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Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

For some reason I suddenly started twitching and feel the urge to straighten out some wiring.......strange......

Sometimes things don't go the way you planned them the night before. So I added another layer of water to the first half of the ditch. Then it seems like forever I was looking for the track bumpers, which I finally found but I still have not come across the uncouple tracks yet.Maybe I should just order a few more. I would probably get those quicker then finding them. LOL  I finally got the bumper on the siding of the Sauerkraut Factory. Now I can get two cars at the dock for loading or unloading. I now have the switches at the one end of the yard screwed down. If I can find the uncouple tracks I could get some sidings in. After lunch the quest will start again. Pics........PaulDSCN1231DSCN1232DSCN1233DSCN1234DSCN1235DSCN1236

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RSJB18 posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

For some reason I suddenly started twitching and feel the urge to straighten out some wiring.......strange......

Great reply! LOL

Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

paul 2 posted:

Sometimes things don't go the way you planned them the night before. So I added another layer of water to the first half of the ditch. Then it seems like forever I was looking for the track bumpers, which I finally found but I still have not come across the uncouple tracks yet.Maybe I should just order a few more. I would probably get those quicker then finding them. LOL  I finally got the bumper on the siding of the Sauerkraut Factory. Now I can get two cars at the dock for loading or unloading. I now have the switches at the one end of the yard screwed down. If I can find the uncouple tracks I could get some sidings in. After lunch the quest will start again. Pics........PaulDSCN1231DSCN1232DSCN1233DSCN1234DSCN1235DSCN1236

Paul, ask your wife if she has seen them! Maybe she moved them to dust!

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Arnold,

   Right there with ya buddy, mad man control panels all the way.  Just getting started on mine for the new Train Room layout.

PCRR/Dave

Ya got to love it!

DSCN2408

 

Dave, your wiring looks a lot better than mine.

As bad as mine is, I did do some good things. My feeder wires are pretty thick, either 14 or 16 gauge as I recall. I believe that is good for getting plenty of power to the 2 main lines from the MTH Z4000 transformer, which is a good one.

I have feeder wires for every 3 feet of track, which is a lot for 2 main lines (separately blocked and connected by several switch tracks with fiber pins in center rails), and my layout is about 36 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide with reverse loops on each end of the 2 main lines. I also have 8 sidings, each of which is separately blocked and independently powered, by 2 post war ZW transformers.

Here is my dilemma and where I went wrong. With that many feeder wires, you cannot do your wiring like you would for a simple layout under the Christmas tree.   If you look at my wiring mess, my many thick feeder wires are soddered to 2 copper strips in front of the transformer (one strip for ground or common, and one strip for power). What I should have done for conventional wiring is run a thick ground (or common) wire and a power wire the whole length of the layout under the bench work, and run much shorter feeder wires from those thick wires to every 3 feet of track. That would have eliminated most of the wiring mess near my transformers, and greatly reduced the amount of wire needed.

Another mistake I made is to use lock ons instead of soddering the feeder wires to the track.

Using Atlas switches for turning power on and off for my 8 sidings is another mistake. Those Atlas switches are intended for HO, not O Gauge trains. However, they have functioned OK.

I made other wiring mistakes but that is enough for now.

 

Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

All you folks on the East side of the states Please stay warm and safe! It will pass one day!

Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

imageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

 

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

Arnold;

Since we are going for laughter, two points. First, I would you like to offer you my sincere appreciation... your electronic spaghetti makes mine look like a model of organization. Second, since no one else has bitten the bullet, I will - do you use the Food Coloring/Egg Dye for scenicing material or did the Easter Bunny ask to borrow your trains to deliver his goodies???

Inquiring minds want to know  

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:
R.C. posted:
Terry L posted:
Adriatic posted:
Arnold D. Cribari posted:

The control panel of a madman (mine):

First, a photo is a panoramic shot of it:

image

Next, a couple of close-ups:

imageimageIsn't that hilarious?

And by some miracle, I can't remember the last time I had a short. Got to be over 10 years without a short.

Not hilarious if it works

More mad scientist that madman too

   It reminds me of the inards of old pinball machines with factory bird nest wiring. I reveled in those nests; crazy fun. 

You might find a dinosaur skeleton in there.

You Guy's are F U NN Y, Heck, my entire house wiring looked like that up until about 10 yrs ago! I like it. It's got personality.

Hi R.C., I'm still laughing after reading your above reply complimenting me on my wiring mess. I'm very glad that you and other members found it amusing. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the better.

And I see after reading your profile, R.C. that you, like me, have recently joined this Forum. Welcome aboard.

By the way, you have a fascinating profile with tremendous experience dealing with real trains, which was your career. I encourage all Forum readers to review R.C.'s profile.

.

Thanks Arnold, It has been a heck of a Ride & if I don't share it, it'll be lost. Yea, It's cool to see what other people are doing with their trains & the humor bouncing around here as well. And to think there are people that would look at all this & think "What's the big deal with these people going to all this trouble with toy trains." It's Just A Thing & either ya Get IT, or Ya don't. & that's fine too.

In reply to Paul's above comments, the dye on my "control panel" is not for Easter eggs, though my mother used to go crazy at Easter, dying 8 dozen hard boiled eggs and hiding them around the house for the Easter Sunday Easter egg hunt.  I use the dye for my #38 water tower, and only use a couple of drops of the blue dye.

I would be happy to give the Easter Bunny the red, green and other dye colors.

Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Mark;

A former colleague who I worked with for many years, retired after 40 years with the Company. After he retired, whenever some usual job didn't get done as it always had, without fail, someone would say "Oh... that's what Richie did"!!! For the next couple of years, around the time that the company's annual budget process started up, I'd run into Richie around the building. I finally asked him why he came back every year and he told me that they hired home for a couple of months each year as a consultant to basically do his old job. He said it paid for a really nice vacation for him and his wife every year!!! In your case, think of it as your train fund   

Apples55 posted:
Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, Thanks for the tip on R.C.'s profile!

R.C., I'll turn 62 this year too!  Wow, the railroad paid a lot more than the power company did back in '76!!  I stared with an associate degree in electronics.  42 years later, now with the phone company, I'm a semi-retired "telecom engineer".  Really I'm just a glorified data entry person.  But if they want to pay, I'll stay.

