I need to add that the prototype's grade is listed at 3.1%. My grade is 4%.
That little Carstens book was what got me interested in the WM at the expense of the B&O, which I grew up on. Also, My maternal grandfather had fired B&O engines for probably 10 years before being permanently disabled in WWI.
Looks great Mark. I'll have to watch later on the big screen, but from what I saw, "Excellent!"
Congratulations Mark! Looks like it will be a lot of fun.
@rplst8 posted:One thing you could try, after starting the lash-up, select the middle engine and go to the menu to where the sound volumes are and turn it up. I’ve seen where some engines do that, I’m not sure why. After turning off the smoke, if you hit the FSV button does it remember it for the next time?
Both of those ideas worked!! I have sound on all three and no smoke from any of them on startup. Thank you very much!!!! 
Great video Mark. Ain't nothing like full screen on the laptop to bring things into great perspective. It was hard on my phone, I didn't notice the cab hatches up when I watched at lunchtime.
@Mark Boyce posted:Both of those ideas worked!! I have sound on all three and no smoke from any of them on startup. Thank you very much!!!!
Sweet! Happy railroading!
@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:Great video Mark. Ain't nothing like full screen on the laptop to bring things into great perspective. It was hard on my phone, I didn't notice the cab hatches up when I watched at lunchtime.
Thank you, Dave! I’m glad you saw it on a larger screen. I know, the phone doesn’t cut it. I don’t have a laptop, but an average sized flat screen on our desktop. Videos are outstanding on it.
Yes, those little details show up nicely!
Looks great Mark!! The layout and room look good. Nothing is better than seeing multiple steamers chugging away! Beautiful engines! Congrats
-Eric
Thank you, Eric!
Mark, Good to see the 734 back in action !!
Dan, Steve was a great guy to work with on the deal. Thank you for your help!!!!
Congratulations Mark! If you were a rock climber, this would be one of those times when you pause in your trek and take the opportunity to appreciate the view! Good for you! I do have a question for you. Did you customize the engines for double heading or did they come that way? If you did them yourself, did you document the project? Okay, that was more than one question. Oh well!
Thanks, Bob
Bob, Thank you very much! Actually I do know the feeling a rock climber feels after reaching the summit, and it is a good analogy. I did a little rock climbing in my mid 20s, that was in the early 1980s. I learned the basics of climbing as a team and rappelling here in Western Pennsylvania. There was no view there, since the climbing was in a deep gorge. I did one trip with the same leaders to Seneca Rock, West Virginia in '82. If you aren't familiar the rock face climbs to about 1000 feet above the valley floor. Once on top, it was exhilarating to be sure. I took some color slides, which I plan to digitize them someday. The coolest thing was a couple of Air Force fighter jets came down the valley flying below us. If memory serves, I was told they are out of Andrews Air Force Base, and they fly down one valley and up another on maneuvers. They did that when we lived in West Virginia in the mid '90s, but would fly a neighboring valley, so I only heard them, but never saw them.
Question 1a. I setup the 'Lashup' in the DCS handheld remote. You can add whatever engines in whatever order you want. With 2 similar engines they run really smoothly together without any extra work. If you tried lashing up engines that have different speed parameters, you would have to do some customizing that I wouldn't even attempt, but others here have done it I am sure.
Question 1b. So it is in the DCS manual how to do the basic lashup. Actually it is easy. Once the individual engines are in the remote, you select lashup. Then you select which engine you want in the front, middle, and end, or skip middle if you only want to lashup 2. Then you select a name for the lashup and when you save, it saves the lashup as an engine number to select from the list of other engines you have. You select that number, and hit Startup as with any engine, and the whole lashup starts and you run it as you would a single engine. If you have DCS, and want to see it in their documentation, I can look up where you can look.
One question, two parts. Just like high school and college.
Mark, I guess rock climbing must run in the blood of those residing in Western PA. My college roommate lived Monroeville near Pittsburgh and got me into backpacking and climbing. He even dragged me to the Tetons after we graduated. We were those guys you saw hitching on the side of the road - you know, things you wouldn’t dream of having your kids do these days. Sure sounds like you have had some great adventures and the thoughts of fighter jets zipping by below you is exciting - would have made for some great video.
