@Mark Boyce posted:Instead of the Tasmanian Devil, you are the Arkansas Devil. You need to put the water buffalo hat on that cartoon, Mitch!!
Done and done!
Mitch
For the record, here's the current state of the workshop:
The corner of the table shows roughly where the layout is going to be once completed.
And the guest bedroom/library is about as ready for company as it's going to get! 
Compare and contrast with December:
Mitch
Attachments
Mitch, "Company coming" seems to have lit a fire under the Dervish. You need to have company more often, I can see a three or four level RR empire with that kind of energy.
After painstakingly loading the new train storage unit...
I've reversed the process and dismantled the cabinet.
Since the subcabinets are a) separate units, b) made of heavy, dense MDF board and c) painted with gloss paint, they don't stay lined up. In addition, the bottom three units need shims installed so the drawers will open smoothly. I'm fabricating shims from paint stir sticks, cut to length.
Once I finish installing shims, I'm going to stick the subcabinets together with Velcro, thus allowing me to adjust the height as needed by changing the number of subcabinets in the stack while holding them firmly in place...
Mitch
Attachments
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:After painstakingly loading the new train storage unit...
I've reversed the process and dismantled the cabinet.
Since the subcabinets are a) separate units, b) made of heavy, dense MDF board and c) painted with gloss paint, they don't stay lined up. In addition, the bottom three units need shims installed so the drawers will open smoothly. I'm fabricating shims from paint stir sticks, cut to length.
Once I finish installing shims, I'm going to stick the subcabinets together with Velcro, thus allowing me to adjust the height as needed by changing the number of subcabinets in the stack while holding them firmly in place...
Mitch
It's always somthing isn't it Just when you think your done your not.
Removed tape and vacumed up excess grass then patched bare spots. I mocked up a few buidings and added another 2 feet of grass on the oppiset side.
Attachments
Images (5)
(takes notes) 
Hooks on the top of the shelf, loops underneath...
Slow but steady...
Cardboard at one end makes positioning simpler... then just yank out the cardboard!
Frame complete!
And the shelves are back in place!
Not much for display, but **** on wheels for storage...
Mitch
Attachments
I knew you could improvise that storage unit, Mitch
Looks good Mitch. I have some flat files at work that we store plans and prints in ( they are not blue prints any more).
The depth of the drawer doesn't quite work for O scale but they would be perfect for HO.
Bob
For the first time in nearly a year, I have trains running in Chez Marmel!
This Marx dealers' display has been languishing in my garage for half a decade after suffering what Space-X calls an RUD (Rapid Unexpected Disassembly) after the bungee cords holding it to the roof of my sedan let go on a back road. So, last night, I sat down, pulled out all the old nails and staples, and reassembled the little indefinite using Gorilla Wood Glue and drywall screws. After a bit of tweaking and repair, the original Marx track is working fine, and I was able to add some buildings and scenery! Plus Fortescue.
The sawhorses will be supporting the final layout whenever I get that done. But, for now, I can at least test trains...
Mitch
Attachments
Nice restoration work Mitch. Glad to see you are back on the high iron!
I'm sure Norma has been wondering when you were going to get your keister in gear. 
@RSJB18 posted:Nice restoration work Mitch. Glad to see you are back on the high iron!
I'm sure Norma has been wondering when you were going to get your keister in gear.
You may rest assured that, as soon as the train started rolling, she was on my lap going "About time!"
Mitch
Great restoration Mitch, glad you are "rolling" again. Best wishes, Happy Thanksgiving
Don
Mitch, if anyone could salvage that accident, it would be you, looks great!
Fortescue J. Giraffe meets a Giant Elfhamian Frog. Neither quite knows what to make of the other...
Mitch
Attachments
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:For the first time in nearly a year, I have trains running in Chez Marmel!
This Marx dealers' display has been languishing in my garage for half a decade after suffering what Space-X calls an RUD (Rapid Unexpected Disassembly) after the bungee cords holding it to the roof of my sedan let go on a back road. So, last night, I sat down, pulled out all the old nails and staples, and reassembled the little indefinite using Gorilla Wood Glue and drywall screws. After a bit of tweaking and repair, the original Marx track is working fine, and I was able to add some buildings and scenery! Plus Fortescue.
The sawhorses will be supporting the final layout whenever I get that done. But, for now, I can at least test trains...
Mitch
After two years, progress has recommenced on the Razorback Railroad, Traction and Scrapple Company test track!
Underframing to match the sawhorses in the workshop and a Homasote top has been installed and primed with clear coat....
