What did you do on your layout today?

Mark Boyce posted:

Moonson posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

... the infamous Bridge to Nowhere that stood many years in Pittsburgh before they completed the ramps that come off between the two stadiums.

If you'll allow me to be a butinski, here, Mark and Pat, I took a ride on a Honda50 motor-skooter, one night, many decades ago, when I was very young, onto the ramp that later became the entrance roadway to the Fort Pitt Tunnel, stopped at the very edge, and looked down at the very dark river waters, just for a "rush." Oh, it was a rush, all right. And I got out of there pronto, esp. since there was very little preventing a vehicle or a person from going over the edge. Ahhhh youth, when life was a total adventure and we were invulnerable.

Maybe I'll go down into the basement and climb around on the layout a little bit, now.

I'm glad you are so content w/ bringing your project to fruition and that your hands are better, apparently, allowing you to work a bit better at it.

FrankM.

Frank,

You didn't happen to know the 21-year old Chemistry student in this excerpt below did you?  I remember when it happened.

The Fort Duquesne Bridge is a steel tied arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was colloquially referred to as "The Bridge to Nowhere". It was constructed from 1958-1963 by PennDOT, and opened for traffic October 17, 1969 with its predecessor Manchester Bridge (located closer to the tip of Point State Park) closing that same day (it was demolished in the autumn of 1970). The bridge was given the name "The Bridge to Nowhere" because the main span was finished in 1963, but due to delays in acquiring right of ways for the northern approach ramps, it did not connect on the north side of the Allegheny River. The total cost was budgeted at $5 million in 1962.^[1] The lack of approach ramps meant the bridge ended in midair, rendering it useless. The northwestern ramps were completed in 1969, allowing access to Pennsylvania Route 65. The northeastern ramps were completed in 1986, with the construction of the northern section of Interstate 279 (North Shore Expressway) which runs through Downtown Pittsburgh'sGolden Triangle and north towards Interstate 79. The bridge touches down halfway between Heinz Field and PNC Park Baseball Stadium on the City's North Shore.

 

"Bridge to Nowhere" in 1966

On December 12, 1964, Frederick Williams, a 21-year-old chemistry major at the University of Pittsburgh, drove a 1959 Chrysler station wagonoff the end of the bridge and landed unhurt on the other side. His adventure is documented in WQED-TV's Mid-Atlantic region Emmy Award-winning documentary "Flying off the Bridge to Nowhere and Other Tales of Pittsburgh Bridges", narrated by Rick Sebak.

No, I didn't know him, nor of him, but that was the time period for my less exciting journey to the very end of that span. He made the leap. I made the stop; besides, I am sure a puny li' Honda50 could not have had the guts to take that leap to the other side either.

And Thanks for that photo. It is exactly as I remember the moment.

FrankM.

Frank,

You're welcome.

Posting it is a good reminder to my Casey Jones, to be more careful.  If he goes off the track, there is no river to catch him.

Some progress made today. 1) Finished out the dark sand at the base of the Kite Shop. 2) Used WS blended turf to finish out the ground cover- though I may get a bag of Lionel No.919 Artificial Grass to sprinkle in spots and give it a less uniform color. 3) Siting the trees, lots of the clump foliage has fallen off the tress, making them a bit shabby. Probably need to do some more work on them before I anchor them to the layout. Got a couple of nice pics taken today- of the kite shop and one of most of the town section, with the snow mountain and park section beyond.

Hello everyone,  Its been a long time since I have posted anything. Well this is what I've been up to. I am building a few Korber Models. The first one being the Lehigh Engineering Co. & the 1930 Signal Tower.  Now I am adding Lights to the Engineering Co.

Still working on an oddball coach/combine/caboose for my pickle branch's train.  Parts left over from the bash I made for it are being used for a shorty RPO car for the branch, and, maybe, a shorty gas car, if I can think of a way to power it.  So I work on one while waiting for glue to dry on another.  About ready to paint the main project, with a little more filler to sand.  Attention to details, such as end steps and railings. have made this a much more time consuming project to complete than expected.

Worked on my future Airfield for my lay out. Big thanks to Larry Peterson, He has the best airfield I have seen and he was nice enough to give me all kinds of ideas, information and guidance.

Came home from work and ran trains while repairing a brand new Williams PA  dummy A unit whose front trucks fell off last night while pulling a freight as the trailing unit ( of an AA PA loco consist )  causing a derailment inside one of my tunnels.  ( Glad I didn't have to call out the big hook  Seems the screw holding the trucks in place fell out onto the tracks.   Pretty easy repair, however, annoying.  

Also shot some photos for this week's Switcher Saturday thread.   Having fun in Patsburg on Friday night

mike g. posted:

Worked on my future Airfield for my lay out. Big thanks to Larry Peterson, He has the best airfield I have seen and he was nice enough to give me all kinds of ideas, information and guidance.

