What did you do on your layout today?

Mark, I hope your doing well after over doing it! Remember your spose to take it easy unless its train related! Everything else can wait till your daughters and Son-in-laws come over to visit!

Lee D, I was joking, In your video I didn't see any trailers on the pigs like in the other photo. Looks like you have a wonderful start on the wood reefer!

John, I thought you were almost done with passenger cars! Now you say you have another set on the way. WOW I sure hope you have room for all these passenger cars! When you get done I hope you can take a picture of all the cars you have done! Must be over 60 or so!

Bob, The buildings look good! I wish I had a good printer, I just bought a Canon a couple months ago and I would have to say I am not impressed with the photos it prints.

Lew, I am glad your DCS/IR system is working well for you! You are right that $77 total is a great price for a walk around system!

I am not sure if its a train room day, but you never know! If it is I will let you all know what I got done if anything!

I hope you all have a great Friday and an up coming weekend! If you feel bogged down just take some time sit back and run some trains! LOL

lee drennen posted:

Well I’m back in Reefer mood ok not that Reefer mood either I know some of you guys where teens in the sixties like my brothers. Anyway back to what’s going on the layout next. A very nice OGR. Member sent me this very old Wood Reefer and I mean made out of real wood and yes it has two different sides. Thought I would try to get this thing up and going again. 

        I was hoping that you would be able to use these cars Lee.  Thought they were pretty cool cars when I saw them, and thought of you, being the guy that would bring them back to life. They are going  to look great when you get them done.  Have fun building them !    wonder how old these cars are...

Last Saturday I rebuilt my control box (going from the ZW back down to an RW or 2) and was planning on repainting it Sunday. Then my wife (after recently giving birth) had a bad gallbladder attack and we had to make a trip to the ER. After another trip Tuesday and surgery yesterday, I haven't touched the layout all week. Maybe tonight.......

Mike. Thanks and that’s ok it was a long day yesterday and thanks for the complement on the Reefer

Brian. Thank you so much for thinking of me when you seen them I’m going to do my level best to do this one justice. I know they are very old probably in the sixties one of them is stamped on the bottom where it was made back East. Thanks again for your kindness 

Jon, take care of the family first! Wife and newborn come first! The layout will be there!

Lee D, Must still be snowing there as I see your probably home again today! Hope you get time to work on your reefer car today!

mike g. posted:

Jon, take care of the family first! Wife and newborn come first! The layout will be there!

Lee D, Must still be snowing there as I see your probably home again today! Hope you get time to work on your reefer car today!

Mike

it stopped snowing  roads are clear I’m waiting at a customer to load my sea container I have lots of time now before it’s loaded 

lee drennen posted:

mike g. posted:

 

Lee D, Must still be snowing there

Mike

it stopped snowing 

What is this "snow" you speak of, Amigos?

John Rowlen posted:

To finish my last fourteen Lionel 21" passenger cars, I had to paint a few specific figures from several Preiser 65602 36 Seated People packs.  I am now finishing the remaining figures before starting on new sets of 36 people for the Canadian Pacific 21" passenger cars that are in transit.

It is a good time to start painting because an ice storm with snow later is expect here in Cleveland.  I bought extra batteries for my LED work light I wear on my head while painting.  The mix of figures will help me sharpen my painting skills before opening the twelve new boxes of people.

Don't need a snow day.  I'm retired.  Very tired.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, I'm in the Cleveland area also, (Brook Park), we'll have to hook up!

Vincent Massi posted:

lee drennen posted:

mike g. posted:

 

Lee D, Must still be snowing there

Mike

it stopped snowing 

What is this "snow" you speak of, Amigos?

It’s a snow cone

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Beautiful shot love those box cars Jo Han

Trimmed the excess paper off the building flats. Went down to the basement and found my blackfoam board and glued the flats to them. Letting them dry a bit longer before I cut them out of the foam board. In the meantime I have to go through my acrylic colors to see what I can use as to a brick color and apply it to the Kozak building sides. ........Pics ..........Paul 2

Sprayed two "A" trestles rec'd from Apples55 with Rustolieum Apple Red to match the other A trestles for the elevated test track; then sprayed them with their clear gloss finish.

lee drennen posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Beautiful shot love those box cars Jo Han

 

Lee. Thanks.

