Mike, you've got it all covered with the will call door...customers and delivery drivers know right where to be...
Mike awesome job on those Flats they look beautiful
Thanks Mike. Inch and half sounds really good for lighting. On my layout that is about all the room ill have to spare. By design I messed up and put my rails to close to wall. My problem though. But with your dezine I think it will work . Will let you know in the future. Thanks for the info. By the way. Love you're layout.
@farmerjohn posted:Thanks Mike. Inch and half sounds really good for lighting. On my layout that is about all the room ill have to spare. By design I messed up and put my rails to close to wall. My problem though. But with your dezine I think it will work . Will let you know in the future. Thanks for the info. By the way. Love you're layout.
Thanks John, I have a few places that need flats or something so I thought I would give it a shot. My layout is nothing like your, but I don't think it's to bad for a guy that really just got into it. I got my first train 6 years ago and that was ho. Then my grandson found an old Lionel steam engine in the trash and gave it to me and that's all it took! LOL
Hey Mike.
Everybody's layout is different. That is what makes it so special. Everybody has different ideas and that is what makes it so special. But is really nice is the sharing of ideas on this forum. I love it. I'm a kid again when I play with my trains. Hey that's what it's all about . RIGHT.
A few nights ago I performed some urban renewal. I created this engine terminal facility for steam and diesel locomotives. Doing this involved removal of a brewery, which may be re-located. The top two photos shows the new engine terminal. The bottom photo shows the brewery as it was before removal to make way for the new facility.
The sand house is a Model Power section shed for hand or motor car storage. I used the shed's flat extension to create a raw sand storage area and wooden cross ties as containment walls. Behind the sand house you will see a HO gauge industrial smoke stack.... to allude to a baking oven inside the shed for baking the raw sand. The raw sand itself is from the beaches of Ocean City, Md. Directly across from the sand house is the sand tower ( by MTH ). Sand turns white as it is dried from the baking process, so I have applied the spillage of white sand around the track on which the GP9 is sitting. 
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@trumpettrain posted:A few nights ago I performed some urban renewal. I created this engine terminal facility for steam and diesel locomotives. Doing this involved removal of a brewery, which may be re-located. The top two photos shows the new engine terminal. The bottom photo shows the brewery as it was before removal to make way for the new facility.
The sand house is a Model Power section shed for hand or motor car storage. I used the shed's flat extension to create a raw sand storage area and wooden cross ties as containment walls. Behind the sand house you will see a HO gauge industrial smoke stack.... to allude to a baking oven inside the shed for baking the raw sand. The raw sand itself is from the beaches of Ocean City, Md. Directly across from the sand house is the sand tower ( by MTH ). Sand turns white as it is dried from the baking process, so I have applied the spillage of white sand around the track on which the GP9 is sitting.
Looks great! I'm always a fan of engine facilities.
I didn't take any pictures but my dad and I are slowly building his new layout (old layout had been up for 20 years, it was time for a change) and we use gargraves track. So for the Lionel dump cars we use the technique Jim Barrett showed of cutting the ties out so you can install a piece of rail to activate the car. We needed two for in front of the 97 coal loaders. I'd never installed any of the activation rails on our old layout so it was nice to see how it is actually done. I'll keep posting pictures of the layout as we move along. Have a great Friday!
@mike g. posted:Well guys today I got all the outside lighting hooked up and then one has a bad connection so I tomorrow I will have to figure that out. I also got the inside back drop done with cargo on the lower level and a main lobby, the second floor is office space. Here are a couple photos for you all to enjoy!
Tomorrow is Friday and the start of the weekend, I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! Remember to love the ones you have and thank them for allowing you your time for fun with your layout and trains!
Looks great Mike. Since it's Good Friday today I'm sure that Will Call door is going to be busy!
@trumpettrain posted:A few nights ago I performed some urban renewal. I created this engine terminal facility for steam and diesel locomotives. Doing this involved removal of a brewery, which may be re-located. The top two photos shows the new engine terminal. The bottom photo shows the brewery as it was before removal to make way for the new facility.
