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

Whenever I see model railroad wiring done this well, it looks to me like a utility company did it.

@Putnam Division posted:

John, both of my thumbs are arthritic……..ratcheting crimpers are a great help.

Peter

Hi John, Peter,  I needed to look up what "lever nuts" were, so did a google search and found these, which were what I used when I rewired my layout last year. LOL  Really allows for having a well organized wiring system under the layout. 

Peter, congrats in getting your layout to this operational milestone, really enjoyed following your progress, THanks for sharing, Best, Dave

@leapinlarry posted:

@Putnam Division, Peter, this is a great milestone, from a complete top floor remodel, new floors, new shelves, (Painting/Ceiling work)  new model railroad table bench work, a fantastic track plan, now, and this sets the pace for setting up blocks, beginning scenery, and Question, what will you be using as an outside guard rail around  the layout and will you have a skirt around the layout to hide your wiring and boxes? Your wiring friend did excellent work, the trains in the video below run flawlessly…. It’s a Wow… Congratulations on a spectacular train room…. Happy Railroading Everyone

No guard rails…..I seldom run greater than 20-30 s mph.

I will have a skirt…..probably similar to the group modular layouts….

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Whenever I see model railroad wiring done this well, it looks to me like a utility company did it.

I am blessed to have the collective skills of the modular group to back me up.  I could do the wiring, but it would look horrible……I am very thankful for Tom’s work.

Peter

@Putnam Division, Peter, thank you for the clarification, the green curtain will be very nice, I’m surprised about your not going to use a outside border rail as even at slow speeds things can happen especially if you run conventional trains. I know an outside border it isn’t a must have, I’m simply a safety nut. Your train room area, Your personal man cave to enjoy your beautiful collection is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Also, @NJCJOE’s layout, is also a  very beautiful layout is also coming together so beautifully and now his O gauge trains are running. Both of these layouts show great track plans, lots of proper planning, both in climate controlled environments, both with lots of room for folks to enjoy what I call, Beautiful model train Eye Candy. Thanks or all of the updates. Happy Railroading Everyone

Peter, what type of wire did you(Tom) use?

Another great milestone reached Peter. The Wago lever-locks are great. Tom has done a great job.

Your granddaughter looks right at home....the beginning of many great family memories.

Bob

@coach joe posted:

Peter, what type of wire did you(Tom) use?

14 gauge  solid Copper stranded…….I bought 250’ of 4 conductor and 500’ of two conductor……..in addition, 500’ of 2 conductor 18 gauge……

Peter

WOW Peter the layout is looking amazing and the wiring is great looking! I too love the lever connectors! I learned of them from @Mark Boyce.

Keep up the wonderful progress!

Nothing big.......just moving buildings around to see where they might fit. I still have three Buildings Unlimits city structures to build as well as two from River Leaf Models. Then, I have some 2 and 3 story Lionel 'built ups" if I need them.

I'm trying to "double up" the Walthers building fronts to see if I can add some depth to the scene.

Nothing definte here, just getting ideas.....sidewalks, streets, green areas, alleyways are all in the future.....

Have a great week.

Peter

@Putnam Division, Peter, all I can say is Wow, looking like fun, beautiful buildings. Thanks for the update… Happy Railroading Everyone

@Putnam Division posted:

No guard rails…..I seldom run great than 20-30 s mph.

I will have a skirt…..probably similar to the group modular layouts….

IMO, that pleated Kelly Green skirt is the most attractive train table skirt I've ever seen.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

IMO, that pleated Kelly Green skirt is the most attractive train table skirt I've ever seen.

Thank you, Arnold………I let the gang know!

Peter

@leapinlarry posted:

@Putnam Division, Peter, all I can say is Wow, looking like fun, beautiful buildings. Thanks for the update… Happy Railroading Everyone

Thank you, Larry

Peter

Looks great Peter. You have a great collection of buildings to play with.

Bob

Looks great Peter. A lot of work went into that. I really like the F.W. Woolworth store. Great for transition era railroads. Where did you get that?

Gerry

@gmorlitz posted:

Looks great Peter. A lot of work went into that. I really like the F.W. Woolworth store. Great for transition era railroads. Where did you get that?

Gerry

Andre Garcia and River Leaf Models……he closed up the business last year…..I wish someone will pick up the designs…..they were super and fun to build.

Peter

The F.W.Woolworth store sure takes me back to nice times!

Ron

I miss Andre's posts here on the forum.

Peter I think this block of buildings needs to be going uphill just like the Jahn's location on Kingsbridge Road near Fordham Road.

