What did you do on your layout today?

@OhB1 posted:

Here is the inaugural run on my new top level.

Looks great. Congrats!

Bob

Nice work on the inaugural run for that first level! Amazing!

In contrast to that, the Christmas tree has come down and most of the carpet layout magic has passed. When the grandkids fill the room….. it all comes alive. And now the Mighty Engines take refuge under the safety of the chairs and Yew Mountain. Twas fun.

I’ll live vicariously through your posts and photos for another year….. salute

RTC update: 

As can be seen here, the O-31 and AF tracks are next in line for TLC...

Also note the trackside speaker connectors.  These will be wired into the hardwiring going to the rails...

An adapted set of multimeter probes will go from a transformer to each individual track as needed (I plan to use an LW that's been knocking about the garage).

And yes, I went on a pawnshop DeWalt binge over the holidays.   DON'T JUDGE ME!!! 

Mitch

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

RTC update:

As can be seen here, the O-31 and AF tracks are next in line for TLC...

Also note the trackside speaker connectors.  These will be wired into the hardwiring going to the rails...

An adapted set of multimeter probes will go from a transformer to each individual track as needed (I plan to use an LW that's been knocking about the garage).

And yes, I went on a pawnshop DeWalt binge over the holidays.   DON'T JUDGE ME!!! 

Mitch

This is a judgement free zone Mitch.....

Yep…Judgment free...

Look sharp!  Inspector just arrived as the team lays track in the St Joseph yard.  He may frown on our track first, ballast later approach!

While chatting with @Miggy in email, I decided to take some happy snaps of The Mighty Katrinka (see also separate thread) on the WIP RTC, along with a movie of Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh being her normal helpful self...

Enjoy!

Mitch

Working on a switch. Still a ways to go but so far so good…

Nice track work, Dennis.

Tom

Today, I and my son Chris spent most of the afternoon in the workshop, me straightening the area and Chris weathering freight cars, specifically Lionel MPC era hoppers. The photos of Chris' work below are a testament to his weathering skills.

This photo shows a before and after of the gray, Lehigh Valley hopper. Chris' weathering turns something that has a very toy-like appearance into something that appears to be a more serious and detailed model.

The rest are close-ups of the individual cars that got Chris' superb treatment.

In that we have a home layout with tight O-31 curves, this size hoppers with our traditional size locomotives work quite well. These hoppers are all plastic and VERY light. Due to their weight, we can run a train of 20 or more hoppers and any engine in our fleet can pull them with ease. We will be making coal loads for each.

@Randy Harrison , Randy, what did you use for the weathering, chalk or paints?

Also, what did you use for the coal load, if you can share?

They came out very nice.

Tom

Scenery work today.  Working on my scratch built station platform (note the platform number), and a grassy area against a rock wall and behind the gantry crane area.   Will add more to this area eventually.   The yellow handrail is glued together skewers, and the wood platforms are grooved and painted foam made to look like wood.  

@PRR8976 posted:

@Randy Harrison , Randy, what did you use for the weathering, chalk or paints?

Also, what did you use for the coal load, if you can share?

They came out very nice.

Tom

@PRR8976

Tom:

Thanks for the interest in my post. My son Chris is the mastermind behind the weathering. He does everything that you see in the photos with rattle-can spray paints and a paper towel wipe. He has an amazing eye for color and texture. When I weather, I use pan pastels. My weathering is serviceable but nowhere near in Chris' league.

The coal load in the photo is one we purchased at a train show years ago from an older gentleman that made these for all sizes, makes and models of hoppers. He is no longer in business. Chris is going to make plastic inserts for the hoppers with mounds on his 3-D printer. We will then glue real, crushed coal to the printed bases, spray the coal with Dull-Cote to seal in the coal oil, and, when the Dull-Cote Dries, highlight the coal with Gloss-Cote.

Added two buildings to my overhead.  3d printing allows me to scale and fit as needed also.   My wife is the artist, she does the painting and weathering.   The risers raise them enough so you can see them better on the elevated platform.

Main Street complete, parking roadway re-paved (painted to match electric roadway) parking meters and fire hydrants installed and buildings power washed, lol

Took a batch of coal hoppers to the garage for an added layer of weathering. More to come...

Dave

@DrSteveDC posted:

Main Street complete, parking roadway re-paved (painted to match electric roadway) parking meters and fire hydrants installed and buildings power washed, lol

Didn't know you were modeling Great Britain!  ;D 

Mitch

https://ogrforum.com/...7#183029866748145277

@M. Mitchell Marmel. Keen eye, lol.  Simply a visual choice.  The way the shops are set up in Main Street I wanted to see the car bonnet, not the boot (how’s that for GB slang). So I followed suit through the display.

Today I test ran some steamers owned by @will2926, a Strausburg 90 and a new VL Big Boy #4000, both Beautiful Lionel locomotives…. The Big Boy barely barely fits on my turntable. The Strausburg #90 is simply beautiful… We had fun testing the Big Boy on the wide curves, some times those centipede tenders are a problem. But, today we had fun…. Happy Railroading Everyone

After getting the top level fully working and organizing my power I decided it was time to run trains.

