@RSJB18 posted:The BEEP is starting to look like something again. Got the main boards permanently installed and wired, after replacing two of the original wires that broke
. And began putting the lighting in place.
To be continued.......
I just hope and pray I can fit the shell back on the chassis. So far I think so but can't say for sure yet.
Bob
Not to worry Bob. The shell should slide back on 😉 (I'm really glad you are the one doing it 😁 )
@Mark Boyce posted:Iron Horse Mike, both creepers look great! Yes, at 65 I am defiantly in the category of not liking being under a layout anymore.
I've got eight years on you Mark. I don't get it..........I don't mind being under the layout..........I just find getting back up a challenge.
Started work on a elevated scenery by practicing how to make foam brick walls. Watched several videos on YouTube and combined techniques. 
@WinstonB posted:Started work on a elevated scenery by practicing how to make foam brick walls. Watched several videos on YouTube and combined techniques.
Great looking wall Winston 🤓
It sure looks like you studied the lessons on YouTube well ! 😉
Finished my BEEP!
YEA! for you...best wishes
Don
Plastered in a short road and put down a little grass.
I took a few last pictures of the layout put together. I will take this down this week and then build the annual Christmas layout with the tree. I started taking buildings off this evening. It was a great layout this year and I'm already planning the year round layout for next year.
Just continuing to solder jumper wires from to the next piece of Fastrack and feeder wires every six pieces of track. Came across one piece of 0-36 45° curve that no matter what I did to it, even hitting the metal tabs with a Dremel cutting wheel it wouldn't take the solder at all at both ends, even tried the next set of tabs with no luck even with the Dremel. Took that piece of track out and put another one in and it soldered fine. It must had been from one of those batches of Fastrack I had heard about that won't accept solder, yes, I am using Rosin Core Solder. That piece of track went in the trash. Good riddance!
Repaired the front steps of a Lionel 0-8-0 with superglue, Plastruct and epoxy:
Mitch
@Dallas Joseph posted:Iron Horse Mike, both creepers look great! Yes, at 65 I am defiantly in the category of not liking being under a layout anymore.
I've got eight years on you Mark. I don't get it..........I don't mind being under the layout..........I just find getting back up a challenge.
Yes, Dallas getting back out and up is the challenge! I guess I have too much hardware in my knee and back to make it easy these days. 
I knew you are about as old as you say, since you were in Dong Ha in 1969. I was in high school praying every night for all of you over there! Thank you so much for your service!!!!
Winston, the brick wall looks great!
Mitch, Good as new!!
Yesterday, I received a small package from Joe Fauty with more Z-Stuff DZ-1002 pushbuttons than I need! I will be able to finish the last two switches. I wrote too soon that I will be putting away the wire strippers and crimpers. I have several GarGraves uncouplers that I got from Chris A to wire in. I might as well do that while I am at it. I think I have enough wire left. 
Today I continued work on landscaping a small area. I put in a oak tree with a tree house some birch trees and painted the road. Long way to go in this area I'm making it up as I go.
@Mark Boyce posted:Yes, Dallas getting back out and up is the challenge! I guess I have too much hardware in my knee and back to make it easy these days.
I knew you are about as old as you say, since you were in Dong Ha in 1969. I was in high school praying every night for all of you over there! Thank you so much for your service!!!!
Thank you for the prayers Mark. The guy who bunked above me at Ft. Sill didn't make it back but I'm sure he made it to a good place because of you and many others talking to our Supreme Being. As long as I've been on the planet I understand more and more that there is certainly something more than what we can see and hear and feel. As far as your Thanks for the Service..........it was a PRIVILEGE.
Now this business about crawling around under the train layout............and the getting back up .......well me thinks it has more to do with all that gray matter getting heavier after all the years of accumulated WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE.😁 😉
( Next time around maybe having a LIFT for the layout. ) 🤔
Dave, that's the first treehouse I can recall seeing on a model railroad. I think the scene is looking great!
@Dave Ripp. posted:Today I continued work on landscaping a small area. I put in a oak tree with a tree house some birch trees and painted the road. Long way to go in this area I'm making it up as I go.
You are starting to take all the good ideas Dave. 
