What did you do on your layout today?

@Pingman posted:

@WesternPacific2217, excellent job; the interiors and figures really pop with the new lighting.

Thank you Carl, I’m pretty happy with the results! I’ll tell ya, replacing the incandescent lights to LED makes a huge difference!  Each car had 12 incandescent lights, and the observation car had an additional 3 incandescents! When I would run all 5 Zephyr cars with incandescent lights, 6 SP Daylight cars (upgraded to LED), and 3 locomotives, the Power Supply was reaching its limits. Now with LEDs no sweat.

Here’s the old light board from one of the Zephyr cars.

Now I’m waiting to see how your 15” cars come out! :-)

Happy Railroading!

@Bill Webb posted:

Lots of progress made by many in the last week. Can’t name everyone there are so many but will mention four.

Mark you made it thru the birds… here they would be sea gulls. They look great. Glad that you are making good progress on the layout and hope that the medical issue is better.

Scott the cars look great. 12+ hours to do the first. How long did the last one take? Regardless, it was worth it. Very nice.

Peter glad to see progress again on the station. It is going to be a special layout. We hope to see it one day.

And Jason… finally getting the backdrop done. What do you think?  It really changes the appearance of the layout! What a change! When we did our backdrop, it made it feel like we finally had a train layout.

It has been a busy week here and 80% of the ballast in the Roanoke Shops area is down. We have averaged 2-3 5# bags a day and our three + box supply from Dennis Brennan is down to less than a box.

Paula just ordered the material for the road. She has been busy this week turning wood into concrete pads complete with expansion joints, cracks, and weathering. Rich cuts the wood and gives it to Paula.

No photos yet but hope to have today/tomorrow when some loose ends are tied down.

Thank you, Bill!  Yes you would have sea gulls!  I'm glad you are getting the ballasting done.  It should look great!

@RSJB18 posted:

@WesternPacific2217- The train looks great Scott. I noticed you are not running it on the outer loop too.....

@jdstucks- Nice layout. The backdrops look good.

@luvindemtrains- another beautiful structure. Keep 'em coming.

@Putnam Division- Nice work on the tower Peter.

@Andrew Steiner- Looks like you need a bigger table......

Not much from me. I did get back to my F3 lighting last night. I got all of them installed in the shell but got interrupted by a nasty t-storm that rolled through the area. I haven't run a train in a while either......need to fix that soon.

Bob

Oh, tell me about it. I’m not that talented with measurements, but I’ve always been stuck with the 4x8 sort of train tables for years. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that it sucks to have O Gauge sized train tables in small spaces like my condo.

Started weathering on the turntable pit. I didn’t want to go too heavy just yet…I can always add more later. The first picture is before, the others are after.

Andy

Hi guys, its been a couple weeks and wow what great work is being done! Sorry I haven't been around but the CEO has a large list of things to do that she wants me to get started on to be ready for next winter! LOL

Most of you know that I like to try to comment on everyone's work. One small problem, I had to go back to page 1123 to pick up where I left off and for me that is a lot of reading and information to absorb! I would like to say one thing and that I can come here and never be let down on lack of work and great ideas! For this I thank you all!

Bob, I am sorry I missed your Birthday so Happy Belated Birthday! Who Know's back then I might have had something clever to say! LOL

As for me the only time I was in the train room was last weekend to run some trains for the grandkids and would you know it the gremlins snuck in and worked on one of my switches. It would not respond to the control panel. I took a few minutes today to take a quick look and it turned out to be just a loose wire!

I have a feeling it might be another 2 weeks before my next visit, I sure hope nothing goes wrong then! LOL

I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your layout and trains! Most of all please stay well!

Back when I installed the Smith's TV store, I had to remove the Lemax Bakery to make room for it. I posted the installation in this thread some time ago. Here's the Smith Bros TV store next to Miss Molly's where the bookstore once was. It was time to pull out the layout from the bay window and find a home for the Bakery.

Here's the Lemax Bakery building I removed. I like the way its roof sags. LoL

After I pulled out the layout (it seems to get heavier every time I pull it out) I began work. I made room on the next street over by moving the Woodland Scenics Davenport Emporium building and the Lemax Christmas brick house to the left. I had to move some wiring around etc. to move the buildings over. I had to do a little pavement painting too, but no big deal.

Before moving everything around and reinstalling the Bakery.

After I got all that done, and of course something always breaks when moving things around, here's the new location. I still have a couple of things to touch up, I think I'll add some grass. The Martians will probably come over and raid the Bakery now that it's so close by! Some mysterious woman in a pink Cadillac still comes by the Davenport, I wonder who it could be and who she's visiting? Hmmm! ;-)

Happy Friday!

nice work everyone. 

