Ventilation is a good point, Andy! Some train rooms could be a problem without making alterations. I have a door and tiny window that open to the outside in my train room, I still think I would want a fan.
Good job Mike, you make do with what you have on hand.
Mark, I spray painted all of my track after I installed it. I wore a mask of course, but I rigged up a strong exhaust fan and vented everything out through the window. It worked pretty well. I did small sections and vented the room for a few hours before doing the next section.
Andy
Andy, yes a mask is needed as well. Thank you. I have one, but it is at least 30 years old. I would be more comfortable with a new one if I do spray indoors. Our older daughter has my sprayer that I never had much success with. She has an air compressor as well. I had forgotten about both. I don’t need to decide right now, I’ll finish my two ramps between levels and finish wiring first.
Hi guys I hope your all doing well, It looks like the big freeze is over for most of you, or at least that is what the local news is saying! LOL
Well guys some bad news and some good news! I will give you the bad news first.
I think you all remember this photo and video. Well, it looks good, but didn't worth heck!
I thought before I got to far ahead of my self I better get the big 4-8-4 out and see what it thinks. Well, it did just fine going forward around the piler and around the curve, but backing threw it was a different story, the tender would derail every time.
This was just not going to work!!!! So I took @wb47 thought of flex track and almost removed the complete curve around the piler!
Here is a new photo and short video. The video is to show you that it has clearance! LOL
I knew I should have tested it with the 4-8-4 before I moved on to the inside track! I just hat the 1 step forward and 2 steps back I have been doing lately! To be honest I think it is because I am not out there daily! LOL
OH WELL IT ALL RUNS FINE NOW! LOL
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Looks good, Mike! The engineer better not stick his head out the window though! 🤪
Thanks guys, at least it works! LOL
Nice work Mike, and good problem solving on the fly.
Andy
One of those, “Now why didn’t I think of that sooner,” moments. They seem to come more often now.
Looking good.
Hi guys for a minute I thought I had struck gold. I came down with Covid and the CEO said I had to sleep in a different room till o was over it so she wouldn't get it.
So I told her I could camp out in the train room
It has carpet, heat and a TV! The CEO said no that I am sick and it is also to close to the beer fridge! LOL
Well needs less to say no layout work for a week or so.
Best wishes to you, Mike. Hope your case is mild.
Mike, I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. Camping out in the train room speed like the solution to me! 😄 My CEO is a retired RN, so I have no choice! I’ll be praying you get well soon and that she doesn’t catch it too!
Thanks John and Mark, right now it sucks, but I have heard of it being worse.
I'm just spending the day in the recliner watching John Wayne movies!
Mike...
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Well, that’s sad, getting covid just after knee surgery, Wow, you will be on our prayer list, and your friends in Tennessee and Kentucky will pray for a quick recovery and good healing from your recent knee surgery. Take it easy, watch GunSmoke, or get ready for the Super Bowl and relax, drink plenty of fluids, Coca Cola, and when you feel better, go back to working on your really cool railroad. Happy Railroading Everyone
Hope it’s a mild case and quick recovery Mike. And you have more time in the train room too.
Andy
Feel better soon Mike. Listen to the CEO's orders and drink plenty of fluids. Zinc and vitamin D help. I've had it twice, both kicked my a#$. Second one after a middle of the night bathroom run my wife found me on the floor out cold.....not enough fluids the EMT's said 
Wait a minute......maybe the train room floor isn't such a bad idea after all! 
Bob
Hi guys thanks for all the well wishes!
@Mayor Magoo such a nice thing the guys got together and made a sign for me!
@leapinlarry and @Steamfan77 Larry and Andy thanks you so much for the thoughts!
@RSJB18 Bob, thank you for the advice! My CEO has been right on it!
Well guys between Covid and the knee, both have been kicking my butt lately, but even worse I have been going stir crazy! I have watched almost every western John Wayne ever made! LOL
So while the CEO was at work today I snuck out to the train room and was able to get a little work done on the inner loop against the wall so I can get things moving along. The only thing I did differently was laid the track on bare plywood and hooked it up to the rest of the track, then I ran power to it just to make sure my 4-8-4 would threw my 054 curves.
The only thing I did differently was added a 072 curve that Chris A. advised me to try to soften the entry to the 054 curve. I worked great and I ran the 4-8-4 forward and backwards several times with no issues! Here is a couple photos!
I even left a train on the outside track just to make sure things would not hit! I was able to get the track back up and the cork roadbed installed, I will wait till morning to fasten the track down to let the glue dry!
I hope your all doing well and Hope you never get this Covid stuff!
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Mike, if the CEO reads your posts, you have had it. Nice progress on the layout. Hope you continue to recover with the knee and covid. Jeff
@ScoutingDad posted:Mike, if the CEO reads your posts, you have had it. Nice progress on the layout. Hope you continue to recover with the knee and covid. Jeff
Lol thanks Jeff, she doesn't read anything on here! None of it interest her, just as long as I am happy and not in her hair about something, she is happy! Oh and as long as I'm not spending a boat load of money, that is why I am on a budget!