Now I must apologize profusely for asking you a poorly worded set of questions. I have several MTH steamers but none of them have working couplers on the front of the engine. Two of your engines in the video do have couplers and so my questions were intended to find out if you bought them that way or if you added the couplers yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to send me an extended set of instructions. They were both helpful and instructive. And again, my apologies. Oh yes, I did take some photos too when I was climbing but wish I had taken many more. I need to digitize those as well!
Bob
Bob, I thought you must know about rock climbing. Some of the guys I know went to the Tetons and also El Capitan years ago now. Yes, guys thought nothing of hitching most anywhere.
Ah ha to your question! My consolidation engines came with a cast metal dummy full size o gauge coupler that is easily exchanged for the dummy scale coupler with one screw. I don’t know why they don’t include one with every steamer. I would think they can be bought as a spare part from an MTH dealer since I heard it is tough or impossible to get them directly from MTH. I can get a photograph when I get home.
Thanks again Mark. I agree in that I don’t understand why MTH has not included workable front couplers. I’ll figure out something. And again, get job on your layout and nice video!
Bob
Bob, Here is a photograph of one. Not much to it.
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Mark, Perfect. Thanks!
Bob
@Bob Golfs posted:I agree in that I don’t understand why MTH has not included workable front couplers.
Bob
Correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe only the MTH Premier steamers include a regular size add on o gauge coupler that can replace the dummy coupler. MTH Railking and Railking Imperial steamers only have a small dummy coupler on the front that is not usable for lash ups or connecting anything. It would be nice if they included real front couplers on all MTH steamers, but maybe that is an selling incentive to get you to buy Premier. I'm not sure if anyone has ever tried to retrofit an operating front coupler on a Railking steamer.
Michael
Michael, what you say, may be correct. In fact you are probably correct. I only have one RailKing steam engine and it is the only steamer I bought new. I would have to dig out the box and make sure no coupler is in the box. Since my other Premier engines were bought used, if some don’t have a dummy coupler it could be because the previous owner removed it.
I just checked my RailKing Pacific, and the scale dummy coupler is not removable like the Premier ones are. I would say you are right, Michael. Of course someone could cut it out and fashion a holder for the large claw dummy coupler if they had the skill and desire.
Mark,
Thanks for the confirmation. I have 1 premier pacific bought new that did come with the add on coupler and 2 railking imperial steamers, 1 new and 1 used, and neither came with an add on coupler in the box. My premier pacific dosen't appear to my eye too much out of scale from my imperial steamers so if I wanted to do a steamer lashup I would just put the Pacific 2nd in line.
Michael
Sounds like a great plan, Michael!
Mark, I’ve enjoyed your additions and successful run of the coal drag. Very nice. I thoroughly enjoy following along.
Andy
Andy, I’m glad you like following along. Making up that train and running it around the layout was a major goal in the back of my mind.
I’m glad I got the train running when I did. I won’t be able to do much on the layout for a while. I had lower back surgery, double fusion on Monday. I have a kit I want to work on when I’m getting around a little better.
Mark
WOW!! You've made a lot of progress since the last time I checked in. Looking great and that was a sharp, smooth running coal drag!
Good luck on Monday and hope you're back on your feet quickly'
Best wishes on your recovery Mark!
Gee, Mark! Prayers for your quick recovery. Don't rush it!
Wow is right! Mark I hope you take your time and take it easy untill the doc clears you to play again!
Thank you Pete, Bob, Steve, and Mike.
I thought my own topic is the best place to say anything about it. I started noticing problems almost 3 years ago. For a while PT, chiropractic visits, medication, and steroid injections sort of held it at bay. Arthritis had bulged the disks and pinched the nerves around L3, L4, L5, and pushed L4 forward and it was stuck there. So Monday of this week I spent 5 1/2 hours in the operating room while a great group right here in Butler gave me L3-L4 and L4-L5 fusions. Now I am even carrying more metal to set of metal detectors. LOL
I was so glad I got my 3-engine coal train running before surgery. It was a fitting time to pause work on the layout. Once I am able to, I’ll work on a kit or two. Right now I don’t do anything until I go back to the orthopedic on Jun 10th.
Mark
Watch your video and relish in your accomplishments while you recover. I think it will lift your spirits. I hope you recover quickly.
@Mark Boyce posted:Thank you Pete, Bob, Steve, and Mike.
