@Alex M posted:Thank you Mike !
I didn't know what i was missing , this thread is amazing !
I thank Alan for giving me the shot at this !
Alex
Like I said Alex, welcome to the party!
Good to see trains running on your layout.
Bob
Bill, sorry the computer went down. It’s always something! The roundhouse sounds should make for a good effect.
Dave and Alex, cobwebs and dust is a start. Nice seeing your layout again, Alex!
Peter, your thinning the herd looks about as big as my whole collection! Good idea to go to Cabin Fever and let someone else do it.
Mike, I forgot what you are doing with the 072 cutting!
I discovered an issue with a troublesome B&O Mikado last evening. It may go back on the shelf for now, so I can run other trains and build the station and scenery
@RSJB18 posted:Like I said Alex, welcome to the party!
Good to see trains running on your layout.
Bob
Yes i agree ! this is an awesome thread
Alex
Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,
Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL
Here are a couple photos!
This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!
I hope you all have a great night!
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@mike g. posted:Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,
Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL
Here are a couple photos!
This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!
I hope you all have a great night!
Looks great Mike. I'm sure with your skills it going to be spot on....
Hi guys, just a quick update, the FedEx guy just dropped off my track. First thing in the morning I will be test fitting everything!
Wow, doesn't take much to make me happy! 😂
@mike g. posted:Hi guys, just a quick update, the FedEx guy just dropped off my track. First thing in the morning I will be test fitting everything!
Wow, doesn't take much to make me happy! 😂
Looking forward to it Mike.
You’re going to love those large curves. It make the trains more realistic.
Hey fellas, I thInk is the, not only excellent thread to list our layout updates in general, but a good place to glean what others are doing. Uh, or was that the point😜. Anyhow here’s a pic of what I got done today. It’s a start on tying in some shelving space for my future Legacy and the Lionchief remotes, and other stuff. I sure do like my toy trains🤪
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I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.
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Obxtrainman, your woodworking skills look terrific. Keep us posted.
Mike, You will be spot on!!!
OBXtrainman, nice looking shelving you are making.
FECrailroaddog, you did a great job paining and weathering that caboose.
I didn't do anything on my layout today. This evening I met with the other Train Club of Zelienople fellows finalizing some plans for a 4-module layout. I dropped off a lot of extra Ross curve sections and #24 wire I didn't use on the home layout.
Thanks Mark 
@mike g. posted:Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a productive day! I know I did,
Well, this morning I went out tested my cardboard templet against my existing 072 curves to make sure it was correct! Seemed close enough so I spent the morning cutting as many as i could out of a 2' X 8' sheet of plywood. I think I used everything I could to get the most. Now all I have to do is wait for my track to get here to test fit it as I dont trust myself! LOL
Here are a couple photos!
This will be the final loop on the upper level, and I won't have to back the train up to turn it around to go to the lower level!
I hope you all have a great night!
Mike, impressive cutting job the curve out of a 2 x8 plywood piece! The layout is really coming together!
Paul, you are right about Mikes curves! The saber saw has a mind of its own in my hand! 😆
@t8afao posted:It's been awhile since I had time to work on the layout. With temps below 0 I went to the basement and worked some scenery. It's just the base, still need to add the brush. I installed some block wall then the ballast and dirt. Once the glue is dried I will finish the area up. Nick T.
I
Looks great with nice before and after, Like the block wall. Did you make the block wall or if not curious where you sourced it from as have a few areas I am looking to do something similar. Thank you
@FECRailroaddog posted:I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.
That caboose looks familiar. I guess it was made for bashing. Nice work on the conversion.
@mike g.- can't wait to see the new reverse loop completed.
@obxtrainman- The shelf looks good so far.
@t8afao- Not sure if I missed your OP on the retaining wall. Nice work Nick.
I plan to get my yard office installed on the layout today. The barrel is rebuilt and wired up. Pix later.
Bob
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Morning guys, thanks for all the nice words! I know I have more cutting and fitting to do buy hope to have it fitted in today. Chris a. brought up a wonderful idea of laminating 2 1/2" pieces together to give me a stronger roadbed where it is not supported by the bench work under it. I would buy I am out of plywood, so I plan on trying to make a steel "C" channel to support as I have some just laying around. Just takes some cutting and welding to bake the bends! LOL Wish me luck!
@obxtrainman, your in the right place and the shelf is looking good!
@FECRailroaddog Outstanding job on the caboose! It really looks factory done if not better!
I hope everyone has a great Saturday and fun with there layouts!
@mike g. posted:Morning guys, thanks for all the nice words! I know I have more cutting and fitting to do buy hope to have it fitted in today. Chris a. brought up a wonderful idea of laminating 2 1/2" pieces together to give me a stronger roadbed where it is not supported by the bench work under it. I would buy I am out of plywood, so I plan on trying to make a steel "C" channel to support as I have some just laying around. Just takes some cutting and welding to bake the bends! LOL Wish me luck!
I hope everyone has a great Saturday and fun with there layouts!
Mike- If you add some sort of side to the curve it would add some rigidity to the ply. If you have any masonite or thin plywood, glue it to the side and that should give you added strength. Plexiglass would even work. Maybe you can incorporate this into a finished truss bridge like you did on the other side of the layout.
Bob
@Rixster posted:@t8afao looks great. I also want to know about the block wall. And also, did you use pins to mate the Fastrack to Gargraves?
Rick
I used the Lionel fastrack that has pins on one side and the fastrak connection on the other side. The fastrack is 5 inches long. It works great in connecting the two or used with Atlas track. The block wall I purchased of Ebay. It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible. I have used both on the layout. It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches.
