What did you do on your layout today?

@RSJB18 posted:

I attacked some of the switches on the layout last night to apply my anti-vibration hacks. So far so good!

I did the 3 easy to reach ones on the front edge first. A pair of 042's and one 027 for the yard in the middle. Had an issue with the 042's- I couldn't get the covers off. I thought they were glued down from scenery work but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get them to budge. Finally took the dremel to them and cut them apart. Turns out there are 2 screws up from the bottom that also hold the covers in place. WTF!!!!!!! So after figuring it out, the rest of the work went well. I replaced the covers with spares I had.

The video shows a train going over the 3 now-quiet switches, compared to the 3 others in back that still need to be done. The difference is night and day.

Bob

That was also a trap on the 022s. Removed all the cover screws right away.

@Lionelski I liked your diner creation on your website. I tried to respond to the email but it was blocked.

@pennsyfan posted:

That was also a trap on the 022s. Removed all the cover screws right away.

Don't know how I missed them in the past. I  know I've hit the same roadblock before but I ripped the bandaid off this time.

Onward and upward!

Bob

Been making some progress the last few weeks about an hour at a time after work most days. It's getting there after a long pause. It helps that my tiny helper chants "choo choo" non stop until I open the door and let him in. The staging level is wired and powered so I can test clearances, the ramp, and entertain the kids.

@pennsyfan posted:

@Lionelski I liked your diner creation on your website. I tried to respond to the email but it was blocked.

Thanks, Bob!

You were blocked on my website or my email on the OGR forum?

Let me know so that I can address any problems

@RSJB18  Bob, that is quite the rumble as the engine goes down the track. I presume the revised switches now longer "buzz" as the engine passes?

I had those kind of switches when I first re-started my layout, the incessant bussing was enough to make me replace all my 027 track and switches with Ross and Gargraves and Atlas.

@Jstewart204 Josh, you have made great progress since the last update on your layout build thread.  I'm glad your helper gives you encouragement along the way!

@Lionelski posted:

Thanks, Bob!

You were blocked on my website or my email on the OGR forum?

Let me know so that I can address any problems

On your website

@ScoutingDad posted:

@RSJB18  Bob, that is quite the rumble as the engine goes down the track. I presume the revised switches now longer "buzz" as the engine passes?

I had those kind of switches when I first re-started my layout, the incessant bussing was enough to make me replace all my 027 track and switches with Ross and Gargraves and Atlas.

Yes- that was the goal.....the piston in the solenoid vibrates when the coils are energized. There's just enough play in the cylinder for them to make a racket. When I run conventional locos, it's manageable, but at 14-16v needed for command engines, they are unbearable.

I still have 3 switches in the back of the layout to get too. You can hear the difference when the train goes around the back of the loop.

Next layout will be Ross and Gargraves.....

Bob

@pennsyfan posted:

On your website

Bob,

The site gives 2 options to respond:

1) Directly to me using the address shown on the home page

or

2) Signing into the site by clicking on the link on the home page.

I hope this helps,

John

@pennsyfan posted:

What size is your speaker? We have the Broadway Limited version on the club layout. It’s hooked up to a large woofer. We get good rumbling.

Bob, what size, type speaker did you use?? It sounds great!!! Was the speaker from Evans Designs also?? I've been very pleased with their products and customer service!!

@Woodson posted:

Bob, what size, type speaker did you use?? It sounds great!!! Was the speaker from Evans Designs also?? I've been very pleased with their products and customer service!!

Thanks it’s a real attention getter when people hear it the first time. Then it’s play it again. It actually has a cycle option.

It's the large speaker that comes with a home entertainment system. I think it’s called a sub woofer. Someone had it surplus. The Broadway Limited system didn’t come with a specific speaker. I also like Evans designs. The Broadway Limited system was about $250-$300. I’m not the treasurer and I didn’t make this purchase so I can only give the ballpark number.

i suggest that you query Evans about the size speaker and current draw their system would handle. Perhaps it’s compatible with an amplifier. I’m talking in general terms; I’m sure that there are folks on the forum that are well versed in this area.

The Evan Designs speaker is not very large, several inches across.  What I liked for a home layout was the price.  The whole setup, speaker and lighting effects was just over $30.

Note that the connection in photo is for a 9-volt battery.  They have an AC/DC powered option as well.  That is the one I ordered but they mailed the wrong one, which they quickly replaced at their expense.  I am very much a fan of Evan Designs products.

@Mayor Magoo posted:

The Evan Designs speaker is not very large, several inches across.  What I liked for a home layout was the price.  The whole setup, speaker and lighting effects was just over $30.

Note that the connection in photo is for a 9-volt battery.  They have an AC/DC powered option as well.  That is the one I ordered but they mailed the wrong one, which they quickly replaced at their expense.  I am very much a fan of Evan Designs products.

@Woodson

I would venture a guess that the set up on Bob's club layout includes a large amplifier. I doubt the small amp in Evans' unit would produce the power necessary  to drive a large sub-woffer.

A neat accessory to add to a layout for sure. I use a lot of their products and they are all excellent. Customer service is top notch too.