I thought my own topic is the best place to say anything about it. I started noticing problems almost 3 years ago. For a while PT, chiropractic visits, medication, and steroid injections sort of held it at bay. Arthritis had bulged the disks and pinched the nerves around L3, L4, L5, and pushed L4 forward and it was stuck there. So Monday of this week I spent 5 1/2 hours in the operating room while a great group right here in Butler gave me L3-L4 and L4-L5 fusions. Now I am even carrying more metal to set of metal detectors. LOL
I was so glad I got my 3-engine coal train running before surgery. It was a fitting time to pause work on the layout. Once I am able to, I’ll work on a kit or two. Right now I don’t do anything until I go back to the orthopedic on Jun 10th.
Slow and steady, Mark... take your time and follow your doctors and physical therapist’s instructions. My brother had 2 spinal fusions, and the lumbar was far and away the easier recovery (the other was cervical - hopefully you will never have that experience). After his lumbar, I spent 2 months helping him out. By now, I’m sure you’ve been told you can’t lift more that a gallon of milk (or something similar), can’t bend over, couldn’t drive... etc. But by 3 months post surgery, he was pretty much back to normal activity. Best wishes on a speedy and total recovery.
Hope you recover quick Mark! My mom had the fusion stuff done and it made a big difference for her.
Maybe I missed it but what kits do you have coming up?
Here’s wishing you a quick recovery. You’ll be back on track way before York.
Praying For a thorough and full recovery! Let me know if I can help you in anyway. Btw love the coal train, great way to stop and feel that accomplishment which is well deserved.
Thank you, Keith, Paul, Bill, Jay, John!
Paul, I have two friends who had cervical, and agree that one seems really rough. Yes BLT; no bending, lifting over 10 pounds, and no twisting. I’ll be going back to the PT guys who took care of us with our knee replacements and they are good. That’s after my June 10 appointment with the surgeon.
Thank you for the comments on the coal train. I certainly can watch the video before I can run it again..
Mark, best of luck with your recovery, and like everyone else has said, take your time.
Great video. I thought that I previously subscribed to your channel but apparently not, so I just did now.
@BillYo414 posted:Hope you recover quick Mark! My mom had the fusion stuff done and it made a big difference for her.
Maybe I missed it but what kits do you have coming up?
Bill, I’m glad it helped your mom. That’s the plan for me. 😉
I have the Atlas signal tower and the Wathers HO power substation. Both of those are plastic. Someone on the Forum used the HO kit and I compared notes. It should fit the layout well. The Woodland Scenics built up substation is too big. I want to include the substation because I worked in the power industry from the mid ‘70s to mid ‘90s. That’s why I have a power station backdrop. I also have a Carolina Craftsman Kits Thomas West Virginia station kit. It’s laser cut. I think I’ll leave it go until I feel better.
So, it is either the signal tower or substation. I haven’t decided yet. 😄
Kevin, thank you! I’m glad you liked the video and subscribed. I have not tried anything on YouTube other that upload video files right off the cloud after I got them off my phone. I might try some simple things now that I do have basic operation of the layout.
@Mark Boyce posted:Bill, I’m glad it helped your mom. That’s the plan for me. 😉
I have the Atlas signal tower and the Wathers HO power substation. Both of those are plastic. Someone on the Forum used the HO kit and I compared notes. It should fit the layout well. The Woodland Scenics built up substation is too big. I want to include the substation because I worked in the power industry from the mid ‘70s to mid ‘90s. That’s why I have a power station backdrop. I also have a Carolina Craftsman Kits Thomas West Virginia station kit. It’s laser cut. I think I’ll leave it go until I feel better.
So, it is either the signal tower or substation. I haven’t decided yet. 😄
Hi Mark,
If it is the same signal tower (Atlas 6900) I will be using it for my Bascule Bridge, following David Brenners lead/instructions. I am interested in how your signal tower comes out. So Selfishly I vote for you to tackle that build. 
Hope you are doing well and having as little pain as possible.
Happy Memorial Day!
John
John, yes that’s the one. I had it’s HO counterpart when I was growing up. That seems as good a reason as any to choose which kit to build.
Actually I feel better than I thought I would at this point. It’s a nagging ache in the back. The only time there is a sharp pain is when I sneezed. It’s like with the knee replacement, I just can’t get comfortable. All in all, I’m pleased.
