Weekend Photo Fun 2-3-23-??

A few months ago, there was a forum topic inquiring about the corners of layouts. When building my free-lanced model railroads, I thought the corners presented an opportunity in which to create scenes and, since the layouts were nearing completion, I spent extra time on the structures and scenery in those places.

First four photographs show the corners of my 12’-by-8’ layout with O-72 curves (completed in 2004). Last four photographs show the corners of my 10’-by-5’ layout with O-54 curves (completed 2019). Both were the subject of articles in OGR magazine (Runs 214 and 304) and the smaller layout was on the cover. The corner edges of the table were deliberately included in each photo.

The larger the curve radius in a corner, the more area in which to build a scene.

MELGAR

This week, I have some images of a tunnel lining I built for Spruce Creek Tunnel. The tunnel is curved, and the outside of the curve abuts the aisleway. In order to obtain access to the tunnel, I built two curved walls that can be opened like cabinet doors.

The first image shows the wall framing for one of the two doors adjacent to the tracks. A small caster supports the near end of the door, keeps it in position vertically, and allows it to be pulled out of place while resting on the benchwork. The opposite wall is fixed in place:

The next image shows the framed wall opened up by means of a hinge.

Then, I installed the liner which is made of 1/8” Masonite® and is shown here being held in place with clamps prior to be permanently attached with flat head screws. This photo was taken from the opposite side. Note the hinges that allow the door to open:

Here you can see it back in the closed position with the lining installed and now painted black. Compare this image to the first picture in the post:

The next image shows both the doors in place and closed:

This picture shows both of the doors slightly open. These doors allow easy access to the tunnel in case of a derailment and to clean the track:

And finally, here are two shots showing a few of the first trains through the tunnel after the lining project was completed:

Next, I’ll be installing the plywood above the tunnel topped by one or two layers of 2” thick pink foam. It will then be rough cut with a hot wire foam cutter and then carved to create the scenery above the tunnel.

That’s it for this week!

The MTH 2000 Gold Millennium reproduction of the American Flyer President’s Set. It is currently is on display along the fireplace mantle in the Basement.

Here are a few pictures of my 12' X 17' layout in my home living space taken down a few years ago prior to building my current 9' X 9' layout also in the home living space:

We are back in action at our storefront.......and 4 feet longer, now 21x47.

Our version of a railroad Schnabel car.....

Ray (the fellow with the hat) showing us what he can do with plastic grocery containers. Bill is holding a roof he constructed.

Jerry changing the scene on his module.

Scenery work being done by a group a fellows.

Next, we (Gilly@N&W drove this project) incorporated some backdrops permanently on the big layout. We used these 1st at York last October. They were a gift from Regis Harkins of the National Capital Trackers. They were used when the Trackers did their Triple Crossing layout in York, the Black Hall, maybe, 5 years ago. Sadly, Regis passed suddenly in the early fall after a long illness. He was serving as Tracker President at the time and is greatly missed.

They serve as a remembrance of his friendship.

Backing one of my modules.....

Backing two of Gilly at N&W's modules.....

Backing one of Kanawha's modules.....

Have a great and safe weekend, folks!

Peter

Thanks Scott for getting us going for this weekend!   Here are my photos of the fun kind for this fine weekend!!   Enjoy your weekend everyone!

A quartet of short line switchers pass a redevelopment project in Lower Patsburg.

A B&O GP9 is on the service track.

A B&O Hudson on the mainline pulling the National Limited through Patsburg.

Some favorite diesels

My own photo of one of my favorite cabooses at the NCTM in Spencer

If you don't wash those dishes you'll be sleeping with the fishes!

How it all started!

It is late 1949 and a L1 is moving a work train out to a bridge that needs repair.  Pennsy structural engineers determined the 38 year old wood bridge needed additional support before it can be used again, and the work is expected to last several weeks.  The work train has only one bunk car as most of the workers will be saying at a nearby Pennsy-owned boarding house, the last remaining "hotel" of the many hotels the Pennsy owned along their right of way in the early 1900s.  The L1, Pennsy's primary freight hauler when it first came out in 1914, lasted until the end of steam.

The L1 is 3rd Rail, the tool/bunk/kitchen cars are Lionel, the gondola is Weaver, and the crain is MTH.

Running my first passenger train that I received for my birthday 71 years ago.

