What did you do on your layout today?

@ScoutingDad posted:

Wow, can't wait to see how you install the subway tile !!!

I had though about putting a section in large diameter PVC duct piping and cutting viewing windows as needed.

no subway tile on this part of the tunnel.  it will be gray, some pipes, some lights, possible an service/access door to parellel tunnels.  I live in Wisconsin, so this tunnel is based on google images and my own idea of what it should be

I do plan to do a subway station and that will have tile.  I also used large diameter PVC pipe where teh subway platform/station is on either end (the track is straight there).

My friend Steve has been working on a river scene. Went to his house today and actually did a water test on it to get the correct or close to the volume of resin to mix up for the pour.

I haven't/couldn't do anything.  On April 11th I suffered a heart attack at 10PM.  Had absolutely no previous signs or symptoms.  Paramedics Got me  to the hospital in 30 minutes and on the operating table in 60. Had a stent placed in my coronary artery and spent 5 days in ICU recovering/waiting for a quadruple bypass on 4/16. 4 more days recovery then went home on the 20th.

Good news is that I'm walking on the green side of the grass.  Bad news is I'm on limited activity until cleared by the MD.  MY layout is in the basement and I not allowed to do stairs.  I'll be out for anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks which kills the summer carpentry season as my power tools are in the garage. 

My wife watches over me like a hawk  and follows me every time I get up. But she's the best,  I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her fast action that Sunday. I love her dearly.

I'll guess I'll resort to armchair railroading for the present. Maybe get a pad of paper and doodle some ideas.

@third rail posted:

I haven't/couldn't do anything.  On April 11th I suffered a heart attack at 10PM.  Had absolutely no previous signs or symptoms.  Paramedics Got me  to the hospital in 30 minutes and on the operating table in 60. Had a stent placed in my coronary artery and spent 5 days in ICU recovering/waiting for a quadruple bypass on 4/16. 4 more days recovery then went home on the 20th.

Good news is that I'm walking on the green side of the grass.  Bad news is I'm on limited activity until cleared by the MD.  MY layout is in the basement and I not allowed to do stairs.  I'll be out for anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks which kills the summer carpentry season as my power tools are in the garage.

My wife watches over me like a hawk  and follows me every time I get up. But she's the best,  I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her fast action that Sunday. I love her dearly.

I'll guess I'll resort to armchair railroading for the present. Maybe get a pad of paper and doodle some ideas.

Bill;

So glad you’re still with us!!! I had quad bypass 4 years ago- no heart attack, just some very minor discomfort which made me talk to my doctor. I had one bigger issue than you - I was staying with my brother in NY where my surgery was done and my trains were in PA (and my brother would like nothing better that to place my two most expensive engines on the same track facing each other and floor them!!!). After my surgery my cardiologist sent me to 6 weeks of cardiac rehab - if you get offered it, I highly recommend it. Since you can’t do stairs, might I suggest you build a 4x8 in your living room???

@Apples55 posted:

Bill;

So glad you’re still with us!!!). After my surgery my cardiologist sent me to 6 weeks of cardiac rehab - if you get offered it, I highly recommend it. Since you can’t do stairs, might I suggest you build a 4x8 in your living room???

Thanks Paul for the well wishes.

I can't lift anything weighing more than a milk gallon so the 4X8 is out. Besides my wife and CEO  wouldn't have it. There's enough trains in the basement and the rest of the house is hers.

Yes I'll be going to cardiac rehab after home health nurse discharges me.

I have some ideas I'll be putting on paper for subsequent building, a bash of a burro crane top with a lionel 262(?) Loading platform, a 26 foot electric arc furnace,  a 600 ton MESTA  forge and a 1000 ton 100X50X100 foot Hulett ore uploader for my dock area. Mighty big projects but I have the time to think them out and get a working blueprint for each.

@third rail posted:

Thanks Paul for the well wishes.

I can't lift anything weighing more than a milk gallon so the 4X8 is out. Besides my wife and CEO  wouldn't have it. There's enough trains in the basement and the rest of the house is hers.

Yes I'll be going to cardiac rehab after home health nurse discharges me.

I have some ideas I'll be putting on paper for subsequent building, a bash of a burro crane top with a lionel 262(?) Loading platform, a 26 foot electric arc furnace,  a 600 ton MESTA  forge and a 1000 ton 100X50X100 foot Hulett ore uploader for my dock area. Mighty big projects but I have the time to think them out and get a working blueprint for each.