@Mark Boyce posted:John, yes that’s the one. I had it’s HO counterpart when I was growing up. That seems as good a reason as any to choose which kit to build.
Actually I feel better than I thought I would at this point. It’s a nagging ache in the back. The only time there is a sharp pain is when I sneezed. It’s like with the knee replacement, I just can’t get comfortable. All in all, I’m pleased.
Sorry to hear of the nagging pain making it impossible to get comfortable and rest. That is tough to endure and just plane wears you out. Even through all that it is great to hear you are pleased overall. Please, like everyone else said take it slow and easy. Yes, easier said when you aren't the one going stir crazy and can't get comfortable. Hang in there and let your body heal.
Prayers for a speedy and painless recovery, form all of us.
John, thank you very much!!! I am not suffering at all when compared to my next door neighbor. He is about 6 months older than me, and has been getting chemo and radiation for a brain tumor since early winter. Before surgery I would wave to him as he sat on his porch, while I hobbled down the road to my mother-in-law’s house across the road from him. Things are looking good for him now , but he has gone through his Valley of the Shadow of Death.
Mark,
Sorry to hear about your surgery, but glad everything went well! You are in my prayers for a full and speedy recovery!
Michael
Michael, thank you very much!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Thank you Pete, Bob, Steve, and Mike.
I thought my own topic is the best place to say anything about it. I started noticing problems almost 3 years ago. For a while PT, chiropractic visits, medication, and steroid injections sort of held it at bay. Arthritis had bulged the disks and pinched the nerves around L3, L4, L5, and pushed L4 forward and it was stuck there. So Monday of this week I spent 5 1/2 hours in the operating room while a great group right here in Butler gave me L3-L4 and L4-L5 fusions. Now I am even carrying more metal to set of metal detectors. LOL
I was so glad I got my 3-engine coal train running before surgery. It was a fitting time to pause work on the layout. Once I am able to, I’ll work on a kit or two. Right now I don’t do anything until I go back to the orthopedic on Jun 10th.
Mark:
I had 6 discs worked on - no fusion but bone scrapping to alleviate pinched nerves. Short term you will hurt. Long term you will feel much better than before surgery. Side affects - with those narcs I had to take for a week I turned into a zombie. I had no ambition for anything including eating - lose 20 pounds and have so far kept it off!
Joe, I’m glad that worked out for you. Thank you for the information. Yes, the other discs? I wanted to concentrate on the 3 that were killing my legs. I intend to ask about the rest along the way on recovery. The surgeon told my wife after surgery, they removed a lot of material and I know it is everywhere. I did not have too much trouble with the narcotics, if anything it made me fidgety. I’m on extra strength Tylenol now.
Yes, I don’t feel like doing much. I did venture down to the train room yesterday for the first time. One step at a time worked good, slow and easy. I got a kit off the shelf, but didn’t feel like getting tools and paint out. I don’t have room for a permanent workbench, so I have to put things away all the time or I can’t find them. 😄
Mark, I wish you a speedy recovery. Hope you benefit as much as possible from the surgery. PT is key, but you know that. Glad you went down to the train room. That’s the best therapy of all!
Andy
Thank you, Andy!! Yes, I've had to get physical therapy on something 7 times before. Though this time will be different, I'm no stranger to the regimens.
I still haven't gotten up the gumption to start that kit, but I did something on the layout today. A couple days before surgery, I got an email form my LHS CT McCormick Hardware that my MTH Premier 2-bay hoppers in speedlettering were in. I unboxed them and set them on the track before surgery. Last weekend I noticed in the latest issue of that other magazine that Grzyboski's had 2 different 3 packs of Lionel WM 2-bay hoppers in the round herald scheme for a great price. They came yesterday, so I unboxed them and set them on the track. Now I have 22 Western Maryland hoppers. I split them up evenly between types and took the coal load out of one group. So, I now have an 11- car train of loads and an 11-car train of empties. Besides MTH and Lionel, I have 6 Atlas O hoppers as well.
You may have noticed I have more 2-bay hoppers of various road names on the overhead shelf. Here is a better shot.
Also, you can see where the signal house kit ended up. Maybe I will feel like it next week.
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Hope you feel better soon!!
George
Thank you, George!!
Do you have 11 full and empty as a means of setting up staging?
