What did you do on your layout today?

Gawrsh!  I'm blushing now... 

Mitch

Not the layout itself but I painted the axle ends and driver tires on my Lionel 844.  Not the best picture but it happens.  I still need to paint the hubs on the engine truck a nice bright aluminum.

N&W Class J posted:

Not the layout itself but I painted the axle ends and driver tires on my Lionel 844.  Not the best picture but it happens.  

It's amazing how much better something can look, from something so simple, huh?

Looks great, much more realistic that way.

Yeah it is the little things sometimes for sure.  Thank you for the compliment.

In the "People Will Print Nearly Anything These Days" department, be on the lookout for yet another Tip and/or Trick from me in the next issue of CTT...  ;-)

Mitch

My grandsons are coming over this Sunday for a cookout at the beach.  When we get back they like to hang out in the train room.  Their favorite store is Kroger’s.  They like going to Kroger’s with grandpa and grandma. So I am going to put this trailer and flatcar that I made today, on their train, just behind the locomotive. Hope they notice.  I made a paper decal with an ink jet printer. I used an Avery, Acid-Free Glue Stick to adhere the decal.

If I get a cool photo, I will post the photo on this thread.

Have a great weekend and stay cool in this one-hundred degree weather.

Amfleet25124 posted:

 

Kevin, That is some great work!!! My next layout will most definitely have a subway so I enjoy seeing how others model them. 

Where did you find the garbage truck?

In your video the train runs nice and quiet on the rails. What are you using for underlayment?

Working on a few buildings on my lay out.One is called the roll em up pipe company.In the next town its the cooper feeds were all my coved hopper cars will go.I trying to decide what color to paint to use.

Ran an op session this evening, and took this photo of my wood caboose model to replace one on my website that was taken back before there was any scenery on my layout...

It's the first laser kit I ever built, and quite frankly, it shows. But for now, it'll do. I might be getting another one of these kits, doing a better job of it, then selling this one...

Just proved ACDX Rob right! 

https://ogrforum.com/t...31#62387745908739031

Mitch

p51 posted:

Ran an op session this evening, and took this photo of my wood caboose model to replace one on my website that was taken back before there was any scenery on my layout...

It's the first laser kit I ever built, and quite frankly, it shows. But for now, it'll do. I might be getting another one of these kits, doing a better job of it, then selling this one...

It looks good from here. Why aren't you happy with it?

I agree with Adriatic, it looks very good...I love the scene as well.

bigtruckpete posted:

Amfleet25124 posted:

 

Kevin, That is some great work!!! My next layout will most definitely have a subway so I enjoy seeing how others model them. 

Where did you find the garbage truck?

In your video the train runs nice and quiet on the rails. What are you using for underlayment?

 

Thanks Pete.

The garbage truck is a 1:43 Swedish Scania truck that I purchased on FeeBay.  My plan is to only use 1:43 vehicles on my layout (I still have some holdovers for fillers) and I wanted my trucks to have an additional variety to just the New Ray Freightliner and Kenworth models.  Just search "Scania 1:43" on FeeBay and you'll see a bunch of various styles of trucks, etc.

Regarding the track, the Atlas O is just laid straight on top of indoor/outdoor carpet that's sitting on the blue foam from Lowe's.  As it's sitting on a HCD I thought it would be louder, but it isn't.  Track noise is very quiet, which is why I still love Atlas O even with all of my multiple track changes $$$$ over the years .  To make it even more quiet (which is required by the Land Grant Commission  for the Christmas layout) I eventually plan on placing all of my Atlas O on Ross Roadbed which I've read great things about.

P51:  Memo about cabooses (cabeece?) :  You can never have too many!

Paul Fischer

Just received my new Pennsy Aerotrin from Patrick's Trains. I bought the train and three add on cars (so 3 cars have the number 301). The train looks better IMHO pulling 6 cars instead of 3 cars. The real train pulled 9 cars but at $55 per car I had to draw the line somewhere.  I spent some time gluing in passengers and and engineer and fireman, replacing the diaphragms with the larger ones that come with the cars and oiling the set. I will post pictures after I bring them down to my club on Wednesday night.  

More tips and tricks from Mitch?  Yeaaaaaah!

Maybe we'll finally find out the trick behind this!

Hope you have a speedy recovery, Mitch.

