What did you do on your layout today?

   Lee,    It's the portholes at the rear of the crane I don't like.  I can block over the picture with my thumb, on either the single roof portal, or the two portals below it, and I like it more again.

    No, not too bad for a broken tone arm, and an empty tool package laying on a full garbage can. "Call me Gheppetto, it asked to be built". And at the same time, its no scale model, and should have a toyish quality to "fit in". All my stuff has been low effort for a while, but I'm still happy with most of it. I'm sort of "Rat Rodding" my model railroad  

   Filler, or a vent panel over the offending windows. That would be the only way to back out of that, other than a new cab roof. Which wouldn't be that hard either But on the corners and such, I eventually wanted a "raw', imperfect, aged, look; damaged panels separating from the frame, peeled back corner or framing, dents (with heat) etc. I think some styrene strips for outer panel framing, and/or scoring panel sheets into the sides, (and some rivets) will "clean it up" more. That seem along the roof panel is  way too wide even by design. I'll need to " bend it open", and or close the gap with framing. It's a back-burner job finishing this one.

  I can do filler work, but hate waiting for the modeling type to set, and hate "shrinkage" even more. I usually let filler set for a least a week, sometimes months. And I've had it "divit and dent" suddenly after years. All it takes is a tiny drop of something that can penetrate a little, to hit the no gloss paint, so I just avoid it if I can.

  I got bored and lit up a set of 6 articulated Marx passenger cars. I used a single homemade "feeler gauge" power shoe. Thin brass, wrapped  and glued around two tubes made from a plastic ink pen. I cut slots in the tube length so they clipped on the axles , and a long string of old automotive wedge bulbs wired/taped together ( most without sockets) and simply threaded through all the cars "doors". Two issues. #1-The aftermarket speaker wire is to nearly to stiff and if a pigtail splice "hangs up" at all, the taunt wire may tip a car, and derail in the S-turn (very light tin cars)  #2- An overly bright bulb got used by mistake..it must be the dining car? Nothing I'll mess with soon. I wanna see how fast that pen plastic wears.

   It's dark, I have a camera, and 3 out of 4 of my Marxs electric trains are running passenger service.

I bow to your superior Scrounge-Fu.  Pics, please? 

Mitch

Spent the day at the NJ HiRailers stretching the legs on my new BTO Lionel BN SD40's. Tried to take some unique shots off my iPhone, was trying a few new perspectives.. - not to bd but trying to edit the video in the MAC using iMovie proved to be more than I expected. Need to figure that out.

These are great engines, pull quite a consist, great horn, bell and overall look. Only issue was with the smoke units, they were working great then seemed to overheat and output tapered off. Other than that these are excellent performers. 

Here is some of the video for the day.

Enjoy.

Kevin 

WOOWOOCHOOCHOO!! Standard Gauge double mainline loops work in progess: We cut four pieces of track, fitted them up and have the largest or the two loops operational. Giving my repro 408E some run time to test it out. 

Next, trying to figure out how to take my repro Ives 1134 apart to replace the battery...

WOOWOOCHOOCHOO2!!! We got the new battery in the repro Ives 1134, and it is WORKING!!! *happytraindance*

Showed it off to some people who came over for my niece's high school graduation party (it was at our house because she's moved and all her old friends live close to us. We were happy to do it, as she's a great kid) yesterday. My sister-in-law's husband was very surprised at the progress I'd made as it was nothing but plywood and track the last time he saw it.

I don't get the opportunity to ever show it off to people outside the hobby, so it was cool to see some 'normal' folks' jaws dropping when they walked in the room, especially as I had the sound running on all my locomotives so they immediately heard the air pumps thumping.

Ok pics..last night, & today. More below. I can't edit my video to lighten it though, turns out this camera takes video in Quick-time. There are normally screen options for that player that should work though.

  It's actually two feeler gauges soldered together Mitch. Looking at the pic, the tube slices are at about 7 o clock on the right, 4 o clock on the left.