Mark;

A former colleague who I worked with for many years, retired after 40 years with the Company. After he retired, whenever some usual job didn't get done as it always had, without fail, someone would say "Oh... that's what Richie did"!!! For the next couple of years, around the time that the company's annual budget process started up, I'd run into Richie around the building. I finally asked him why he came back every year and he told me that they hired home for a couple of months each year as a consultant to basically do his old job. He said it paid for a really nice vacation for him and his wife every year!!! In your case, think of it as your train fund   

R.C., Yep, that’s me!  LOL. This company pushes an early out to select oldsters about a year after the buy another company.  Well, I was the only engineer I could find nationwide who was pushed the offer.  I learned years ago it’s a crap shoot whether they would push you out later if you don’t take it.  So I took it, but knew a colleague in Texas needed contractors with my special skill.  So I retired, took a two week vacation, and went back to my old laptop working for him.  The two younger fellows in my group knew there was no one doing what I did, so now my time is split doing my two “specialties”.  The funniest thing is, the only guy they have me teaching is 3 years older than me!  Sometimes I wonder how the “decision makers” are paid so much money!  LOL. This has been going on for 2 1/2 years with no end in sight

Last edited by Mark Boyce

Pretty good day of work today. I went back and countersunk a bunch of the fascia screws, then got out the Spackle and filled them in. I sanded some of the Spackle that I had done last week.

When I installed the piece on the left, I didn't get a perfect fit. That left a funny little corner that needed to be filled. At first I thought I was going to have to break out the Bondo to fix this, but I cut a sliver of Masonite and glued it in.

IMG_7915

After some sanding, it looks like it's going to work out nicely. Clean it up with a little Spackle, done!

IMG_7916

Lots of holes to fill.

IMG_7917

When Patrick was here a few weeks ago, we ended up with this height mismatch. The solution is to raise the curved section on the left a half inch, and lower the straight section on the right a half inch. Now the plan is Patrick will be here on Sunday. We'll fix it then.

IMG_7923

Here's the other end of the curved section.

IMG_7921

IMG_7922

I did get a start on that project, by lowering the piece on the right a quarter inch.

IMG_7920

This is where the straight section starts.

IMG_7919

More Spackle. The gray look comes from adding black paint to tint it. If it gets scratched it won't show white on a field of black.

IMG_7918

Should look sharp when I get it sanded and painted.

IMG_7924

 

 

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Last edited by Big_Boy_4005
Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

A couple of photos from the campus where I work. The storm has passed but now the bitter cold is settling in for the weekend.

IMG951348IMG951354-1

I rode the exercise bike after supper just to warm up.  I’m off tomorrow, but have to go get my aunt signed in a rehab facility, then check on the empty house.  It’s snowing now and near Zero.

guess i better not add a photo of me with the top down today

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Pretty good day of work today. I went back and countersunk a bunch of the fascia screws, then got out the Spackle and filled them in. I sanded some of the Spackle that I had done last week.

When I installed the piece on the left, I didn't get a perfect fit. That left a funny little corner that needed to be filled. At first I thought I was going to have to break out the Bondo to fix this, but I cut a sliver of Masonite and glued it in.

IMG_7915

After some sanding, it looks like it's going to work out nicely. Clean it up with a little Spackle, done!

IMG_7916

Lots of holes to fill.

IMG_7917

When Patrick was here a few weeks ago, we ended up with this height mismatch. The solution is to raise the curved section on the left a half inch, and lower the straight section on the right a half inch. Now the plan is Patrick will be here on Sunday. We'll fix it then.

IMG_7923

Here's the other end of the curved section.

IMG_7921

IMG_7922

I did get a start on that project, by lowering the piece on the right a quarter inch.

IMG_7920

This is where the straight section starts.

IMG_7919

More Spackle. The gray look comes from adding black paint to tint it. If it gets scratched it won't show white on a field of black.

IMG_7918

Should look sharp when I get it sanded and painted.

IMG_7924

 

 

Elliot,

Isn't it amazing what a nice clean look a bit of fascia does for a layout under construction.  Yes, I can see where you were worried the Bondo would break!  Another good idea mixing the gray into the Spackle.  No matter how carefully I do something like this, there is bound to be some pop outs later in time.  My guess is if your benchwork is rock solid and not wiggly even the slightest anywhere, you will cut down on pop outs.  I'm sure yours is rock solid!!

Elliot, you r right, you sure have a lot of holes to fill! But things are looking really nice! I would have never thought about adding color to the spackle! Great idea!

Bob, sorry you have to play in the snow, it is going to be raining and wet today but around 52 degrees! I will take that any day over snow and freezing cold!

Apples55 posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   I am building the Donovan's Reef Bar Top layout right now,  construction is coming along nicely, the front lower level will feature the Bar as a big Train Tunnel when completed.  

PCRR/Dave

Testing of the Bar Top Layout completed yesterday about 2:00 AM in the morning.

DSCN2403

Looking great, Dave, but 2:00 AM!!! That begs the question - was the bar open???   

IMG_0827

 

mike g. posted:
Mark Boyce posted:
RSJB18 posted:

Mike- 8" of snow so far and 30-50 mph wind gusts. Supposed to be in the single digits through the weekend. I'll take a good single malt though. Gonna need some anti-freeze after shoveling later.

Arnold- Thank you- I'm an electrician by trade so neat wiring is in my DNA

mike g. posted:

Bob, stay warm! You might want to talk to Mark, sounds like he has some practice shoveling snow! LOL

I have practice, but looks like a long trip to help Bob.  The snow won't cross over the mountains to us, but the air will be colder.  Three nights in a row forecasted below zero.  That's thermometer temperature, not counting wind chill.  It's just flurrying now, but the temperature has dropped out of the teens. 

I just got back from checking my parents' empty house.  Fifty degrees in there felt like a heat wave after checking their pump house.  I can't drain the pipes because they have hot water radiators for heat.

All you folks on the East side of the states Please stay warm and safe! It will pass one day!

  Anyone know how to ship a snowball that will throw itself out a Lionel shipper at this 50° guy? 

That's swimming weather in parts of Michigan. 

  Spared the deep snow so far, but I haven't seen the thermometer over 20° lately. The water main burst out of the street pavement yesterday, so I live with by a long narrow ice rink I can't walk on AND have B.O. now.

I really need to throw that snowball

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   I did a little more Wiring, added the Street Car line on the Fire Place Mantle and worked on the Power Station for the new layout, things are coming along slowly now.

PCRR/Dave

DSCN2409

 

 

Dave, I think I see a Bridge of some sort in your future up there by the crane? And, about that crane, looks like the same cab on my 165 ?  Is it a 165? I think they used that cab on another model. Pic please!

