Skip to main content

Yesterday was the Children's Christmas Train at the Arkansas and Missouri RR, and, despite running on third-tier track scraped from the bottom of the barrel, the Razorback Traction Co. made a brave showing...

GEDC2025

GEDC2026GEDC2030

The blue Giraffe Express loco did one of its customary wire breakage stunts, so another loco was brought in!  For the record, the Polar Gi-raffe Express takes O-27 curves with aplomb!

Also, Miss Mary Christmas was well received...

GEDC2031

And my new Holiday Trolley charmed the folks outdoors on the G scale layout!

GEDC2033

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Jolly Gi-raffe Day to all! 

GEDC2037

(more pics below)

Mitch

Attachments

Images (12)
  • GEDC2024
  • GEDC2025
  • GEDC2026
  • GEDC2027
  • GEDC2028
  • GEDC2029
  • GEDC2030
  • GEDC2031
  • GEDC2032
  • GEDC2033
  • GEDC2036
  • GEDC2037
Last edited by M. Mitchell Marmel

I was originally going to put an engine shed on the right hand 2 spurs but it didn't look right upon placing it.  My layout is pretty much maxed out for this room but after staring and thinking a bit I found something that works.  So the 072 switches in the back into the engine shed will be added on to the current dual loop 6 X 10

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 6 X 10 latest changes 2

Nothing this past weekend, as there were shows all over the place.  I had no luck finding what I was looking for....but blundered on a stack of bound "Model Train" magazines, 1954-1960. A lot of steam and historical RR info, as well as old kit ads, and construction articles, with O scale considered and mentioned...in other words, stuff not found currently in other mags from that publisher.  Dunno when I can wade through all of them.   "Historical" includes the oddball stuff as requested on another thread running.  Today, maybe, I can glue something together.

 

 

 

I always look for old magazines at shows but not much luck lately. Worked on my searchlight car, got the lens out of the light(glued in), cleaned everything and fixed a short so it works OK. Would like a brighter bulb but no big deal.  Read the new issue of OGR and there was 2 articles and an editorial extolling the virtues of running a layout with "operations" and warning me that I would get bored running loops so I fired up my layout and ran all 5 loops for awhile. Not boring-I think operations might get boring. Ever watch a local job switching out industries ??  They spend a lot of time sitting and idling. I watched a Leetsdale job sit for over an hour waiting to get up on the NS mainline. That is exciting.

Interesting other opinion above on loops vs. point-to-point operation.  Hurry up and wait prevails in current prototype as well as historical railroading,  with everybody paid by the hour.  I remember the Southern steamer sitting on the siding, hissing and clanking, waiting to get its train back on on the main after dropping off a hopper.  But, that is, modeling a railroad, and that is what they do, or get "Casey-Jonesed".

I installed 4 Tortoises yesterday over at Interstate West. Not an easy task anyway, but made more difficult by finished wiring and fascia in the way. After getting the first one done, bent over backwards, laying on my back on the layout, with my feet on the floor, I got smart and " grew a third hand". I cut a scrap of wood, and used it to wedge the Tortoise up against the bottom of the plywood. This left my hands free so I could support myself with my left while using the screw gun with my right.

Today, I'll run wires for those four and six more to complete the Interstate West panel. That will leave just 9 Tortoises to install. Four in the big helix, two in the small helix, and three on the bookshelves. I have 4 or 5 small panels to build and 40 switches to rewire, then the switches are done! I want to have it done by the end of the month. Joe will be here Wednesday.

Yesterday I started the last upper side for foliage. And the last front section to scenic. I am going to add some clump foliage to the corner hill and replace some generic trees with better looking ones. Once I get this section done I can concentrate on the lower section in that area behind the freight yard. Today is a non work day. Lunch with some TCA guys and then tonight a Tuesday night group train night. A couple of pics area being worked on......................PaulDSCN2082DSCN2083DSCN2084DSCN2085 

Attachments

Images (4)
  • DSCN2082
  • DSCN2083
  • DSCN2084
  • DSCN2085

A little quiet in this topic so here's what I did tonight not much wish it would warm up a little so I can get outside and work on the boat. I have a lot to do to it . but in the mean time trains get the attention not a bad thing.