   These cars were in awful shape, and my locos aren't the articulated versions, so, a year or two ago, I stole the wheels off one now serving as a building , and I converted one of the articulated cars to a four wheeler with a tab coupler by using a sheet of brass. I can pull them with near anything now.

Placed almost all the Barclay and Trico folks back on the layout. Added a mirror for a year-round ice skating and sledding rink, next to the Barn which will be used as a permanent community venue for WWII-era "fancy dress" Victory Dances, featuring Ginger Rose and her Band. The show's emcee Will Patrick, dressed for the evening's dance as a pilot, is seen conferring on details with Miss Rose. Fencing and a sign will be added around the ice rink. Lots of folks are seen busy outside the train station. The local 1134 is leaving after getting the all clear from the oiler, and the 408E just arrived from California.

Adriatic,

Thats some fine looking engines and trains!  You did a great looking job!!  Thanks for sharing all the photos!

Carey,

Thats a lot of activity in your town!  The 408e made a grand entrance for sure!

Why isn't Will Patrick in the military ?? If it is WW II.  ???

today a club member added lights and a siren to a fire truck.

jim pastorius posted:

Why isn't Will Patrick in the military ?? If it is WW II.  ???

Draft dodger, call the G-men!

Originally an old TCA anniversary GG1 by Williams, I had designs on it even before purchasing.  Painting over the drab flat silver in black helps show off the flowing body curves.  After 2 months curing, it received the gold stripes and Pennsy decals last weekend. 

The background color and gold accents gives the illusion of a DGLE paint job.  The set came with 4 Madison cars ( in bakelite, just like the PW Lionel's ) which are now painted the same basic black.

Bruce

Not a darn thing! Instead:  worked out twice today. Learning a new Glenn Miller song, "I Know Why" to add to my Ginger Rose repertoire. And went to see my vintage dressmaker, to have a second fitting on a 1940s gown I'm having custom-made for me.  Made using an original 1940s sewing pattern, using original 1940s tropical print 100% rayon yard goods. Will be able to pick up the dress on Thursday, and will wear it to a dinner dance Friday evening. 

 I've been workin on installing two new bridges. Nothing fancy just two stock Lionel Arch over style.

  Here are a few pics

Al

brwebster posted:

Originally an old TCA anniversary GG1 by Williams, I had designs on it even before purchasing.  Painting over the drab flat silver in black helps show off the flowing body curves.  After 2 months curing, it received the gold stripes and Pennsy decals last weekend. 

The background color and gold accents gives the illusion of a DGLE paint job.  The set came with 4 Madison cars ( in bakelite, just like the PW Lionel's ) which are now painted the same basic black.

Bruce

 

 

 

   Yes it most certainly does look like DGLE. Nice work.

   Those cars were so thick & heavy, for all these years I thought the old Madisons were cast in metal., but I remember the black scratches now.

Despite the fact its 75°, and I feel cold enough to wear flannel because it's been so hot, I bore down, and ate a fudge-sicle

Only three more, and I'll have enough wood to start building a small wooden water tank

(enough to encircle the pattern, which is an fudge frosting container)

(Empty of course )

Carey TeaRose posted:

Not a darn thing! Instead:  worked out twice today. Learning a new Glenn Miller song, "I Know Why" to add to my Ginger Rose repertoire. And went to see my vintage dressmaker, to have a second fitting on a 1940s gown I'm having custom-made for me.  Made using an original 1940s sewing pattern, using original 1940s tropical print 100% rayon yard goods. Will be able to pick up the dress on Thursday, and will wear it to a dinner dance Friday evening. 

Nice!

I have more than a passing interest in the 40s, myself. In fact, I'm going to our local 4th of July in my 'other ride' and these duds:

And my wonderful wife surprised me by getting her own 40s dress and did her hair, for an event I was going to, something she'd never previously showed any interest in!

brwebster posted:

Originally an old TCA anniversary GG1 by Williams, I had designs on it even before purchasing.  Painting over the drab flat silver in black helps show off the flowing body curves.  After 2 months curing, it received the gold stripes and Pennsy decals last weekend. 