Johan

Still slogging along on Signal Central...   got 2 cables cut and terminated at the panel, figured out how to label the junction at the signals under the table as for 4 of the cables there are 17 wires/terminals supporting 4 signals, 2 eastbound, 2 westbound....

Started cutting brass tubing and making the signal heads for the kitbashed Plasticville Signal Bridge...  Once I got the design, spacing and mounting figured out it's moving along.   Sill have to solder on the white marker lights above and below the color position light targets, but one step at a time!

After alot of thought I came up with what I think is a pretty cool way to attach the brass posts (1/8 inch Dia,) to the plastic girder web...  I wrapped the post 180 degrees with 1/32" brass wire, then I am going to drill 1/32 holes in the plastic and slide the 2 wire pins through, a slight bend on the back side and they won't rotate, or twist, and if I should ever have to remove one, it wont be super-glued forever...     

Paul:  The backdrop buildings look great.  Was that a "custom order" getting just the individual buildings ?

Lee:  You're bringing that reefer back to life.... Question, do you know anything about those wheel trucks.... I bought some of those years ago in a 2 rail odd lot... I weathered them and all the 2 rail axles, but I was thinking about installing a pair on wood kit gondola that I bought.. Who made them ? 

Johan,  Great photo of the BAR Boxcars !  Really well done weathering, and the scene just draws you in ! 

Lots of neat projects!

Paul, the flats will look great!

Chris, that is some operation you have figured out!  Thank you for all the photographs.

I had planned to go to Michaels to get a coue other color paints to finish up the AmeriTown kit, but decided not to because of the snow.  I did open the bag on the Atlas O signal tower kit just to take a look at the parts and instructions.  There are lots more parts than the HO version I built back around 1970.

chris a posted:

Still slogging along on Signal Central...   got 2 cables cut and terminated at the panel, figured out how to label the junction at the signals under the table as for 4 of the cables there are 17 wires/terminals supporting 4 signals, 2 eastbound, 2 westbound....

Started cutting brass tubing and making the signal heads for the kitbashed Plasticville Signal Bridge...  Once I got the design, spacing and mounting figured out it's moving along.   Sill have to solder on the white marker lights above and below the color position light targets, but one step at a time!

After alot of thought I came up with what I think is a pretty cool way to attach the brass posts (1/8 inch Dia,) to the plastic girder web...  I wrapped the post 180 degrees with 1/32" brass wire, then I am going to drill 1/32 holes in the plastic and slide the 2 wire pins through, a slight bend on the back side and they won't rotate, or twist, and if I should ever have to remove one, it wont be super-glued forever...     

Paul:  The backdrop buildings look great.  Was that a "custom order" getting just the individual buildings ?

Lee:  You're bringing that reefer back to life.... Question, do you know anything about those wheel trucks.... I bought some of those years ago in a 2 rail odd lot... I weathered them and all the 2 rail axles, but I was thinking about installing a pair on wood kit gondola that I bought.. Who made them ? 

Johan,  Great photo of the BAR Boxcars !  Really well done weathering, and the scene just draws you in ! 

Chris

Thanks they are vintage Atlas O I have lots of these on cars and they run very well on Fastrack. They are very detailed too hope this helps Chris 

Guys 

I just want to thank you for all your likes and complements this week. I’ve had so much fun working on the bench and layout this week and you guys just fueled the fire. Enjoy your weekend 

Lee,  thanks for the info on the trucks, it definitely helps.  Yes when I was done with my 3 step weathering process I was really amazed at the quality of the detail in the truck castings....  

Samparfitt:  Wow,  I have never opened the Great Northern Railway thread....  Now I have a lot of reading to catch up on.... great layout, wonderful videos.   

chris a posted:

Lee,  thanks for the info on the trucks, it definitely helps.  Yes when I was done with my 3 step weathering process I was really amazed at the quality of the detail in the truck castings....  

Samparfitt:  Wow,  I have never opened the Great Northern Railway thread....  Now I have a lot of reading to catch up on.... great layout, wonderful videos.   

