Hi guys!

@DrSteveDC Stev, wonderful start! That is going to be one huge layout!

@pennsyfan Bob, the floats look good! As many have said here, if you want it to be your way bad enough you will find a way! LOL

Well as for me I have been spending the morning removing more track and cleaning it, then cleaning the rest of the ballast off the roadbed. I tell you it sure is fun stuff! I really look forward to washing the ballast so I can reuse it again!

I will try to check in later today! I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun on your layout and with your trains!

@DrSteveDC posted:

I actually started my layout today.  Finished the base, put down the styrofoam, gave it a brown base coat and laid some track :-)

Not to be "that guy", but being in the fire protection industry i thought i'd point out/inquire about your floor joist insulation...it looks to be paper side down when it should be insulation side down if its going to be left exposed. This is because the paper is more readily combustible than the fiber glass.  If it is paper side exposed, (i cant quite tell from the pics) add it to the styrofoam insulation board on the layout, well...it'd be a bad day should a fire start in the vicinity.  Before you get too far on the layout you might want to add a sheetrock ceiling or reversing the insulation. Sheetrock would be best for dust control too.

It does look like its going to be a great layout tho!

Regards

Joe

Mike - did you wash a bunch of ballast not that long ago? 

@Farmall-Joe - appreciated, am planning on rocking that area - I just put the insulation up.  Thanks!

@DrSteveDC posted:

@Farmall-Joe - appreciated, am planning on rocking that area - I just put the insulation up.  Thanks!

Hi Dr. Steve- I'm gonna be another one of "those guys"...... If the space above the basement is heated (I assume it is), then you should not have a vapor barrier on the insulation. You mentioned sheet rocking the ceiling, if so the barrier could cause moisture to be trapped, leading to possible mold growth in the future. Vapor barrier should only be installed against the conditioned side of a dwelling space. Easy enough to pull off but more of a mess now.

I also would have done the rock first.

Like the track plan too.

Bob

@ScoutingDad posted:

Mike - did you wash a bunch of ballast not that long ago?

Hi Jeff, I did but I don't think I will have enough with the rebuild if I don't wash the stuff I am taking off. I have been looking at the layout and I think I can save the upper straight section without taking up the track. Just changing the height. But then again after working on it and under it I am not sure about lowering the main table! LOL

Wow only 5 pages behind!

Long story-short of house sell / buy crap that has been going on the past few months.

We thought we had our house sold - buyers backed out. We looked and offered on a few house's and finally were quick enough to get one. We relisted our house last week and received an offer from the first couple that looked at it. So looking like we might be moving in January. Hopefully I can start a new layout in February. lol The new space looks promising. I'll post up a pic once it's more concrete that we have the house.

@Mark Boyce the bridges are awesome. If I get stuck using a walk-through I'm going to copy what you've done.

@Putnam Division I've been there done that with the Gargraves pins - even using needle nose pliers!

I see a few new builds and rebuilds. Looking forward to seeing the work.

@DrSteveDC the layout is looking good so far. 

@mike g. I think I may be getting convinced to never ballast.  LOL

@RJ Shier Thank you for the comments!  I have mike g. to thank for the idea.  It is so easy to get x number of pages behind on this thread! LOL  I use needle nose pliers on GarGraves as well.

Afternoon /evening guys.

@RjShier RJ, sorry to hear that first buyers backed out, but I am glad for you that you found a house and maybe have really sold yours! If you get a layout up by February, you should quit your job or retirement and join NASCAR! LOL

Mark, Ballast is not that bad, its the taking it backup if you change your mind and have to wash it so you can reuse it cause your too cheap to just buy new stuff! LOL

Been another productive day in the train room teardown! LOL I got some more track up and cleaned, I used @Dave Ripp. Dave's suggestion with the multi tool to help take up the cork roadbed and it worked great! Now I have to try and find and easy way to the glue residue up! Here are a couple photo's.

