My Triple Level Layout - Anthracite Hi-Railers Visit - 1/5/24

Congratulations on the air conditioner!

Thanks @Mark Boyce ! I had an extremely productive day with the new climate controlled train room!

UPDATE #12

It’s been a very productive day all thanks to the recent air conditioner installation. I find myself really letting time get away from me but that’s fine because I’m beyond pleased with the outcome thus far.

I realized now that with the I second level being raised higher, I was able to adjust the placement of the entire second level which will add much needed space for scenery and better looking cliffs. By doing this, I needed additional support for the homasote piece I cut out from the first level, so I grabbed a sheet of plywood for the second level. I taped out the cuts for a better visual.

Followed up, I took a jigsaw to the plywood, of course after I covered everything.(Didn’t capture any photos during this process) Next up the support legs for the second level were added and secured. Each screw was labeled underneath to make any future changes/demolition easier.

Finally, I placed the third level back in place just for more visual reference’s. I’m really happy with the progress and all the little adjustments I keep doing that keep improving the layout.

You did have a productive day!   A lot of progress!

Very nice progress!

Thank You @gunrunnerjohn and @Mark Boyce. It sure does feel good to be back in the train room full swing after my brief hiatus since April.

UPDATE #13

I picked up some paint/primer to paint the first and second levels and chose the color Earth Brown. I even painted the sections that will be underneath mountains, including all the support’s. I’m very pleased with the outcome and it unifies the benchwork thus far IMO.

KEEPING INVENTORY

With the paint still fresh from yesterday, I’ve decided to start the daunting but necessary task I’ve seen discussed numerous times on this forum, the task of keeping an inventory list. It’s a perfect time for me to start doing this considering this past January I just started getting back into the hobby. So I got a notebook with graph paper and drew up my own spreadsheet’s, one category for Structure Inventory and another for Train Inventory. Next up is the fun part of filling it in!

Well, figuring out the format of the inventory sheet is the way easy part!

Inventory Update - Structures

Finished up the inventory spreadsheet for the 34 structures I currently have. I know I can get the plasticville dates, as for the rest, I’m missing the dates manufactured and the original MSRP. Any leads on obtaining these would be greatly appreciated! I know they’re not necessary but I’d still like to have the information.

@Richizzle07 posted:

YouTube Certified Technician/Electrician/Mechanic

I have to ask, what's a YouTube Certified Technician?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have to ask, what's a YouTube Certified Technician?

Hahaha I’m learning as I go with the build 😂

OK, that makes sense.  Not to worry, we all learn as we build.

NEW PURCHASE UPDATE!

I made my first visit to the Renningers Flash Train Meet in Kutztown, PA this past Saturday.  Awesome show with a much bigger selection than I was expecting. There’s also several other vendors there for the Farmers Market so lots of foods, crafts, antiques, etc. for everyone. Anyway, I picked up this K-Line PRR boxcar in near excellent condition. I know, nothing special but it’s my first PRR boxcar. I’m definitely keeping these Renningers Flash Train Meets marked on the calendar. They hold a few each year.

Next up I grabbed a RH 022 switch with controller from a LHS that’s specializes in HO but have a decent O selection. I also did a combined deal on eBay which really dropped the price on 2 more sets of 022 switches, one set with controllers and one set without. Grabbed a small bag of reproduction coal as part of the bundle deal too.

Off to clean these 022 switches up!

UPDATE #14

I’ve completed the service/cleaning of the switches I recently purchased. Here’s some photos of the before and after with the slides being cleaned.

Finally came across a switch with the non derailment feature not working. Actually it was two of the RH switches that needed the joints soldered. This was my first time soldering in over 20 years.

I also cleaned up some short sections of track and a bunch of track pins. The track to the right has been cleaned up compared to the left piece.

Now I just have to swap out one of the RH switches I’ve already had on the layout. Reason is the one track has a slight bend in it and it’s causing a bump to occur. I’m also reading up on the fixed voltage feature since I’ve only ever used track power.

You may well need some extra real estate with your building boom.

