Mark, you say scenery?? You mean after all this plywood and track stuff we are expected to scenic it?
I wonder when someone is going to come up with wire that can be shaped into trees, rocks, ballast, and scenic stuff so we don't have to spend hours hiding it.
Tom, Scenery?? That is a really novel idea isn't it? 
Pete, Excellent idea! We should give that some further consideration. 
It reminds me of cellular towers disguised as trees, and putting antennas and equipment inside church steeples. 
Mark Boyce posted:Pete, Excellent idea! We should give that some further consideration.
You got it, Mark! Roadbeds could be pre-wired to connect underneath tracks at intervals to prevent voltage drops, and to power switches. Fences, walls, and turf could be pre-wired to power accessories. Building facades could be pre-wired, or contain conduits for wiring, to light interiors. All this could be done with postwar technology. The more modern stuff can be done wirelessly through frequency controls, but where is the fun in that?
Yes Pete, we have it all figured out for Mike!! I had to go back and see whose layout build we were on before taking the side track off the main line! There you go, Mike! You will never have to crawl under that layout at all. Might as well build cabinets underneath and stash all the stuff you will never use again!! 
"Might as well build cabinets underneath and stash all the stuff you will never use again!! "
OR ANOTHER TRAIN LEVEL !!!
Mark Boyce posted:Yes Pete, we have it all figured out for Mike!! I had to go back and see whose layout build we were on before taking the side track off the main line! There you go, Mike! You will never have to crawl under that layout at all. Might as well build cabinets underneath and stash all the stuff you will never use again!!
...or a bunk with refrigerator, controls, and overhead CCTV of layout.
Any of the above! excellent!!
Don't forget a nice warm, comfy spot down there for the Inspector! He'll be back from the dark side sooner or later...
Hi Guys, Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! I think I am past hiding the wire as its already under the table! I will leave that for Mark to come up with! LOL
The train room had a T.V., heat, and right threw the door into the garage there is a fridge full of my Coors Light, next to that is the restroom, and next to the is the coffee maker and Microwave oven! So I think I have it all covered!
As for Tank, there is a bed in the train room just for him if he ever comes back from the she shed dark side! LOL
Coors. You got it all 
I agree with Larry !!!
You to have great taste! Plus you both are some great friends to me!
Mike, you do have it all covered!! Why would we think otherwise?
mike g. posted:Hi Guys, Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! I think I am past hiding the wire as its already under the table! I will leave that for Mark to come up with! LOL
The train room had a T.V., heat, and right threw the door into the garage there is a fridge full of my Coors Light, next to that is the restroom, and next to the is the coffee maker and Microwave oven! So I think I have it all covered!
As for Tank, there is a bed in the train room just for him if he ever comes back from the she shed dark side! LOL
You are way ahead of me in your set up there, sounds like you have it all!! I need to get with the program.
I don't see how Tank can possibly resist all that you have set up in your train room garage area? It's just perfect! I think he has been abducted and reprogrammed, some very strange and eerie forces are at work on him here!
You have a great set up there Mike! I hope you are enjoying it too!
Thanks RTR, It only there because of what I have learned here! That along with all the help of all the great people here!
But don't worry, I still have along way to go and a lot of questions I am sure!
It all boils down to who has the best treats! That is where Tank's interests lie!
I can almost hear the roaring sounds of trains on 3-rail track now!
Yes, I am not surprised about Tank. Both our male dogs were mumu's boys! Now, the 9-year old Annie is a Mumu's girl! One thing good, Annie can't jump up into a chair or onto the bed anymore. She has stubby legs. Comfy pillow, I might add!
The wiring looks good! You are moving right along.
Attachments
Thanks Mark! Isn't it funny how we spoil our pets! Got to love them little 4 legged critters!
Thanks Lee! But lets not get the cart ahead of the horse! I still have a long ways to go! But as long as its moving forward that's cool with me!
mike g. posted:Thanks Mark! Isn't it funny how we spoil our pets! Got to love them little 4 legged critters!
You are absolutely right, Mike!!
