What did you do on your layout today?

Bob, perhaps you should invest in a snow blower.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Bob, perhaps you should invest in a snow blower.

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

OK- back to the trains

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

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

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

OK- back to the trains

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

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

Bob

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

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

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

@Strap Hanger posted:

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

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

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

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

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

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

Bob

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

It fit perfectly and no realignment was needed.

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

I

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

Just ran trains today.

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

Bob

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

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

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

Tom neat idea.

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

@Mark Boyce posted:

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

Good idea about the paint Mark. 

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

Happy 6th Anniversary to my layout.

Day one of track laying 1/31/16

Inaugural run

Fast forward to today.

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

Bob

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

RSJB18: CONGRATULATIONS  Looking good.

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

Don

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

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

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

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

@RSJB18 posted:

OK- back to the trains

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

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

@Rich Wiemann posted:

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

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

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

@mike g. posted:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike G Good luck with Tank  

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

Before

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

After  

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

@ChicagoUP3976 posted:

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

Still looks great.

@mike g. posted:

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

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

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

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

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

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

@obxtrainman posted:

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

The shelf looks great!

@mike g. posted:

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

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

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

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

@obxtrainman posted:

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

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

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

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

@mike g.- Hope tank is doing OK.

@Lionelski posted:

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

Amen brother!

Nothing new for me yesterday.

Bob

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

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

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

WOW nice work everyone ! Dogs look great too! 

Alex

@radar493 posted:

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

Looks good Ralph. 

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

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

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

Mike, keep us posted on Tank.

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

Here it is on the layout:

A before shot of the same area:

@Lionelski posted:

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

Here it is on the layout:

A before shot of the same area:

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