Bill- glad to see you are on the mend. Rest up and follow the Doc's and CEO's orders. Trains are a hobby, our health is not.

Bob

Jrmetz, What a great idea for a tunnel! I cant wait to see it on your layout!

Fl9turbo2, Those sure are nice, but the wiring can be a pain! LOL

Bill, Thank God your still on the grass side! Take it easy and We sure hope you get well soon! Lucky you have the forum to come to, you dont have to lift anything to get here!

Well Yesterday I painted some skin tone on some little people I got in the mail a couple days ago. Might be it for a day or 2 as I got up late this morning and I have to get out and get started on house painting! Lucky me! LOL

I hope everyone is doing well and finding time to have fun with there layout and trains! Except you Bill, you do what the wife says!

@mike g. posted:

!Well Yesterday I painted some skin tone on some little people I got in the mail a couple days ago. Might be it for a day or 2 as I got up late this morning and I have to get out and get started on house painting! Lucky me! LOL

Mike just think of it as full scale layout detailing. Have fun and be safe.

@farmerjohn posted:

My friend Steve has been working on a river scene. Went to his house today and actually did a water test on it to get the correct or close to the volume of resin to mix up for the pour.

Does anybody else see it?

Bob and Mike,

Thank you for the encouragement.  Each day gets a little bit better,  I'm walking around the house like a little cockroach,  going in and out of rooms following the walls.

Keep up the progress on your layouts and I will watch from afar.

Bill:  I second Paul's recommendation about cardio rehab.  After I got my arteries roto-rootered a decade or so back, the rehab was most helpful.  My main gripe was that they ran the Food Network on the monitors in front of the treadmills.  Going from looking at gourmet treats to a Healthy Choice frozen meal for lunch was bitter, to say the least. 

ObTrains:  Since the next incarnation of Razorback Traction includes lots of switches and a crossing, I figured a switch tower was in order.   This arrived yesterday from the Bay:

The giant frog glued to the stares, er, stairs made this purchase a Cultural Imperative.

I am informed it is an Elfhamian Giant Frog, which goes "RAE-BEET" instead of "Ribbit".   

In any event, it is most certainly a Switch Frog. 

Mitch

Wow, I sure missed a lot of great projects!

Mitch, I sure didn't see that pun coming!!  The switch tower looks great!

Mike, good start on painting people.  Too bay you can't get some of them to paint the house.

Bill, I'm so glad you are here to tell us about it.  That is certainly had to be frightening!!!   My wife is an RN, and will watch me like a hawk as well after upcoming surgery!  I'm sure your wife will keep you on the straight and narrow.

John, the water scene is looking great!!  I hope you don't have far to carry it to the layout.  Postmastermc, I think I see it.

FL9Turbo2, the signals look great!

Last week I bought two Ross 042 LH switches, took a hiatus from scenery, and installed them this past weekend.  First, I needed to upgrade the table top with some of the last of my 5/8" plywood.  The switches are screwed down to the table, but the track is just sitting there for some roadbed to even things up to the two sides.  I already wired it and ran an engine through the switches, and it did fine.  Running at slow speed, I didn't notice any noise to speak of.  I think I will jut lay it all on the wood, since I am almost out of Homasote.  Here is one photograph.  Please take a look on my Blackwater Canyon Line topic for more detail.

@third rail posted:

I haven't/couldn't do anything.  On April 11th I suffered a heart attack at 10PM.  Had absolutely no previous signs or symptoms.  Paramedics Got me  to the hospital in 30 minutes and on the operating table in 60. Had a stent placed in my coronary artery and spent 5 days in ICU recovering/waiting for a quadruple bypass on 4/16. 4 more days recovery then went home on the 20th.

Good news is that I'm walking on the green side of the grass.  Bad news is I'm on limited activity until cleared by the MD.  MY layout is in the basement and I not allowed to do stairs.  I'll be out for anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks which kills the summer carpentry season as my power tools are in the garage.

My wife watches over me like a hawk  and follows me every time I get up. But she's the best,  I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her fast action that Sunday. I love her dearly.

I'll guess I'll resort to armchair railroading for the present. Maybe get a pad of paper and doodle some ideas.

Timing is everything!  Praying you have a great resolve!    