@OhB1 posted:

After getting the top level fully working and organizing my power I decided it was time to run trains.

Running nice and smoothly!!  🚂 🛤️ 👍🏻

Added a stop to an interchange track

Yesterday I received my new Lionel Maryland & Pennsylvania Doodlebug from one of our OGR Forum sponsors.  Since the Ma & Pa is one of the railroads I model, I had to have this piece after seeing Eric Segal's ( Eric's Trains ) review on the Lionel Doodlebugs. This is my first Lion Chief Plus purchase.  I was so excited when it arrived yesterday!!  ... Immediately I unpacked it, glanced thru the instruction manual,  and put it on my main line.  It's a great looking unit!!  All exterior parts are intact. The paint is great and the lettering is crisp

Before powering the unit up, I put about 15 drops of smoke fluid in the exhaust stack.  I then powered it up, which it did immediately and sounded great!!   It smokes great ( like an MTH ).  The unit immediately responded to my TMCC remote ( checking coupler performance, crew talk sequences, horn and bell ) It then moved forward about 8 feet and then stopped with cab interior light flashing on/off.  I shut down the unit and continued to read directions which said when the cab light flashes on/off  to push "0" on the TMCC key pad ... 0 will reset the electronics.  I did this and the electronics reset, enabling the unit to move forward.  The problem is that this same thing with the cab interior light flashing, unit would not move until pressing  0 reset kept happening continuously until now the unit will not move at all ... even after several attempts of activating the "0" reset button.  So frustrating!!!  Tomorrow I will send it back to the retailer and ask them to send me another.  Hopefully the next one will run perfectly right out of the box.   What started as a great day on my railroad turned out to be a bummer in the end  ... oh well it could be worse ... at least the Doodlebug didn't catch on fire!  LOL!! This video was shot after I pressed the 0 on my TMCC Cab 1 remote which reset the electronics.  It demonstrates the engine sound and crew talk.    I didn't shoot a video of the interior cab light flashing/on off.  

@trumpettrain posted:

Yesterday I received my new Lionel Maryland & Pennsylvania Doodlebug from one of our OGR Forum sponsors.  Since the Ma & Pa is one of the railroads I model, I had to have this piece after seeing Eric Segal's ( Eric's Trains ) review on the Lionel Doodlebugs. This is my first Lion Chief Plus purchase.  I was so excited when it arrived yesterday!!  ... Immediately I unpacked it, glanced thru the instruction manual,  and put it on my main line.  It's a great looking unit!!  All exterior parts are intact. The paint is great and the lettering is crisp

Before powering the unit up, I put about 15 drops of smoke fluid in the exhaust stack.  I then powered it up, which it did immediately and sounded great!!   It smokes great ( like an MTH ).  The unit immediately responded to my TMCC remote ( checking coupler performance, crew talk sequences, horn and bell ) It then moved forward about 8 feet and then stopped with cab interior light flashing on/off.  I shut down the unit and continued to read directions which said when the cab light flashes on/off  to push "0" on the TMCC key pad ... 0 will reset the electronics.  I did this and the electronics reset, enabling the unit to move forward.  The problem is that this same thing with the cab interior light flashing, unit would not move until pressing  0 reset kept happening continuously until now the unit will not move at all ... even after several attempts of activating the "0" reset button.  So frustrating!!!  Tomorrow I will send it back to the retailer and ask them to send me another.  Hopefully the next one will run perfectly right out of the box.   What started as a great day on my railroad turned out to be a bummer in the end  ... oh well it could be worse ... at least the Doodlebug didn't catch on fire!  LOL!! This video was shot after I pressed the 0 on my TMCC Cab 1 remote which reset the electronics.  It demonstrates the engine sound and crew talk.    I didn't shoot a video of the interior cab light flashing/on off.  

Patrick, BUMMER!!! Great looking model though, and looks great on your layout! Better luck in the replacement, got my fingers crossed.

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Patrick, BUMMER!!! Great looking model though, and looks great on your layout! Better luck in the replacement, got my fingers crossed.

Thanks Scott!  I've got my fingers crossed as well

I was finally able to hire some people to operate our newest engine, the LionChief dash-8.  I know this thing is not scale but the lack of crew and the unsightly view of the motor through the window required immediate attention. Fortunately, Lionel parts sells a cab interior with 2 figures for $12 that gave me a nice jump on the project.  Unfortunately, for this engine the  motor was seated right in the cab, so I needed to cut up the Lionel cab interior a little bit and build a raised rear to cover the engine.  I also painted it and added some addition interior details based on a few photos of diesel cab interiors that I was able to find on the internet.  These aren't the greatest pics but i’m really pleased with the end result. A rigorous  test run confirmed excellent clearance for the motor and no hang ups.  On to the next project.

Before:

The new Lionel cab as purchased (figures removed)-

Cab after modification to hide motor and fit in the LionChief engine -

Engineers running my engine (sorry for the bad side view shots) -

Had to chuckle.  The unpainted seats looked like toilets to me.

