I added a little more static grass around the yard area. This is a little darker and two different lengths.
Andy
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@Steamfan77 posted:I added a little more static grass around the yard area. This is a little darker and two different lengths.
Andy
Very subtle and very effective!
Peter
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:Most important is the cancer free information. Congratulations, that’s a long physical and emotional roller coaster.
I couldn't agree more. Best news of the day!
-Greg
Picked up a few things at a local train show today.
This week my wife told me she would give up her craft room for me to have a train room. My daughter is moving into the spare bedroom I use for my trains and they had to go somewhere. My wife didn't like the idea of a combined guestroom train room so she is merging her craft room with the guestroom. Future train room is 12.5x8.5 feet.
I have been given the go ahead to build bench work. Time for to start layout planning! Leaning towards around the room with a main level and elevated level with a lower level for staging. Oh and to start a layout build thread, keep an eye out for it.
Now I just need to find some time hahaha.
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@Jstewart204 Hey I am sure there are many folks with more experience than me but since I only did my layout over the last 2 years let me tell you what I learned. First, give yourself some width. Mine is 17’ long but only 36” wide Too narrow if you run more than one track . I have 2 parallel lines and the result is I have no room for scenery or trackside structure on the outer side. Next, if you need aisles they say 2’ is adequate, I disagree I wish I had allowed another 6” . Finally remember your reach and decide if you are going to reach from the floor or use a stool .
Best of luck
Don
I installed some track lights over my table today to help with lighting. I used plug in track lighting since I didn't have a convenient place to hard wire the lights to. I'm using Philips Hue GU10 bulbs so that I can change the color of the bulbs as needed.
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I'm making progress on building a creek under the Lionel Fastrack girder bridge (removed in these photos). I've also built a culvert under the Whaddle County Fuel siding. One of my goals for the culvert was to be able to see water flowing through it and I accomplished that. I also upgraded the backdrop by adding dead/fallen trees, as well as a patch of scraggly tall brown grass near the end of the siding, back of the lumber company. This spot under the bridge would ordinarily be a good fishing and swimming hole for the kids in Hermanton, but there's a bad drought this year so the water's down to a trickle.
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@John's Trains, Very authentic scenery. Excellent work.
@Jstewart204- congrats on the new train room. Around the walls sounds like a good plan in a narrow room. Keep us posted.
@ArtsModelTrains- the track lights look good. Amazing what they are doing with LED's these days.
@John's Trains- nice job on the creek and scenery. I like the culverts too. Hopefully the fish come back when the water level rises.
Last night I installed the BCR and new speaker I received from GRJ in my B&M RS-3. The engine runs fine in conventional but is not responding to my remote commander. I think I need to get it reset to factory default on a TIU. I've read that the RC will only work on engines with factory programming.
Bob
It was a slow week for me as my son was in a theater production most of the week and my wife and I attended 5 performances. I was only able to get sand added to the sides of the Rockville Bridge:
I have more sand on the way from Brennan's and a resin sea wall coming from Frenchman River Studios and then I'll be able to complete the area between the tracks and the bridge base.
-Greg
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@vash44 posted:Tried my hand at scenery yesterday. Turned out pretty well for my first go-round. Looking forward to being able to add more scenery. Still have track and ballast to add.
You're off to a good start! Is that a module you're working on?
-Greg
Chris,
Excellent start on your scenery!
@pennsyfan posted:Chris,
Excellent start on your scenery!
Thank you!
@Greg Houser posted:You're off to a good start! Is that a module you're working on?
-Greg
It basically is. Made a little scene to start learning some techniques and it will fit on top of a shelf, so pictures of my trains won't be so plain and boring.
@vash44 posted:It basically is. Made a little scene to start learning some techniques and it will fit on top of a shelf, so pictures of my trains won't be so plain and boring.
That's a good idea!
-Greg
Nice work on the scenery Chris, keep it up. 👍🏻
My next venture…
Andy
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@Steamfan77 posted:Nice work on the scenery Chris, keep it up. 👍🏻
My next venture…
Andy
That's a nice setup you have for mass producing trees!
John
@Steamfan77 posted:My next venture…
Andy,
What is the plant you are drying? Hydrangea? If so, how did you get all the little petals off?
Bob
Thank you John!
Bob, see the link here: https://www.sceneryexpress.com.../productinfo/EX0214/
these plants are from the Scandinavian tundra, and are a distant cousin to the western sagebrush. Minimal prep work involved.
Andy
So call me crazy.........
I'm planning on converting a few of my 027 51xx switches to manual. I have a couple of MTH RS-1's that I really want to run but the fuel tank and box on the undercarriage hit the corner of the solenoid covers. Plus- the buzzing is a real buzz-kill.....
There are 2 along the front of the layout and possibly a third that serves my yard in the center that I plan to modify. Going through the effort of changing them out is not an option that I want to dive into (at least on this layout), since everything is ballasted and scenic'd.
First step was to pull the solenoid, I was able to cut the tab that connects to the common terminal and then clip the wires.
Next step was to create a way to hold the cam in place. Some small angled styrene pieces worked perfectly.
