flat car :-)

Got extension to my layouts width in. Added 6.5" so I can run my Flyer equipment. Put that on an outside loop. Now to rewire a few accessories and paint the extension and should be finished. Pretty happy with a small 5 1/2'x10' layout. Need to start running trains that have been on my shelves.

WOW nice work everyone ! Dogs look great too! 

Alex

@radar493 posted:

Got extension to my layouts width in. Added 6.5" so I can run my Flyer equipment. Put that on an outside loop. Now to rewire a few accessories and paint the extension and should be finished. Pretty happy with a small 5 1/2'x10' layout. Need to start running trains that have been on my shelves.

Looks good Ralph. 

The five and a half feet  width will make it good to reach in and work on things.  Your ten feet length will give you a lot of room to do all kinds interesting things in between the tracks.

Question: Has anyone ever seen this layout before? Would anyone know dimensions or have a bill of material with regard to track. I want to build this with my grandson. Thanks

Search for Lionel dealer displays. You should find this one.

Mike, keep us posted on Tank.

I just completed another Plasticville "junk" box build; a WVRR maintenance building with a caboose extension.

Here it is on the layout:

A before shot of the same area:

@Lionelski posted:

I just completed another Plasticville "junk" box build; a WVRR maintenance building with a caboose extension.

Here it is on the layout:

A before shot of the same area:

Looks great John. I sense a caboose theme here. 🤣🤣

That looks very nice John; well done. Also, how did Belle’s Vet appointment go?

Hi guys.. I have been reading all your threads and everyone has done some interesting things going on their layout and lives. I haven’t done much lately but I do have a mini project for my layout coming up. I ordered these LED strips that you can cut at any desired length with a remote control equipped with a dimmer switch. I plan on attaching it continuously beneath my upper viaduct. I am hoping to eliminate some of the darkness underneath the deck. Pictured is a cool pic I wanted to share. A set of colorful cars.
The second one is the viaduct I hope to brighten up.

Keep up the good work guys. I look forward for some of your ideas and work for my inspiration.

John from Jrtrains1

Rich came this afternoon and glued a piece onto the Transfer Table. When he finished, he couldn’t find the container of glue.

Maybe it is on someone else’s layout?

@Bill Webb posted:

Rich came this afternoon and glued a piece onto the Transfer Table. When he finished, he couldn’t find the container of glue.

Maybe it is on someone else’s layout?

Found my freshly painted stock car door on my elbow last week.

@Tom M posted:

Matbe this will keep the 3 year-old off the layout.

Been there, just don't pull the overhead wires!

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

That looks very nice John; well done. Also, how did Belle’s Vet appointment go?

Not too well Jay. Finishing this project took my mind off of the diagnosis for a little while

Torn ligaments. A three and a half hour surgery  and a two and a half month recovery, $10,000 plus, is being pushed. I'd spend my last dime on her if it would help, but Doc offers no guarantees.  Doc says she is not in pain but harm to the other leg may occur if we do nothing. I dunno what to do.

I have an appointment with my usual vet on 2/14, she is the one who recommended this specialist, to get her feedback

I'm sick to my stomach - Belle is always at my side. She hobbles next to me, most of the time on three legs, and seems happy. No more jumping up on the couch or into the car - I don't mind picking her up though.

THANKS for asking

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks great John. I sense a caboose theme here. 🤣🤣

Thanks Bob.

A fun project that cost nothing - I had everything on hand including the paint. The chimney on the caboose part is a pushpin, the chimney on the main building is an extra IKEA furniture joiner - WHY do I always seem to have extra pieces when I assemble IKEA stuff???

That’s so sad to hear and it all boils down to doing what is best for them. It’s a shame that they want you to spend all that money and they can’t provide a semblance of success. Hopefully your regular Vet will provide some insight. Obviously, you need Belle’s careful oversight in your train room.

@Lionelski posted:

I'm sick to my stomach - Belle is always at my side. She hobbles next to me, most of the time on three legs, and seems happy. No more jumping up on the couch or into the car - I don't mind picking her up though.

THANKS for asking

She sure likes to be by your side from the sounds of it John.     I guess she's happy being with you and at least no pain for her.

  I don't  know how you would have a problem picking her up........the little creatures become such a huge  part of our lives ..........so much so that it defies explanation . 🤔

Take care John .

