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Jerry, Maybe I didn't make myself clear. The block occupancy/detection circuitry is all in place.  What we are having a hard time locating are type D signal stands.

Details West -out of stock, no ETA.

Walthers Kato - look like they belong on a 1950's Lionel layout.

These are avail on the bay:  

JTD873GYR 3PCS Model Railroad Train Signals 3-Lights Block Signal HO Scale 12V Green-Yellow-Red Traffic Lights for Train Layout New

But the LED's are setup like a traffic light. 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jim

Last edited by SantaFeJim
SantaFeJim posted:

Jerry, Maybe I didn't make myself clear. The block occupancy/detection circuitry is all in place.  What we are having a hard time locating are type D signal stands.

Details West -out of stock, no ETA.

Walthers Kato - look like they belong on a 1950's Lionel layout.

These are avail on the bay:  

JTD873GYR 3PCS Model Railroad Train Signals 3-Lights Block Signal HO Scale 12V Green-Yellow-Red Traffic Lights for Train Layout New

But the LED's are setup like a traffic light. 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jim

Well. that clarifies things. 

I'll ask around.  How many do you need, and what type (as shown above, dual mast etc.).  E-mail me at jlzeman@comcast.net.  If you can give me the Details West PNs, that would help.  

No guarantees that I'll find anything. 

Regards,

Jerry

 

SantaFeJim posted:

Thanks Rich.

Here are a few wider shots that include the "first rough coat" ground cover.  All the GREEN is just a base to give all additional ground cover applications a surface to cling to.  When these guys get going the acres and acres of well manicured "putting greens" will disappear.

Jim,

Your tunnels remind me of those I saw in Germany last month. Here is a pic:

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RD posted:

Jim,

Not only is the ground cover and scenery really starting  to take shape..but I've noticed how nice the track work looks... the ballast, crossovers and parallel lines look awesome!!!

 

Thanks Rich.  I spoke with the builder today about signaling options.  I will be doing another site visit on Thursday, hopefully to finalize my block signals.  I will have more pictures to post later in the week.

 

SantaFeJim posteD

Thanks Rich.  I spoke with the builder today about signaling options.  I will be doing another site visit on Thursday, hopefully to finalize my block signals.  I will have more pictures to post later in the week.

 

Looking forward to it... maybe you'll let me buy you lunch and pick your brain about the process when it's done...

RD posted: 

Looking forward to it... maybe you'll let me buy you lunch and pick your brain about the process when it's done...

Rich - Great idea.  

I had something similar in mind.  I spent an hour and a half at their shop today.  We discussed details and enhancements.  I took about 20 pictures and will start posting them in the next day or two.

I mentioned that a friend of mine (you) may be interested in coming in for a visit and perhaps get some rough estimates.  Now is a good time as they will be starting to schedule their work for 2020 shortly.

Steve suggested that any new potential customer bring in a track plan, as that is always the starting point.  

I will fill you in on the steps that follow at lunch.

Pick a time and a place and we can chat.  Next week is good, any day except Tuesday.  If you want we can meet a the McDonalds that is about 2 minutes from the builder.  I will answer all your questions as best I can and then I can introduce you the Steve.

Or you can email your questions to me, and I can respond ahead of time.  

I will be making another visit next Thursday or Friday.  If you are serious about their services I will tell Steve so that he can spend some time with you on that day.  If you change your mind and want to attack the whole layout on your own that is fine as well.  I do not get a dime for a referral so I really don’t care which path you choose.

looking at pictures is a good way to get an overall feel for the layout however, there is no substitute for a live visit to see for yourself the quality, craftsmanship and detail.  He has an excellent talent pool, most of them only work part-time.

I will tell you this, after our talk you will know a whole lot more about this process then I did last year when I started.

Jim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chores are done... time for some fun.

Some more pictures from my Thursday visit.

The scouts are camping this weekend at Camp Wenonah.

Mr Grayson is just returning from his walk through the woods.  He can't wait to tell the boys what he saw in the clearing. 

 Mr Grayson was never much for works so he offered this picture to back up his yarn.

Being a Chicago native... he is rooting for the Bear(s).    

 

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Last edited by SantaFeJim

Back to the whimsey for the next couple of pictures.  The guys doing the build once again display their humor by staging a circus train wreck before I arrived.  The helicopter crew captured these beast hanging around the lake.  I have been assured that they will be rounded up before the layout is delivered.