@pennsyfan posted:

Running my first passenger train that I received for my birthday 71 years ago.

Very nice set.  You have taken excellent care of it.  It is amazing to see that it still runs so well and looks so good after 71 years.

After I shot the photos in my post above regarding my tunnel access doors, I had to run the passenger train pulled by the PA's back into the staging yard, and grabbed this photo as they crossed over the Tuscarora Creek bridge at Port Royal. I was just looking at it again, and it's just such a nice picture, I figured what the heck, I'd post it on here separately.

Yes, they certainly are handsome Neal. I've only seen one other set at a local train show here some years ago and the fella still had it offered the following year. He wanted a lot for it and was missing the boxes for some reason.

@c.sam posted:

Yes, they certainly are handsome Neal. I've only seen one other set at a local train show here some years ago and the fella still had it offered the following year. He wanted a lot for it and was missing the boxes for some reason.

They are one of my favorites. Gorgeous engines. They did a second run in five stripe "tuscan," but there were actually orange, so I returned them to the dealer. Very disappointing. 

It's about time someone closed up that old mine on the Utacolzona R.R.

Before

Thanks for looking.       Dennis.

Utacolzona Railroad in On30 (built 2020 - 2022) Last Update 2/5/23

Lots of great work and photos/videos here.

I put the E8s on the layout to add to Scotts  

E8s operating session.
https://youtu.be/EHBuXqAZC9s

Stuck in a garage....somewhere near the swamps of Jersey.  

Making one last lap around the frozen tundra that is the north Jersey garage this week are an Indiana Harbor Belt SW1500, a  NYS&W SW-9, an Atlantic & East Carolina RS-1 (one of my personal favorites, and a NYS&W RS-1.  

I was in DC the last few days helping my daughter while her husband is out of town. Since she worked today, I joined up with the National Capital Trackers at the Maryland State Fairgrounds (I'm an out of town member) in Timonium and joined in with set up for this weekend's show (Great Scale Model Train Show)

This show will be massive, and though there is a lot of HO, N & G, this show is massive and there is plenty of O Gauge vendors........and their are loads of layouts especially the Trackers set up which is about 25x60.

If you are in the area, I recommend you go and see the Trackers....their O Gauge displays are great!

The show runs Saturday and Sunday.    

www.gsmts.com

Lots to see and do......and , if you go, dress warmly. It's going to be cold!

Here are some set up pics....

Craignor and I

Have a great and safe weekend, folks.......stay warm!

Peter

Good morning everyone, what a great set of photos this weekend, there is so much to talk about I'm not sure where to begin.  A big thanks to Scott for hosting this each week, I always look forward to Fridays so I can look at all the great material that is posted, I'm always amazed at the quality of the work and the inspiration that I get from everyone.
Melgar, I love your layouts, you've done some really beautiful work on them, I'd love to see them in person.  I really loved your explanations on the way you did your corners on your layouts.
Your work is just outstanding and I love all the different structures you come up with.
Neal, your work is on another level, probably 8 to 10 above mine, like Melgar's, I'd love to see it in person, no matter how good the pictures are that you guys post, nothing beats an in person view of the subjects.  Terrific work on those tunnels, I really love the way you made the liners move so you have access to the insides, very well thought out.
Peter, you are the man of day, week, month, what can I say, your portable layouts your club puts together are wonderful, what great ways to advance the hobby.  They also show lots of talent from many different ways.
Pat, your layout is always a pleasure to see and you always have a good beginning for each picture.  Your layout is very nicely done as well.
Cappilot, I really like your Pennsy locomotives although I'm a diehard SP fan, I've started to develop a liking towards the older Pennsy locomotives, they remind me of the SP in many ways, always coming up with some real work horses, I've got an MTH Pennsy that is a 2-8-2, I haven't run it yet but fully plan to in the near future.

That's about it for me, oh yes, if any members on the Forum happen to be in the DFW area around March 11th and 12th, the Lone Star High Railers club is hosting a Train Show at the Grapevine Convention center, we have branched out to a much larger facility this year and have numerous Vendors already signed up, in fact, all of the Vendor tables have been sold out, we will also have some train layouts to see while walking around and visiting and shopping.  Our own layout which is located in an old baggage car will be open and running.  So if you happen to be in the area or just want to make a trip down this way, maybe you have some spare cash just burning a hole in your pocket, COME ON DOWN and join in the fun.  There is lots to see and do in Grapevine, you can catch the Tex-Rail and take a nice 30-40 minute ride over to Ft. Worth and go to the Stock Yards, you can have lunch at my favorite BBQ Restaurant called Risky's, the food is fantastic and they don't skimp on the portions either, we always take some back home.