Bruce

Adriatic posted:

p51 posted:

It's the first laser kit I ever built, and quite frankly, it shows. But for now, it'll do. I might be getting another one of these kits, doing a better job of it, then selling this one...

It looks good from here. Why aren't you happy with it?

Handrails aren't formed correctly, the glue is obvious in several spots.

Not horrible for my first laser kit ever, but I can do better now.

brwebster posted:

More tips and tricks from Mitch?  Yeaaaaaah!

Maybe we'll finally find out the trick behind this!

Hope you have a speedy recovery, Mitch.

Thanks! 

And there's no trick involved; gi-raffe milk creates rainbows spontaneously. 

Mitch

Picked up the ALCO Lionel 2032 from my repairman. He had to rebuild the E unit. Told me repro E units are getting expensive so he rebuilt the old one. Runs good. These are dark blue with yellow stripes with Erie on the engine. I like the darker color compared to the silver.

It was too hot out today, so I worked in the basement getting a couple track problems fixed on the Ceiling Central RR

AGHR Howie and I have been attacking the "beveled" corners of the bench work in favor of rounded for better scenery aesthetics. This particular corner has been somewhat of a sore spot but we finally got the sections made. This will allow us to add a siding and spur to serve the Bullshippers CoOp (Walthers Sursweet Feeds building kit). We got the concave upper and lower panels cut and should have the extension pieces completed next weekend and the fascia boards installed the following weekend.

p51 posted:

Adriatic posted:

p51 posted:

It's the first laser kit I ever built, and quite frankly, it shows. But for now, it'll do. I might be getting another one of these kits, doing a better job of it, then selling this one...

It looks good from here. Why aren't you happy with it?

Handrails aren't formed correctly, the glue is obvious in several spots.

Not horrible for my first laser kit ever, but I can do better now.

Hi Lee, I think it looks wonderful! But do I have a deal for you. I have this.

http://www.yeoldehuffnpuff.com/images/695.GIF

If you would like it for free, just postage its yours so you can do another one. It doesn't go with the way my layout will go and I don't have the skills or more the patience to build it.

Finally got around to running second power leads to the far side of the track loops on my Standard gauge track plus loops #2 & #3 on the O gauge. Hope to do #4 tomorrow. My loops aren't really long but it sure helped especially with steady, slow running with the old Lionels.

Wired several more Ross switches with DZ1000'S. I don't use the push buttons but I do add the resistors to keep the LED's lit. I love it when they are done but I really hate this part of the layout construction.

Rod Miller

My 2020 decided to deposit the front truck screw in a nice discreet corner of the track just right to short things out.   A bit of searching and reinstalling later, all is well.

While I had it apart, I did a bit of test fitting to see if I could pull off that 2-4-6 gag with a Marx 666.  No luck on that... 

Mitch

Yesterday my good friend Randy Harrison came over and brought me a mirror, which he cut to size, for one of my streets that dead ends at a wall.  After installation of the mirror, the street now appears to continue and adds great depth to the layout.  This new improvement to this street has the merchants and residents who do business and live there worried, because they think this mirror improvement will be "reflected" in their tax bill.  ( sorry I couldn't resist )

 I also created some new streets using asphalt roofing shingles.  They really look great!!  I added some shrubs too.

 Im putting final touches on the layout in preparation for the photo shoot.  My layout is going to be featured in one of the upcoming issues of OGR Magazine!  

 Good morning all. As usual some great work being done. A couple of things first.. 

Mitch, Glad your doing better although at first shocked that you called the plumber ( roto-rooter man) . But after thinking about it , who better to call to clean out the pipes since they both (Doctors) charge and arm and a leg.  At least the work is guaranteed.

Lee: the waycar looks good despite what you think and the fencing came out good as it helps blend in the back drop.. Layout is getting better each time you post. 

For me this was a last second decision as I needed to clear my mind. Jumped in the van and drove out to my source for back drops and trees.  Finally fixed the gap in my back drop that had been bugging me for a long time on one section of the layout and replaced the final three sections with new mats. No more yellow snow or bare wall..

Suzukovich, Great looking work, I really like the winter wonderland! Not to mention I like the combination of the Trains and slot cars. You put out some wonderful videos! Keep up the great work!

suzukovich posted:

 

Mitch, Glad your doing better although at first shocked that you called the plumber ( roto-rooter man) . But after thinking about it , who better to call to clean out the pipes since they both (Doctors) charge and arm and a leg.  At least the work is guaranteed 

Now that's funny! 

