HAPPY NEW YEAR:
Looking good Steve, I like the additions.
Andy
Andy - Thanks for the kind words but I can't take 100% credit. It was a kit that I installed. It came with a couple of LED strips you place on the ceiling and a speaker with a control/program. What I did add that you can't tell is a small amplified subwoofer. When the thunder comes in - you know it. I also designed a little circuit where it will turn on when the lights get dim. The ballpark is in a little alcove with its own overhead lights so its easy to do that. Will be nice when all is completed.
Re your park building. I remember those type structures when I was a kid. Some also had a wide counter all along the outside where they would serve food etc. And recently I was at a picnic that had one as a shelter for just the tables which I think you are shooting for. Please follow up with a completed structure. Bill
Morning guys I hope your all doing well!
@Bill Sherry Bill nice to see the grounds crew were able to get the field covered before the storm got to bad!
@Steamfan77 Andy you got a good start on the shelter! I hope it will be ready before the picnic tables arrive! LOL
@DrSteveDC Steve the lake and park area sure look like a pleasant place to take a break during that long drive home. You can get a snack and some flowers for the wife at Sandy's! As for the road crew they are paving the road to the future! Who knows one day there may be a house, apartment, store. Then again it might be some of that stimulus money just being thrown in the air! LOL
Well guys I did get back out to the train room yesterday and was able to get the upper level off and all the track on the lower level along with all the cork that needed to come up to work on that section of the layout. I hope to get all the track laid out and checked so I can get the new cork put down. I also have to widen the lower level by a foot.
I might get to that today or not! LOL
Here is where I am so far!
I hope you all have a great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
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@mike g. posted:Morning guys I hope your all doing well!
Well guys I did get back out to the train room yesterday and was able to get the upper level off and all the track on the lower level along with all the cork that needed to come up to work on that section of the layout. I hope to get all the track laid out and checked so I can get the new cork put down. I also have to widen the lower level by a foot. Here is where I am so far! I hope you all have a great week and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
I like your layout along the wall with the two layers Mike. I think that's a great way to put up a layout. 
It certainly seems to be a nice way to keep electrical and scenic projects more fun to work on.......and a good way to observe your locomotives and rolling stock.
Make it a great week all. 
Help please, identifying what was originally described as a 157 Station platform. Upon closer inspection, the lighter maroon base is molded as 2256, the roof is dark green, 157-3 is molded into the underside, no lights or fixtures or elements to suggest lights were an option, plastic picket fence between the posts, no provision for adhesive posters, and silver caps on the roof posts to hold it in place.
Every 2256 I’ve been able to find in my searches have a green base, and several later versions with a maroon base have grey roofs. Do I have a work bench creation, or is it a (limited) production item. Your thoughts are appreciated.
this all came about when one of 157 boxes yielded a strange one, and so far my internet searching hasn’t come up with an example.
thanks for your thoughts
rich
Bill, kit or not I think it looks great. You posted a video but nothing plays. Can you post again so that we can see/hear what’s happening? The scene itself is terrific. Takes me back to the local ball field when I was a kid. Thanks for the kind words, I’m definitely shooting for the kind of structure you mentioned, but no shelf to serve outside of the shelter. It was mostly a place to keep out of the rain showers. I’ll keep the progress pictures coming.
Thanks Mike, I think the tables will get here just in time. Now I can’t wait for summer 😁.
Andy
Past couple days I worked on putting in a brick wall along the walkway.
First two pix are what it looked like before the brick wall.
Next two pix are how I secured it to the wall after I glued it.
Next three are the final results along with the lamp posts lit.
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Trussman, very nice. Looks great.
Morning guys I hope all are well!
Lets get started here shall we! LOL
@Steamfan77 Andy you might need to check your settings on your computer, Bill's video worked fine on my old laptop with Windows 10! LOL I want a new computer, but the CEO says it would have to come out of my train funds! So I just try to keep this one working!
Trussman, Nice work! It sure is Amazing the transformation that the brick wall makes! It really helps the light poles stand out!
Well, I did get some more destruction done in the train room yesterday. I was able to get more track and roadbed taken up, did a lot of cleaning of the bench work so I will have a smooth area for the future roadbed, I also moved my track cleaning station to the garage, so I don't have to clean up every night, maybe every other night! LOL
Here are a couple of photos of yesterday's progress, as you will see it the last photo, I have a lot of tracks to clean up, which means more ballast to wash and get ready for the new layout!
