What did you do on your layout today?

I've been taking shots on the layout for the 2023 On30 Annual, on a topic that wouldn't work for OGR, so I don't feel so bad for posting it here.

Here are images of my latest bridge that I have built. This one has small sides on a Girder Type base. It is about 39 inches long. I am creating a group of various bridges for my layout as you can see in the background.

Thanks;

idea-thinker

Great work everyone, It is nice to see you all busy with so many projects!

@RSJB18 Bob, don't worry about getting the gaming area, sooner or later your son will give it up for something else! LOL

@DrSteveDC Steve things look great! I really like the details you're putting into your layout, with all the fallowers at Sandy Acres!

@idea-thinker Your work is just Outstanding! I can tell you take pride in what you do. Not only does that show in your bridges but also in your track work in the background!

As for me not a lot today, I spent a good amount of time taking care of the CEO, she said she was getting better and gave me a break to go to the train room.

I took down the upper level where the track will start to go under the new upper level and where it will run under the main table to a staging yard. I took the time to run my belt sander over the area to smooth it out, cleaned everything and installed the new cork roadbed.

Tomorrow, I plan on painting the corner Sky Blue again over the mountain scene as things will change in that area. Then I hope to get some track laid and the hole cut for the grade going under the layout. I am still trying to figure out how long I need to make that! LOL I hate math problems! 

Here is a photo of today's projects all wrapped up in one photo!

I hope you all had a great day!

@mike g. posted:

Great work everyone, It is nice to see you all busy with so many projects!

@RSJB18 Bob, don't worry about getting the gaming area, sooner or later your son will give it up for something else! LOL

At the rate I'm going it's going to be when he moves out of the house.....🤣🤣

Yesterday I added the wood flooring to the three floors, tonight I placed the furniture, and tomorrow I plan to find some seated and standing characters to add to the depot. Plan to glue in characters and furniture Friday, I hope. I can't wait to add the depot to the layout.  The depot will be positioned on top of the tunnel and the interior will be easily visible.

I Began this depot redo way back in the spring, so I am ready to move on and begin another building.

I had great plans last Sunday......the Transfer Table pit was painted and I was going to detail it with fine gravel. I mounted the blue tape........and, then I was hit with fever, chills, muscle aches and extreme malaise......and, went to bed.

Next morning (Monday), I got tested at my wife's office. I figured that it was the flu. I did.... but, I not only did I test positive for influenza B, I tested positive for Covid. Since I had only minor respiratory symptoms, a normal pulse ox and no SOB, we avoided Paxlovid and I got treated with Tamiflu and Tylenol. Except for wanting to rest all the time, I am much better. Quarantine ends today. I have to wear a mask around people until the 11th.....and, I'll just avoid crowded places till then....

It's good to feel better and want to do things again!

Peter

Morning guys nothing new forme today yet.

Bob, waiting till he moves out is still better then him moving someone else in! LOL

Seth great looking interior!

Peter sorry you got sick, but am happy your on the mend! Just get better!

@Putnam Division posted:

I had great plans last Sunday......the Transfer Table pit was painted and I was going to detail it with fine gravel. I mounted the blue tape........and, then I was hit with fever, chills, muscle aches and extreme malaise......and, went to bed.

Next morning (Monday), I got tested at my wife's office. I figured that it was the flu. I did.... but, I not only did I test positive for influenza B, I tested positive for Covid. Since I had only minor respiratory symptoms, a normal pulse ox and no SOB, we avoided Paxlovid and I got treated with Tamiflu and Tylenol. Except for wanting to rest all the time, I am much better. Quarantine ends today. I have to wear a mask around people until the 11th.....and, I'll just avoid crowded places till then....

It's good to feel better and want to do things again!

Peter

Glad you are on the mend Peter. We have to continue to be healthfully vigilant. But, at least you’re getting it out of the way early in the year. Now you can proceed without issue.

Jay

Between the holidays and fighting off a nasty cough since before Christmas, not much got done.  Did do a little bit of fiddling with the RTC snowplow concept:

Mitch

Seth nice job on the depot. Your interior looks good.

Peter glad to see that you are feeling better. Flu and Covid mix can’t be pleasant.

The transfer table is going to be a nice addition. Do you plan to weather the gravel?

We have been working to install two 4-way Ross switches. They are in difficult to reach places and include four lanterns per switch. Both switches are installed. One  is wired, lanterns installed, wired, and tested only to find that one lantern appears to be slightly off/needs moving, another is not connected properly and is a morning job which is when things usually work best.

The other switch has been installed and one lantern attached.

Yesterday I got disgusted when the lantern had to be moved and I quit. This job needs two people, Rich has been tied up all week, PM today we are picking up Paula’s Christmas presents, so maybe we can finish the turnouts tomorrow.