Nice Dave! I have been wanting to do the same thing but haven't got to it yet. I really like yours.
Dave
@Dave Ripp. posted:Today I continued work on landscaping a small area. I put in a oak tree with a tree house some birch trees and painted the road. Long way to go in this area I'm making it up as I go.
That is an awesome scene Dave! You continue to amaze me with your creativity and execution.
Thanks,
Worked on framing my corrugated fence. The fence work may be it for a couple days I got up early for that. Happy Thanksgiving.
Morning guys, sure is alot going on!
@Dave Ripp., The industrial area is looking great! The Tree house sure makes it a fun area! Wonderful work on the road and grass area, what do you plan on putting there? You sure get alot done for one person! While I was typing you added the new fence work! OUTSTANDING!
@darlander, Dave Outstanding job on your rolling stock! They all look great!
@WinstonB, Great work on the stone walls! I can see alot of work has been done there!
@RSJB18, Nice job Bob! I knew you could do it!
@Berkshirelover726, Wonderful little layout! I hate to see you take it down, but cant wait to see what you have planned for next year!
Well guys I haven't got much done lately, I had to move some building around so I could get my power plant on the layout. I also got my scratch built BNSF Service building back on the layout. Here are a couple photos including the silo's for the Morton salt building. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with your family!
Also got my oil tanks put back on the layout! Wont be any work today as I was informed that the Christmas lights need to be up before the kids and grandkids get here for Thanksgiving! So that is my task at hand today! LOL
Thanks Mike, Just more trees on the road side of the tracks with the Menards Plumbing building. I needed some soft scape since my scenery is primaraly pavement and buildings. The other side of that spur will have a small propane distribution building and then I'm not sure. The fence work may be it for a couple days I got up early for that. Happy Thanksgiving.
Well I was still soldering jumper wires yesterday when my 45 year old Craftsman (probably made by Weller for Sears back then) 100/140 watt soldering gun fried out and bit the dust. Ordered a new Weller Soldering Gun same dual wattage as before and should arrive Monday, I bet I or anyone else doesn't get 45 years out of this one! I guess it's time to do the crawl under the layout, mount up all the barrier strips and start running the 12 gauge hot and common wires from both Z-1000 transformers for both track power for my two loops and CW-80 for accessories and lighting while waiting for the new soldering gun to arrive. Fortunately one of the doorways opens into a 2 step down living room so it helps me get down and back up with my bad legs by using my hands on the sides of the door frame to get me back up. If you don't hear from me for a few days I may be stuck under there! Lol! Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! You All are so creative, I love all your work and pictures!
I have the original Weller 100/140 soldering gun. Can't remember if I bought or inherited it from dad. Cord still supple. Works perfectly.
Been continuing on the trestle. The truss is installed over the lower track. Started laying out the abutments and watching the utube videos on working with foam.
@Victor Bertolina posted:Been continuing on the trestle. The truss is installed over the lower track. Started laying out the abutments and watching the utube videos on working with foam.
That's looking great Victor. It als looks like a ton of work but it'll be worth it when your done.
Nothing on the layout build, in fact I've been walking all over and around pieces of cut lumber just waiting to be assembled. I took some time to work on some lighting I added to an 8111 DT&I NW2 that I will be giving to my cousin (in Detroit) for Christmas. I replaced the two position e-unit with an ACMC board and added LED lighting to the headlamp and now finishing up with adding 2 green LED class lights. Man, it sure is a quiet diesel now!!! And all the lighting is directional. Just enjoyin' the day!
George
@Dennis Rosenthal posted:I have the original Weller 100/140 soldering gun. Can't remember if I bought or inherited it from dad. Cord still supple. Works perfectly.
That's awesome! I had mine 45 years, and just this last week mine kept overheating, would shut down, give it an hour to cool down, and it would work for awhile, and do the same time, finally one loud buzz, smoke, and it was done. Cord was still in great shape after 45 years on mine too, no cracks at all. I unplugged it, let it cool an hour and took it apart, looked like it was all burnt in the coil windings, wires were all still attached. Ordered new one and it should be here in a few days, so now doing wiring work underneath until it gets here by FedEx.
