Weathered a Hudson for a client. Used new paints from Ammo and I’m very happy with the results. I hope to get more K-Line engines in the future to tune up for people. This was a very great commission to work on.
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@GojirasTrains posted:Weathered a Hudson for a client. Used new paints from Ammo and I’m very happy with the results. I hope to get more K-Line engines in the future to tune up for people. This was a very great commission to work on.
Nice weathering job! I too am pleased with Ammo's line of weathering paints. My local brick and mortar shop got themselves a good size display of Ammo products and they have sold a ton of products.
@farmerjohn posted:Finally installed some piers or towers what ever you call them on my layout . I got them at York from Dave Hiekel several years ago. Still have to put scenery around them.
Nicely done @farmerjohn! I really like the look of them and how you incorporated them into your layout!
Owning a dog, I have collected a number of plastic tubes from rolls of poop bags. 
I finally got around to doing something with them. I used coffee stir sticks as the boards in between to keep with the reuse (cheap) concept. I made stacks of 12.
3 stacks fit very nicely in the Lionel 8” gondolas. Which is nice because I have a number of empty ones!
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Not on my layout but a train project that I have been wanting to get to and finally completed!
I took four MPC Madison passenger cars from Milwaukee Road and repainted and put on new decals to reflect all the colleges that my family have attended. I still have two more to go but they are the same as the WSU one I already have completed. The car number reflects the graduation year.
i also thought that the underside could use some more detail so i painted some of the features in black. Once I completed everything i sprayed a clear coat on to keep the decals from peeling off.
I really like how they turned out!
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@Ross posted:
Very nice. I have a dog, too. I am quite familiar with those tubes. You explained the tunes and the sticks, but what are they wrapped/secured with, are those zip ties? Thanks.
Thank you also to Bug, my dog! 
Tom
The bands are strips of electrical tape. I normally would use Chartpak tape, but I’m out!
I spent part of yesterday and today doing the nitty-gritty layout wiring planning for building lighting. That task included figuring out how many electrical taps I need for each of Woodland Scenics and Menards buildings that will be on the layout. Since I'm using the Woodland Scenics LED lights to illuminate some non-illuminated kits from other manufacturers and a repurposed MTH building, I had to count the actual LED leads; not just the buildings where they were installed. With that task completed, I created a mark-up of the layout plan so I can figure out if I have enough WS and Menards electrical cords, power supplies, cords, etc. on hand or if I need to buy more.
(Yeah, yeah, before anyone says it, I know I could use generic wires, terminal blocks and a couple of repurposed transformers instead. Since the layout and the rest of the train stuff will be handed off to a grandson to take home after I depart this Earth, I'm sticking to the KISS principle to make things easier for me now and for someone else years from now.)
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@Pat Shediack I think you are smart using a plug and play system since you want to pass the layout down to your grandson. Everything will be well documented and using two commercial wiring systems. 
Cut a big hole in a new table section
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Sorry for the long pause I've had some medical issues, so I needed my sons help. Ryan came today and finished my bench work. The 3x 5 bump out ended up a 4 x 4 so we'll see how that works when I get it cleaned up and put some track down.
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I will say that this is a fast moving thread. But last week I took about a 750 mile road trip and at the end of it I picked up a 34" AAA turntable. One would say it's used 'cause it isn't new, but it is unused and I picked it up in a really good deal. I got no control panel with it and @AMFlyer was kind enough to snap a few pictures of his AAA turntable to help me figure out the wiring. I have it all mounted up, but I now have to re-enforce the underside to support the turntable and the table top.
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@Jayhawk500 posted:I will say that this is a fast moving thread. But last week I took about a 750 mile road trip and at the end of it I picked up a 34" AAA turntable. One would say it's used 'cause it isn't new, but it is unused and I picked it up in a really good deal. I got no control panel with it and @AMFlyer was kind enough to snap a few pictures of his AAA turntable to help me figure out the wiring. I have it all mounted up, but I now have to re-enforce the underside to support the turntable and the table top.
I went 3/4 plywood with my 34” turntable. Lucky enough I had my wife help me install it . I had it sitting on two storage containers so we didn’t have to raise it that high.
@87smokemetalic posted:
Cut a big hole in a new table section
@Jayhawk500 posted:I will say that this is a fast moving thread. But last week I took about a 750 mile road trip and at the end of it I picked up a 34" AAA turntable. One would say it's used 'cause it isn't new, but it is unused and I picked it up in a really good deal. I got no control panel with it and @AMFlyer was kind enough to snap a few pictures of his AAA turntable to help me figure out the wiring. I have it all mounted up, but I now have to re-enforce the underside to support the turntable and the table top.
