What did you do on your layout today?

Colber wigwag signal in action.

Lionel newsstand in action.  This is the 1980's version with some custom features.

I hadn’t checked this thread for two pages.  Excellent work everyone!  I do want to comment on the photographs Leapin Larry posted of the benchwork and wiring from long ago!  Thank you for sharing those Larry.  I should have taken more photographs of my modeling before the days of digital photography.  However the cost of film and developing prompted me to be very frugal in that regard.

I created this billboard to celebrate my Grandson’s Rifle Team “North Pocono Rifle” win over East Stroudsburg - North. Craig shared the top shooter spot 99-6 with another young man.

Another well done tribute to those special people in your life.

Doug

While preparing to enjoy ice cream last night, the top of the whipt cream can gave me an idea for a quick layout project. I trimmed it down and made a cone of painted paper::

See Free and Unique Stuff to Use: (warrenvillerailroad.com) for more free/unique layout tips

Like so many of your other creations John- ingenious.

@Lionelski posted:

While preparing to enjoy ice cream last night, the top of the whipt cream can gave me an idea for a quick layout project. I trimmed it down and made a cone of painted paper::

See Free and Unique Stuff to Use: (warrenvillerailroad.com) for more free/unique layout tips

John,

My cone is a Dairy Queen Whistle

@Mark Boyce, Mark, thanks for the kind words and I’ll bet your laughing at my wiring, and when I look at the pictures I can see why. Although lt looks like a lot of colored spaghetti with masking tape with ID numbers. There are plans to clean this mess up. Also you can see 1/2 of my ASC’s, BPC’s that control 41 turnouts and 19 blocks. This allows me and friends to walk around the layout and turn in any block or train or switches from the Cab 1L, Cab 2 hand held remotes, or I-phones?… My plans this winter is to change up some blocks, add new switch machines to some of the 20 year old Atlas switches, also replace some older DZ1000 machines. When Captain Will Porath, @will2926 was here a few months ago, we set up blocks for going to different levels, up and down the helixes, and it makes a huge difference as some routes have 10 or more switches, using Cab 2, hit the route desired then Fire….. Today I just adjusted power to the different accessories. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry, not laughing at all.  The electrons don’t care how the wire twists from one end to the other.  👍🏻  Setting up the routes certainly will make running trains easier and more enjoyable!  I can see replacing old switch machines, but you have to be careful not to disturb too many connections at once.  Even well documented, tagged, color coded wiring can get confusing in a real hurry!!  😬. Excellent photographs as always!

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Like so many of your other creations John- ingenious.

MUCH THANKS!

I'll soon post my latest project started today, something a bit different.

@leapinlarry posted:

While all of the pics you posted are beyond beautiful, Larry, I especially like these B&O sets!

@Lionelski, John, thank you for the kind words however I like looking at trains on your super cool layout, and I also love the B&O railroad color schemes. Your post war themed layout is one of the best. The Warrenville Railroad, a railroad to be very proud of. Thank you. Here’s a few more trains I’m testing… Happy Railroading Everyone

Today I took my love to the train show in Sacramento. She had a great time bought almost as much as I did 😁 when we get home start cleaning out the attic. Make room for for my new layout. I see I joined the forum in 2002 I've been away for to long.

Ran trains and had fun last night.

Bob

Yesterday went to the TCA show at the UAW hall in cleveland. Bought nothing but  went with my 10 year old grandson and my nephew and his son. Nephew and his sons first tie to any show. Then home to run trains with grandson

After seeing that my track configuration limited the length of my passenger sets, the addition of a well placed 072/054 switch helped lengthen this part of my layout to accommodate a few more cars.

@RSJB18 posted:

Ran trains and had fun last night.

Bob

That is what it is all about, Bob

@leapinlarry posted:

@Lionelski, John, thank you for the kind words however I like looking at trains on your super cool layout, and I also love the B&O railroad color schemes. Your post war themed layout is one of the best. The Warrenville Railroad, a railroad to be very proud of. Thank you. Here’s a few more trains I’m testing… Happy Railroading Everyone

Thanks Larry, But your beautiful pics are killing me! (LOL).

Focusing on PostWar Lionel, the only B&O pieces I have are the 6464 boxcar and the double door automobile car. Hmmm, maybe some custom paint projects are in the future - I do have a couple derelict F3 and caboose shells in my project boxes.........

I wonder why PostWar Lionel didn't do more B&O?

Today went well.  I completed the third level wiring today.  Testing went well.  I ran a LC+ switcher and a postwar #671 with no problems.  Feeling good off a victory, I decided to open up a troublesome GP-9.  It's a Lionel Southern #8802.  Part of a "service station set."  This 1987 engine was sold as new.  It looked the part.  It ran correctly for about a month then the e-unit failed.  Digging through my parts pile produced a similar vintage 2-4-0 steamer with worn plastic gears and a broken shell.  The e-unit swap was a success!  I ran a couple laps around the third level for good measure.

The new third level.

The bad board.

This is a test... This is a test of the emergency broadcasting system...

Bill

My Kusan Space train was sitting dead on the track too long. I finally took some time and found a cold solder joint between the resistors and the motor. The engine is DC and has a 4 position switch; stop, slow, med, and fast. This necessary because the satellite car draws a lot of power off the engine connection. Here it is.

One of the reasons I like this forum is the ability to search for topics to help solve a problem. I obtained a 20 year old gantry crane that wasn't working. A search on the forum gave me numerous links to help me troubleshoot and fix. Besides removing all the old sticky grease and re-lube, it needed new belts. With no belts found, there was a post about using traction tires of a similar size. I  was able to install the traction tires and now have a functional gantry crane.

