What did you do on your layout today?

@mike g. You’re welcome Mike. It’s always nice to know where an item came from when posted.

@SIRT posted:

If you just focus on completing one area at a time, you will find it easier to finish your dream. Before you know it, it’s done!

Yeah, that's kinda the approach I've taken, but sometimes it just drags on forever, and tends to move (when it does!) by fits and starts. For instance, there was a small triangular section between two switches and a crossover that initially just had a whistle shed. I later dropped my scratch-built substitution for a Marx log unloader tray into the area, then the semi-disguised relay assembly controlling my version of the Marx "twin trains" and one of the two signal lights for that installation. Finally, I scratch-built fencing around the relay, created a gravel access road, dropped in a Menards lighted pickup for the work crew, and as a final touch, repainted and ground covered the originally lime green plastic base of the whistle shed. I have yet to finesse the landscaping, but here's what it looks like so far:

When it's all done (*if* it's ever done!), I hope I can give it at least some of the "untended" look you imparted on your layout.

@Steve Tyler-  Steve nice discussion of the small area but in addition when I looked at the picture what fascinated me was the little lake and the fisherman with a strike on the line in the boat. I really loved that!  How about a picture of that just for fun, it’s a lake of the right size for me and I loved the fisherman!  
Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@Steve Tyler-  Steve nice discussion of the small area but in addition when I looked at the picture what fascinated me was the little lake and the fisherman with a strike on the line in the boat. I really loved that!  How about a picture of that just for fun, it’s a lake of the right size for me and I loved the fisherman!

Thanks, Don, Well, like everything else, the lake is a work in progress. Originally, I cut the thin plastic sheet out to be an ice pond on an earlier winter layout, but I decided to repurpose it on the new layout, with muddy-tone paint under it, a built-up lip around it, and a gravel path around the top edge. The fishermen were remaindered items from the hobby store (grossly over-scale but cheap!). The big rock is the unpolished side of a souvenir my grandparents brought back from the petrified forest years ago, the cattails were an Etsy purchase (inserted in holes drilled in the plexiglass), while the dock was scratch-built from bamboo coffee stirrers and some hardwood dowels. The state park sign and the tree felling operation on the right (other than the logging crew figures) were also DIY additions.

Oh, and please excuse my finger -- I didn't notice the intrusion until I was back upstairs!

@mike g. posted:

Well guys as I said I haven't done anything on the layout but that doesn't mean I haven't been keeping up with what is going on. Some of you may remember me saying that I was at a standstill till I saved up some money for more track to finish the lower loop and the upper loop along with the lower staging yard under the layout.

Well a FORUM member seen my post and reached out to me to donate to the layout build. I have to say he is one of the most generous man I know! He gave me all the track I will need to finish the layout! He originally bought it to build a layout that never happened and with MTH Not making track rignt now he thought it was time to part with it, and I was the lucky one to receive his generosity! I have met great people before but I would have to say he is above all of them. Here is what I received from the FORUM ANGEL!

A gift that I don't know how I would ever thank him, but he has taught me the meaning of Paying it forward! From this point forward in my life when I can I will do my best to Pay it forward to someone else in need! Thank you again for your generosity!

I hope your all doing well and finding time to enjoy your layout and fun with your trains!

Mike,

I'm glad you posted this. We always need a little of this to show good people do exist, despite what is in our faces all the time. I'm honestly not surprised by this exceptional act of kindness. I stand by, you can say what you want about model railroaders but WE are some of the best people you will ever meet. Awesome gift. No excuses now Mike, we want to see what magic you create with your new track.

Dave

@mike g. I consider myself a fortunate man, Thanks!  I too will pay it forward.

@mike g. posted:

Well guys as I said I haven't done anything on the layout but that doesn't mean I haven't been keeping up with what is going on. Some of you may remember me saying that I was at a standstill till I saved up some money for more track to finish the lower loop and the upper loop along with the lower staging yard under the layout.

Well a FORUM member seen my post and reached out to me to donate to the layout build. I have to say he is one of the most generous man I know! He gave me all the track I will need to finish the layout! He originally bought it to build a layout that never happened and with MTH Not making track right now he thought it was time to part with it, and I was the lucky one to receive his generosity! I have met great people before but I would have to say he is above all of them. Here is what I received from the FORUM ANGEL!

A gift that I don't know how I would ever thank him, but he has taught me the meaning of Paying it forward! From this point forward in my life when I can I will do my best to Pay it forward to someone else in need! Thank you again for your generosity!

