What did you do on your layout today?

@Don McErlean posted:

Scouting Dad:  Loved the trolley cars.  I am old enough to actually remember riding on such cars in New Jersey.  Not "tourist" type rides but rides when the trolley was a real part of the public transit system.  By the time I was about 5 (1949 or so) they were gone,  replaced by buses...which I also remember because who can forget the wonderful aroma of burnt diesel in the NJ summer!! (no air conditioning then).

Best wishes

Don

@Don McErlean  Part of what has me going with the trolleys and interurbans is I have a vague memory (late 50s) of the Chicago buses (white roofs, green sides) running on the streets but using overhead electric. Every once in a while there would be a big POP and the trolley pole would bang down to the bus roof. But I don't remember the buses stopping because of this. I also grew up across from the old Aurora Elgin line, which used to run interurbans from what I can tell. Its now part of the Illinois Prairie Path.  Bus diesel exhaust back then was awful.  Maybe the future will be back to electric, whether battery or overhead. Rode the "trolleys" in Portland recently, they have a pretty decent system from what I experienced. And getting into Chicago via the Metra line and using the CTA "eL" is way better than driving. 

...think I got stuck into building flatcars...somehow...

@Dave Ripp

An enjoyable time when we see your posts.

I’m curious today about your size of vehicles.

Are they 1:43, or how about just sharing  with us your size of cars an trucks and if you buy the uniform size each time?  Do you have a favorite vendor?

Appreciate your reply 😊

@Seth Thomas posted:

@Dave Ripp

An enjoyable time when we see your posts.

I’m curious today about your size of vehicles.

Are they 1:43, or how about just sharing with us your size of cars and trucks and if you buy the uniform size each time?  Do you have a favorite vendor?

Appreciate your reply 😊

Seth, Thanks for the compliment. I've always stuck with 1/43rd though I've heard others poopoo that size. I usually go with the cheapest price unless I really want it then I'll pay up.

@ScoutingDad posted:

When I added an extra siding at the back of the layout last year, I did not get the switch and surrounding track as level as it should have been.  Part of this is due to building on layers and not stripping everything down. That was a dreadful thought as the ballast and detailing were already in.

Finally decided to fix the issue, with the thought that a Premier Big Boy should be arriving (someday soon), and it is unlikely it will like the dip.

While I can take the background scenery out (sectional), and pop up from behind, I decided to attack this by climbing onto the layout.  The inch thick foam helps to distribute my bulk on the layout and it keeps the track from digging into my knees. I really wish I had built this section with an open grid. Trying to level this section of track is proving to be a challenge, particularly since it is on a curve and about 6 feet long. The shimming I tried previously did not work all that well. Plus the left side is about a half inch higher than the right side due to the grade needed. If I could I would lay in a 1/2 piece of plywood, but just do not have the clearance.

I don't know about you guys but working on my hands and knees anymore is really tiresome. Makes me wish I was back in my 50s again! Well 30s would be better but that really is wishful thinking.

That was a good idea, Jeff, using the foam to pad your knees and the layout as well.  So the pop outs you have the arrows pointed to are only to remove scenery to work on?

Here is what I am trying to do.  I'm showing one section that lifts out sitting on top of the layout, with others in place.  As can be seen, I have a long way to go.

@RSJB18 Bob, I made a trip Tuesday to pickup a new RailKing SW1500 at C. T. McCormick's.  Being retired does have its privileges!    I have checked it out on the layout, and will post something on it soon.

@Mark Boyce Mark,  the corners are too deep for me to reach into. So its either climb onto the layout or pop up at each corner. When I remove the scenery there is a clear hole in the corner(s)  where I can shinny up through and stand up to work. I use it to work on track or the nearby signals. The scenery is built like you are doing with layers of foam to get the shape I wanted. I then glue cotton batting over the entire thing and paint with an earth brown latex. $10 for a mixed gallon at Walmart. I am amazed at how much I have used already. I like the texture it leaves and makes it easier to lay down ground cover over the fabric. Sprinkling it on while the paint is wet and it will stick reasonably well. Did most of my layout that way.  Almost instant landscaping. But it takes a while to dry completely.

