What did you do on your layout today?

@mike g. posted:

Evening guys I hope your all doing well! I know this is late for me on a Sunday night but it better then nothing! LOL

@Dennis Holler Dennis wow that is one heck of an undertaking! The track looks great, and the first runs shows that you have that special skill!

@Randy Harrison Randy it is nice to see your back but as others have said please take it easy till your fully healed or at least feel better!

@trestleking If you ask me I think the ceiling look perfect!

@Steamfan77 Andy wonderful work on the fence area! Question what are the clamps for?

@pennsyfan Bob what a great job on the New Hope & Ivy RR, It really shows Patiance!

@Steve Tyler Steve nice to see it working! I am along with you and Mark as I have never seen one of those!

@Bill Webb Bill what an amazing set of bridges! I am so glad you Rich were able to get everything working properly!

Well guys as for me I did some work out in the train room today, I found out the no matter how I tried to wire a DZ2502 controller up to a MTH switch motor I could not get it to work! So, I just put in a momentary toggle switch.

Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!

Thanks Mike! Take care and pace yourself

@mike g. posted:

Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL

Well, you know what they always say: "Close only counts with jazz and hand grenades!"

So for your sake, I hope your repair not only went as smooth as jazz, but doesn't eventually blow up on you!

Ran some trains last night. Needed to take a break from the engine shop for a while. I ran my recently rebuilt L&NE S2 and my new LC Reading 0-6-0.

I also noticed a lot of sparking coming from one of the 042's on my main loop. Both of them have been causing problems with trains shorting out. I may clip the wires to the solenoids and convert them manual. Both are right on the front edge and are in easy reach. I'd miss the anti-derail but the benefits outweigh shorting out an engine.
And I hate the buzzing solenoids more than you know....

Bob

@mike g. posted:

Evening guys I hope your all doing well! I know this is late for me on a Sunday night but it better then nothing! LOL

Well guys as for me I did some work out in the train room today, I found out the no matter how I tried to wire a DZ2502 controller up to a MTH switch motor I could not get it to work! So, I just put in a momentary toggle switch.

Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!

At least you solved the problem for now Mike. Sounds like you are gonna be a busy guy for the foreseeable future.

Good luck and pace yourself.

Bob

Thanks Mike I am having fun!!

@mike g. posted:

Evening guys I hope your all doing well! I know this is late for me on a Sunday night but it better then nothing! LOL

@Dennis Holler Dennis wow that is one heck of an undertaking! The track looks great, and the first runs shows that you have that special skill!

@Randy Harrison Randy it is nice to see your back but as others have said please take it easy till your fully healed or at least feel better!

@trestleking If you ask me I think the ceiling look perfect!

@Steamfan77 Andy wonderful work on the fence area! Question what are the clamps for?

@pennsyfan Bob what a great job on the New Hope & Ivy RR, It really shows Patiance!

@Steve Tyler Steve nice to see it working! I am along with you and Mark as I have never seen one of those!

@Bill Webb Bill what an amazing set of bridges! I am so glad you Rich were able to get everything working properly!

Well guys as for me I did some work out in the train room today, I found out the no matter how I tried to wire a DZ2502 controller up to a MTH switch motor I could not get it to work! So, I just put in a momentary toggle switch.

Then I moved on to rewiring a power plug for the Menards station that broke loose and hot glued it back in place or at least close to where it went! LOL

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!

Hi Mike, thanks. The clamps are just to stand the fence up for a picture. It’s easier to take a picture at the front of the layout. I’ll take more pictures once they’re installed.
Good luck Mike, I hope you get top dollar.

Andy

Ran trains and tried to decide what I could do with a couple of areas on my platform that are like vacant lots and moving a diner to another location.  I haven't been able to come up with any new or different ideas.

How about a community garden? Don't know your layout, but seems to be the thing to do with urban vacant lots! 😉👍

Community garden that an idea.  It is something I had not thought about.  Sort of looking for something different.  Thanks

@mike g. posted:

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!