Drummer3,

 1963 Classic John Ford Directed Paramount Movie, DONOVANS REEF, Staring John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Jack Warden, Cesar Romero, Elizabeth Allen, Dorothy Lamour, Michael Wayne, Edgar Bucanan and Dick Foran.  The Lionel 027 Train layout is a classic Christmas Bar Layout, made just for the Donovan's Reef Movie by John Ford.  Ford was a decorated WWII Navy Captain and used his incredible back ground to Direct a Christmas Movie like no other, right down to the Lionel 027 Train given to Lee Margin's Character as a Christmas present.  IMO one of the very best movies ever made.

I was going remake the exact Bar Layout in the movie, I have the correct 027 Tin Plate Track and Switches as used in the movie.   However I wanted the newer FasTrack, so I redesigned the Bar layout bringing it into the modern era, Command Control switches and all.  The additional lower section in front of the Bar will be FasTrack also, with more FTCC Switches.  Featuring the 18' Bar as a big Train Tunnel.

The Bar is always open!

 

R.C.,

There are actually 3 Crane Cars on that Legacy driven Tin Plate Consist, the 2660 Crane Car, the 810 Crane Car being pulled and the Custom Made American Flyer Mini Crane Car being pushed out in front of the Legacy Shay Engine.

Yes there is going to be a nice Bridge of some kind where I left the open space in the over head FT shelf layout, have not decided just what type however at this point.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

    

 

 

Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad

Don't remember seeing that train scene in Donovan's Reef, but I do remember the movie.  Speaking of which, Are you familiar with the short movie, "Joe McDoakes"?  That night not have been the actual name of the movie but Joe McDoakes is the primary character.  In it, he buys a train for his son, won't let him play with it but plays with it himself.  He starts to buy more and more trains until it becomes an obsession.  In one scene he has track coming out of the kitchen, onto the dining room table, arranged to serve each guest by train.  The scene ends when he dumps a bowl of soup right on his  Mother in Law's lap.

One funny scene has him going to the hobby shop and seeing the brand new Lionel accessory, Animated Switch Tower, and exclaims:  "I gotta have it" and runs out of the store with the prototype.  Very funny movie, ending up with his wife taking him to a psychiatrist, only to find out the the "doc" is as much of a train nut as he is.  Came out in around 1952 or 1953.

Paul Fischer

I've built a lot of fences over the years. This is the first one I ever built in 1:48 scale. The posts are heavy gauge wire for hanging acoustic ceilings. I used a little flux and solder to assemble the frame. The fence fabric is from a carton of clementines. It was orange originally so I decided to paint it silver.

Bob

2018-01-05 13.57.212018-01-05 14.30.402018-01-05 15.07.582018-01-05 15.08.402018-01-05 15.17.302018-01-05 15.18.10

The road foreman inspected the job and approved. The railroad was worried about railfans falling down onto the team tracks below.

2018-01-05 15.18.41

 

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  • 2018-01-05 15.18.41
Mark Boyce posted:

Elliot,

Isn't it amazing what a nice clean look a bit of fascia does for a layout under construction.  Yes, I can see where you were worried the Bondo would break!  Another good idea mixing the gray into the Spackle.  No matter how carefully I do something like this, there is bound to be some pop outs later in time.  My guess is if your benchwork is rock solid and not wiggly even the slightest anywhere, you will cut down on pop outs.  I'm sure yours is rock solid!!

It certainly is amazing Mark. Yeah, my benchwork is rock solid. Even though there are three peninsulas, they are heavy with the two decks, and they are tied together by the raised floor. However, they will transmit vibration when I use my impact driver.

Introducing the black paint to the Spackle was (Mill City) Jon's idea. He did that all the time in the theater with the sets. My problem with the Bondo wasn't so much the possible cracking, as it was the mixing and the smell. I added a support block, which I glued and screwed on to provide some surface area for the Masonite sliver.

Soon as I get done with this fascia, I'm on to scenery. Not a moment too soon either, because the layout tour committee for the convention wants to see it in February not April as I had planned. Non dialysis days will be at a premium for the foreseeable future. Even on M W F I may have to cut out the after dinner naps.

fisch330 posted:

Don't remember seeing that train scene in Donovan's Reef, but I do remember the movie.  Speaking of which, Are you familiar with the short movie, "Joe McDoakes"?  That night not have been the actual name of the movie but Joe McDoakes is the primary character.  In it, he buys a train for his son, won't let him play with it but plays with it himself.  He starts to buy more and more trains until it becomes an obsession.  In one scene he has track coming out of the kitchen, onto the dining room table, arranged to serve each guest by train.  The scene ends when he dumps a bowl of soup right on his  Mother in Law's lap.

One funny scene has him going to the hobby shop and seeing the brand new Lionel accessory, Animated Switch Tower, and exclaims:  "I gotta have it" and runs out of the store with the prototype.  Very funny movie, ending up with his wife taking him to a psychiatrist, only to find out the the "doc" is as much of a train nut as he is.  Came out in around 1952 or 1953.

Paul Fischer

And here it is!  

Incidentally, George O' Hanlon (Joe) was the voice of George Jetson,  while Arthur Q. Bryan (Mr. Agony) was the voice of Elmer Fudd...

Mitch 

Last edited by M. Mitchell Marmel

Today a little of everything. I got two sidings done by the drainage ditch because I could only find two uncouple tracks so that is all I could do track wise. So I jump to putting down ground foam. I still have to put in some small bushes and trees.  After dinner I'll glue what I put down. Guess while I am on the computer I better order what I need to finish the yard. I was hoping my cattails would of come today so I could finish the water. Pics..............Paul

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Busy couple days on my 5x10' layout. Inspired by a yutube video I removed my hills at the ends of the layout and added a second level dog bone. Got structure work done managing to use my track I had from my dismantled larger layout. Bottom level two loops with 54" and 42" turns and upper level dog bone with 36" . I'm running both conventional and command.