Since I have 072 curves in the corners, it left quite of bit of space between the track and the wall. Filling it with modular scenic sections, made it easy to work on at the bench and I just place it on the layout. If i do the batting right, the seams are not all that obvious.

I think I understand what you are doing with the lift out sections. Are they going to be buildings, roads or just landscape?  My buildings all have LEDs. I wired in little plugs so if I need to move a building, its easy to separate the plugs, nothing to unscrew. I also have different size/style plugs for the 12v LEDS and the 4.5 v LEDs. That way there is no possibility of messing anything up when putting it back together.   

Thank you, Jeff!  It didn't look that the sceniced areas in the corner was that deep.  However, with an 072 curve, there is lots of room!  I am reading of more folks using the painted over cotton batting.  Yours looks good.

These areas along the 'long' wall grades will be mostly rural, a mountain stream descending with the rear grade.  I do have the large Idaho Hotel to use as a mountain lodge.  On the lower (right) end I may put some home or farm area.  The towns are along each of the adjacent walls to this.  Yes, I will have to use a plug like you for lights to be easily disconnected.  Actually, I should do that on every building, so I can lift any of them off easily.  I'm not 'gluing' buildings down as I had done in the past.

@Mark Boyce posted:

@RSJB18 Bob, I made a trip Tuesday to pickup a new RailKing SW1500 at C. T. McCormick's.  Being retired does have its privileges!    I have checked it out on the layout, and will post something on it soon.

Sounds good Mark, can't wait to see it. I'm assuming it's a Maryland road?
I guess living only 15-20 minutes from Trainland takes some of the urgency out of going to the store. That and still working 8- whenever 5 days a week too . I'm still about 10 years from retirement so I'll deal with it.

Tuesday seems to be the target day at this point. I'll post pix when the deed is done.

@ScoutingDad- after spending most of my early career in construction and other physically active jobs, my knees are already compromised. Now after the past 20 or so behind a desk, spending substantial time on them hurts. I always wear knee pads but they still ache the next day.

Bob

Got it done this weekend......the sun and wind were good for the paint, even though it got cold Friday afternoon.....

A few more pictures here:

https://ogrforum.com/...7#159096765539255877

Have a great weekend folks.....

Peter

Had some down time today so got some train running in. Decided to fire up my SW-900 and spot some freight cars on my industrial sidings.

Lots of good projects going on, keep up the good work. 👍

Scott

@Putnam Division - Peter- looking good. Like Double-mint gum, it's twice the fun with Plasticville....

@B&O Fan- Scott-  great shots. Running trains is what its all about after all

I stumbled across a pair of freight cars today that I forgot I bought, go figure?????? I'll share some pix soon.

Bob

Finished an Atlantis Models H-25 helicopter for the layout.

Very cool, can you post more pics.

Rich

Here’s a couple more.

Well there's alot of great work going on.   Just had to stop and go back and read/review the last 2 pages.   

Finally got the third story roof assembled, and painted all the roof slate tiles and weathered copper cap today.  Also kit-bashed the 3rd story short windows, and weathered them as well.  Yesterday, I decided to extend the highway about 16 inches into the tunnel and build finished walls for the highway tunnel.   Got my last 3 road templates done, now just have to do the final cutting of the wide cork roadbed  for the concrete highway crossing the tracks and entering the highway tunnel.   

Chris,

Great work. The structure is really evolving into something special. I also like the extension inside the highway tunnel. I did something similar but not that deep. Do you plan to put lighted vehicles inside the tunnel?

Dave

As usual it looks great Chris. Have you considered using a mirror inside the tunnel for the depth perception?

Still working on a fix for the buzzing solenoids in my switches. I may have come up with a solution last night. I coated the plunger with a little white grease, just enough to keep the vibration to a minimum. I did a couple in the front of the layout as a test and they are much quieter. I will run them for a while and see how it goes. As long as the sounds from the train aren't drowned out, I'll take the win.

Before and after videos.