Speaking of Andre, I just started another of his kits that I bought in 2016.  His website is still running with downloadable instructions for his kits.  I didn’t realize he had so many, though I bought 4 myself.  Andre made custom signs for two of my buildings.  You did a fine job on your Woolworth’s, Peter.  I don’t know why I didn’t buy Woolworth’s when I first learned of it.  I miss Andre’s posts as well.

Here’s another of my favorite River Leaf structures, the Texas Tavern……the real one is in Roanoke, VA. It’s also waiting for a spot on the layout.

Peter

Peter, that is the one I am starting to build.  I got Andre to make the sign read “Burger Hut” which is here in Butler.  The two look very similar.

I always liked this one

Is anyone still making it ??? - his stuff was beautiful

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

IMO, that pleated Kelly Green skirt is the most attractive train table skirt I've ever seen.

Arnold,

My wife volunteered to make the skirts for the club modules about 10 years ago. They're her own design and the comment is appreciated. The club's added additional modules over the years but my wife retired from making any more. We now use  local seamstresses following the original design.

Ken

@dorfj2 posted:

I always liked this one

Is anyone still making it ??? - his stuff was beautiful

I do not think anyone has picked up his designs…i would think that if anyone picked up his designs, they would let the O gauge forums know……..if anyone knows something, please share it……

I believe that structure is a model of an N&W fright station and it is a beauty!

Peter

Peter,

I really like how you are laying your buildings out. This process is very fun to watch. Yes, the building is the N&W freight station and one I really wanted from Andre as well as a few others. Steve Nelson, if you're reading this would you consider working something out with Andre?

Dave

Peter, I like the layout of the buildings. Doing this will sometimes give you a vision to see the right combination or location that you feel is best. I enjoy Andre’s kits too. I have a few waiting to be built.

Andy

Peter, I finally got through this thread of your layout build.  It's a magnificent project and a fabulous build and great use of resources, thank you for sharing your journey!  It has inspired me to get moving on laying some track on my languishing layout.

Backing up a bit, how did you guys mount the transfer table underneath the layout to make it level with the layout surface?  I have the Ross 36" 10 stop table and that motor on the side makes it cumbersome to fit the opening.

Brian, Peter’s layout build is inspiring for sure.  He has some great help, but the overall concept of the whole attic space is his.  What a wonderful thread to follow!

I always enjoy seeing quality work, your layout and your recent wiring look great.  Gives me something to strive for.   I too used those levernuts when John recommended them to me nearly 2 years ago, must be 30 of them under my layout with not an issue.  Congrats on all fronts.

@Traindiesel posted:

Peter, I finally got through this thread of your layout build.  It's a magnificent project and a fabulous build and great use of resources, thank you for sharing your journey!  It has inspired me to get moving on laying some track on my languishing layout.

Backing up a bit, how did you guys mount the transfer table underneath the layout to make it level with the layout surface?  I have the Ross 36" 10 stop table and that motor on the side makes it cumbersome to fit the opening.

Brian……..let me shoot some detailed pics and put something together.

Peter

Really enjoy the updates.  Your layout is looking great!

catching up on your updates, I have a couple of comments.  First, you must have sent your flying squirrels over to Goochland.  I had to take my wood burning stove apart twice in June for a pair that kept trying to find a way in through the stove chimney.

Second, now I know where to go to get tips on building the River Leaf kit.  I have the same kit, but it’s a S.S. Kresge Co. version.  My great grandfather job was to travel around the East Coast opening new stores for Kresge.

@Putnam Division posted:

Brian……..let me shoot some detailed pics and put something together.

Peter

Thank you Peter, I appreciate it!

Peter, the buildings are looking great, and you are moving at an amazing pace! At this rate you will be doing scenery anytime soon! I really like the Texas Tavern building! I think that would look sharp on anyone's layout!

@Traindiesel posted:

Thank you Peter, I appreciate it!

Brian......I trust this will answer your question............

I'll start off with cutting out the hole. I changed Mianne Benchwork bracing from a 2x2 hole to a 2x3 hole in the area where the Transfer Table was going to go.

This is January when the gang came over for the "drop in". Like I have said on many occasions, it's great to be in a group where the cumulative knowlwdge and skill sets of the members are pooled to accomplish projects......I am very blessed to have such skilled and generous associates.....

Here's what Tom (Gilly@N&W) came up with.....two 1x3 48" boards paced along the long side of the opening.....then, eight 1x2 pieces of wood. Four of the scewed into the Transfer Table base and four of them into the support beam. A Krieg tool was used to make the screw holes.

