@Mark Boyce posted:Gene, you sure got that looking like a nice right of way.
Thanks Mark, that additional wall loop really adds to the layout and creates a base for the background. I should be getting the backdrop from Train Junkies this week and hope to install it soon.
Gene
Looking good Gene, can’t wait to see the backdrop.
Andy
I’ve been working on a plan to add a turntable to my layout. I removed the O36 inside loop to make room. I went with a TT that didn’t require cutting a whole and moving the Mianne supports. I realize I removed the reversing loop, but since I added the extra shelf loop I hardly occupy the O36. Reversing would have to be done with a O36 minimum curve locomotive anyway. I know I’ll get more use out of the TT. With the expertise help of @gunrunnerjohn, I moved forward. This is my progress since Monday.
Gene
Looks like a good plan. You can always turn the locomotive around on the TT, so you just have to figure a way to swap ends with the caboose if you have on. 
Looks like a nice change
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like a good plan. You can always turn the locomotive around on the TT, so you just have to figure a way to swap ends with the caboose if you have on.
That’s my thought also. Thanks, I value your experience and knowledgeable opinion. I ordered the combo Atlas and Lionel transition whisker tracks today.
@Mark Boyce posted:Looks like a nice change
Thanks Mark, I’m starting to believe a layout is never quite finished.
Gene
Gene, there will always be something you will want to change. It just makes total sense to me that we will want to do something different from time to time.
Gene, I love the new idea! I think it is going to look great and add a fun aspect to your layout!
@mike g. posted:Gene, I love the new idea! I think it is going to look great and add a fun aspect to your layout!
Thanks Mike, that’s what I’m hoping for.
Gene
I agree with everyone. The turntable will be a nice addition.
Andy
@Steamfan77 posted:I agree with everyone. The turntable will be a nice addition.
Andy
Thanks Andy, I’ll post some pics tomorrow on the progress.
Gene
Progress update:
Completed a couple whisker tracks after mounting the turntable. Had to solder the power leads on 3 whisker tracks that didn’t have the connecting terminals. All runs smoothly so far. 
Gene
The turntable area looks great, Gene!
Looks good Gene! It will provide lots of action.
Andy
Thanks Mark & Andy.
Gene love the turntable! should provide hours of fun and entertainment! I know for me it would as it would take me a while to figure things out! LOL Great Job!
@mike g. posted:Gene love the turntable! should provide hours of fun and entertainment! I know for me it would as it would take me a while to figure things out! LOL
Thank you Mike.
Finished all whisker tracks today. Added new corresponding labels to the toggle switches. Unfortunately the Atlas and fastrack do not line up perfectly in height using the Lionel transition track and Atlas transition pins. It works fine, just have to go slow, which isn’t a problem seeing how it’s on the whisker tracks. I wouldn’t want to use them on the main lines.
Gene
A couple quick videos of the TT in action. For the cost, I’m pleased with the Atlas TT. It may not look as good as the higher end models, but it does the job. Also planning on my various scenes with my existing buildings and vehicles(the fun part), subject to change many times. A big thank you to @gunrunnerjohn for helping me with the electrical setup.
Gene
Looks great, runs great, Gene!!
@Genemed posted:Finished all whisker tracks today. Added new corresponding labels to the toggle switches. Unfortunately the Atlas and fastrack do not line up perfectly in height using the Lionel transition track and Atlas transition pins. It works fine, just have to go slow, which isn’t a problem seeing how it’s on the whisker tracks. I wouldn’t want to use them on the main lines.
Gene
Seems like you should be able to get a closer height match.
Playing cards make good shims. Perhaps you can substitute a few where needed in place of what you're currently using and they should fit nicely under the FT.
@Richie C. posted:Seems like you should be able to get a closer height match.
Playing cards make good shims. Perhaps you can substitute a few where needed in place of what you're currently using and they should fit nicely under the FT.
@Richie C. It’s the actual pin that has the discrepancy. When you attach one end to the Atlas track and the pin in the fastrack transition piece the metal between the Atlas joiner and pin is a bit to long. If it were shorter the height would be closer to perfect. That’s why I had to shim the fastrack. With the vertical metal piece being a bit longer than needed it raises the fastrack up.
Gene
Are these what you used?