Ugh!  Make sure you pace yourself, Mike.  CEOs can expect any job to be done in half the time.

@mike g. posted:

Evening guys I hope your all doing well!

I don't know how much I will be doing down the road as the CEO has a list of things, she deems necessary to get the most for our home to sell at top dollar. So, I will be working on that until we list. I have been packing up some engine's and rolling stock, but have ran out of boxes. plus, I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

I hope you all take care and have fun with your layouts and trains! I will check in as often as I can!

Don't know where you can get a ton of bubble wrap Mike but when I had to clear out my house and Judy's house I went to the local wine and liquor state store  for more boxes than I needed.  They were only too happy to have me get rid of all their empties...........( the BOXES  Mike   )

@Tom47 posted:

Ran trains and tried to decide what I could do with a couple of areas on my platform that are like vacant lots and moving a diner to another location.  I haven't been able to come up with any new or different ideas.

Looking at Patrick's (  Trumptrain') layout for along time now on his amazing creations .There are a ton of good ideas .     I don't have much room on the layout right now but I really think I might make a salvage / junk yard like Patrick has on his layout.  Good luck Tom.

Hi guy's,  thanks for all the advice! It's going to be a long haul as the CEO wants new flooring that we will pay someone to put down, but I have to pull up the old stuff.  Then comes the new kitchen cabinets and counter tops.

Hopefully we sale after all that! Lol

But in between all that I plan on packing g train stuff and running what I have on the layout out. At least till we get an offer.

I hope everyone is having fun with their layouts and trains!

@Tom47 posted:

Community garden that an idea.  It is something I had not thought about.  Sort of looking for something different.  Thanks

Oh, sure, no problem. It's also a way to make use of some of the fine gardening/farming materials available for depicting more rural or suburban settings, even if your layout is more an urban design. I spent several years living in downtown Baltimore while attending law school (right across from where Oriole Park and the Ravens stadiums would later be built!), so I guess the sort of gap-toothed urban "vacant lot" appearance, and community efforts to reclaim the land for food supply in what otherwise can be a "food desert", was an easy leap of imagination!

Post pics of what you come up with, and I'd also be curious if anyone had already attempted something like this already (I doubt I'm all *that* innovative! ).

@mike g. posted:

Hi guy's,  thanks for all the advice! It's going to be a long haul as the CEO wants new flooring that we will pay someone to put down, but I have to pull up the old stuff.  Then comes the new kitchen cabinets and counter tops.

Hopefully we sale after all that! Lol

But in between all that I plan on packing g train stuff and running what I have on the layout out. At least till we get an offer.

I hope everyone is having fun with their layouts and trains!

😧😧😧

I reworked a building backdrop to fit my space. I wanted to do something for my new Grandson -in-law, Danny Phillips. I previously posted the Phillips Seafood truck on photo chain. When I looked at the truck it had a 2010 date on it. I realized that it was from the 2010 TCA convention. I went looking for other items and found an aquarium car. I really don’t like aquarium cars. Searching for the name Phillips, I came up with the Phillips Resturant. In Baltimore. It has a beautiful facade which I may layover the front of the lacking Menards hotel front. In the meantime I found this other sign.

Problem, both my Grandson and his Dad are Dan. So A. S. Phillips & Son weren’t going to work. Enter my Granddaughter, Kristen; she’s in her last term at Pratt. Kristen reworked the sign to D. Phillips & Son.
The man and the loaded hand truck are from Model Studios.

The Phillips sign looks great, Bob!  Kristen did a wonderful job!

@mike g. posted:

I need to get more bubble wrap! LOL

When we moved from PA to NC, I needed tons of bubble wrap for trains and other items.  The best deal we found was Uline.  We lived about an hour from one of Uline's distribution centers.  So, we drove up there (at least twice) and packed our SUV (including on the roof) with moving supplies.  They sell gigantic rolls of bubble wrap.  If you don't live near one of their distribution centers, they will ship.  Fortunately, bubble wrap isn't heavy like boxes.  Another alternative is U-Haul.  They have a wide assortment of different sizes of boxes and they sell rolls of bubble wrap (not as big or cheap as Uline).  U-Haul has been my go to source when looking for odd sized boxes.  Definitely a better deal than boxes from Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot.

