What did you do on your layout today?

@ScoutingDad posted:

@Genemed  Turntables are cool but require a lot of compromise.

I am not sure you are gaining a whole lot with the change. It looks like you can get 2 maybe 3 cars on each spur. I count 7 spurs on each design. You could fit in an extra spur on top of the red spur for 8 on the TT version.  If you proceed with this version make sure you put in a run around so an engine can back into the spur and depart. You have spurs going opposite directions meaning one engine would not be able to get out of the spur. The run around enables the engine at the head to pull in, uncouple and exit the track, then come in from behind to finish the job. There are a couple of places to do this, maybe just connect to the same red spur.

In my build I ended up using Ross curved switches in order to get a decent amount of yard space in my 7 track yard. They save a huge amount of linear space.

Thank you, it all makes perfect sense in a realistic train world. As I mentioned to Bob in the previous post, there isn’t much realism in running my layout. All I’m looking for is room for a couple pieces of rolling stock so an engine can back into the siding, uncouple and move on or stay there. Not realistic or prototypical but it’s simple and works for me. If I ever designed a new layout, it would have what you’re mentioning.

Thanks again for your advice, Gene

A crime in Warrenville - caught on camera is a citizen nonchalantly walking away (allegedly!) after disposing of his ex's body in a dumpster.

Also, a Pegasus discovered in the mountains:

Won’t be long before the police arrive followed by the evening news crew.

Not so much on the layout, but on a computer in support of the layout. We had some great weather this past week in NE Pennsylvania, so I spent my afternoons out on the screened porch with a laptop and made some massive updates to my MS Access train inventory database. Having not really used Access since I retired 12 years ago, it was a real relearning experience!!! Now that the inventory is pretty up to date (I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch of items), I can print it off and begin checking all of the big tubs and shelving to record the location for everything. Just out of curiosity, I decided to see the breakdown of road names I have. Out of the total of 680 items in the database, here is a breakdown of my Top 10:

Looks like the late Joe Gryzboski was right… I am a New York guy

Paul,

  Interesting. You have a good selection of railroads covered there. Owen W. noticed that you are apparently not a fan of the Ontario & Western, though?

Tom

@PRR8976 posted:

Paul,

  Interesting. You have a good selection of railroads covered there. Owen W. noticed that you are apparently not a fan of the Ontario & Western, though?

Tom

Thanks Tom. Actually, that is just the top 10 of 112 different road names (including a bunch of industry cars). I recently noticed that I didn’t have any representation of the O&W - a terrible oversight on my part since it did wend it’s way through my corner of NE Pennsylvania, but I was able to add two nice examples thanks to forum sponsor Jr Junction.

P.S. Metro North comes in with 9 cars!!!

@Lionelski posted:

A crime in Warrenville - caught on camera is a citizen nonchalantly walking away (allegedly!) after disposing of his ex's body in a dumpster.

Also, a Pegasus discovered in the mountains:

Which TV cop and CSI team will be on the scene?

@Apples55 Paul, Nice looking O&W cars!

Tom

With the heat and humidity we had been having, I pretty much completed the first part of my mountain. It took about 2 and a half months to do this part. Thanks, Scott

@B&O Fan posted:

With the heat and humidity we had been having, I pretty much completed the first part of my mountain. It took about 2 and a half months to do this part. Thanks, Scott

Awesome work, Scott! I feel like I could move right into the "Big House"!

George

@Apples55 posted:

Thanks Tom. Actually, that is just the top 10 of 112 different road names (including a bunch of industry cars). I recently noticed that I didn’t have any representation of the O&W - a terrible oversight on my part since it did wend it’s way through my corner of NE Pennsylvania, but I was able to add two nice examples thanks to forum sponsor Jr Junction.

P.S. Metro North comes in with 9 cars!!!

Those are nice cars…..I also got them and love them……..

Looking at your list……you obviously need more New Haven…….

Peter

@mike g. posted:

Wow guys look at this I am off of here just for a couple of day and I have to go back a page to find where I left off!

@Seth Thomas Great videos and it wonderful that you guys were able to bring the layout back to life!