Cheers, Dave

@Mark Boyce posted:

Last week I bought two Ross 042 LH switches, took a hiatus from scenery, and installed them this past weekend.  First, I needed to upgrade the table top with some of the last of my 5/8" plywood.  The switches are screwed down to the table, but the track is just sitting there for some roadbed to even things up to the two sides.  I already wired it and ran an engine through the switches, and it did fine.  Running at slow speed, I didn't notice any noise to speak of.  I think I will jut lay it all on the wood, since I am almost out of Homasote.  Here is one photograph.  Please take a look on my Blackwater Canyon Line topic for more detail.

Looking good Mark. 👍

Keep on building!🏗🧱🏭

Thank you, Bill!!

“bought two Ross 042 LH switches, took a hiatus from scenery, and installed them this past weekend. “

Mark,

I actually see a Chessie in your photo. I thought I was the only OGR Forumite who ran a layout full of C&O an Chessie on 042”curves....

This must be significant enough to charter another club like the special  “48” insignias. But I’m not into copying anyone’s thunder.

My guess I would need to have some of your “Mary’s”  running my  rails to make the brotherly love complete 😀

I’ve enjoyed watching your Canyon’s progress.

Seth, thank you very much!!  The Chessies are new to me this year.  I grew up along the B&O's Pittsburgh & Western mainline watching lots of freight pulled by solid blue F-units.  I was a junior in high school when the Chessie System was formed and then started seeing Chessie engines and caboose with B&O, C&O, and WM in small letters.  I became enamored with the Western Maryland when I read a couple books and went to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.  So most of what I have is Western Maryland, but I had an MTH set of F3s painted in B&O solid blue.  The guy did a better job than I could have, but not a great job.  This past winter, I purchased a Legacy Chessie (B&O) SD40.  Then in a couple weeks time, I purchased a Chessie (B&O) bay window caboose and a Chessie (WM) extended vision caboose.  The trio is the most modern prototype I have.

My sidings used 042 track I had on hand.  My mainline is all 054.  I have not tried the SD40 on the 042 yet.  So, technically you may still be the only one.

I'm glad you like following along.

@Mark Boyce posted:

  I was a junior in high school when the Chessie System was formed and then started seeing Chessie engines and caboose with B&O, C&O, and WM in small letters.  I became enamored with the Western Maryland when I read a couple books and went to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.  So most of what I have is Western Maryland, but I had an MTH set of F3s painted in B&O solid blue.  The guy did a better job than I could have, but not a great job.  This past winter, I purchased a Legacy Chessie (B&O) SD40.  Then in a couple weeks time, I purchased a Chessie (B&O) bay window caboose and a Chessie (WM) extended vision caboose.  The trio is the most modern prototype I have.

I'm glad you like following along.

Mark,

I'm guessing that you might be only a year or two younger than me. If I remember correctly,  I  went to Electro Motive's 50th anniversary in 1974, the year after I graduated high school. Fresh out of the paint shop but still inside HUGE building was a Chessie System SD40 in all it's splendor.  We were even allowed to climb the steps and do a walk through!!

I always liked the color scheme because it gave some excitement to the head end at a time dark monochrome prevailed. 

I model 1950's era so the 1970's is out of my range.

@third rail posted:

Mark,

I'm guessing that you might be only a year or two younger than me. If I remember correctly,  I  went to Electro Motive's 50th anniversary in 1974, the year after I graduated high school. Fresh out of the paint shop but still inside HUGE building was a Chessie System SD40 in all it's splendor.  We were even allowed to climb the steps and do a walk through!!

I always liked the color scheme because it gave some excitement to the head end at a time dark monochrome prevailed.

I model 1950's era so the 1970's is out of my range.

Bill,

Sounds like you are right, I graduated in 1974.  You are right about the brighter colors than the dark blue.  I model 1950s also.  That is why I never bought an SD40, but couldn't pass this one up.  Of course I needed a caboose or two to go with it.  I do have a model of the Western Maryland SD38 that the WMSR runs on passenger runs now.  I got it through the Community Model Railroad Club in Frostburg, Maryland as an annual fund raiser.  I've been participating for 5 or 6 years now.

So we have established 1973 and 1974 were good years to graduate from high school. As I remember this group of guys never had to go to Nam. I had a number but knew the draft was ending by that time. Funny I thought about going to West Point. Life would surely have been different! Wound up going to Illinois and getting an engineering degree.

