What did you do on your layout today?

John D. posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

I assembled the track for my dead rail passenger train (which still needs to be assembled. And I set up an N scale freight train.

Vinvent,

If you are interested, there are some really cool designs for other locos and cars made of LEGO out there. Not official LEGO sets, but rather designs created by fans of LEGO. I'm kinda getting into LEGO myself and would be happy share some of what I've learned as far as finding designs and bricks with which to build if anyone is interested. 

At this point in my life, I probably have as many boxes of LEGO sets in storage as I do Trains and as many filed  away ideas for projects for both as well. 

Thank you, John D. As a man with absolutely no artistic talent or building skills, I have pretty well decided to go the Lego route. This allows me to construct buildings the way I want them. And when I disassemble my lay-outs a couple times a year, I can disassemble the buildings and re-use the Legos.

Now to all the highly-skilled people out there--Lego trains and lay-outs really are a major part of our hobby. Legos allow klutzes like me to enjoy building lay-outs.

 

 

John D. posted:

Little Walter got a gift in the mail recently from Fortescue care of @M. Mitchell Marmel

I suppose it is never too early to get them hooked.

Yes, young Walter!  Come over to the gi-raffe side of the Force!   

Speaking of Fortescue... 

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Speaking of Fortescue... 

Mitch 

 

How does he do that, Mitch?  Be in three places at once...  mirrors?  

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great shot of #97 Brian

TedW posted: 

How does he do that, Mitch?  Be in three places at once...  mirrors?  

Fortescue COULD tell you,  but, well, then he'd have to...  Never mind.   

Mitch 

Vincent Massi posted:

John D. posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

I assembled the track for my dead rail passenger train (which still needs to be assembled. And I set up an N scale freight train.

Vinvent,

If you are interested, there are some really cool designs for other locos and cars made of LEGO out there. Not official LEGO sets, but rather designs created by fans of LEGO. I'm kinda getting into LEGO myself and would be happy share some of what I've learned as far as finding designs and bricks with which to build if anyone is interested. 

At this point in my life, I probably have as many boxes of LEGO sets in storage as I do Trains and as many filed  away ideas for projects for both as well. 

Thank you, John D. As a man with absolutely no artistic talent or building skills, I have pretty well decided to go the Lego route. This allows me to construct buildings the way I want them. And when I disassemble my lay-outs a couple times a year, I can disassemble the buildings and re-use the Legos.

Now to all the highly-skilled people out there--Lego trains and lay-outs really are a major part of our hobby. Legos allow klutzes like me to enjoy building lay-outs.

Vincent,

First, humble apologies for the typo in your name.  I usually proofread my posts and I missed that.

Second, I wholeheartedly concur!  I've seen many a wonderful LEGO Train layout at various train shows in my life.

I highly suggest you check out rebrickable and bricklink.  Rebrickalbe ( www.rebrickable.com ) allows you to log what sets and loose bricks you own.  It also hosts thousands of custom creations (Called a MOC - My Original Creation).  Folks giveaway and sell their design instructions. It will also tell you what you can build (sets or MOCs).

Bricklink is the ebay of LEGO.  You can buy or sell loose pieces, sub-assemblies, or full sets from anywhere in the world!  You can import a wish list from Rebrickable or create your own.

There is a lot to unlock on these two sites.  I've learned a few things along the way and am happy to give a few pointers.  Also, YouTube has a few walk-through instructions for maximizing the potential.

When you're ready to design you're own, there are two fantastic 3D modeling tools: LEGO Digital Designer and Stud.io or Studio2.0 (They recently changed the name with the 2.0 release). 

I plan to blend my LEGO world with my O-Gauge world.  I hope to have the two layouts overlap a bit.  That's what's in my head right now.  Gotta finish cleaning the basement before I can start building.

Today its finally 70 in Chicago, and after my bicycle ride I had a friend and his 10 year old son over.  Neither had seen my layout, and had been wanting to come by for about a year.  It was hard to tell who liked it more, the boy or his father.  We ran trains for about an hour and answered at least a 1000 questions from both.  It made me feel really good to share that with them.

John

CoastsideKevin posted:

The painters came. They earned a cold beer, on the Company. 

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

Mark Boyce posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

The painters came. They earned a cold beer, on the Company. 

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

You know, that really isn't a bad idea.

John D. posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

John D. posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

I assembled the track for my dead rail passenger train (which still needs to be assembled. And I set up an N scale freight train.

Vinvent,

If you are interested, there are some really cool designs for other locos and cars made of LEGO out there. Not official LEGO sets, but rather designs created by fans of LEGO. I'm kinda getting into LEGO myself and would be happy share some of what I've learned as far as finding designs and bricks with which to build if anyone is interested. 

