WUUUUUUH!!!!! Elliot's basement with no crap everywhere, are we in the twilight zone????
Elliot, just fantastic as always!
I've enjoyed the comments about taking a train there, but then, "where would we sleep?"
When I went a few years ago, it was on a private rail car tour, and the car parked at St. Paul Midway Station, so we had a place to sleep. Elliot was just a fantastic host and picked us up there. (no, we didn't go just to see Elliot's layout, that was a big additional surprise.)
I know some guys with private cars, so if a bunch of guys in the NE want to get together and charter a car, say from Washington, DC or New York City, my email is in my profile! It would probably be about 2 grand each, though.
Still, add up Amtrak sleeping car costs + hotel costs and I'll bet you get close to that.
Would need 8-10 people.
I went back and looked through this thread: we visited in July, 2014. Elliot had this photo of us on the way to Chicago on the rear of the Lake Shore Limited. Here's the website of the car we rode: Mount Vernon.
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It's the only way to fly....
Looks very professional! Did you paint the track before or after installation? Spray or brushed or ?
I can relate to your wounds. Building layouts can be hazardous to one's health. We have girder benchwork and some places I have to get up on it to reach the working area. A month ago I lost my balance and fell INTO the benchwork! Kyrian had a task helping haul me back up topside. Result was huge bruise down one leg and arm. Lucky nothing was broken aside from my pride. Next layout, if there is one, will be built from the outside in; no more reaching over three or four tracks.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone. Cleaned up had to be a good feeling, much less having people come in to see the layout. They had to be blown away.
Things are really looking good!
Bill
It's really coming together! Great job and thanks for the updates. Isn't it fun to be able to share your creation with other railroad nuts? And I agree, quit the Evil Conevil (spelling?) stunts.
Art
Really great. You certainly have been dedicated and followed through. Inspiring.
Great progress and it really looks nice all cleaned up, kind of a more completed look. Glad to hear your NMRA tour went well and everything looked great. Looks like there may be a light at the end of the tunnel and it's getting brighter. Keep up the good work and no more accidents, please!
You do realize when you finish your layout, you are going to have to think of something else to post for your monthly updates! There will be a lot of folks around here having withdrawals if you don't. I am already getting a little nervous! 
Thank you all for the wonderful comments and well wishes.
Before I get started addressing some of the individual ones, I want to apologize to Dave (Darlander) for accidentally forgetting to mention the Saturday afternoon he spent helping me unpack rolling stock.
Much of what you see here was Dave's doing.
My doctor visit today went very well. Regarding my sore tailbone, it was decided that it wasn't even worth the x-ray. Since the pain is manageable, we'll just go on the assumption that it is broken, and the treatment for it is take no action. Oh well.
Moving on, there seems to be something of a common theme to this month's comments. Many of you really like the cleaned up aisle pictures. I just kept chipping away at that project between working on the ballast and other stuff. I paced myself, and finished up right on time Friday evening. What you didn't see was my workbench, which was already in horrible shape, and only got worse as I kept piling on tools and materials. It really needs to be addressed. The other area where things "went to die" was in the corner of the other room. You can just make part of it out, off to the left.
Along the wall, under the posters are just some of the yet to be unpacked trains.
Fred - My ballast came from a local quarry, which just happens to supply the real railroads with some of their ballast. I know full well that there are magnetic particles in that material, but it really doesn't matter, because I don't use engines with magne-traction, and I glue it in place. It's not going anywhere. BTW, I started out with close to half a ton of it.
Matt (decoyNH) - That trip from the east coast has been in the talking stage for a couple months now. Bill (BandOB) has moved the conversation up a notch by suggesting the private car that he and his buddy Mike came in on a few years ago be used to make the trip. It is possible that in the future that railroad operations could be broadcast live on the net. We'll see.
Conrailfan - Visitors are always welcome. Just gotta let me know when you plan to make the trip.
Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. Labor Day 2018 is the National Narrow Gauge Convention. It could be a really big party that weekend. Happy to have you anytime!
Kerrigan - I paint my track when it's in place, using a cheap Badger airbrush and latex wall paint. The latex is a little fragile and easily scratched, but also easily touched up.