I hope your all doing well and finding time to enjoy your layout and fun with your trains!

Mike, I think there are many of us on this forum who have paid forward and been recipients of paying forward.  I know I have participated both ways.  You have given so much, you were due to have someone give something to you.  Now you have your work cut out for you!!

@Steve Tyler- thanks Steve. Great info.
Don

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys what great work by all, as for me nothing new as it is still snowing and snowed another 4 inches again last night. So I have been spending all my time dealing with snow removel, then low and behold my steering went out on my tractor.

@Genemed Gene that is just outstanding looking! Thanks for posting where you got the light post from! I added it to my favorites list!

@Sams Trains Sam that sure is a lot of wood, I can see you will be busy for a while, I hope you will keep posting!

@third rail Great work on the gondolas! They look well used!

@Strap Hanger Sure is great that you are able to fix your own engines, also your method of hiding the wires is a perfect solution!

@SIRT It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said already, but you sure can't get any closer to being real looking! Just AMAZING!

@DrSteveDC Steve what a great friend! You sure know how to take older accessories and make them run so smoothly as if they were new out of the box!

Well guys as I said I haven't done anything on the layout but that doesn't mean I haven't been keeping up with what is going on. Some of you may remember me saying that I was at a standstill till I saved up some money for more track to finish the lower loop and the upper loop along with the lower staging yard under the layout.

Well a FORUM member seen my post and reached out to me to donate to the layout build. I have to say he is one of the most generous man I know! He gave me all the track I will need to finish the layout! He originally bought it to build a layout that never happened and with MTH Not making track rignt now he thought it was time to part with it, and I was the lucky one to receive his generosity! I have met great people before but I would have to say he is above all of them. Here is what I received from the FORUM ANGEL!

A gift that I don't know how I would ever thank him, but he has taught me the meaning of Paying it forward! From this point forward in my life when I can I will do my best to Pay it forward to someone else in need! Thank you again for your generosity!

I hope your all doing well and finding time to enjoy your layout and fun with your trains!

@mike g.

Mike:

You already practice "paying forward". Several years ago, you were kind enough to build for me, at your expense, a motorized unit to move my Lionel gantry crane horizontally forward and backward. You are a good, generous man and deserve all of the good that life brings your way.

                                            DINO lives on...

Like other Menards items, I encountered another mechanical oversite issue. I think the red lights were modified from another design? Had to cut out the original plastic lamp holders, they were blocking the LED light. LED's are too large making a gap and allowing red light to leak out the chassis bottom. Had to shave and cover the plastic so they fit. Trying some yellow paint for the front lights, no luck so far.

@SIRT posted:

                                            DINO lives on...

Like other Menards items, I encountered another mechanical oversite issue. I think the red lights were modified from another design? Had to cut out the original plastic lamp holders, they were blocking the LED light. LED's are too large making a gap and allowing red light to leak out the chassis bottom. Had to shave and cover the plastic so they fit. Trying some yellow paint for the front lights, no luck so far.

As their advertisement use to mention, “Pass with care and buy Sinclair “.

@SIRT posted:

                                            DINO lives on...

Like other Menards items, I encountered another mechanical oversite issue. I think the red lights were modified from another design? They are too large allowing light to leak out the bottom. Had to shave and cover the plastic so they fit. Trying some yellow paint for the front lights, no luck so far.

Steve- I have the same issues with a REA stake-body truck. The WHITE headlights don't fit the period and they are way too bright. I'm planning on hitting the headlights with tamiya yellow.  I also have the '48 Ford and had to block off the spill with liquid tape.
I plan to drop the voltage with a DC buck converter. These are at 4.5vac at the moment.

More upper level progress! Got all of the track laid down, and now the two main line loops are fully connected. Things are shaping up!

Horse corral tuned up and ready to go. Simple mechanism but a pia to sync the corral and the car.  I’ve found with a lot of these pieces screwing them to the train board loose really improves performance and decreases some of the noise.

Industrial area just about complete!

Jumping around a bit but started working on my little again. Getting buildings to fit in a place where they visually fit is a challenge for me . Here is a few pics of where I'm starting again.

The town looks great, John!  I always think a curved street is more visually interesting on a layout!

@Mark Boyce posted:

The town looks great, John!  I always think a curved street is more visually interesting on a layout!

ABSOLUTELY Mark.........especially if you grew up in a hilly or mountainous area.

@Dallas Joseph posted:

ABSOLUTELY Mark.........especially if you grew up in a hilly or mountainous area.