As you can see the track in the back has already been cleaned and the stuff up front is next. So far, I have 3 1lb coffee cans full! LOL
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Here are images of my bridge that I just finished cutting out and building. It is 4 ft. long by 11.5 inches tall. Now I have to get it integrated into the layout.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
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@DrSteveDC posted:Sandy Acres is taking shape - aside of the bright blue duck pond - once it’s dry I’ll repaint.
Just leave it to the ducks and it will be murky brown in no time.....🤣🤣
@idea-thinker posted:Here are images of my bridge that I just finished cutting out and building. It is 4 ft. long by 11.5 inches tall. Now I have to get it integrated into the layout.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
Wow. Scratch built or kit? Very nice.
Bob
Evening guys I know its different for me posting at night.
@DrSteveDC Steve, maybe just add a little green and brown. You could also do as Bob says and leave it to the ducks! LOL
@idea-thinker WOW that is very impressive! I too would like to know if it was scratch built or a kit?
Well guys I and the inspector went out and cleaned more track this afternoon. In the photo below you can see I have gotten all the curved sections cleaned, tomorrow I hope to get the straight sections and switches cleaned before I take anymore off the layout!
Before today's cleaning.
And after!
As you can see the inspector is really working hard!
I hope you all have a great night and will check into tomorrow! I also hope you all had a chance to have fun with your layouts and trains!
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THE BRIDGE IS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC WHAT MATERIALS PROCEDURES LASER CUT ??
@RSJB18 posted:Just leave it to the ducks and it will be murky brown in no time.....🤣🤣
Wow. Scratch built or kit? Very nice.
Bob
Bob;
The bridge is scratch built. This bridge number 9 that I have designed from scratch. I use CAD software to design it.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@mike g. posted:Evening guys I know its different for me posting at night.
@DrSteveDC Steve, maybe just add a little green and brown. You could also do as Bob says and leave it to the ducks! LOL
@idea-thinker WOW that is very impressive! I too would like to know if it was scratch built or a kit?
Well guys I and the inspector went out and cleaned more track this afternoon. In the photo below you can see I have gotten all the curved sections cleaned, tomorrow I hope to get the straight sections and switches cleaned before I take anymore off the layout!
Before today's cleaning.
And after!
As you can see the inspector is really working hard!
I hope you all have a great night and will check into tomorrow! I also hope you all had a chance to have fun with your layouts and trains!
Mike;
My bridges are scratch built using CAD software.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@marty track posted:THE BRIDGE IS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC WHAT MATERIALS PROCEDURES LASER CUT ??
Marty;
My bridges are scratch built using CAD Software and I am using 1/8 Masonite material. I am cutting the parts on a LASER Cutter.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
idea-thinker, WOW. That bridge looks amazing!! Will the masonite take stain or will you paint it? - air brush?
WOW...That bridge is incredible!
Digging through my box of why do I have it parts i found 3 sets on 2 rail freight trucks with metal wheels and 3 pairs of kadee couplers. So far 2 weaver freight cars have been converted (took forever to find the bag of 2-56 screws). One more to go.
@TomSuperO posted:idea-thinker, WOW. That bridge looks amazing!! Will the masonite take stain or will you paint it? - air brush?
Tom;
I have not tried painting the masonite. It will stain if you get liquid on it so I suspect paint would adhere to it.
mike g.
How are you cleaning the ballast from your track ? Thank you.
Joe B.
Got tired of hearing the vibrotor in my 192 tower, so I replaced it with a small rotating motor pressed against the spinning platform. Also turned it into a 3-wire configuration so that the light is always on but the guys inside only move when an infra-red sensor turns on the motor as a train passes or there is activity in the yard. Covered the motor guts with the grey sheathing. - Terry
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Jay - Here’s some photos of the next two steps. Plaster cloth over paper fill and then the brown paint job. Touch up of the rock faces will be done and then a base coat of fine turf with glue water. After that some coarser material, bushes, weeds and trees.
Enjoying everyone's projects. Mike - you really need to get your Track Inspector on the ball, you'll be out pacing him in no time.
Scott
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@idea-thinker posted:Tom;
I have not tried painting the masonite. It will stain if you get liquid on it so I suspect paint would adhere to it.
Guys, I have had good success painting Masonite. Takes paint well.
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Afternoon guys, I hope everyone ids doing good!
I really wasn't going to post anything today but @Joe B Joe asked me how I am going about cleaning the ballast from the track. so here I go on my steps.