Art - I don't remember how many bones Evil Kenevil broke over his career, but I still have a long way to go to catch up with that dubious honor. My current tally is six.
RTR12 - Lucky for everyone here, it'll never be finished. Just like any model railroad there's always detail that can be added.
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Elliot, pictures of progress are one thing but to see it in person would be fantastic. And for me it would be well worth the trip to Stillwater..............Paul
Elliot all I can say is WOW! When I hear of JMRI all I think of are smaller scale layouts in N and HO. How do you wire up the JMRI for 3 rail? Is it simply connected thru the TMCC and to your PC?
Paul - You've just got to tell me when you're coming. This weekend is no good. Got plans.
George - There are multiple parts to JMRI, I'll be using a couple of them. One of the main reasons my layout is 100% TMCC has to do with the fact that the codes are published. Can't do that with DCS. Those codes are included in JMRI. Using the serial port on the TMCC base and plugging into a USB on the computer, we now have direct access. This allows us to use the WiFi throttle app, and "virtual operators" to run trains.
The second part to all this is layout control via JMRI Panel Pro. I'll be using it for signals, turnouts, and detection in conjunction with C/MRI (which is also not typically used in 3 rail).
Bottom line, neither of these solutions care what trains you use. Any preconceived notions attached to either of these products for use with 3 rail, is all in your head. I wish more of us would consider it.
Elliot,
My wife has a broken tailbone; we think from falling on the ice a couple winters ago. She learned about it from the chiropractor's x-ray a year later. Yes he said, like ribs, there isn't much they do about it.
On to the operation session on the net idea. I have seen some folks do that on Facebook and YouTube. I don't know how, and I'm sure there are other venues out there. It would be neat for those of us not planning a trip to Minnesota, but you have so much you are doing, photos are fine for me.
Yeah Mark, I'm not sure how to do a live internet broadcast either, but just knowing that it can be done is good enough for now. I originally bought an eight camera security system. I later upgraded to a 16 camera system. I'm hoping to use the old 8 camera hub for that purpose.
Elliot as usual you have shared many an accomplishment each month.
it is looking better and better the ballasting really makes it all pop also the rolling stock makes it look alive and not an abandoned right of way. in regards to Walt and the JMRI can I correctly assume he knows the JMRI and computers really well?
as to workbenches we seem to have places for tools to hang or areas to place items not being used and yet they all seem to reside on the workbench, mine is the same I clear it off only to enable new items to attach them selves to it!
I see the temps are a tad cool there and yet the trees are all budding.
not sure you can answer but the web camera #1 at union depot is it always inoperative?
take care you might consider a thick coat of bubble wrap to thwart any more unneeded injuries, hope the tailbone gets less annoying
Elliot,
Thank you for the update.
The ballast looks just fine - well done (and lots yet to do, right?)
Alex
Elliot, as usual, seeing your progress (including the cleanup) always inspires others, myself included. I, too, was wondering about the best manner to paint the rail sides. I am thinking of attempting to paint mine before ballasting, but post inserting all the 3R ties under hundreds of feet of tubular Lionel and K Line. Yes, the clean up and placement of all the rolling stock possible on the layout is a goal worth pursuing, and one I hope will be obtained within the next couple years........
Glad to hear of the doctor visit results. The aches and pains endured with "incidents" and maturity do always speak loud and raise their heads from time to time. Also, very glad to see the assist you have from friends and family. Always a benefit when it can happen. One reason I still have hopes of the possibility of a...any... O gauge club formed, or found, in the OKC region.
Again, thanks for the posts and related inspirations. Looks really great, the operating sessions will be something else.......
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Regarding a rail trip from the Northeast to MN, Elliott said: "Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. "
I will start by getting some quotes to charter a car from New York. Details will follow as I get them.
Thanks Elliot! Will do!
BANDOB posted:Regarding a rail trip from the Northeast to MN, Elliott said: "Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. "
I will start by getting some quotes to charter a car from New York. Details will follow as I get them.
