What did you do on your layout today?

@Apple & Orange Line posted:

What did they catch?

Apple & Orange Line,

A couple of trout rose from there. 🤝

Johan

@Dallas Joseph posted:

I'm still having difficulty trying to figure out where your modeling and your backdrop begin and end.

Nice Johan.

A real nice '  feel  '  to this scene with your lighting SD

................ Thanks for sharing guys .............

Dallas,

Thank you very much. 😄

Johan

The day the gauge changed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v81Gwu6BTE

@luvindemtrains posted:

Bar GP7 #63-That was a great area to "rail fan". The backdrop really brings out your wonderful scenery work.

Scott-You did a wonderful job on the grade crossing. It looks very well thought out and displays some very neat work. What do you plan to do for signals?

Dave

Hi Dave, many thanks for the kind words. I do watch your channel on YouTube, so I'm familiar with your layout and your talents as a model builder. As a matter of fact, I still chuckle when I think of the water tower episode blooper when the tree falls over!!!

Yes I would like to install some signals, preferably just the flashing lights, no gates. Or maybe some wigwags with flashing lights! Any suggestions for a brand or supplier? I also need to add the RR crossing lines on the asphalt and some lines need to be done at all my internecions too. I haven't figured that out yet, I'm going to work on the weathering first.

Stupid people and trains:

Some of those folks are way beyond stupid!

OBX, Great job on the control tower, Really nice detail along with good paint color and weathering. Bill

Ran some trains

https://ogrforum.com/...9#159660138928006269

@samparfitt :  Could not believe that video...Wow the dumb things people do that risk lives and damage even to themselves.  Einstein was once quoted as saying..."The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits".

Don

@Bill Park posted:

OBX, Great job on the control tower, Really nice detail along with good paint color and weathering. Bill

Thank you sir. I'm not quite finished with it yet.  Im trying to find a gen-set on a trailer so they can power their welder. Still some scenic stuff to put down also.I also want to change the placard on the tower to Port Amhearst. 

@dmestan posted:

I wish.  Moving to San Diego, no basements   Looking for a 3 car garage - 2 for cars, 1 for trains.  Or a really big spare bedroom - 10x12 won't work for me.

Moving to San Diego! You are one lucky guy. It has the perfect climate (best in the USA) and great museums in Balboa Park including the Model Railroad Museum. Also you have to check out the Old Town Train Depot, it's all Lionel, you won't be disappointed. Good luck with your move and welcome to California.

Step one

Spent yesterday evening cleaning  the layout. I bought this organizer and gathered up parts and pieces littered all over the place.

Now I have so much more room for activities! Plus all my bits and bobs are all in one(or two...) places.

@Tom M posted:

Spent yesterday evening cleaning  the layout. I bought this organizer and gathered up parts and pieces littered all over the place.

Now I have so much more room for activities! Plus all my bits and bobs are all in one(or two...) places.

Sure, but can you find any of the parts you stuffed in those drawers?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sure, but can you find any of the parts you stuffed in those drawers?

I got 3 of those size drawer units and 3 bigger ones in the garage. I got 5 of those flat briefcase style lift up top compartment units on top of my workbench in the house, and it's still not enough for everything! One for house electrical, one for screws, nuts, machine screws, bolts, one for LED's and resistors, one for other train related electronics like AC-DC buck converters, DC Adjustable buck converters, relays, solderless crimp connectors, etc, and one for Arduino components, but I need to get better at doing coding to make that stuff work. Right now I would rather get all my track down, wired up, and operating correctly before I add other things in, I did plan for isolated rails connections, wired to underneath barrier strips and labeled for Track road crossings,  uncoupling track pieces, switches ,and track feeders as I progress.

Step two

@Richard Cuozzo posted:

Step two

Makin' the popcorn.....😁😁

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sure, but can you find any of the parts you stuffed in those drawers?

I always find it. Within 30 tries or so...

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Hi Dave, many thanks for the kind words. I do watch your channel on YouTube, so I'm familiar with your layout and your talents as a model builder. As a matter of fact, I still chuckle when I think of the water tower episode blooper when the tree falls over!!!

Yes I would like to install some signals, preferably just the flashing lights, no gates. Or maybe some wigwags with flashing lights! Any suggestions for a brand or supplier? I also need to add the RR crossing lines on the asphalt and some lines need to be done at all my internecions too. I haven't figured that out yet, I'm going to work on the weathering first.

