What did you do on your layout today?

@RSJB18 posted:

Can't see the pix....

I put it up again.
https://ogrforum.com/...6#180214019277026006

@pennsyfan posted:

imitating the prototype

Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.

last time I went to Brooklyn, we literally had to wait at Jamaica for a crew to move a train that was fowling the switch for our track.

You can't make this sh%$ up!

Great photo, worth the wait !

Just took some photos around the Buladeen depot.

Hi guys just checking in. I see on the news that you folks on the east are getting tons of rain! I hope you are all safe and able to keep your layouts high and dry!

The wife and I went shopping in town today, i wanted to get this but i dont do B&O plus a little spendy. I did get a couple trucks but will have to post them tomorrow when I get them on the layout.

Tomorrow's plan is to run trains and more work on switches

I hope you all have a great night and please be safe!

Cleaned residual glue from ballasting off the rails, vacuumed up loose ballast for re-use, and filled divots in ballast where glue wasn't uniform.  2/3 of mainline tracks now ballasted.  Two more bags of ballast arrived this week, so the mainline can be completed soon.  Fussed at Lionel for sending me one motor when two were ordered and acknowledged.

Hi guys I hope you all had a good night! LOL

I have been out it the train room a little this morning and looking at putting in new toggle switches for my switch motors. My question to you all is do any of you have recommendations for a bi-color switch so I can just look at it and know it is turning or going straightforward?

As I said yesterday here are the 2 trucks I picked up, I just posted in another thread about them, but I think they will look cool on the layout!

As for the move I spoke about a couple post ago, it will be happening sometime next year and we are looking at moving to Missouri to be closer to my wife's family. Wish me luck! LOL

I will still be working on the layout and running trains, but nothing will be done with scenery, and I am thinking about packing up most of what I don't use just to make life easier! I will keep out an engine and a switcher to keep testing things along with some cars. But I think my Amtrak train and steam engine will get packed up for now.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and fun with your layout and trains!

Mike, I like both of the trucks!  Nice picks.  I’m glad you made a decision on moving.  Sure, there is a lot of fun to be had before you have to take down the layout! 👍🏻

Missouri is halfway between northwestern Washington and here in northwestern Pennsylvania!  You are moving in the right direction!!  😆😆

Congratulations on your decision Mike; that’s that’s a big undertaking. It can be exhausting but exhilarating as well. Good luck.

Jay

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys I hope you all had a good night! LOL

As for the move I spoke about a couple post ago, it will be happening sometime next year and we are looking at moving to Missouri to be closer to my wife's family. Wish me luck! LOL

I will still be working on the layout and running trains, but nothing will be done with scenery, and I am thinking about packing up most of what I don't use just to make life easier! I will keep out an engine and a switcher to keep testing things along with some cars. But I think my Amtrak train and steam engine will get packed up for now.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and fun with your layout and trains!

That's a big move Mike. Hopefully you find a great train room with a house attached.

A big ranch house with a nice basement would be great!

Bob

Thanks guys you are correct it is a big move, but after talking with the CEO its better to do it now before we get to old to make a new place the way we want it to be!

Bob you are right on target with the idea of a ranch style house with either a basement or a storm shelter. If not something that already has a nice size shop on it that I could put in a second floor.

@mike g.   Mike, start packing now.  Your strategy of leaving something up to run is a good one. When I took down TwinPines I , the biggest problem was disposing of all the plywood etc once it was down. The disposal company only allowed one "can" per week. I was able to save most of the support structure and drag it up to Michigan. Fortunately I only ruined a couple pieces of track and no switches when I pulled up the ballasted track. It will take far longer to tear down that you imagine.   

Hi Jeff, thanks for the advice, the good thing is I haven't started Ballantine the new layout. The track should be easier to take up. I am not.to worried about the plywood, but definitely want to keep the backbone of the layout as I can use it on any future layout.

I am going to start collecting boxes and take my time packing as I know it will make things alot easier when it co.es time to unpack!