Hi Mike, well, this has been a really neat Journey, your train room looking great and now, give us some updates. Happy Holidays to you and yours, and of course, Happy Railroading. Your frien from Tennessee, Leapin Larry
leapinlarry posted:Hi Mike, well, this has been a really neat Journey, your train room looking great and now, give us some updates. Happy Holidays to you and yours, and of course, Happy Railroading. Your frien from Tennessee, Leapin Larry
Hi Larry, I am sad to say there is no updates. Due to lack of funds, taking care of my mom's move. Plus we had to fire one employee at our mom and pop store cause she left it open all night, then one employee quit. So its been momma and I almost 7 days a week. She does days and I do nights all for the same little pay.
I do hope to get enough plywood this weekend to get most of the bench top done. Its all prewired, so after the plywood, then some 2" foam I think, then time to get more track!
Sorry to hear about the store Mike. Its tough finding good reliable help. Hang in there, slow and steady wins the race.
Bob
Wow Mike, that is bad about what happened at the store!! I'm glad it all turned out alright except for you and your wife having to work so many hours.
How is Mom doing at her new place? We are moving my 88-year old parents to another personal care home tomorrow morning. I'm praying Dad will be more comfortable there, have more to do, and he won't worry about Mum so much!
Thanks Bob and Mark ! You know it's funny, we have such a problem with people out of work. But yet we are having a hard time finding anyone why wants to work! WTH?
Mom is doing good at my sisters house, She has her own room, plenty to do, grandkids to take care of in her mind, but they are really taking care of her! She gets out 4-5 days a week so sofar she seams happy!
I know it’s hard to get good help!
I’m glad it’s going good with your mom
Hi Mike, Thank You for the update, however, not exactly what I or any of our OGR Forum friends expected to hear. So, we will pray for your families and hope good things will come your way, and that sooner than later you will have more Layout time and Family time. I understand your difficulties in finding good and loyal help as most folks want the money but don’t want to work for it. I really like your new layout room and will keep my eye on your progress. Thank you for answering my question, and keep us up to date when life gets back to some sort of normal. Your a very important part of the OGR Forum, best Regards. Leapin Larry
Mike, I'm really sorry to hear about the family issues. I hope it gets squared away soon enough.
Hi guys,Thank you for all the nice words!
I need your advice! I am going to go down and get some more plywood today. My brother brought me 2 sheets that have the smooth on one side which is really nice! But I priced it out and its $47 per sheet. My questions is should I buy the same or could I get away with regular 1/2 plywood and just fill and blemishes ?
I am not sure if I am going to put foam over it, that's another question if I should or not?
All help would be great!
Mike: I use 3/4 " particle board on mine. you could use 5/8 or 1/2 if you have enough bracing. I can stand on mine and you know me.. LOL... also the cost is good too. My cost on 3/4 is 19.50 per sheet. I didn't use foam on my layout, the indoor/outdoor green carpet keeps the noise down, good enough for me.
Thanks Bob, I was thinking foam for elevation changes along with noise reduction. I have been looking at my room and layout plan and am thinking about a second level down the room. LOL Right now my brain is just spinning with ideas cause I have done nothing in a while! LOL
If foam goes over it, you only have to worry about it's load bearing capabilities.
Thanks Lee, I have cross bracing ever 16 inches, it holds my weight!
Mike I have used the following two products from Home Depot both 1/2 inch. Personally, I won't use particle board or the stranded OSB, just my personal opinion... the first item is selling for around $29 and the second for around $35... both prices are for 1/2 inch thick and 4 x 8 foot
Thanks for the input guys! I went down this morning before work and got I think they call it XXX 1/2" plywoow. I can fill any imperfections. Plus at the price I was able to get all the plywood for the top!
Morning everyone, So I have a little dilemma, my wife/ CEO/CFO informed me she would like the reversing loop on my future layout to go away. She says it takes up to much room in what she call the very nice new train room. I would really like all your thoughts on this! I have attached a couple of photos for you to view!
Attachments
Images (2)