Hilly or mountainous area!  That’s me!

I did NOTHING today. I haven't even looked at it. I'm gonna run out now and do so !!!!

@farmerjohns, City  looks great, as several forum members have said, a city street curving through town is a visual crowd pleaser, coupled with street lights, buildings with lighted interiors, and of course blinking signs, your work is coming to life. Staying with @farmerjohns scenery, these are pictures that you might find interesting, his layout is full of Eye Candy, and the trains are his characters that pass through Utopia. This is all @farmerjohns wonderful layout. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry, your use of the word Utopia made me chuckle.  However, I think we could say FarmerJohn’s layout is as close as we can get to Utopia this side of Heaven.

Thanks Larry and everyone for the comments. Our hobby is so much fun especially  when others enjoy it also. Here is a little scene I have decided to add to my little town. I bought this building from Menard several years ago. Didn't realize  how nice it was until I powered it up and found it had 2 animated  signs. Wow it is so perfect for a small town. Much where I grew up in Owensboro  Ky.

Will post some pics when I get the scenery in place for the rock work for my last post. Just need some warmer weather  to make some rock molds. Thanks everyone .

Rolling mountains today. Movi ng out of the rocky mountains. 2rail. Western Pacific & Southern Pacific.

Your welcome @farmerjohn, when we have our train days at your home, it’s like we are in another world, no problems, it’s so therapeutic, your creativity begins when we come down your stairway and for several hours we simply forget our worries. This is the best hobby in the world. Now, to put this into perspective, friends like @farmerjohn, and  @Dr. Jack Fisher, and @Bob Irshmer and  @Ron Zellem and @1938Robert, and our new friend @Samuel Wilson, make train days so much fun as each one’s layouts have great points of interest.
In this thread I’ll point out some beautiful scenes from our friend @Dr. Jack Fisher whom lives in Nashville. Enjoy the views, his layout is also amazing and therapeutic. Also, Utopia number 2……Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

@farmerjohns, City  looks great, as several forum members have said, a city street curving through town is a visual crowd pleaser, coupled with street lights, buildings with lighted interiors, and of course blinking signs, your work is coming to life. Staying with @farmerjohns scenery, these are pictures that you might find interesting, his layout is full of Eye Candy, and the trains are his characters that pass through Utopia. This is all @farmerjohns wonderful layout. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry, loved the curved stone/concrete bridges. Where did they come from?

Hi guys and gals, guess who! LOL I know it has been a while since I was here last, I am happy to tell you all that the snow has stopped and I am so happy that it is raining! I never thought I would be saying that!

Well as you all can guess I haven't been in the trains room lately, only long enough to put my wonderful gift out there. I has just been one of those 2-week periods where everything that could go wrong did! First the snow, then my tractor for clearing the driveway breaks, then the front passenger break on my 4 X 4 locks up. So I am ready for good news, and this is the place where I can always come and get a laugh and smile!

@luvindemtrains Dave you along with many others here on the forum are so correct, the members here are some of the nicest people and finest people in any hobby I can think of. Since the time I joined this forum back in 2012 I have only had 2 bad dealings with 2 members. That is not bad for the amount of people on this forum and the folks I deal with!

Its nice to hear that some of you guys think I am a nice person. I try to help out where I can cause there are so many of you that have helped me learn about this hobby, I didn't have a train set when I was a kid and only got into it when my grandson found a Lionel engine and tender, he gave it to me and asked if I could make it go, so I found some track at a local goodwill along with a transformer, put the loop together powered it up and nothing happened. I got on this forum and started reading and got all kinds of ideas. I tried each one till it worked. Next time my grandson came over I had it all set up on a sheet of plywood ready for him to see it go, he was so surprised and got a huge smile on his face! I told him I would get a box and put everything in it so he could take it home, he said no grandpa it's for you and from that day on I have been hooked!

Sorry I got sidetracked!

@SIRT What a wonderful job onthe gas station and the Sinclair fuel truck! You might try the buck convertor that Bob is talking about.

@Sams Trains Sam wow that sure is alot of fine work in such a short period of time! Great work!

@DrSteveDC Steve cool car and it looks like it works well! As for me I don't think I would have the patience to have to line them up! LOL As for the industrial area it sure is looking great! So much fun in one small place!

@farmerjohn John Your town sure looks inviting! I could see myself walking up and down the street checking out all the shops. First stop the hobby shop! LOL I might be wrong but did you move the hobby shop to its current location from previous photos?