@ScoutingDad Jeff the trolly section is looking great! Good luck with the clay and I like the idea of the sheetrock! Its funny when I do sheetrock I never seem to have a problem with the paper coming off, but then again it is when I want it to stay in place! LOL

@ChiTown Steve Steve congratulations on your 1000 post! You must have been on the forum from the first day it started! I don't even know how many I have done, but I am sure it is nowhere near that!

Well guys it looks like rain starting next week for a week. The CEO thinks I should work in the shop getting things squared away and maybe some train room time.

I have been talking to a contractor about the room and how to go about making it more realistic to keep it cool/warm. The plan we came up with is pretty much building a room inside the shop area, insulating all the walls and ceiling, then sheetrock and paint. Then I can start on a layout, so as it looks it might be next summer before I get started on a layout, but it will be worth keeping everything cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Plus keeping all the dust from the shop out of the train room!

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

Mike, your “building within a building” train room idea sounds like a great solution. At least they’ll be no rain delays in your         build-out !

Scott, the time spent on your mountain paid off big time!  I like how your foliage colors blend into the distant backdrop colors well.  Your rock outcrop really looks realistic!  Well done!

@B&O Fan posted:

With the heat and humidity we had been having, I pretty much completed the first part of my mountain. It took about 2 and a half months to do this part. Thanks, Scott

Time well spent, it looks amazing!

Gene

@B&O Fan  The forced perspective on the hill top "castle" is great. Well done scene.

@Apples55 posted:

Not so much on the layout, but on a computer in support of the layout. We had some great weather this past week in NE Pennsylvania, so I spent my afternoons out on the screened porch with a laptop and made some massive updates to my MS Access train inventory database. Having not really used Access since I retired 12 years ago, it was a real relearning experience!!! Now that the inventory is pretty up to date (I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch of items), I can print it off and begin checking all of the big tubs and shelving to record the location for everything. Just out of curiosity, I decided to see the breakdown of road names I have. Out of the total of 680 items in the database, here is a breakdown of my Top 10:

Road Name	Count
NYC	113
PRR	80
AT&SF	47
D&H	32
NH	28
CP	25
LIRR	24
UP	23
Lionel Lines	17
CN	15

Looks like the late Joe Gryzboski was right… I am a New York guy

I must comment that my friend Paul obviously has too much free time on his hands......

I also noticed that the D&H is quite far down the list.........

Seriously, nice work Paul. Something I keep threatening to do.

Bob

@B&O Fan posted:

With the heat and humidity we had been having, I pretty much completed the first part of my mountain. It took about 2 and a half months to do this part. Thanks, Scott

Very nice! It blends in to the backdrop nicely.

Congrats on getting past a major milestone on your layout.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I must comment that my friend Paul obviously has too much free time on his hands......

I also noticed that the D&H is quite far down the list.........

Seriously, nice work Paul. Something I keep threatening to do.

Bob

Paul does seem to be taking it to a high level. 😉

I have all my engines, rolling stock, electronic components on a spreadsheet, but have never put in a field for road name.  I combined that with the equipment type.  WM 2-bay hopper for instance.

@RSJB18 posted:

I must comment that my friend Paul obviously has too much free time on his hands......

I also noticed that the D&H is quite far down the list.........

Seriously, nice work Paul. Something I keep threatening to do.

Bob

Bob, I hear that Paul will next be organizing his list by which ones have the most scale rivets, in decending order!

Tom

Bob, Jeff, Mark, Gene, and George,

  Thanks for the positive feedback,

Regards, Scott

Beautiful engine, Scott!!

@RSJB18 posted:

I must comment that my friend Paul obviously has too much free time on his hands......

I also noticed that the D&H is quite far down the list.........

Seriously, nice work Paul. Something I keep threatening to do.

Bob

Oh, Bob… don’t you know retirement envy is very unbecoming???   As for the beloved D&H, you have to admit that there aren’t anywhere near as many offerings when compared to the likes of the NYC, AT&SF, and PRR

I’ve been thinking about getting the database up to date for some time but the current push is due to noticing that, during my recent sojourns to Westchester, I had lost track (no pun intended) of what I’ve purchased resulting in a bunch of duplicates - which are now easily identifiable!!! I plan on producing a list of everything I’ve got with minimal columns of info which I can keep on my phone/iPad which will, hopefully, cut down on duplicates.