Bruce 

Bruce,

It looks fabulous!!  Patience is a virtue.

p51 posted:

Carey TeaRose posted:

Not a darn thing! Instead:  worked out twice today. Learning a new Glenn Miller song, "I Know Why" to add to my Ginger Rose repertoire. And went to see my vintage dressmaker, to have a second fitting on a 1940s gown I'm having custom-made for me.  Made using an original 1940s sewing pattern, using original 1940s tropical print 100% rayon yard goods. Will be able to pick up the dress on Thursday, and will wear it to a dinner dance Friday evening. 

And my wonderful wife surprised me by getting her own 40s dress and did her hair, for an event I was going to, something she'd never previously showed any interest in!

Lee, you and your wife look great!

Carey, I have noticed your photos show you like a vintage look.  You always do it right!

Mark Boyce posted:

News Flash!!

I just ordered one!  Yes, I ordered a built up one.  My hands aren't up to building the frame any more I'm sure.  But I did request that they not glue the roof on.  Thank you Doberman!!

A 'like' reminded me to report that I received the fire tower two days ago.  Yes, from recent experience the spindly frame looks like it may have given me trouble these days.  I'll have no problem removing the roof and detailing the interior.  Many thanks to Korber and their expert builder, (I'll not divulge who it is) for giving me the chance to have this great model on my future forested mountain!!

Vintage clothing is fun especially with old cars and historical events. At one time I had a pretty large collection but have down sized it quite a bit. Have kept some items that I have made myself over the years.  No old steam engineer's outfit, though. I do have an old PRR cotton cap that looks like it was worn in the shop.

p51 posted:

Carey TeaRose posted:

Not a darn thing! Instead:  worked out twice today. Learning a new Glenn Miller song, "I Know Why" to add to my Ginger Rose repertoire. And went to see my vintage dressmaker, to have a second fitting on a 1940s gown I'm having custom-made for me.  Made using an original 1940s sewing pattern, using original 1940s tropical print 100% rayon yard goods. Will be able to pick up the dress on Thursday, and will wear it to a dinner dance Friday evening. 

Nice!

I have more than a passing interest in the 40s, myself. In fact, I'm going to our local 4th of July in my 'other ride' and these duds:

And my wonderful wife surprised me by getting her own 40s dress and did her hair, for an event I was going to, something she'd never previously showed any interest in!

 

 

You both look super. Please tell your wife I love the print of her dress. Does your wife have any 1940s hats? Would love to drive the 1938 Pontiac in a parade, or create a float with me singing WWII era songs as Ginger Rose.

jim pastorius posted:

Vintage clothing is fun especially with old cars and historical events. At one time I had a pretty large collection but have down sized it quite a bit. Have kept some items that I have made myself over the years.  No old steam engineer's outfit, though. I do have an old PRR cotton cap that looks like it was worn in the shop.

There is not so much for "events" to wear our vintage (completely all decked out head to toe) in the San Francisco bay area, unfortunately. Southern California seems to have much more. However, Tom loves to wear his 1940s trousers and suits on a very regular basis. Our local Italian Club monthly dinner dances are the best opportunity for him to wear his vintage tuxedos (he has five), and for me to wear my vintage furs adding to my evening's ensemble. I can always wear much of my daywear; including hats, coats, slips, and gloves any time and I do. I'm looking to bring my vintage look into being my "every-day M-F" style, especially being a teacher this next school year. My vintage mentor has a number of school teachers she works with that wear their vintage full-on head to toe every day to school. 

Carey TeaRose posted

You both look super. Please tell your wife I love the print of her dress. Does your wife have any 1940s hats?

No, just getting her as she is in the photo was something I never thought I'd see. But after 16 years of marriage, she still has some surprises. The afternoon before the even we were going to, she showed up from town with her hair done up 40s style and that dress (and another of its type) under her arm. She never even hinted she was even thinking of that.