Very Nice Patrick. It's good to change up the scenes occasionally.
Berklover- Looking forward to pix next time.
@railhead53- welcome back to the greatest hobby in the world. Keep us posted on the build.
Bob
Yesterday I took another look at the switches I've been working on. I think I solved my problem for the most part. I won't know if the fix is 100% effective until I get everything assembled on the layout but it looks good in the tests. My fix was to add a short piece of center rail just past the outer turn-out rail. It only added about a 1/2" to the rail but it seems to have made a big difference. I tried several different locos and most ran through without stalling. If more center rail is needed I can add some copper sheet to the top of the plastic piece inside the turnout rails. I just have to watch that the roller isn't on both the center and outer rail at the same time.
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Nice work everyone and happy Good Friday!
Mike G, excellent lighting and interior scenes. I've come to appreciate how difficult it is to get that right shade of light on a building interior from working on my current project.
Bob, way to go on that fix. As you pointed out, proceed with caution on extending that any further as you risk an electronics fatal short if the pickup roller touches both tracks. Keep in mind that different speeds may slightly alter roller alignment as well as the unique characteristics of different engines. Everything may seem fine when pushed by hand but it may be another ballgame at 15 SMPH.
Bob I would feel confident and say SUCCESS for your proof test. Your fix looks very neat and looks to have solved your issue. Good luck with the install and final test.
@Strap Hanger posted:Nice work everyone and happy Good Friday!
Mike G, excellent lighting and interior scenes. I've come to appreciate how difficult it is to get that right shade of light on a building interior from working on my current project.
Bob, way to go on that fix. As you pointed out, proceed with caution on extending that any further as you risk an electronics fatal short if the pickup roller touches both tracks. Keep in mind that different speeds may slightly alter roller alignment as well as the unique characteristics of different engines. Everything may seem fine when pushed by hand but it may be another ballgame at 15 SMPH.
@Rich Wiemann posted:Bob I would feel confident and say SUCCESS for your proof test. Your fix looks very neat and looks to have solved your issue. Good luck with the install and final test.
Thanks gents.
Agreed on both points. I will probably install as-is and adjust from there. The spurs will be powered by separate feeds which should help with power losses in and out of the sidings. Also not being able to run all the way through the last switch caused some short stops.
There is quite a bit of wiggle room as the engines roll through the points and frogs, so what works one way may not in the other.
Bob
DillonM - your trolley scene really captures the nostalgia and period well. Cobblestone streets, trolley wire, ceramic buildings - nice job, very impressive. I think it is really hard to make those elements work seamlessly together - WOW.
Are the overhead wires are live?
@RSJB18 posted:Yesterday I took another look at the switches I've been working on. I think I solved my problem for the most part. I won't know if the fix is 100% effective until I get everything assembled on the layout but it looks good in the tests. My fix was to add a short piece of center rail just past the outer turn-out rail. It only added about a 1/2" to the rail but it seems to have made a big difference. I tried several different locos and most ran through without stalling. If more center rail is needed I can add some copper sheet to the top of the plastic piece inside the turnout rails. I just have to watch that the roller isn't on both the center and outer rail at the same time.
Well Done!! Mighty good idea. Nicely detailed sir. Poifect!
@trumpettrain posted:A few nights ago I performed some urban renewal. I created this engine terminal facility for steam and diesel locomotives. Doing this involved removal of a brewery, which may be re-located. The top two photos shows the new engine terminal. The bottom photo shows the brewery as it was before removal to make way for the new facility.
Pat:
Please find a new home for the brewery. It was a great scene in your layout. One of my favorites.
Scoutingdad no the overhead is not live. But could be. I would need a different pantograph. But wire and hangars are marklin and do have continuity.
Matt
@trumpettrain posted:A few nights ago I performed some urban renewal. I created this engine terminal facility for steam and diesel locomotives. Doing this involved removal of a brewery, which may be re-located. The top two photos shows the new engine terminal. The bottom photo shows the brewery as it was before removal to make way for the new facility.
