New Layout 2021-24......Update, August 12, 2024

Wow, now things are really progressing and hopefully, with the weather turning cooler, your probably going to have more time for working on the railroad. Maybe you might have a train running by Thanksgiving time. Beautiful train room, awesome layout in progress. Happy Railroading Everyone

Looking great, Peter!

Sorry I missed you at York. I did wait around the layout for a bit, but you were off elsewhere. Maybe next time.

Chris

LVHR

The layout will need a lot of custom-cut sections. So, I have started to lay track, roadbed and wire feeders on the outer loop. This sets the clearances that the rest of the layout will play off.

The funny thing is that it doesn't look like I've done much since the last update.....but it's been another 8 hrs of work to get here!

You know how it goes Peter. Some of the most progressive parts of work sometimes look like almost nothing is done. They only really seem to show when the next set of step come into play and everything starts coming together. You'll get there before you know it.

Peter, laying track carefully is the key for reliably running trains for the rest of the life of the layout. I took my time with this step and I never regretted it. It’s a big boost to see the layout come alive, but it’s ok to work at your own pace. You’re the boss, if it doesn’t meet your standards, rip it out 👍🏻. What you’ve done so far looks great.

Andy

The track laying is coming along.......

I need to finish the sidings; cut the track for the Mianne Lift Gate (which I will only do with an experienced chaperone). Then it will be the Ross Transfer Table.....followed by wiring. Before ballasting, I will superelevate the curves.

I am very pleased with the design. I have lots of space for structure building, which I really enjoy.

The place where I will put the TW TrainWorx New Haven switch tower.....

You can see two sidings where I bring the track down to table top height......the Brennan's Oblong Box Company and the TW Tranworx' Rock Island freight house work better with the track lower (off roadbed).

The parallel tracks approximate the engine house on the other side of the transfer table.

You can imagine the transfer table's spot from this view.

I am very happy with my progress!

Have a great day, everyone.

Peter

IT does look like good progress, Peter!  That TW Trainworks tower will look great at the wye!!

Lookin' good Peter!

Cranking along, Peter!!!

Well done.

George

Fun Stuff Peter!  Wondering where the track at the end of the siding is going. Looks like a narrow ski slope... 

@Former Member posted:

Fun Stuff Peter!  Wondering where the track at the end of the siding is going. Looks like a narrow ski slope...

Small siding for an industry.....a 6x6 Korber building ....or , just a small team track.

Peter

Peter, are you using one of the pool devices to grab things(pool meaning the game, not what you jump in when it's hot) or is that some crazy garden tool? Progress looks great. Now, when you get way, way, way down the road, are you going to have Gilly and company lend a hand with the scenery? I do know Gilly would ask if he could run some great N&W trains on the layout once completed.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Peter, are you using one of the pool devices to grab things(pool meaning the game, not what you jump in when it's hot) or is that some crazy garden tool? Progress looks great. Now, when you get way, way, way down the road, are you going to have Gilly and company lend a hand with the scenery? I do know Gilly would ask if he could run some great N&W trains on the layout once completed.

Dave......the areas where I need a step stool to get to, will have static sceney and buildings. If I discover that I need a hatch, I will do that later.

Gilly has already helped me tons. I rely on his expertise (and also of my modular group friends Kanawha and RickS) for their carpentry, electrical and trackwork skills. I suspect that I'll do most of my own scenery work......with the added fact that I will constantly consult them for advice and skills. For example, I'm getting close to the point where I need to cut the track on the lift gate....I won't do that by myself......

Peter

Looking good!!!

Everything is looking great Peter. You must be very excited.

Andy

Peter,

I believe we are going to see trains running very soon. Looks awesome.

After a month of almost continuous public displays......I asked some of the gang to join me in a work session on the new layout.

My goal was to cut track for the lift gate and plan the next step. This would be a minimal work and a maximal think and plan session.

My thanks to Tom, Ken, PeterM, Dexter and Jerry.

We got a lot done. The lift gate track is cut and we planned the wiring. The Ross Transfer Table is out and we planned for its installation. An improvement to the engine yard lead was discussed and planned.......The  next session will be to motorize the lift gate and actually install the transfer table.

Here are a few pics!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, folks!

Peter

Hey!  The lift-up fits!!  I see the meeting of the minds while the transfer table rests on the couch.  It all looks great, Peter and gang!!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Hey!  The lift-up fits!!  I see the meeting of the minds while the transfer table rests on the couch.  It all looks great, Peter and gang!!

Mark.......I figured today would be a lot of "brainstorming" for the Transfer Table.....now, we have a plan.

I'll shoot some close-ups on the lift gate span....Tom did a magnificent job cutting track. I asked him to do it because it needed to be perfect, and, it is!

Peter

One more from Peter’s thinking session today.

Fill in the caption contest.

My tag is: FROM TWO OF THE BEST MIND’S IN RICHMOND.

