What did you do on your layout today?

That looks like a MTH tower Mark.

@RSJB18 posted:

That looks like a MTH tower Mark.

Yes it is, Bob!!  

I still am very humbled by what you all do!. I have to say, those that get into the complex wiring, the AI and sometimes I have no clue what you are talking about! Anyway, been working on the landscaping of the Mesa when I can. A lot of doing and waiting g for stuff to dry, but I think I got the flagstone right!😁

CR Cole, your mesa is looking great!!!  I can’t wait to get past wiring and making scenery!

@CR Cole posted:

I still am very humbled by what you all do!. I have to say, those that get into the complex wiring, the AI and sometimes I have no clue what you are talking about! Anyway, been working on the landscaping of the Mesa when I can. A lot of doing and waiting g for stuff to dry, but I think I got the flagstone right!😁

Looks like your doing fine. Keep clearance in mind I always test with my largest cars.

Mark - thanks! I hate wiring, half the time I cant see the small wires on the LEDs! And crawling under the table is painful! I would rather do scenery although the going is slow!

Dave- the clearance is actually something I had forsight to check before everything was glue down, plenty of room!

Painted some corrugated metal for a fence between the tracks and the trailer park. One side white one side weathered. I still didin't figure out the framing but I gotta start somewhere.

EARTHQUAKE  LEVELS  BUILDINGS  AT  TWIN BRIDGES  RAILYARD. 😨

Actually needed a short twin stall engine house for a couple of switchers.............so..........I got an MTH  LONG twin stall ENGINE HOUSE .................and a SAW.

Still working on it but I hope I can get it done before we have more snow.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

EARTHQUAKE  LEVELS  BUILDINGS  AT  TWIN BRIDGES  RAILYARD. 😨

Actually needed a short twin stall engine house for a couple of switchers.............so..........I got an MTH  LONG twin stall ENGINE HOUSE .................and a SAW.

Still working on it but I hope I can get it done before we have more snow.

It looks like everything else is in order Dallas. Much neater than when I'm building.

Somewhat...... in order Dave.

I believe this layout is much smaller than what I see you involved with.                You have been flying into your work and it's  looking good .                        I do believe you will have enough to keep you busy through the winter. 😉

O K  ........ Dave..........this is REALLY where I have PART of  my  "  much  neater "  area. 😶

.............After its been semi organized.

Radioman 77. I activate my block signals using the 022 switch circuits. (This is not occupancy, just switch position. I am using semaphores for occupancy and have used the "insulated rail" to activate the semaphore signal. That won't work for the block signal unless you use a relay.

I have been working on the "Lost Creek Trestle" for the last couple of weeks. All of the short bents and associated beams and track attachment points are installed. I am just starting to do the design of the timber bridge over the "interconnect" track. Then the abutments and end spans. The trestle is scratchbuilt using basswood. The Basswood is easy to work with, strong enough, stains and glues well and is straight.

I have not installed the cross bracing between the bents yet because I want to paint between the bents and the bracing will really be in the way.

Transferred chasses from a set of K-Line Erie Alcos to my set of Texas Special shells for the museum layout.

The trailing unit now sports a red taillight bulb and a Lionel electronic horn. 

Anyone wanting a mint pair of K-line Erie Alco shells drop me a note. 

Mitch

Victor thanks for the info I'll have to do some digging to figure it out Insulated rail shouldn't be to hard to figure out. I have to get away from the Lionel contactors. John

@Dallas Joseph posted:

EARTHQUAKE  LEVELS  BUILDINGS  AT  TWIN BRIDGES  RAILYARD. 😨

Actually needed a short twin stall engine house for a couple of switchers.............so..........I got an MTH  LONG twin stall ENGINE HOUSE .................and a SAW.

Still working on it but I hope I can get it done before we have more snow.

"Oh, the humanity!!!!"

@CR Cole, Outstanding job! Looks like a wonderful place to camp!

@Dave Ripp. Looking good! I built the frame for my chain Link fence out of metal coat hangers!

@Dallas Joseph, Looks like a great start, I am sure it will be as nice as your long engine shed! Also great shot of your layout!

@Victor Bertolina, The Trestle is looking outstanding! Sure is a lot of wood to cut and glue!

Well guys nothing new from me, I have to do some windstorm clean up and help my 96 year old friend down the road clean up his place. So I am not sure when I will get back to the train room, but I hope its soon!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

I bought a duplicate pickup at Menards today for $2.99. Repainted and weathered for my era. Pictured next to the other one but it'll go on the other end of town.