Mike, The track looks good. Thank you about hoping we don’t get Covid. So far we have eluded it. I hope you are totally well soon!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Mike, The track looks good. Thank you about hoping we don’t get Covid. So far we have eluded it. I hope you are totally well soon!!
Thanks Mark was out there today, and I know for sure I am going to be short track, even for the main level loop. I am hoping I have enough to at least get the outside loop done!
As for the other stuff, you keep it up at elude it as long as you can!
Mike glad to see the progress on the layout.
There is hope for the knee… improvement with time. One year ago today my right one was done. Remember when we were kids and getting on and off the floor was simple?
Looking good Mike. I hope your budget allows for additional track soon. The knee will get better, but you have to do what you can to help it heal. Hope the Covid is going away or gone too.
Andy
Hi guys and thank you all for the nice words!
Bill the really only time the knee hurts is when I am at rest or kneeling down on the floor and have to get back up! LOL
Andy thanks and sad to say there is no budget for track right now as someone I did work for with my tractor hasn't paid yet. LOL
Well guys I did get out to the train room and got the last section of plywood cut for the main level, I got the old stuff painted and it really makes things look a lot cleaner! I plan on fastening down the plywood and maybe even marking out for cork!
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Lookin good Mike. Hope the track funds come your way soon.
I've found that it's not the getting down but getting up when I'm done that's getting tougher. 🤣🤣 And the floor is farther away than it used to be too. 👍
Bob
Looks good, Mike! I hope you get the money for track soon too!
Mike,
I sent an email to you. I think I may have an idea regarding your track issues.
Moring guys I hope your all doing well!
First off I want to thank you all for the kind words! You are correct Bob, it is easy getting down, if I don't have anything to grab to get up I have to roll over on my belly like a little kid to get back up! LOL
Yesterday I was able to get to the train room and got the outer loop completed. That is the good news, now for the bad news I used up the last of my straight track, all I have left is one section of 30" flex and a bunch of small sections from cut off's. I also only have a few 054 curves.
But back to the outer loop, I attempted a test run, first with my small switcher and everything went great! then I tried it with my 4-8-4 and when it reached the back-to-back switch's it shorted, and I have no idea what is causing it to happen. I plan on getting out there when I am done here and see if I can figure it out.
If I can figure it out I will take a video of the around the room run! Wish me luck! LOL
Mike, yes it is a problem getting up.
Hopefully you will find the problem with the short circuit quickly.
@mike g. posted:Moring guys I hope your all doing well!
First off I want to thank you all for the kind words! You are correct Bob, it is easy getting down, if I don't have anything to grab to get up I have to roll over on my belly like a little kid to get back up! LOL
Yesterday I was able to get to the train room and got the outer loop completed. That is the good news, now for the bad news I used up the last of my straight track, all I have left is one section of 30" flex and a bunch of small sections from cut off's. I also only have a few 054 curves.
But back to the outer loop, I attempted a test run, first with my small switcher and everything went great! then I tried it with my 4-8-4 and when it reached the back-to-back switch's it shorted, and I have no idea what is causing it to happen. I plan on getting out there when I am done here and see if I can figure it out.
If I can figure it out I will take a video of the around the room run! Wish me luck! LOL
Mike, watch out for those Gremlins... They love creating these kinds of problems..... Good luck, I know how frustrating it can be'.....
Hi guys, I hope your all having a wonderful Friday! Yes, Ted those Gremlins suck! The funny thing is I went out this morning and first Iran my small switcher along with 5 cars and 1 of them being my scratch-built track cleaning car. I ran it around about 5 times and then pulled it up onto the incline ramp to get it out of the way to see how the UP 4-8-4 would do. here is a short video of its first run on the new layout. It is funny this engine can find all the imperfections in ones track laying! LOL Enjoy!
Very nice run, Mike!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Very nice run, Mike!!
Thanks Mark, it took me longer to figure out how to embed a video here then anything else today! LOL
Looks great Mike. Sounded like your new inspector approves too!
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:Looks great Mike. Sounded like your new inspector approves too!
Bob
Thanks Bob, she loves the train room when things are nice and quiet, but as soon as I start the engines up and blowing the horn she starts to howl! I think it's because it interrupts her nap! LOL
Nice run Mike! The 4-8-4 is a beauty, and it ran well.
I hope you get the funds you need soon.
Andy
@mike g. posted:Hi guys, I hope your all having a wonderful Friday! Yes, Ted those Gremlins suck! The funny thing is I went out this morning and first Iran my small switcher along with 5 cars and 1 of them being my scratch-built track cleaning car. I ran it around about 5 times and then pulled it up onto the incline ramp to get it out of the way to see how the UP 4-8-4 would do. here is a short video of its first run on the new layout. It is funny this engine can find all the imperfections in ones track laying! LOL Enjoy!
Looks like a successful test run to me, Mike.
Gud gyob
@mike g. looking good Mike. Lots of enjoyable work ahead. To me, it’s a calming state of mind when I’m working on the layout.
Gene
@Mike g., Wow, I watched your video last night while watching TV with the wife and had the sounds off, the steamer didn’t mis a beat, just now I turned on the sound at its fantastic. Your video is great snd I need to learn how to do those. Keep up the good work, it’s really nice. Happy Railroading Everyone.