@pennsyfan posted:

I reworked a building backdrop to fit my space. I wanted to do something for my new Grandson -in-law, Danny Phillips. I previously posted the Phillips Seafood truck on photo chain. When I looked at the truck it had a 2010 date on it. I realized that it was from the 2010 TCA convention. I went looking for other items and found an aquarium car. I really don’t like aquarium cars. Searching for the name Phillips, I came up with the Phillips Resturant. In Baltimore. It has a beautiful facade which I may layover the front of the lacking Menards hotel front. In the meantime I found this other sign.

Problem, both my Grandson and his Dad are Dan. So A. S. Phillips & Son weren’t going to work. Enter my Granddaughter, Kristen; she’s in her last term at Pratt. Kristen reworked the sign to D. Phillips & Son.

Nice fantasy project!

Yes, the Phillips Seafood name is one known by just about everyone in Maryland. From the Wikipedia entry:

"In 1914, Augustus E. Phillips established the company's first seafood processing plant on Hooper's Island in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. The A.E. Phillips packing plant processed seafood from many of the watermen in the region. In 1956, after a surplus season of crabs, son Brice Phillips and wife Shirley opened the first “crab shack” in Ocean City, Maryland. Brice and Shirley began building a new dining room each year at Phillips Crab House until it finally seated 1400 people."

Brice and Shirley Phillips were some sort of cousins on my dad's side, and by chance I ended up working in their O.C. restaurant as a high school-age busboy for a week at the end of one summer, after most of the college kids working there left at the end of the season. And, yes, you read that right -- the restaurant was originally opened in an attempt to find a market for the packing plant's surplus crabs and crab meat, a situation far different from today! In fact, the company later got into some hot water (see what I did there?) when they promoted their products as being "original recipe" while sourcing the crab meat largely from Southeast Asia!

@pennsyfan posted:

I reworked a building backdrop to fit my space. I wanted to do something for my new Grandson -in-law, Danny Phillips. I previously posted the Phillips Seafood truck on photo chain. When I looked at the truck it had a 2010 date on it. I realized that it was from the 2010 TCA convention. I went looking for other items and found an aquarium car. I really don’t like aquarium cars. Searching for the name Phillips, I came up with the Phillips Resturant. In Baltimore. It has a beautiful facade which I may layover the front of the lacking Menards hotel front. In the meantime I found this other sign.

Problem, both my Grandson and his Dad are Dan. So A. S. Phillips & Son weren’t going to work. Enter my Granddaughter, Kristen; she’s in her last term at Pratt. Kristen reworked the sign to D. Phillips & Son.
The man and the loaded hand truck are from Model Studios.

The sign looks great Bob. Both of my former bosses are Pratt alum. One got his PE license and the other an MBA. Both were higher Ed administrators.

They both spoke fondly of Pratt Institute.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

The sign looks great Bob. Both of my former bosses are Pratt alum. One got his PE license and the other an MBA. Both were higher Ed administrators.

They both spoke fondly of Pratt Institute.

Bob

Thanks Bob, my granddaughter is an art major, both canvas and whatever the term is for digital and electronic art. The stuff she does for me is kids play.

Morning guys I know its a little weird hearing from me in the middle of the week but I have the day off for a dr. appointment.

Any how @pennsyfan Bob the scene looks outstanding, and your granddaughter did an Amazing job on the sign!

@VinceL Vince thank for the tips! I am going to see what I can find today!

Well guys you all know my plans on the train room as far as running it till, we got an offer, well I got an email from a friend from here the other day that stated that when they sold their house the new buyers wanted the room made neutral so you could never tell there was a train room in there. I ask my relator about it, and she said the same thing.

