Skip to main content

Tried yet another stain for the Std. Gauge layout table. Minwax Express Colors Onyx. Decision made! Same consistency and same product as the Emerald I really like. Its terrific. When both are very polyurethaned to a gloss-like finish, it will be just the look I was thinking of. The shaped facing boards will also be stained in Emerald. 

Pic shows 2 dry coats of the Emerald, and one quick coat done with a cloth application and then wiped off of the Onyx.  

IMG_1456

 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • IMG_1456

This past week I completed my prototype dwarf signal.  I am building dwarf signals to indicate switch direction at a cost less than $3 each.  I found some O scale target faces on eBay for only $12.99/10 - (JTD23 10 sets Target Faces With LEDs for Railway signal O Scale 2 Aspects).
They came complete with LEDs and resistors.  Unfortunately, the 976K resistors that came with them did not work very good with the 9volt DC power source I am using to power the Tortoise switch machines on my layout.  Note the LEDs are not very bright. Luckily, I have an EE friend who tested and determined I needed different resistors.  The green LED will need a 82.5K resistor and the red LED a 13K resistor.  You can get 10 resistors for about $0.65 so it was not a big deal.  They are on order.

With a rattail file, I reshaped the back of the target face as pictured. The 5/16 tubing will rest in this filed groove.

Fit and cut the 1/4 styrene strips as pictured.  Need to attach the three sides as shown to that back side of the target heads. Glue with CA+.

Glued the LED’s to the target faces with a drop of CA+.  I positioned them so that the long lead (positive) wires were orientated the same.
Bent the short leads and solder the respective resistor to each red and green LED and then connect the other end of the resistors to the power lead.  Shielded the bare leads with shrink tubing.

Cut out the front face of the tubing.  Cut the pattern shown with a track saw and finished with knife and file.

I stripped out an old cat5 telephone cable for the wires to connect the LEDs to power and the internal SPDT on the Tortoise machine.

Shown is my test bench with a spare switch to check out wiring and LED operation. The signal shown is my prototype model.  I will be using the new resistors to build the signals for the layout which will show brighter LEDs.  Hope the pictures complete the story. ADSC07567ADSC07585ADSC07586ADSC07587ADSC07588ADSC07589JPGADSC07590ADSC07591ADSC07592ADSC07593ADSC07594ADSC07595ADSC07596ADSC07597ADSC07598ADSC07659ADSC076600ADSC076601ADSC076602ADSC076605ADSC076670 ADSC076710

I really enjoy all phases of this hobby.

Dave

Attachments

Images (22)
  • ADSC07567
  • ADSC07585
  • ADSC07586
  • ADSC07587
  • ADSC07588
  • ADSC07589JPG
  • ADSC07590
  • ADSC07591
  • ADSC07592
  • ADSC07593
  • ADSC07594
  • ADSC07595
  • ADSC07596
  • ADSC07597
  • ADSC07598
  • ADSC07659
  • ADSC076600
  • ADSC076601
  • ADSC076602
  • ADSC076605
  • ADSC076670
  • ADSC076710
Last edited by darlander
Carey TeaRose posted:

Tried yet another stain for the Std. Gauge layout table. Minwax Express Colors Onyx. Decision made! Same consistency and same product as the Emerald I really like. Its terrific. When both are very polyurethaned to a gloss-like finish, it will be just the look I was thinking of. The shaped facing boards will also be stained in Emerald. 

Pic shows 2 dry coats of the Emerald, and one quick coat done with a cloth application and then wiped off of the Onyx.  

IMG_1456

 

Carey,

Looks like you are building a piece of fine furniture and the train room will now be located in the living room.  Great project.

Dave

I made this bridge today.  It is all out of 1/2" steel square tubing.  31" long 8" wide 7 " tall.  Fist attempt at making a bridge and I'm happy with my results.  Still needs painted but had to test it out and see how the trains looked running over it.  Need to finish off the cut out on the layout just st did that tonight too. 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • image
Mike welkie posted:

You never cease to amaze me,Mitch! Another Marmel Marvel !!!!

Mike

Thankee! 

Went down to the LHS on a track run, and the owner admired the 253. 

Stopped off at Flowers Bakery for Tastykake and rye bread, and the charming little old lady at the counter's eyes lit up when I mentioned the loco, and brought it in.  Also, a sturdy lad of four summers or so came marching in to buy bread.  He seemed most impressed that the loco had real light bulbs instead of LEDs...  ;-)

All in all, I think the Razorback Traction Co's Sand Hog Express (so called because of the paint scheme) is destined to be a crowd pleaser.  ^.^

Started a slight change to the design of my inner loop. Taking away one siding and repositioning another switch to give it reversing capabilities. But can't figure out why I have so many left hand 022's on hand but short one right hand. Well, I'll try searching some more tonight before returning dabay. Repositioned the left hand 022 just to the right of the river, so I can always back a train through when needed to reverse for now.

Tim

18X13_FNL_reverse

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 18X13_FNL_reverse
Uncle Fester posted:

Hello all! It's been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy building my layout. Here are some pictures of the trestle bridge I'm working on  

 

imageimage

Holy Trestles, Uncle Fester-man!  Wowowow-wee! One can only barely imagine how rich that whole vista around the trestle is going to be, judging  from the intensity and thoroughness (even including a barrel emplacement, complete with metal-appearing bands & weathering of the barrel) of  the work in front of us. Please, continue to document it all in photos so we can someday see the whole layout in OGR.Fabulous.

FrankM.

maint posted:

Sorry and sad to say that I am taking it all down. Do to my health I just can't run my trains anymore so off everything from the layout is gone to the auction. I am still keeping  my collection of trains that I enjoy looking at in my man cave train room.  I just can't run them any more.

Quelle dommage!  Hope your layout fleet finds a good new home! 

Mitch

I went to the show in Timonium Marland today.  I bought some trees from Harrison Trains and Scenes.  I also bought a shot gun wedding ( complete with pregnant bride, nervous groom,because the brides daddy has a shot gun pointed at him�� From Scenic Express ( both dealers are OGR advertisers ) 

Here are some picks of the wedding party standing at the entrance of Our Lady of Locomotion in downtown Patsburg.  Also some photos of the new disciduous trees planted this evening. imageimageimageimageimageimage

 

Attachments

Images (6)
  • image
  • image
  • image
  • image
  • image
  • image

imageHi:  I've been slowly working on the layout. Working on the scenery. Today I finished the two trestles (in the middle is a drop in Pratt truss bridge). This is at the door entrance to our train shed. It's an around the wall layout in a 12 x 16 shed. I am not finished with the scenic work yet, but slowly, slowly... Starting to add the trees and fill in bushes, grass, and ground cover. So much more to do! And then I start the ground cover and scenery on the upper level  

John

image

imageimage

John

Attachments

Images (4)
  • image
  • image
  • image
  • image
Last edited by WP

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.
×
×