The leveling screws were placed in as you can see them and the Transfer Table box was leveled. What follows are variuos shots from different angles......

I'm sure you will agree that Tom's engineering work was masterful!

Peter

Great job, Peter.  I totally agree that having great friends with many skills enables us to accomplish otherwise impossible tasks, but it also makes the hobby so much more enjoyable.  Thanks for sharing.

Art

That’s a good point about Peter’s multi skilled group!  My layout is a one-man show, and the carpentry shows it!  😄

Looking great Peter.

Thank you for all the kind comments……however, I want to thank OGR Magazine for providing this Forum…… it was 23 years ago today when I joined on a “dial up” computer. I can say with some truth that if it wasn’t for this outstanding Forum, I probably would not know many of you……

The number of friends I have made and people that I have become acquainted with over the years, has truly transformed my O Gauge experience. I sincerely thank the owners and staff of OGR ( both past and present)……….you guys have made the experience of O Gauge great!

Peter

So true about OGR Peter. And thank you for the friendship you have given to me and so many others on this Forum.

Gerry

So true Peter. I joined in 2016 and have enjoyed every minute. Next is to start meeting some of you guys in person.

Bob

100% if not for the forum, York for me would just be a place on the map around Gettysburg instead of one of the best places for friends of the hobby to meet, share stories, drinks and laughs.

Very true, Peter!  I joined in 2012, and the forum has greatly influenced my hobby experience, both in knowledge and many friends like you!

Progress is great Peter, I'm jealous of all the skilled help you have there.

In addition to their skills, Peter's club members are very much ambassadors for the hobby when they set-up their magnificent large layout and smaller layouts throughout the year. Like Peter, they will engage their audience and visitors -- adult and children; train people and novices alike.

The progress photos are most welcome, Peter. Thanks.

@Putnam Division posted:

Brian......I trust this will answer your question............

Peter

Peter, this is awesome!  Thank you for putting the transfer table installation together.  It sure is some masterful engineering!  

Now to see if I can replicate it or turn it into a debacle comedy show for myself!

@Traindiesel posted:

Peter, this is awesome!  Thank you for putting the transfer table installation together.  It sure is some masterful engineering!  

Now to see if I can replicate it or turn it into a debacle comedy show for myself!

Brian…….I’m sure that if you had questions, Tom would be happy to answer them.

Peter

Wow, @Putnam Division, Peter, your transfer table facility is awesome, I forget the brand, but your helpful workers have done a fantastic job installing this wonderful accessory. You are so correct, friends in the hobby, this awesome OGR Forum, and I must admit, the TCA train meet at York, (where you can meet so many of the fine folks contributing to the hobby is worth so much), we are so blessed. As always, I look forward to more pictures of your progress. 22 pages of beautiful pictures and your layout will be so much fun to run. Have fun. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow, @Putnam Division, Peter, your transfer table facility is awesome, I forget the brand, but your helpful workers have done a fantastic job installing this wonderful accessory. You are so correct, friends in the hobby, this awesome OGR Forum, and I must admit, the TCA train meet at York, (where you can meet so many of the fine folks contributing to the hobby is worth so much), we are so blessed. As always, I look forward to more pictures of your progress. 22 pages of beautiful pictures and your layout will be so much fun to run. Have fun. Happy Railroading Everyone

Ross Transfer Table Delivered in December

Larry, it's a Ross one, see the link above when it was delivered.

@leapinlarry posted:

Wow, @Putnam Division, Peter, your transfer table facility is awesome, I forget the brand, but your helpful workers have done a fantastic job installing this wonderful accessory. You are so correct, friends in the hobby, this awesome OGR Forum, and I must admit, the TCA train meet at York, (where you can meet so many of the fine folks contributing to the hobby is worth so much), we are so blessed. As always, I look forward to more pictures of your progress. 22 pages of beautiful pictures and your layout will be so much fun to run. Have fun. Happy Railroading Everyone

Yes, as Dave has shown us……Ross, delivered in 2022 and taken out of the box last December.

Peter

Peter looks awesome great work. Enjoy seeing the progress!

Jeff

Mid-September.......entering "train season".....here is where I am leaving off as work will likely continue for the next month (likely, more) underneath the layout to complete the wiring.

I am fortunate that I can run my two major loops and have both Legacy and DCS wired up. Then, the focus will move back to buildings and trackwork/ballasting/ground scenery.