The sand house is a Model Power section shed for hand or motor car storage. I used the shed's flat extension to create a raw sand storage area and wooden cross ties as containment walls. Behind the sand house you will see a HO gauge industrial smoke stack.... to allude to a baking oven inside the shed for baking the raw sand. The raw sand itself is from the beaches of Ocean City, Md. Directly across from the sand house is the sand tower ( by MTH ). Sand turns white as it is dried from the baking process, so I have applied the spillage of white sand around the track on which the GP9 is sitting.
Patrick,,,great detail and color in your scene. I just noticed the "Bada Bing"...most likely some of the brewery crew stops by there at end of shift
@Dillonm posted:Scoutingdad no the overhead is not live. But could be. I would need a different pantograph. But wire and hangars are marklin and do have continuity.
Matt, I noticed the Marklin HO catenary wires and thought they could be powered from the far end. I now have about 40 feet of the wire and am trying to decide whether to tinker with a short powered section. Nice job on the posts and wire supports. I'll have to checkout the Marklin hangars.
@modeltrainsparts posted:Mike -- For background i'm attaching pics of some of the background i did behind some factory buildings. Some of them were just painted on, others done either on Strathmore board, some on 1/8" or 1/4" foam core. I used brick paper glued (3M Spray 77) to the backing in most instances. It all gives the illusion of depth. Don't restrict yourself to one material or style; mix it up.
Another place you might want to look for materials (brick paper, etc.) and ideas is Clever Models.
Now that is an excellent background'. Great depth of field'.. Very realistic'... and very nice weathering as well'...!!☑⭐👍
Mike, your building looks terrific'. Nice lighting job'... I love 💚 the prople upstairs working'.. From the distance of the shots you took, I don't think you need the glass'.. You will get dust and baby spiders inside though. As long as the cobwebs don't block the windows', it'll be fie.. Nice work Mike'...]..😍
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Working on the river
Afternoon guys, sure is some nice work going on!
Patrick, WOW what a huge change! Looks great!
Bob, great idea! I sure hope it works well when you get it back on the layout!
Kwisor, great looking scene! Going to look even better when your done with the river!
Well guys, I got out to the train room this morning at 3:30am fixed the short in the one light, it was a broken wire. I was able to get the back on, the loading dock weathered, and all wired up and in place.
Here is what it was meant to be.
Here is what it turned out to be in it's place in the window.
I did end up adding the windows and once I got them in I wasn't about to take them back out. I think it looks fine to me!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and finds time to have fun with there trains!
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looks great Mike keep up the good work
kevin
Wow, that's a lot of posts in one day!!
Bill, I'm glad to see you back. IT looks like the new layout is off to a great start.
Mike, The Hamma Hamma Seafood Company looks great! The interior detail is just right. When are we going to see the Mike and Mrs Mike Store model?
Bob, It looks like you are doing great on the switch rebuild. Maybe when you are finished you could sell Steve the plans for the short switches.
Dillonm, the scene with the trolley really captures the feel of a bygone day that all of us long for!
Pat, It is allways good to change up a good scene with another good scene.
Kwisor, that is a wonderful scene!
Yesterday evening I found and removed the short circuit that was causing my two TIU channels to be tied together. I had a gap between the mainline and a siding that had closed up for some reason. I never put any insulation in to fill the gaps before, but maybe I should. I decided to run trains. I promptly threw traction tires on one of the H9 consolidations and replaced them.
Thanks Mark. I don't think Steve has anything to worry about from this hack job 
Glad you were able to fix your shorts! (sorry, old electrician's joke)
No turning back now...... 
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@RSJB18 posted:Thanks Mark. I don't think Steve has anything to worry about from this hack job
No turning back now......
No turning back is right!! 
@mike g. posted:Afternoon guys, sure is some nice work going on!
Patrick, WOW what a huge change! Looks great!
Bob, great idea! I sure hope it works well when you get it back on the layout!
Kwisor, great looking scene! Going to look even better when your done with the river!
Well guys, I got out to the train room this morning at 3:30am fixed the short in the one light, it was a broken wire. I was able to get the back on, the loading dock weathered, and all wired up and in place.
