What did you do on your layout today?

Mike,  the switch back against the wall near the crane,  Consider moving it back considerably.

Move if a foot or so  and you will have the curves match up, move it further and you will then be able to have a tangent in the "S" curve.

Hi Tom, are you talking about the one near the window? If so I can't move it, unless I remove the switch that goes outside.

That turned out really nice Bob; congratulations. Excellent idea to separate the power. There is definitely one of these in my future.

@gandydancer1950 posted:

Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car...before and after...

Awesome job 👍

Here is another project on a busy weekend, I got this 3 car set on ebay for 42.00 and decided to convert them to the FEC passenger car, since once again they are hard to find, if they were ever made with the FEC road name.

@mike g. posted:

Hi Tom, are you talking about the one near the window? If so I can't move it, unless I remove the switch that goes outside.

Mike, I can not see the overall  setting but, if using 072 and the "S" reverse curve is an absolute the one thing I can suggest is:

Make up the 072 "S" reverse curve either with or without a 21"  tangent.  (in three rail with truck mounted couplers the "S" tangent may be optional).  Use of the tangent mid section is always best.

Fabricate the track and the plywood subroadbed connecting everything tacked up in place with the switches added at each end.   Make sure the tangents of the switches are on a perfect 90 degree right a way alignment.    A complete kind of elevated railway.

Make sure that this sub-assembly does not kink the track connections and give false readings.  Screw it together accurately and firmly.

Now use this sub-assembly to absolutely locate the exact place where you will need to splice in the assembly.

The proper locating of the insert may require other modifications like adjusting the position of another switch and it's diverging track.

This brings up the disconnect that a track plan program may produce.  When needing to insert a track feature nothing beats using the actual desired configuration as the template.

Doing this properly will provide flawless performance down the road.

@mike g. posted:

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!

Mike- SCARM can be off by quite a bit. What you could try is using a couple of tighter radius curves to get the alignment you need. Even a half of an 060 could make a big difference. Reverse loops take up a lot of real estate. I'm with Tom on avoiding the S curve if possible too. A short straight section will help the rolling stock go through the curve easily.

If you can't move the switch by the window, can you move the other one further away from the corner? That would give you more room to make the reverse.

Bob

All;

   I posted some time ago that I was working on re-creating the Lionel D-225 Display Layout I have posted a few photos of our progress. We are getting close to laying track. I will post more photos as we make progress.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

The work justs keeps on getting better and better as i tune in each morning. It's great to see this hobby thriving stronger and stronger!

Thanks, Alex

This wasn’t just today but I finished up this section of the layout with Menards building and my own twist on one of there building fronts.  

@t8afao posted:

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.

@t8afao

Thanks for the informatio0n on the block wall. It looks like the retaining walls sold by Scenic Express. Is ti the same, to your knowledge?

Mike I just saw how much the track plan is off.

We use RRTrax and have never found it to be off by more than 1/4”. (Me off, yeah, but RRTrax has been pretty much dead on.)

Our layout is 38 x 18 plus/minus (Paula says slightly more) and we are working on level 2 so it is a pretty good test.

Good luck with the turnout/s curve. We are fighting that problem today after we check out the nee computer that was hooked up last night.

Nick, like the walls a lot. Like Randy, we would like to know more.

@RSJB18 posted:

That caboose looks familiar. I guess it was made for bashing. Nice work  on the conversion.

I plan to get my yard office installed on the layout today. The barrel is rebuilt and wired up. Pix later.

Bob

Great minds think alike Bob. Here, tucked behind an Icing station and under the upper level, is a similar build I made about 20 years ago.

Check out the electric sub-station (or whatever it is) to the left of it. Can anyone guess what it's body and other parts were made from?

Alex, you are so right!  That certainly is a lot of great projects! 

Mike, What a dilemma.  Hopefully Tom's great suggestions will help you find a solution!

Ideathinker, that is quite a track plan.  You should have tons of action once you get trains rolling!

Bob, the caboose shed looks great!

We had some discussion about whether I should open the doors on my Altoona Model Works Branch Line station, and the verdict is the doors will stay closed.  The kit provides a loading dock for all 4 sides which will provide plenty of room for interesting activity.

I finally found my sanding stick to clean out the bay window openings.  A file would have been hard to make a nice straight edge.  I have all the other windows installed.  With it snowing outside, I'm going to work on this and wait until later or tomorrow to run the snow blower.  Have a great Sunday!

We put up the last bit of shelving. Basically on the wall on the left side. Pops has been busy getting engines out so we can see them.

Also put some ash in and around the ash pit. Outside of that it was a lot of train running

Today I applied the matte finish to my eBay Weaver flat and cleared my workbench so I’m ready for a new project start!    During the rebuild I also completed a pulpwood load for the “tie load flat”, so I currently have the option of supplying three cars for shipping pulpwood. Besides handling iron ore shipments to the steal industry, the DM&IR was busy helping transport lumber products for construction and the paper industry.    Life is good in spite of Covid!   It is so nice to have this diversions!!