Good advice Bob and Jeff!  As soon as Kim’s mom, who lives across the road, passes or goes in a home we are going to start looking for a ranch.  Ma-in-law is only 87 and going strong, so we will be on the split entry home we never wanted for a long time.  No reason to slow down on building the Blackwater Canyon Line.  However, I did decide I am not going to glue down ballast no matter how far I get on the layout.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Good advice Bob and Jeff!  As soon as Kim’s mom, who lives across the road, passes or goes in a home we are going to start looking for a ranch.  Ma-in-law is only 87 and going strong, so we will be on the split entry home we never wanted for a long time.  No reason to slow down on building the Blackwater Canyon Line.  However, I did decide I am not going to glue down ballast no matter how far I get on the layout.

Reminds me of a story i read some time ago about a guy who bought an old woman's house (europe somewhere) and said she could live there until she died. He planned on renovating and moving in afterwards figuring she'd die sooner than later....she ended up outliving him.  (I'm Not saying you want MIL to pass sooner than later mind you)... ;-)

@Farmall-Joe posted:

Reminds me of a story i read some time ago about a guy who bought an old woman's house (europe somewhere) and said she could live there until she died. He planned on renovating and moving in afterwards figuring she'd die sooner than later....she ended up outliving him.  (I'm Not saying you want MIL to pass sooner than later mind you)... ;-)

Joe, good point!!  She is only 20 years older than me, and it seems the only thing that will stop her is osteoporosis.  I can see her living to 100.  My wife and I will have to leave the goofy split entry stairs arrangement long before that.  Kim's knees have been replaced, and she still has trouble. 

I do have some sketchy ideas in mind for a Blackwater Canyon Line II depending on how much space we can manage in another house. 

Worked on laying some track for the upper level…

The past few days, I finally got down the basement and did some minor work on the layout. My helper, Zora Maya is out of commission with a case of Covid. So, she was not available this past Sunday. My control panel with track diagrams of all 3 levels came back from the sign shop on a 3/16" thick sheet of Plexiglass. It turned out to be GREAT. Thank you to the artists at "Signs in One Day" for their great work and professionalism. I will post a photo of the panel in a few days. Today. I cut the wood to proper lengths for the rim of the control panel. Tomorrow, if I feel up to it, I will try to get back downstairs to begin assembling the rim and prepare it for panting for when Zora Maya returns. She is a GREAT painter and I dislike painting. I am still somewhat weak and having digestive issues as a result of my abdominal surgery. But I am improving in small increments. Recuperation takes time.

Glad you are getting back to the train room Randy. Pay attention to what your body tells you.

Jay

@Randy Harrison- Good news on your control panel, glad it worked out well.  However, YOU TAKE IT EASY!  I know that is not what some will say being hungry for progress, but your health is #1 concern.  Recover and get healthy, lots of time left for the layout.

Best Wishes

Don (from the "Photo Chain" thread)

@Don McErlean

Don:

Thanks for your caring and great advice. Surgical recuperation takes time. I do only go to my work area when I feel up to it. You are absolutely right. Our health is of utmost importance and has to take priority.

@Randy Harrison posted:

@Don McErlean

Don:

Thanks for your caring and great advice. Surgical recuperation takes time. I do only go to my work area when I feel up to it. You are absolutely right. Our health is of utmost importance and has to take priority.

Randy, Don, you are so right!  When I posted I wouldn’t be working on the layout because of each of my 3 surgeries in 4 years, many forum members encouraged me to take it easy and just do what the therapists told me to do!  I’m glad to see you up and around some, Randy!

Accomplished a minor milestone on my layout room prep today.  Finished painting the ceiling(s) !  There are five mini-ceilings , each separated by some solid pine trim -that I didn’t have the heart to paint over, so each segment was taped-off & painted.  Just need a little touch up & then I can move on to hanging the last 3 light panels.  Yee hah !

Spiking progress.

Dennis, that’s really sharp looking hand laid track!!  Do you hand lay switches too?

@Mark Boyce posted:

Dennis, that’s really sharp looking hand laid track!!  Do you hand lay switches too?

Thanks Mark, I will need to build at least a couple of switches for these loops so I'll either figure it out or be frustrated lol

Starting to weather the fence sections for the park. Since the fence is right next to the yard, it’s pretty dirty.

Andy

Back in August I started this New Hope and Ivy project.
https://ogrforum.com/...9#177398552098955039

The shells came back from the painter.

I test fitted the people in the chairs that I bought.