WOW! Two turntables being installed in the same week!
Nice work both of you....I'm super jealous now......
Bob
Hi guys I just handed out a bunch of likes just because I am lazy today and cant comment on everyone's work! I still have 4 other forum post to go threw! LOL
That being said I would like to say things are looking good @Dave Ripp. I am glad your son came over to give you a hand and hope the health issues go away!
I would also like to say what great work by both @87smokemetalic and @Jayhawk500 with the work on your turn tables! I also have one to do down the road, but I think I am going to mount it to a section of 3/4" plywood and the just mount it flush with the rest of the table.
As for me it was not a lot of impressive stuff for me, but I did get my lighting put in with the 5/8" thick LED can lights. I was going to hook them to a dimmer, but when I got them they said not dimmer compatible! Which is fine after reading the full instructions I was able to load a app on to my phone and I can control them from there!
The system comes with like 8 different colors, with lighting from 100% down to 3% so night lighting will be no problem and with the red and yellow mix it will be great for sunrise!
Here is a pic of before and after, I know its hard to tell in a picture, but in real life its great!
Next is insulation! The fun stuff.
I do have a question for you folks, right now this room has no windows and due to the price I am thinking about leaving them out and just putting a exhaust fan in for smoke removal. What are your thoughts?
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!
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Mike, it appears you have the makings of a great train room...a window would be nice to have, but I've learned to live without one in my basement area other than the small typical basement foundation windows. I do miss having that natural light coming in while being able to open the window to circulate fresh air from the outside. If you install the window now, you'll always have the furture option of putting in a window AC unit in the summer to cool things down and dehumidify the train room on those steamy summer days.
Do you have a building materials surplus business in the area, or a lumber yard with a "mistakes" section where all the measurement errors on doors and windows end up at a reduced price?
Mike g. Forget the windows but definitely put exhaust fans in . The more the better. I have 4 but could have used more. Especially a big deal if you're wife doesn't like smoke. 
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Thanks, guys, for the input.
@Capetrainman Paul I don't know if we do are not, but the brother-in-law gave me a window AC unit when we first moved here and said you might want this in the summer! The other problem is I don't know how to install a window in a metal building. I guess we will see what happens.
@farmerjohn John I have one fan right now, but that's about it! I am kind of still waiting on the CEO to give her 2 cents worth. I am just happy that I got the lighting done! LOL
@mike g. posted:<snipped>As for me it was not a lot of impressive stuff for me, but I did get my lighting put in with the 5/8" thick LED can lights. I was going to hook them to a dimmer, but when I got them they said not dimmer compatible! Which is fine after reading the full instructions I was able to load a app on to my phone and I can control them from there!
Next is insulation! The fun stuff.
I do have a question for you folks, right now this room has no windows and due to the price I am thinking about leaving them out and just putting a exhaust fan in for smoke removal. What are your thoughts?
< snip >
Mike,
I have one suggestion for you on your insulation project. We just finished having a contractor build a blues bar and wine café in our basement. I asked the contractor to run the insulation between the joists all the way to the floor instead of just to the frost line as required by code. The contractor thought I was a little crazy with this idea, but I told her (yes, the project manager was a woman) to trust me. When the two rooms were insulated in that manner and the sheetrock was in place, there was literally nothing to hear but dead silence--no road noise from trucks, no outside noise like lawn mowers or leaf blowers, nothing. The cost difference was relatively little in the overall project budget, but it made a huge difference in the two rooms. I also noticed the two rooms which are equipped with HVAC ducts have a constant temperature of 69 Degrees F even as Fall progresses here in Ohio. Just a thought for you to consider.
@Pat Shediack posted:Mike,
I have one suggestion for you on your insulation project. We just finished having a contractor build a blues bar and wine café in our basement. I asked the contractor to run the insulation between the joists all the way to the floor instead of just to the frost line as required by code. The contractor thought I was a little crazy with this idea, but I told her (yes, the project manager was a woman) to trust me. When the two rooms were insulated in that manner and the sheetrock was in place, there was literally nothing to hear but dead silence--no road noise from trucks, no outside noise like lawn mowers or leaf blowers, nothing. The cost difference was relatively little in the overall project budget, but it made a huge difference in the two rooms. I also noticed the two rooms which are equipped with HVAC ducts have a constant temperature of 69 Degrees F even as Fall progresses here in Ohio. Just a thought for you to consider.