Not a lot done on the layout, itself.  But.... did my first Kadee coupler conversion, today.  And about time, I acquired the couplers and drill bit/tap/machine screws from local OKC train store last year, got time to use today.  Last year I had acquired a great Lionel GS2 #4410 from Doug "Laid Off Sick".  The tender has a Kadee scale coupler and I have only "lobster claws"... until today.  Using a K Line SP Express Service BC, I cut the large claw coupler off and, with a little effort... and shimming, now have a transition car to enable pulling the two sets of 18" SP Daylight passenger cars.  Not to mention the scale size K Line Golden State streamline cars consist, of which I have a photograph of a GS4 pulling the Golden State cars with a few Daylight/green mixed head cars.  Now, see about finding time tomorrow to actually have this great GS2 pull several different passenger consists for grins. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275IMG_1586IMG_1588IMG_1589

 

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Last edited by texastrain
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

GEDC0735

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

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It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

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Just got back from a train show in Parma Ohio. Usually I don't find anything there but it is just so good to get out to a train show after being couped up for weeks without a show. I found two city backdrops, two die cast trucks for a good price and before I left my building flats from Angie's were on the door step waiting for me. 3 HO buildings and one N gauge building. I am going to put the N gauge before the HO ones to see if it adds more depth. So after lunch I be back down working on the layout...............Pics.............Paul

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Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Bob,

   I wanted to tell you I really liked the fence building you did, as a Welding Engineer I think your home made fence is Top shelf stuff, the very best!

PCRR/Dave

My Pre War Wood fence is nice but your metal home made fence is serious stuff!

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Thanks Dave

I just make this stuff up as I go. Kind humbling to hear such nice compliments from you guys.

Now just imagine what I could do with Elliot's space......

texastrain posted:

Not a lot done on the layout, itself.  But.... did my first Kadee coupler conversion, today.  And about time, I acquired the couplers and drill bit/tap/machine screws from local OKC train store last year, got time to use today.  Last year I had acquired a great Lionel GS2 #4410 from Doug "Laid Off Sick".  The tender has a Kadee scale coupler and I have only "lobster claws"... until today.  Using a K Line SP Express Service BC, I cut the large claw coupler off and, with a little effort... and shimming, now have a transition car to enable pulling the two sets of 18" SP Daylight passenger cars.  Not to mention the scale size K Line Golden State streamline cars consist, of which I have a photograph of a GS4 pulling the Golden State cars with a few Daylight/green mixed head cars.  Now, see about finding time tomorrow to actually have this great GS2 pull several different passenger consists for grins. 

Jesse   TCA  12-68275IMG_1586

 

Jesse, Yes I know Doug upgraded most or all his engines and rolling stock to Kadees.  I used them in HO, but have not bothered since I switched to O gauge 3-rail 6 years ago.  Your transition car conversion looks great!  You will really have a super looking train with the bright colored GS2 pulling your consist!!

John D. posted:
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

GEDC0735

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

20180106_112830[1]

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

Mitch and John, I got a kick out of railfanning the Arkansas and Missouri when my in-laws lived in Fort Smith back in the late '80s and early '90s!  Looks like a great calendar!!  

John, How are you doing in Lansdale weather wise?  Here in Butler, we have had only an inch of snow a day, but brutal temperatures and wind!  I understand we will be getting a heat wave next week.  Bring out the short sleeves and sun block!    I hope to make it out to the open house in July!

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Bob, That fence looks superb!  I think I would go nuts trying to build one!

Berra, the wall and bridge looks like you shrunk the full size down to 1:48 size!!  What a great addition to your layout!

Paul, You did great at the Parma show today!  The buildings and trucks will find a great home on your layout.  My hat is off to you braving the weather!  I was going to go to the Worlds Greatest Hobby show in Monroeville today, but after being out and about all week, I just don't feel like it today!  Besides, I spent too much money already and I saw manufacturers displays at York in October.  I guess my first York spoiled me, or is it that the weather makes my over 60 bones feel like not braving it!  

RSJB18 posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Bob,

   I wanted to tell you I really liked the fence building you did, as a Welding Engineer I think your home made fence is Top shelf stuff, the very best!

PCRR/Dave

My Pre War Wood fence is nice but your metal home made fence is serious stuff!

DSCN1720

Thanks Dave

I just make this stuff up as I go. Kind humbling to hear such nice compliments from you guys.

Now just imagine what I could do with Elliot's space......

Elliot's space!!!   I think I would just stand there in shock for a year or two if I suddenly was granted space like Elliot has!! 

Mark Boyce posted:
John D. posted:
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

 

Mitch 

Hey @M. Mitchell Marmel, Mickie Mantle mailed me TWO and they just arrived!  Normally, I thumb through it and look at every photo, but then I get less joy turning the page every 28-31 days, so I'm going to try really hard to take this year one month at a time.  

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

Mitch and John, I got a kick out of railfanning the Arkansas and Missouri when my in-laws lived in Fort Smith back in the late '80s and early '90s!  Looks like a great calendar!!  

John, How are you doing in Lansdale weather wise?  Here in Butler, we have had only an inch of snow a day, but brutal temperatures and wind!  I understand we will be getting a heat wave next week.  Bring out the short sleeves and sun block!    I hope to make it out to the open house in July!

Mark,

I'm in Bethlehem (for about 2 years now).  We got about 3" of snow Thursday.  We got a dusting Christmas Eve.  We have not seen temps above 30 since Christmas Eve.  We might hit 35 Monday and 48 by the end of next week! 

It's been so cold that even after driving on the snow in the driveway for three days, it still just brushes right away.  Highs have been in the 10s for several days in a row.

John D. posted:

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

From what I hear, the paperwork at the A&M's end is straightened out and the ball is in Lionel's court... 

Mitch 

Been gone all day and so much is going on! All great work!

Berra, The retaining wall looks right out of books and movies!

Paul, its nice that you picked up so really nice stuff, but one wants to know do you have enough walls for all the flats?

Dave, don't knock your fence. its fits right in with your tin-plate layout, the newer fence of Bob's would look out of place.

While I am at it, once again Bob very nice fence!

Elliots space? They wife would probably pack up and leave me! LOL Plus I would have to get a couple of job to try and fill that space! I will stay small!

Brian I am with Matt, Nice CSX train! but then again it seams like you have nice trains everywhere!

Mitch, Make it happen and post pictures!

Keep up all the great work everyone!

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:
John D. posted:

It's a shame that an O-Gauge version of that #70 isn't currently circling my layout in celebration.  Hopefully A&MRR didn't miss the boat completely and we'll soon see her and her sister #71 in the catalog again.

From what I hear, the paperwork at the A&M's end is straightened out and the ball is in Lionel's court... 

Mitch 

Lionel's not known for running the same tooling on MTOs more than once...and highly unlikely for just one road name.  Ball's in Lionels's court, but I just fear the play clock may have expired.  😕

Mark Boyce posted:

Congratulations Mike for keeping straight what each person reported on today!  I would put the wrong project with some folks if I tried that many at one fell swoop!!  