Scott- I started replying the other day and thought I hit send. I found a pair of lighted crossbucks from Model Power that were pretty cheap. They came with a random flashing relay which I removed and put a Circutron FL-2 flashing relay in. I also got an isolated rail relay from GRJ for activating the signals. The ice cube relay I used originally would chatter and was driving me nuts so it was replaced.

Not much to report. I've been busy this week. I did get the red/green LED's for the F3's yesterday so I did a test fit last night. I also glued a LED to the back of the headlight lens. The holes have not come out as I had hoped. I need to figure out a solution.

Some painting pics.....glad I used the nice weather Mon-Weds.......it's a deluge out there today.....

Peter

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sure, but can you find any of the parts you stuffed in those drawers?

@Tom M posted:

I always find it. Within 30 tries or so...

It's  interesting when you first set up something like thisthat it does take some kind of labelstofind something...........but.........after you have the system up and running for awhile, it's like using the DCS remote..........you go to the right area without the nuisance of thinking 

New deliveries:

https://ogrforum.com/...2#159660139007303362

@RSJB18 posted:

Bob, fill with some vinyl sparkling compound and you should be able to color match with a dab or two of craft modeling paint.   PS:  I aways start with a small bit and increase or file bigger to make it fit.   Good luck!

Cheers, Dave

@darlander posted:

Bob, fill with some vinyl sparkling compound and you should be able to color match with a dab or two of craft modeling paint.   PS:  I aways start with a small bit and increase or file bigger to make it fit.   Good luck!

Cheers, Dave

I started with a 1/16th bit and then worked up a 1/16th at a time. The shell was softer than I expected and one of  the bits ran through on one side. I've since went to the Dermel with a milling bit and gotten the back side where I need it. Once I get the LED situated I will repair the OOPS.....😁

Thanks Dave.

@RSJB18 posted:

Scott- I started replying the other day and thought I hit send. I found a pair of lighted crossbucks from Model Power that were pretty cheap. They came with a random flashing relay which I removed and put a Circutron FL-2 flashing relay in. I also got an isolated rail relay from GRJ for activating the signals. The ice cube relay I used originally would chatter and was driving me nuts so it was replaced.

Hey Bob, thanks for the info! I'll look into this, looks like a nice setup. That is a beast of a relay! ;-)

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Hey Bob, thanks for the info! I'll look into this, looks like a nice setup. That is a beast of a relay! ;-)

Yea it is. I scrounged it out of an old HVAC controller. It's on the shelf now.

Mr. Putnam Division, That is a great looking model. Buildings like that make a layout. I thought I would offer a suggestion. If you are going to fill in the mortar lines on the brick, take a look a product named Roberts Brick Mortar Formula. For years and many brick buildings later using dry wall mud, and spending hours working for the right amount in the mortar lines, I discovered this product in a  jar recently at my hobby shop. On a whim I bought a jar and used it immediately on a new  Ameritown building. I couldn't believe how easy it was to apply with a paint brush and after it dries,(maybe a half hour) you can rub the surface and the excess comes right off. Rubbing it further will take a little off and you can actually get the amount of white you want for the appearance you want. If you have used dry wall cement before, you will find this much easier and a better looking building in my opinion. You can goggle Roberts Brick Mortar and it will come up. Hope this  makes that very handsome building look even better. Bill

Tried my hand at tree-making and ground cover.  For a first attempt, not too bad, methinks.  And thanks to Boilermaker1 for the advice.

There are just so many great projects here.  I threw out a lot of 'Likes' since I was so far behind reading.

I finished assembling the walls of the station kit.  The kit had one piece of heavy stock for the gabled roof and thin pieces of cardboard for the hip roof.  I used the cardboard pieces as templates for heavy pieces similar to the one that was in the kit.  The instructions are sketchy, and don't mention the roof at all other than shingling, so I really don't know the kit maker's intent.  I'm going to add some wood bracing for the two roof sections that I can remove them to install lighting and some interior detail later.  I have also picked out some peal and stick shingles to represent a slate roof better than the thin paper shingles that came with the kit.

Here are a couple of photographs of the station with the walls assembled.

@Mark Boyce posted:

There are just so many great projects here.  I threw out a lot of 'Likes' since I was so far behind reading.