This is the same woman who allowed me to move some large stuff out of my 'toy room' to fit the layout in place, originally.

Yep, she's a real keeper!

Hoping today I can make some progress on boxing up the O-scale layout pieces from my classroom for going up into storage. 

I finally got around to adding another car to my "Beer" train.  Thanks to Ben Fioriello for selling it :-)

I haven't done anything for a bit now. I sort of hit a brick wall. Wanted to go to one TIU but that has not worked out so far. Between Barry's book and fellow railroaders giving me ideas still sitting with two out of four mainlines running. Went to a train get together this past Friday night and that got me pumped again but next day same brick wall. Tossing around the idea of putting back the second TIU and next month just buy another TIU and remote plus a 500 watt brick to power it.  It helps to come on here and see what everyone else has been doing...........Paul

paul 2 posted:

I haven't done anything for a bit now. I sort of hit a brick wall. Wanted to go to one TIU but that has not worked out so far. Between Barry's book and fellow railroaders giving me ideas still sitting with two out of four mainlines running. Went to a train get together this past Friday night and that got me pumped again but next day same brick wall. Tossing around the idea of putting back the second TIU and next month just buy another TIU and remote plus a 500 watt brick to power it.  It helps to come on here and see what everyone else has been doing...........Paul

Brick walls happen,  I've found that the best way to get past it is to just work on something....big or small.   Either way it will pass.   

Finally got a YouTube video to upload. It didn't work a few times. But now its up.

The primary electric locomotive on the FH&J RR is the Lionel New York Central S-2 no. 125 with TMCC. Here, it is pulling a short train of boxcars and reefers on the mainline. It gets briefly held up by the Broadway Limited, made up of a Williams Crown Edition Pennsylvania K4s streamlined Pacific and Hogwarts Express coaches. But NYC is quick to get moving again and finish the job.

Congratulations on your first YouTube Harry!!  The S-2 and the K-4 are great! 

I am not very well versed in videos and YouTube myself, but I have done about 10.  The last one I can't get to upload for anything while I can see it run on my PC fine.  I may just have to shoot it again.  I have trouble getting enough volume on mine with my iPhone, that's the only camera I have. 

I'll look forward to seeing more from the FH&J RR!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Congratulations on your first YouTube Harry!!  The S-2 and the K-4 are great! 

I agree, the video is really good, I especially like the view from mid-train!

I have an odd soft spot for juice jacks, even though I grew up in the deep south and never got to any electric lines (current or abandoned) until well into adulthood. The only S-motor I have personally seen is this one in St Louis a few years ago:

Finished putting on upper level decking and dry fit some bridges for the lake/gorge area.  Side note for Paul, put the TIU problem out of mind and work on something else for awhile that you know will work.  Then come back to it in little bit with a fresh mind and a successful completion of another area.

Working on something new......

An amusing quote from the minutes of the July meeting of the Sugar Creek Model RR Club:

"SHOW & TELL: Mitch Marmel showed a diesel set he had liveried as AMTRAK. He had NOT converted it to a trolley." 

Gee, do I have a reputation or something? 

Mitch

Worked on the pile of customer repairs. Barely made a dent. I'm very oddly busy for summer

Bryan you are making some pretty good strides. That arched viaduct will be another great focal point on your new layout, especially with all those car carriers going over it.  At the rate you are going you will be well ahead of completing all the track work before you said................Paul

I have been installing dwarf signals to indicate switch direction.  Have 12 of them made and installed.  I have made them for less than $3.00 a piece.  I purchased the signal heads and LEDs on eBay (JTD23 10 sets Target Faces With LEDs for Railway signal O Scale 2 Aspects).  Reshaped the signal head and with the help of some styrene strips and 5/16 tubular styrene, I constructed a dwarf signal that shows red for the divergence switch position and green for straight alignment.  I am using Tortoise switch machines and the signal lights are connected to and controlled by one of the internal SPDT on the switch machine.  You can reference my original post on page 206, 4/23/16 for more construction specifics.

Dave