What did you do on your layout today?

Replaced a burned out incandescent bulb with and LED replacement in a Tomar Industries drumhead ("Abraham Lincoln"); thank goodness for those "Helping Hands" and pencil tip iron.  Happy to say that once the LED was installed in the drumhead, and the wiring (bridge rectifier and resistor) assembled, it worked.

 

Not done, yet, however.  I need to reattach the Kodachrome image to the diffuser, then attach them to the drumhead.  Props to Duane of Tomar Industries for answering a few questions I had before getting started.

 

One question he was unable to answer was what size is the LED supplied in his kit. He did check the packaging for the LEDs supplied, and it referenced "1005" but neither of us knew if this is size information.  I will say it is an exceptionally small LED--about the size of a large grain of salt. 

 

Glad for a successful project, albeit a small one, since I've yet to come up with a satisfactory process for masking a LIONEL standard vista dome using liquid mask--but I'm still working on this.

 

I have had this problem on a few other posts but did not want to say anything since I am new here. I hope this can get fixed, his photos sound like they are really good.

 

 

the last 4 days I have dismantled a rear portion of an upper logging line, and on inner mainline loop below it replaced the 054 with 063 curves. I have super elevated it and fixed a few minor issues with the 072 outer mainline.

 

I replaced a trouble some switch motor with a tortise switch unit like ross switches they just work and seeing this switch is in a space of 7" head room I needed a reliable switch motor in there.

 

after that I turned my attention to wiring up the 3 tortise switches and 3 dpdt mini toggle switches all are now functional.

 

saturday I will add support to one area of double mainline then I can re-install the upper logging line and then run all for any minor issues that might popup.

 

with both mainlines with 072 outer curves and inner mainline of 063 curves my big boy from 2014 can now navigate both mainlines.

 

maybe this will be the year we can start scenery.

  Mounted some 6a diodes, & two momentary switches in a small tin box, for a dual transformer, bell controller (for two 1033's).

 

 

Did a bit of work on the Giraffe Express GG1 trucks.  Here are some before and after pics to show the subtle sculpting needed for the GG1 to clear a giraffe actuator ramp.

 

Next, off to the paint shop for the end trucks and sideframes for some nice semi-gloss black paint! 

 

Mitch

 

Fighting Ross 4-Way non-derailing issues.  Problem, the DZ1000 and turnouts are much smarter than me!  But I'm a fighter.

And here's an apres-paint pic.  Pizza boxes make great paint platforms! 

 

Mitch

 

Placed 200 elves on the layout today. You would think that would be enough, but alas, no, we need more. The good thing is at least we have plenty of time to correct this issue. 250 now sounds about right. Combine this with the 300 we had already placed in Elf Land, and we sure have a lot of elves. Well, at least Santa should be happy. 

Made a transition "track plate" tie together two brands of plastic G scale & finished off the front garden with it. Just have to trim the juniper. I think I'm going to try to put a solar powered led garden light in the cars.

 Sorted electrical junk from "prog-mess", & ended up working on, changing, adding a large 3v Lithium "Cylops " size battery power(almost C sized), and both scrap & new l.e.d.s,on a button cell key chain led flasher, that ought to last a bit.

  So except for minor finishing paint, another finished character/piece for the Marvin the Martin layout.

 Cleaned up the new progmess. & ran Marvin around the earth.

 

 

 

 Do you remember me saying something with steps hit those giraffe  risers? I thought that's why my grandfather modified the giraffe cars!(?) Back then there was no MPC GG-1's. Just a wall full of post war to choose from. All of them nice.

Not so much what I did today as to what I am going to do. Yesterday hit the Firelands show in Mansfield OH. Brummy's was there and I picked up a bag of cinders to make some small access roads. One place is the siding I was working on. After looking at it I decided to move the one uncoupling track away from the switch so I can put a small cinder road over the tracks. Thought by doing this I could then increase the use of the area by being able to change out the buildings for different industries......Paul

We have an elevated bridge behind another bridge. We've begun work on "Munchausen Falls" which will cover the tracks that return to the staging yard.