                      “I THINK IT IS WOOD, WHAT DO YOU THINK?”

(REMEMBER, be nice)

I don't know, what do you think it is?????....this stuff is boring. I'm gonna turn around and enjoy the view on the wall behind us.....👍👍

Think we should read the directions???

Peter, nice photos and good progress.  I sure wish I had more people near me that were into trains!

Good luck on the transfer table.

Wow! That amount of talent put together at once can only produce a wonderful result.

Looking great, that's going to be a really fun layout to run on!

@Putnam Division posted:

For example, I'm getting close to the point where I need to cut the track on the lift gate....I won't do that by myself......

Surprisingly Peter, that was very easy, and it came out great.  What I did was lay the track like the liftgate wasn't there, and then used my Dremel with the 90 degree attachment to cut at a slight angle so they just drop in.

The bigger issue is to make DOUBLE SURE the liftgate is perfectly leveled and mated with the adjacent benchwork, that took more work in my case. Time spent leveling everything is time well spent as I discovered.

I also strongly recommend my mod for the lower limit switch, you'll thank me later.

Mianne Lift Bridge Lower Limit Switch Enhancement

@Mike g., Mike, I’m like you, we need more folks in our areas that share our interest in model trains, so many of my friends have passed away. Yes, Peter, you’ve come a long way with your layout, and you have some great help, a lot to be thankful for in a big way. ( I can see the meeting of the minds helping you figure out how to install the wonderful lift gate, Wow )… It’s going to be nice.
Keep the pictures coming, we learn from your ideas. It’s going to be a fun to run railroad. Merry Christmas.
Happy Railroading Everyone

One of the things the group decided at our "meeting/workday" last week was to extend the lead-in to the Transfer Table.......I re-arranged about 5" of track.

Next step is to paint the Transfer Table an "aged concrete" color.

Have a great New Year's weekend folks!

Peter

@Apples55 posted:

Think we should read the directions???

They went in the trash with the packing peanuts.  Isn't that always the first step in unpacking?

@Putnam Division posted:

Mark.......I figured today would be a lot of "brainstorming" for the Transfer Table.....now, we have a plan.

I'll shoot some close-ups on the lift gate span....Tom did a magnificent job cutting track. I asked him to do it because it needed to be perfect, and, it is!

Peter

@Putnam Division and/or @Gilly@N&W, how does he cut track that it's "magnificent" and "perfect."  I'm serious, of course.  What tool(s) does he use and what does he do from start to finish.

And I'mserious because with our club's traveling layout, we need to replace a fair amount of Gargraves and Ross track that's been damaged.  And we need to do it soon since our next show is the Greenberg show at Hampton (VA) Coliseum, 2/4 and 2/5/2023.

So please; how do you do it?

@Putnam Division posted:

Lots of progress with infrastructure......

I took advantage of the Spring-like weather this past weekend to get all the RossBed spray painted.....

In addition, Tom (Gilly@N&W) came over today to put up my shelving.....hopefully, one more day and we'll be done!

Progress is being made!

Peter

Thought I'd pull up Peter's post from 1 year ago (12/28/21). You've accomplished a lot in the past year Peter.

Trains should be running soon.

Happy New Year!

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Thought I'd pull up Peter's post from 1 year ago (12/28/21). You've accomplished a lot in the past year Peter.

Trains should be running soon.

Happy New Year!

Bob

Thank you, Bob.......it has been a big year. It doesn't look like much as you go through it.....but, when you see the pictues......Wow! That's a lot accomplished (with all the other stuff I'm doing!).

I am privileged to be blessed with many talented friends.

Thanks to all you you for your encouragement and support.

Peter

@Pingman posted:

@Putnam Division and/or @Gilly@N&W, how does he cut track that it's "magnificent" and "perfect."  I'm serious, of course.  What tool(s) does he use and what does he do from start to finish.

And I'mserious because with our club's traveling layout, we need to replace a fair amount of Gargraves and Ross track that's been damaged.  And we need to do it soon since our next show is the Greenberg show at Hampton (VA) Coliseum, 2/4 and 2/5/2023.

So please; how do you do it?

Here is the machine Tom used, my Ryobi 7" saw.

I trust Tom's skill and judgement much more than mine. I made 90% of the cuts for the layout. But, I did some "do overs"......

No option for "do overs" here.......

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Here is the machine Tom used, my Ryobi 7" saw.

Peter

Peter;

Your reply begs the question - what type of blade did you use in the saw??? I once tried cutting some track with my standard chop saw carbide blade to less than satisfactory results

Thanks for the explanation and photos, Peter.

@coach joe posted:

They went in the trash with the packing peanuts.  Isn't that always the first step in unpacking?

@Apples55 posted:

Peter;

Your reply begs the question - what type of blade did you use in the saw??? I once tried cutting some track with my standard chop saw carbide blade to less than satisfactory results

This is it....got a pack of 6 from Amazon on Tom's advisement.