I was also assured that the track gaps would disappear when the trestle bridge is installed on the upper level.  Too dangerous to fix now with the giant albino bird and gator hanging around. 

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Last edited by SantaFeJim

Last month I mentioned to the builder that I would like the little park area to be named "Veteran's Park".  I also said a statue of a soldier would be a nice touch.  On my very next visit I see this.

The sign will be read Veteran's Park, the American flag will have a spot light at the base and be lit 24/7.

Here is a close-up of my wife's Bakery.

I really like the shot through the trees.

 

 

 

More Pictures Tomorrow.

 

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Last edited by SantaFeJim
SantaFeJim posted:

Last month I mentioned to the builder that I would like the little park area o be named "Veteran's Park".  I also said a statue of a soldier would be a nice touch.  On my very next visit I see this.

The sign will be read Veteran's Park, the American flag will have a spot light at the base and be lit 24/7.

Here is a close-up of my wife's Bakery.

I really like thi shot through the trees.

 

 

 

More Pictures Tomorrow.

 

 I love it'... Very cool', and it looks perfect'... Great idea'..

Just one picture for today.  The grade crossing cross-bucks were installed and wood & composite filling was added between the rails.  You will also see the American Flag in Veteran's Park. 

Street details: manholes, drains, expansion lines, curbs and street lights were added.  Sidewalk expansions were also added.  E-X-P-A-N-D the picture for better details.

 

 

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Last edited by SantaFeJim
SantaFeJim posted:

Christmas is 101 days away and there won't be any snow on my layout.  However my all time favorite Christmas movie will be playing 365 days per year.

Can't take this hobby too seriously, IMHO you gotta have a little  whimsey.   

Alternatively Jim, how about 'It's a Wonderful Life' as your favorite movie (for your wonderful layout).

Thanks PH1975 for the nice comment and suggestion.  I can’t take any credit for the build.  It was my track plan, suggestion of structures and locations, type of track and turnouts.  Beyond that al I contributed is the $$$.

Got word late this afternoon that the builder was able to score  16 of the 3-aspect block signals I wanted.   I will be going there early next week to firm up their locations.  The signals will add lots of “eye candy” for the operators and visitors.

I may post more pic’s after my visit.

Enjoy the weekend.

 

Harry Hieki of "Everything 0 Scale",  is the man who makes wildly detailed John Allen quality buildings and has taken "whimsical" to an art form with his signage. 

Note his weathered building titles and business names.

The more you examine his work the more you will find.   Check his work out at York.

Last edited by Tom Tee

Here is a "logical" track plan of my layout.  Since I plan on having the option of a 100% hands free operation I needed to draw this plan for the "TrainController" software.  Although the physical block boundaries differ than the "logical" block bound that is not a problem.  What really natters is that traffic can be detected to determine actual block occupancy. 

There are various degrees of automation.  The range is from 1-100% .  It is all just a matter of options chosen by ME.

Also shown is my preference for the location of the 3-aspect block signals.  (You may have to EXPAND the attachment to see these).

Hope this makes sense.  I will do my best to answer any questions.

Actual track plan below.

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Last edited by SantaFeJim

Today I applied the first coat of blue to serve as a background for my layout.   The wall is 27 feet wide.  The layout will be 22 feet wide so this gives me 30" on both the right and left sides.  The back of the layout will be attached to the blue wall.  The exposed concrete floor on the left side is a result of me and a friend moving the wall back 40" to accommodate the layout.  The layout plan was developed last year when we were living in our other house.  We bought our current home in the spring knowing that this wall would have to be moved.  The carpet will be spliced in to cover the concrete.  

 

Tomorrow when I apply the second coat I will feather in the clouds using the method explained in the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvXZaw4n_PE

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Jim, the scout camp looks great!  I can smell the hotdogs!!  It reminded me of camping at our scoutmaster's camp on the Allegheny River for a week each summer.  I recall I was assistant senior patrol leader and tented with the senior patrol leader who was going to vo-tech studying electronics.  He rigged a radio that could bring in rock and roll station way down in that hollow.  Mungo Jerry's 'In the Summertime' was hot one year when we were there.  I just looked it up.  1970!!  49 years ago!  Say it ain't so, Joe!!

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