What did you do on your layout today?

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

Very nice Ted.

Received my new K-Line MP-15 Demonstrator. Looks great but unfortunately it has to go into the engine shop for repairs. something is not right with the flux capacitors.......

Bob

  WOW, that is a sharp engine Bob, looks great !

Looks GREAT Ted !!

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Looks super Ted.  Where did you get that 1966 SS 396 ?

The light turned out looking great Ted, Nice work!

Wonderful looking engine Bob! Sorry it already has to go to the shop, hope its nothing really bad!

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pictures as always, Brian!  Every time I see your photos, I think to myself, "Brian has the hardest working railroad going.  The railroad never sleeps!"

HCSader73 posted:

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Trust me, I’m there...  

Thanks JD...  PS, the trains also run around my bedroom,

  so I can even run trains while I am sleeping..." The railroad never sleeps!"   LOL

katy409 posted:

Looks super Ted.  Where did you get that 1966 SS 396 ?

Ya got the year right, hard to tell in the dark.  Here’s a better pic.  From Diecast Direct.

TedW posted:

HCSader73 posted:

TedW posted:

Not for everyone, but I made a portrait(picture) light for a shelf display I put up some months ago.  Works just as I intended.

 

Looks great, but why isn't your smiling face up there under the light, Ted?

Trust me, I’m there...  

HAHAHA! Excellent!

Ran our new Lionel NKP 765 around the layout today to test for clearances and gremlins.  Runs great, but I have a lot of track to clean and found one trouble spot to fix.  

            GREAT looking train Ted  !    layout is looking good too 

Looked sadly at it while walking past on the way to work on the current demanding project; prep the show car for the Concours.  And we thought working on layouts was hard!! HA!

While tackling the laundry from our trip to Wisconsin I got windows glued in 7 flats. I only have two more to go. While up at the Menards show I picked up a double track bridge and a single track bridge for my next module. But first I have to concentrate on the brewery. Pics....................Paul

Thaddeus- Very nice NKP. Looks really sharp in the sunlight!

Paul- the next module?????? I thought you were almost at the end....... I swear you keep extending your basement to run more trains. The flats look great!

Kerrigan- A Concours car? Really? Photos please 

Brian- The never ending collection...what more can I say.

Bob, I still have to build 8 more tables or modules of varying sizes................Paul

In an effort to maximize the space on my layout, I modified the O-72 switches that form crossovers on my layout. I cut the diverging rails on each switch, with the end result being center-rail distance of 4.2" down from 5.25" 

I should've done this while I was initially laying the track, but it's done now and I'm happy with the results. The "S" curve is still there, but all my trains roll right through, and I think it looks better with the mainlines closer together. Here are before and after shots. 

Thanks to Marty Fitzhenry for the tips on how to make the cuts and for encouraging me to give it a shot. 

John

Ballasted a section of Yard track and ran what I call “E-60 Return To Operation Excursion.

                                brianbluemustang...   mmm...   naa...

Disassembled some failed experimental ideas in the interest of simplicity.  A proposed station complex was just too much clutter to add to an already claustrophobic attic.

Firmed up the design of a triangular section of layout where many tracks converge.  Engine fueling facilities and a small station serviced by a road will likely exist in this area.  Spent some time this afternoon placing structures and leveling some real estate to suit.  Mandatory clearance checks meant the rest of the session was spent running trains.  There is something magical about being totally immersed in my little fantasy world.  Makes the real one almost tolerable.

Bruce

brwebster posted:

Disassembled some failed experimental ideas in the interest of simplicity.  A proposed station complex was just too much clutter to add to an already claustrophobic attic.

Firmed up the design of a triangular section of layout where many tracks converge.  Engine fueling facilities and a small station serviced by a road will likely exist in this area.  Spent some time this afternoon placing structures and leveling some real estate to suit.  Mandatory clearance checks meant the rest of the session was spent running trains.  There is something magical about being totally immersed in my little fantasy world.  Makes the real one almost tolerable.

Bruce

Well said!

I have always said that my trains are my therapy.

Brian, sure looks like you have things going nicely at your place! All the trains look wonderful! Never seen a Conrail Mustang, but then again there is a first for almost anything! LOL

Paul I am glad your almost done with the flats, they are looking just outstanding!

Thaddeus,  Wonderful looking train! Congrats!

Bluecomet400, Nice looking track work there! Plus you gain extra space for more stuff! LOL

NS6770FAN, The ballast turned out looking nice! Great job!

Bruce, running trains lets you forget about a lot while your in your own little world! That is a good thing for most of us!

For me I haven't done much to the train room as we have had family from out of state and they are using the empty room as there hotel. But I did get a TV mounted in the corner so I am all ready to get back at it once they leave next week some time. I still have to finish putting on the second coat of mud, sand, primer and Paint. Then I can get started on bench work! The son-in-law brought me some more carpet to finish the floor which was very nice of him! I hope you all have been doing well, I try to check daily but it doesn't always happen!

Forgetting things has never been an issue with me, Mike.  Remembering stuff is where I run into troubles.  

Jim, I hope to some day transition into formal operating sessions, even if they be somewhat limited by the layout size.  If ever that happens, I might require some kind of professional therapy.  

RSJB18. Thank you very much

Bruce

photos added...

After roughing in the ballast the girder bridge supports began to take shape.

testing for fit.

Train runnin' time....

A new member of the family.

MU'd GG1's haulin' a**, er, reefers and boxcars.

Back to work today, experimenting with structures and mock up placement on the triangular section.  In the process I roughed in the landscaping around the varying grades.  The rear portion is next.

Bruce

Bruce, That overpass and concrete walls look great!!  Yes it takes time and care to fit everything for clearance with interesting angles!!

Bruce, Mark is correct the retaining walls along with your girder bridge are looking great! It's always best to check clearance along the way, Don't ask me how I know just take my word for it! LOL

Today (yesterday) added a swimming hole. The layout is too small for buildings so it will be seasons and people. Like origonal poster said it was done a little at a time. buy woodland scenics water, order people, cut and mold pond, paint, get sand, make water fill pond ETC, ETC....

Cool Brian! That 3rd picture down is GREAT looking!

                  now I just need to get a scene like that on the layout...

Im sure you will, you have plenty of room in your new train room outside!

Bruce and Pete, a belated thanks for the well wishes regarding the toe. Bruce, I'm pretty sure that you'll finish ballasting before I do.

A toe update: It now looks like the toe will cause us to cancel our eastern trip for now. We'll try to recreate it in the spring. The toe is actually looking better, but that is no indication of the bone's condition. With the trip off the table, the plan is for a more wait and see attitude. Now I just want to get through the convention, then we can reevaluate.

Not much to report on the layout. My wife and I unpacked a bunch cars the other day, and placed on the layout. We also have been working on cleaning the room just outside the train room, to make it look decent for the convention. My goal is to get back to work this week.