22 is an impressive roster regardless!
I want to be able to run a loaded train and an empty train. I don’t have room to run both trains at the same time. Which would be neat on a double track layout or one with long passing sidings. I was going to just pull loads out when I ran empties. I saw in the last MTH catalog a set of 6 and cars. Then I said those famous last words, I don’t need any more. I then saw the deal on the 6 Lionel cars. I bought them because the 6 Atlas O cars are die cast, extremely well detailed but extremely heavy for a layout with 4% grades. Once I get able to get in the back of the closet to find the Atlas boxes, I’ll put them up for sale. They are wonderful cars, but quite a load for 3 engines. Two engines won’t pull all 6 up the grade. I don't know if it is possible, but I don’t want to damage an engine over it.
Gotcha gotcha. I follow now. My little 0-6-0T can only handle 5 loaded Atlas cars up the 5.6% test grade I have. Those cars are nice but they're heavy!!
Bill, yes. I ran the ‘loaded’ train I showed in the last photograph last night. This time it had 3 of the Atlas diecast cars at the front of the train. It still increased the amps from 2 on libel to about 3.4 on the grade. With all 6 Atlas cars on the train the amps doubled going up the grade.
Mark, Its nice to see you getting around! I really like the hoppers and I am happy that you got the second set for a good price! I hope you are also taking it easy and not over doing it, I know it can get somewhat exciting running trains and one can really get worked up over it! Take care buddy!
Mike thank you. I am still on the BLT, no bending, lifting over 10 pounds, no twisting regimen at least until the follow up visit on Thursday. I don’t know how much the box of Lionel cars weighed, but my wife brought them in to the train room. I dropped a paper on the train room floor, and there it still lies. Thank you!
@Mark Boyce posted:Mike thank you. I am still on the BLT, no bending, lifting over 10 pounds, no twisting regimen at least until the follow up visit on Thursday. I don’t know how much the box of Lionel cars weighed, but my wife brought them in to the train room. I dropped a paper on the train room floor, and there it still lies. Thank you!
If I lived closer I would come over and pick it for you! Heck if I lived that close I might even run your trains for you! LOL
@mike g. posted:If I lived closer I would come over and pick it for you! Heck if I lived that close I might even run your trains for you! LOL
That would be great, Mike! LOL
This might even pick up a piece of paper 😁
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John, I have something similar and have used it a number of times these last two weeks. Since the paper is a signed certificate from Mike Wolf, I don’t want to risk wrinkling it. 😊 When I think of it when she is downstairs, I’ll ask my wife to pick it up. She has had more surgeries than I have, so we just trade off helping each other! 😊
I understand completely, Mark. Just my crude attempt at humor.
@John H posted:I understand completely, Mark. Just my crude attempt at humor.
I thought so considering what the stick was holding.
Hi Mark, I sure hope your back pain gets better day by day and that the surgery works great for you. Although it’s painful now, it will get better and better, just try and get off the meds as soon as you can. I have had back trouble for the last 28 years, however the steroid injections have worked so far. My last injection was over 3 years ago, knock on wood. Going to the gym and walking on the treadmill, for 30 minutes to an hour at a brisk pace, three days a week, (prior to the pandemic) has helped more than anything getting me back in shape. So, you are on our prayer list and hopefully soon, you’ll be working on your wonderful railroad and having more time for producing videos for our entertainment. Thank you very much for all the progress and fun all 55 pages long. Your very creative. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry, thank you for the prayers.
I'm glad you have been doing well. Also, I am glad you have liked reading along on the 55 pages.
Mark, hope your recovery goes well and you're able to go skipping through the halls at York in October. As you're becoming a veteran of the operating table, I'm sure that you'll keep up with the therapy and exercise.
Plenty of discussion regarding hotels in the York thread, but a couple of thoughts... 1) call the hotel a week or so in advance - explain your situation and ask for a first-floor room that's near an entrance. 2) if possible, plan to arrive at the hotel well in advance of the normal check-in time - you might be able to get a room that's more conveniently located - I've checked in as early as 11am.
Mallard, “Veteran of the operating table”! I love it!! 😄 Well, I guess you are right. I counted up 9 times I’ve gone under the knife.