Thanks for a great start to the weekend, you all take care and try and stay warm, we're still thawing out from our major Ice Storm that we had, it was a doozy!
Cheers,

A 2022 Christmas Layout memory

Staying again this week with a scene from the back right area.

- walt

for perspective purposes:

Found a nefarious character for my alley, but he needs sunglasses.

@J. Motts posted:

Melgar, I love your layouts, you've done some really beautiful work on them, I'd love to see them in person.  I really loved your explanations on the way you did your corners on your layouts. Your work is just outstanding and I love all the different structures you come up with.

@J. Motts

Thank you very much. I really do appreciate it. You're welcome for a layout tour anytime.

MELGAR

@PRRMiddleDivision posted:

This week, I have some images of a tunnel lining I built for Spruce Creek Tunnel. The tunnel is curved, and the outside of the curve abuts the aisleway. In order to obtain access to the tunnel, I built two curved walls that can be opened like cabinet doors.

The first image shows the wall framing for one of the two doors adjacent to the tracks. A small caster supports the near end of the door, keeps it in position vertically, and allows it to be pulled out of place while resting on the benchwork. The opposite wall is fixed in place:

This picture shows both of the doors slightly open. These doors allow easy access to the tunnel in case of a derailment and to clean the track:

Excellent planning and execution, Neal!

Your personal record has been awarded ten merits for proper planning to prevent poor performance.

REX 7805

A repainted and re-lettered Atlas Trainman car.

Melgar, you are more than welcome, maybe I can take you up on it someday.  You really do nice work.
Mr. Leese, (a quick personal note) thank you so much for the SP magazines, I've already gone thru them once and now I'm going thru them a 2nd time.   That said, your REA plug door reefer looks really good, the color on it looks to be right on and the lettering is nicely done as well.  Good job.  I hope you're coming down for at least one day during the train show.  It will be nice to meet you in person.

The new MTH RailKing SOO LINE AS616 diesel-electric locomotive in the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic color scheme speeding with a train of O scale freight cars.

Andrew

Falcon Service

Newly installed LEDs in the unpowered unit.

Ran with the National Capital Trackers at Timonium, Maryland this weekend…

Didn’t get to work on what I wanted to this week but still got something done. Built my M10 for my WWII train. Still need to get another to double up the flat car. Started planning out how I want to do my 8” gun as well.
Had to go in this morning and shut off our power. Friday had to go and put them all in notch 2 due to the weather. As I was about to leave heard a train coming in on the west end of the yard. Glad I stayed.

@Craignor posted:

Ran with the National Capital Trackers at Timonium, Maryland this weekend

Great set up......I can see why you love the Tinplate engine/set......it's a beauty!

Peter

My contribution.  Inspired by the Turbine thread.

I was also at the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium this past Saturday along with four other guys from my club.  This has become an annual (*long*) day trip for us.  After getting on the road early, we stopped for breakfast at Round the Clock Diner in York before heading to the show.  I took these pix for our club FB page to give others in Pittsburgh an idea of the size of this show.

We all found goodies to bring home with us.  Strangely, my two purchases at the show were not even O scale -- I picked up a custom-run two-pack of N gauge boxcars done in a Tionesta Valley paint scheme (I have a camp in Tionesta, so it is a personal collectible for me), and my second purchase was a Z scale freight car for a project I have in progress.

On the way home, we stopped in Mt. Airy, MD to visit a couple of train stores.  The dedicated train shop was next to a small RR / town museum with their own B&O caboose:

We highly recommend this museum if visiting the area.  The second "train shop" in Mt. Airy, The Toy Exchange, was more of a toy store with a good amount of trains and diecast vehicles.  They have a lot of vintage toys and especially a *lot* of robot toys, vintage to modern.  It was a pleasure browsing this store (and one of us bought a freight car there).

Following was a stop at what will probably be our go-to dinner spot for this road trip from now on, The Roasthouse Pub in Frederick, MD.  This was our second time at this place, and the food was excellent, and their selection of craft beers was incredible.  It was a fun day! 

Andy