Cheers to all, wash your hands and play it safe,  Dave

@Tom Tee posted:

Mike,  the switch back against the wall near the crane,  Consider moving it back considerably.

Move if a foot or so  and you will have the curves match up, move it further and you will then be able to have a tangent in the "S" curve.

Hi Tom, I tried everything I can think of and still can't get it to work. Here are a couple photos, maybe they will help.I can move this switch to the left about 4 to 5 inches but that's it our it will hit the lift bridge.I can't move this switch at all. As you can see it's right in the curve in my upper loop and is to switch the train to go outside.

And this is what I get! Lol

Mike, maybe using flex track the whole way will help? Just shooting this our there . Dont know if you tried it yet .

@mike g. posted:

Mike, this might be a place for some insertion of flex track!   It would help smooth out the S curve!  

Cheers, Dave

Mike, just to clarify; is the track going into the American Power and light station the one that will lead to the outside of your building?  If so, yes I see you are butted up against that switch and the lift-up bridge. 

Are you able to rebuild the lift-up bridge so the hinge pint and linear actuator are on the opposite side of the entrance aisle giving more room for the curve there?  Probably not, or you would have already thought of it. 

Hi guys, I have been thinking about flex track, but trying to make it work if I can.

Yes Mark you are correct the track behind the power station is the on that goes outside. As for moving the lift bridge to the other side won't happen, as you know it takes a little bit of work to get it set up in the first place.

If worse comes to worse I will fall back on the flex track.

I used flex track for a majority of my track, almost three cases which is 450 feet.  Once you get used to working with it, it's a ton easier to do stuff like that s-curve.   Sectional track doesn't always make it easy to do certain plans.

Mike, I understand completely why you don’t want to reverse the lift up bridge!  😩 Yes see how flex track works out!  👍🏻

Christmas is officially over. Took advantage of a 40 deg day to pack up the outdoor lights, wreath, and roping. Done for another year.

I added some details to the caboose and knocked down the gravel with a dark brown wash.

I ran some trains too! 👍👍

@RSJB18 posted:

Christmas is officially over. Took advantage of a 40 deg day to pack up the outdoor lights, wreath, and roping. Done for another year.

I added some details to the caboose and knocked down the gravel with a dark brown wash.

I ran some trains too! 👍👍

End of a busy day .    Everything looking good easpecially with the tains running well.       A perfect way to end it.

@RSJB18 posted:

Christmas is officially over. Took advantage of a 40 deg day to pack up the outdoor lights, wreath, and roping. Done for another year.

I added some details to the caboose and knocked down the gravel with a dark brown wash.

I ran some trains too! 👍👍

Very nice, Bob. What is the small steamer on the lower level - it went by too fast to identify???

And 40 degrees... when did you move south??? We barely made it to 28 and had snow flurries most of the afternoon ❄️❄️❄️

You hit the trifecta today Bob; 40 degrees, exterior illumination put away, and running trains.

@Apples55 posted:

Very nice, Bob. What is the small steamer on the lower level - it went by too fast to identify???

And 40 degrees... when did you move south??? We barely made it to 28 and had snow flurries most of the afternoon ❄️❄️❄️

I think it lasted for about 5 min and dropped again. Snowing now.

It's a Lionel Santa Fe 0-6-0 conventional. Just like a certain BEDT I was looking for. 😏

@Dallas Joseph posted:

End of a busy day .    Everything looking good easpecially with the tains running well.       A perfect way to end it.

Thanks Dallas and Jay.

Lots of great work by everyone.   I have been hibernating in the basement all weekend working on my Pennsy Block walls and cutting, and final fitting the Viaduct.   

Received the Pennsy Stone Block Tunnel Portal that I have been waiting for so a roadway could disappear under the main line.  Also decided I'd pour three more Pennsy Stone Block Wall castings out of plaster and weather them all at once.  By doing that I can take three of the flexible stone block wall and use them to expand the ones that I placed below the station (working like a fascia).... 

My son showed up Saturday afternoon and surprised with me with a newer and much more capable Sony Camera.  He had given me one about 2 years ago, he took that one back and replaced it with a major upgrade !!   This one shoots 4K video, has a much higher quality sensor, and image processing & a really cool, higher resolution screen that's also a touch screen for setting focus tracking and other adjustments....  Boy am I  truly blessed. 

Started shooting some video, but I need to watch some YouTube videos to get familiar with all the settings !

Here's some photo updates,   1/2 the wall sections are fixed & mounted, all that needed height adjustments working from right to left are completed.  One last section near the center, has to be shortened when all the other ones are anchored.   Really looking forward to putting this retaining wall project behind me. 

Then it will be time to get out all the building kits/parts and start designing a factory for that prime location. 

@chris a posted:

Lots of great work by everyone.   I have been hibernating in the basement all weekend working on my Pennsy Block walls and cutting, and final fitting the Viaduct.   

