What did you do on your layout today?

John, Larry has been telling us and we have seen for ourselves how great your layout is.  Mike had a great visit too.  Just think, our last trip through Kentucky was 10 years before you built your house.  Thank you for sharing with us.

Thanks for the comments  Mark. Time does fly. I have learned so much from other guys on this forum. All the layouts are special  to me that are posted here in the fact that everyone  has a vision for there personal  layout. All are great. I love all the ideas and seeing the results of the work of these guys on there layouts is fatisining.  Have fun with you're trains. FARMERJOHN

@farmerjohn posted:

Thanks everyone for the reply of my layout which Leapin Larry  posted. We built our home in 2006 and in December  that year I worked on the basement  to get ready for the layout.  I finished the walls and painted the trusses black. Installed exhaust fans for smoke and was able to start construction  a year later. Only could work on it in winter months because of farm work. In 2012 I slowed down my farming  operation and had more time for trains. I spent a lot of time drawing  out track plans every night.  The track plan on my layout evolved  over time with trial and error. I've been working on it off and on for about 15 years. Several of the features  on like the hand built bridges were built by a great friend  Steve Kimble. We have worked on a lot of projects together. I have met so many  great people through  this hobby. Trains are so much fun when others enjoy them also.  Thanks  Farmerjohn

@Farmer John, All your planning turned into a spectacular layout!  Kudos to you and your talented friends that helped make it happen.

@farmerjohn posted:

Thanks for the comments  Mark. Time does fly. I have learned so much from other guys on this forum. All the layouts are special  to me that are posted here in the fact that everyone  has a vision for there personal  layout. All are great. I love all the ideas and seeing the results of the work of these guys on there layouts is fatisining.  Have fun with you're trains. FARMERJOHN

Magnificent layout!

Peter

Here is the latest work of art for the layout. This switch panel for my peninsula and roundhouse area. This is the work of Detroit 3 Railer member, Joe Delude. He is quite literally a professional craftsman and I can't thank him enough.

These logos aren't stickers. They're laser cut into the wood. Amazing!

I also recently completed closing up the last gap between my middle and upper level and created this bridge/tunnel entrance.

- Jason

@jdstucks posted:

Here is the latest work of art for the layout. This switch panel for my peninsula and roundhouse area. This is the work of Detroit 3 Railer member, Joe Delude. He is quite literally a professional craftsman and I can't thank him enough.

These logos aren't stickers. They're laser cut into the wood. Amazing!

I also recently completed closing up the last gap between my middle and upper level and created this bridge/tunnel entrance.

- Jason

Jason, your layout is looking great! If you don't mind me asking how big is the area you have there for the TT and roundhouse? I just picked up a 28" millhouse river TT and am in the planning stage of my new layout!

Also Just wondering how big is your layout? Do you have a page just for your build?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Jason, that panel really is a professionally looking piece.  It looks great!

Just finished another display shelf that is above the door way that leads up to the train layout room. It is a single shelf as you can see and it has the Lionel Gold Hudson with the Gold Caboose and the MTH Gold GG1.

idea-thinker

@mike g. posted:

Jason, your layout is looking great! If you don't mind me asking how big is the area you have there for the TT and roundhouse? I just picked up a 28" millhouse river TT and am in the planning stage of my new layout!

Also Just wondering how big is your layout? Do you have a page just for your build?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Mike - The length from the back of the roundhouse to the front edge of the turntable is about 81 inches and the peninsula is 4 1/2ft wide.

Here is the SCARM design for my layout.

Jason

@jdstucks posted:

Mike - The length from the back of the roundhouse to the front edge of the turntable is about 81 inches and the peninsula is 4 1/2ft wide.

Here is the SCARM design for my layout.

Jason

Jason THANK YOU for posting this!  Have always wondered what the layout looked like from top down.  Keep up the videos!

Anotheer busy day in the Coalwood yard.....

Afternoon guys its been a few days since I was here last, but you all keep going!

@jdstucks Jason, thanks for the plan view, I am working with a couple of other folks here on a new plan that includes a TT. The limit I have is some of my engins only like 072 curves because I switched some from regular to fixed piolets, others because the size of engine, I have a steamer that is 4-8-4 and it really doesnt like anything smaller then 072.

Any thought would be great!

@gandydancer1950 Great shots of your guys hard at work, heck if it gets any busier your going to have to hire more help!

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

For all you traction fans out there.  Just finalizing the planning stage for a live wire trolley line running through my town.  This is going to look pretty sweet running past the businesses on "Main" street.

A couple more photos are on my TPRR thread. Still working away at the grain terminal - looking good.