LOL Mark, it's kind of like being back in school. Take notes as you read along!! I don't want to leave anyone out cause they are all doing great work and they may not know it, but teaching at the same time!

carsntrains posted:

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

LOL I sure hope it's not a Bearing wall!

mike g. posted:
carsntrains posted:

Finally I am going to take down my 12x6 table layout and move it into a 17x11 room!!!   I'm going to take it all apart and do an around the room layout.  I really like the Gargraves and Ross stuff but I'm fairly deep into Fast Track.  And I don't have any shops of suppliers locally to get anything but that and or tubular track ..   Got to go take down a wall! LOL    

Jim 

LOL I sure hope it's not a Bearing wall!

Naaa Its just a small closet wall.   Got part of it out already.   Fixin to eat dinner and get back at it! 

Jim

Mark Boyce posted:
carsntrains posted:

Decided to take the ole Wabash for a spin before taking down the layout.  

Very nice!!  Why are you taking the layout down?  Are you going to move or build another layout in the same place?

Moving the layout into another room.    The 12x6 "tabletop" was temporary  I used to learn some things before trying to build a better layout.   Cutting that table in half and doing an "around the room" in a spare bedroom.  So a little work and I'll have 24 feet of bench work @ 3 ft wide.  

well I finally finished the siding under the upper level so I can park trains and cars awaiting to be picked up and run around the track. Did do some running not much to tired and my knees hurt from knealing on the concrete. Durn floor is hard. plan on a full day in the train room having fun. I got a phone call from Miller Engineering yesterday and they have fixed all my problems and shipped the back to me. I could not ask for a better company to do business with. What a great product.

Here in the woods of SENH, it was -7f on the 7th day in January @ 7AM!  Hope that the diesels turn over this morning!  We went to church last night when it was a warm 9f.  Yesterday it was -38f with -97f Wind Chill on top of Mt. WASHINGTON, north of us.

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By the end of the week it'll be 40f, T-shirt weather!

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Train plans were derailed Saturday as I was a last minute chaperone for the grandsons at their Pinewood Derby car "build" session.  We had fun without electronics for a few hours and no fingers were lost to the bandsaw !  Later, I did manage to weather the rest of my track & switches - as the temp got above 55F in our detached garage (quick- spray then run away).  This afternoon will see some track being laid, it's fun to make progress !

Mo985 posted:
trainroomgary posted:

Started to paint the flat structures.

Using Acrylic White Wash paint for the bricks and mortar.

1 Mortar Paint

Gary

Any chance you can make this into a tutorial for your technique, in the scenery area, of course. 

Thanks, and have fun!

Hi Mo985:  Yes I am working on a new YT video about this project. Look for it as a two part video.  around February 8th and March 8th, 2018. On my YT Channel.

I do have this video below about the bricks already on YT. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5llwGqLjJs

Hope this helps: Gary

Yesterday I worked a bit on the ground turf and mounted the buildings. I think I am done with the flats on main street so I can start working on the street and lower area. Street wise I have to drill holes for the telephone poles. Decided to cut off the base on them. Today I am working on adding a switch to the mainline so I can enter the next freight yard from both ends. All I want to do has to wait till uncouple tracks and bumpers come in along with the cattails. I get those I can finish the freight yard and drainage ditch and move on to the next yard. After putting in the switch I'll go back and add bushes and trees around the Sauerkraut factory. Before I forget MIKE G, I have another long wall that will need buildings flats. LOL Once I clean up that area that is also where the next freight yard and industrial sidings are going. Pics.............Paul 

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Worked on putting the new switch. After pulling up the old track and cutting new track to go with the switch I penciled in my center lines and laid down some cork. I am hoping after dinner that the glue will be dry and I can paint the cork. Still pretty much in slow mode until my stuff comes, I am keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. Once I work the switch area I went back to the Sauerkraut factory and put in some trees. Had a couple that I didn't put leaves on so I thought I would plant a couple of dead trees. That was the afternoon. Pics ........Paul

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A quick suggestion regarding legs ( a repeat of an idea i posted here over 10 years ago) -- 2x4's are overkill for most model railroads. 2x3's work just fine. My local lumber yard rips 2x6's for me at no extra charge, and now i have 2x3's. Don't know if the big box stores will do this for you. I prefer straight dry wood so i patronize my local lumber yard opposed to the big box stores. 2x3's can be very cost effective as well.

 

paul 2 posted:

Worked on putting the new switch. After pulling up the old track and cutting new track to go with the switch I penciled in my center lines and laid down some cork. I am hoping after dinner that the glue will be dry and I can paint the cork. Still pretty much in slow mode until my stuff comes, I am keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. Once I work the switch area I went back to the Sauerkraut factory and put in some trees. Had a couple that I didn't put leaves on so I thought I would plant a couple of dead trees. That was the afternoon. Pics ........Paul

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Looking good Paul

carsntrains posted:

OK guys I got it taken down.  All trains, track, buildings, cars, people, foam. Got the two 2 foot extensions off of the base 6x8 table.  Got it marked to cut in two.    Need to run down to HD and get some 2x4 so I can fix the two 3x8 sections. And put two legs on each.  Been a busy Sunday!    

Jim 

 

Photos, Photos, Photos!!!  I enjoy hearing about progress, but I LOVE seeing it!

Congrats on ripping the wall down.  One of the negatives about buying a move-in-ready home is, I can't find any walls that need removing!

I remember the emotions of tearing down my basement layout in the old home two and a half years ago.  All the track fit in a small box.  I sat there staring at it.  Texted a photo to Dad.  But good times are ahead for you and for me...more on that in a minute...

Spent the whole weekend in the basement (aside from loading the club trailer for the Greenburg Show in PA next weekend).  Got a LOT cleaned up.  The goal is to begin work on my new layout!  Keep an eye out for a new thread soon.  I'm going to need some help and ideas with planning. (Yes, Mr. Coy, I've read all your posts and seen your YT videos, I'm thinking about operations BEFORE laying out track!).

A few years ago, I built a shelf.  I put slots in the top and bottom plates for an eventual set of sliding doors.  I bought the plexi when I bought all the other supplies.  It's been underfoot for probably 3 years now.  Today, I FINALLY got the courage to start cutting it.  I scored it real deep with a carpenter's knife with a fresh blade and then snapped it. I measured multiple times, but screwed up the math on the first door.  I'm going to have to fill in one of the slots with something about 3/32" thick so the door catches both slots.  I don't have enough material left to make another door.  I put a piece of bare 12ga copper wire in the slot and that seems to help, it's just not straight enough to work perfectly.

