What did you do on your layout today?

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.

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

What movie is that bar layout in?

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

Drummer3 posted:

What movie is that bar layout in?

 

Donovan's Reef (1963)

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

 

 

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 posted:

What movie is that bar layout in?

 

I don't recognize it either, and I feel I should.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Drummer3 posted:

What movie is that bar layout in?

 

I don't recognize it either, and I feel I should.

Donavan's Reef with John Wayne

Donovan's Reef

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

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 seen the Joe McDoaks show several times. It's funnier each time. I have the same 623 switcher that he runs in the scene at the dinner table too. 😁

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

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

Nice job on the fence Bob! Did you use an iron or a torch? Cheap guys like me want to know! LOL

A pencil iron. I thought about a torch but didn't want to burn the house down. I don't have a mini-torch, only a MAPP gas that would have been to large a flame. The flux did the trick in getting the solder to flow.

Thanks

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 

Dave, I've never seen Donovan's Reef, but it sounds like I'd like it. Great cast!!! I've almost quit watching modern movies in favor of the oldies. The overuse of CG gets on my nerves. No danger with this one. And there are TRAINS.

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

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.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Dave, I've never seen Donovan's Reef, but it sounds like I'd like it. Great cast!!! I've almost quit watching modern movies in favor of the oldies. The overuse of CG gets on my nerves. No danger with this one. And there are TRAINS.

I watch old movies almost exclusively.  

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  12-68275

Nice Looking job there Jesse! I know what your talking ab out I have about 10 new cars to me to switch over to Kadee's. Just haven't gotten around to it. Make sure you share your next one also!

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.

Long time since i updated. And not much has happened on the layout, except running trains. But I have worked a bit on scenery and buildings. Here is a new bridge and retaining wall.

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

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!

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!

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  12-68275

 

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!   

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!

working on my expanded upper level city; decided that the prior lake and waterfall were too small now; so I ripped out the lake and waterfall to expand the lake and reset the waterfall.

one thing leads to another . . . and another . . and another . . . . . and then you die!??

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!

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, It’s been a little warmer for you, but not much!  Yes, now that you mention it I do recall you moved!  Stay warm!

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

Thanks Mark! It was actually very easy.

Bob

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 

Brian - That's a good looking engine!  Is that CSX an SD-40?  Sorry that I missed your call last night.  We were out with friends.  Stay warm.  It's 6f now with -20 wind chill here.  Last night it was -76 wind chill on top of Mt Washington up north.

RSJB18 posted:

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

Thanks Mark! It was actually very easy.

Bob

I’m all thumbs since I got arthritis, and it is worse in the thumbs!  LOL 

As mentioned in another thread, I'm noodling about with converting a 3-car K-Line RDC set into something vaguely resembling Silverliner I's... 

Mitch