FYI - a Western Hobby Craft 3 Rail trolley.

@ScoutingDad posted:

For all you traction fans out there.  Just finalizing the planning stage for a live wire trolley line running through my town.  This is going to look pretty sweet running past the businesses on "Main" street.

A couple more photos are on my TPRR thread. Still working away at the grain terminal - looking good.

FYI - a Western Hobby Craft 3 Rail trolley.

Looks Great !

Rearranged and cleaned up my power and control array

@ScoutingDad posted:

For all you traction fans out there.  Just finalizing the planning stage for a live wire trolley line running through my town.  This is going to look pretty sweet running past the businesses on "Main" street.

A couple more photos are on my TPRR thread. Still working away at the grain terminal - looking good.

FYI - a Western Hobby Craft 3 Rail trolley.

That is already awesome looking, can’t wait to see a video!

My MTH VO1000 has been operating a little erratic the last few run sessions, shutting down on certain turnouts and various other sections of my layout. I also noticed some slight sparking on the wheels occasionally.  So, today I decided to open her up and check for pinched/loose wires or anything else that could possibly cause this behavior.   After getting the shell off (what a pain) and carefully inspecting, I couldn't find anything wrong. Ironically, when I was putting her back together, I noticed the non traction tire wheels were rather dark. Sure enough, they had a full layer of caked in gunk and grease.  After cleaning all wheels, she now runs like a charm.  If I had only checked the most obvious and simple thing first!

Painted the base color for a street on one of the corners…….however, I suspect a lot of people have been involved with train control issues…..

Got a few engines loaded……

Slow progress…..

Peter

I'm moving my layout from one side of the basement to the other. Thankfully it's on wheels. So far, I've pulled up all of the carpet, patched the tack strip holes, swept and mopped. I'll miss my wall of Post Cerial badges but looking forward to a room without mirrors on the wall. The train room will be an exercise room as it was originally intended. My guess is that I'll have to cut the table and change it to a longer L shape. First, I have to clear the new area to see if it fits. If it does great if not great as I love building layouts. The grove of trees was under the table from a previous layout. This end of the table was already in the midst of a redo when my wife offered to switch rooms. I hope to get this done in the coming months.

Well, today we actually added a two car set to my Legacy Lionel R30 Subway set. It’s a fun to run set and the two pack add on cars worked fine. These cars are not mine, but belong to a friend, we just tested them to be sure they worked…. Now, I’m looking for the add on two pack… Happy Railroading Everyone

A scarce and well worn Lionel postwar enamel red with yellow lettering 6456-75, 1954 only, waits it's turn on the coal trestle....

Finally installed a 1 x 2 edge around the entire table...had help from a friend with a nail gun, thankfully!  My wife and I will start painting the edge today…the last part of the project will be the installation of a cloth skirt that my wife has generously offered to do...😊

Afternoon everyone, I can see you all have been really busy and I love to see that! I cant wait to to get back in the game, but right now the CEO has other ideas for me and the new house! Don't take me wrong I love helping her out and working on things she can't. But it sure does get in the way of getting the shop and train room all figured out! LOL

I still have to get a ceiling in, insulation, some sort of heat and AC, outlets to plug things into and some lighting! LOL but that's all! Then I can start building the 3rd layout!

I hope your all doing great and finding time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

Paul, that really finishes things off. Nice.

Not really ON the layout but kinda.....I have too many trains ON the layout and no shelf space to move them to.....

So I moved my fleet of K-line MP-15's to a shelf in my shop and made space.....
I don't run them that often so this is an acceptable solution for now.

Bob

PS- for the record, the lack of shelf space would have nothing to do with new train purchases.......That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Since I elected to learn as much about the Base 3 App, I brought all my Legacy and TMCC engines down to run them (it was a good time to dust them, too!).

Here then are waiting patiently to be started up and have their picture taken……

……and, now that I’ve mated with the WiFi, life is good……

Have a great and safe week, folks!

Peter

@RSJB18 posted:

PS- for the record, the lack of shelf space would have nothing to do with new train purchases.......That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Yeah okay Bob, that’s a story that only you are capable of believing.😉

Gene

@Putnam Division posted:

Since I elected to learn as much about the Base 3 App, I brought all my Legacy and TMCC engines down to run them (it was a good time to dust them, too!).

Here then are waiting patiently to be started up and have their picture taken……

……and, now that I’ve mated with the WiFi, life is good……

Have a great and safe week, folks!

Peter

Looks like a good way to pass the time on a Sunday Peter.