I left the protective film on for this photo so you could see the doors.

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Took the film off (my favorite part).

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Now to fill up those shelves!

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Thanks for the compliment....I will next weekend when I should have the rest wired up.  I still have the roller coaster, hot air balloon ride, 5 little scenes (miniature golf, test of strength, tug of war, balancing chair, and pony ride), plus my midway with food stands and games of chance.  My goal is to knock out 1 to 2 each night this week after work and coaching basketball.   Here are a few pics of those areas still needing wiring.  After that of course I want to add grass, walkways, and fencing.  

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Ok this is where I ended the day/night at.. 12 hours it took to take down a wall, and to take down my existing 12x6.   Not much to see lol   Now all I have is a 3x16 storage table to put all my train stuff on lol   I have some more stuff to take out of that room.  Its supposed to rain here tomorrow so MAYBE I can get a bit more bench work up.  Still sad about taking the table layout down.  I have a new engine and a BLI water tower on the way.   And some electrical stuff to power up 4 or 5 woodland scenic  buildings.

 

Jim 

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Radar493 (Ralph) - Glad to hear someone else uses joint compound. 20+ years ago i did all of my scenery with heavy duty paper towels dipped in slightly diluted joint compound. Cheap, easy to use, readily available, and has held up. I can't figure out why more people don't use it. The money i saved bought me an awful lot of boxcars.P1010340P1010342P1000155-1

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Patrick came over today, and it was the end of an era. This was the final roller stroke of sky blue. It took five years, and Patrick did all of it!

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He had me take a picture of the date and time on his phone to mark the occasion.

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Let me back up a minute, I got a little ahead of myself. The first thing we did was correct the mismatched fascia from a couple weeks ago, and added the little piece of backdrop over the track.

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We added the Masonite strip around the base of the helix. I'll be wrapping that with embossed stone plastic sheets to form a retaining wall. The Backdrop will get the back side of downtown Red Wing.

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The plan here is to have a road go up a hill alongside the track, then there will be a bridge over the track to help hide the opening.

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We hit another milestone today, when we put in the last piece of fascia.

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Actually, the last piece isn't the big one with all the curves, it's the little filler with the two screws in it on the left. There's still some sanding left to get rid of the little steps.

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We marked all the layout power cords and their respective outlets. Brown is layout convenience outlets, red is track power, orange is layout accessory power and yellow is layout lighting.

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Patrick grabbed the camera, and took half these pictures. He's seen enough of my posts to know what to shoot. I don't know why I keep ending up in them. First my wife, then Scott (Miggy) and now Patrick. Anyway, we pulled the red and orange plugs from the wall and opened up the box with the layout power switches in order to add a new run of conduit over to the third peninsula for the C/MRI node.

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We added an extension box to have more room for the new wires.

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We didn't get the entire run finished, but the hard part is done. It's anchored to the box and run under the aisle.

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Paul - I had a late night shopping spree on eBay, and bought a bunch of those buildings, among other things. We'll see if I learned anything.

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The J. Reilly McCarren Transportation Museum has three new layouts (two Lionel, one American Flyer) courtesy of Bob Bretch of Van Buren! 

We got cowboys! 

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And dinosaurs! 

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And...well... 

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Plus a really nifty Polar Express layout! 

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Which I spent a few hours assembling this afternoon...  

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Fortescue has told me he can't wait to take a ride on the Polar Express!   

Mitch 

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modeltrainsparts posted:

Radar493 (Ralph) - Glad to hear someone else uses joint compound. 20+ years ago i did all of my scenery with heavy duty paper towels dipped in slightly diluted joint compound. Cheap, easy to use, readily available, and has held up. I can't figure out why more people don't use it. The money i saved bought me an awful lot of boxcars.P1010340P1010342P1000155-1

Count me in fellas. I too used diluted joint compound with paper bags cut into 2" wide strips over cardboard lattice. Came out great, it's at least 15 years old and I've had no problems ever!CVRR 24220171211_174248

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Excellent work!

Truly exceptional, P51.

Thank you very much, gentlemen. This was a project I'd set out to accomplish inside of a weekend, but some paint and parts issues stretched it out a little more.

As an MOW car, I doubt it'll be on the layout all the time, but I might place it in various spots t make op sessions just a little more challenging.

CanEnsor

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Measuring Fortescue for a bridle & saddle? 

  I used to have that set as a kid. Still have two sections of the corral fence, small crew, small horse herd, and some Natives.

Joint compound, powdered and latex premix both, over aluminum screen.android-asset-c6eb50b540c65a6b181a552453fa5506e837daad69db8d6c98b73cd2706739e8

The brick is laytex wood putty spread like peanut butter on some 1/8" hardboard, covered smooth & carefully with plastic wrap, then pressed with a brick mold for candies/cakes, let to cure then peeled & painted. It slides up & out of the two portals.

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Started scratch building a flat for the upper level, and tested a paint for my roads. I came across a couple 4x6 sheets of 1/8" hardboard packing material at work. I fist used them for facia on the lower level, then took what I had left to use as my roads. While at Lowes this weekend, found a textured paint. It has a finer texture than the "stone" sprays. Sprayed a test piece last night, and I think it came out really good. Gonna apply some lines this evening.

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Mo985 posted:

Started scratch building a flat for the upper level, and tested a paint for my roads. I came across a couple 4x6 sheets of 1/8" hardboard packing material at work. I fist used them for facia on the lower level, then took what I had left to use as my roads. While at Lowes this weekend, found a textured paint. It has a finer texture than the "stone" sprays. Sprayed a test piece last night, and I think it came out really good. Gonna apply some lines this evening.

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I used the same paint in black. Looks great. I added some black paint on the joints to simulate tar-filled cracks.

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p51 posted:

Excellent work!

Truly exceptional, P51.

Thank you very much, gentlemen. This was a project I'd set out to accomplish inside of a weekend, but some paint and parts issues stretched it out a little more.

As an MOW car, I doubt it'll be on the layout all the time, but I might place it in various spots t make op sessions just a little more challenging.

CanEnsor

Lee- the tank looks great. I wasn't sure where you were going with it when it was painted tan. I thought it looked too clean and shiny for your layout The weathering is just right.

Bob

Last night I added the Building that was the collaboration of Eric's Trains, Legacy Station, and MTH to my Layout, though I should really get the backdrop up soon, but I haven't had a chance to get the Backboard from anywhere to put the backdrop on, no pictures, since I put the building on then ran trains for a bit, then headed back upstairs.

tcochran posted:

Last night I added the Building that was the collaboration of Eric's Trains, Legacy Station, and MTH to my Layout, though I should really get the backdrop up soon, but I haven't had a chance to get the Backboard from anywhere to put the backdrop on, no pictures, since I put the building on then ran trains for a bit, then headed back upstairs.