One such late member here had me build a  ultra light weight 2' X 8' non RR corner module for his train room just for his structures.   I believe his handle was Pennsy k-4.   This had no track, just n assortment of buildings in a corner  opposite his layout.

The lower cut out shelf was for a power pack to handle the lighting.

This was fabricated to fit between two door frames and the curved edge allowed natural traffic flow between door ways.

Just an idea.

EDIT,  A few fabrication shots:

This was built to be a home display positioned in place with square brass dowels from Freeman mfg co.    Male on the chair rail frame, female on the module bottom.

Another consideration was to have temporary screw on legs for train show display purposes.

Handles to carry in for show set up.Perimeter slots for removable backdrop

Thanks for the ideas @Tom Tee! Beautiful craftsmanship! I’m planning on having a few lightweight lift out sections along the walls in the back. They will only have buildings and scenery on them for the second and third levels. The square dowels will definitely help with keeping these lined up. The rest of the room has furniture along the walls so no more expansions along walls, for the time being🤔. I am considering adding a piece on each front corner just to expand my corner real estate. The work I’ve seen shared by you is quite remarkable! Thanks again!

You are welcome.  The dowels I use are the #4.  Make sure you get the Freeman male/female tool that perfectly fits that size dowel.  It is the best way to get a good installation.  Also spot face the area first with a Forstner bit so as to recess the mounting flange.  Use the Forstner pilot hole to start your through hole.   I find a  jig to maintain a plumb drill center line helpful.

Freeman Manufacturing   contact  440.934.1902

UPDATE #15

The past 2 days I’ve bounced around getting a few different things done.

The main project I worked on was measuring, cutting, and glueing of the foam roadbed on the closet extension I recently added.

While I was waiting for the glue to dry, I cut two plywood pieces and installed them underneath the benchwork. These will have power supplies, terminal strips, dimmers, etc.

I also cut out a piece of plywood and installed it for the base of the stream/waterfall. I even cut out some blue craft paper for water.

Final few things I got to do was put down the track on the extension (not secured yet), swapped out the one 022 RH switch, and was able to open up some of my purchases from York!!! It was like Christmas in July on this 97 degree day (real feel of 103 degrees!). I placed the MTH PRR double engine shed and the MTH passenger station with dual platforms.

It’s all starting to really come together!! More updates to come! Happy Railroading everyone!

Tom came up with the dowels and mating sockets for my yard access bridge, they work great and provide perfect alignment!

You can just see one of them peeking around the corner on the bridge.

The completed yard with the bridge in down.

@Tom Tee I would love to do that but on the other side of that wall is a bedroom that the RR just can’t obtain rights to. It’s been proposed, but quickly shot down. I am planning on doing 2 little tunnel portals. They won’t be cut into the wall though. I eventually have plans to run the third level dog bone into the closet. I did want to replicate the Tunkhannock Viaduct (Nicholson Bridge) but I just simply don’t have enough room for the supports. I’m looking into other bridge options now.

Relocate the occupant(s) ??

@Tom Tee posted:

Relocate the occupant(s) ??

Hahaha that’s not an option. I sure wish it was. It’s an identical sized room. I have to stay within my boundaries.

NEW PURCHASE UPDATE!

I took a trip up to Grzyboski’s for my monthly visit. Now that I think of it, I might be visiting two times a month but oh well😂.

First up is a boxcar I’ve been wanting for some time now. Introducing the I Love Pennsylvania boxcar from Lionel. It’s used but in great shape, even with the box.

Only other thing I grabbed on this trip was a Lionel branchline water tank. I now have two for different layout levels.

Looks nice, Rich!  I miss Grzy at the Monroeville Greenberg shows, but I don’t blame them for not traveling so far.  It is a haul from Moosic.

The layout looks great.  I’m stuck with an 11x11 space with no practical way to expand too.

Thanks @Mark Boyce! They still make their way to York, all the more reason to make it! Even with them being about 20 minutes up the road from me, I purchased off them at York 😂. As for the limited space, I’m trying to go with a vertical approach by having 3 layers. It’s going to allow for more stuff IMO, well that’s the plan at least. It will also help with breaking up the different scenes. I’m very pleased with the closet extension. It doesn’t look like much real estate, but it’s really adding so much more.