I am giving myself 12-18 months and I will be "done" (and, you all know how good predictions are.....I have no allusions.....it's just a goal).

This is a photo trip around the perimeter.

Have a great and safe week, everyone!

Peter

Peter, looking Great!

Peter,

This is turning out to be a fantastic project Peter! Between your buddies coming over to help out, you constructing your building kits and watching you set them up on the layout, this is very fun to watch. Scenery is right around the corner. I think 18 month is possible, at least to get the basics completed. Details are a forever.

Dave

Looking good, Peter!

Will we see you at York in October?

Chris

LVHR

The layout looks great, Peter!  You have made a lot of progress.

That's a lot of progress Peter! 

Very nice!

Great work Peter, can’t wait to see more!

Great work Peter! Top notch collaborations produce top notch results. Well done.

Andy

Things are really coming along great!  Love your buildings.  It looks like you have a very long reach to access the middle of some of your benchwork.  Do you have access holes that don't show up in the pictures?  Great progress.

Art

@Chugman posted:

Things are really coming along great!  Love your buildings.  It looks like you have a very long reach to access the middle of some of your benchwork.  Do you have access holes that don't show up in the pictures?  Great progress.

Art

Maybe I will have to do a hatch……I’m going to try to keep those areas filled with a static display and see how it works out…..

Peter

Peter, great work and vision. Could you share your original 3 level Mianne Benchwork plan. I want to build a multilevel layout and would like to get a visual reference as to spacing and different level visibility. Thank you, Dennis

Peter:

Sorry if you have already said.  Is your engine repair building scratch built?

Your layout is amazing.  See you in York.

Robert

Beautiful layout in a beautiful room. 

Peter is certainly building a first class layout, I'm going to have to arrange to see it in person one day.

@Zac posted:

Peter:

Sorry if you have already said.  Is your engine repair building scratch built?

Your layout is amazing.  See you in York.

Robert

TW TrainWorx kit.......click on the link above. Lots of painting, glue, blue tape and clamps......but, loads of fun to do.

.....and, looking forward to catching up at York!

Peter

@dennis32 posted:

Peter, great work and vision. Could you share your original 3 level Mianne Benchwork plan. I want to build a multilevel layout and would like to get a visual reference as to spacing and different level visibility. Thank you, Dennis

Sure.....but, I will need a day or so to find it.....

Peter

Hi @Putnam Division, Peter, as I’ve said several times, your man cave, (Train Room) is absolutely beautiful, well planned and I just want to point out your unique roof top transfer table controller, neat idea… Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures of your masterpiece. It’s a Wow. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

Hi @Putnam Division, Peter, as I’ve said several times, your man cave, (Train Room) is absolutely beautiful, well planned and I just want to point out your unique roof top transfer table controller, neat idea… Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures of your masterpiece. It’s a Wow. Happy Railroading Everyone

TW TrainWorx makes the kit and it has a plate for the Ross turntable; for the Ross transfer table; for the Millhouse Studio turntable; and, for the Millhouse Studio transfer table.

Peter

Peter the service house looks amazing! I am glad you still have the weather to get it painted! It is already raining here, but oh well I still have a garage to paint in!

Every step you take shows your skills and why you are able to build such a wonderful layout!

@Putnam Division, Peter, duh? I’m getting old, I completely looked over your cool new 3 stall engine facility, a TW TrainWorx kit, beautifully painted at put together… a Wow. also, thanks for the information on the TW TrainWorx kit to house the turntable/transfer table controllers…. It’s 2023, and we learn something new daily. Happy Railroading Everyone

@dennis32 posted:

Peter, great work and vision. Could you share your original 3 level Mianne Benchwork plan. I want to build a multilevel layout and would like to get a visual reference as to spacing and different level visibility. Thank you, Dennis

Here is the 3D rendering:

The pencil marks show the changes I made.

I took off 2 ft of the width on the L side and on the R side, I moved one cross brace and moved it 12 inches, so I could have a space to place the transfer table in.

Peter

@lehighline posted:

Looking good, Peter!

Will we see you at York in October?

Chris

LVHR

Absolutely!

Peter

Last Update was 4 months ago. I've been busy, but it hardly looks it on thelayout because my efforts are mostly underneath the it. This is "train-running season" and  and since Labor Day the modular group has been busy with shows and displays. In fact, a 10 week run, which began the weekend before Thanksgiving, ends on January 20th. Then I hope to be back regularly working on the layout. I did finish one building over this time: a Buildings Unlimited factory/warehouse.....

My most recent project is wiring up the switch motors.