Paul,

  My wife and I enjoyed your wise words!

  Hope all is well.

Tom

A couple of days ago I brought a postwar item to a fellow 3railer for possible repair. As I entered his separate building, there  was an operators postwar paradise there! Lots of fun, treasures, stories and a couple of layouts from back in the day. In fact the 4x8 that I was captivated by was his childhood layout complete with plasticville and plenty of postwar experiences! His father and grand father made this layout when he was 1 year old. It was a seasonal affair which had been cherished and saved from three generations along with hand made scenic displays and of course corporation years best on the move! The stories were quite moving.

I was instantly timed machined back to childhood when I wish I had a layout in fact exactly like this one! So, I looked it over carefully and my buddy made a copy of the plan taken from a vintage catalog of course.
Today (my entry for what I did on my (future )layout,  I found all the necessary tracks in my bin of track minus one 022 which has been offered most generously. I will build it Not in the basement and we will run it at Christmas time. At some point I will join it to my existing layout possibly in the spring.

I am excited. My Plasticville collection will reign supreme as well. Finally the Lionel 110 and 111 trestle will be employed.

feeling like a kid again!

I worked yesterday and today assembling the Mianne benchwork for my new 7 X 21 foot layout in our "forever home".  The benchwork includes the Mianne components I purchased in 2006 for the layout in my last home and new Mianne expansion items.  Tim Foley at Mianne provided the new benchwork design after reviewing my 2006 component list and the new layout plan.  I have a few I-beams left over from the 2006 layout that will be used next year when we add an amusement park area.  I was amazed at how well all the 2006 and 2024 Mianne components fit together so easily (so far!).

Here are a few photos from this weekend's assembly work.  I still need to attach the internal I-beams sometime this week.  Before anyone asks, the layout room is the main one in the basement with several others opening into it, so an L-shaped layout wasn't practical.

Here's Saturday's work of organizing and inventorying all the parts and assembling the two end sections.

Here's today's results after assembling the rest of the main part of the benchwork.

The layout will be grounded against one wall with a 36" aisle along the back and a 48" aisle on the short side.  (Having adequate aisle space is a lesson I learned at The School of Hard Knocks with my last layout.)

Here's the layout plan if you're curious and still reading along at this point.  The layout is set in a beach-side town just like my last one.  It has several distinct areas, namely a "tourist trap", an oil refinery, a business area and a military railcar base. I'll be using turnouts and sectional track from Ross Custom Switches.  The curves will be O-64 (outer loop) and O-54 (inner loop), letting me get the largest possible within the layout space constraints.

I'll post another photo when I finish assembling the benchwork.

@Pat Shediack posted:

I worked yesterday and today assembling the Mianne benchwork for my new 7 X 21 foot layout in our "forever home".  The benchwork includes the Mianne components I purchased in 2006 for the layout in my last home and new Mianne expansion items.  Tim Foley at Mianne provided the new benchwork design after reviewing my 2006 component list and the new layout plan.  I have a few I-beams left over from the 2006 layout that will be used next year when we add an amusement park area.  I was amazed at how well all the 2006 and 2024 Mianne components fit together so easily (so far!).

Here are a few photos from this weekend's assembly work.  I still need to attach the internal I-beams sometime this week.  Before anyone asks, the layout room is the main one in the basement with several others opening into it, so an L-shaped layout wasn't practical.

Here's today's results after assembling the rest of the main part of the benchwork.

The layout will be grounded against one wall with a 36" aisle along the back and a 48" aisle on the short side.  (Having adequate aisle space is a lesson I learned at The School of Hard Knocks with my last layout.)

Here's the layout plan if you're curious and still reading along at this point.  The layout is set in a beach-side town just like my last one.  It has several distinct areas, namely a "tourist trap", an oil refinery, a business area and a military railcar base. I'll be using turnouts and sectional track from Ross Custom Switches.  The curves will be O-64 (outer loop) and O-54 (inner loop), letting me get the largest possible within the layout space constraints.

I'll post another photo when I finish assembling the benchwork.

Nice plan Pat. Looks like a fun operator's layout.