Nicely laid out!  One eentsy quibble:  Runway numbers are compass directions, so the numbers are always 180 degrees apart.  So, Runway 23, for example, would be Runway 41 going the other way while it would be Runway 34/52...

'Course, I run gi-raffe unit trains, so who am I to criticize? 

Mitch

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

mike g. posted:

Worked on my future Airfield for my lay out. Big thanks to Larry Peterson, He has the best airfield I have seen and he was nice enough to give me all kinds of ideas, information and guidance.

Nicely laid out!  One eentsy quibble:  Runway numbers are compass directions, so the numbers are always 180 degrees apart.  So, Runway 23, for example, would be Runway 41 going the other way while it would be Runway 34/52...

'Course, I run gi-raffe unit trains, so who am I to criticize? 

Mitch

Great job on the runway. To add to Mitch's quibble, there would be no runway numbered larger than 36. Runway 41 would be 410 degrees on the compass. There is only 360 degrees on a compass.

Mitch and Pat, thank you for your remarks. I will do what I can to address the numbers, I was just going off a compass reading for the actual direction of the runway layout. I did not know about how it was to be posted, so I just took the last 2 number and that was my runway number. Now that I know I will work on fixing that. I guess I should have done a little more research. :-)

mike g. posted:

Mitch and Pat, thank you for your remarks. I will do what I can to address the numbers, I was just going off a compass reading for the actual direction of the runway layout. I did not know about how it was to be posted, so I just took the last 2 number and that was my runway number. Now that I know I will work on fixing that. I guess I should have done a little more research. :-)

Mike,

In that case, your compass read 052, that runway would be labeled "05", and coming back the other way would be labeled "23". 

Im sure you could do a google search for the meanings of the runway markings, or just ask, and I could give some insight, depending on how "proto" you want to get.

Looks good though! Sadly, I don't have enough room for an airport, but I'd really like to have one!

chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information. I don't have a layout right now, but as soon as I get my addition off the back of my garage I will start one. Moonman is helping design the future layout and the only thing I ask was that I be able to put in an airfield. I just love the idea of train and planes.

Runways can add a lot to a layout. Yes room is an issue. But not all airports have hard paved runways. There are many small airfields that are just grass strips. Unless you want to show a C17 landing on a road as in Iraq.

Not same Pic but you get the Idea

Mitch They may not fly but you could do this

Pat Kn posted:

Great job on the runway. To add to Mitch's quibble, there would be no runway numbered larger than 36. Runway 41 would be 410 degrees on the compass. There is only 360 degrees on a compass.

Whups!  Pat's right.  So it'd be 05/23 and 14/32 (the lower of the two runway numbers is always listed first)...

I plead rustiness.  Haven't been behind the yoke of a Cessna (or my father's Ercoupe) since 1982...

Mitch

suzukovich posted:

Mitch They may not fly but you could do this

 

Dagnabbit!  Now you're giving me ideas... 

Mitch

brwebster posted:

Okay.  You realize you've forced me into this, right?

Mitch

Nothing

My O-scale layout with all my track is at my classroom, and I have no access on the weekends.

I get withdrawal symptoms. 

This week I was running some Menard's U.S. Army boxcars with shells behind my Lionel archive collection F3's. This video is the result.

I drove 1 1/2 hours each way to pick up my Lionel National Train Day boxcar.  Also picked up a used searchlight car.  Looks great running on the Ceiling Central RR.

After spending most of the week helping move the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum, I spent the day working on my own layout.

The big helix rebuild project continues. I took out 3 more columns of old supports, and cut all the new inside risers. When completed, not only will I be able to run any cars and engines on it, but it will be ready to be wrapped with backdrop.

When this is done, I can finish the wiring, then it will be time to add the turntable on top.

First... great work and progress, Elliot!

I ran trains/engines for the first time in months yesterday and today.  What prompted this was having performed needed repairs on my early model ZW-C.  On Thursday I took the time out from my outside chores to replace the failed potentiometer mount on the A-B posts side.  With the new milled aluminum part installed, the A circuit went from a 10-12 volts to a full 18volts, B also went to full 18 volts, again.  With this repaired, I had to try it with 180 bricks and run the dust out of my Hiawatha Atlantic, a Katy MP-15, Erie built FMs, newly acquired K Line scale NYC Hudson 5344 (to be getting ERR Command and RS installed soon), and Lionel PW F3s, a couple ATSF NW2s and a consist of the K Line 21" CZ aluminum sets.

Feels GOOD !!!!   Just have a lot of work to complete on the layout, putting in the hours required..........

Jesse  TCA 

JDJR,

   Acquired some original Tin Plate Era figures for the Layout.  Cleaned and repainted the old lead figures, and added them to the layout.

PCRR/Dave

Railroad Green Hat Inspects the Military Flat Car Loads.

Change of shift for Santa's Train Crew. 

 Shift change for the Santa Express continues!

 Town Hall cook awaits Isaly's delivery.

 Signalman Stops Northern Pacific

 Train Conductor explains to Bobby Cop that Ring Master & Clowns are with the USO Military Train.