@leapinlarry Larry thanks for sharing more of John's Amazing layout! You are with some of the luckiest guys to live close enough to visit each others amazing layouts!

@Derailed10o I love the mountains, been threw there several times It is quite the project! Please keep posting!

Well guys as for me I am going to try and lay some roadbed and track today! I will keep you all posted!

I hope you all find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

All you need to drop current down on the trucks front LED's is a 100ohm resistor. That wont change the issue which is the color. I cut and applied yellow colored paper as lenses. Lights cant be painted.

@SIRT posted:

All you need to drop current down on the trucks front LED's is a 100ohm resistor. That wont change the issue which is the color. I cut and applied yellow colored paper as lenses. Lights cant be painted.

Thanks for the tip. I've tried paint and failed to get the desired early 70's look.

@mike g. posted:

I told him I would get a box and put everything in it so he could take it home, he said no grandpa it's for you and from that day on I have been hooked!

Mike,

What a great story.

Dave

@mike g.  thanks! -  the accessories on the spurs are static, lol.  I don’t want to have to line them up either.  I can reach them from either side of the board to reset them, etc.  Sorry to hear about the tractor and brakes :-(

Hi guys and gals, I know I didn't spend a lot of time out in the train room today, but it is the CEO's day off and one must spend time with the CEO as not to get fired! LOL

@SIRT wonderful tip as I have a couple of their cars also!

Thanks Dave, the day he told me that almost crushed me, I never had a kid love me so much!

Thanks Steve for the information, as for the truck and tractor it is all good, I was able to get to the train room and have some fun!

But the time I spent out there I was able to get the cork roadbed down, the shiny new track painted, and the inner loop completed as far as track laying! Tomorrow, I hope to get it all powered and have some time doing test runs. But then again that is up to the CEO as another day off! LOL

I know its not much but here is a photo of the completed section! 

The backdrop is installed. It changes the look of the entire scene. I’ll begin the process of blending the backdrop and scene together. I removed some trees in order to slip the backdrop in, all 10’ of it.

Andy

Steve, thanks for the videos, very nice.
John, your town looks terrific!

Derailed, tremendous mountain scenes.

Larry, excellent as always, wow.
Nice track work Mike!

Andy

She's the " High Commander, or The War Department " at our home. She supports me in every way.

Yes Mike I have moved the hobby shop . Had to extend the scenery for it but I think it fits really good. I will post some more pics as soon as I get the remainder of the scenery in this area done.

Lot's of great projects and photos posted since I was here last.   Had to take a detour and change a water pump, thermostat, heater hoses etc on my daughter's car.   

Anyway, I tore into the viaduct scene which was just kind of "roughed-in place".   The more I got into it, the more track and roadbed I removed so I could fabricate a deck under bridge and move it about 12 inches closer to the tunnel portal...  Anyway, finally got the main line sub roadbed and bridge done, as well as a good bit of work on the viaduct, new tunnel portal etc.   Hope to have this back together and done by the weekend.   

The first photo was from about 2 weeks ago, "the before",  the 2nd photo and all those attached below is where I am at tonight.  Put granite stone fillers in 6 of the 8 arches, the last two I extended 12 inches all the way through.   

Good evening everyone! I was meant to be on the California Zephyr this past Sunday but it was canceled due to the unexpected snow storm in California. Sooo… I ended up getting some time to work on the layout!

Tonight’s post is about work on saw hill. Here is a photo of what it last looked like.

I started with plastering the mountain with multiple layers of plaster cloth. I made sure to first take off the tunnel portals and smooth out the cloth. Next, I painted it with the same base brown I used on the mountain and church hill. Here is the end result.

Not the most appealing sight but that’s the beauty of scenery. It gets better as you add to it! With the paint still wet, I flocked 90% of the hill.

Much better!

I cleaned up the area and called it a night by running a test train through it. Flawless running!

I still have to add trees and sawmill to make it complete. I still have some trees left from church hill and I plan on adding them to saw hill next week when I come back from the Smoky Mountains.
Thanks for reading!

@Trainmaster04 Wow, that mountain is looking good, can't wait to see more!

@leapinlarry Thanks for the shoutout! If you want to tag me in the future, I am @Sams Trains on the forum. We definitely need to run trains again sometime. I had a lot of fun at the Looney Lines, and 1957 Chicago

Here's what I did today. Small, but very needed addition to the inclines. When they were first made and placed loosely on the supports, it was obvious they were not level. Today, I added wooden shims to level out the boards so trains run smoother, have less chance of falling off, and overall just making the inclines look neater