I'm approaching the next step with a little trepidation......phasing my ZWL and PotWar ZW.....

Why? Well, let's flashback to 2014 when I did it following the instructions in the Lionel PostWar instruction pamphlet......I wired up 21 Atlas O switches.....and, started using them. Many of you will remember these pictures......

My HHP-8 had a whole gondola load to pull to the junk yard......and, they were replaced with DZ-1000s, and Tom (Gilly@N&W) came over to phase the transformers correctly.......

This time, I have consulted with my modular group colleagues; have watched numerous You Tube videos; and, have downloaded Susan Deats' instruction pages. I am confident that it will go better......

I'll report back when I'm done.

Peter

Peter, good to see you back at your home layout.  Your under layout connections look like mine.  What an easy way to do it for old guys.  😃

That was a lot of scrap way back then.  I’m sure you gents will get the phasing right this time!!

Peter glad to see you back at your layout, I am sure with all the knowledge you have it will be just a walk in the park. Glad I am glad I don't have to worry about that with 1 MTH Z4000.

Peter,

Just got done going through the thread and wanted to thank you for your detailed information! Your work is outstanding in every aspect!

I've been worried about phasing when the time comes and your problem with it has reaffirmed my decision I recently made to use a dedicated MTH brick connected to the 14v side just for the switches.

Update.......transformers phased using a voltmeter and then to keep it straight, I added a directional plug and taped them together.......then, wiring, wiring and more wiring.....

Years ago, I bought 250' of 16 gauge stranded copper speaker wire.....I have dedicated it to all my D2500 switch machines.....and, that has been my latest project. Tom (Gilly&N&W) was over Wednesday and continued on the track power wiring. One more session should finish that.

Have a greatand safe weekend, folks!

Peter

Way to go Peter! I knew you could handle that transformer phasing.

Nice work, Peter and Tom!

Nice progress!  Peter, looking back at your TW kit, would you mind sharing your painting technique?

Don

Peter you and Tom make a great team! I hope when we get to wherever we land that I find someone close that likes wiring! LOL

@dmestan posted:

Nice progress!  Peter, looking back at your TW kit, would you mind sharing your painting technique?

Don

Sure……but, which one?

I did five….…

Rock Island Freight House

Cameron Freight Transfer

New Haven Signal Tower

Three Stall Engine House

Transfer Table Office

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Sure……but, which one?

I did five….…

Rock Island Freight House

Cameron Freight Transfer

New Haven Signal Tower

Three Stall Engine House

Transfer Table Office

Peter

The most recent one above - 3 stall house?

@dmestan posted:

The most recent one above - 3 stall house?

Will do…….check back tomorrow. I’ll organize some pics.

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Have a greatand safe weekend, folks!

Peter

hi Peter, Starting to look like a bee hive under the layout!  How are you planning to throw the switches?  I ended up putting the buttons for the switches on the side of the layout near each switch, so I could walk around the layout and switch them when the train apporaches.

Layout looks super!  Best, Dave 

@DL Brunette posted:

hi Peter, Starting to look like a bee hive under the layout!  How are you planning to throw the switches?  I ended up putting the buttons for the switches on the side of the layout near each switch, so I could walk around the layout and switch them when the train apporaches.

Layout looks super!  Best, Dave

All switches except one are within 24-30" of the edge. Most are 12-18". The one that is 36" away is reachable with a single plastic stepstool. The switch motors have push button activation.

In addition, the D2500 switch motors are TMCC-ready with a data wire. I am waiting for the Base3 to come out. No sense hooking up to the Legacy Base just in time to change.....

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Will do…….check back tomorrow. I’ll organize some pics.

Peter

Here we go......

You need good/sharp tools to remove this lit from the forms. It's easy. Just a lot of work to do.

The base.......3 kinds of gray: medium, lighter, lighter; then, dry brushing with an off white (I like Antique White Parchment)

Metallic siver spray.

Overspray of red rust.

Flat yellow for 2" at the bases.

Assembly. A dirty off white on the wall interiors.

Start taping. A good month to buy 3M stock. You will use a lot and push up the stock price by the month's end.....

Wait for a good day. I belive it was upper 50s, lower 60s....with a slight wind....

A flat red.....

Paint the lintels separate.....one of the light/medium grays. The roof is texted flat black with chalked gray overspray.....

I trust this will help. The instructions for their large kits are very detailed. Go to the TW Trainworx store page and where each kit is listed and described, the instructions are downloadable.