@Mayor Magoo posted:

The Evan Designs speaker is not very large, several inches across.  What I liked for a home layout was the price.  The whole setup, speaker and lighting effects was just over $30.

Note that the connection in photo is for a 9-volt battery.  They have an AC/DC powered option as well.  That is the one I ordered but they mailed the wrong one, which they quickly replaced at their expense.  I am very much a fan of Evan Designs products.

Just to be clear I was answering Woodson’s questions. I wasn’t knocking your purchase; or your layout. I have been a customer of Evans design for many years.

@pennsyfan posted:

What size is your speaker? We have the Broadway Limited version on the club layout. It’s hooked up to a large woofer. We get good rumbling.

Ditto. When the BLI set was unavailable, I created by own version:

When the BLI recently became available again, I decided to replace my home brew lash-up with the commercial version, and have been reasonably well satisfied with the result. Both setups had the audio fed to a 100 watt Fender Rumble Bass amplifier under the layout, and the 15 inch heavy-duty speaker will loosen your fillings if turned up.

A couple of notes: one of the features of the home-brew version was coding that varied the delay between the flash and the playing of the audio file, as well coordinating the delay with both the intensity of the flash and sound, for a much more realistic IMHO depiction of a storm rolling in. The BLI unit does not seem to do such coordination, though its 'lightning' is noticeably more intense. The BLI unit also offers a whole thunderstorm audio and lightning sequence, though it only comes at random intervals and is not predictably controllable.

The Evan Design unit (at least per the video) does seem to incorporate some sound delay, but at least as installed on the video's layout, the flash  seems much less intense than either the BLI *or* my home-brew effort. I hadn't been aware of the Evan Design unit -- is it a new offering, or did I just miss it?

@Woodson posted:

Bob, what size, type speaker did you use?? It sounds great!!! Was the speaker from Evans Designs also?? I've been very pleased with their products and customer service!!

Most audio drivers for pieces like the BLI set (and presumably the Evans Design version) have limited power output, and there may be impedance matching issues that will make it hard to take advantage of even that limited wattage. Much better IMHO is to use some form of self-powered speaker. I already mentioned the bass amplifier, but I've also used self-powered computer speakers, the type typically used with desktop computers (if you're a packrat like me, you probably have several laying around somewhere!).

And yes, my experience with Evans Design has been comparable -- my only minor issue is in having to incur shipping costs for the smaller but invaluable bits and pieces they offer!

@pennsyfan posted:

The Broadway Limited system didn’t come with a specific speaker. I also like Evans designs. The Broadway Limited system was about $250-$300. I’m not the treasurer and I didn’t make this purchase so I can only give the ballpark number.

Ah, not quite right: The BLI system comes with a smallish (about 6 inches or so) built-in speaker that's more than adequate for a small to mid-sized space IMHO, and has an output jack to feed a speaker or amplifier. And the newly-available BLI set is retailing for about $100-110 (it may have sold for more in the original version).

@Mayor Magoo posted:

The Evan Designs speaker is not very large, several inches across.  What I liked for a home layout was the price.  The whole setup, speaker and lighting effects was just over $30.

Note that the connection in photo is for a 9-volt battery.  They have an AC/DC powered option as well.  That is the one I ordered but they mailed the wrong one, which they quickly replaced at their expense.  I am very much a fan of Evan Designs products.

Thanks for the info!

That's an excellent price, but it seem much more suited to use in dioramas and other small-scale displays than large layouts. The home-brew system I put together was also designed for dioramas, and even doubling the original number of LED strips left me somewhat underwhelmed on my 8 X 8 layout. If you just want a flicker of lightning in the distance as a suggestion of an oncoming storm, the basic Evans Design should do, but if you want to rattle the crockery with the sound and startle with flashes of lightning more than the basic system, you'll need a lot more LEDs and a much bigger powered speaker IMHO. Does the basic system from Evans Design have upgrades available, such as more LEDs and/or larger speakers?

Took the big blow for a spin the other night on my dad's layout. We haven't removed the foam yet because we have had many issues with getting this thing to run and don't want to bend up the handrails from handling.

Love the cloud and storm effects, must do that down the road at my house.    Hey Berkshire, when you get your veranda issues fixed you will LOVE that engine.   I have it in the army shark nose and really really love it.   Smooth running, powerful and different than most of the other engines in small nuance ways.   Hope it's not big issues you cannot fix easy.   Your dad's layout looks great, much for me to aspire to.

I've been busy having fun scratch building and detailing my latest project.   An ''A'' frame mountain cabin.  Well, more of a luxury mountain dwelling !   The frame is 1/4 by 1/4 inch cut wood as well as the 3/16 by 1/2 inch (3) pine stained roof beams, while the exterior is commercial  scribbed wood siding.   The interior consists of a scratch built kitchen and counter top.   A simulated ' glass'  kitchen table  adorned with plates and cups, (must be close to supper time) .  An enclosed bathroom , and furnished living room with a stone fire place and chimney made from painted bulsa wood.  Mountain scene artwork painting photographed and shrunk down adorn two main walls.   Upstairs the loft includes a queen size bed, side tables, dresser and railing.  Once the 'A'  frame  front glass windows are complete, i'll cedar shingle the roof, add lounge chairs, a BBQ and deck railing.   Figures bring the whole thing to life with lighting provided by 'Leds'  attached to the main upper roof support beam and along the kitchen ceiling .    I'll post a 'completed' photo in a day or two .