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

This is it....got a pack of 6 from Amazon on Tom's advisement.

Peter

Well, that explains why you trust Tom and why my using a regular blade was such a mistake!!! That blade looks like it makes a nice clean, smooth cut. Thanks for the detail.

@Apples55 posted:

Well, that explains why you trust Tom and why my using a regular blade was such a mistake!!! That blade looks like it makes a nice clean, smooth cut. Thanks for the detail.

The right tool for the job......

I have a variety of blades for my circular saw and miter saw on hand.

A cutoff wheel in my Dremel does a good job for an occasional cut too.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

The right tool for the job......

I have a variety of blades for my circular saw and miter saw on hand.

A cutoff wheel in my Dremel does a good job for an occasional cut too.

Bob

I also have a hard wired and rechargeable Dremel, but I’ve never been able to get a good straight 90 degree cut, especially across all three rails Have to look into a 10” cutoff wheel.

Peter congratulations on all of the progress this year. You have made tremendous progress and are doing it in a quality manner that will certainly pay dividends in the future.

We look forward to seeing trains running in 2023.

@Apples55 posted:

I also have a hard wired and rechargeable Dremel, but I’ve never been able to get a good straight 90 degree cut, especially across all three rails Have to look into a 10” cutoff wheel.

Paul, that has been my experience as well.  I have been using the old standby razor saw like I did when I modeled in HO.  It takes some elbow grease, but fortunately I don’t have to use it often.

I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great.  I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.

John, that looks like the ticket for someone who doesn't have other heavy duty tasks.

@Mark Boyce posted:

John, that looks like the ticket for someone who doesn't have other heavy duty tasks.

Yep, I have a 10" chop saw for larger projects, but this looked like a good fit for doing the track.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great.  I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.

John....I had a similar one.....but I had to put my nose so close to the blade to see what I was doing, I was afraid of slicing the tip off.  

The Ryobi saw gives me a clear view of what I'm doing....a personal preference to be sure.....

Peter

Peter, I'm sure the Ryobi is easier to use, I was thinking the same thing about visibility.  Actually, I contemplated taking that flapping guard off for better visibility, but I never did.

Peter your layout is coming along nicely! I wish I had one of those for my track cutting, I am still using a dermal. I cant wait to see the transfer table in place and in action!

Peter, that’s a nice saw for all the cuts you need to make. The layout is coming along nicely. The transfer table is an interesting feature. I look forward to seeing it in place and working.

Andy

Looks great Peter. Very impressive. It is nice to have friends to help with the build. Looking forward to more updates!

Donald

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Tom, the two pieces that are an addition to the stock liftgate install are these two upgrades.

The first is expanding the control switches to have one on each side of the liftgate instead of the single clumsy big yellow control.

Mianne Lift Gate Control Expansion

The second enhancement to me was a major improvement in reliability of the lower limit switch.  When you see the lame toggle switch and angle iron limit switch that comes with it, it's easy to see why they can get out of whack easily and cause a major issue with the cable unspooling.  This only has to happen to you once to realize it's a big problem!

Mianne Lift Bridge Lower Limit Switch Enhancement

Finally, here's the diagram of the stock liftgate servo system for the curious.

Mianne Lift Gate Winch Wiring Diagram

Not to steal Peter's thread but this is probably as good a place as any to ask these questions...since GRJ, Sean and others who have done this will see them.  Here are the combined circuit drawings GRJ has posted:

1) When replacing the Mianne controller with the DPDT switches on each side, how are the existing up- down limit switches incorporated? I see them on the lower diagram but where are they located on the upper diagram?

2) Where was the extra cable slack limit switch incorporated?

Thanks

@hokie71 posted:

Not to steal Peter's thread but this is probably as good a place as any to ask these questions...since GRJ, Sean and others who have done this will see them.  Here are the combined circuit drawings GRJ has posted:

1) When replacing the Mianne controller with the DPDT switches on each side, how are the existing up- down limit switches incorporated? I see them on the lower diagram but where are they located on the upper diagram?

2) Where was the extra cable slack limit switch incorporated?

Thanks

1) They were unaffected by the change, they didn't terminate in the yellow control box.

2) From the thread on the lower limit switch enhancement...

The mounting bracked it just some 1/16" aluminum sheet that I hacked a mount out of.  These two pieces mount under the lift bridge in the center where the cable slack will first be noticed.  Here they are mounted in position, the switch senses the slack just as I intended.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

2) From the thread on the lower limit switch enhancement...

The mounting bracked it just some 1/16" aluminum sheet that I hacked a mount out of.  These two pieces mount under the lift bridge in the center where the cable slack will first be noticed.  Here they are mounted in position, the switch senses the slack just as I intended.