Peter

Mike Reagan does a great video describing the contruction and painting of their Rock Island Freight House kit. Many of his techniques are/were applicable to this kit. I highly recommend it.

Peter

https://youtu.be/zd4YU-DCrVU?si=iu_XZ0Jg8p4HmDIP

@dmestan posted:

The most recent one above - 3 stall house?

Just curious.....what that what you were looking for?

Peter

Another week gone by and a lot going on......Yesterday, we had another big wiring session led by none other than Gilly@N&W (Tom) and others from the RC3R crew......

The Main Loops are 90% wired.

The switch motors are 90% wired.

The electrically isolated sidings (eight of them), are all wired.

Next on the list: the wiring of circuits for lights and accessories and then building of the station platform.

After that, more building kits.

....and, we did have time to see a train......

Power on the engine yard lead.....

Power on a Transfer Table siding.......

Power on the Transfer Table......

Power in the Engine House.......

Thanks to Tom and the group, I am moving forward!

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone!

Peter

The work looks great, Peter!  With a crew like that, how could you go wrong?

@Putnam Division posted:

Just curious.....what that what you were looking for?

Peter

Yes thanks for the great tutorial!  Sorry for the late response, I got busy last week and did not check in.

Don

@dmestan posted:

Yes thanks for the great tutorial!  Sorry for the late response, I got busy last week and did not check in.

Don

No problem!

Just wanted to be sure you got what you wanted.....

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Another week gone by and a lot going on......Yesterday, we had another big wiring session led by none other than Gilly@N&W (Tom) and others from the RC3R crew......

The Main Loops are 90% wired.

The switch motors are 90% wired.

The electrically isolated sidings (eight of them), are all wired.

Next on the list: the wiring of circuits for lights and accessories and then building of the station platform.

After that, more building kits.

....and, we did have time to see a train......

Power on the engine yard lead.....

Power on a Transfer Table siding.......

Power on the Transfer Table......

Power in the Engine House.......

Thanks to Tom and the group, I am moving forward!

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone!

Peter

That engine house is AWESOME!! WOW!!!

@Robert Cushman posted:

That engine house is AWESOME!! WOW!!!

Thank you!

Peter

Beautiful work Peter!

Peter, amazing just amazing work, especially the engine house! May add that kit to my addition! Thanks for the detailed stepwise instructions! Very helpful!

Mike

@Putnam Division- Peter beautiful granddaughter and a very happy birthday.  Thanks for posting great pictures.

Best Wishes

Don

Looks like a Marx!  That is quite a sight.  Really enjoy the updates.  Best, Dave

I have always considered my 1958 F3 New Haven freight set as my 1st set. However, there are some frames on an 8mm video film of me playing with the exat set Christmas, 56. No one could ever tell me what happened to that set.......

April 2007, I picked it up at York....

Peter

Peter, the engine house is looking great with all of the details and colors. Your wiring is paying off, it will make for an easier time to add circuits or troubleshooting down the road. Your approach is logical and organized, nicely done.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

Peter, the engine house is looking great with all of the details and colors. Your wiring is paying off, it will make for an easier time to add circuits or troubleshooting down the road. Your approach is logical and organized, nicely done.

Andy

Thank you, Andy.

It seems to go so slow.....but, I am pleased. I am just about ready for another update, probably later this week.

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

I trust this will help. The instructions for their large kits are very detailed. Go to the TW Trainworx store page and where each kit is listed and described, the instructions are downloadable.

Peter

Nice tutorial, great work, beautiful end-result.  👌

@Putnam Division posted:

Another week gone by and a lot going on......Yesterday, we had another big wiring session led by none other than Gilly@N&W (Tom) and others from the RC3R crew......

The Main Loops are 90% wired.

The switch motors are 90% wired.

The electrically isolated sidings (eight of them), are all wired.

Next on the list: the wiring of circuits for lights and accessories and then building of the station platform.

After that, more building kits.

..snip...

Thanks to Tom and the group, I am moving forward!

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone!

Peter

WOW, nice progress Peter.  You'll be "finished" in no time.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

WOW, nice progress Peter.  You'll be "finished" in no time.

Still waiting for some scenery to appear on another layout around here.........

@RSJB18 posted:

Still waiting for some scenery to appear on another layout around here.........

As soon as the cast of 100's shows up to work on it, it'll happen.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

WOW, nice progress Peter.  You'll be "finished" in no time.

I hope......the problem is, that there is too much fun in being retired.......not enough time to do the things I want to do!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

I hope......the problem is, that there is too much fun in being retired.......not enough time to do the things I want to do!