I got 3 hours work in this morning. Added 1 birch and 1 small oak to the corner. Also finished my fence between the tracks and trailer park. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dave, Another look at the fine treehouse and more neat birch! The trailer court fence looks great!
Gary, My Weller is about the same age and doing fine, but it sat on the shelf a number of years unused. I did have to change out the tip last winter soldering my track feeds. Now my Dremel of the same age didn't fare quite as well. The plastic gear crumbled while I was cutting track, but Dremel had a replacement so I was good to go. I think these tools will outlive me.
George, I don't know why cut wood doesn't just magically put itself together into benchwork while we sleep; but it doesn't!
Victor, I like the trestle a lot!
Mike, I'm glad you got the oil tanks back on the layout without a hazmat spill!
I wired in one of the DZ1002 pushbuttons, but duty called and I had to put up Christmas lights. Mike, I bought a pole that allowed me to put them on the porch roof without needing the ladder. I couldn't use it on the roof that is 1 1/2 story up, so no lights on the roof of the house this year. That was a shame.
@Dave Ripp. posted:I got 3 hours work in this morning. Added 1 birch and 1 small oak to the corner. Also finished my fence between the tracks and trailer park. Happy Thanksgiving!
All work ( play, play, play......) makes Jack a dull bo........oh what am I trying to say .......
NICE DAVE
HAPPY THSNKSGIVING EVERYONE 😁
Great looking fencing. You just inspired me. I’m going to try to do the same.
Spent 3 hours wiring in 6 DZ-1000 switch machines to the DZ-1002 push buttons. This creeper that I just bought was a HUGE help. Wiring underneath the layout is the most taxing job for me.
Of course, if I listened to the doctor, I'd lose weight, exercise more, and get in to shape. Oh well, maybe next year. Getting up off of the creeper in creeper seat w/backrest mode was NOT a pretty sight.
@lionelflyer posted:Spent 3 hours wiring in 6 DZ-1000 switch machines to the DZ-1002 push buttons. This creeper that I just bought was a HUGE help. Wiring underneath the layout is the most taxing job for me.
Of course, if I listened to the doctor, I'd lose weight, exercise more, and get in to shape. Oh well, maybe next year. Getting up off of the creeper in creeper seat w/backrest mode was NOT a pretty sight.
Thats pretty cool. I have a topside creeper but nothing for underneath . Thanks for the full view.
@lionelflyer posted:Spent 3 hours wiring in 6 DZ-1000 switch machines to the DZ-1002 push buttons. This creeper that I just bought was a HUGE help. Wiring underneath the layout is the most taxing job for me.
Of course, if I listened to the doctor, I'd lose weight, exercise more, and get in to shape. Oh well, maybe next year. Getting up off of the creeper in creeper seat w/backrest mode was NOT a pretty sight.
That is a very nice creeper! It looks comfortable for us who get sore no matter what. I would have trouble getting up off it or any other one also.
Had an interesting day setting up the club's travelling layout for the first time at "Planes, Trains and Santa" at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach (Pungo) VA.
Being a noob, I found myself connecting electrical and DCS connections lying on my back under each module and, later, installing the fitter tracks that connect the modules.
We'll be running trains tomorrow, Friday, and welcoming Santa as he flies in on a WWI bi-plane, weather permitting.
Added some more fencing.
That’s is some very impressive neighborhood planning Dave. Also, you should be on the fencing team.
Got back to detailing my passenger station and platform.
The MOW team had to cut back the edge of the platform to clear the trucks on my F3's. After they finished, some repair work was left for the next shift.
I made the cones from some caps from driveway sealer caulk and styrene sheet. Went with the old school red/ yellow colors, not bad IMHO.
Benches went in next. One more is still in fabrication and will be installed later.
I know people come in all shapes and sizes but Zeke here feels like a giant all the sudden.
The seated figures are from RMT, Zeke is WS. Both called O scale...... 
Now that the platform is open to passengers, the RR added warning signage
I also picked up some freight for the platforms and loading docks around the layout
I great way to recover from my food coma!
Bob
I can always count on this thread to learn something, and see some inspirational work.
Andy
That’s a lot of impressive work for someone recovering from a food coma Bob. The intricate detail really enhances the scenes. Pour yourself some scotch; well deserved.
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