For what its worth, I try to model buildings which can apply to the transition era between steam and diesel. What I try not to do is run modern stack trains or diesels with the steam. That means pulling rolling stock off the layout which does not align with the period being run. The scenery and buildings done right can look fine in either era. Of course you could insist the steamer is a merely a modern day excursion as long as it has passenger cars.  I can't imagine limiting myself to a specific period or motive power. There is too much fun running the power engineers created to move people and goods across the US.

I have gotten the bug on the electrics following an early interest in the GG1s.  The box cabs ran into the 60s. That's incredible to me.

Hoping to be able to take some video of the layout over the weekend. I found out my lighting was not bright enough to take decent video - so have lighting coming in tomorrow. We'll see how that works. Going crazy frustrated rewiring parts of the layout to power the new buildings and LEDs. Found a power feed line which broke off a track pin.  The wires soldered to a rail pin have very little strenght and are easily broken. Need to remember never to use those again regardless of how convenient.

Happy Railroading all.

Jeff, you are right.  My number was 269, of course it didn't matter.

Finding enough Homasote scraps under a pile of Styrofoam, I pulled up my sidings I started putting in last weekend and put in the Homasote on top of the plywood base.  I also added some cork roadbed to make up the difference in height to match the wood.  That is tacked down with the glue drying.  I'll post a photograph once that project is a little farther along.

Mark and Jeff, I graduated in 1973.

My number was in the low 20's.   Got reclassified as 1H. I thank Mr Nixon for ending the draft, I figure he literally saved my life. 

I lived less than a half mile from EMD.  I could walk down to the plant and watch the new locomotives exit for a haul on the 4 track BRC /IHB main.

@ScoutingDad posted:

So we have established 1973 and 1974 were good years to graduate from high school. As I remember this group of guys never had to go to Nam. I had a number but knew the draft was ending by that time. Funny I thought about going to West Point. Life would surely have been different! Wound up going to Illinois and getting an engineering degree.

Happy Railroading all.

Jeff,

I went to Illinois Chicago Medical Center and got a Pharmacy degree. Retired this past June after 46 years total.

Postmaster.

Please Tell me what you see. Please be honest. We still have time to change the water rapids if it is something vulgar or something that people wouldn't  appreciate  on my layout. . Thanks.

Bill - I presume you are referring to the McCook EMD plant. Never got a chance to get a tour there. One of my college frat brothers spent his entire career there. He could tell some interesting stories about the build and design of these Diesels.  The BRC /IHB is not ringing a bell.

My number was in the mid-100's but at that time we were the last ones to even get a draft card and we knew our numbers would never be called. Wow - a 20 was one of those were you went ahead and enlisted at least to get a choice of service. 

Congrats on the retirement - I am sure you've seen a lot of change in the pharma business over the years, I'm looking at another year or so - maybe tomorrow who knows  : )

@farmerjohn posted:

Postmaster.

Please Tell me what you see. Please be honest. We still have time to change the water rapids if it is something vulgar or something that people wouldn't  appreciate  on my layout. . Thanks.

John, the rocks looked like a man to me with arms and legs outstretched.  I only thought of it after Postmaster mentioned it and I looked again.  Now, maybe I’m all wet.  Nothing nasty in my opinion.  

@farmerjohn posted:

Postmaster.

Please Tell me what you see. Please be honest. We still have time to change the water rapids if it is something vulgar or something that people wouldn't  appreciate  on my layout. . Thanks.

John, to me, at first glance it looked like some kind of creature with arms and legs.  Nothing nasty, as Mark said, or vulgar.

Doug

Thanks Mark for you're feedback. It means a lot to me. I never would put anything on my layout that would be offensive  to anyone especially  kids. 

You are welcome John!  I am with you.  My layout will always be family, child friendly too. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner

Third rail.

Take care of yourself  and be thankful for a wife that will be by you're  side and watch over you. Take it easy and soon you'll be back having fun with trains and friends.

Great work everyone! I guess I am a little slow John as I did not see any monster! LOL I knew I joined this forum for a reason, I have all you older wiser folks to learn from! I graduated in 1983. Guess that makes me the kid on the block! LOL

Well nothing new from me as yesterday was a great day outside with the sun shinning and 74 degrees, wonderful painting weather. But the rain is coming today so maybe some train room time! Man I know I could use a break! LOL

I hope everyone has a great weekend and finds time for there layout and fun with there trains!