Sorry for being unclear, I meant electrically.  Did you put the contact from it in series with the down limit switch? (Per lower arrow above.)  Seems the wiring would be accessible?

Just fabulous, Pete!  You are making wonderful progress - good gang of helpers. 

Meet you at the Altoona Model Works table in Orange in April? 

George

@hokie71 posted:

Sorry for being unclear, I meant electrically.  Did you put the contact from it in series with the down limit switch? (Per lower arrow above.)  Seems the wiring would be accessible?

It replaces the lower limit switch, so it's wired to those connections.  The lower limit switch is sitting bare nowadays.

Not much work accomplished today…….but, a big mail day, including a future building project…..

Peter

Peter,

My tools of choice in cutting track is my bandsaw equipped with a fine toothed metal cutting blade, a bench grinder and a couple of small hand files. Both my layouts required allot of cut track. I use a guide with the bandsaw to assure a straight cut. The blade does leave a burr that I then use a fine stoned wheel in my bench grinder to clean up. I then use small hand files for the final work. I use a small round file to open back up the end of the rails for pin installation.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great.  I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.

Thats what I used for cutting my atlas track, worked great!

Peter, nice model. I have built several of Dennis’s kits and have enjoyed them. Where will you place that on the layout?

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

Peter, nice model. I have built several of Dennis’s kits and have enjoyed them. Where will you place that on the layout?

Andy

Not sure where it will go......I may build it 1st and see where it fits....

Peter

Big day in the attic yesterday.......a great assist from my modular group colleagues whose engineering, electrical and woodworking skills far exceed my own....we also had a blast working together and brainstorming the next steps.....

1st, The Mianne Lift gate......

Then, the hole for the Transfer Table.......

Sawdust, sawdust, everywhere........

Done!

My grateful thanks to my modular group colleagues......

Peter

Excellent work all around Peter! The lift gate makes all the difference, wow! The transfer table looks like it’s always lived there. Well done. It’s great to have friends to help out. Two more outstanding features to add to an amazing layout.

Andy

Looking good. Talented and experienced helpers are a blessing, especially with projects such as these. Your plans are coming together nicely. The layout is going to be amazing.

Some good progress Peter. And a great group of friends.

Great progress Peter, and it's nice to have some friends to assist!

One note, I'd make sure that the liftgate is truly leveled, they're very sensitive to any misalignment.

Finally, I refer you to two of the enhancements I made to my liftgate installation you might want to consider.

Mianne Lift Bridge Lower Limit Switch Enhancement

Mianne Lift Gate Control Expansion

Hey Peter, I recognize some of those folks giving you a hand. Good to see teamwork solving those potential issues with just getting it done. Sawdust is no good, definitely will be more coming your way, eh?

Great progress! That's quite a team ya got there! Send them my way when you're done haha

Very Nice! Thank you for sharing!

Looks great Peter. Many hands make quick work. Nice job on both projects.

Bob

Peter, your group of friends really did a great job on both projects!  Everything looks great!

@Putnam Division posted:

Big day in the attic yesterday.......a great assist from my modular group colleagues whose engineering, electrical and woodworking skills far exceed my own....we also had a blast working together and brainstorming the next steps.....

1st, The Mianne Lift gate......

My grateful thanks to my modular group colleagues......

Peter

Everyone else is working and Peter is playing around with the gate.  LOL!

Peter, what wonderful work you and your group have done! Then life section looks like it works great! But I have to say the transfer table is really going to be a focal point of your layout! Just amazing looking!

It is great to have a group of people with outstanding skills to be able to help you! I wish I had friends around here to help me out!

A minor milestone this week......work has been slow the past month......up and down 95 for a wedding, baby showers and, my 1st grandchild was born!.

This week, while working on a few projects simultaneously, I jury-rigged some power to my outer loop.....I'm sure no one will be surprised when they see the roadname on the 1st run.....

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the transformer, the Jefferson Electric Company is in the Chicago Metro area. They used to make transformers for pre-Gilbert Chicago Flyer. This is a pre-WWII transformer. I bought it in the Red Hall may years ago from that nice gentleman who refurbished transformers. Sadly, he passed sometime last year.

Have a great day!

Peter

Nice Peter!  It's nice to see a train running on your new layout!

@Putnam Division posted:

A minor milestone this week......work has been slow the past month......up and down 95 for a wedding, baby showers and, my 1st grandchild was born!.

This week, while working on a few projects simultaneously, I jury-rigged some power to my outer loop.....I'm sure no one will be surprised when they see the roadname on the 1st run.....

Peter

Congrats on the 1st grand child, Things will never be the same. 

BTW - what commercial building is in the background. Looks like it is some kind of freight building.  ?

@ScoutingDad posted:

Congrats on the 1st grand child, Things will never be the same. You are so right!

BTW - what commercial building is in the background. Looks like it is some kind of freight building.  ?