 Workman fills hole while Supervisor looks on, as the Railroad Police escorts trespassers off the Bridge.

 Railroad cop escorts Trespasser way from the Military Box Cars.

 Conductor Supervises Rail workers as they remove a Military Flat Car side post. 

 Brake Oiler watches as Conductor Barks orders to Railroad Workmen.

Fixed  glitch in the turnout control on the staging yard -- wire had come loose on the switch panel. Also began work on upgrading the farmhouse base (got one of the AGHR Kids involved in how to do ground cover).

Finally got this out of the box and put it on the track. Lubed the **** out of it but it squeaks pretty loud. Got the last of the track wired.

Spent the afternoon gathering up all the tools I need to start making the tables. And sometimes that quest takes more time then it should of. Maybe if I was better organized with my tools that would not happen. But hopefully before dinner I can get at least the frame work for two tables done......................Paul

Although not just today (it has taken about three weeks after a long holiday hiatus), I finally completed the third, partially elevated loop with the lift bridge:

Unfortunately, the next step is finishing/cleaning up the wiring - Oh JOY!!!

to go along with the shelves I built for Uncle Jim's trains, I built some to hold Dad's. Just need some stain and pick up some straight track.

Got frame work for one table done. At first I was only going to have one cross brace in the middle of the eight foot table but I changed and put in cross braces every two feet. Table is eight feet long and 41 and 5/8" wide. After dinner I'll put the frame work for the second table...............Paul

With the help of Chris (Mo985) a forum member I got the numbers on my runway corrected.

Between sick kids,  giving me what they had,  yard work( Landscaping) and now spring break. Some how I managed to replace  most of my yard with Atlas track over the weekend. Layout is now 99% Atlas now. Now the fun part, finish cleaning and inspecting all the fast track so I can get ride of it.

mike g. posted:

With the help of Chris (Mo985) a forum member I got the numbers on my runway corrected.

That looks much better Mike. The numbers are compass headings with the last digit dropped. Opposing runways will have a difference of 18. One last thing, if they are perpendicular to each other, then one pair is still off by 1. 05 and 23 would work with 14 and 32 or keep 04 and 22 and go with 13 and 31. Then your pilots won't get lost.

Elliot,

Thanks for the information. I hope this is better, I wanted to fix it now so it doesn't come up when I post pictures of my Runway LED's. LOL

That's perfect Mike. We do have some pilots around here too, though I'm not one. My step brother used to fly commercial, and he always used his old charts for gift wrap. His way of recycling.

Just a big thanks to everyone who has helped me with this runway project. It's far from done, but I think it has a good start.

I ripped out my complete table top. About 9 feet long, 11 wide and 9 feet on the other side.. Also about 42 inches deep..  U shaped. I used the wrong type of wood for the table top. Sound board, 4x8 sheets 1/2 inch thick. Fiber board. What a stupid mistake. Will be using 1/2 top grade plywood. Any recommendations on how to reduce the noise?

Yes, I am new at the train hobby.

Bill

whitesock posted:

I ripped out my complete table top. About 9 feet long, 11 wide and 9 feet on the other side.. Also about 42 inches deep..  U shaped. I used the wrong type of wood for the table top. Sound board, 4x8 sheets 1/2 inch thick. Fiber board. What a stupid mistake. Will be using 1/2 top grade plywood. Any recommendations on how to reduce the noise?

 

Yes, I am new at the train hobby.

Bill

Bill;

Bummer... but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't made similar mistakes. I used half inch plywood topped with half inch homasote for sound deadening, and that worked out well. One caveat, DO NOT cut homasote in the house - it kicks up a heck of a lot of dust. I bought both the plywood and homasote at Home Depot and they cut both to my specifications with no problem. Good luck with your build.

Apples55 posted:

whitesock posted:

I ripped out my complete table top. About 9 feet long, 11 wide and 9 feet on the other side.. Also about 42 inches deep..  U shaped. I used the wrong type of wood for the table top. Sound board, 4x8 sheets 1/2 inch thick. Fiber board. What a stupid mistake. Will be using 1/2 top grade plywood. Any recommendations on how to reduce the noise?

 

Yes, I am new at the train hobby.

Bill

Bill;

Bummer... but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't made similar mistakes. I used half inch plywood topped with half inch homasote for sound deadening, and that worked out well. One caveat, DO NOT cut homasote in the house - it kicks up a heck of a lot of dust. I bought both the plywood and homasote at Home Depot and they cut both to my specifications with no problem. Good luck with your build.

Thanks.  I can use all the input.

Bill

Apples55 posted:

Although not just today (it has taken about three weeks after a long holiday hiatus), I finally completed the third, partially elevated loop with the lift bridge:

 

Unfortunately, the next step is finishing/cleaning up the wiring - Oh JOY!!!

Looks great. Did you make those stone abutments and piers?

Whitesock.  The nest thing you can do to deaden the sound is to not run the trains wide open.