At this point in my life, I probably have as many boxes of LEGO sets in storage as I do Trains and as many filed  away ideas for projects for both as well. 

Thank you, John D. As a man with absolutely no artistic talent or building skills, I have pretty well decided to go the Lego route. This allows me to construct buildings the way I want them. And when I disassemble my lay-outs a couple times a year, I can disassemble the buildings and re-use the Legos.

Now to all the highly-skilled people out there--Lego trains and lay-outs really are a major part of our hobby. Legos allow klutzes like me to enjoy building lay-outs.

Vincent,

First, humble apologies for the typo in your name.  I usually proofread my posts and I missed that.

Second, I wholeheartedly concur!  I've seen many a wonderful LEGO Train layout at various train shows in my life.

I highly suggest you check out rebrickable and bricklink.  Rebrickalbe ( www.rebrickable.com ) allows you to log what sets and loose bricks you own.  It also hosts thousands of custom creations (Called a MOC - My Original Creation).  Folks giveaway and sell their design instructions. It will also tell you what you can build (sets or MOCs).

Bricklink is the ebay of LEGO.  You can buy or sell loose pieces, sub-assemblies, or full sets from anywhere in the world!  You can import a wish list from Rebrickable or create your own.

There is a lot to unlock on these two sites.  I've learned a few things along the way and am happy to give a few pointers.  Also, YouTube has a few walk-through instructions for maximizing the potential.

When you're ready to design you're own, there are two fantastic 3D modeling tools: LEGO Digital Designer and Stud.io or Studio2.0 (They recently changed the name with the 2.0 release). 

I plan to blend my LEGO world with my O-Gauge world.  I hope to have the two layouts overlap a bit.  That's what's in my head right now.  Gotta finish cleaning the basement before I can start building.

John, I bookmarked the site. Right now I'm setting up tracks and trains for my new lay-out.Constructing buildings is on my list. Thanks for the info and the support.

This is the longest track I have ever assembled. My Rock Island 2-8-0 is a Bachman "Spectrum" train: their high-class, expensive ones. It came with nickel tracks instead of the usual steel rails, and I had bought some nickel straight tracks.

It runs great! The green loco is a Ferromex switcher, and the little yellow one is a Santa Fe freight train. 

I’m NASCAR fan and the race got rained out today so why not set the super O up and run some new freight cars I bought yesterday. If I had a caboose here at my girlfriend’s house I wouldn’t have made the mixed train but I kinda like it!

Mark Boyce posted:

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

It's happened... 

https://jalopnik.com/real-life...o-paintin-1765745078

Meep Meep!

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

It's happened... 

https://jalopnik.com/real-life...o-paintin-1765745078

Meep Meep!

Mitch 

You do realize that for what he spent on all that Acme equipment, he could have bought a nice dinner.

Mitch, Vincent, They are all excellent!!  You can buy anything from Acme!!!  

CoastsideKevin posted:

The painters came. They earned a cold beer, on the Company. 

Kevin, The part I see I forgot to say earlier is that the tunnel looks great!  Maybe you figured that out since I was so enthralled that it reminded me of something from my childhood!!  Now that I'm signing up for Social Security benefits after contributing for 43 years, anything that reminds me of childhood in rural Pennsylvania has a special place for me!  Well done!!!!

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Some older work, first pics

I was not aware of this railroad. Thanks for sharing!

I didn't get to work on the new layout any this week, but I did run the Imperial Western Maryland Pacific #204 with my 60' Western Maryland heavyweights on the Ceiling Central RR while printing off financial documents for my wife's union pension advisory meeting.  Running a train makes a dull job much more fun!!!  

Yesterday morning some of the neighborhood kids came to see my layout.  Before running the trains ( which were all parked inside of tunnels ... for effect ) I introduced them to the layout by telling them  about the various neighborhoods I've created  (Westend, Brewtown, and Downtown),  Mt. Randolph and the surrounding rural area, while pointing out details along the way.     They listened most attentively as I told them about the Tucker dealership and a brief history of Tucker Automobiles ( they had never heard of Preston Tucker and his great autos until now ) , the B&O railroad and it's historical significance/impact on the nation, custom structures on the layout, items on my existing layout that were part of my first train layout when I was 4 years old, weathering of locos and freight cars, and background on the caboose ( which they've never seen on a modern day freight train ).   They had  insightful questions regarding the weathering process ... the layout itself and how long did it take to build it ... how did I make Mt. Randolph ... why did I choose the 1946 - 1960 era to model ...  and so on.  