Hi Pat thanks for the information, but this is a pole building outside next to our house. The CEO declined the train room in the house! LOL But I do plan on insulating all the way to the floor and every nook and cranny I find, then once the sheetrock is up I will seal all the corners with painter calk also along the floor! It really helps keep the cold out!
@mike g. posted:Hi guys I just handed out a bunch of likes just because I am lazy today and cant comment on everyone's work! I still have 4 other forum post to go threw! LOL
That being said I would like to say things are looking good @Dave Ripp. I am glad your son came over to give you a hand and hope the health issues go away!
I would also like to say what great work by both @87smokemetalic and @Jayhawk500 with the work on your turn tables! I also have one to do down the road, but I think I am going to mount it to a section of 3/4" plywood and the just mount it flush with the rest of the table.
As for me it was not a lot of impressive stuff for me, but I did get my lighting put in with the 5/8" thick LED can lights. I was going to hook them to a dimmer, but when I got them they said not dimmer compatible! Which is fine after reading the full instructions I was able to load a app on to my phone and I can control them from there!
The system comes with like 8 different colors, with lighting from 100% down to 3% so night lighting will be no problem and with the red and yellow mix it will be great for sunrise!
Here is a pic of before and after, I know its hard to tell in a picture, but in real life its great!
Next is insulation! The fun stuff.
I do have a question for you folks, right now this room has no windows and due to the price I am thinking about leaving them out and just putting a exhaust fan in for smoke removal. What are your thoughts?
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!
Mike, that looks great! You’re making good progress. As far as a window, IMO it’s more of a personal preference. I enjoy going downstairs to the layout, but many times I miss not having a window(s) with natural lighting.
Gene
@mike g. posted:Hi guys I just handed out a bunch of likes just because I am lazy today and cant comment on everyone's work! I still have 4 other forum post to go threw! LOL
That being said I would like to say things are looking good @Dave Ripp. I am glad your son came over to give you a hand and hope the health issues go away!
I would also like to say what great work by both @87smokemetalic and @Jayhawk500 with the work on your turn tables! I also have one to do down the road, but I think I am going to mount it to a section of 3/4" plywood and the just mount it flush with the rest of the table.
As for me it was not a lot of impressive stuff for me, but I did get my lighting put in with the 5/8" thick LED can lights. I was going to hook them to a dimmer, but when I got them they said not dimmer compatible! Which is fine after reading the full instructions I was able to load a app on to my phone and I can control them from there!
The system comes with like 8 different colors, with lighting from 100% down to 3% so night lighting will be no problem and with the red and yellow mix it will be great for sunrise!
Here is a pic of before and after, I know its hard to tell in a picture, but in real life its great!
Next is insulation! The fun stuff.
I do have a question for you folks, right now this room has no windows and due to the price I am thinking about leaving them out and just putting a exhaust fan in for smoke removal. What are your thoughts?
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!
Mike, my preference would be no windows. This way you can cove the corners and have a continuous flow to your backdrop.
In my room I didn’t want windows but both my wife and the general contractor thought I was crazy not to. I gave in and had two small windows put in as high up as they would go. Now I have to figure out how to fold it all in.
Jay
@mike g. posted:Hi guys I just handed out a bunch of likes just because I am lazy today and cant comment on everyone's work! I still have 4 other forum post to go threw! LOL
That being said I would like to say things are looking good @Dave Ripp. I am glad your son came over to give you a hand and hope the health issues go away!
I would also like to say what great work by both @87smokemetalic and @Jayhawk500 with the work on your turn tables! I also have one to do down the road, but I think I am going to mount it to a section of 3/4" plywood and the just mount it flush with the rest of the table.
As for me it was not a lot of impressive stuff for me, but I did get my lighting put in with the 5/8" thick LED can lights. I was going to hook them to a dimmer, but when I got them they said not dimmer compatible! Which is fine after reading the full instructions I was able to load a app on to my phone and I can control them from there!
The system comes with like 8 different colors, with lighting from 100% down to 3% so night lighting will be no problem and with the red and yellow mix it will be great for sunrise!
Here is a pic of before and after, I know its hard to tell in a picture, but in real life its great!
Next is insulation! The fun stuff.
I do have a question for you folks, right now this room has no windows and due to the price I am thinking about leaving them out and just putting a exhaust fan in for smoke removal. What are your thoughts?
I hope you all have a great weekend and find time to have fun with your trains and layouts!
Mike- pass on the window. Why create a headache.
A good exhaust fan is a must. A room that size will need a larger one. A couple hundred CFM min. Place it toward the back of the room so that the air moves away from where you would normally be standing.
For general HVAC purposes, the typical recommendation is approximately 1 CFM per square foot of floor area.