Now the 4 x 8 is mounted in the workshop area...
...coated with weldwood and grass mat installed1
Here's Fortescue ready to tee off on the brand new driving range!
Mitch
Attachments
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:After two years, progress has recommenced on the Razorback Railroad, Traction and Scrapple Company test track!
...coated with weldwood and grass mat installed1
Here's Fortescue ready to tee off on the brand new driving range!
Mitch
Looks good Mitch. I see some things never change. Fortescue and cats are always in the middle of everything.
Bob
And a roar goes up from the crowd, "YEAH!"
Great start on a new layout, Mitch!! I see Fortescue is overseeing the work!
Lesson learned today: A freshly matted train board attracts two things:
1) Junk.
2) Kitteh.
Correlation vs. causation is left as an exercise for the viewer.
Nonetheless, it is my intent to see in the New Year with at least ONE train running, even if it's temporary trackage...
Mitch
Here's the preliminary track layout for the Razorback Railroad, Traction and Scrapple Company!
As I mentioned at the outset, this was planned as a test track with delusions of grandeur:
From the outside in:
1. O-42 oval
2. 40" American Flyer
3: O-31 oval (for prewar testing)
4: Inside O-27 whatchamacallit for bump and go trolley testing.
As I say, I plan to have the outside oval semi-operational by New Year's.
Onwards and upwards!
Mitch
I like the 027 whatchamacallit. A term I have not heard before in track planning! 😃 👍🏻
Onward and upward! 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️
@Mark Boyce posted:I like the 027 whatchamacallit. A term I have not heard before in track planning! 😃 👍🏻
Onward and upward! 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️
Looks like Mitch's track planning software has a glitch in the matrix......
Have you checked clearances yet Mitch? The 042 and AF 040 look mighty close to each other on the curves.
Bob
With the kind assistance of Norma Bates, Esq, more refinements to the design.
Note that there is zero consideration given to clearances, as this is, in the final analysis, a test track on steroids, so generally only one track at a time will be in use...
Mitch
Mitch you are just fooling yourself thinking you won't be running all trains at once.
@yardtrain posted:Mitch you are just fooling yourself thinking you won't be running all trains at once.
Probably, yes.
Mitch
@Mark Boyce posted:I like the 027 whatchamacallit. A term I have not heard before in track planning! 😃 👍🏻
Onward and upward! 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🛤️🛤️🛤️🛤️
A “whatchamacallit” is a thingamabob with a built in flux capacitor
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Probably, yes.
Mitch
Probably??? PROBABLY???
@Apples55 posted:A “whatchamacallit” is a thingamabob with a built in flux capacitor
Probably??? PROBABLY???
Oh, thank you for explaining, Paul!
@Mark Boyce posted:Oh, thank you for explaining, Paul!
Here's another view of the "whatchamacallit", which is, I think, nearly complete, designwise. The general idea of the central O-27 oval will be twofold: 1) a regular oval for running smaller O-27 trains and non-bump and go trolleys; and 2) with the switches set, an extended "bump and go" track which starts at one bumper, travels most of the oval and through the other switch to the other bumper.
I've also been experimenting with my new angle grinder with cutting wheel, which beats the pants off of a Dremel for quick track surgery...
Mitch
Attachments
Nice idea for the bump and go; going part way around the layout! That’s an interesting s curve for the whachamacallit! The trolley should negotiate that fine where a train might have difficulty! 👍🏻
@Mark Boyce posted:Nice idea for the bump and go; going part way around the layout! That’s an interesting s curve for the whachamacallit! The trolley should negotiate that fine where a train might have difficulty! 👍🏻
My thoughts exactly. Reverse curves are always a little tricky for trains...
Mitch
Experiment away Dr. Fronkensteen!
More refinement to the bump and go...
First off, I needed to insulate the sidings, so the crossing had its center connector removed.
Before and after:
Jumper wires added.
With the switches on the main, the green light shows power to it.
With one switch to the siding, the bumper lights...
With both sidings selected, tne bumpers light and the main is dead, allowing for block operation.
I've been using this anti-derail feature to good effect for years, now...
Mitch
Attachments
As can be seen here, the O-31 and AF tracks are next in line for TLC...
Also note the trackside speaker connectors. These will be wired into the hardwiring going to the rails...
An adapted set of multimeter probes will go from a transformer to each individual track as needed (I plan to use an LW that's been knocking about the garage).
And yes, I went on a pawnshop DeWalt binge over the holidays. DON'T JUDGE ME!!!
Mitch