I can tell you write from experience! You offer excellent advice in that once we turn the calendar page to October, I will have to thoroughly evaluate my situation at that time. As you state, it is hopeful I will be able to maneuver through each day well, but I could have delays and setbacks that will make it not so. I had a setback on the knee replacement that cost me a month, so I know anything can happen.
Those are excellent ideas about the hotel. Just the ride from Northwestern Pennsylvania can be grueling. A day at the meet can also. I will definitely work to pace myself doing things I never did before. Besides your suggestions at the hotel, I’ll use the shuttle bus even if the weather is fair, be smart about where I park, and make use of tables and chairs and benches. I may find talking with others who are resting to be more enjoyable than pushing through the crowd looking for bargains.
Thank you so much!!
Hey Mark! Wishes for a speedy recovery!.... Apparently, Growing old is not for the faint of heart....... and all the while I lived life as if I would do a "Side Drift into the final curbside parking spot.. Rusted out, banged up, Missing fenders and Wheels falling off".. I guess HE has a few more plans for us.
Congrats in the great lineup! I DO love the pattern of repeating consist rumbling past...........
Scott, I have missed hearing from you for a while. I hope all is well with you. Thank you very much for the well wishes. We never know how long God has for us, so we should just keep on doing all we can. Your description reminds me of the student parking lot at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. Our older daughter graduated there almost 10 years ago. I say the student parking lot because unlike here in Pennsylvania, Ohio doesn't require a safety inspection on vehicles. Where as here, if there is a hole in the rusty fender, you must cover it before you pass the annual inspection, the cars with Ohio plates didn't have to meet such a qualification. The lot was full of rust buckets with parts cable tied on and even had a liberal use of duct tape.
Photographs of coal drags on the Western Maryland always impressed me with all oxide red cars. The older ones had the round herald and then they changed over to the speed letter scheme. I wanted to attempt that on my coal trains. Thank you.
Hey Mark, it's been a bit. How are things going, and more importantly, how are you feeling(please don't say with your hands)?
Dave, thank you for asking! I had my first follow up appointment yesterday, I got the staples out, the X-rays looked good, and they were happy with where I am. I start PT on Monday with my two old friends from the knee replacement! 😊 It mostly hurts laying down, so I still don’t sleep well, but I can take a nap. I am allowed to start driving, but I’ll wait and just take myself to PT on Monday. It’s only 3 or 4 miles away. I’m still weak in the legs, but they were okay with it. All in all it is better than I thought it might be.
On the layout, I did just start painting parts for the Atlas signal tower. I double checked my books, and Western Maryland used gray walls and red trim for wooden buildings. I got one thin coat of gray over the tan plastic, but need another coat. I’ll have to paint the inside walls with all the second story windows. I don’t have prototype information on that, so I will probably paint a light green like do many buildings of that type.
Thank you for checking in!!!
Hope your recovery is going well Mark, and I hope you’re feeling much better. Putting the work in now will help get a better long term result. My thoughts are with you for a speedy and pain free journey.
Andy
Hi Mark,
Hope you are doing better each day. That is a huge hope as things tend to be up and down initially and then things start to improve over time. Hoping and praying for a minimally painful recovery.
John
Thank you for asking Andy and John!! Thank you for thoughts and prayers. It just so happens I had my 6-week follow-up visit with the surgeon yesterday afternoon. The therapist did the review for the surgeon Wednesday. Everything seems to be going as well as each of them expect for such a short way into a recovery projected to take a year. Considering the only pain reliever I am allowed to take is Extra Strength Tylenol, there isn't a lot of pain. The leg with the sciatic damage keeps me up a lot at night, and the lower back is sore in the morning. Considering I am retired and don't have a boss clamoring for me to get back to work, I can take a nap most afternoons to compensate. The surgeon said I should start doing a little more at a time and go back to see him in 6 more weeks.
I have been working on the Atlas switch tower, mostly at nights when I couldn't sleep. I have done it all standing to help the sciatic pain go away. I have downspouts and a few details to add, then some touchup painting and a bit of weathering. I left the second story unglued so I can take it off to add a light and a few more items to the interior. I picked the colors red and gray because those are what the Western Maryland Railway used for their frame buildings. I didn't deviate from the instructions at all, but I think the colors make it look a bit unique. The interior aqua color looks a little brighter than I intended, but looking through the windows it looks toned down.
I haven't done anything on the layout since May because of the surgery. I did run the same coal train a few times, but haven't felt much like it until recently.