Chris, it isn't just the reading, the multitude of great photographs and videos could take you months to see it all!  Sam has really done a great job not only showing his trains and great scenery, but spent a tremendous amount of effort describing how he fixes and fine tunes!!  

Johan, Great job on the Bar Box cars! Way to show them off in your scenery!

Vincent, its white and cold! and as Lee said its not a snow cone! LOL

Paul 2, Buildings are looking wonderful! Just wondering are they spendy?

Chris, Nice work! Great idea for attaching the mast to the plastic bridge! Things sure are looking sharp!

Sam, Great photos and video's! But wondering where is that siding you keep talking about that goes around the water from Seattle to my side of the water!

Mark, Don't worry you can do it! Just don't over do it! LOL

Well today I got the motor for the crane back and everything works, but its still loud. I will post a video here and some photos of my first time trying airbrushing. I had to wait till I got the right paint color for my fixed pilot project for my dummy ES44. I also did some work on some switch machines under the layout, but no photos for Lew! You wouldn't be able to tell that I did anything anyways! LOL

I think I am going to brain storm on making the crane run better and a lot less noisy !

Mike, I'll get by on the Atlas kit.  Actually, I think I have done not bad.  I only overdid it a bit 3 times, and it will be 3 months tomorrow since I got out of the hospital.  

Today, I only pushed a smidgen of snow away from my wife's car doors since the evergreens keep the bulk of the snow away from there.  My car is still covered, and I didn't do any shoveling.  I stayed a shut in!  

The painting looks good from here.  I think all the postwar motorized accessories are pretty loud.  Yours sounds about average to me.

Mark that Atlas Switch Tower looks familiar, it's a nice project I'm sure your going to like

They kept complaining about the heat so added AC and some sun shades

Ray, it is an excellent kit and I have seen many folks improve it in a variety of ways.  Your’s looks great!  

Chris. Your welcome 

Mike. That crane works great you and Lew are really tempting me to buy one and build a separate traditional layout 

Vincent. Don’t eat a yellow snow cone lol 

Lee, I have one of those cranes in the original box that I have no plans of using.  It can be the first item on your traditional layout!  

Watch out where the huskies go. 

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, I have one of those cranes in the original box that I have no plans of using.  It can be the first item on your traditional layout!  

Watch out where the huskies go. 

Mark that’s a great idea let me think on it first. And I really like that tower I need a tower first 

lee drennen posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, I have one of those cranes in the original box that I have no plans of using.  It can be the first item on your traditional layout!  

Watch out where the huskies go. 

Mark that’s a great idea let me think on it first. And I really like that tower I need a tower first 

Lee, you definitely need a tower first!!

Mark Boyce posted:

lee drennen posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, I have one of those cranes in the original box that I have no plans of using.  It can be the first item on your traditional layout!  

Watch out where the huskies go. 

Mark that’s a great idea let me think on it first. And I really like that tower I need a tower first 

Lee, you definitely need a tower first!!

How much? 

Mark Boyce posted:

The track looks good, Mike.

 I still have to do the roof and some touch up paint, but here is the AmeriTown kit I have been  working on.

Mark:

Nice work! I like it.

Randy Harrison posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

The track looks good, Mike.

 I still have to do the roof and some touch up paint, but here is the AmeriTown kit I have been  working on.

Mark:

Nice work! I like it.

Thank you, Randy!

chris a posted:

Still slogging along on Signal Central...   got 2 cables cut and terminated at the panel, figured out how to label the junction at the signals under the table as for 4 of the cables there are 17 wires/terminals supporting 4 signals, 2 eastbound, 2 westbound....

Started cutting brass tubing and making the signal heads for the kitbashed Plasticville Signal Bridge...  Once I got the design, spacing and mounting figured out it's moving along.   Sill have to solder on the white marker lights above and below the color position light targets, but one step at a time!

After alot of thought I came up with what I think is a pretty cool way to attach the brass posts (1/8 inch Dia,) to the plastic girder web...  I wrapped the post 180 degrees with 1/32" brass wire, then I am going to drill 1/32 holes in the plastic and slide the 2 wire pins through, a slight bend on the back side and they won't rotate, or twist, and if I should ever have to remove one, it wont be super-glued forever...     