The building(s) you are referring to are from TW Trainworx......both kits were built in the 1st half of 2022 while I was waiting for the Mianne Benchwork to arrive.....

The Rock Island Freight House and the Cameron Freight Transfer Company are both fun to build.  Mike Reagan does a 1 hour plus build and paint video for the Rock Island Freight House which is exceptional and taught me skills that I have transferred to other building kits.

Peter

Looks nice Peter! It is never to early to get some power out and test the track!

Congratulation on your grandchild!

Peter,

Congratulations for two happy events. The grandchild is everything and the first run on the layout is a milestone too. The layout is looking very well.

MELGAR

Peter congratulations. First grandchild… that is really special.

Train making first run. Wow, that ‘s very exciting too. Quite a week.

Congratulations Grandpa!

super congrats on the grandchild!  All the more reason to get the layout running,  kids love trains!

Peter, congratulations on being a grand dad. I have to wait till this summer. Your layouts coming right along. Between the modular group,  track laying and structure builds your one busy guy.

Peter, congratulations on the new grandchild. It is great to having a powered run!

Congratulations Peter!!!

Nice test run Peter, looking good. Congratulations on your first grandchild. New Haven? Just kidding. Need more New Haven, don't we all?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Nice test run Peter, looking good. Congratulations on your first grandchild. New Haven? Just kidding. Need more New Haven, don't we all?

Does this mean the name of the grandchild is New Haven?

Of course, I'm just kidding too. Congratulations, Peter, it was fun to talk trains with you at the October York show.  Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Does this mean the name of the grandchild is New Haven?

Of course, I'm just kidding too. Congratulations, Peter, it was fun to talk trains with you at the October York show.  Arnold

I certainly hope not. Not unless the parents are rock stars or someone that tends to give weird names to their children.

Congrats Peter!!!

Andy

Congratulations on the firsts!! Glad to hear it!

Do you a specific locomotive/rolling stock set that you use for testing your track? I'm finding fast, lots of wheels, and light pieces seem to reveal my problem areas on my tracks so far.

Congratulations Peter. Now you have another excuse to buy more trains!

Bob

Peter, Congratulations to you, good luck and good health to the baby and parents.

Of course the first trip was by a New Haven engine.  What else could be expected from a north Bronx boy.

Congratulations Peter! The first one is special, and will prove a future train buddy. The first run is nice with the NH.

Andy

Wow, the New Haven diesel is a beautiful color paint scheme, and seeing the first run in a 12 second video was cool. Now, what is the orange piece in between the rails? Just curios.  You’re going to have a fun to run railroad and now you have a new partner, a grand baby, so, is this grandchild a Boy or a Girl? Now if you’ve already given the gender, I don’t remember… Congratulations and keep the pictures and updates coming. Your friend in Tennessee. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow, the New Haven diesel is a beautiful color paint scheme, and seeing the first run in a 12 second video was cool. Now, what is the orange piece in between the rails? Just curios.  You’re going to have a fun to run railroad and now you have a new partner, a grand baby, so, is this grandchild a Boy or a Girl? Now if you’ve already given the gender, I don’t remember… Congratulations and keep the pictures and updates coming. Your friend in Tennessee. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry.......rolled up orange sticky notes.....they tell me where I put pigtails.....and, a little girl....

Peter

Now, the rest of the story, thank you for letting us know you have a precious Grandaughter…. This is a truly wonderful thread, a really nice train room, a well designed model railroad, and soon trains will be running. Fantastic, and we are so happy you’re going to have a wonderful granddaughter to enjoy the fun. Happy Railroading Everyone

Awesome news Peter. Congratulations.

Paul

Once I wired this up, things moved along......a busy week since I got back from New York....

1st, I had to get access to the Transfer Table from the freight by pass......I had to lover the RossBed to table top level.

This is a five track Transfer Table......unfortunately, this Engine House is so wide, that I can only fit in 3 tracks.....I had to juggle my design a bit.

Having the control panel under the building roof is very handy.....

I finished the Engine House over the weekend. These are the boards which went between the tracks in the Engine House.....

Outside for some weathering......

"Between the tracks" flooring in.....

.....and, we are ready to move on!

Buying wire this week.....WOW....copper has gotten expensive!!!

Peter

Looks great Peter! This is a nice milestone for you.

Congratulations on the new grand daughter

Nice engine house build!  Nice, lush, green lawn outside too.   

The engine house and transfer table area looks great!  Yes, copper has been expensive, but like most things lately, Oh my!!

Great work on the engine house Peter and thanks for taking us through the build process.

Dave

Peter, you are building one mighty railroad empire! It's getting very exciting to see it becoming a reality. Arnold

Looks terrific Peter! Well done.

Andy

Peter, the engine house looks terrific and you're going to have one nice service facility when you're done.  I've got a question about the transfer table,  does the control shed prevent further movement to the right in this picture or will the shed ride above the pit wall?