Bob

@Leroof posted:

A couple of days ago I brought a postwar item to a fellow 3railer for possible repair. As I entered his separate building, there  was an operators postwar paradise there! Lots of fun, treasures, stories and a couple of layouts from back in the day. In fact the 4x8 that I was captivated by was his childhood layout complete with plasticville and plenty of postwar experiences! His father and grand father made this layout when he was 1 year old. It was a seasonal affair which had been cherished and saved from three generations along with hand made scenic displays and of course corporation years best on the move! The stories were quite moving.

I was instantly timed machined back to childhood when I wish I had a layout in fact exactly like this one! So, I looked it over carefully and my buddy made a copy of the plan taken from a vintage catalog of course.
Today (my entry for what I did on my (future )layout,  I found all the necessary tracks in my bin of track minus one 022 which has been offered most generously. I will build it Not in the basement and we will run it at Christmas time. At some point I will join it to my existing layout possibly in the spring.

I am excited. My Plasticville collection will reign supreme as well. Finally the Lionel 110 and 111 trestle will be employed.

feeling like a kid again!

Makin' the popcorn Pierre. Can't wait to see this come to life.

Bob

@Pat Shediack Your room looks really nice for a layout.  The plan looks like it will be fun to build and run.  I think you are the first to refer to a "tourist trap" section on a layout, but I get it for a beachside community! 

@Genemed posted:

I spent a few hours today designing a freight yard area in place of the Atlas turntable. Strictly IMO, I found the turntable took too much room on my smaller layout for its function, where a yard would be a more desirable and efficient use of space. The only advantage to me with the turntable was being able to change direction of the locomotives. After having it for a year, it’s not something I’d miss.

Gene

Here’s an update on my latest project. I’ve changed my original plan because of some advice given. I’m adding a picture of the new plan with the latest progress as of yesterday.

Gene

Gene, I think the new plan does look better than the previous.  I'm not good at visualizing track planning options, but can appreciate when changes are made that do look better, more functional.

Morning guys it sure is nice to see you all hard at work with your layouts! I know it must be fun to see things coming together as you move forward!

@Pat Shediack Nice looking room and looks like you have a great start! I really like the plan for that area you have and what you have in mind!

@Leroof looks like your going to have a blast building this layout!

@Genemed Your new yard is looking great I am sorry you had to take the TT out, but I like how your changing up your layout!

As for me nothing new, still doing house stuff, I think it is going to be awhile before any layout, but the good news is it seems like I have the CEO on the same page once we get more of the house stuff done. I told her I haven't been out to the shop or train room unless it was to build something for the house or to use tools to fix stuff around here! LOL

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

@Genemed posted:

Here’s an update on my latest project. I’ve changed my original plan because of some advice given. I’m adding a picture of the new plan with the latest progress as of yesterday.

Gene

Looks good Gene. Wondering if you considered making the parallel track (red line) the main and then the yard could be worked while still running a train on the inner loop. Can you move the curve to connect to that track instead of the yard lead?

Think about it.

Bob

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gene, I think the new plan does look better than the previous.  I'm not good at visualizing track planning options, but can appreciate when changes are made that do look better, more functional.

Thanks Mark. Bob has me thinking of his idea, if I can make it work.

Gene

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks good Gene. Wondering if you considered making the parallel track (red line) the main and then the yard could be worked while still running a train on the inner loop. Can you move the curve to connect to that track instead of the yard lead?

Think about it.

Bob

Great idea Bob. I’ll look into that option with the AnyRail program.

Gene

@Pat Shediack posted:

I worked yesterday and today assembling the Mianne benchwork for my new 7 X 21 foot layout in our "forever home".  The benchwork includes the Mianne components I purchased in 2006 for the layout in my last home and new Mianne expansion items.  Tim Foley at Mianne provided the new benchwork design after reviewing my 2006 component list and the new layout plan.  I have a few I-beams left over from the 2006 layout that will be used next year when we add an amusement park area.  I was amazed at how well all the 2006 and 2024 Mianne components fit together so easily (so far!).

Here are a few photos from this weekend's assembly work.  I still need to attach the internal I-beams sometime this week.  Before anyone asks, the layout room is the main one in the basement with several others opening into it, so an L-shaped layout wasn't practical.