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Great job Mark, with good attention to detail.
Mark,
The tower looks good! I hope you are doing well after your surgery and getting your strength back.
Dave
Mark, I haven't checked in here in a while, so I didn't know that you had a surgery. Wishing a speedy recovery.
Mark,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope you can get back soon to working on your layout - to which your Atlas O switch tower will be a fine addition. I have one on each of my layouts.
MELGAR
@Mark Boyce posted:Thank you for asking Andy and John!! Thank you for thoughts and prayers. It just so happens I had my 6-week follow-up visit with the surgeon yesterday afternoon. The therapist did the review for the surgeon Wednesday. Everything seems to be going as well as each of them expect for such a short way into a recovery projected to take a year. Considering the only pain reliever I am allowed to take is Extra Strength Tylenol, there isn't a lot of pain. The leg with the sciatic damage keeps me up a lot at night, and the lower back is sore in the morning. Considering I am retired and don't have a boss clamoring for me to get back to work, I can take a nap most afternoons to compensate. The surgeon said I should start doing a little more at a time and go back to see him in 6 more weeks.
I have been working on the Atlas switch tower, mostly at nights when I couldn't sleep. I have done it all standing to help the sciatic pain go away. I have downspouts and a few details to add, then some touchup painting and a bit of weathering. I left the second story unglued so I can take it off to add a light and a few more items to the interior. I picked the colors red and gray because those are what the Western Maryland Railway used for their frame buildings. I didn't deviate from the instructions at all, but I think the colors make it look a bit unique. The interior aqua color looks a little brighter than I intended, but looking through the windows it looks toned down.
I haven't done anything on the layout since May because of the surgery. I did run the same coal train a few times, but haven't felt much like it until recently.
That's the way you do it Mark, a little here and a little there. I have always liked the Atlas buildings, in particular the Switch Tower. On the old HO layout we had one of those, and the detail inside always blew my mind with the levers. Little bit of paint here and there and you got it Mark.
Thank you, Jay, Dave, Kevin, Mel, Dave!
Answering comments and questions together. I had lumbar fusion L3-L4 and L4-L5 on May 24th. Almost 3 years ago the bulging discs and arthritis damaged the sciatic nerve in the right leg, that’s what has hurt ever since. As soon as we decided on surgery, the left leg started to tingle. That was the signal that led to the sciatic damage in the right. Since the surgeon and therapist think I’m doing well, I am encouraged!
I’m happy with the way the tower is turning out. Like Dave, I had the HO version on my first layout when I was a teenager. It along with everything else was destroyed in storage while I was working out of state. I’m glad to have one again, and it has more detail than the HO one I built at least 50 years ago.
Good to hear you are on the mend Mark. The tower looks great! Are you going to add lighting and other interior details? People?
Bob
Terrific looking tower Mark!! Glad to hear of your post surgery progress. Best wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery.
Hey Mark:
Hope things turn out good or you. Like many others been there, done that (6 discs in the lower back).
Joe
Morning Mark, the tower looks outstanding! It is going to fit right in on your layout.
I am glad to hear your surgeon and physical therapist feel things are going well. Just remember slow and easy!😎
Mark,
I had three major surgeries in June so I can feel your pain. I wish you a speedy recovery.
I spent the last week in bed attending the NMRA Virtual National Convention, Rails by the Bay, which ended yesterday. Wow! It turned out to be a great model railroading event with lots of video layout tours and clinics. I think that video conventions and layout tours are in our future.
Best wishes and get well quickly, NH Joe
Thank you, Bob, Pat, Joe, Mike, and Joe!!
Bob, I thought I would add a desk, pot belly stove, desk, chairs, and a couple people, but I don't have any of them yet. I also would add an LED light inside and outside as well.
Joe and Joe, That's a lot of surgeries! Until now, mine have all been on extremities, knees and hands.
Mike, The surgeon and therapists are right with you on slow and easy. The surgeon said it would take a year, so obviously it will be slow. The first day of therapy, the head therapist said we will go slower than with the knee, and I thought that was slow.
Joe, that sounds like the timing was right for you to see the online NMRA convention. Yes, there will be more of that kind of thing in the future!
Mark, Good to hear that you are on the (rail)road to recovery. Keep up the good work!