I love your work on the engine house.  Its going to be a top notch maintenance facility.  I am curious however about your transfer table.  I thought the purpose in a transfer table was when you had one main line in so you could move engines to other lines with ease.  In you case you have three lines in which appear to line up with the engine house, so they could have just continued straight without the need for the transfer table.  I'm not trying to be critical, was just curious what the though process behind your design was.

Bill

@Bossman284 posted:

I love your work on the engine house.  Its going to be a top notch maintenance facility.  I am curious however about your transfer table.  I thought the purpose in a transfer table was when you had one main line in so you could move engines to other lines with ease.  In you case you have three lines in which appear to line up with the engine house, so they could have just continued straight without the need for the transfer table.  I'm not trying to be critical, was just curious what the though process behind your design was.

Bill

The two lines on the right foreground end in bumpers.

Peter

@coach joe posted:

Peter, the engine house looks terrific and you're going to have one nice service facility when you're done.  I've got a question about the transfer table,  does the control shed prevent further movement to the right in this picture or will the shed ride above the pit wall?

Joe....it is at step 1. When power comes on, it goes to step 1 automatically. The 1st stop is step 50 (of 2800) which is probably about an1/8" off.

Peter

My next big issue is where to put all the stuff I already own......and, if I am not going to use it, relegate it to the "Cabin Fever" pile. I have a siding which will have some action accessories for kids (and me) to run.....Culvert twins, remakes of 264 Lumber Unloader and AF Oil Drum Loader. My vintage 363 Barrel Loader is the other.

I have lots of buildings and kits......it will help if I get a basic idea of where they might go.

I have some sentimental favorite accessories that I will find hard to part with. Possibly, I'll set up a separate display on one of the bookshelves. They include the128 Newstand which was my 1st accessory, and given to me by my parents. The 2305 Getty Oil Derrick, given to me for being my close friend's Best Man (and he subsequently passed with prostate at a very young age). The 415 Diesel Fueling Station, which was the 1st accessory that I ever purchased..... $4 at Honig's Parkway on White Plains Rd and Allerton Ave, in the Bronx.....a long, long time ago....The MTH remake of the Automated Dispatch Board, given to me by the Hospital after I was Chief of Staff in 2000-02.

In addition, I need to order the wire....

.......and, it's early March.....I'm starting to dream about York!

Peter

Peter things are looking Outstanding! I wouldn't worry to much about the other stuff as you know from your own remodel you have a wonderful room with ample amount of storage space.

Just have fun!

Peter, great story regarding the accessories. Maybe they will find a home on the layout, or maybe you will find another creative way to display them.

Andy

Peter, thanks from the explanation on the transfer table stops.  I was think if it would go further right so the table was close to the pit wall you may be able to shift the engine house and get a garden track outside of the house.

Did you get your bike tuned up at Honigs while you were buying train accessories? I remember a big bike section and one of the guys I went to grammar school with worked in the bike department when we were teenagers.

@coach joe posted:

Peter, thanks from the explanation on the transfer table stops.  I was think if it would go further right so the table was close to the pit wall you may be able to shift the engine house and get a garden track outside of the house.

Did you get your bike tuned up at Honigs while you were buying train accessories? I remember a big bike section and one of the guys I went to grammar school with worked in the bike department when we were teenagers.

For bikes, we used Gundaluc's in New Rochelle......just drove through New Rochelle about 2 weeks ago...no trace of it where it used to be...

Peter

I went to high school in New Rochelle and don't remember Gundaluc's.  Took the 60 bus from Fordham Road to New Rochelle every day for 4 years.

Lots going on the past 6 weeks......new granddaughter with lots of trips to see her and ramping up for York with the modular group.

I cannot wait to unveil our new module next week!

Post York, I plan on starting the wiring......have been stocking up.

In addition:

500' of 2 member 18 gauge wire.

250' of 2 member 16 gauge wire.

About a dozen rolls of 100'  18 gauge wire in different colors.

The transformer ledge. The old ZW was a 1958 Christmas present. Just had it rehab'd. New rollers and power cord.

Looking at the logistics of where to run the wire.....

Ah! The joys of star-wiring.......

A lot more buttons on my modern ZWL!

Have a great weekend, folks!

Peter

Peter, it looks like you are stocking up for sure!  Have a great time at York!

@Putnam Division, Peter, Wow, now your getting ready for the fun part of your beautiful layout, Wiring, yes this is very important, very interesting and can be a mind game planning your blocks, your control of special sidings, your control of accessories, and making plans for conventional control and of course TMCC/Legacy, and possibly your considering DCS….. We will be watching your adventure in wiring and hope you will reveal your ideas. I’ve never seen the backside of the ZWL Lionel transformer and it looks very high tech, thanks for showing this nice power supply.
Have a fun and safe trip to York, and enjoy your breakfast at, “Around the Clock Diner”, I like that restaurant very much. Also, enjoy “Quaker Steak and Lube” with all the OGR Forum friends. Cheers!
Your friend in Tennessee, Leapin Larry

Sorry, I could not resist giving Peter a hard time- do we have a hint in the last posting that he is / was a physician?