I really like that building and Eric's Trains.   I had one in my "cart" but decided it wouldn't go well with my 1950s layout..  ???

Jim

carsntrains posted:

I really like that building and Eric's Trains.   I had one in my "cart" but decided it wouldn't go well with my 1950s layout..  ???

Jim

I will have to someday in the future get pictures of it, I don't run trains a lot, no era modeling so I do not need to find things that fit an era. Though I mainly have steam engines in my roster.

Made a Video last night Featuring new W&LE Power

2 Part Video with Caption's edited in on my you tube channel @13min

WLE Take the Grade pt1-The Drag up Wooster Hill

WLE Take The Grade pt2-The Return trip to Craneville

The video cover's the entire 10 x 12 dbl tier inter-connected shelf layout & features 2 new WLE locomotives (106 is non-powered) added to the fleet over the weekend by RC Jr.

Over the past 2 months the layout has received;

    1 new MTH ABC (Akron Barberton Cluster) SW1500 Switcher (1501 Pusher in video)

    Scratch Built dbl track trestle bridge

    The entire lower tier added with Y Loop & 3 yard tracks

    MTH WiFi Module with multiple devices

    Also on loan from RC Jr is the MTH 999 Empire State Express set

Enjoy!

PS; These MTH GP35's have the canac radio control antenna & sticker on carbody, system's which I installed on the actual units years back!

Lee, great shot of the car. A nice project adding to an already great layout. Going to make it my desktop. This morning it was do wait do wait do. I got the cork painted ballasted and track screwed down. And it looks like none of the things I ordered are going to get here till maybe tomorrow.While putting that switch in I decided to pull up one track and one switch going to the power station leaving the one going through it so I will probably work on that after lunch. Also in the last picture I lined up some telephone poles and before I placed them I was wondering how the spacing looks????. I am cutting off the base and drilling holes in the sidewalk. Pics...........Paul

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mike g. posted:

Ok Mark, I am going to make this one easy on me!

Everyone I would like to point out each and everyones great work, but you guys have overloaded me this morning, so this is for everyone and there wonderful projects!

GREAT EVERYONE! Keep it up!

Mike, I was going to do like you this weekend, but I was just thinking of doing the same thing as you just did since I am a day late...and always a dollar short!

i am amazed at the large number of people who have made excellent accomplishments this past day!!  Great work everyone!!

Christmas vacation travel, bad weather, and sick kids conspired me from working on the table. But I had a couple of hours today and managed to complete the transformer table, as well as add the "top deck". The top deck is attached to the main table by four screws. It's where my above ground layout will be. When the kids grow in height, I will lift it up, and add a subway system underneath, and then place it back on top. So the table is sort of modular. Just need to put down 11/32" plywood, and a 1x4 bumper around the back and sides. I'll also build a small control box for a couple SPST switches that will control power to the sidings and a couple of accessories. And then to paint it all black.20180108_17085920180108_170905

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Last edited by Deuce
RSJB18 posted:
p51 posted:

CanEnsor

Lee- the tank looks great. I wasn't sure where you were going with it when it was painted tan. I thought it looked too clean and shiny for your layout The weathering is just right.

Thanks, Bob. The lighting is always tricky, as it's actually painted in light gull grey, similar to D&RGW MOW colors. That way, I could make my own decals on my computer.

As a water car, I figured that some rust streaks would be likely, but not too much if its to be used as potable water. The frame and base is weathered pretty harshly, but not so much the tank. I could have weathered and aged the paint on the tank more, as this wouldn't have been repainted for several years before the layout takes place (it's the name of the RR before the ET&WNC bought them out) but I decided against 'going all Malcom Furlow' on it.

The modification of the tender into a water car will be in the 2018 On30 Annual.

Deuce posted:

Christmas vacation travel, bad weather, and sick kids conspired me from working on the table. But I had a couple of hours today and managed to complete the transformer table, as well as add the "top deck". The top deck is attached to the main table by four screws. It's where my above ground layout will be. When the kids grow in height, I will lift it up, and add a subway system underneath, and then place it back on top. So the table is sort of modular. Just need to put down 11/32" plywood, and a 1x4 bumper around the back and sides. I'll also build a small control box for a couple SPST switches that will control power to the sidings and a couple of accessories. And then to paint it all black.20180108_17085920180108_170905

20180108_170432

I’m glad you finally got a chance to get back at it!  Yes you have to plan for the kids to grow fast!!  Looks great!

Over the weekend, I made a few changes to the layout. After running the 2055 (which I've named "Old Bill" in honor of the gent who originally owned it) for a while, there were a few things that started to bother me a bit. Grandson was fine of course, just happy to see trains running! The first thing that was irksome was not enough space for the #97 Coal Elevator that we picked up at the DuPage Train Show a few months ago. Then we noticed that that there really wasn't a good place to park rolling stock, and then we saw that there was no way to change direction on the loop without physically picking up the engine. Grandson and I messed about in SCARM with some ideas, and he really liked the train simulator. I did have trouble with trimming tracks to fit. So we did two "major" changes to the layout tracks, end result of which was more siding space, room for the Coal Elevator, and eliminating 1 switch.

There's a bunch of stuff on the layout right now, so I'm a bit embarrassed to show any pictures, however here's the SCARM file of what we've done. After running "Old Bill" for a while, we like the changed layout so far. While it isn't great that changing back to the original direction of travel requires backing around about 1/2 the layout, at least it is an operating "feature" that we don't have to pick up the engine.

Next thing to work on is getting the switches to be all directly powered instead of track power.

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Pulled up the rest of the carpet that was in the closet that I removed the wall from.   What a pain.  And pulled hundreds of nail gun staples!!  Got all that cleaned up and some stuff put away.   Studying track.   I have a ton of fastrack and it hasn't giving me any problems so I think I'll stick with it.   But I been looking at curves.  I have 036 and 048.  Was going to use the 048 and get some 060 for the inner and out main on the main level.   But I'm reading that you cant use 048 with 060 ..  Or 036 with 048 because O48 is some kind of oddball??  So I think I'm going to have to buy some 060 and 072 curves.   Which I think will make a better mainline anyway!   

Jim 

Edit.   I just ordered 16 060 and 16 072 curves from Mario's Trains. Hope it pays off! 