Here's Saturday's work of organizing and inventorying all the parts and assembling the two end sections.

Here's today's results after assembling the rest of the main part of the benchwork.

The layout will be grounded against one wall with a 36" aisle along the back and a 48" aisle on the short side.  (Having adequate aisle space is a lesson I learned at The School of Hard Knocks with my last layout.)

Here's the layout plan if you're curious and still reading along at this point.  The layout is set in a beach-side town just like my last one.  It has several distinct areas, namely a "tourist trap", an oil refinery, a business area and a military railcar base. I'll be using turnouts and sectional track from Ross Custom Switches.  The curves will be O-64 (outer loop) and O-54 (inner loop), letting me get the largest possible within the layout space constraints.

I'll post another photo when I finish assembling the benchwork.

This is going to turn out very nicely Pat. You might consider what you may want to do about a backdrop before settling that section to the wall. It’s easier working from the wall out for scenic purposes.

Jay

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks good Gene. Wondering if you considered making the parallel track (red line) the main and then the yard could be worked while still running a train on the inner loop. Can you move the curve to connect to that track instead of the yard lead?

Think about it.

Bob

Bob, is this what you mean?

Gene

@Genemed posted:

Bob, is this what you mean?

Gene

Precisely.......

@RSJB18 posted:

Precisely.......

Okay thank you, now to make the change.

Gene

@Pat Shediack posted:

I worked yesterday and today assembling the Mianne benchwork for my new 7 X 21 foot layout in our "forever home".  The benchwork includes the Mianne components I purchased in 2006 for the layout in my last home and new Mianne expansion items.  Tim Foley at Mianne provided the new benchwork design after reviewing my 2006 component list and the new layout plan.  I have a few I-beams left over from the 2006 layout that will be used next year when we add an amusement park area.  I was amazed at how well all the 2006 and 2024 Mianne components fit together so easily (so far!).

Here are a few photos from this weekend's assembly work.  I still need to attach the internal I-beams sometime this week.  Before anyone asks, the layout room is the main one in the basement with several others opening into it, so an L-shaped layout wasn't practical.

Here's Saturday's work of organizing and inventorying all the parts and assembling the two end sections.

Here's today's results after assembling the rest of the main part of the benchwork.

The layout will be grounded against one wall with a 36" aisle along the back and a 48" aisle on the short side.  (Having adequate aisle space is a lesson I learned at The School of Hard Knocks with my last layout.)

Here's the layout plan if you're curious and still reading along at this point.  The layout is set in a beach-side town just like my last one.  It has several distinct areas, namely a "tourist trap", an oil refinery, a business area and a military railcar base. I'll be using turnouts and sectional track from Ross Custom Switches.  The curves will be O-64 (outer loop) and O-54 (inner loop), letting me get the largest possible within the layout space constraints.

I'll post another photo when I finish assembling the benchwork.

Love Mianne and like the plan......I'm and unabashed loop runner and would thoughly enjoy your layout!!!!

Good like on the build and I look forward to progress pics!

Peter

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys it sure is nice to see you all hard at work with your layouts! I know it must be fun to see things coming together as you move forward!

@Pat Shediack Nice looking room and looks like you have a great start! I really like the plan for that area you have and what you have in mind!

Thank you!

As for me nothing new, still doing house stuff, I think it is going to be awhile before any layout, but the good news is it seems like I have the CEO on the same page once we get more of the house stuff done. I told her I haven't been out to the shop or train room unless it was to build something for the house or to use tools to fix stuff around here! LOL

Getting the home improvements done first is the best way to go.  The "Charge of Quarters" and I  have been in our "forever home" for five and a half years, but we spent the first three catching up on major maintenance the prior owner neglected.  After that we had four major improvement projects, namely renovating the master bath last year and  this year having a blues bar and a separate wine café built in the basement, both off the train room, along with upgrading the electrical panel .   The final project was new lighting, new flooring and fresh paint in the train room. Getting rid of the train room's "muddy river" brown paint and ratty cream-colored carpeting then replacing it with "blue sky" paint and "bleached boardwalk" flooring made a huge difference.

For everyone reading over our shoulders, I can't repeat enough the advice we often see here in the forum--get your train room renovated before starting on the layout! 

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