 

The dry riverbed eblow the "falls"

 

The base for the riverbed and backing for the falls. More foam will be added and sculpted. The section will be removable to access derailed or stalled equipment like other panels along this section.

Well no trains ran but I did find a few things I had been looking for.

Adriatic, love the video, but I did not count 200 of them.   As Santa said at the end, "it needs work". 

Today I moved an uncoupler a bit further back. I had it right after the switch. Moving it back I now have room to put in a single lane road across the tracks. This way I can put a small industry in there to use the sidings instead of just for storage. Before and after pics to show it ..............Paul

Paul 2

This just shows you are thinking about modifications in your sleep.

 

I find that driving and sleeping (not at the same time ) are my best planning sessions.

Nice work.

 

Last test of a Florida East Coast BL-2 MTH PS1 before boxing and shipping to a friend in a trade for a PW Wabash Atlantic and caboose that he refurbished.  I got the BL2 in a trade, and he is a big FEC fan.  I was going to repaint for Western Maryland, but I like steam better than diesel, so I think we both will be tickled pink later in the week!    Couldn't find a pink smiley.

 

Added a few cars and trucks to the layout that I picked up Friday from a local Forum member.  Sorry to say my town looked as dead for automotive activity as Butler looks on Sunday morning ride to church.  Sad to say on both counts.  

Here's the Gi-raffe-G-1 on the shop track sitting on freshly sculpted and painted trucks!  Did have to take a couple divots out of the chassis to clear a couple of Lionel bosses inside the shell.

 

Next up:  Installing an electronic horn board (on order from Jeff Kane at the Train Tender) and speaker, and wiring in a DPDT switch for reversing (not gonna bother with an E-unit at the moment).  Then it's time to button it up, chunk on a couple pantographs and away we go! 

 

Mitch

 

The structural and floor are finally completed.  Now it's on to finishing the insulation and wiring then hiding all that hard work. 

  I put up some HDF wainscoting, an inspirational look towards nearing the end of room construction.  This top of the "T" area measures approximately 24 feet from end to end and 9 feet wide.  If I follow my proposed plan the majority of this flooring will be under layout.

From inside the previously pictured alcove looking back towards the 22 foot long central section of the "T".  That gives me a little over 31 feet length at 11 feet wide.  The stairs are located just the other side of the desk with them and the chimney the only room intrusions.  All that pink foam is for the rafters, not the future layout.

 

 

Bruce

Started cleaning up all the dust on the display shelves that accumulated over the past 10 years. Funny, I really didn't notice how crusty things got until I pulled down a train and was appalled by the amount. I think the vast majority came from cutting the access hatches with a sawzall. All my tabletops are covered with Armstrong Ceiling tiles and cutting it makes a lot of dirt. That sawzall filled the room with a fog as I hacked open the tabletops. Getting there! BUT!!! Its York week, I'm on vacation, I live 30 minutes from the bandits and its either clean or shop. decisions, decisions... 

 

Today I cast some more plaster of Paris rocks for a small mountain that will go in a corner of the layout.

John

Bruce, you might want to consider installing a skylight. I did a similar project several years ago and installed two. It was the best move with the renovation project as it achieved natural light and ventilation.

I TRIED TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH MY PREWAR LAYOUTS MENTALLY.

 

Nothing worked, they must be outside my calling area. AND I HAVE FREE NATIONWIDE CALLING. 

Pappy,

I'm so sorry you don't have your layout any more.

God bless you!!

Nothing yet but that doesn't mean I am not going to work on the layout. Waiting for Mr. Brown to deliver my package from Scenic Express today. Then I can do some scenery today....................Paul

I was pretty busy over the weekend.

I never liked the idea of locomotives running without crews, so I highly modified some Woodland Scenics figures to fit into the cabs of two of my ten-wheelers.

 

Currently, I'm working on a wood model of caboose # 505. I'm looking forward to getitng this hack on the rails! I was working on this until Midnight last night...

 

These are outside of the layout room, the sign is right above the door and the print is on the wall to the left as you get to the door. Just got both of them hung up yesterday, right before work on the hack started.