Atlas O 6095 Tubular Track Transition Joiners
The do look like the tubular track would be a bit high,
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Are these what you used?
Atlas O 6095 Tubular Track Transition Joiners
The do look like the tubular track would be a bit high,
Yes. In your opinion, would it prematurely wear the traction rubber by going up and down the lip? I take it very slow.
Gene
@Mark Boyce posted:Looks great, runs great, Gene!!
Thanks Mark.
@Genemed posted:Yes. In your opinion, would it prematurely wear the traction rubber by going up and down the lip? I take it very slow.
Probably not given the limited amount of times you'll go in and out, and you won't be pulling a load at the time.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Probably not given the limited amount of times you'll go in and out, and you won't be pulling a load at the time.
Thanks John
Started the town village and added asphalt parking areas and connecting sidewalks. Added the gazebo yesterday. I think it will look nice once I add the turf and trees.
Gene
Gene, your town is shaping up nicely! I like the gazebo that will be in a town square/park, I take it! I really like the little switch tower by the turntable. You are like me in that you have to cram items in a relatively small space, but I think with the right treatment, the scenes will work out well!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Gene, your town is shaping up nicely! I like the gazebo that will be in a town square/park, I take it! I really like the little switch tower by the turntable. You are like me in that you have to cram items in a relatively small space, but I think with the right treatment, the scenes will work out well!!
Thanks Mark.
Gene Love the progress on your town and the asphalt looks outstanding! I hope you will spill the beans on how you went about making it look so nice!
@mike g. posted:Gene Love the progress on your town and the asphalt looks outstanding! I hope you will spill the beans on how you went about making it look so nice!
Thanks Mike. I’ll do my best explaining.
Once I decide on the placement of the buildings (after a couple days of running trains while looking it over), I mark on the table where they go. I then plan on where the vehicles will park, most of them at the station. I use my marking jigs I made for the asphalt areas and gravel sidewalks. Being OCD, there’s lots of measuring off the buildings for size and accuracy. Then the masking tape comes in. I start with the parking areas first. I put a thick layer of Mod Podge then heavily sprinkle WS fine cinders. The next day I remove the excess with a brush to be reused, then vacuum the rest. I then move on to the placement of the gravel sidewalks and do the same with a mix of the cinders and fine buff ballast. Under the docks and stoops I glue WS earth blend. Under the docks will also get some coarse turf and underbrush like the picture shows. The next step is to add just a few WS boulder ready rocks then mask where the buildings are and start layering the turfs. My scenery is nothing like the level of realism I’ve seen here, but it works for me.
Gene
Gene, thank you for sharing the technique. It looks great! Making the jigs and taping is something I intend to do when I ballast my track. I can’t see how I would get the uniformity I desire any other way.
Well Gene from where I am sitting and looking it looks Amazing! I hope to have my stuff look that great someday! Who know, maybe after a lot of practice! Thanks for the information!
Your welcome, I’ll continue to post as I progress.
Gene
I really like your addition of the turntable to your layout!!! Great!
Just caught up on all the changes Gene. I love the TT and the new town is shaping up nicely.
A suggestion on the transitions from Atlas to FT. Have you thought about shimming the track to the right height and soldering the rails together? I've made a few adapters from tubular to other brands buy this method. You would have to be careful not to melt the plastic on the FT.
I've been designing a track plan for a possible new layout (if my kids ever leave the house.... ), and had a Atlas TT in an earlier version. I've since changed the area to a service facility with an engine shed but the TT is still an option.
Bob
@RSJB18 posted:Just caught up on all the changes Gene. I love the TT and the new town is shaping up nicely.
A suggestion on the transitions from Atlas to FT. Have you thought about shimming the track to the right height and soldering the rails together? I've made a few adapters from tubular to other brands buy this method. You would have to be careful not to melt the plastic on the FT.
Thanks Bob, I never thought about soldering the track, and my soldering ability is about subpar. Considering it’s a slow moving operation, it seems to work fine for now. It would be easier to find the older style 6095 pins, being the correct height (which I thought I was buying) as someone mentioned on another topic. I don’t plan on ballasting the TT area for a while hoping I’ll find the correct pins. Here’s a couple videos showing the height difference in motion.
Gene
Nice progress Gene. I like your technique for roads and scenery. Things are shaping up nicely.
Andy
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