Here is what it was meant to be.
Here is what it turned out to be in it's place in the window.
I did end up adding the windows and once I got them in I wasn't about to take them back out. I think it looks fine to me!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and finds time to have fun with there trains!
Wow, Mike, those oil tanks look great. The lights add that realistic look'....Nice'..addition to the layout'...
Mike the building has really come together nicely. Thanks for posting your progress on it.
Railhead53, you have a nice "pallet" there. Everything looks to be well planned out. Can't wait to see your future progress shots.
Dave
@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:
Thanks Ted! The oil tanks are old coffee cans with some 5mm Lee's from the bay.
@luvindemtrains posted:Mike the building has really come together nicely. Thanks for posting your progress on it.
Railhead53, you have a nice "pallet" there. Everything looks to be well planned out. Can't wait to see your future progress shots.
Dave
Thanks Dave, now I can move onto something else! LOL
You have an excellent track foreman Bob to remedy the switches. I would suggest posting a double slow order.
Hello Capetrainman!
I've purchased a supply of foamie but I must order a thicker supply for I am not satisfied with the two mm thickness to pair up with my 1 mm thick styrene sheets.
I have this question for you experienced gentlemen. Regarding the width of the streets and roads, what is your normal width in inches. And when you order car striping tape do you use the 1/8th width tape?
Thanks so much guys for your interest in helping. I've begun to layout my streets and my foamie pads with the Woodlands scenic buildings placed on top as a dry run. I'm doing this on a 4x8 plywood sheet in my shop and not on the layout as yet. The design, Its coming together quick this way. I have planned for this day to come for a long time. Sometime this month the design I wish and the downtown streets will look like Olive Hill.
"Railhead53, you have a nice "pallet" there. Everything looks to be well planned out. Can't wait to see your future progress shots."
Dave
Thanks Dave. We'll see what I can make of it. Worked on installing the hardboard for the backdrop today. Bill B.
@Seth Thomas posted:Hello Capetrainman!
I've purchased a supply of foamie but I must order a thicker supply for I am not satisfied with the two mm thickness to pair up with my 1 mm thick styrene sheets.
I have this question for you experienced gentlemen. Regarding the width of the streets and roads, what is your normal width in inches. And when you order car striping tape do you use the 1/8th width tape?
Thanks so much guys for your interest in helping. I've begun to layout my streets and my foamie pads with the Woodlands scenic buildings placed on top as a dry run. I'm doing this on a 4x8 plywood sheet in my shop and not on the layout as yet. The design, Its coming together quick this way. I have planned for this day to come for a long time. Sometime this month the design I wish and the downtown streets will look like Olive Hill.
Hi Seth...glad to hear your project is on the way! My South Main Street is 9 1/2" wide...the width will accommodate 2 travel lanes and 2 lanes for parallel parking. As a test for width, I put 4, 1/43 autos on the road appropriately spaced to come up with a width that was functional. For lane striping, I purchased 1/8" auto pin-striping tape in white and yellow from one of the auto supply stores. 1/8" is not exactly in scale, but I found it easier to work with and the appearance to me was adequate for the job...and the price was inexpensive.
I'm not able to post a picture of the road right now, but many of my pictures posted already show the roads with striping applied...good luck! You'll hear many other options for sure...
Mark, thanks. It has been a while and it is good to be back and working on another railroad. This one will be much smaller than the last, but I am having fun with it. Bill B.
@Seth Thomas posted:Hello Capetrainman!
Thanks so much guys for your interest in helping. I've begun to layout my streets and my foamie pads with the Woodlands scenic buildings placed on top as a dry run. I'm doing this on a 4x8 plywood sheet in my shop and not on the layout as yet. The design, Its coming together quick this way. I have planned for this day to come for a long time. Sometime this month the design I wish and the downtown streets will look like Olive Hill.
Seth- Assuming a typical lane width of 10', this would scale to 2.5" at 1:48 scale.
A lane marking of 6" = .125" (1/8").
Bob