But I still plan on running the trains till I get everything packed up on and under the layout. Then the track and plywood will come down as I know I am going to have a lot of holes to patch and repaint! I will keep you all up to date!

I Hope you all are having a good week and finding time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

@mike g. posted:

Well guys you all know my plans on the train room as far as running it till, we got an offer, well I got an email from a friend from here the other day that stated that when they sold their house the new buyers wanted the room made neutral so you could never tell there was a train room in there. I ask my relator about it, and she said the same thing.

But I still plan on running the trains till I get everything packed up on and under the layout. Then the track and plywood will come down as I know I am going to have a lot of holes to patch and repaint! I will keep you all up to date!

Mike, yes this conversation has everything to do with "What did you do on your layout today."  I made my previous layouts free standing so there was no patching walls, etc when we moved; just take the layout apart.  This layout, I deviated and attached brackets on two walls, with the rest free standing.  We also intend to move, but it won't be until Kim's mum passes or has to go to a facility.  Then we want to buy a ranch or another type of single-floor home.  I had this in mind when I built the brackets that hold two sides of the layout.  I can either take the layout off and put in basic shelves or workbench since the layout is at a nice height for work, and the room is in the basement.  Or, I can remove the brackets, spackle the holes, and paint the room.  An 11x11 room doesn't take very long. 

All that to say, does your Realtor think the layout needs to be totally removed before listing the house, or does she think it is acceptable to have it partially removed, so to give the impression you will totally remove it before the buyers' walk-through?  It's not like it is a family room layout, it's an extension off the garage.  To me, that may make a difference, but I don't know the market, nor the thoughts of the average buyer in your area.

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys I know its a little weird hearing from me in the middle of the week but I have the day off for a dr. appointment.

Any how @pennsyfan Bob the scene looks outstanding, and your granddaughter did an Amazing job on the sign!

@VinceL Vince thank for the tips! I am going to see what I can find today!

Well guys you all know my plans on the train room as far as running it till, we got an offer, well I got an email from a friend from here the other day that stated that when they sold their house the new buyers wanted the room made neutral so you could never tell there was a train room in there. I ask my relator about it, and she said the same thing.

But I still plan on running the trains till I get everything packed up on and under the layout. Then the track and plywood will come down as I know I am going to have a lot of holes to patch and repaint! I will keep you all up to date!

I Hope you all are having a good week and finding time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

Mike, Thanks for the comment.
My story is; after a buddy took his layout down because his wife wanted to be near the kids, it took ten years to sell the house. After that; another buddy and I  told our respective realtors that the layout will come down after a contract is signed. Also the room will be restored before the closing. There was no objection. This was in NY city.

Hi Guys just a quick update, the layout will be coming down sooner then later. Even before we put the house on the market if we want it to sale in the spring. There is so much to do is such a short period of time as I found out today that the doc wants to do some sort of back surgery soon and when that is done I will be down for 2 months without lifting. So I know the CEO want it ready to go and I have to keep her happy for the future train room in the new house in Mo! LOL

@mike g. posted:

Hi Guys just a quick update, the layout will be coming down sooner then later. Even before we put the house on the market if we want it to sale in the spring. There is so much to do is such a short period of time as I found out today that the doc wants to do some sort of back surgery soon and when that is done I will be down for 2 months without lifting. So I know the CEO want it ready to go and I have to keep her happy for the future train room in the new house in Mo! LOL

Mike- you could always keep a couple of loops on one end of the room to run trains until the drop dead date. That way most of the demo would be done

Sorry to hear more surgery is in your future.

Bob

@mike g. posted:

Hi Guys just a quick update, the layout will be coming down sooner then later. Even before we put the house on the market if we want it to sale in the spring. There is so much to do is such a short period of time as I found out today that the doc wants to do some sort of back surgery soon and when that is done I will be down for 2 months without lifting. So I know the CEO want it ready to go and I have to keep her happy for the future train room in the new house in Mo! LOL

Mike, well that's a pain in the back. However, being down only 2 months sounds like it isn't very serious.  Hopefully it will nip it in the bud before getting worse.  All that said, yes you will have to take the layout down in fairly short order.  The only bright side is that it takes a lot less time taking it down than building it.