Farmerjohn, your River, which is really a lot larger than it appears in the above pictures is going to be so cool, and when you add the realistic resin, it’s going to look Real.  Your creative ideas of raised edges, rocky ledges will really look great when finished. I see it as a great place to possibly do some fly fishing, it’s going to be so unique to your finely detailed layout. Is where Rich is standing where this scene will be placed? If not, would you place a picture of where this river will flow. It’s awesome work, the finished product will be Awesome. Happy Railroading Everyone

Class of '80 for me....2005 for my bachelors degree.....

I got down to the basement last night and started roughing in the track for the yard. So far so good. It's not a lot, but I picked up space for 2-4 more cars depending on length. I have to take it all apart to add the power drops and then screw it all down. I had to move the two supports for the upper level between tracks 2 & 3 but I knew that going in. I'm going to move the wire for the turnout too.

I'm also bashing some old UCS uncouplers that I will cut into each siding. I need to scrounge one more.

Happy Friday!

Bob

@ScoutingDad posted:

Bill - I presume you are referring to the McCook EMD plant. Never got a chance to get a tour there. One of my college frat brothers spent his entire career there. He could tell some interesting stories about the build and design of these Diesels.  The BRC /IHB is not ringing a bell.

The BRC  (Belt Railway of Chicago ) had a 4 track main that in part went from the giant Clearing yard on Chicago's southwest side through Summit and Argo and LaGrange to the  Proviso yard of the CNW.  IHB had trackage rights. All day long there would be transfer runs back and forth. They also had a transfer yard in Brookfield with the CB&Q >BN>BNSF. We could watch the switching maneuvers occasionally.

My brother has a friend who worked at EMD during his college years. His job was to "gift wrap" the locomotives for delivery to the buyer.

My number was in the mid-100's but at that time we were the last ones to even get a draft card and we knew our numbers would never be called. Wow - a 20 was one of those were you went ahead and enlisted at least to get a choice of service.

I held on to my draft card for 5 years after I got it. Times were crazy, never knew what to expect.

Congrats on the retirement - I am sure you've seen a lot of change in the pharma business over the years, I'm looking at another year or so - maybe tomorrow who knows  : )

Thanks, don't wait too long.

@RSJB18 posted:

Class of '80 for me....2005 for my bachelors degree.....

I got down to the basement last night and started roughing in the track for the yard. So far so good. It's not a lot, but I picked up space for 2-4 more cars depending on length. I have to take it all apart to add the power drops and then screw it all down. I had to move the two supports for the upper level between tracks 2 & 3 but I knew that going in. I'm going to move the wire for the turnout too.

I'm also bashing some old UCS uncouplers that I will cut into each siding. I need to scrounge one more.

Happy Friday!

Bob

WOW, I like the sidings. Congrats2005 era.... I got my draft numbers in 70, hauled garbage and went to community college to try and pass an accounting class, did better in computers... gave up on accounting even though my Thursday morning customer on the G-route turned out to be the teacher. "Well, Hi Frank, I did not recognize you with your clothes on." Good laughs from the rest of the class. Retired 5 years ago, CEO told me to put away the 4x8....... working on the pretend Trestle that I will have over the pretend gully that I will jump into

Really like your work Bob. Salute

Larry, great photographs of FarmerJohn's layout.  My dad was an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer.  Now he is 90 and in a personal care home.  I fully intend to have three fly fishermen in my Black Fork when I get that far; Jim Boyce and his 2 friends, Bill Saul and Mac Reader, both long deceased.

Bob, the compact yard is looking great!!  Yes, I have to add uncouplers to my tracks also.  In fact, I forgot about them when I built the yard under the enginehouse.  The top section can be removed for better access, but I wasn't smart enough just make it a simple unplug and lift off. 

Bob, your making great progress! It's nice to see things moving forward.

As for me I painted a couple little people skin color a couple days ago and did not like the look. So today I sprayed all my little people with white primer and maybe tomorrow I will get to painting. I also made a couple pedestal to use when painting them.

Mike, good idea.  Just don't get too much paint on them that hides the details.  I know from experience. 

That’s quite a process Mike. The pedestals are a brilliant idea.

@mike g. posted:

Bob, your making great progress! It's nice to see things moving forward.

As for me I painted a couple little people skin color a couple days ago and did not like the look. So today I sprayed all my little people with white primer and maybe tomorrow I will get to painting. I also made a couple pedestal to use when painting them.

Great idea with the pedestals Mike.

I thought that the cops did chalk outlines at the crime scene.....