When the trains finally came out from their hiding places and appeared " on stage " with bells clanging, horns & whistles blowing, and tower com announcements & crew talk,  I heard comments like " Wow! .... cool! .... I like that train over there! ... this is so awesome! ... look at that!"    These kids were all boys 9 - 12 years old.  Yup, kids love trains!   My only regret is that I forgot to take photos ....  next time I will.

That all sounds great, Pat!!!!

Diverging Clear posted:

Lee (P51) All your shots look wonderful, but the first, the B/W photo, looks like an actual photograph! I've said it once before, if there was an "afterlife" layout you could go to, I'd definitely be riding the train and visiting yours for quite a while!

Thanks very much, Rusty.

I'm not religious, but if I were, I like the concept of Heaven from the movie, "Field of Dreams," where heaven isn't a field of clouds in the sky.

To be cashing in on life and suddenly finding myself in my layout version of 1943 Stoney Creek? Yeah, that would be amazing.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 I really enjoyed the two days he spent here, and so did he. When he moves back here, I suspect there will be many more.

 

I know I haven’t posted too many comments on your main thread, Elliot, but hands down, that statement is the best one I’ve read on here or on your thread!  And I’ll even be so bold as to say that it makes all of the work you’ve put in worth it! 

Mark Boyce posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

The painters came. They earned a cold beer, on the Company. 

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

Ha, that is a great idea! Meep meep!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

It's happened... 

https://jalopnik.com/real-life...o-paintin-1765745078

Meep Meep!

Mitch 

HA! You just can't make that stuff up, Mitch. Too funny!

Not quite Big Boy Elliot’s project but still fun. Test fitting new/old track.

enginEErjon posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 I really enjoyed the two days he spent here, and so did he. When he moves back here, I suspect there will be many more.

 

I know I haven’t posted too many comments on your main thread, Elliot, but hands down, that statement is the best one I’ve read on here or on your thread!  And I’ll even be so bold as to say that it makes all of the work you’ve put in worth it! 

Thanks Jon, that was just a last minute addition to the post, but it is so true. The whole chain of events, just makes me a prouder dad than I already was.

I wrote the bulk of that post last night, but when I went to submit it, I got the "spinning wheel of death", please wait.  The wheel is still spinning as I type this.

Fortunately, I took no action, and was still able to see it. Then I was able to dictate it to my wife this evening. She then sent the text back to me in an email, so I could recreate the post.

Now that it is successfully posted, I guess it's safe to finally close that window. What a pain. The only thing I can think of is that the forum was momentarily down when I sent it, and it got lost in cyberspace.

Mark Boyce posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

The painters came. They earned a cold beer, on the Company. 

I expect to see the roadrunner in the distance (having run through the "tunnel") and Wile E Coyote squished up on the painted tunnel.    Beep!  Beep!

That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw this picture.  Perhaps a little graffiti "Wiley Coyote was here" or maybe "ACME tunnel".

Hi everyone I have been working so hard on the yard and fixing problem at the store I haven't been able to post anything. I had some stuff wrote out yesterday morning that had to go back to the darn store again. So I will give it a try this morning. I handed out a lot of likes but also want to comment.

Bob I am sorry you have to work so hard, but it sure pays off when you get things like those nice Beeps ! Nice job on the light fixtures!

ED, Thanks for the information on the Evens Design LED's for police cars. Sounds easy enough!

Brian, wonderful Alaska photos! Are you and Marci planning a trip up north? LOL

Elliot, Sure sounds like a great weekend! First baseball, then your open house with a nice success , then a soccer game to round up the weekend. But most of all the time spent with each other sure sounds like the best part of the weekend. The other just added more excitement to share with one another! Congrats to you, your son and Patrick and Walt for putting on a fun show for your guest!

Johan, doesn't matter if it square or round. You do an amazing job on the weathering!

Lee, your photo's and Layout just amaze me! How life like it is! What Great work!

John, Walter looks right at home with  Gi-raffs and Trains! Guess its a good time to start! LOL

Mark, better to run train then print alone! LOL Think you could post some pictures of your Celling RR?

Patrick, what a great story! Thank you for sharing it with us, but most of all thank you for taking the time to share it with the kids! That's how this hobby will keep going!

Roman, its not the size its the adventure! As long as your having fun that's what matters!

So last friday I was able to get all the TSM I had installed wired up, now I just have to wait for some toggle switches for the control pannel.

Everyone I hope your Monday isn't to bad!

nothing can beat a day spent with your son trains and visitors!

Happy Monday-

Elliot- looks like everyone had a great time at the open house. As an added bonus Mr. Murphy stayed away for the most part too. Glad to hear you and your son had a great weekend too.

Kevin- Love the tunnel. Gotta add Wile E Cyote smacked into the wall.