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@jjwyatt posted:Looks great with nice before and after, Like the block wall. Did you make the block wall or if not curious where you sourced it from as have a few areas I am looking to do something similar. Thank you
The block wall I purchased off Ebay. It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible. I have used both on the layout. It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches. Easy to cut with knife or hacksaw blade. I do carve the stones on the top row so that it doesn't look like one long stone. Paint the desired color you like and weather. I tried carving my own out of pink foam and it never looked good. This has saved time. I also line the inside tunnels to, that can be seen. 
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t8afao For some reason I forgot to comment on the original post of the stone wall. You have really applied the product well! I really like it!
mike g. since you have the material and can weld, you will make short work of it. Bob has a good suggestion for those of us who don't have the option you have. I'm in the Masonite camp. I have a good bit of it and have next to zero metal working and welding skills. When one product is unavailable or the price goes up, there is always an alternative. (No political comments please. I'm just trying to state how a modeler needs to be an innovator)
I searched for a suitable future location for a Lionel Base3.
@FECRailroaddog posted:I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.
Excellent makeover! No more plain Jane.
@FECRailroaddog posted:I decided to convert this Lionel SP Caboose in to an FEC Light Blue Scheme, since I can't find this color scheme in O Scale, only in HO and N scale. I made the handrails from soldering wire.
Great job! Very cool.
I love custom cabeese and have so far made 15 of them to match my postwar diesels and electrics
Thanks for all the nice comments! Bob nice conversion on your model.
Here is the second part of the conversion, I converted an old Lionel MPC Amtrack to match the caboose, this FEC color scheme is impossible to find in O scale.
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t8afao amazing job on the retaining wall. 
Nick, nice job on the retaining wall, looks great.
Alex, good to have you back. Glad you got to run some trains.
Mike G., the sub roadbed looks good, nice work.
OBX, nice work on the shelving, well done
FECdog, the caboose looks great.
Andy
Wow! I saw a lot of nice work fellas. Mike i like those wide curves you’re building, Semper Fi. Love the different levels and your retaining walls t8afao.
@FECRailroaddog posted:Thanks for all the nice comments! Bob nice conversion on your model.
Here is the second part of the conversion, I converted an old Lionel MPC Amtrack to match the caboose, this FEC color scheme is impossible to find in O scale.
Outstanding, Railroaddog. I’m starting to think I really need to head east over on Pines Blvd past I75 to check out your layout.
Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car...before and after...
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Afternoon folks.
As promised, I have installed the caboose office on the layout.
I wired up the lights, which brings up another topic which I will post on the electrical forum. I split up the lighting, the interior is on one circuit, and the exterior/ burn barrel on another.
Also, added ground cover around the diorama and copious amounts of wet-water and glue. I will add more detailing after the glue dries.
(More pix in the attachment box below)
Bob
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Lol your welcome here Strap Hanger..
Been busy today, got these in yesterday and began working on transforming them to FEC.
@RSJB18, Bob, that’s a super nice scene with the burning barrel and the caboose, very creative, @@Mike g., it’s really nice to see your back to working on the railroad, and that wide curve is going to be nice. @Strap Hanger, your layouts coming along fine to, Happy Railroading Everyone 
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Afternoon guy, I hope you all had a great Saturday!
@t8afao The block walls look great on your layout and thank you for the information where you got them and what size to look for!
@FECRailroaddog Outstanding work on the transformation of that engine! Looking at it now you would never know it use to be Amtrack!
@Gandydancer Great job on the restore! Looks like new!
@RSJB18 Bob That looks AMAZING! I like the fact that you can turn off the lights inside and still have the fire burning outside!
@leapinlarry Larry you are the man with an AMAZING layout and every time I see photos of it I just drool! LOL
Well guys I have to be totally honest with you all today really sucked!! I opened the box with my track order this morning and low and behold they sent me (10) 072 curves, (5) 080 curves for a total of (15) curves when I ordered a total of (16) 072 curves.
I was at least able to use the correct curves they sent me to check my roadbed and it all looks great. But I have one problem that is just killing me! I have been back and forth to SCARM plan and the layout with a tape measure, but neither end are lining up in the middle. the switches are in the correct location. At this point I am not sure what to do! Any ideas or help would be great!
Here are a couple photos so you can see what I am talking about!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be spending my Sunday scratching my head trying to figure out what to do to fix this!
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@t8afao posted:
Nick:
You appear to have the scenic infrastructure for a GREAT layout. Your scenery is superb. Also, I love your stone walls. Did make those walls or were they purchased? If you purchased them, where are they available?
Again, I think your layout is outstanding. Keep up the good work and keep sharing the progress photos.
@Randy Harrison posted:
Nick:
You appear to have the scenic infrastructure for a GREAT layout. Your scenery is superb. Also, I love your stone walls. Did make those walls or were they purchased? If you purchased them, where are they available?
Again, I think your layout is outstanding. Keep up the good work and keep sharing the progress photos.
The block wall I purchased off Ebay. It is made out of foam. You can get rigid or flexible. I have used both on the layout. It is about 1 inch thick to. They come primed in grey. Size for o scale is 14 inches by 7.5 inches. Easy to cut with knife or hacksaw blade. I do carve the stones on the top row so that it doesn't look like one long stone. Paint the desired color you like and weather. I tried carving my own out of pink foam and it never looked good. This has saved time. I also line the inside tunnels to, that can be seen.
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Bob, excellent work on the on the yard office. When I saw the pics and video my reaction was: “that’s so cool”.
Andy