@mike g. posted:

Morning Guys, sure is some nice work going on and some I dont understand and would never try! LOL I am more of a KISS guy!

@RSJB18, Bob, nice work! It's very impressive to me and out of my league!

@Snkbittin, Looks great! I wish I had room and could afford one!

@Dave Ripp.,Great job on the weathering! I like your selection of autos!

@Dallas Joseph, Thanks you sir! Yes it did make me feel very humble! LOL

Well guys I got out this morning and finished ballasting all the track I got down, something I had been putting off as it's not the most exciting thing to do! LOL Sorry no photo as I am sure everyone have seen it before!

I hope your all having a great day, its just pouring rain here with wind! Have fun with your layout and trains!

Thanks Mike! ..And Thank you for your service

I HAD to have a Turntable..and I have some big Steam so its a 34"..I Made room on my plan although it changed 20 times ..My wife Loves the layout and gave me the shims to buy it..I see all these awesome layouts and its just fuel for me to get moving!!

@mike g. posted:

@CR Cole, Outstanding job! Looks like a wonderful place to camp!

@Dave Ripp. Looking good! I built the frame for my chain Link fence out of metal coat hangers!

@Dallas Joseph, Looks like a great start, I am sure it will be as nice as your long engine shed! Also great shot of your layout!

@Victor Bertolina, The Trestle is looking outstanding! Sure is a lot of wood to cut and glue!

Well guys nothing new from me, I have to do some windstorm clean up and help my 96 year old friend down the road clean up his place. So I am not sure when I will get back to the train room, but I hope its soon!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Thanks Mike.

" help my 96 year old friend "................still of " service "  Mike ?     Hard to get it out of your psyche after all that great training so long ago........that was probably something you had to begin with though.🤔

Where was all the wind located ?

How many feet ( miles ) of track do you have ?      Hope you have a good time laying down that ballast . 

Finally installed the fence around the airport. I'm not crazy with the airport on the table but the kids like it. I'll add some bushes along the fence eventually.

Then I built some simple stands for the racetrack we are working on, just need to find some fans.

Lastly, I added some small leds to light the post office and hardware store.

Looks great Jetsafl!

A bit more insight into the dread "torque steer"...

https://ogrforum.com/...7#157688391396242857

More work on the BEEP.

https://ogrforum.com/...pgrade-newbie?page=2

Bob

Morning guys, sure is some nice work being done!

@Dave Ripp. Wonderful job on the truck! Plus you cant beet the price!

@Snkbittin, Nice! It's a major plus that your wife loves the layout! Mine like my layout but hates the money I spend on it! LOL

@Dallas Joseph, Thank you Sir, We got tons of rain and wind up here in Washington State! As for the feet of track I would have to guess somewhere around 175', my room is 12 X 24 with 2 full loops 2 reversing loops, and a small yard.

@ArtsModelTrains, things are looking good on your layout! Nice work on the bleachers, fence and lighting in the post office! It's little stuff the really bring a layout to life!

@RSJB18, Sorry to here your problems with your BEEP board. I sure hope you get the lighting and sound figured out!

Well nothing from me sofar, but I hope you all have a great day with your layouts and find time to have a little fun with your trains!

Today I tore up a little section of track and glued in a patch. Once that dries I can skim coat with plaster and paint.

Also added a switch stand lantern purely for cosmetic reasons.

Also added some fallen leaves under a couple of trees.

@jetsafl - I really like the use of the yard light at the race track. Very innovative as well as functional.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

Today I tore up a little section of track and glued in a patch. Once that dries I can skim coat with plaster and paint.

Also added a switch stand lantern purely for cosmetic reasons.

Also added some fallen leaves under a couple of trees.

Dave, I love the fall colors on your layout!!! Looking good!

Been having a ballast on the layout this week thanks to Brennan’s Best Ballast.

Just doing more track wiring, soldering jumper wires to every piece of track and feeder wires every 6 pieces of Fastrack with a TVS across the hot and common under the track at the feeder connections. Will be doing this for while!

Gary, yes I’m close to finishing wiring, and just like you it has gone on for a while.  Your diligence will pay off.

John, your ballast looks great!

Dave, fallen leaves are something I rarely see on a layout.  Excellent addition.