Dave & Jay,  Thanks for the suggestions.  Yes I was contemplating the "mirror" at the back end of the tunnel with some lights every 5 inches or so in the ceiling.  I had not really thought about vehicles with headlights, but that's a pretty cool idea as well.    At least I got back down there late last night and started cutting in the final road sections.   Hope to send the road paving crew home today, as well as install the lighting and windows & doors in the building.

@chris a posted:

Dave & Jay,  Thanks for the suggestions.  Yes I was contemplating the "mirror" at the back end of the tunnel with some lights every 5 inches or so in the ceiling.  I had not really thought about vehicles with headlights, but that's a pretty cool idea as well.    At least I got back down there late last night and started cutting in the final road sections.   Hope to send the road paving crew home today, as well as install the lighting and windows & doors in the building.

   

Menards has some nice lighted cars and trucks Chris. The whole project is looking good.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Sounds good Mark, can't wait to see it. I'm assuming it's a Maryland road?
I guess living only 15-20 minutes from Trainland takes some of the urgency out of going to the store. That and still working 8- whenever 5 days a week too . I'm still about 10 years from retirement so I'll deal with it.

Tuesday seems to be the target day at this point. I'll post pix when the deed is done.

@ScoutingDad- after spending most of my early career in construction and other physically active jobs, my knees are already compromised. Now after the past 20 or so behind a desk, spending substantial time on them hurts. I always wear knee pads but they still ache the next day.

Bob

Bob, surprise, surprise, surprise!  The NW1500 has nothing to do with Western Maryland.  I did want to include the Mount Storm power station I worked at long ago that the Western Maryland (now CSX) serves.  I had to settle for a backdrop picture of one.  I couldn’t remember what engine Virginia Power owned, so when I saw MTH was offering a NW1500 in Pennsylvania Power and Light modern scheme, I compromised and ordered it.  Over 40 years ago, I also worked for Pennsylvania Electric Co, owned by the same outfit that owns PP&L.

A couple months ago, I came across a photograph of an 44 Ton engine from Mount Storm in the familiar colors.  That is when I bought the WbB 44 Ton thinking I would repaint it.  

Well now the NW1500 came in.  It is rather snazzy.  I have it pulling some empties out of the station, cars that it brought up from the lower yard you suggested I build.  As you know, you have to use your imagination on a small layout.  Here it is.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Well now the NW1500 came in.  It is rather snazzy.  I have it pulling some empties out of the station that it brought up from the lower yard you suggested I build.  As you know, you have to use your imagination on a small layout.  Here it is.

Looks great Mark. A little artistic license is permitted in our miniature worlds.

Enjoy the new loco.

Bob

"FINALLY" started on my trestle bridge build. I learned it's going to take longer than I thought. Super early in the planning stages but trying to figure out if I want some sort of water effect or just an empty ravine?

RJ, I would suggest that you check out what FarmerJohn did with his trestle and water feature.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Well now the NW1500 came in.  It is rather snazzy.  I have it pulling some empties out of the station that it brought up from the lower yard you suggested I build.  As you know, you have to use your imagination on a small layout.  Here it is.

Love the engine, Mark - very interesting paint scheme - wish Lionel would make one as I don’t do DCS. PPL has been my power company since I moved to PA in 1995.

Just an FYI… Lionel made some beautiful die cast PPL hoppers last year

I decided to make a wall hanging for the fictional army railroad unit insignia I designed. .

It'll be about 10" tall, cut from masonite.

I should likely be painting the interior tonight and I'm looking forward to it.

Put new smoke unit in my #2035. Smokes ok but one thing I like about my American Flyer steam is their smoke and choo choo. My Lionel some smoke well and some so so. I have replaced units with pill type and liquid don't see big difference if using liquid smoke. Haven't used pills so can't evaluate if there is a difference using pills vs liquid.

Finished painting/planting the M.O.W. crew.  Rock slide in place, but not a lot of work being done.  Better shake a leg…

@TedW posted:

Finished painting/planting the M.O.W. crew.  Rock slide in place, but not a lot of work being done.  Better shake a leg…

Looks like there's a lot of standing and looking, not much bending and digging going on......

I'm not sure if the crew's attire is OSHA approved either

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

RJ, I would suggest that you check out what FarmerJohn did with his trestle and water feature.