@Putnam Division posted:

Since I elected to learn as much about the Base 3 App, I brought all my Legacy and TMCC engines down to run them (it was a good time to dust them, too!).

Here then are waiting patiently to be started up and have their picture taken……

……and, now that I’ve mated with the WiFi, life is good……

Have a great and safe week, folks!

Peter

Nice Peter, looks like you’re catching on well to the new system.
In this photo, is the NYC 8504 a Lionel Alco S2?

Gene

@Genemed posted:

Nice Peter, looks like you’re catching on well to the new system.
In this photo, is the NYC 8504 a Lionel Alco S2?

Gene

Yes, Gene……..and, it’s a great engine.

Cataloged in the early teens…..

Peter

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks like a good way to pass the time on a Sunday Peter.

…..and, Saturday; and, Friday……been locked in the layout room…..I’m a slow learner!

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Since I elected to learn as much about the Base 3 App, I brought all my Legacy and TMCC engines down to run them (it was a good time to dust them, too!).

Here then are waiting patiently to be started up and have their picture taken……

……and, now that I’ve mated with the WiFi, life is good……

Have a great and safe week, folks!

Peter

I’m detecting a pattern there, Peter

Two quick questions… are those stock engine pics, or did you take/add them (and if so, how?). Second, is that an iPad you are using???

@Apples55 posted:

I’m detecting a pattern there, Peter

Two quick questions… are those stock engine pics, or did you take/add them (and if so, how?). Second, is that an iPad you are using???

Paul…….the black IPad is the new big one that just came out…….the other one is an older IPad from about 8 years ago…….I intend to use the IPads and not my phone……

The engine pics were the ones I took…..they are device-specific and only one IPad has them.

Peter

@mike g. posted:

Afternoon everyone, I can see you all have been really busy and I love to see that! I cant wait to to get back in the game, but right now the CEO has other ideas for me and the new house! Don't take me wrong I love helping her out and working on things she can't. But it sure does get in the way of getting the shop and train room all figured out! LOL

I still have to get a ceiling in, insulation, some sort of heat and AC, outlets to plug things into and some lighting! LOL but that's all! Then I can start building the 3rd layout!

I hope your all doing great and finding time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

@mike g.

Mike:

I forget the dimensions of your train room and number of windows so my suggestion may or may not work for you for heating/air conditioning. A friend of mine ran his musical instrument repair shop in his 2-car garage. He had a window unit heat pump that took care of the entire work area. It looked like a large window air conditioner both heated and cooled the whole inside of the garage.

Peter, looks good. That would.take me forever to do!

@Randy Harrison thanks Randy my room is 161/2' x 20'. I have been looking at the new 110v minisplits. The wife is worried what it will cost to run. I told her I would do so.e research.

@Putnam Division posted:

Yes, Gene……..and, it’s a great engine.

Cataloged in the early teens…..

Peter

Thanks Peter. I asked because I just recently purchased the LNE #611 S2 which is also a very nice engine. I started a topic yesterday with no response about an issue with adding smoke fluid and smoke output. Because of the angular funnel that goes from the base of the stack to the smoke unit, the fluid doesn’t flow down easily into the smoke unit and it pools around the outside of the stack. The fluid also lingers in this funnel and prevents a good flow of smoke. Do you have that same problem?

Gene

@romiller49 posted:

Paul, that really finishes things off. Nice.

Rod, thanks for the comment...

As to the minisplits, I have two, one in the garage and one in the trainroo. The garage I have had for 5 years and the increase.was negligible. The train room is well insulated and barely runs. I am in DFW  area and it is hot! They are very efficient. Samsung is the brand and they share the same compressor which is quieter than the pool pump

@Genemed posted:

Thanks Peter. I asked because I just recently purchased the LNE #611 S2 which is also a very nice engine. I started a topic yesterday with no response about an issue with adding smoke fluid and smoke output. Because of the angular funnel that goes from the base of the stack to the smoke unit, the fluid doesn’t flow down easily into the smoke unit and it pools around the outside of the stack. The fluid also lingers in this funnel and prevents a good flow of smoke. Do you have that same problem?

Gene

Unfortunately, I don’t know……I generally don’t use smoke on diesels and keep the smoke units off…..sorry.

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Unfortunately, I don’t know……I generally don’t use smoke on diesels and keep the smoke units off…..sorry.

Peter

Thank you for the quick reply. I searched a little more and found that this type of offset funnel fill isn’t an ideal design. It seems to have been a minor issue. Someone mentioned putting a drop or two at a time and wait for it to travel into the smoke unit and continue.☹️ I will do the same and keep it off on this engine.

Gene