Last edited by carsntrains
Slowhands posted:

Over the weekend, I made a few changes to the layout. After running the 2055 (which I've named "Old Bill" in honor of the gent who originally owned it) for a while, there were a few things that started to bother me a bit. Grandson was fine of course, just happy to see trains running! The first thing that was irksome was not enough space for the #97 Coal Elevator that we picked up at the DuPage Train Show a few months ago. Then we noticed that that there really wasn't a good place to park rolling stock, and then we saw that there was no way to change direction on the loop without physically picking up the engine. Grandson and I messed about in SCARM with some ideas, and he really liked the train simulator. I did have trouble with trimming tracks to fit. So we did two "major" changes to the layout tracks, end result of which was more siding space, room for the Coal Elevator, and eliminating 1 switch.

There's a bunch of stuff on the layout right now, so I'm a bit embarrassed to show any pictures, however here's the SCARM file of what we've done. After running "Old Bill" for a while, we like the changed layout so far. While it isn't great that changing back to the original direction of travel requires backing around about 1/2 the layout, at least it is an operating "feature" that we don't have to pick up the engine.

Next thing to work on is getting the switches to be all directly powered instead of track power.

What kind of track are you using? Your track plan looks pretty good!!! 

Jim 

Jim, the outside loop is FastTrack, mostly from the LionChie John Deere set. The majority of the track is Lionel tubular track, with the black ties. The switches are all 022 that I actually had fun rebuilding; all but 2 were inexpensive train show purchases (two were part of the original set that wife got from her friend, Bill's widow.)

Slowhands posted:

Jim, the outside loop is FastTrack, mostly from the LionChie John Deere set. The majority of the track is Lionel tubular track, with the black ties. The switches are all 022 that I actually had fun rebuilding; all but 2 were inexpensive train show purchases (two were part of the original set that wife got from her friend, Bill's widow.)

They are not realistic, and I'm sure that the new modern track and switches are great, but I still love post war 022 switches.

For me, Post war O22 switches, when in good operating order, work great, are easy to maintain and repair, which for me is a very rare once they are in good operating order,  and capture the spirit and charm of postwar Lionel trains.

Congratulations on getting yours at a good price and resurrecting them, which is so satisfying. 

It is also cool that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

Slowhands posted:

Jim, the outside loop is FastTrack, mostly from the LionChie John Deere set. The majority of the track is Lionel tubular track, with the black ties. The switches are all 022 that I actually had fun rebuilding; all but 2 were inexpensive train show purchases (two were part of the original set that wife got from her friend, Bill's widow.)

Sounds cool!  And please do post pictures!  No display is too big! No display is too small! 

Jim

46D35982-239F-47D0-A344-828E11320A3CB3D0F1A1-F667-44D9-B342-695A9612B84CB453060A-0D4E-47D6-83B0-30FC3933C892Well this may not be glamorous but I have been using several space heaters in the train room. Since My train room is my converted 2 car garage and it’s detached there is no heat, Just a window A/C unit, Well this cold snap and snow forced me to invest in a heating and a/c system so train buying has to be put on hold for a wile, There was some good news I received a box with my new crane I ordered some time ago so I put it together and will string it this weekend, So I will be warm and get back to playing trains 

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Deuce, the bench work and the small table for the transformer looks nice! Plus that's a great idea to be able to raise the top as the kids get bigger! Way to think ahead!

Lee- your water car turned out just wonderful, fits right in! I bet you could set it anywhere on the layout and it would look like it belongs!

Slowhands, sounds like a lot of work going on there, I hope things run smooth for you as you go along!

carsntrains, Keep up the good work and add some pictures,  now its all up hill from here!

mike g. posted:

Deuce, the bench work and the small table for the transformer looks nice! Plus that's a great idea to be able to raise the top as the kids get bigger! Way to think ahead!

 

Thanks Mike. I wish I could remember the discussion that gave me the idea here on the forum, but if it were not for OGR and the people here, I would be stuck with a non-expandable table and that'd be that!

This table is going to go in the tool-shed area attached to my workshop. I already told the wife that we'll eventually have to buy an outdoor tool-shed so I can convert that entire area into a train room. It's unheated/uncooled, but it's roughly a 14x10 area which will have to suffice for my train obsession. I should be able to fit plenty of track and train in an area that size ... and I can always go up/down!

Taking down the Christmas Display, did one last run with my new arrival the Peanuts Lion Chief loco and tender. Found that it was not getting traction pulling 5 post war era (1951) freight cars. I was starting to wonder if I had mad a bad deal when I discovered that the caboose had a frozen truck which was dragging it down.   The caboose had been sitting in a box since 1989 and most likely last run some time in the mid 1960's.Peanuts

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Vacation from the layout today, maybe. First a lunch with a bunch of TCA guys at 1:00 then tonight the Tuesday night crew will be getting together so not much time to do layout work. But hopefully by the end of the day my scenic materials and cork will be here so I can start back in tomorrow on the layout. However if I have time between the two maybe I could do a little work before I go back out tonight...........Paul

This is my first compact gargraves uncoupler that I have bought.  I have a siding with the cork already down that I want to sneak in.  I've also used a couple atlas uncouplers since they are much cheaper, but I have grown to really like the 107's, it gives you the perfect spot to stop the car on a track and not interfere with a passing car.  Especially since I am trying to cram so much in a fairly tight space

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Thaddeus posted:

This is my first compact gargraves uncoupler that I have bought.  I have a siding with the cork already down that I want to sneak in.  I've also used a couple atlas uncouplers since they are much cheaper, but I have grown to really like the 107's, it gives you the perfect spot to stop the car on a track and not interfere with a passing car.  Especially since I am trying to cram so much in a fairly tight space

IMG_3202

Thaddeus, nice track work! got a question for you about uncoupler track sections. Do you know if they work with Kadee couplers also?

What I did on my layout yesterday and last night.

Still working on the flat structures.

Things are slowing down, because detail painting takes time. Went out to watch some football, at a friends house and played the card game Euchre. No train room at his house.

1 KeystoneI

1.   Painting the keystone and header over the windows, along with the window sills.

2 Calendar 2018

2.   Today: I hung up the Family Train Calendar in the shop next to the train room.  This is a custom family wall calendar that I design and have ten copies printed at one of those online printing company’s.  I do this every year.

Photo’s for this post, shot with an iPhone 7 Plus, I call this the dark side of photography, Not using a camera.

Today I am going to take the grandchildren to a train store.

Gary

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