Ken

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

@cbq9911a posted:

Colber wigwag signal in action.

That is one FAST wigwag!

@fast freight posted:

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

fast freight, why not do a visual inspection and start by cleaning the track and dusting things off. That will help get you back on track.

@fast freight posted:

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

Go up and pay it a visit. Dust off the controls; dust off some engines and rolling stock. Good memories will kick in and you’ll be on your way! I’ll expect some pictures; maybe on the second visit!

@fast freight posted:

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

The Grafton and Upton, an actual Massachusetts short-line, sat idle (except for 1/2 mile to an industrial siding) for 30 years.  Trees were growing in the ROW, washouts here and there, towns paved over street crossings, an engine was abandoned in the engine house.  Fast forward to the mid 2000s and its now fully operational, new yards, new online customers and the CSX interchange rebuilt.  If they can do it, so can YOU !!  Of course, if youre no longer enjoying it, perhaps its time for a change?  Maybe a rebuild is in order? Whatever the case, make sure its fun for you.  Good luck.

@fast freight posted:

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

I'm with the others- clean things up, and run an engine.

Guarantee the juices will start flowing again......

@fast freight posted:

My railroad has fallen into disrepair. No longer even operating in the red. For 2 years it has  sat idle not generating any revenue at all. I did recently purchase a couple of Milwaukee Road cabooses so hopefully that will motivate me to get upstairs, power up the layout and pull some trains,

Ditto Ditto from me as well!  I am hoping we are motivating you as are the cabooses!

My never ending quest to quiet the solenoids on 5121 and 22 switches continues. Trying to find a solution that can be readily and consistently applied to the layout. Tried a couple ways to limit the vibration with no sucess. Then I tried a piece of velcro between the coils and frame and it seemed to help. The coils still hum, but the higher pitch buzz and vibration have been almost eliminated.

I'm encouraged by the results.....

@Kenjr posted:

One of the reasons I like this forum is the ability to search for topics to help solve a problem. I obtained a 20 year old gantry crane that wasn't working. A search on the forum gave me numerous links to help me troubleshoot and fix. Besides removing all the old sticky grease and re-lube, it needed new belts. With no belts found, there was a post about using traction tires of a similar size. I  was able to install the traction tires and now have a functional gantry crane.

Ken

Nicely done, Ken. Now once you can master all that excessive swaying, you'll know you're really good. (When you do, call please...I'm not good at that!!)

George

@Kenjr posted:

One of the reasons I like this forum                                                                                                                                        I  was able to install the traction tires and now have a functional gantry crane.

Ken

Excellent Ken.

More weathering...

Dave

   BEFORE

   SPOTTING TECHNIQUE

   AFTER

  CAN'T FORGET THE ROOF

Finally got upstairs and ran some trains for a little while.

I found 2 Weaver cabooses which I passed up on long ago when they were made. Nice to finally have them.

Anyway, powered up the layout and everything works great.

  Thanks for the nudge everyone to pull some trains again.

Just received and tested out a thunder and lightning kit from Evan Designs.  Still figuring out best way/place for the lights.  First video is kit by itself, second is with a train running (though I think the phone was recording more of the train sounds as I was close to the track).

@fast freight posted:

Finally got upstairs and ran some trains for a little while.

I found 2 Weaver cabooses which I passed up on long ago when they were made. Nice to finally have them.

Anyway, powered up the layout and everything works great.

  Thanks for the nudge everyone to pull some trains again.

Glad you got back up stairs. That’s a nice looking layout, please share some additional pictures.

@fast freight posted:

Finally got upstairs and ran some trains for a little while.

I found 2 Weaver cabooses which I passed up on long ago when they were made. Nice to finally have them.

Anyway, powered up the layout and everything works great.

  Thanks for the nudge everyone to pull some trains again.

Looking good, welcome back.

@Mayor Magoo posted:

Just received and tested out a thunder and lightning kit from Evan Designs.  Still figuring out best way/place for the lights.  First video is kit by itself, second is with a train running (though I think the phone was recording more of the train sounds as I was close to the track).

What size is your speaker? We have the Broadway Limited version on the club layout. It’s hooked up to a large woofer. We get good rumbling.

I attacked some of the switches on the layout last night to apply my anti-vibration hacks. So far so good!

I did the 3 easy to reach ones on the front edge first. A pair of 042's and one 027 for the yard in the middle. Had an issue with the 042's- I couldn't get the covers off. I thought they were glued down from scenery work but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get them to budge. Finally took the dremel to them and cut them apart. Turns out there are 2 screws up from the bottom that also hold the covers in place. WTF!!!!!!! So after figuring it out, the rest of the work went well. I replaced the covers with spares I had.

The video shows a train going over the 3 now-quiet switches, compared to the 3 others in back that still need to be done. The difference is night and day.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I attacked some of the switches on the layout last night to apply my anti-vibration hacks. So far so good!

I did the 3 easy to reach ones on the front edge first. A pair of 042's and one 027 for the yard in the middle. Had an issue with the 042's- I couldn't get the covers off. I thought they were glued down from scenery work but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get them to budge. Finally took the dremel to them and cut them apart. Turns out there are 2 screws up from the bottom that also hold the covers in place. WTF!!!!!!! So after figuring it out, the rest of the work went well. I replaced the covers with spares I had.

The video shows a train going over the 3 now-quiet switches, compared to the 3 others in back that still need to be done. The difference is night and day.

Bob

That was also a trap on the 022s. Removed all the cover screws right away.