I finished assembling the walls of the station kit.  The kit had one piece of heavy stock for the gabled roof and thin pieces of cardboard for the hip roof.  I used the cardboard pieces as templates for heavy pieces similar to the one that was in the kit.  The instructions are sketchy, and don't mention the roof at all other than shingling, so I really don't know the kit maker's intent.  I'm going to add some wood bracing for the two roof sections that I can remove them to install lighting and some interior detail later.  I have also picked out some peal and stick shingles to represent a slate roof better than the thin paper shingles that came with the kit.

Here are a couple of photographs of the station with the walls assembled.

Looks good Mark. I agree with keeping the roof removable for future access.

Bob

Lots of great projects and work on display!

I've been working on lighting.  Shown in pictures: Just finished getting my four Miller Engineering signs off battery power and put a row of leds in an MTH bus.  Not shown: finished installing a Lionel double-track bridge.  Got both signals working, however the green light doesn't always go out when train is in block.  I think it has something to do with the wheels on each car - for some the green light is out completely and red lit, others the green light flickers.

Steve:  remember that some of the lower cost cars (MPC, LTI) etc have plastic wheels even though the axles may be metal.  Perhaps that has something to do with the problem.  Check the car in the block when the light flickers.  Metal wheels are available from Lionel or I see them often on E-bay.  Another possible test to see if its the cars, try a train with only Lionel Postwar cars for example...all those wheels were steel.

Great looking layout by the way...

Don

I made and installed a few trees and shrubs.

Thanks Don, I'll check out all the cars on both tracks.  Was thinking perhaps the wheels needed cleaning.

Morning guys, its been about a week from my last visit. There sure has been some wonderful work being done from Bob's Led light to Peters red building! I would like to comment on everyone but I have limited time.

Just a little advice to you all, I am sure some of you already know. But when your old rain gear wears out, don't rush out and buy a new set! The CEO already has me doing projects to get ready for summer and I tell her its raining outside! She states that's why we bought you new rain gear last year when your old stuff got holes in them! LOL

I hope your all having a great weekend and finding time to have fun with your layout and trains!

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys, its been about a week from my last visit. There sure has been some wonderful work being done from Bob's Led light to Peters red building! I would like to comment on everyone but I have limited time.

Just a little advice to you all, I am sure some of you already know. But when your old rain gear wears out, don't rush out and buy a new set! The CEO already has me doing projects to get ready for summer and I tell her its raining outside! She states that's why we bought you new rain gear last year when your old stuff got holes in them! LOL

I hope your all having a great weekend and finding time to have fun with your layout and trains!

I guess that comes with life in the Pacific Northwest Mike. Around here, rain time = train time.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I guess that comes with life in the Pacific Northwest Mike. Around here, rain time = train time.

Bob

.........oh yea.

@mike g. posted:

Just a little advice to you all, I am sure some of you already know. But when your old rain gear wears out, don't rush out and buy a new set! The CEO already has me doing projects to get ready for summer and I tell her its raining outside! She states that's why we bought you new rain gear last year when your old stuff got holes in them! LOL

I hope your all having a great weekend and finding time to have fun with your layout and trains!

You have a great weekend too Mike.

( I don't like rain gear Mike.    Many years riding the MC in the rain convinced me that sweating in it was just about as bad as not wearing it.   That sweating alone might make you catch a cold )

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Hi Dave, many thanks for the kind words. I do watch your channel on YouTube, so I'm familiar with your layout and your talents as a model builder. As a matter of fact, I still chuckle when I think of the water tower episode blooper when the tree falls over!!!

Yes I would like to install some signals, preferably just the flashing lights, no gates. Or maybe some wigwags with flashing lights! Any suggestions for a brand or supplier? I also need to add the RR crossing lines on the asphalt and some lines need to be done at all my internecions too. I haven't figured that out yet, I'm going to work on the weathering first.

Hey Scott,

Thanks for the compliment. Speaking of my YouTube channel, in my last video I installed a grade crossing in a corner of the layout. I used some flashers from Tomar but it took me almost a year to get them after some serious hunting. I know that MTH makes some flashers as well. Also if you could find some that were made by Right of Way Industries or NJ International they are nice. They are both out of business but sometimes they will come up on the bay and are good products. Let me know if you have any luck with getting some.

Dave