Can it make a stop somewhere in Western Pennsylvania for us'ns who admire from not so far? LOL
BANDOB posted:Regarding a rail trip from the Northeast to MN, Elliott said: "Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. "
I will start by getting some quotes to charter a car from New York. Details will follow as I get them.
Might need a big car, better make it a bus.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:
I stand corrected
Gunrunner John said: "Might need a big car, better make it a bus."
A bus? OH NO! How about a 76 seat railroad coach? I have access to one, will get a quote on that, too. Would be a lot cheaper per person than a sleeping car, but motel costs would be added in MN.
http://www.dcnrhs.org/projects/franklin-inn
Mark Boyce: depending on route eventually used, Western PA stop could be at Erie or Pittsburgh.
BANDOB posted:Gunrunner John said: "Might need a big car, better make it a bus."
A bus? OH NO! How about a 76 seat railroad coach? I have access to one, will get a quote on that, too. Would be a lot cheaper per person than a sleeping car, but motel costs would be added in MN.
http://www.dcnrhs.org/projects/franklin-inn
Mark Boyce: depending on route eventually used, Western PA stop could be at Erie or Pittsburgh.
If you do one of those stops you may need a second car! LOL
Mark Boyce: You may not believe this, but there are 2 coaches that DCNRHS has for charter! Other is Connersville Inn. Identical car, but only Franklin Inn has the rest rooms.
Before this gets out of hand, let me get some prices and see who is REALLY serious....besides me, that is!
BANDOB posted:Mark Boyce: You may not believe this, but there are 2 coaches that DCNRHS has for charter! Other is Connersville Inn. Identical car, but only Franklin Inn has the rest rooms.
Before this gets out of hand, let me get some prices and see who is REALLY serious....besides me, that is!
As with most things unfortunately, it will depend on cost and timing.
645 posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:BANDOB posted:Regarding a rail trip from the Northeast to MN, Elliott said: "Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. "
I will start by getting some quotes to charter a car from New York. Details will follow as I get them.
Might need a big car, better make it a bus.
A high density 3-2 seating commuter coach will accommodate much more riders than the fancy seating constrained example previously shown in this thread. Plus it would be much more affordable to those on a budget!
Edit - I see while I was composing this message BANDOB knows of such a coach he can charter...
I hear United Airlines is offering great discounts right now. Just strap yourself in really tight! 
RSJB18 posted:645 posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:BANDOB posted:Regarding a rail trip from the Northeast to MN, Elliott said: "Bill - Neat idea! Get it together, and I'll work on the activities on this end. "
I will start by getting some quotes to charter a car from New York. Details will follow as I get them.
Might need a big car, better make it a bus.
A high density 3-2 seating commuter coach will accommodate much more riders than the fancy seating constrained example previously shown in this thread. Plus it would be much more affordable to those on a budget!
Edit - I see while I was composing this message BANDOB knows of such a coach he can charter...
I hear United Airlines is offering great discounts right now. Just strap yourself in really tight!
Discount, maybe! But I hate to see what happens to train enthusiasts!
I wouldn't relish an extended ride in that. If one wishes to be that cramped and uncomfortable, they may just as well fly and get it overwith as quickly as possible.
BANDOB posted:How about a 76 seat railroad coach? I have access to one, will get a quote on that, too. Would be a lot cheaper per person than a sleeping car, but motel costs would be added in MN.
Bill, wouldn't you be stuck in Chicago overnight both there and back too?
Nice progress. Always great to see your amazing layout.
Ray - Thanks, moving forward there will be a mix of visible and invisible progress. More rail painting and ballasting, as well as some greenery will be coming in the months to follow. The invisible or less visible will be lead by JMRI and C/MRI and more wiring. Walt is well enough versed in computers, but is a JMRI expert. I forget what his title in the JMRI group is, but I think he's involved in writing and troubleshooting it. I have no idea what's wrong with SPUD camera 1, but it is bugging the crap out of me too.
Alex - How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Just gonna keep chipping away at it.
Jesse - I paint my rail after the track is in place, but before ballasting. In your case, I would suggest that you put in your extra ties before painting, then paint it all, then ballast.