We have installed about 40 turnouts and lanterns and they can sometimes be frustrating when easy to reach; these are in the worst location on the layout. Procrastination has lasted for months and completion is a New Year’s resolution. 🤬🤬🤬

@Bill Webb  Good luck with those hard to reach switches.  My most problematic one,  I could only reach through a pop up. It was such a PITA I most often would set the switch and then leave it alone. The points would only throw part way 30% of the time causing a derailment in that hard to reach spot.  I also had a 4 way installed with the DZ2500s. Switched to throw pairs for the crossover. Those too failed to throw completely regularly.

The points themselves could be blow back and forth so I know there was no binding. Had to be something with the motor, spring or how I assembled. On assembly and testing the switches operated flawlessly.  Go figure - another gremlin to pay homage to - in hopes they stay away.  (all Ross turnouts, no issues with the manual aspect) 

@Bill Webb posted:

Peter glad to see that you are feeling better. Flu and Covid mix can’t be pleasant.

The transfer table is going to be a nice addition. Do you plan to weather the gravel?

Contemplating grease and oil spills……since it will be below grade and hard to see, it may not be that extensive…….but then, once I see it, I could change my mind…..

Peter

I found some leftover building facades that I'm going to use and attempt some kitbashing.  One full front piece and a partial AmeriTowne, remaining sides will be wood is my current thinking.

Not sure where this is going but hopefully something useful will come out of it.  Even if it is a lesson in what not to do.

Something along these lines is current thinking.

Your kitbashing philosophy is very similar to my own.

@Mayor Magoo posted:

I found some leftover building facades that I'm going to use and attempt some kitbashing.  One full front piece and a partial AmeriTowne, remaining sides will be wood is my current thinking.

Not sure where this is going but hopefully something useful will come out of it.  Even if it is a lesson in what not to do.

Something along these lines is current thinking.

Mayor Magoo,

I love kitbashing projects. Keep us updated, please

Hello everyone! I was able to work on and publish a new product review on the Santa Fe 2-10-4 from Lionel. I hope you all enjoy it.

@Scott, nice job on the overall scene, your ideas for the station sound great.
@Lee, the coal car is terrific nice pic.        
@ideathinker, the bridge looks great, nice work.  
@Mike, great progress, you’re really making it happen fast!    
@Seth, the floors look fantastic, nice detail to add.    
@Peter, so glad to hear that you’re on the mend. I too fell victim to COVID this past week. Mild case like yours, and I’m feeling better. Transfer table looks ready for detail.    
@Bill, I know it can be frustrating, but stick with it, it will be worth it.    
@Steve, I like your ideas for the kitbash, can’t wait to see how it goes.    
@Trainmaster, nice video, thorough and well done.

Andy

Finally some progress. Rich was here this morning and we went to work on the problem 4-way turnout. Two of us were able to see the entire work area and adjusted three turnout lanterns. First turnout complete.

Then we started on the second 4-way. Rich worked on the turnout lanterns while I did the wiring. Tortoise turnouts require the use of a second relay when using DCS and that takes additional time. We stopped about 2:30 and hope to finish tomorrow.

Paula was MIA today tending to her Christmas presents that we picked up yesterday. Meet Holly (black) and Nicholas (White).

   Holly visited the train room caused no problems.

We had a train day for a friend, Blair’s Birthday, Bill Farrell’s grandson and we spent the day at Farmerjohns wonderful layout. Johnny has really enhanced his layout a lot with his backlit flat buildings lining up his back wall. Wow, we had a fun day. This is pictures at Farmerjohns. Happy Railroading Everyone

Time to start to trestle….

Bill, glad you made some progress. I’m sure Paula is happy with her presents.

Larry, glad you had fun, John has some layout.

Steve, the trestle looks great.

Andy

I placed the roof on the picnic table shelter to check the fit. Next I need to glue the support beams in place, then add some trim.

Andy

Cut down and moved parts of old layout to new shelf layout room.

Reconfigured curves at each end for Atlas O 036.

I replaced the two TW transformers I was using for lights with a ZW.

The circuit breakers in the TW's were weak and were popping due to the load - The ZW is barely heating up after 1/2 hour

Update on the Arch Bridge I posted a few days ago. I have it set in place where it will live on the layout. After I set it in place I realized that I will have to build an approach girder on either side to make it look better. I will post photos of the approaches later.

idea-thinker

Started the benchwork! Feels great to get things rolling.

I'll update my build thread later.

@mike g. posted:

Great work everyone, It is nice to see you all busy with so many projects!

@RSJB18 Bob, don't worry about getting the gaming area, sooner or later your son will give it up for something else! LOL

@DrSteveDC Steve things look great! I really like the details you're putting into your layout, with all the fallowers at Sandy Acres!

@idea-thinker Your work is just Outstanding! I can tell you take pride in what you do. Not only does that show in your bridges but also in your track work in the background!

As for me not a lot today, I spent a good amount of time taking care of the CEO, she said she was getting better and gave me a break to go to the train room.

I took down the upper level where the track will start to go under the new upper level and where it will run under the main table to a staging yard. I took the time to run my belt sander over the area to smooth it out, cleaned everything and installed the new cork roadbed.

Tomorrow, I plan on painting the corner Sky Blue again over the mountain scene as things will change in that area. Then I hope to get some track laid and the hole cut for the grade going under the layout. I am still trying to figure out how long I need to make that! LOL I hate math problems! 