I know I am new to the forum and maybe there's a different way to search? I couldn't find anything about his trestle.

I forgot to mention - mine is being built on a curve. I mean why do something easy??!! lol

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks like there's a lot of standing and looking, not much bending and digging going on......

I'm not sure if the crew's attire is OSHA approved either

Yeah, that’s what I said, standard practice.  Always take time to develop a plan.  As for the attire, obviously before Osha.

I did a little at home rail fanning this weekend. Watched some ore movement and a mixed freight hauling some newly assigned rolling stock. I am also in the process of making some coal loads for the recently acquired 3-bay hoppers.    

The coal loads: Are cut and shaped from 1” styrofoam and made to fit inside the hoppers to a depth that would allow some room for a layer of coal. I added some Sculpamold to help provide more profile. Painted the inserts with black acrylic hobby paint.    I made a form that mirrors the inside dimensions of the hoppers and covered the walls with Al foil. The walls are clamped together so that I can release the form after the glued coal layer sets.     

Hats off to all the layout progress posts!    Always thankful for the sharing!   

Cheers, Dave

Dave,

Real nice work. Where do you get your coal? Also, please explain the purpose of the aluminum foil? I'm probably overthinking it.

Thanks,

Dave

RJ, try searching Farmerjohn and the 4th posting down dated 9-11-19 from Leapinlarry has photos of John’s curved trestle.

@luvindemtrains posted:

Dave,

Real nice work. Where do you get your coal? Also, please explain the purpose of the aluminum foil? I'm probably overthinking it.

Thanks,

Dave

Brennan's RR products sells bags of real anthracite coal in various sizes.   Tomorrow I'm visiting a friend who is going to give me a cup or two of Brennan coal.   The coal in the picture was a gift from another friend and I do not know its origin.   I was in the Twin Cities last Thursday and checked out a major hobby supplier that did not have any suitable coal in O scale.  I have a bag of post war Lionel coal but will probably not use it.   When I get the Brennan anthracite coal I will make a decision on which product I will use to complete the load.   The purpose of the aluminum foil (wax paper might work better - I will know tomorrow) is to prevent any glue/coal from attaching to the sides of the form.   I plan to use a process similar to gluing ballast to secure the coal to the styrofoam.   I want to be able to remove the load from the hopper as desired.

cheers, Dave  

@Apples55 posted:

Love the engine, Mark - very interesting paint scheme - wish Lionel would make one as I don’t do DCS. PPL has been my power company since I moved to PA in 1995.

Just an FYI… Lionel made some beautiful die cast PPL hoppers last year

Paul, Yes, that is an interesting scheme.  Initially, I thought it was just going to be solid one shade of blue.  That is a nice hopper.  I also saw MTH is offering one with Pennsylvania Power & Light written out on the side of the car with Reddy Kilowatt smiling.

I’ve been trying to finish the scenics as much as possible in the TT area before I add my welders.  So therefore I had to finish the top of the retaining wall. I forgot how hot the Hot Glue gets. Anyhow after a few times of trying to match the paint I mixed 1 year ago, I gave up and settled. Now for some cleanup of the holidays and some flock.

Ted, Excellent work scene; or maybe break scene,    They are posed in the PennDOT stereotype.  The workers really look real!

Dave, I really like those loads.  Thank you for the tutorial!

OBX, The turntable area is looking great, as is the stone wall!

@RSJB18, I checked my other M.O.W. crew in the tunnel.  These guys are “working” just as hard.  They’re from the LI DOT.  Recognize anybody?

@TedW- nobody I know but the pace of work looks familiar for NY DOT work.

@darlander- nice work on the coal loads Dave. I just did a wax paper release for some of the scenery around my yard. Worked just fine.

@obxtrainman- Nice TT. I like the overhead power to the bridge too.

I did the rest of the switches I can reach last night. Still some fine tuning to do but I will run the trains for a while and see how it goes.

I also unpacked a nice Atlas refer I bought on the forum recently. I jumped on it when the post came up. I had the SW8 already. Made perfect sense to have a car or two for it to pull. Gotta love the special runs that MTH did.

Bob