Bill - Depending on how big the group gets, if it out grows the capacity of the Mount Vernon, you'll need additional sleeping arrangements. There's no way that anyone is going to want to travel that distance coach. In a way, it would be better to keep the group size to two cars max, so the ground transportation situation doesn't become untenable. If the trip is popular enough to sell out, perhaps multiple trips would be the way to go. I envision hiring one of those airport shuttle style vans, and being your tour guide, much the way I did for you and Mike.
As Jon points out, with the private car, you are subject to the required Chicago layover both ways. If you were just to take Amtrak straight up, you could make your connection times shorter. Another advantage would be the ability to pick up members along the route without worrying about dead space (unbooked mileage). Let the space be Amtrak's problem.
Matt Makens posted:Big_Boy_4005 posted:
I stand corrected
I never promised that there wasn't any mess left. I thought it was pretty good to get it confined to that corner and the workbench. It didn't really bother anyone, they were too busy looking at the layout.
As long as there is any construction still going on, there will be some level of mess. You have no idea how much cardboard was hauled upstairs and taken to the recycling center, or how much wood scrap was burned last month. A quarter ton combined easy!
The chop saw will be back in action in the basement sometime in the future. It's just not as convenient to have it out in the garage. For the near future, I'll be working on projects that don't require its use.
Well, I found out some things yesterday that do make private car travel from the East to MN more problematic today, to a degree that I think Elliot is right when he suggests using regular Amtrak, assuming it continues to exist. Jon is right that an overnight in Chicago is required. Amtrak will not make a connection the same day between trains with private cars.
(Yes, I do know that railroads used to do that with coast-to-coast sleeping cars, even moving them between stations, but that was then and this is now.)
When we went in 2014, we were able to occupy the car during the overnight stay in Chicago, in the yard. Amtrak no longer allows that. Thus everyone would have to get off, get a hotel, and get back on the next day.
Back to Gunrunner john's bus idea, or using Amtrak, or flying, etc.
I did post a report in the Real Trains section back in 2014 after the trip, if anyone wants to go back and read about it. Use advanced search for "Private Car" all words and bandob as poster.
Nothing stays the same. Hotel in Chicago, St Paul, Chicago, makes this more expensive by the minute. LOL. Of course if we did it by car, we would be stopping halfway overnight, but I'm thinking we would pick something less dear than the Windy City. Thank you for the research
645 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Hotel in Chicago, St Paul, Chicago, makes this more expensive by the minute. LOL. Of course if we did it by car, we would be stopping halfway overnight, but I'm thinking we would pick something less dear than the Windy City.
I'll be on an extended weekend trip to the Twin Cities this weekend so have done my research into this. If it's cheap lodging you want consider the Motel 6 off I-94 at White Bear Avenue exit in St. Paul - about $40 per night for Sun-Thurs and $45 for Fri-Sat. Along the I-94 corridor to Chicago Eau Claire, WI is the best price - it's about 90 minutes east on I-94. Super 8 is $42 for Sun-Thurs while Fri-Sat is $50. These rates are for right now and will be higher once the peak summer travel season starts.
I'm not clear on where Elliott is located - think someone mentioned Stillwater area. If so, from the Motel 6 it's about 25 minutes. If you stay in Hudson, WI along I-94 which is next to the MN/WI state line it's 20 minutes - will avoid some of the traffic but lodging will cost more. The Royal Inn is about $60 a night while Super 8 is $72 in Hudson. So by staying at Motel 6 off White Bear Avenue I save $20 a night.
Do some research and you can do this trip on the cheap especially if a few of you go in one car to split fuel and lodging costs. Hope this info helps!
That Motel 6 is about 15 minutes from my house. I live east of there. I have my daughter's graduation this weekend. If you wanted to visit, we would need to check schedules ASAP to see if it was possible. BTW, Saturday is National Train Day at St Paul Union Depot. Lots of train stuff to do this weekend, and I can't go to any of it.
Thanks 645 for all this research! For me, this would be a future trip. Right now we are consumed with various levels of care and help for 4 elderly relatives! When this time passes, if we aren't committed to some institution (nut house), then definitely my wife and I would like to escape far away! LOL Stillwater looks far to me!!!