.......Those are conductors, not members...

In addition:

500' of 2 member 18 gauge wire.

250' of 2 member 16 gauge wire.

@hokie71 posted:

Sorry, I could not resist giving Peter a hard time- do we have a hint in the last posting that he is / was a physician?

.......Those are conductors, not members...

In addition:

500' of 2 member 18 gauge wire.

250' of 2 member 16 gauge wire.

Hokie, I noticed that too! 

Once a doctor always a doctor, just like my wife once a nurse always a nurse!  Now me, once an electronics technician and engineer, now a flunky!!! 

@hokie71 posted:

Sorry, I could not resist giving Peter a hard time- do we have a hint in the last posting that he is / was a physician?

.......Those are conductors, not members...

In addition:

500' of 2 member 18 gauge wire.

250' of 2 member 16 gauge wire.

Paul……I’m trying to think of something witty to say……..but, I’d rather just put you to work.

Remember, my goal…..I don’t want the wiring to look like this! Every time I show this picture to Tom, he gets nauseated…….....and, that's why you'll be there!

Peter

Wow Peter looks like your stocking up for some serious work! I hope you have your club friends coming back over!

P.S. Don't have to much FUN!

@Putnam Division posted:

Paul……I’m trying to think of something witty to say……..but, I’d rather just put you to work.

Remember, my goal…..I don’t want the wiring to look like this! Every time I show this picture to Tom, he gets nauseated…….....and, that's why you'll be there!

Peter

Man Peter it Tom get that sick from yours, he would probably just up and pass out over mine! LOL

@Putnam Division posted:

Paul……I’m trying to think of something witty to say……..but, I’d rather just put you to work.

Remember, my goal…..I don’t want the wiring to look like this! Every time I show this picture to Tom, he gets nauseated…….....and, that's why you'll be there!

Peter

But Peter, isn't it a fact that your above wiring enabled your trains to run great?

Looking good Peter.

@mike g. posted:

Wow Peter looks like your stocking up for some serious work! I hope you have your club friends coming back over!

P.S. Don't have to much FUN!

They will…

Peter

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

But Peter, isn't it a fact that your above wiring enabled your trains to run great?

They did…..but there was **** to pay when I needed to adjust something……even though all the wires were tagged and color-coated.

Peter

@leapinlarry posted:

@Putnam Division, Peter, Wow, now your getting ready for the fun part of your beautiful layout, Wiring, yes this is very important, very interesting and can be a mind game planning your blocks, your control of special sidings, your control of accessories, and making plans for conventional control and of course TMCC/Legacy, and possibly your considering DCS….. We will be watching your adventure in wiring and hope you will reveal your ideas. I’ve never seen the backside of the ZWL Lionel transformer and it looks very high tech, thanks for showing this nice power supply.
Have a fun and safe trip to York, and enjoy your breakfast at, “Around the Clock Diner”, I like that restaurant very much. Also, enjoy “Quaker Steak and Lube” with all the OGR Forum friends. Cheers!
Your friend in Tennessee, Leapin Larry

Most definitely will have DCS…….I was an early adopter and I actually found my old fuse set-up that I used to put between the ZW (actually, the one one the left) and the TIU back in the spring of 2002. Those were fun days.

Check out the videos that I posted above. The O&W F3 is PS2

Thank you for your kind words.

Peter

I also dream of a nicely wired layout. There's nothing worse than the unorganized wire bundles in the old machines at work haha please share your end result!

@BillYo414 posted:

I also dream of a nicely wired layout. There's nothing worse than the unorganized wire bundles in the old machines at work haha please share your end result!

The worst I ever saw was IT networking CATx cables at some customer locations.  One place I had to literally crawl over a mess of ‘spaghetti’ on the floor to get to the telecom equipment, treading lightly as pressure on cables put tension on power cords plugged into outlet strips.  I was sure I was going to take down their network! 🕸️ 😱

@Putnam Division posted:

Paul……I’m trying to think of something witty to say……..but, I’d rather just put you to work.

Remember, my goal…..I don’t want the wiring to look like this! Every time I show this picture to Tom, he gets nauseated…….....and, that's why you'll be there!

Peter

I'm feeling much better about my wiring now.

What's wrong with the wiring. If it works - its good. That said, Mark's wiring is a work of art.

@ScoutingDad posted:

What's wrong with the wiring. If it works - its good. That said, Mark's wiring is a work of art.

Thank you, Jeff!  At least it is one aspect of the hobby that I can make look really good.  😄

I still hold to the same sentiment; if it works, it’s good!