A cover over the end and a short piece of tubing for a throw handle and we are in business. I will build a cover over the wiring but for proof of concept this will work.
To be continued......
Bob
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@RSJB18 posted:So call me crazy.........
It’s a fine line between crazy and genius!
I would go with innovative.
Looking forward to the outcome.
Bob, Bob is exactly right! 😄🤪
@RSJB18 posted:So call me crazy.........
To be continued......
Bob
Well, Bob, since you asked, so happy to comply… you’re crazy
But seriously, we finally drag you kicking and screaming into command control, and you go and backslide to manual switches. I must say I was surprised at how big those switch covers are.
@Apples55 posted:Well, Bob, since you asked, so happy to comply… you’re crazy
But seriously, we finally drag you kicking and screaming into command control, and you go and backslide to manual switches. I must say I was surprised at how big those switch covers are.
😆😆😆😆😆
Yes, those covers are really large. Since they kept Bob from running certain engine, then the covers had to go!!
@pennsyfan posted:
I'll consider that a compliment.
Thanks
@Mark Boyce posted:Bob, Bob is exactly right! 😄🤪
He's a good judge of character Mark. 😂😂😂
@Apples55 posted:Well, Bob, since you asked, so happy to comply… you’re crazy
But seriously, we finally drag you kicking and screaming into command control, and you go and backslide to manual switches. I must say I was surprised at how big those switch covers are.
Paul, Paul, Paul.....you are correct, but with 2 ERR upgrades in the rearview, I can say with certainty that there's no turning back.
HOWEVER!
Turnouts and turning back are two very different things. In my next life, or house, I plan to build a layout that would make Gunrunner proud! 👍👍😂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂
Thank you for the support! 😁
Bob, I admire your willingness, surgical skill, and execution of the solution. Well done.
Andy
I will be interested in how this turns out but I’m you will make it smooth and functional. I have the same situation with my tubular O switches. I have confidence in your electrical prowess.
Jay
I have always been amazed with Bob’s many talents. It began with his making a beautiful flat car from a plain track cleaning car,
His makeover of his diesel, his strategic use of each and every inch of space on his limited area for his model train layout.
Let’s all set back and watch him successfully revamp his layout switches so to allow his trains to function better…
@Steamfan77 posted:Bob, I admire your willingness, surgical skill, and execution of the solution. Well done.
Andy
Starting out with Ross and Gargraves would have been a better solution Andy, but where's the fun in that!
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:I will be interested in how this turns out but I’m you will make it smooth and functional. I have the same situation with my tubular O switches. I have confidence in your electrical prowess.
Jay
Based on the prototype- I expect it should work fine.
@Seth Thomas posted:I have always been amazed with Bob’s many talents. It began with his making a beautiful flat car from a plain track cleaning car,
His makeover of his diesel, his strategic use of each and every inch of space on his limited area for his model train layout.
Let’s all set back and watch him successfully revamp his layout switches so to allow his trains to function better…
I'm channeling my inner engineer (not the train running type). My father was an EE, the creativity must be genetic.
As I like to say, I'm a jack of all trades, master of one (electrician). 
Bob
@Mark Boyce posted:😆😆😆😆😆
Yes, those covers are really large. Since they kept Bob from running certain engine, then the covers had to go!!
Bob,
Many years ago, when I used Lionel O27 automatic switches, I trimmed the covers which solved problems with F3's and FM Trainmasters. The same cuts would work on the newer (brown)O27 switch covers
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@Lionelski posted:Bob,
Many years ago, when I used Lionel O27 automatic switches, I trimmed the covers which solved problems with F3's and FM Trainmasters. The same cuts would work on the newer (brown)O27 switch covers
I've already nipped the corners for other engines and rolling stock. The solenoid frame also hits the tank on the RS-1 so they have to go if I want to run them. RS-3's are fine, just the tank shape on the 1's that don't clear.
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Finally unboxed my Tinplate Traditions reproduction of the No. 85 Race Car set and put it together. My note on the box said that I purchased it at York in April 2009 - it only took 13 years for it to see the light of day. The paint job on the figures make them look a bit like the Joker from Batman.
After lubrication and a bit of fiddling, it runs perfectly.
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@Mallard4468 posted:Finally unboxed my Tinplate Traditions reproduction of the No. 85 Race Car set and put it together. My note on the box said that I purchased it at York in April 2009 - it only took 13 years for it to see the light of day. The paint job on the figures make them look a bit like the Joker from Batman.
After lubrication and a bit of fiddling, it runs perfectly.
13 years to open and run?? Ouch!
The pics indicate it was well worth the wait!
- Greg
That race track is very cool! I've never seen one like it.
I never saw one either! The race cars look great. Mallard!
@Greg Houser posted:13 years to open and run?? Ouch!
The pics indicate it was well worth the wait!
- Greg
There's probably some stuff that's been sleeping in the basement longer than that!
@Papa Dave posted:That race track is very cool! I've never seen one like it.
@Mark Boyce posted:I never saw one either! The race cars look great. Mallard!
Guys, I was astounded by the reactions and the number of likes - much appreciated. I never thought of this as a particularly unusual item, but apparently it is. It was my pleasure to provide some amusement. 