Bob
Bob, I love the pun! Thank you very much!
@Bob Golfs posted:Mark, Good to hear that you are on the (rail)road to recovery. Keep up the good work!
Bob
@Mark Boyce posted:Bob, I love the pun! Thank you very much!
Might even say you are on the right track. 
@rplst8 posted:Might even say you are on the right track.
Yes indeed!! 😄 Thank you!
I now have 2 AIUs to control my switches and other things. I connected them to the TIU and got it to recognize them through the remote. The first photograph shows them connected temporarily. Note I also bought a spare TIU and remote.
Here is the reverse side of the panel. I will be mounting the TIUs on this side and of course remove the ZW and coffee pot to another location.
Since I had finished the Atlas signal tower, I also started work on my electric substation kit by Walthers.
You can see the substation is an HO kit, but it will work for my purposes. Since transformer size, insulators size, and even conductor spacing depends on the voltage level, these can come in a variety of sizes in real life. I envision a small distribution station. Here I have some transformer parts painted and the main tank assembled. I also have the cooling fins and standoffs painted. Note how the transformer is about the same size as the one in on this Lionel B&O depressed center flatcar. Pretty close in size, the kit transformer being about 9 scale feet high before adding bushings.
Here it is in comparison to the one of this Lionel depressed well flat car. Close again.
There is an interesting story on the Western Maryland depressed well flat car. A coworker who is an N-scale enthusiast, gave it to me as a retirement gift. He found it on eBay and knew I favored the Western Maryland Railway and had worked at 2 power companies before coming to the telephone company 20-plus years earlier. It was made for LOTS in 2001.
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Wow Mark, looking great.
That’s some impressive wiring Mark. The tower will be a nice complement. Given what you have shared, it would appear that you are starting to feel better.
WOW Mark!! You have been busy! I'm sensing that you are feeling better At least I hope I'm sensing that correctly. Your wiring work looks terrific!
I'm looking forward to seeing your completed power sub station too.
Great story about the WM depressed center flat car. Your co - worker obviously greatly valued you as a friend and colleague.... nice gift! Your coffee pot has inspired me to set up one in my train room. The cup warmer that I had gave out and after seeing your coffee pot, I'm thinking a small coffee pot would be a most appropriate & effective replacement LOL! After all, coffee does help the creative juices to flow
Keep up the great work Mark
Thank you David, Jay, and Patrick!!
I have been feeling a good bit better, though most of the work on the signal tower and substation transformer has been done around 1 or 2 o'clock at night when I can't sleep because of sciatic nerve pain. I have a cart that is higher than a normal table so I can stand to paint and glue and let the nerve settle down. It's okay, I can usually get a nap during the day if needed.
I actually did the visible wiring in the early spring before I had surgery. Now I can sit on the stool and reach under the layout, but not long enough to do any wiring from the switches to AIUs, though I shouldn't have any trouble mounting the AIUs.
The coworker who gave me the car is much younger than me, around 25 years younger. We knew each other for years, but were put together into the same group for only the last 4 or 5 years I worked. He helped me with some of the newer technologies, and I helped him with the older technologies he had never been exposed to. That and an interest in trains made for a good relationship. We check in now and then on Facebook now that I am retired. I will have to find a new spot for the coffee pot when I start mounting AIUs and do wiring. It's easier than going back and forth upstairs to the kitchen.
I'm very glad that you are on the road to recovery, Mark
Oh yeah, great work on the Blackwater Canyon line too
Thank you, Ski!
The tower looks great Mark. The substation should be fine in HO scale since they do exist in all different shapes and sizes. Nice to hear you are felling better. I hope the sciatic settles down as your back gets stronger.
As to the coffee pot.....I'd replace it with a nice bottle of single-malt. 
Bob
Thank you, Bob! The transformer itself measures out to 9 feet scale feet high without the bushings, and you are right they come in all shapes and sizes. The one I saw brought in by rail car to one of the power stations I worked at was quite large. It was 115-230 KV 3-phase. It was quite interesting to watch the riggers slide it off the rail car and onto their multi-axle trailer then haul it up a slope to the pad.
Coffee, pop, or single-malt...to each their own!
Mark,
The wiring looks great, as does the substation and the signal tower. I had no idea the HO one would work; learned a lot!
Hope the nerve settles down.
George