Vertical sometimes is our best hope.  The late Donnie Grant of New Castle taught me that 26 years ago when I was just getting back into 0 scale in a modest size train room.

We are presently working on a new children's display layout build with five levels reaching almost to the ceiling.   Just now working on the upper mountain zone before it I build it out of reach.

There is a two track main running around the large "L" shaped layout then an elevated line running around the platform.  The next two levels are simple oval loops and then the mountain line.

The top 8' bridge R.O.W. runs around the room.

@Tom Tee posted:

We are presently working on a new children's display layout build with five levels reaching almost to the ceiling.   Just now working on the upper mountain zone before it I build it out of reach.

I missed a bet with my layout, I could have had all my track in one corner!   That's some lucky kid!

John, I believe that most of us all are blessed with being grown up kids.  Not too sure about the grown up part for us'ins.

These kids have five loops, you have five loops.  Same same 'ceptin you are taller.

Rich,  How about it?  Want to join the five level or five loop crowd?  Another top level and then a subway will get you into the club.

@Tom Tee posted:

John, I believe that most of us all are blessed with being grown up kids.  Not too sure about the grown up part for us'ins.

These kids have five loops, you have five loops.  Same same 'ceptin you are taller.

Well, when you look at it that way...

@Tom Tee posted:

Rich,  How about it?  Want to join the five level or five loop crowd?  Another top level and then a subway will get you into the club.

hmmmm now you have me thinking🤔😂. I might be able to put a lifted trolley on the top level. Would that count?

@Richizzle07 Rich just found this thread and read through the entire 3 pages.

You sure moved fast on tear down and building up. I like the use of the closet space. You have a ton of buildings for a small area! I believe your dad would be proud of what you've done and will do.

BTW sorry to hear about Dream. Same age our Siberian huskie Nakita was when we had to put her down.

@Richizzle07 posted:

hmmmm now, for four.  The subway will bring you up to you have me thinking🤔😂. I might be able to put a lifted trolley on the top level. Would that count?

Sure would count, for four.

Adding the subway also will bring you up to the five level or loop club.

Maybe we should  a take a census establishing a charter for the "5 or 5 club".  I am in with five +.

Thank you @RJ Shier for the compliments and all the kind words. If you can believe it, there’s a few more buildings/structures I’m interested in getting. A Siberian Husky is in the same category that Dream was, a northern dog so they absolutely love the cold. They’re both enjoying that snow mountain in the sky now. Again, thanks for all the kind words, it’s greatly appreciated!

@Tom Tee posted:

Sure would count, for four.

Adding the subway also will bring you up to the five level or loop club.

Maybe we should  a take a census establishing a charter for the "5 or 5 club".  I am in with five +.

I’ve got plenty of room for a subway, especially with raising the height of the benchwork. I’ll have to put this idea on the list of possibilities.

Also, consider cities such as New York and London where there are multiple levels of subways and train stations...

NEW PURCHASE UPDATE!

Ordered and received this Menards Hershey tank car last week. About two or three months ago Menards put out a low inventory for this car so I knew I had to grab it before it was gone. Very nice tank car IMO. It now looks like it’s no longer available at Menards.

UPDATE #16

Only a few minor updates to report on the layout. I secured all the remaining track on the first level in the area of the closet extension. I once again used zip ties to help prevent with the sound being transferred into the plywood.

As you can see in the first photo above, I also drilled and installed the feeder wires for the track power. Added a few more since I’m going to have isolated track sections throughout the yard extension. At the end of the yard I simply installed spade connectors in the tracks and draped the feeder wires over the back edge in the closet.

More updates to come down the line! Happy Railroading Everyone!

NEW PURCHASE UPDATE!

Not really a big ticket purchase, but a great value in my opinion plus it’s supporting a forum sponsor. Ordered and received a 100 count of track insulator pins from @TinMan3rail! There was 104!😁 Thanks again TinMan!