Picked up some new freight cars over the weekend. I'll post pix later.

Bob

Berkshirelover726 posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Some older work, first pics

I was not aware of this railroad. Thanks for sharing!

Berkshirelover726: Thanks.

Johan

mike g. posted:

Hi everyone I have been working so hard on the yard and fixing problem at the store I haven't been able to post anything. I had some stuff wrote out yesterday morning that had to go back to the darn store again. So I will give it a try this morning. I handed out a lot of likes but also want to comment.

Bob I am sorry you have to work so hard, but it sure pays off when you get things like those nice Beeps ! Nice job on the light fixtures!

ED, Thanks for the information on the Evens Design LED's for police cars. Sounds easy enough!

Brian, wonderful Alaska photos! Are you and Marci planning a trip up north? LOL

Elliot, Sure sounds like a great weekend! First baseball, then your open house with a nice success , then a soccer game to round up the weekend. But most of all the time spent with each other sure sounds like the best part of the weekend. The other just added more excitement to share with one another! Congrats to you, your son and Patrick and Walt for putting on a fun show for your guest!

Johan, doesn't matter if it square or round. You do an amazing job on the weathering!

Lee, your photo's and Layout just amaze me! How life like it is! What Great work!

John, Walter looks right at home with  Gi-raffs and Trains! Guess its a good time to start! LOL

Mark, better to run train then print alone! LOL Think you could post some pictures of your Celling RR?

Patrick, what a great story! Thank you for sharing it with us, but most of all thank you for taking the time to share it with the kids! That's how this hobby will keep going!

Roman, its not the size its the adventure! As long as your having fun that's what matters!

So last friday I was able to get all the TSM I had installed wired up, now I just have to wait for some toggle switches for the control pannel.

Everyone I hope your Monday isn't to bad!

Mike: Thank you very much.🤝

Johan

Time to work on my lay-out!

         great colors for a railroad Vincent...   have fun working on your railroad !

Spent yesterday fixing engines and ordering parts.  Seems the dead track is filling up with broken motive power on my pike.  I'm up to four that need at least something fixed.

I'm disappointed in this Lego dining car I just finished building. The inside looks really sharp--and then  they have grey windows so you can't see the inside.

Having just acquired a BAR BEEP- needed to get some cars to give it something to do. All of Johan's pix of his State of Maine cars got me going.

And a nice D&H hopper with load too

enginEErjon posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 I really enjoyed the two days he spent here, and so did he. When he moves back here, I suspect there will be many more.

 

I know I haven’t posted too many comments on your main thread, Elliot, but hands down, that statement is the best one I’ve read on here or on your thread!  And I’ll even be so bold as to say that it makes all of the work you’ve put in worth it! 

I have to agree wholeheartedly!  It looked like a great event, but time with your son is the best!

mike g. posted:

Hi everyone I have been working so hard on the yard and fixing problem at the store I haven't been able to post anything. I had some stuff wrote out yesterday morning that had to go back to the darn store again. So I will give it a try this morning. I handed out a lot of likes but also want to comment.

Bob I am sorry you have to work so hard, but it sure pays off when you get things like those nice Beeps ! Nice job on the light fixtures!

ED, Thanks for the information on the Evens Design LED's for police cars. Sounds easy enough!

Brian, wonderful Alaska photos! Are you and Marci planning a trip up north? LOL

Elliot, Sure sounds like a great weekend! First baseball, then your open house with a nice success , then a soccer game to round up the weekend. But most of all the time spent with each other sure sounds like the best part of the weekend. The other just added more excitement to share with one another! Congrats to you, your son and Patrick and Walt for putting on a fun show for your guest!

Johan, doesn't matter if it square or round. You do an amazing job on the weathering!

Lee, your photo's and Layout just amaze me! How life like it is! What Great work!

John, Walter looks right at home with  Gi-raffs and Trains! Guess its a good time to start! LOL

Mark, better to run train then print alone! LOL Think you could post some pictures of your Celling RR?

Patrick, what a great story! Thank you for sharing it with us, but most of all thank you for taking the time to share it with the kids! That's how this hobby will keep going!

Roman, its not the size its the adventure! As long as your having fun that's what matters!

So last friday I was able to get all the TSM I had installed wired up, now I just have to wait for some toggle switches for the control pannel.

Everyone I hope your Monday isn't to bad!

Mike, I took a couple photographs, but a video of our younger daughter singing, while my wife accompanied on the piano for the parents of her private students’ recital, my wife wanted me to take, jammed up the download.  The idea is to show parents that a 26-year old is competent.   I think I finally got the train photographs and will post soon.  Thank you for asking.