I used Evans diodes for lighting; I affixed the wiring and diodes to the roofs using double stick “Alien Tape”. Then came the tedium; painting and installing about 75 seats; followed by installing 75 people.
I installed the chairs on strips of plastic using AC glue and then painted them.


When they were dry I started selecting passengers and installed them on the seats. I used a few tables in the car simulating fhe prototype open air car.

I installed the strips on to the car chassis. Then I reassembled the car bodies and installed them on the chassis.
I used a PRR saddle tank to give them a run. Now the wait for the NH&I engine to be delivered.

Well, after an epic late night struggle, I finally got the #38 operating water tower installed on the layout and wired:

Dennis  Holler, nice Old 2 rail adventure! Been there, really like the collection as seen.

hand laid old rail really cool. Thx for the videos. Keep those door stops greased and rolling! Lol.

Dennis, that track looks terrific.

@pennsyfan Bob, those NH&I cars look great; both exterior and interior!  I have one set of cars that I have to remove and paint the seats, then paint passengers as well. 

@Steve Tyler the water tank works great!  I had never seen one of those until I saw your posts.

@Mark Boyce posted:

@Steve Tyler the water tank works great!  I had never seen one of those until I saw your posts.

Yeah, I hadn't either before mine showed up in a mixed auction lot.

In another thread, someone noted it was likely a modern reissue of a piece first released about the same time I was,  some seven decades ago! Given the problems mentioned about that first release, I guess I can count myself lucky it was not an original, and that I was able to restore it to functionality!

@pennsyfan posted:

Back in August I started this New Hope and Ivy project.
https://ogrforum.com/...9#177398552098955039

The shells came back from the painter.

I test fitted the people in the chairs that I bought.


I used Evans diodes for lighting; I affixed the wiring and diodes to the roofs using double stick “Alien Tape”. Then came the tedium; painting and installing about 75 seats; followed by installing 75 people.
I installed the chairs on strips of plastic using AC glue and then painted them.


When they were dry I started selecting passengers and installed them on the seats. I used a few tables in the car simulating fhe prototype open air car.

I installed the strips on to the car chassis. Then I reassembled the car bodies and installed them on the chassis.
I used a PRR saddle tank to give them a run. Now the wait for the NH&I engine to be delivered.

Great job Bob!

@Mark Boyce

@Sitka

Thanks guys, the car bodys were painted by Christine Brandon. I reached out to Evan designs for the lighting. I told them that I didn’t want the lights to be to bright. They sized the diodes accordingly. I think they hit the  nail on the head. They added a resistor because I was afraid that the track voltage could exceed the upper limit.

Today Rich and I completed the two bridges that span the walkway. Now we need to touch things up.

Thanks to all those who assisted with getting things to work. Space was really tight.

Next we begin laying track on the left side.

Bill, I’m glad you got them working!  They look great!!

@pennsyfan posted:

The shells came back from the painter.

Great looking project Bob.     A lot of patience and organization on your part was well worth it.

You can't even see the third rail on that inner loop unless you zoom in.... 

Nice Thomas IND Roma Wine tank car and a prewar Rail Craft tin 55 ton hopper.

First run on the new track using the outside third rail.  Running a 1935 Mi Loco K5 that I got from Carey Williams.  It will get a repaint but it runs as is for now.

@Dennis Holler posted:

First run on new track

Err . . . at least in the photos, this looked like the prelude to a tandem suicide leap! Design by Gomez, perhaps?

Evening guys I hope your all doing well! I know this is late for me on a Sunday night but it better then nothing! LOL

@Dennis Holler Dennis wow that is one heck of an undertaking! The track looks great, and the first runs shows that you have that special skill!

@Randy Harrison Randy it is nice to see your back but as others have said please take it easy till your fully healed or at least feel better!

@trestleking If you ask me I think the ceiling look perfect!

@Steamfan77 Andy wonderful work on the fence area! Question what are the clamps for?

@pennsyfan Bob what a great job on the New Hope & Ivy RR, It really shows Patiance!

@Steve Tyler Steve nice to see it working! I am along with you and Mark as I have never seen one of those!

@Bill Webb Bill what an amazing set of bridges! I am so glad you Rich were able to get everything working properly!

Well guys as for me I did some work out in the train room today, I found out the no matter how I tried to wire a DZ2502 controller up to a MTH switch motor I could not get it to work! So, I just put in a momentary toggle switch.

Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!