Paul:  The backdrop buildings look great.  Was that a "custom order" getting just the individual buildings ?

Lee:  You're bringing that reefer back to life.... Question, do you know anything about those wheel trucks.... I bought some of those years ago in a 2 rail odd lot... I weathered them and all the 2 rail axles, but I was thinking about installing a pair on wood kit gondola that I bought.. Who made them ? 

Johan,  Great photo of the BAR Boxcars !  Really well done weathering, and the scene just draws you in ! 

Chris. Thank you. Nice to hear from you. Your work is always just amazing.

Johan

mike g. posted:

Johan, Great job on the Bar Box cars! Way to show them off in your scenery!

Vincent, its white and cold! and as Lee said its not a snow cone! LOL

Paul 2, Buildings are looking wonderful! Just wondering are they spendy?

Chris, Nice work! Great idea for attaching the mast to the plastic bridge! Things sure are looking sharp!

Sam, Great photos and video's! But wondering where is that siding you keep talking about that goes around the water from Seattle to my side of the water!

Mark, Don't worry you can do it! Just don't over do it! LOL

Well today I got the motor for the crane back and everything works, but its still loud. I will post a video here and some photos of my first time trying airbrushing. I had to wait till I got the right paint color for my fixed pilot project for my dummy ES44. I also did some work on some switch machines under the layout, but no photos for Lew! You wouldn't be able to tell that I did anything anyways! LOL

I think I am going to brain storm on making the crane run better and a lot less noisy !

Mike. Thank you. It's a nice made some own things because BAR cars are really hard to find. Later i am gonna try it made some BAR & MEC engines too.🤝

Johan

Mark, Thank you! I am glad your not out trying to shovel snow! Here is an idea either wait till one of the Son-in-law's come over or till it melts! LOL

Ray, wonderful job on the switching tower!

Lee D, Thank you, but I still think its a little loud. I am going to so some adjustments and see if that helps. I also have a plan rolling around in my head of how to fix it, but I have to do some experimenting!

Not sure what if anything I will get done in the train room today as I have a HOA meeting to go to and the HVAC guy coming over to fix our brand new furnace and heat pump! It sucks when you put out a couple grand and things do work right!

Anyway I hope everyone has a great Saturday and finds time for there layout and trains! 

Mike, agreed that the 182 Crane is too loud. Looks like it is running smoothly now but still too loud. The 282 provides adjustment of the worm gear engagement by sliding the motor. Those clever engineers at Lionel designed the motor base with a slight taper so moving the motor in it's track raises/lowers it with respect to the base it rests on and thus also wrt the pinion gear the motor worm mates with. I wonder if the 182 has a similar provision for adjustment?

Hotel facade is now temporarily mounted on layout to check fit, it is mounted on steel tubing sliders for ease of removing. Arches for elevated track will be installed then building front to be painted and detailed.

Mike, I'll let it melt. 

Mike, Lew, Lee, I got out my gantry crane and have to apologize.  It is not the postwar, but is Lionel 6-12700 from 1987.  I'm going to set it up on the workbench, because I think there was one function I had trouble with.

Ray, the real parts mockup looks great!!  It is just like we were discussing at of all places my Thursday morning breakfast-Bible study.  We get on a variety of topics while waiting for the food and when we start eating.  One was about one of the guys mentioning being in New York, and driving a steer and the elevated line seemed to go on forever.  I have never been to NYC or Chicago, but I have been to Philly once back in the '80s and saw theirs.  Anyway, the remark was made about the residents and hotel guests having to listen to the trains right outside their windows.  Your mockup is like what they were talking about.

Mark, your Crane is the new one (1987 compared with 1955 ) with two DC motors/gearboxes. The only problem I've read here that people have is the two rubber drive-belts in the gearboxes can age-out and break. There is some standard autoparts/hardware store "O"-ring that works as a replacement.

I remember riding the Chicago EL a couple times as a kid and it was LOUD. It's like all that steel bridgework transmits and amplifies the sound.

Johan, I think your recent work with ground cover greenery has turned out just right.