I ordered all the on sale Kobler buildings I have been trying out a new way to make asphalt roads. seems to work pretty good.  worked in scarm a little setting up where to put buildings and roads there not detailed buildings but there the right sizes.

 

20151208_21271020151208_21271420151208_212725snapshot

Attachments

Images (4)
  • 20151208_212710
  • 20151208_212714
  • 20151208_212725
  • snapshot

My accomplishment is noteworthy, if not as dramatic as those you've posted.

Having had lots of contact problems with my ALCo S-2 on the Kitchen Counter Division of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway, I finally decided to get change out the axles equipped with those God forsaken traction tires after having tried all else without success... I even tried Bourbon - on the rails.

I tested the S-2 after having installed only one axle and the change was nothing short of miraculous; changing the second axle made no noticeable change.  The process took only half an hour and I recommend it to all.

Last night I finished up the interstate west panel, that's 10 more working switches.

This is the panel support structure. Very simple construction, as all the panels will be removed eventually when the layout is converted to full CTC.

IMG_6146

Here it is from the front.

IMG_6147

Now with the panel in place.

IMG_6148

This is a little messy right now, I'll tie everything up when I get all the switches connected. This area sends power out to the Tortoise motors.

IMG_6149

At the bottom are the relay control wires from the panels.

IMG_6150

Joe will be here in a little while. I have a small project that will yield big results which I plan to get done today.

Attachments

Images (5)
  • IMG_6146
  • IMG_6147
  • IMG_6148
  • IMG_6149
  • IMG_6150

Today I worked on scenery. Took out the genic trees and put in better looking ones. Still have more to add to the corner mountain. I have just about used up the foliage I have so it's time to order from Scenic Express. A couple of pics of progress so far. Still have more to add to this area before starting down the side I would work some more on the layout but another train get together tonight........................................PaulDSCN2087DSCN2088DSCN2089...........Paul

Attachments

Images (3)
  • DSCN2087
  • DSCN2088
  • DSCN2089
Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

Beautiful!  I'm finally starting to build my own layout and want all your secrets!

Beautiful  is right, and Laidoffsick just told us the biggies, in my opinion: layers; time; variety of colors and textures, foot-by-foot (I'd say inch-by-inch, often utilizing teaspoons, chopstix, tweezers and dental picks, my trusted tools) progress, and patience (implicit.) FrankM.

Here are some of the layout's neighborhoods in development...over the years...IMG_0009c_edited-1IMG_5405_edited-1IMG_0498cpdtrees

Attachments

Images (5)
  • IMG_0009
  • c_edited-1
  • IMG_5405_edited-1
  • IMG_0498cpd
  • trees
Last edited by Moonson
Laidoffsick posted:

Moonson you're definitely right about that, inch by inch! Your scenery is ...

That's particularly nice to hear you say, Laidoffsick, because I find your low rolling-hillsides very appealing and realistic, especially considering details such as the overall tone and unity, esp. evident in the areas of a mixture of grass, gravels, and soils. Really good looking.

FrankM.

And Thank you.

Last edited by Moonson

I really enjoy seeing the layouts  pictured on the Forum- finished and others in progress.  Enjoy them more than the magazine reviews which are so often over done.  Bought a ceramic house yesterday, sort of a Taiwan knock-0ff of Dept 56, and has Santa going down the chimney. My Xmas decoration for this year. Also bought a Western Pacific silver boxcar with a yellow feather by Lionel -#19259 but think I will trade it off. It is NIB but doesn't really fit my layout.

worked on the lighting and building arrangement on mine today.  got the busbars all up and wiring went well for the AC buildings and now working on the DC (LED) ones. waiting for the walwarts!  buying foam to start my mountains and raised portions of the layout to create the realistic slopes and such.  lake and park will be started.  time is running out... lol.!  ive changed the building since this photo... haha

  20151206_101027

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 20151206_101027

Looks good Chris!  You look like you have to make the most of the space you have.  Mine is about the same size and is in the middle of conversion from year round to Christmas scenery.  I have to get some photos up myself.  Before and after.  Guess I was out your way at Brady's on Saturday.  Signed up to get the Lionel National Train day car, and picked up a couple of things for the Christmas layout.

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×