Well this post is more a "to do" than done.  The prize goes to then one who can figure out what the parts are for.  As a hint I've included a photo of TPRR where it will reside when finished. Even the brown stuff is part of the plan.

As much as I like the MTH station, it just will not fit in my limited space available. I like how the oak is progressing given I have about 35 more branches to add. It's also sitting up about 5 inches higher than it eventually will.  I've decided it will be a focal point in that corner with its roots exposed and grass and stuff around it as opposed to hidden behind the Inn.  There is a siding to the right behind the cars which will service city folk escaping the hot city summers by riding an interurban or the Hiawatha. So the question is what am I building, what prototype materials of construction and where is it going? As a bonus/tie breaker what will the background be like?

@ScoutingDad posted:

nice work everyone.

Well this post is more a "to do" than done.  The prize goes to then one who can figure out what the parts are for.  As a hint I've included a photo of TPRR where it will reside when finished. Even the brown stuff is part of the plan.

As much as I like the MTH station, it just will not fit in my limited space available. I like how the oak is progressing given I have about 35 more branches to add. It's also sitting up about 5 inches higher than it eventually will.  I've decided it will be a focal point in that corner with its roots exposed and grass and stuff around it as opposed to hidden behind the Inn.  There is a siding to the right behind the cars which will service city folk escaping the hot city summers by riding an interurban or the Hiawatha. So the question is what am I building, what prototype materials of construction and where is it going? As a bonus/tie breaker what will the background be like?

Your building gazebos for the city folk to sit under along with some picnic tables and benches.

Mike, I'm glad to see you back.  It is hard to comment on everyone's great work individually.  I tried to get back at it a couple times myself, but found I was spending too much time on the Forum and not enough time in the train room. 

Jeff, I will comment the oak is looking great, and I know there is more you can do to make it a distinctive oaks.  I agree the station doesn't fit the space.  Since the oak stays there, and the siding, I think the pols and stripwood will be used to make cabins and a platform for the passengers to disembark.  The background would then have to be a forest.

Hi guys.

@mike g.- no worries Mike. At least I made it this far..... sorry the gremlins popped up again but after your redesign and track work it's bound to happen. I'm sure you've found the worst of them by now.

@ScoutingDad- I like your idea Jeff. The tree can be the focal point. With the work you've put into it, it deserves to be front and center. Sounds like it will have some friends soon too.

@WesternPacific2217- better keep a close eye on those little green men Scott.....

@Steamfan77- Looks good Andy. Once the bridge and track go in the details will work themselves out.

So I fixed a major problem on my layout last night. For some strange reason, voltage had not been applied to the track for a while. Problem fixed!

Bob

Bob, I assume the lack of track power was related to the operator not turning on the switch in a while.  Are those switchers running backwards? 

I am in the same boat - been planning and buying rather than running. Especially the new BigBoy.  I'll have to take a short video of the steam whistle at work.  Lots of ideas rolling around in my head. No motivation to jump in and actually do.   Jeff

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Happy Friday!

Hi Scott…glad you were successful in relocating the Bakery. I was interested in knowing who provided the burgundy early 50’s Ford 2 Door Business Coupe? Had one that was very similar as my first car and might like having one for my layout…Thanks! 🚂😉😺

@UKE KAT posted:

Hi Scott…glad you were successful in relocating the Bakery. I was interested in knowing who provided the burgundy early 50’s Ford 2 Door Business Coupe? Had one that was very similar as my first car and might like having one for my layout…Thanks! 🚂😉😺

Paul, I bought that burgundy Ford several years ago from diecastdirect.com. It's a cheapy and I think I paid $8.99 for it. To save on shipping I bought 4 other vehicles at the same time. It's a First Response Replicas made in 2013 1949/1950 Ford Coupe. Unfortunately, dicastdirect.com no longer carries it, and it looks like First Response Replicas may be out of business.  Here's a photo of mine up close.

Here's one on eBay, but not so $cheap$, and looks identical to mine.

American Heritage 1/43 1949 Ford 2 Door Coupe Midland Maroon Poly #43-406 | eBay

Good afternoon everyone! My summer break just started, so I now have more time for projects! To start it off, I finally, after about four years, hung all of my photos in my basement.

@Trainmaster04 posted:

Good afternoon everyone! My summer break just started, so I now have more time for projects! To start it off, I finally, after about four years, hung all of my photos in my basement.

Trainmaster04, looks like you expanded your layout and have track right on the edge of the layout! I too have track right along the edge of a daunting fall. Nice room and great photos really bring out the layout.