Peter

Yep, been feeling like that for at least 15 years!

Peter, I think something done well and maybe slower is better than sloppy and quick. Worth the wait in my opinion. Look forward to the update.

Andy

Peter, Andy has a good point.  I’ve been working on my layout for 7 years, and I just started my first little spot of scenery last month.  
I see I am in good company saying retirement doesn’t give me time for much fun.  Taking care of ma-in-law has been the most exhausting!  😉

I have always loved animated/operating cars and accessories…….and, even with my attention to realism, I cannot give them up. Consequently, they will be present on the layout, including some non scale ones……
Right along the front of the layout, on a spur, I will have a group of my favorites, with the possibility that some can be switched out from time to time.

First, I ran 14 gauge four conductor wire from my PostWar ZW (accessory and light transformer) to 4 nodes under the layout. Two for lights (to be done at a later date) and two for accessories.

Then, I moved to the accessory area. The Culvert twins are command controlled, so power set up was simple.
The Oil Drum Loader, the Forklift Unloader and the Barrel Loader each use a #90 Controller……..and the black wire signifies that I am activating them by completing the ground connection.

The Barrel loader requires two power rails to allow the Operating Barrel car to work in tandem. However, the Barrel car gets its ground through its wheels and power through the operating shoes. Hence, the wire is red.

However, there is another issue.......my last layout was Atlas....and I have 5 sets of Atlas control rails (similar to Lionel Super O control rails). However, the tie spacing on Ross is not the same (see below).

So, I made little inserts from Gargraves ties and glued them between the Ross ties.

For the Barrel Car, you have to wire the rails like on OTC contactor.The Barrel Car (and a few of the late 50s others, get their ground through their wheels.

Another unloading site added and another in progress....at these sites,  one of the rails will be grounded....

All of the milk cars and the 3361 log dump car, as well as the MTH Dump cars that I own, require that one of the rails to be grounded. In addition, there is enough spacing on the following set of rails that a barrel car will also work.

The next one will be for milk cars....

Have a great and safe week, everyone!

Peter

Can't see any of the photos Peter.

@RSJB18 posted:

Can't see any of the photos Peter.

Yikes.....this seems to be a common issue this weekend....heck.....I didn't do anything different!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Yikes.....this seems to be a common issue this weekend....heck.....I didn't do anything different!

Peter

Yep- I had the same problem yesterday. I started a thread to the Forum mods so that they can look into it.

@RSJB18 posted:

Yep- I had the same problem yesterday. I started a thread to the Forum mods so that they can look into it.

Reposted and I can see the pics, at least on my computer....

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Reposted and I can see the pics, at least on my computer....

Peter

I see them now too.

Love the operating accessories too.

Peter looks like a fun time at your place! I think it's a wonderful idea.

Nice job on setting up the accessories, Peter!

Fun times ahead Peter. Looks great.

Very nice work-around, Peter!

Don't worry about the non-scale accessories.  I'm pretty sure there will be scale giraffe cars at April York. 

George

Nice work Peter! Isn't that the beauty of the model railroad.....if you want a spur with your favorite action items, you can do it. My son wanted palm trees on our Appalachian themed railroad. So we put some palm trees on it. Thanks for the update!

Mike

@G3750 posted:

Very nice work-around, Peter!

Don't worry about the non-scale accessories.  I'm pretty sure there will be scale giraffe cars at April York. 

George

👍🚂👍🚂👍

Peter

Man I am way behind on these updates. I'll have to try and catch up.

I took some pre-York pics to document progress ( the pics of my Dennis Brennan’s kits are for the Delta Lines meeting at York).

I’ve spent most of the winter and early spring wiring. I’ve put in a station base and platform. I have moved buildings around and acquired a few more.

All this has taken place while the basement and garage were taken down to the studs and renovated. The renovation still has about 2 weeks plus left.

Then, my post-York focus will be to move the furniture, books, et cetera,  back into the garage and basement, at the same time organizing it (including my modeling space) and throwing out more junk.

I hope to be done by early June. During that time, the layout will be quiet, except for running trains.

When I start up again, I’ll be concentrating on building the half dozen kits I have left; making sidewalks, grade crossings and streets. Then, wiring up signals and crossing gates. If I can get that done by August, I’ll be pleased because then the Base 3 will be out…..

That’s the plan……but is the time allotted realistic? Probably not, but that’s the beauty of retirement!

Peter

Have a great and safe week, everyone.

Peter

Looks great Peter. It's come a long way in a short time.