Worked on a curve to eliminate a tight clearance problem I had. I found it when my GG1 smacked a big steamer going the other way !!  Major collision because I thought I had fixed that spot. Someone had to be held accountable so I fired some flunky who really needed a job.

Wow!  The fall guy won't be able to put food on his family's table!  ;-)

It has been considered and am building with them in mind in the future.  I have locations for 2 and possibly 3 on the rear roof.  The LED lighting, besides being shallow in profile and producing no heat, cost pennies to use.  The skylights can wait but yes, we'll likely have some installed, in the train room and in the cathedral ceiling in our livingroom.

 

It will be interesting this summer to find out how well my insulation job holds down the heat. Fingers crossed that I'll be finished by then.  When I began this years ago I quickly found that a summer time work schedule was needed.  All work ceased at noon due to the unbearable heat.   Now there's a new tin roof with 2" of foam insulation underneath, that by itself has kept it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

 

Bruce

 I looked at the unmatched scrap wire birds nest I've ended up with by adding here & there, never bothering to buy wire.

  Having had enough mess going already, & at least 4 accessories, and 3 buttons to add, I laid on two ottomans & started drilling wire holes in braces, and restringing wire to new, sharpie labeled, terminal blocks. It can be moved without the droops snagging now.

  I should be 95%+ done by tomorrow night. Except for a UCS track controller, and the ribbon wire I'm out of. If I swap it with a plain UC track that is near the edge, I can wait to buy wire, but I still "have to" (read as want to ) remold the huge chunk missing out of the UCS controller body with JB weld.   

 For power a stand alone board, stand, or cart , is next.

Working on the road across the sidings. It is a bit too wide so I will be making it narrower.........................Paul

Did a lot more work on my hack model, it should be ready for the initial coats of paint by tonight:

Primered a couple of LIONEL PW aluminum passenger car plain ends that I need to have all of the plastic parts primered for assembly and painting of 6 PW style cars previously priimered.  Assembled 3 of the six thusfar (shell, plastic, and frame--no trucks/lights) and will finish the rest after lunch.

 

 

 

 

In a corner far, far away I cut out pink board to fill in an open corner under the upper mainlines. I cut the foam to fit around the curve. Glued it all together in the open and then shape it. I am going to plaster and colored it before I put it back in place and glue it down. A couple of pics of the start.....................Paul

After doing that section of foam and cleaning up the mess from using a jig saw to cut it I called a friend of mine in the club to plead with him to let me use his hot melt knife again LOL. Now I can zip through the cutting and shaping process. So later today that is what I will be doing along with seeing what news is coming out of York.............Paul

More track work-fin tuning my #2 track that I run my vintage and odd  ball stuff on. Still had a clearance problem while running the GG1 plus another corner still had an 031 piece of curve in it. I finally fixed the clearance problem by cutting an 042 curve in half and putting it in place. On the curve, I didn't like the engines whipped around the tight 01 pieces s I put in an 042 by rearranging some straights. Using 40" straights complicates it but they sure make for smooth running-not a lot of joints clattering. Also did some maintenance on my "old train". This runs on the shortest #5 inner loop. The consist has 6 cars and a caboose and they are old and heavy. Had trouble pulling the train with an old steam engine so I went over each one cleaning, oiling and freeing up all the wheels. Scraped grease, dirt and crud off the wheels and removed tangled up hair, fibers etc that had collected over the years. They roll nice now and pulled nicely by a 224 engine. Three of the cars and the caboose have whirly wheels, one, a 2411 flt is from 1947 and an X2454 is from 46-47. The "newest car, a cattle car looked like it was new in the box when I bought and is from 49-55.

I really like your forested landscape, there. It looks like you knew exactly what you were talking about/explaining/crafting there, like you had been to such a place and remembered it all, in detail. Thus, it tells a truth and is, as a result, completely believable, IMO.

FrankM

An illuminated bumper had been working intermittently, so I did some troubleshooting.

Looks like you had to get a manager out on the ROW to get things moving.  He isn't dressed as a track foreman I wouldn't think wearing a white shirt.