Received the Pennsy Stone Block Tunnel Portal that I have been waiting for so a roadway could disappear under the main line.  Also decided I'd pour three more Pennsy Stone Block Wall castings out of plaster and weather them all at once.  By doing that I can take three of the flexible stone block wall and use them to expand the ones that I placed below the station (working like a fascia)....

My son showed up Saturday afternoon and surprised with me with a newer and much more capable Sony Camera.  He had given me one about 2 years ago, he took that one back and replaced it with a major upgrade !!   This one shoots 4K video, has a much higher quality sensor, and image processing & a really cool, higher resolution screen that's also a touch screen for setting focus tracking and other adjustments....  Boy am I  truly blessed.

Started shooting some video, but I need to watch some YouTube videos to get familiar with all the settings !

Here's some photo updates,   1/2 the wall sections are fixed & mounted, all that needed height adjustments working from right to left are completed.  One last section near the center, has to be shortened when all the other ones are anchored.   Really looking forward to putting this retaining wall project behind me.

Then it will be time to get out all the building kits/parts and start designing a factory for that prime location. 

Chris, I really like the color you chose for the stone walls, it really pops! I love the arches, those are like a work of art! Your layout is really looking fantastic. Thanks for sharing the photos, and congrats on the new camera. That's quiet the son you have! :-)

Finally started the new Quonset hut project. The kit included resin end walls and pretty much stock sheets or lengths of plastic. Frankly, it'd been better if I'd just scratch built the thing.

Anyway, it's still lacking the side door I've completed and I'll have full interior to be visible through the open front door and lighting for this when its done.

@Lionelski posted:

Great minds think alike Bob. Here, tucked behind an Icing station and under the upper level, is a similar build I made about 20 years ago.

Check out the electric sub-station (or whatever it is) to the left of it. Can anyone guess what it's body and other parts were made from?

I DIN-no what you used, John. 😇

Mitch

Outstanding looking finished product Chris. Once you are comfortable with the camera, I’m sure we’ll all benefit from the videos. Great job!

I too like the color of your retaining walls and viaduct Chris. Outstanding.

@Lionelski posted:

Great minds think alike Bob. Here, tucked behind an Icing station and under the upper level, is a similar build I made about 20 years ago.

Check out the electric sub-station (or whatever it is) to the left of it. Can anyone guess what it's body and other parts were made from?

Looks like a power supply case from a PC or similar device

Bob

Chris- The walls look great . You wouldn't know they were done years apart.

Lee- I'm sure you will work your magic on that model.

Dave- Darlander- The pulp cars look nice. You are on a roll with them.

Mike G- so how goes the track puzzle?

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks like a power supply case from a PC or similar device

Bob

Good guess Bob,

This electric sub-station (?) started its life as an automobile dash radio insert. The two black pieces on the left of the roof are pieces of packaging that held scale autos to their packaging. The circular object on the right front is a washer. The two grey conduit pipes in front are model spues. I don't even remember what the other pieces are from.

Morning guys, I hope your all doing well!

@RSJB18 Bob, the caboose looks great & nice touch on toning down the gravel parking lot! I just love how your train run so smooth! As for the jigsaw puzzle it's still a ongoing project.

@chris a Chris, the walls look outstanding! Nice way to make a road that goes nowhere look like it's going somewhere! WOW what a great Son and wonderful gift! I can't wait to see what you produce with your new video camera!

@p51 Lee, looks like you have a great start and your probably correct you probably could have scratch built one easier and better! Don't forget the olive-drab paint job! LOL

Well guys, a new twist to my puzzle. The company i bought my track from off of the bay says they don't have any more 072 but are offering a full refund or discount for what I didn't get. In all reality neither one helps me out! LOL The wife and I have to run to town this morning and when we get back, I plan on brainstorming on some of the idea's you guys have given me. One small problem is I don't have any MTH Flex track, and it doesn't seem anyone is selling any right now. But I do have some 054 and 080 track and one section of rigid 30" straight track to play with and see if I can make something work. I will try and post anything I figure out later today!

I hope you all have a great day and find to have fun with your layout and trains!

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys, I hope your all doing well!

@RSJB18 Bob, the caboose looks great & nice touch on toning down the gravel parking lot! I just love how your train run so smooth! As for the jigsaw puzzle it's still a ongoing project.

Thanks Mike- the track work is not all that good to tell the truth. The 027 track is not the best. I should have at least used o gauge. The solenoid buzz in the switches drive me nuts but to change them I might as well rip up the whole thing and start over.

Had a 6 year old visit with his dad and dog.  They all went bonkers.  The kid was following as many of the trains as he could round all the  peninsulas, climbing up on the various step stools and bar stools placed around the basement.  The dog was following the 20" high (low?)  loop to loop back and forth and the father was shooting the action of five trains running around the room.  kind of neat to watch it all.