I have actually started some scenery on my Blackwater Canyon Line.  Well, maybe pre-started.  I will be scenicing the hillside where the Idaho Hotel will sit.  Beside it is a little diorama that I am making for the Model Railroad Club of Zelienople, Pennsylvania.  There will be a set of wooden steps on the left side of the caboose so visitors can climb up to see the interior of the caboose with ease.  It is based on a display along the former B&O in Mars, Pennsylvania where I went to school.

Outside loop is wired and done, first inaugural run around!

Nice run, Lance!  The layout is looking great!

@Lancer posted:

Outside loop is wired and done, first inaugural run around!

Congrats!

Nice looking layout!

Peter

@mike g. posted:

Well guys you all know my plans on the train room as far as running it till, we got an offer, well I got an email from a friend from here the other day that stated that when they sold their house the new buyers wanted the room made neutral so you could never tell there was a train room in there. I ask my relator about it, and she said the same thing.

Been there, done that....Fall 2003:

Mike.......I feel your pain!

Best wishes on your "take-down" jouney!

Peter

Vacant lots in Desdichado, Arkansas, are filling up with vans in anticipation of the Christmas rush in this scene on the Neosho, Stella & White River "Fast Train through Arkansas" layout.

Only thing I did on the layout today was ran the RK /  DM&IR  Allegheny with some billboard cars. (  just felt like a lazy hazy day   )

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Only thing I did on the layout today was ran the RK /  DM&IR  Allegheny with some billboard cars. (  just felt like a lazy hazy day   )

Dallas, that kind of laziness is quite acceptable!!  👍🏻

Way to go Dallas!!
Don

@Mark Boyce posted:

Dallas, that kind of laziness is quite acceptable!!  👍🏻

@Don McErlean posted:

Way to go Dallas!!
Don

Thanks Mark and Don for the nice replies.

..........and Mark.......sometimes when the CEO is not saying anything ....I hope everything is acceptable.

Hey everyone! Wow, it has been WAY too long since I gave an update. There is lots to talk about though, so lets get started. Each photo will have a description under it

In last update, everything was still movable to allow for adjustments. Not anymore! I got everything as good as I would like it (and level) and took the nail gun to it. Here I am nailing down the supports for the incline

Okay, so I got a little too tired of working on the layout and decided to run my 765. This was before any wiring was done, I just had to hear it run

Finally I have lighting under the layout! Now I can access my rolling stock without using my phone or a flashlight to see

Left side of the layout, check out the new railing!

Middle of the layout, the future switch and power control boards have been installed

Right side of the layout, inclines have been painted and track is installed. If you look carefully, you can see some wiring strung through the middle of the table. All of the electrical work is done now for the main lines. Still need to wire up the spur lines

Once again, I got a little bored with electrical work so I decided to break open some scenery stuff! This area is starting to look good

Yay! Now that trains run, people can come and watch! Had the LOTS over during their convention this year in Knoxville. About 35 people fit relatively comfortably in the shop!

Had some issues with my O54/O72 turnouts, so I have done a little bit of remodeling on the design to mitigate the use of said turnout. I still have one, and plan to use a Ross switch with it. Wish me luck on that.

I also changed one of the industries to now be an intermodal yard to serve stack trains and auto carriers! That will be fun to build, especially with the concrete between the rails

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Only thing I did on the layout today was ran the RK /  DM&IR  Allegheny with some billboard cars. (  just felt like a lazy hazy day   )

Beautiful scenery Dallas!

@Sams Trains the layout is looking great!  That is good you were ready for the LOTS folks visit!

@pennsyfan posted:

Beautiful scenery Dallas!

Thanks Bob.

The inspiration comes from this time of year sir.