Peter, that’s more buildings than I realized you had built.  They all look quite nice!  Your Sanky Wanky looks great, as do the other Brennan’s Frank Ellison buildings.  What do you think of the Hap Hazard building?  I don’t understand the side doors that look like they flip up on Ellison’s building.  Maybe I don’t understand that industry.

Peter,

The buildings look very nice. Like Mark, this post really brings out all of the work you have done over the last few years with them. I can't tell from the photos but have you narrowed placement down at this point? You mentioned what your plans/goals were for August with the sidewalks, etc so inquiry minds want to know.

Dave

@Putnam Division  Peter do you have images of all 4 sides of the freight warehouse with the roof over the loading docks. I am planning on a 40 inch warehouse for my layout. Was that a self- built or a kit/kit bashed?  Thanks ... Jeff

Peter, wonderful looking buildings! You’re going to have quite the bustling town. Nice to hear someone else has a schedule planned for layout progress. I’m already behind, and it is only April! Good Luck! You’re gonna need a bunch of people walking all those streets and buildings. lol thanks for sharing.

Mike

@ScoutingDad posted:

@Putnam Division  Peter do you have images of all 4 sides of the freight warehouse with the roof over the loading docks. I am planning on a 40 inch warehouse for my layout. Was that a self- built or a kit/kit bashed?  Thanks ... Jeff

I believe you are referring to this building.

I’ll take some pics for you next week……..however, it’s a kit from TW TrainWorx and is on their website.

Mike Reagan does an hour plus video on its assembly and painting…….search on You Tube for the Rock Island Freight House painting video.

Peter

Your layout is really coming to life now Peter. Your hours and hours of assembling all of those buildings is well worth the effort.
Have fun at York!

Bob

Wow Peter, you should be a building contractor, that's a lot of buildings!

@Putnam Division, Peter that is a lot of buildings to be sure. I hope you have some workers to populate the many jobs that they need to be doing in the town. A railroad, town and houses without people is much like that first episode of the Twilight Zone, Where Is Everybody?

Peter your layout is just becoming amazing and really one to watch! It is up there with some of the top builders here! I can't wait to see more!

Peter,

Your new layout will be a landmark that all OGR Forum participants will admire. I'm well aware of how much time and effort this has taken. Keep up the good work but don't finish everything just yet. My experience has been that layout building is most enjoyable when there are still a few projects that remain to be completed.

MELGAR

Aren't there always a few projects to finish?

Thanks Peter, found the TW Trainworx website. Jeff

@Mark Boyce posted:

Peter, that’s more buildings than I realized you had built.  They all look quite nice!  Your Sanky Wanky looks great, as do the other Brennan’s Frank Ellison buildings.  What do you think of the Hap Hazard building?  I don’t understand the side doors that look like they flip up on Ellison’s building.  Maybe I don’t understand that industry.

Mark.....I think they are shutters, no doors.......and old fashioned glass-less windows......

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Mark.....I think they are shutters, no doors.......and old fashioned glass-less windows......

Peter

Thank you, Peter.  Shutters reminds me of the one room camp in the Allegheny National Forest we stayed in growing up.  Though there were glass panes and screens, the shutters flipped down when we closed up to go home!  👍🏻

Peter, your buildings look really nice.  Did you paint them or were they already pre-painted.  The volume of interesting buildings and businesses you have open a lot of possibilities for switching and operating fun. Lot of work. It shows. Nice job.

SuperOTom

Wow Peter!

You are cranking!!!

Great progress!

George

@TomSuperO posted:

Peter, your buildings look really nice.  Did you paint them or were they already pre-painted.  The volume of interesting buildings and businesses you have open a lot of possibilities for switching and operating fun. Lot of work. It shows. Nice job.

SuperOTom

Get back to you soon…….I need to put a package of pics together and I’m away from my laptop.

Petrr

@TomSuperO posted:

Peter, your buildings look really nice.  Did you paint them or were they already pre-painted.  The volume of interesting buildings and businesses you have open a lot of possibilities for switching and operating fun. Lot of work. It shows. Nice job.

SuperOTom

Tom.....maybe a quarter of the buildings are Woodland Scenics "built ups", which come decorated and painted. The others are kits by:

Buildings Unlimited

TW TrainWorx

Brennan's Model Railroading

Korber

River Leaf Models

The following is a smattering of pre-painting and painting pictures.

These colors were based on Mike Reagan's video on You Tube, "painting the Rock Island Freight House" .

Peter

Other pictures from a different kit:

I trust this helps.

Peter