@Papa Dave posted:

Had to chuckle.  The unpainted seats looked like toilets to me.

Double duty! 😀

George

@leapinlarry- I need to find friends like yours Larry.....guess it's easy with a great layout.....
@OhB1- the trains are running great! Keep it up.
@randr- Anything to keep the cars from falling off the table works!
@Strap Hanger- Another cab successfully populated.
@trumpettrain- That's a real bummer Pat. Hopefully a quick turnaround will have a working model in your hands. These Doodlebugs, tempted I am.......must....resist.....the.....force.........
@luvindemtrains- that's a lot of hoppers, keep us posted on the progress.

Bob

Great work everyone! Nothing new from me! I have been a little busy doing nothing as ordered! LOL But I still have you guys to fall back on! Thanks for sharing all the great work!
I wish you all well and hope you all are having fun with your layouts and trains!

@trumpettrain posted:

Yesterday I received my new Lionel Maryland & Pennsylvania Doodlebug from one of our OGR Forum sponsors.  Since the Ma & Pa is one of the railroads I model, I had to have this piece after seeing Eric Segal's ( Eric's Trains ) review on the Lionel Doodlebugs. This is my first Lion Chief Plus purchase.  I was so excited when it arrived yesterday!!  ... Immediately I unpacked it, glanced thru the instruction manual,  and put it on my main line.  It's a great looking unit!!  All exterior parts are intact. The paint is great and the lettering is crisp

Before powering the unit up, I put about 15 drops of smoke fluid in the exhaust stack.  I then powered it up, which it did immediately and sounded great!!   It smokes great ( like an MTH ).  The unit immediately responded to my TMCC remote ( checking coupler performance, crew talk sequences, horn and bell ) It then moved forward about 8 feet and then stopped with cab interior light flashing on/off.  I shut down the unit and continued to read directions which said when the cab light flashes on/off  to push "0" on the TMCC key pad ... 0 will reset the electronics.  I did this and the electronics reset, enabling the unit to move forward.  The problem is that this same thing with the cab interior light flashing, unit would not move until pressing  0 reset kept happening continuously until now the unit will not move at all ... even after several attempts of activating the "0" reset button.  So frustrating!!!  Tomorrow I will send it back to the retailer and ask them to send me another.  Hopefully the next one will run perfectly right out of the box.   What started as a great day on my railroad turned out to be a bummer in the end  ... oh well it could be worse ... at least the Doodlebug didn't catch on fire!  LOL!!

Sorry to hear about your bad action Pat with the doodlebug, good luck with the next one. I’ll be watching for your update on the replacement. So far, so good with mine, maybe I just got lucky on this one.

Gene

I added 4 lamps to interior of the Atlas roundhouse and two exterior door lamps.  I have not touched the roundhouse since assembly 2016.

I enjoyed the results.

@Seth Thomas posted:

I added 4 lamps to interior of the Atlas roundhouse and two exterior door lamps.  I have not touched the roundhouse since assembly 2016.

I enjoyed the results.

Seth That looks great! I hope I have room for a TT and round house on my next layout after our move!

Had to make more room!   Use 1 x 8 (.75x7") boards to make more storage.  Double wide, 2 shelves. in small hallway above the doors.  Nets about 40 linear feat of storage.   

No more extra cars on the layout.   I think I have enough storage for now.

I use track with the center rail removed to hold items on the shelf.  Help maintains pickup springs.

I've been working on a small engine service area with sanding station, water spout, and fueling station. This has been the second rebuild of the Korber sanding station from getting damaged in moves and it looks better this go round. I got the old Marx fueling station all hooked up today and it works like a champ. That yard worker leaps out to the track with the hose quick-time! A little more scenery and ballast and that part will be done.

Thanks-Scott

I made this flat car load. The pipes are the cardboard tubes that are used in dog poopy bags rolls.
Each roll holds 20 bags so hat tip to my pup for her dedication to the hobby.

B&O fan, Scott.

that old Marx fueling station looks like it had a major facelift and repainting!
super nice! I recall the original grey station with the Blue men, and later a  K-line version. Did you redecorate  yours?
I find those fuel guys to be the fastest in the nation like their cousins at the signal tower same vintage Marx and reissued by K line! Blink and you’ll miss it fast!

Lionel parts sells a cab interior with 2 figures for $12 that gave me a nice jump on the project.

@ Strap Hanger Nicely done!! Will you provide us with the Lionel part number??

Miggy You're layout on the floor brings back so many memories  for me as for sure so many others. The layouts we have today stemmed  from the floor. My greatest  memories are from 1957 and the trains on the floor around Christmas  time.  I ran them through  Lincoln  Logs buildings and what dreams they brought.  Thanks for posting those pics. Farmerjohn.

@Leroof , yes, I did give the fueling station a paint job. I thought it was just too shiny out of the box. The solenoid action is strong enough to move the station so I had to anchor it to keep it stationary. I think it's a neat piece, I like the light inside the shack coming on when you actuate it.

Thanks - Scott