But if that jingle is in my head another day I swear you'll both pay double .....

Lee: the waycar looks good despite what you think and the fencing came out good as it helps blend in the back drop.. Layout is getting better each time you post.

Artists are their own worst critic. No matter what "something" is " wrong"  

I bet he'd trade for a new kit just to try again.

With the heat, I've done nothing. My transformers add 5°temp. to the room and I'm trying not to run the air conditioning this year. I almost ran them at lunch, but the cool morning breeze gave way to a breeze that could have been coming out of a space heater. It changed in just seconds when the sun moved. In all it had me dreaming about snow angels after seeing your photos.

Call me Nanook, even the yellow snow would be tempting.....oh great, now I want pancakes...too hot

mike g. posted:

p51 posted:

Handrails aren't formed correctly, the glue is obvious in several spots.

Not horrible for my first laser kit ever, but I can do better now.

Hi Lee, I think it looks wonderful! But do I have a deal for you. I have this.

http://www.yeoldehuffnpuff.com/images/695.GIF

If you would like it for free, just postage its yours so you can do another one. It doesn't go with the way my layout will go and I don't have the skills or more the patience to build it.

Mike,

Thanks for the offer but the RR I model never used refer cars, so I'd rather this car go to someone who'd be able to run it in trains.

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

p51 posted:

Handrails aren't formed correctly, the glue is obvious in several spots.

Not horrible for my first laser kit ever, but I can do better now.

Hi Lee, I think it looks wonderful! But do I have a deal for you. I have this.

http://www.yeoldehuffnpuff.com/images/695.GIF

If you would like it for free, just postage its yours so you can do another one. It doesn't go with the way my layout will go and I don't have the skills or more the patience to build it.

Mike,

Thanks for the offer but the RR I model never used refer cars, so I'd rather this car go to someone who'd be able to run it in trains.

Sounds good Lee, it's open free to anyone who wants it.

Dangit, now the Roto-Rooter jingle is earworming ME! 

In other news:  I've improved the lighting on my workbench by installing one of those two-bulb jobbies over my head:

Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh was, as always, contributing brainpower to the endeavor:

Mitch

Just completed the 7ft extension on my layout. The last thing I did was finish the train yard. I still have to add a road and more ballast and at some point put in a fishing hole by the bait store.

mike g. posted:

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

p51 posted:

Handrails aren't formed correctly, the glue is obvious in several spots.

Not horrible for my first laser kit ever, but I can do better now.

Hi Lee, I think it looks wonderful! But do I have a deal for you. I have this.

http://www.yeoldehuffnpuff.com/images/695.GIF

If you would like it for free, just postage its yours so you can do another one. It doesn't go with the way my layout will go and I don't have the skills or more the patience to build it.

Mike,

Thanks for the offer but the RR I model never used refer cars, so I'd rather this car go to someone who'd be able to run it in trains.

Sounds good Lee, it's open free to anyone who wants it.

I'd sure like to give one a shot Mike, if it's still available. I'm going to try to e-mail you if you have one listed. If not, mine is.

Regardless, it's a nice gesture.

Hi ADRIATIC,

Its all yours.

mike g. posted:

Hi ADRIATIC,

Its all yours.

Great, glad it's going to a good home!

romiller49 posted:

Wired several more Ross switches with DZ1000'S. I don't use the push buttons but I do add the resistors to keep the LED's lit. I love it when they are done but I really hate this part of the layout construction.

Rod Miller

Where do you add the resisters?

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

Hi ADRIATIC,

Its all yours.

Great, glad it's going to a good home!

It will always be Mike's, I'm just gonna hold it till he sends orders for it to be sent home But I'm glad you approve. No martians or dayglow colors, I promise.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Just proved ACDX Rob right! 

https://ogrforum.com/t...31#62387745908739031

Mitch

I just stumbled by this one again and thought "that's easy", proving him wrong, that's hard

It’s hard to believe, but on this day 2 years ago, it was a weekend and I had started cutting plywood and 1X4s to build the bench work for the layout. By August 2^nd, it was looking like this:

Now, compare this shot with one taken almost exactly 2 years later:

I plan on running some trains on those days, as I’ve made quite a bit of progress on this project. The one local guy who helped me out with the track and wiring has pointed out that I’ve made more progress in 2 years than most other modelers would make in a decade. From the other local layouts I’ve seen, I know he’s right about that.