So I know I loosen up a lot of the ballast first before I even have the track up because I uses a small wire brush and run it along the top of the ties to find the nail heads, I had painted brown.
Once the track is up, I use a punch with a square end on it and run it along the ties like a pick on a gaiter string, then what ballast that is still left I use the square end and go between the ties and last but not least I use a small wire brush to try and get everything else. They don't have to be perfect cause they are going right back down, as long as the rails and bottom are clean, you're all good. The ballast goes into a bucket for washing at a later date! LOL No that is the real fun stuff! HA! HA! HA!
@tcripe Terry that sure is a good-looking tower! I have never seen that one before!
@B&O Fan Scott, you my friend is one heck of a landscaper! I love how the ground just rolls from one house to the other and look good at the street also!
@Steamfan77 Andy that is great news as I have some in the shed just waiting for the rebuild to get started, really its waiting till all the track is down and tested several times then it will come out for scenery! LOL
Oh buy the way guys, I got out today without the inspector as she was taking care of a sick CEO and got all the rest of the track up that needs to come up and it is all cleaned ready for reinstall. Now all I have to do is get the bench work in!LOL
I hope you all have a great day! Most of all I hope you found time to have fun on your layout and with your trains!
Terry, nice work on the tower, it looks and sounds (to you) and works better.
Scott, the scenery is outstanding, you’re moving along at a good clip. Big changes, and more to come I’m sure.
Mike, nice work on getting the track up and making it ready to reinstall. I know it can be a bear, but you’re making it look easy. Save all of your Masonite. I’ve reused it several times already for various projects.
Andy
Finished a caboose repaint.
Needed it to go with a recent purchase.
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@B&O Fan posted:Jay - Here’s some photos of the next two steps. Plaster cloth over paper fill and then the brown paint job. Touch up of the rock faces will be done and then a base coat of fine turf with glue water. After that some coarser material, bushes, weeds and trees.
Enjoying everyone's projects. Mike - you really need to get your Track Inspector on the ball, you'll be out pacing him in no time.
Scott
Scott,
I'm very impressed with the elevation you are creating. I can tell this will be a signature scene on your layout. May I ask was is at summit of the hill/road?
Dave
Just because........a little day dreaming.......
This would fit in the space where my current layout resides.....minus my son's gaming lair.......
The turntable (24" Atlas) is a work in progress
Bob
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@RSJB18 posted:Just because........a little day dreaming.......
This would fit in the space where my current layout resides.....minus my son's gaming lair.......
The turntable (24" Atlas) is a work in progress
Bob
Looks great, Bob. Can you say “eminent domain”??? Any of those O-72 curves - they make some beautiful engines that require O-72 curves 
@idea-thinker posted:Tom;
I have not tried painting the masonite. It will stain if you get liquid on it so I suspect paint would adhere to it.
I have had decent success with painting it. All the backdrops on my Twin Pines layout were painted masonite. I used the thick and the thin stuff. Priming is a good idea. No real issues with warping having painted only one side.
@Apples55 posted:Looks great, Bob. Can you say “eminent domain”??? Any of those O-72 curves - they make some beautiful engines that require O-72 curves
054 outer and 042 inner. I'm not looking to buy many more engines ( I know....who's kidding who??????) 
but there are a select few that I would like that require larger curves. I recall a certain set of D&H Sharks that haven't seen the light of day yet too......
The space is 12' along the top/ back wall so unless I did around the room with a lift bridge I couldn't fit the curves. I don't see this getting built any time soon but I had some free time over the holidays so I decided to finish up this plan that I had started a while ago.
Eminent domain will not be invoked at the present time.
Bob
@RSJB18 Bob think about the ballet of switchers which could move through the fantasy layout. WOW
@RSJB18 posted:Just because........a little day dreaming.......
This would fit in the space where my current layout resides.....minus my son's gaming lair.......
The turntable (24" Atlas) is a work in progress
Bob
Keep working it Bob, that’s what helps to keep our minds sharp. That will be a nice layout that will have a lot of operational fun. You have the skills to make it a reality.
Jay
@RSJB18 posted:054 outer and 042 inner. I'm not looking to buy many more engines ( I know....who's kidding who??????)
Bob
D&H Sharks??? What D&H Sharks??? 
Dave - At the top of the grade is an Atlas train station kit I built many moons ago. I'll be giving it a good going over before I call it done. Want to weather it and give it a shot of dull coat. Got to check the lights too, I'll put in LEDs.
Thanks, Scott
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