@Mark Boyce posted:

The worst I ever saw was IT networking CATx cables at some customer locations.  One place I had to literally crawl over a mess of ‘spaghetti’ on the floor to get to the telecom equipment, treading lightly as pressure on cables put tension on power cords plugged into outlet strips.  I was sure I was going to take down their network! 🕸️ 😱

Sounds like the server room at my last job. Just a big half finished mess!

@ScoutingDad posted:

What's wrong with the wiring. If it works - its good. That said, Mark's wiring is a work of art.

It is indeed!

Peter

Since the last Update, nothing happened leading up to York as we put the finishing touches on the D-27 module we brought to York......(and, thanks again for all the kind words we received).

However, since I've been back, I've been working on structures and putting in preliminary set ups for the wiring party that I'll eventually have......ie: transformer placement, TIU location, etc.

This afternoon I just said to myself.....can I get a train running, even if it is just in conventional?

Well, I hooked up two power drops on the outer loop, one being on the Mianne Lift Gate, and put a train on. Here is the 1st complete circuit ever done on the layout.....you can see when the engine is far away from the power drop, but it made it! This is the scale Hudson with Scullin drivers from about 2001-02.

Have a great week, everyone!

Peter

How about a video?

Peter

That's awesome Peter. Congratulations!

Congratulations, Peter!  
A wiring party!  What a novel idea!  

Work of art isn’t as important as, does it work?  😉 Thank you just the same!

Most guys would throw a diesel switcher and a couple 6464 box cars on for a test run......nope.....not you!

Go big or go home! 🤣🤣

Looks great Peter. Now it's starting to come to life.

I like the wiring party idea.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Most guys would throw a diesel switcher and a couple 6464 box cars on for a test run......nope.....not you!

Go big or go home! 🤣🤣

Looks great Peter. Now it's starting to come to life.

I like the wiring party idea.

Bob

Bob…..that’s exactly why I chose to use the walls for shelves instead of backdrops against the walls. When the trains aren’t out, I tend to run the same ones for months. Now, I have no excuse!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Since the last Update, nothing happened leading up to York as we put the finishing touches on the D-27 module we brought to York......(and, thanks again for all the kind words we received).

However, since I've been back, I've been working on structures and putting in preliminary set ups for the wiring party that I'll eventually have......ie: transformer placement, TIU location, etc.

Have a great week, everyone!

Peter

I am assuming the "preliminary set ups" also include adult beverages perhaps?

@hokie71 posted:

I am assuming the "preliminary set ups" also include adult beverages perhaps?

Paul……you are invited and I suspect Blue Moon will be on the libation menu. For food, I’ll either make chili, or barbecue, get cold cuts or get pizza….

However, what I really meant by setups was that I was getting ready by mounting the TIU and  WIU; mounting the power strip; obtaining the necessary power cords; assess where the star-wiring hubs will go; adding wire ferrules to the the power drops (I used about 120 Gargraves pigtails), and so on……

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Bob…..that’s exactly why I chose to use the walls for shelves instead of backdrops against the walls. When the trains aren’t out, I tend to run the same ones for months. Now, I have no excuse!

Peter

Yep- all of my locos are on shelves, but rolling stock is in storage drawers. I'd much prefer to have it all on shelves.

Bob

Lookin' good Peter, I think you one or two more power drops.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Lookin' good Peter, I think you one or two more power drops.

The outer main has 12....I only have two hooked up......and one of those is isolated on the LiftGate.....this is just temporary....

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

The outer main has 12....I only have two hooked up......and one of those is isolated on the LiftGate.....this is just temporary....

Peter

I realized that, just having a little fun at your expense.

FWIW, when I first had track down but no wiring, I was able to run trains pretty well with just one power drop and jumpering my liftgate to the adjacent track.  Since they were running command, I didn't really see any effect of them slowing for voltage drops, I was just amazed they would make it around the whole layout!

Latest update......pre-wiring party infrastructure is nearing completion......I will likely hook up the Legacy Base (one wire) in the next few days to enhance operations of the Legacy/TMCC engines.

I also found this little tidbit among the "stuff".......I still have my OGR Beep.....hmmm

Have a great day, everyone!

Peter

I remember going to Train America at that location when I was kid to put my RS3 on layaway. I think I was 12. I cut grass that summer to make the ~$80 to buy it! Good times haha I still have that engine although the gears are shot.

The layout is coming along! Keep up posted!

Looks great, Peter!

I may have missed it in reviewing this thread, but would you please tell me what size curves you are using on your 2 mainlines?  Also, which types of Ross switches are you using (e.g. #4?)

Chuck

@Putnam Division posted:

I also found this little tidbit among the "stuff".......I still have my OGR Beep.....hmmm

Have a great day, everyone!

Peter

Peter, I think you should go for the deluxe BEEP upgrade, cruise, sound, custom lighting, etc.

Cruise Commander Lite Beta Test, Part Deux