Here is a photo of today's projects all wrapped up in one photo!

I hope you all had a great day!

I like your airplane in the corner:

@SIRT posted:

Cut down and moved parts of old layout to new shelf layout room.

Reconfigured curves at each end for Atlas O 036.

Sirt,

Let the good times (and of course trains) roll. I will be following your progress with this.

Dave

Added some shelving to the train room

Here is some scenes of engines that were running on the layout today

Did nothing on the current layout. Still fooling around with the future plan tho....

I changed the inner yard (green) and added a passing siding. Also filled in the turntable whiskers in the engine yard. A TT doesn't really make sense on a small layout but MRR-MR.

Bob

Hi guys and gals! WOW what great work being done!

@Bill Webb Bill glad you are getting things figured out and thanks for the information on the Tortoise machines and relays! I hope you enjoy your new pups!

@DrSteveDC Steve wonderful start on the trestles!

@Steamfan77 Andy, your picnic shelter is really coming along nicely!

@idea-thinker Your bridge looks amazing at its new home! I am sure you will come up with something great to fill the voids!

@Jstewart204 Nice to see things getting started! I can't wait to see more!

@Aflyer Thank you sir! Wait till I get my airfield back on the layout!

@David Holland David everyone can always use more shelves! LOL

@RSJB18 Bob, the new layout plan is looking great, don't worry about the TT as it is your layout, and you can do anything you want! LOL

Well guys as for me I know I haven't been here for a couple days and I am sorry for that, I have been trying to get as much done on the layout before my knee surgery on Wednesday. I was able to get my great cut out in the main bench work leading down to my future staging yard that will be under the layout.

Of course that was after I had to take the upper level back down as the grade going down is directly below the upper level. Then I had to buy heavy duty brackets to hold up the upper level.

My grade is about 3% and my clearance is at 7 1/2", Here are a couple photos and videos.

I hope you all have a great week, but most of all I hope you all find time to have fun with your layout and trains!

@RSJB18 posted:

Did nothing on the current layout. Still fooling around with the future plan tho....

I changed the inner yard (green) and added a passing siding. Also filled in the turntable whiskers in the engine yard. A TT doesn't really make sense on a small layout but MRR-MR.

Bob

Having a third rail doesn't make any sense, nor does it make sense to have multiple levels of track looping around each other, or any of many other things that we all do.  In other words, just like you said - MRR / MR.

I like the plan - looks like it would allow for some good train watching with room for switching and accessories.  Two thoughts... 1) do you have access to all sides? If not, could be some reach issues, and 2) do you have extra room along any of the long sides to add some staging tracks for long trains?   

RSJB18, Right in the middle of your plan, the blue track appears to go both over and under the same green track in a very short space.  Am I missing something?

I received a Vision Line class A for Christmas. Unfortunately I did not design my tunnels to accommodate the boiler swing of large scale articulated steam locomotives.

I really liked my woodland scenics concrete tunnel portal, but I like my class A more.

I will craft a timber portal out out of 3/16" x 1/4" balsa wood

@Mallard4468 posted:

Having a third rail doesn't make any sense, nor does it make sense to have multiple levels of track looping around each other, or any of many other things that we all do.  In other words, just like you said - MRR / MR.

I like the plan - looks like it would allow for some good train watching with room for switching and accessories.  Two thoughts... 1) do you have access to all sides? If not, could be some reach issues, and 2) do you have extra room along any of the long sides to add some staging tracks for long trains?   

The space is walls on 3 sides, hence the center aisle. I'm 6'5" tall. I can reach a good long way..... If I do actually build it, I would have room to lengthen the right hand side further into the basement. No expansion left or right.

@Papa Dave posted:

RSJB18, Right in the middle of your plan, the blue track appears to go both over and under the same green track in a very short space.  Am I missing something?

Not missing a thing. That's just SCARM doing what it wants with the layers. Green and yellow are on the bench, and the blue line is 6" above the rail head below. I'm at about a 2.5% grade at the moment.

Just fiddling around for now......

Thanks for the comments.

@Cogen1981 posted:

I received a Vision Line class A for Christmas. Unfortunately I did not design my tunnels to accommodate the boiler swing of large scale articulated steam locomotives.

I really liked my woodland scenics concrete tunnel portal, but I like my class A more.

I will craft a timber portal out out of 3/16" x 1/4" balsa wood

I'd demo the tunnel portal in a heartbeat.....

I guess I'm on a transformer replacement streak. Today I replaced the American Flyer 17B transformer that was powering my simple Flyer loop in The Alcove ( see: Two layouts in an unexpected space (warrenvillerailroad.com) for more about the Alcove) with the 350 watt American Flyer #22090 "pancake" transformer.

Why? Just because it looks so cool!

@Cogen1981 not a bad problem to have!! 😊. That Class A is a beauty.

NMRA MCR DIV 7 meeting and layout visits.

Two Hi-rail and one HO layout.

https://ogrforum.com/...6#169515031404088486