The lights look great.
Bob
@mike g. Mike, If it was my train room, I would pass on the windows, if given a choice. Two reasons come to mind. Security for one. The other, you have more room for train related shelving or signage. Also, if using any type of backdrop, maybe the windows might be covered up anyway.
Tom
Well it looks like no window is the choice of most. Plus without another hole in the wall less chance of more leaks!
Bob thanks for the I fo on the fan cfm, guess I will need o e around 400 CFM.
I received a Base 3 this week, got it updated and transferred my Base 2 database to the Base 3. That involved digging out my old windows xp laptop with a serial port but the whole process was smooth with the right hardware.
I have noticed problems running multi engine trains with the base 3 and tracked down the issue to the base 3 not powering up my ZW-C to full track power. With a meter I am measuring around 9 volts. This must be the issue Lionel has listed as a future fix.
For now I guess I'll switch the ZW to manual control as a work around.
So far except for the issue above, I like the base3 and cab3. I also like that my wife and friends will be able to connect to the base with their phones and help run trains.
@mike g. posted:Well it looks like no window is the choice of most. Plus without another hole in the wall less chance of more leaks!
Bob thanks for the I fo on the fan cfm, guess I will need o e around 400 CFM.
Mike, I wish my train room didn’t have windows, but I’m glad I finally got a train room again after the girls married and moved out. Starting from scratch, I wouldn’t add them.
Purchased these from Berkshire Valley. My first time painting with such fine detail. I think they came out pretty good.
Gene
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Hey y'all,
I was going through a junk box last night when I had an urge to cut up a caboose. I made a good mess on my layout. My goal is a transfer caboose for the Bald Rock Mountain RR. I started with a cosmetically challenged Lionel 6457 caboose shell. I got this far. I intend to make an extended caboose chassis with the shell in the center and open decks on each end. So, what do think? Anyone done a project like this?
Bill
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Hooking up my first Tortoise switch machine - hit a delay as all my actuator wires are a bit too short. Ordered some lengths of proper wire. Then pivoted back to wiring up the additional drops of my 4 main blocks. I "may" have an inaugural run by Thanksgiving !
Rich in WV
Mike g . If you do put a window in the natural light makes a great light source for back light for city buildings. Gail Rotching in Cincinnati did that on his layout ant it was amazing. However I say no windows is easier to work with. I had a double window in my basement which I had to cover up. Wished when I built my house I left it out. The last picture I posted shows that window. Here it is again.
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Disclaimer: This project wasn't done today, let alone in a couple of days!
My search for O scale Southern Pacific Bi-Level Gallery Passenger cars was an exercise is futility! Probably because the SP only used these cars on the San Francisco to San Jose Peninsula Commute trains it probably would have been a small market for O scale enthusiasts . These gallery cars were often pulled by Fairbanks Morse H-24-16 Train Masters and GP9’s from the late 60’s until CalTrain took over the Commute 1976. I grew up seeing the SP Commute trains almost every day as they passed through Palo Alto (Think Stanford University).
That being said, I purchased an MTH Premier 20-65002 Amtrak Bi-Level Gallery Passenger Car set from the 2002 catalog that included 3 coaches and a Command car with the intent to convert them to Southern Pacific. The command car was an issue since SP didn’t push the passenger cars in those days, I had to convert the command car to a standard coach.
Here's some photos after months of sanding, painting, and converting to LED strip lighting in the interiors.
Amtrak 9601 becomes SP 3711
Amtrak 9616 becomes SP 3721
Amtrak 9604 becomes SP 3702
Amtrak 9623 Command Car becomes SP 3715 with marker lights at the rear.
Before
After
The passenger cars are pulled by one of my two Legacy FM H-24-16 Train Masters, either 4803 pictured, or 4809.
Video to come. I'm also working on putting some photos together with materials and process if anybody is interested.
Have a great weekend.
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I started reducing space between my railrax by a half inch. I’m doing this to make room for those orphans that keep showing up at my door. 😜
Great job on the cars, Scott
Hey y'all,
Yesterday I mocked up what will be a transfer caboose. Over the evening I looked at the modified 6457 and decided I did not like it. This afternoon I cut up a Lionel 6357. I like the looks of this better.
Yesterday 
Today 
Bill
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Test running the animal train on the Club House Christmas layout. The blocks have to be shaved a bit so the cars don’t rock.
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Looks good. I hope to see it in person.
@Trainguy47 posted:Looks good. I hope to see it in person.
Hoping to see you Doug on 12/7 at the Equestra Train Club Pancake Breakfast and first run of this years layout.
