What model RR activity are you doing this weekend? March 14/15 2020

I am going to my local train Club meet today.

Mikey

The boy's and I are cleaning the train room!

Working overtime - It makes buying more stuff later easier to justify!

Probably gonna start my steeplecab project writeup.    

Mitch

I'm going to install some telephone poles.

Dennis

Working on my building model, troubleshooting an engine.

Keeping my head down and out of trouble.

Bob

Buying stuff online to keep me out of trouble (for awhile anyway).

Since most of the local shows and other venues have cancelled for this weekend,  I got my "fix" by watching Dale/ "Toy Man's" video of his visit to the recent show in Ogden, Utah. I always enjoy his videos.

I went to the TMB club yesterday for their open house  I was the only one there so I was Safe   I stopped at the liquor store and bought one of these lamps

Steve, great idea for a thread--hope you will keep it going.

For myself, my quest to create smooth-sided 15" aluminum passenger cars with interiors and figures for a Great Northern Empire Builder consist is nearing completion.  I have 3 of the 7 cars in a finished/primed group requiring no further prep work; and, the other 4 were sprayed earlier this AM and will be inspected for further work.  This has been easily the most frustrating, time-consuming, and unfulfilling undertaking EVER in this hobby for me--but it is nearly DONE.  The painting and decorating will be a welcome relief by comparison.

A few days ago I ordered LEDs (blue tinted, 18 volt) from Town & Country Hobbies, which I received in 2 days. Very pleased with their prompt service.

There I am in the photo below, using those LEDs to replace the regular 18 volt bulbs I had in my 022 switch tracks.

Arnold

Springfield Il train show cancelled.  Daughter back from college...u if I  closed... High school senior off school...and I believe I’ll start working from home next week.   So, since I see plenty of home time in the coming month, I’m watching frozen 2 with family.  

It's what l didn't do....l chickened out of going to Lombard..and feel like l was robbed...lousy timing for a stupid bug...

This is a great idea, and although there’s few pictures, I spend a lot of time these days (while it’s winter and not doing yard duty)  reading wiring diagrams on hooking up the accessories I’ve placed on my layout when doing the actual building beginning in 2000. In utilizing the Lionel Legacy operation of the layout, everything can be turned on by the Cab 2 remote, and now there’s I-phone and I-Pad operation. Also, I watch all the how to do it videos, so, hopefully this thread can be a place of learning how we each enjoy this great hobby. Now, with all the flu and coronavirus issues, it is safer to stay inside our homes, and reading comments and reviews on our train related ideas is a lot of fun. So, Happy Railroading everyone.

Wishing I could work on my RR and open all the new engines and cars in the back of my SUV for two weeks now but Iam working at my funeral home been busy stretch and long long days and work has nothing to do with that topic..... it's just life!!🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

Plenty of projects, big and small, to keep me occupied around here!  Next up, some adjustments to the Ratlas trolley and my Fastrack Marx bumpers!   

Mitch 

dk122trains posted:

Wishing I could work on my RR and open all the new engines and cars in the back of my SUV for two weeks now but Iam working at my funeral home been busy stretch and long long days and work has nothing to do with that topic..... it's just life!!🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

Hey Don,

If you need help with the SUV I'm just a call away, lol.

Dave

Assembled a Weaver two-rail two-bay hopper fished out of the 'bay.

Mitch's byline inspired this reply.

Isn't it satisfying to accomplish a model railroad goal by scrounging so that it cost nothing?

I did that by fixing a few O31 switch track lanterns today. I had a few that melted so much they were beyond repair, and a few that melted a little and could be repaired. I took the ones beyond repair and pried loose the red and green plastic that was still in good shape. Then, I ever so slightly trimmed the colored plastic, and inserted and glued it in place inside the lanterns that needed new colored plastic. 

I salvaged 3 lanterns so far by doing the above. Probably saved about 10 bucks. 😊 Arnold

Trying to bring to life the last of my auction wins: a railing GS4. It's proving to be a monster, though. It really doesn't want to run!

Last week I added five 12 foot shelves behind my tinplate focused layout to my existing shelves. I stocked these shelves with some of my trains that have been in storage since 1985. Those MPC era trains I purchased in the early 80’s have never been run, since I was going to make a killing selling MIB units 40 years later! Oh well now I’ve made the decision to run them all. The Virginian FM, the Ballast Tamper, Pennsy Fire Unit and Alaska unit all needed lubrication and armature oil addressed. Some had dry worm gears while others had dried lube caked of the gears. After cleaning each ran smooth and easy, like they should. More inspections and lubrications next week.

With plans changed this weekend, I was able to get around to some scenery work in my yard area. A ways to go, but a good start in getting ground cover down in the center section. 

I finally got around to wiring up a switch tower too. 

I even had time to restore the smoke unit on my MTH Dreyfuss Hudson.  One of the two heating elements failed and the wick material needed replacement. All works well again!

Overall, a productive weekend on the railroad! 

Took my MTH protosound Jersey Central FM out of its display case and gave it a run with some new postwar rolling stock I picked up at the DuPage train show. 

It’s a great smoker!

Had a table at the Mobile Train Show, Sat/Sun. Crowds were down, of course. Not a big show, but usually lively. I sold little - usually I do well there - and bought less (five bucks for 2 scale flatcar bodies).

There was a nice lot (estate thing) of 2RO locos and cars - Weaver and 3rd Rail steam, lots of nice new 2RO cars (Atlas and so forth). Thankfully it was 2-rail - saved me money (that brass SP 2-10-2 sure looked nice).

Frank, I also have that MTH Proto 1 Jersey Central FM Trainmaster, think it's a great locomotive and it is one of my favorites.

Arnold,

I have seen your FM in a few of your photos always stands out.  A little story about mine which I picked up from a hobby shop in Michigan, I think "Bob's?" they had a garage sale and the FM was in parts in a box. I decided to buy the body and frame and left the trucks and motors behind. I knew nothing about MTH at the time but when I got home I knew I should have bought it all. I contacted the hobby shop and they still had the trucks and motors which I had them sent to me. The wiring had been all cut away but was able to buy some new wiring harnesses from MTH and got it running. Been running great since.

Ran trains......

Peter