I did not do anything on my layout yesterday, but did work on another layout.  I have joined up with a few modelers in nearby Zelienople, Pennsylvania to build a Christmas layout for Zelie’s Christmas event.  Yesterday two other retired guys and myself removed old modeling from three donated tables and painted the tops white, for white batting to be added.  We will be getting everyone together Monday evening to work on track, etc.   After the new year we will meet to see what may be in the future.  I’ll get some photographs on here soon.

John EK. There’s something about tubular track with extra ties and ballast. It looks great. Sure brings back old memories for me.

@John E K posted:

Been having a ballast on the layout this week thanks to Brennan’s Best Ballast.

Ballast looks great. I love the cliff hill along the tracks. When ever we go on road trips it's my fovorite thing to look at as we drive south.

I was luckey enough to have Mike G build me an auto unloader. I'm working on a small area for it. Patched,painted, sanded, repatched,painted.  Thanks Mike!!!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gary, yes I’m close to finishing wiring, and just like you it has gone on for a while.  Your diligence will pay off.

John, your ballast looks great!

Dave, fallen leaves are something I rarely see on a layout.  Excellent addition.

I did not do anything on my layout yesterday, but did work on another layout.  I have joined up with a few modelers in nearby Zelienople, Pennsylvania to build a Christmas layout for Zelie’s Christmas event.  Yesterday two other retired guys and myself removed old modeling from three donated tables and painted the tops white, for white batting to be added.  We will be getting everyone together Monday evening to work on track, etc.   After the new year we will meet to see what may be in the future.  I’ll get some photographs on here soon.

Now this Christmas event (  is this on " 34th Street "  near Zellienople )  sounds like a really great fun get together Mark.     Boy , Christmas time is really something for those ' young at heart '

Morning guys Nice work!

@John E K, great job on the ballast! I hope you had more fun then I did ballasting! LOL

@Dave Ripp., Love the fall scene! I sure am happy I dont have to rake all those levees! LOL The Auto Loader look good but you painted it Yellow! I could have done that for you as I have tons of yellow paint!

I hope you all have a great weekend and fun times with your layouts and trains!

Okay, I should have known better when I installed the expansions to my layout that installing Lionel Fastrack directly on plywood was going to be noisy, and it was annoyingly so! So I removed the expansions and installed Sound Board made by BP (Building Products of Canada). Home Depot, Lowes, and some other lumber and hardware stores do not carry Homasote in California (or at least the Bay Area), but the 4x8 sound panel by BP is the next best thing. And I could only find that at one Home Depot 25 a minute drive from my home! The things we'll do for our model train layouts. LoL Of course I had to remount the extensions a half inch lower. Wow, nice and quiet, at least as quiet as Fastrack can be!

With the Holidays approaching quickly I've started to get out the Xmas stuff, specifically PE. While I had the layout pulled out of the bay window to give access to my window cleaner and me, I installed the PE train stop with Santa and friends next to the Ferris Wheel. The lights that came with the PE train stop were kind of pathetic, so I installed two Woodland Scenics Just Plug LED's. Now you can actually see the characters waiting for the PE. It is easily viewed from outside the bay window.

While I had the layout table pulled out, I took a rarely seen backside angle photo of the whole layout. It's not big, but I am limited in space in the living room.

Happy modeling,

Scott

Scott great choice to change the plywood out! Your little layout looks outstanding and I bet it even looks great from outside! I think that is really cool the the neighborhood kids will be able to see it!

Scott, I'm sure you will constantly say it was worth the trip to HD for the Sound Board and the retrofit!  The layout looks great!! 

Scott, go to their website and put in your zip code and that will let you know who in your area carries it.

Thanks Mark, Mike, for the kudo's on the layout. Thanks to Tom and Jay with info on Homasote.

Tom and Jay, I did look up retailers on the Homasote website, and unfortunately the closest non big box Lumber Yard with inventory is 35 miles from my home in some of the worst Bay Area traffic (Argh)! That's okay, the BP product is very much just like Homasote and I'm fine buying Canadian products. So if you can't find Homasote, try the BP sound board product. Just another option.

Note: Both Homasote and BP Sound Board are soft enough to cut with a sturdy metal box cutter, not the cheap little plastic ones. I just use a steal straight edge and the box cutter to score it, and then the next cut will follow the score line and cut all the way through. This way you avoid all the nasty light weight dust that goes everywhere if you use a saw, power or otherwise.

Thanks again,

Scott