Here's my out to the edge layout, around 3 feet to the floor!

If you haven't seen it, here's a post from last week.

https://ogrforum.com/...0#162334965487259730

@ScoutingDad posted:

Bob, I assume the lack of track power was related to the operator not turning on the switch in a while.  Are those switchers running backwards?

I am in the same boat - been planning and buying rather than running. Especially the new BigBoy.  I'll have to take a short video of the steam whistle at work.  Lots of ideas rolling around in my head. No motivation to jump in and actually do.   Jeff

Yea Jeff.... operator neglect.....

Do switchers ever run backwards?????

The MTH NYC is a dummy ( just like the operator 🤣🤣), at the moment so the KLINE was providing the power. The front truck tends to jump the track on curves so I usually run it cab forward.

I have this one and a powered chassis that I plan to do a bash on after my F3's are done.

Evening guys I hope you all had a great Saturday!

@RSJB18 Bob, I am glad you got the power problem figured out!

@Trainmaster04 I am with Scott, the pictures help really bring a train room to life and give more to admire while the trains are running!

As for me I did nothing today, I took a few photos for a couple folks here, then a couple for the auto thread and switcher Saturday. I am working on getting them posted when I am done here!

I hope you all find time tomorrow for your layouts and trains! REMEMBER HAVE FUN!

@mike g. posted:

Evening guys I hope you all had a great Saturday!

@RSJB18 Bob, I am glad you got the power problem figured out!

@Trainmaster04 I am with Scott, the pictures help really bring a train room to life and give more to admire while the trains are running!

As for me I did nothing today, I took a few photos for a couple folks here, then a couple for the auto thread and switcher Saturday. I am working on getting them posted when I am done here!

I hope you all find time tomorrow for your layouts and trains! REMEMBER HAVE FUN!

Sure did Mike. Flip the switch to ON and sit back and enjoy. 

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Trainmaster04, looks like you expanded your layout and have track right on the edge of the layout! I too have track right along the edge of a daunting fall. Nice room and great photos really bring out the layout.

Here's my out to the edge layout, around 3 feet to the floor!

If you haven't seen it, here's a post from last week.

https://ogrforum.com/...0#162334965487259730

Thanks! The extension has been in place for a few years now. I never needed to give a broad view of it before. The different colored sections used to not exist and I had my main line run along the edge of the table. I realized this would cause the main line to cross over the yard loop at a too steep of a grade. As a result, my father and I built the extension and allowed the main line to go around the yard loop, but without a grade. I may produce a panoramic video of the entire layout and a full layout tour in the future.

Nice work on the oak and station Jeff. I’m with Mark, I think the parts will form an overhead structure or a gazebo next to the tree.

Trainmaster, the pics look good, gives the room a more finished look.

Scott, you’re a braver man than me. Living on the edge.

Bob, look forward to the switcher bash. I’ve seen an MP15AC run backwards.

Andy

Started to add some ground cover in the turntable area. This is just the base. I’ll add a few more details later.

Andy

Even some more terra forming and some track bed down.... it's a slow process....

Evening guys I hope you all had a great Sunday!

Andy, things sure are looking good around your turn table! Keep up the wonderful work and please keep posting!

CR Cole, looks like you have a great start! I will be keeping an eye open to your progress!

As for me I did nothing as I thought I would, I did sneak into the train room for a couple quick photos for Box car Sunday, but that's it!

I think its going to be a while before I get back in there to really get anything done, but I am trying to check in here everyday so I don't fall way behind like before!

I hope you all find time for your layouts and trains! But most of all whatever you do please have some fun!

@Steamfan77 posted:

Nice work on the oak and station Jeff. I’m with Mark, I think the parts will form an overhead structure or a gazebo next to the tree.

Trainmaster, the pics look good, gives the room a more finished look.

Scott, you’re a braver man than me. Living on the edge.

Bob, look forward to the switcher bash. I’ve seen an MP15AC run backwards.

Andy

Andy- The LIRR runs their MP-15's cab forward or cab to cab all the time. And Strasburg runs 8616 cab forward out to Paradise every day.

I have a semi-matching but different (road name) shell on the way from ebay for the dummy. I'll share pix when I receive it.

Bob

I had previously built a 4'X4' storage area under my layout extra rolling stock. Well I filled it, so I added a 4'X5' extension, to get a 4'X9' rolling stock storage area.

Con Ed ran buried cable to power up the new neighborhood. They’ll be back tomorrow to fill in trench and plant grass. They connected a street light at the end of the run to check continuity.