Nice work all around guys! Bob, happy anniversary. Time flies when you’re having fun.
John, Mike, sorry to hear about the pooches. We would do anything for our little guy too.

Andy

@Lionelski posted:

I'm glad that Warrenville's trackwork is straighter than this 75 foot path I dug for the dog!

And Here, I thought this was the New Menards Snow Plow Engine with Blower Attachment!! ...In the Great North! salute

Lots of great projects and wonderful work by everyone.   

Finally came to "final design" decisions about my Kit Bash in front of the Pennsy Block walls.  Yes I "overprocess" this something awful.  Good news, came up with elevation plans, and decided to run the facing point siding all the way down the front of the building.  I may actually be able to run another siding down the back side as well, another switching opportunity.   Pretty sure at this point that this is going to be a "freight warehouse" shared by both RR's at the interchange.   Been wanting to buy some tracks in the roadway, with the decision to run the siding down the front, now I have my chance to pave the road and bury the tracks in the roadway....

Got all the front wall pieces, cut and glued, going on to the back and side walls this afternoon.   Last night, I cut apart all the roof "sawtooth" window assemblies that had been really poorly assembled and glued together.  Got them all re-assembled and glued with Gorilla Super Glue Gel (blue cap), which seems to be the #1 recommendation for the old Korber Urethane parts.   It worked really well, once I cut filed and sanded all the paint and hot glue out of the seams. 

@chris a posted:

Lots of great projects and wonderful work by everyone.   

That's gonna look great Chris. I like the rail in the roadway too!

Bob

Cut for p[;ywood curves for the re-do of my layoout.  Happy I did not screw all the track, as I tought I could come up with a better idea.  Yep, I did.

Finally put insulation over the benchwork and wired the O-72 dogbone with drops throughout. I had an inaugural run with my only scale locomotive.

Starting a kit-bash today while I wait on my additional Mianne Benchwork.......

I want a coaling tower. At Oct York, I bought 4 Plasticville Coaling Tower kits for $20/all sealed. I'm going to put two together. Chris A has a nice looking one that he built for his layout as does NYC_Fan on his TrainWorx layout.

Guys, remember that imitation is the highest form of flattery......

Peter

Chris, great solution for the building, it will be another interesting addition in a long line for you. The sidings will offer more switching interest as you mentioned. Well done.

Peter, look forward to the coaling tower project.

Andy

Chris,

This is really starting to take shape. There are so many great things about kit-bashing/scratchbuilding. The one thing that comes to mind is custom fitting to an open area to really make it seem like a lot of thought was put into the company deciding to build in that particular location. With the way the building is going to sit there and the embedded tracks this is really going to be a impressive scene on your layout. Keep it coming brother.

Ian Y.,

Love the GP30. I have not yet opened mines but am very tempted too now.

Peter,

I totally agree, especially when the modeling we are imitating is just so darn good.

Just uploaded another YouTube video of some work done on the layout. Check it out and please subscribe.

Thanks,

Dave

@chris a posted:

Great addition Chris!   Fun to see unplanned things fall together!   It is like painting a picture.  Well done!

Cheers, Dave

PS:  I still envy your real estate (space)!!!

Guys thanks for the encouraging words.   Like every other one of these projects, it's turns out the days I don't work on it and rush through it, more good ideas come up. 

Peter, if I find some down time, I'll poke around and see if I can locate the back issue that had some great ideas, and parts lists for upgrading the Plasticville Coaling tower.   I do remember two really important notes"  (1) was to glue on some 0.020 or 0.030 x 0.25 styrene over the "I" or "H" beam supports on the bottom.   It goes fast, and is easy to cut, then you drag a razor saw over all four sides, and becomes an old wooden timber rather than a steel support.  The other item which took longer was to add to all the vertical and horizontal supports on the outside of the coal bunker.  Kind of a pain in the you know what, but it dramatically increased the look.  Again, after it's all secured with plastic solvent, you just rough up all the exposed faces and turn it  into wood timbers.   You have to do both of these before painting so the solvent can do it's work and bond the styrene together.   

Dave,  great job on the video,  I need to go back and watch it again, but really well done video and great job on the scenery.  Inspiring !