As you can see in the first photo the upper level on the left side is gone. You can see the old car tunnel sitting there in midair! LOL Tomorrow, I hope to get the main level in that area removed tomorrow but have to be careful not to damage the Atlas Bridge! I could really use that space for storage and there will be no bench work there. When things are done that will be a little workstation for me!

Here in the second photo, you can see all the stuff stacking up! I know when I am done with this, I will have some stuff to sell! LOL

I hope you all have a great week!

Continuing the build of the ETC Christmas layout.
https://ogrforum.com/...4#167684843588091774

Days 5 and 6 ran together.
The track crew was setting up the trestle for the ON30 while scenery guys start unpacking and placing buildings.

The cloud sitting on the HO platform gets elevated. That’s part of the Broadway Limited thunder and lightning accessory.

Our carpenter fabricated a straight piece to balance the space.

We had a meeting with our resident artist today. He was called in to expand the background to go behind the new extension. He was a little upset that the addition of the amusement park complete with a mural of the Coney Island Wonder Wheel was not in keeping with his original design which is pictured below. I smoothed his feathers and he’s onboard. The following is from the 2014 layout.

@mike g. posted:

Well hello guys sure is some Amazing work being done!

@pennsyfan Bob, great looking ship, Frank did an amazing job! Your boat & bait shack is looking very nice! Sorry I haven't commented sooner, been a little busy.

@Sitka Very cool remodel! I can't wait to see it with the bridge in place. Really looks like a fun place to hang out!

Well folks, it started. I started the tear down of the existing layout to do my rebuild. This time I plan on spending more time on scenery and better track placement and installation. I have some track taken down and been cleaning the ballast off them as I go so it won't be so overwhelming when it comes to put it back down. I don't have any other storage really so I have stacked what I could on the other end of the layout and when I get to the center point, I will have to move it again! OH WELL! LOL

Here is a couple of photos for your enjoyment!

Thanks Mike when done will post a couple shots good luck with your layout, God Speed!

I needed to get my track down to plywood level.....

........and, I made some bumpers from old ties from my 1993-2003 tinplate layout.....

Have a great day, everyone!

Peter

Today I downsized! In July we moved from Simi Valley CA to San Diego CA. I had a train room with a 6x10 layout (not big, but a lot of fun). I just set up a 4xx8 layout in the small office of our new home, it feels good to get back into o'gauge railroading. Moving forward!

Keep those trains running!

Jeff

Update on the switching annex.  Major structural work and wiring have been completed.  Now the fun part…..scenic details.  With that, the building flats need to be finished and installed, the first layer of grass is too yellow….more dark green needed.  A lot more work to do….but hey, it’s the best time of year for tinplate activity.  

Mountain frame complete.  Waiting on an order of plaster cloth to finish it off.  I’ve named it Mount St. Susan.  Before I go to Lowe’s to purchase something I always go to my neighbor Mike.  Mike has…. everything - including a nice roll of aluminum screen :-).  His wife’s name is Susan, lol.

@pennsyfan Where did you get the HO girder supports?  Looks great!

Rick

@Rixster posted:

@pennsyfan Where did you get the HO girder supports?  Looks great!

Rick

Rick,

I can’t find his card but send me an email and I’ll give you the contact information that I have in my phone.

@DrSteveDC posted:

Mountain frame complete.  Waiting on an order of plaster cloth to finish it off.  I’ve named it Mount St. Susan.  Before I go to Lowe’s to purchase something I always go to my neighbor Mike.  Mike has…. everything - including a nice roll of aluminum screen :-).  His wife’s name is Susan, lol.

Steve that sure is a lot of wire! LOL Have fun covering that!

Steve,

Looks like you are doing a great job.

However, before you start plastering, unless you want to only use traditional sized trains, give yourself a few more inches through the tunnel.  Raise the portals with some bases.  You may not need it but if you ever have a car with clearance issues you will save yourself a lot of frustration and trouble in the future.