Lots of things going on, but one was a trip up to the train show in Wheaton, IL on Sunday.  Found a guy selling Evan's Products LEDs.  I've thought about how to light a certain police box for a while now, and discovered the welding kit will just about do the job.  I would prefer for the blue light to flash, but that is for a later time.  So for all you Dr Who fans out there, the tardis departs Twin Pines.   

BTW - at the show a fellow had the K-Line Santa Fe Black Bonnet / Midnight Chief complete diesel and passenger set. I wish I had taken a photo of it. Asking a pretty penny as he should.

I've been gradually building my coal tipple kit and am getting close to getting the roof on it. Have to get the lights installed before I close it up.

Thanks,

Scott

@ScoutingDad posted:

... So for all you Dr Who fans out there, the tardis departs Twin Pines.   

...

The LED light effects are nice, but please post some details regarding how you got it to disappear!

I spent a couple hours last night re-reviewing my old switch lists. I'd had them set up for a 4-cycle of trains coming through, with cars swapped out at the interchange at every run, and by the time the end of the 4th cycle came around the cars should be back to their starting points.

I'd made an attempt to change it all during the pandemic when I finally got a train of hoppers, and it screwed the whole 'reset' concept. So before I start having op sessions again (which I haven't had since the fall of 2019), I wanted to get the 4-cycle concept back again.

Tonight, even though it looks right on paper, I'm going to place the cars in each spot by hand (the old "0-5-0") to make sure it works. I'm just going to place them in the spots by hand, check them off, then keep going. Once I'm sure it works, then I'll probably run the whole 4-cycles with a locomotive as it should be done.

Once that's all confirmed, then I think I'll make my first op session invite in a very long time!

@Steamfan77 posted:

Nice work on the oak and station Jeff. I’m with Mark, I think the parts will form an overhead structure or a gazebo next to the tree.

Trainmaster, the pics look good, gives the room a more finished look.

Scott, you’re a braver man than me. Living on the edge.

Bob, look forward to the switcher bash. I’ve seen an MP15AC run backwards.

Andy

Here you go Andy. I received the shell I had ordered today. Should go nicely with the NYC S2. My original thought was to build a calf or cow unit with the extra frame but I found a great source on ebay for MTH and Lionel shells.

Bob

@Mallard4468  regarding the Tardis, it helps to have a real operating prototype. Due to its chameleon circuit, it can easily shrink down to 1:48th scale.  Since so few actually exist we have to resort to models. The following shows how I got the Tardis to disappear.  It does not show up in the original video because the hand is faster than the eye (or camera), and a magician never divulges his secrets!

Ideally I could have faded the clips into each other so the Tardis would not simply wink out.

So to answer your question - this is how I got it to disappear.

I spent most of the day with my other interest, My 66 Lemans Sprint. So not too much progress; but I did get 4 houses wired and the quick grow grass put down. I’m determined not to make this a Hirail layout; so a roll of grass that was a birthday present 10 years ago came in handy.

@Mike, thanks for the kind words!

@Lou, the storage looks good, nice job.

@Bob, nice job on the lighting “wiring” from Con Ed.

@Jeff, the tArdis is cool.

@Scott, the coal tipple looks great, great job.

@Lee, the switch list is really nice. I might borrow that idea.

@Bob (RSJB18), wow, that’s terrific! Should work out very nicely.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

@Bob (RSJB18), wow, that’s terrific! Should work out very nicely.

Andy

I hope so. I realised that the frame is red and the logo has red in it. I had planned to paint the frame but now I dont think I will have to.

I didn't plan it but sometimes even a blind squirrel finds an acorn....🤣🤣

Bob

We are getting ready for company, so we checked out a couple of trains running today.  Happy Railroading Everyone

Did a test fit of my new shell on the chassis. Other than trying to move the the mountain of PS3 harnesses out of the way, it looks like the reds match. I'm planning to make this one a dummy, just lights, and the motors and trucks will go in my new NYC S2 with ERR added.

I checked the motors with an old HO power pack and they both work too. 👍

I'm liking where this future project is heading.

I fixed the headlight on my F3 A unit too.

Bob

Good evening everyone! Was able to get some more work done on the layout yesterday. It continued at tunnel two and three with plaster cloth. I was able to finish tunnel two, barn hill, and get tunnel three started. I still have to add more news paper to tunnel three and add a tunnel portal to tunnel four, but besides that, this area is nearly covered.

The mountain is really taking shape, Trainmaster04!!  Looks good.

Good afternoon everyone! Work moved over to Main Street and the coal mine this morning. I started building a front sidewalk for my tavern and painted it. Next, I moved over to the coal mine built a small trestle and added ground cover. The trestle was built from scrap balsa and supports HO track from the mine to the coal elevator.