A few have asked for some additional pictures so here goes. Not much has changed but here are some recent shots. Forgive the dust....

Going to be awhile before I get to anymore building, work and life keeps getting in the way of what's important

Fiddled with a couple more switches today. Not as successful as the first 3 but I'll take the incremental improvement.
Also re-gauged a couple Menards Ore cars. Couldn't figure out why they were sparking through my 042's, until I noticed the scars on the inside of the wheels. Still nice cars for the price.

@fast freight posted:

A few have asked for some additional pictures so here goes. Not much has changed but here are some recent shots. Forgive the dust....

Going to be awhile before I get to anymore building, work and lifr keeps getting in the way of what's important

From someone who has worked and "hobby-ed" in fruit farming for over 25 years, that apple tree is very well modeled.

Thank you Joe. That was a fun build.  The apples are a bit to pearlescent I just haven't touched them up yet.

After obtaining a set of K-Line 15" Phoebe Snow cars a couple months back, I immediately found that clearances were a problem at the old Plasticville truss bridge - a beloved fixture in these parts. The entire bridge superstructure had to be moved off-center to accommodate the Lackawanna streamliner coming off an O-36 curve.

This unfortunately created not only narrow clearance on one side of the track, but an awkward gap on the outside that made the Fastrack mysteriously sitting there on what's supposedly a bridge all the more obvious.

To solve this problem, Engineering hit upon a brilliant remedy that would hide the off-centeredness of the Fastrack in plain sight. Simultaneously, it would turn a disadvantage into an advantage by creating a value-added scenic feature. A bold plan, yes. But would this audacious venture pose a dangerous risk to the unsuspecting local community? Well, not really, because it's just toy trains.

Engineering, partnering with the good people in MOW, constructed a rustic wooden walkway to "bridge" the unsightly gap. They also built cribbing at the edges of the Fastrack and ballasted up to the level of the ties, in addition to gluing a little scattered ballast between the ties.

The project has been a success with 15" cars, but the railroad has no plans to add 18" or 21" cars to the roster.

Nice detail! adding the wooden tie floor and safety railing.

@fast freight posted:

A few have asked for some additional pictures so here goes. Not much has changed but here are some recent shots. Forgive the dust....

Going to be awhile before I get to anymore building, work and life keeps getting in the way of what's important

Amazing work. That rock hillside, grass, trees, concrete, roadway, everything is perfect.

I tackled something intimidating to me. Ballasting the poorly maintained urban siding. Actually happy with results .

Morning guys I guess it has been about 2 1/2 weeks since I was last here visiting! I see you all are still doing just amazing work and having fun with your layouts! I just wanted to let you know that I handed out a load of likes as there is to much for me to comment on each and every one as usually.

But there are a couple folks that I always love to see their layout! @leapinlarry, @chris a, @RSJB18! I always look forward to seeing your layout along with @farmerjohn and many more.

It's been a couple hard weeks and I sure miss not being able to get on here each and every day! I hope that changes when we get our house sold and moved! Until then I will just have to live through all of you great folks!

I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

Hey Y'all,

We're getting an all-day soaking rain.  Seems like a good time to clean track.  My home brewed track cleaning car started as a rusty Lionel 6342 culvert gondola.  I added sprung trucks, some iron, a sponge, and a scouring pad.  This car now weights almost three pounds.  I load the sponge with non-drinking alcohol.  After a long run on levels one and two, I stopped for dinner.  The rain will continue and so will I.  Cleaning level three won't take long.  Following that will be cleaning spurs.  I have 10.   Attached is a little video from my running session so far.

  Bill

I ran some trains with my friends of 40 years. They came back to the house after my 80th Birthday party. That’s me the 4th from the left. Actually I know the fellow 2nd from the right since HS  

Pennsyfan! Happy birthday! Looks like your friends are really happy to be there!

Great photo says it all,  strong friendship base celebrating you.

all my best.

@Pennsyfan. Happy birthday and looks like a great event!  You are a lucky fellow!

@pennsyfan posted:

I ran some trains with my friends of 40 years. They came back to the house after my 80th Birthday party. That’s me the 4th from the left. Actually I know the fellow 2nd from the right since HS  

Happy Birthday from one Bob to another. 😃😃

Bob

@Leroof posted:

Pennsyfan! Happy birthday! Looks like your friends are really happy to be there!

Great photo says it all,  strong friendship base celebrating you.

all my best.

Yes we are like Brothers

Happy Birthday Bob.

Doug

Happy Birthday Bob!

John

As promised, here are some pictures of my latest project finished .    The mountain retreat home.    I finished the shingles, added the deck railing, flower boxes, wood pile, table and steps.   All that remains is to scenic around it, placing it, .....where else !    Overlooking the lake and of course the Mainline !