@EML - Aprreciated, I did run all my engines through.  The only one that would be a problem is the GG1 if the pantographs are up - however, on that line of tracks not far from the tunnel is a bascule bridge, same hight as the tunnel portals.  I’ve decided to leave as is - if I get a taller engine I’ll have to run it on the upper track.  

@Mike G - I have 6 rolls of plaster cloth ready to go.  Hope I have enough, lol

@DrSteveDC posted:

@Mike G - I have 6 rolls of plaster cloth ready to go.  Hope I have enough, lol

When using plaster cloth in the past I've had good luck adding color while installing. I used

WOODLAND SCENICS - Earth Color Undercoat

@pennsyfan posted:

Pennsyfan, this scene you've created is really coming together. I like the water and everything.

John

@John’s Trains

thanks John it’s been fun

The new asphalt grade crossing on the back side is complete, except for crossing markings and maybe a sign. It had previously been difficult to get across the tracks and into Whaddle County Fuel, especially for the big Sinclair tanker. This project is so new that the asphalt is still just a little warm. As a side note, no one can figure out a purpose for the odd-looking little culvert to the right of the crossing.

Also added railings and yellow double-line to the old concrete crossing. Still haven't put in guard rails and concrete on the curved siding.

John

@mike g. posted:

Afternoon /evening guys.

Been another productive day in the train room teardown! LOL I got some more track up and cleaned, I used @Dave Ripp. Dave's suggestion with the multi tool to help take up the cork roadbed and it worked great! Now I have to try and find and easy way to the glue residue up!

I hope you all have a great week!

Mike - what glue did you use to install the cork roadbed ? That should give you an idea of what solvent might work and be able to take it up with a putty knife.

You could also try a small pad or mouse sander using a coarse grit for the first pass and a fine grit for the second.

https://ogrforum.com/...3#167825581127329213
Vinnie's Boats  and Bait is open for business!

When I posted the picture of the price list I realized that I forgot to add the gas pump.  

@Richie C. posted:

Mike - what glue did you use to install the cork roadbed ? That should give you an idea of what solvent might work and be able to take it up with a putty knife.

You could also try a small pad or mouse sander using a coarse grit for the first pass and a fine grit for the second.

Hi Richie, I just used good old fashion Elemer's glue!

@mike g. posted:

Hi Richie, I just used good old fashion Elemer's glue!

Mike, good old "hot" water to remove Elmers or any general white glue. :-)

@pennsyfan posted:

https://ogrforum.com/...3#167825581127329213
Vinnie's Boats  and Bait is open for business!

When I posted the picture of the price list I realized that I forgot to add the gas pump. .

WOW! $.25 gas......I sure miss those days Bob. 😁😁

@John's Trains the culvert is where the Troll's live. 🤣

Bob

Love the outboards in the barrels.  Reminds me of when I was a kid on Whidbey island.  My Evinrude always got flushed with fresh water after being in the salt water.

Excellent waterfront scenery!!  This Appalachian land lubber wants to know what killies are.  🫡

@pennsyfan posted:

https://ogrforum.com/...3#167825581127329213
Vinnie's Boats  and Bait is open for business!

When I posted the picture of the price list I realized that I forgot to add the gas pump.

Hi there Bob, I too would like to know what Killies are?

@Papa Dave posted:

Love the outboards in the barrels.  Reminds me of when I was a kid on Whidbey island.  My Evinrude always got flushed with fresh water after being in the salt water.

Dave are you talking about Whidbey Island, Washington State? It is a very cool place!

Killies= bait fish

@E-UNIT-79 posted:

Killies= bait fish

Ah ha!  Thank you!!!

@mike g. posted:

Hi there Bob, I too would like to know what Killies are?

Killies are a small bait fish that fluke (summer flounder), striped bass, and weakfish love.

Mike G. - Yes, that's the place,  I grew up there.  Great memories!

Sorry that I missed all the questions about Killies. Thanks to EUnit and Bob for filling in.

I just took a ride around my Whereazona Central Railroad layout. The engineer let me hitch a ride in the cab. I wanna go again!