What did you do on your layout today?

Lee,

That really is a lot of work in a short period of time.  'Looks great!

People that have not yet tried to put together a layout really have no idea how much planning, time, and effort that it takes to reach the point where you are today.  Congratulations on a job well done.

I started to build my current new layout exactly one year ago yesterday and I still have a long way to go.  I have attached a photo from July 25, 2016 and a photo from today (1 year and 1 day later).

I am pleased with my progress considering that I had a very demanding full time job up until I retired on June 1st of this year.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

Howard

HMorgan125 posted:

People that have not yet tried to put together a layout really have no idea how much planning, time, and effort that it takes to reach the point where you are today. 

 

Great progress, Howard!

You are so right abut the planning and work, this is my first real layout I built on my own and yeah, it was a lot of work, far more than I ever thought it'd be...

Doug N.

The DZ1000 instruction sheet gives you the options for adding 1K resistors. Solder two resisters together. Run a ground wire to the middle of the resisters where you just soldered. Hook one end of one resister to the "L" on the Z1000 and the end of the other resister to the "R" on the Z1000.

Rod Miller

p51 posted:

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.

Way to set the bar HIGH Lee! You have done a wonderful job. I just love seeing all your updates. One day I will be able to post updates for you to see. I just hope I can live up to what you and others have done on here. There is so much talent, its amazing!

mike g. posted

One day I will be able to post updates for you to see. I just hope I can live up to what you and others have done on here.

We're all looking forward to that time, Mike, and I'm sure we'll all be equally impressed with your work.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

 

Even with no trains running, Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh finds the train room relaxing:

Mitch

Mitch

This ones for you.  My daughter's cat ( Tiger) on the layout this morning and got a rare opportunity to have some fun.. 

p51 posted:

HMorgan125 posted:

People that have not yet tried to put together a layout really have no idea how much planning, time, and effort that it takes to reach the point where you are today. 

 

Great progress, Howard!

You are so right abut the planning and work, this is my first real layout I built on my own and yeah, it was a lot of work, far more than I ever thought it'd be...

Lee, you have done a lot. It looks good as does yours Howard. Your absolutely right about how much planning it takes. I think about it for at least two months if not longer. Then I attempt to draw it, but it's mostly in my head. I change my mind a lot, but when it comes time to build it everything goes in it's place. My 7ft extension didn't come out quite the way I envisioned it, but in the end I'm happy with it.

p51 posted:

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.

Lee, Its hard to believe it been 2 yrs.  The layout has turned out great( lot of work and dedication to accuracy ).  In the process you gave us a little education of little known RRs operating in NC before and during the war years. I am always looking forward to seeing updates and some more history lessons.  Thanks for sharing your journey.

suzukovich posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

 

Even with no trains running, Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh finds the train room relaxing:

Mitch

Mitch

This ones for you.  My daughter's cat ( Tiger) on the layout this morning and got a rare opportunity to have some fun..

LMAO!  Cats and layouts are naturals together...

Mitch

 Lol, You better watch out, Tiger has that "you're gonna pay" look. Which is Scarry for me because of the resemblance to a kitty called Battle Cat. That tank would need to be full size to do any good with old BC if he claimed your layout. My pals TV room became unsafe for visitors without elbow high leather gloves. Think Loony Tunes Taz and add some stealth and attitude. No warning shots, just your blood suddenly running down to your fingers lol.

Took a break from wiring which I had been doing the last 2 days to put together this kit I got back in June.  It was from Pikesville Models and they had a small booth at York back in April.  This laser cut kit was supposed to be a S gauge hotel but I inquired if they could make one in O scale.  They said they would see what they could do and in June this was delivered.  The only difference was that when I saw their model at York I really thought it could be a prison which I really want for my layout.  The kit was EXTREMELY well built and not one item missing, broken, or out of alignment.  Laser etched part #'s made putting it together easy even after painting it.  Future plans for this scene will include a big chain link fence with barb wire at the top as well as a true exercise yard.  Results so far are below.

That's neat Bryan. I'd be looking for a "million" movie characters to fill it. Strother Martin first.

Bryan in Ohio posted:

The only difference was that when I saw their model at York I really thought it could be a prison which I really want for my layout. 

Mitch

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Wow, great job. I love it!

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Took a break from wiring which I had been doing the last 2 days to put together this kit I got back in June.  It was from Pikesville Models and they had a small booth at York back in April.  This laser cut kit was supposed to be a S gauge hotel but I inquired if they could make one in O scale.  They said they would see what they could do and in June this was delivered.  The only difference was that when I saw their model at York I really thought it could be a prison which I really want for my layout.  The kit was EXTREMELY well built and not one item missing, broken, or out of alignment.  Laser etched part #'s made putting it together easy even after painting it.  Future plans for this scene will include a big chain link fence with barb wire at the top as well as a true exercise yard.  Results so far are below.

Very cool Bryan, Just like the real world, maybe we need more of these on a layout! LOL

Tonight, I simply ran trains.  Big storms here on Saturday.  Glad my basement wasn't completely trashed.

John

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Took a break from wiring which I had been doing the last 2 days to put together this kit I got back in June.  It was from Pikesville Models and they had a small booth at York back in April.  This laser cut kit was supposed to be a S gauge hotel but I inquired if they could make one in O scale.  They said they would see what they could do and in June this was delivered.  The only difference was that when I saw their model at York I really thought it could be a prison which I really want for my layout.  The kit was EXTREMELY well built and not one item missing, broken, or out of alignment.  Laser etched part #'s made putting it together easy even after painting it.  Future plans for this scene will include a big chain link fence with barb wire at the top as well as a true exercise yard.  Results so far are below.

Looks like your hands will be full until you get the fence up. Great Job.

Bryan, the prison is really coming together. By chance will it be near water. If so maybe you could put in a sewer pipe and have Andy from Shawshank coming out of it. I see over the prison you have a few car carriers on the track so in between work you are running trains for relaxation. Impressive work so far........Paul

Normally I would have delayed this to Saturday, but one of the AGHR Kids was at the club this afternoon, so I had an extra pair of hands to help align the gusset we test fit last Saturday. This time, the cleats were moved up so that both halves could be mounted in their correct places. Next step is to cut some support braces to go between the boards then place the curved fascia boards. May have it done this Saturday.

Pretty cool seeing everyone's progress on here, which has gotten me pretty motivated.  Finally purchased a Dremel to help cut some track and it has made everything so much easier and got my son excited to cut some track.  We were able to lay quite a bit of track the last two days.  Now I have to correct some of my grades and finish my elevated track, then build my expansion benchwork. 

T (my six year old son) was very happy to be able to push some cars around again. 

DennyM posted:

p51 posted:

HMorgan125 posted:

People that have not yet tried to put together a layout really have no idea how much planning, time, and effort that it takes to reach the point where you are today. 

 

Great progress, Howard!

You are so right abut the planning and work, this is my first real layout I built on my own and yeah, it was a lot of work, far more than I ever thought it'd be...

Lee, you have done a lot. It looks good as does yours Howard. Your absolutely right about how much planning it takes. I think about it for at least two months if not longer. Then I attempt to draw it, but it's mostly in my head. I change my mind a lot, but when it comes time to build it everything goes in it's place. My 7ft extension didn't come out quite the way I envisioned it, but in the end I'm happy with it.

I got one for you guys.My cat chessie sleeps were I have my layout.He can be found sleeping right next to it.He some times come in and watch the trains.

Nice job on the prison.

Last night I finished the Wabash Valley "Markle Mill" grain elevator, putting signs on it.  It does look rusty and unused.  Will post photos of it and the mine entrance I completed when I get a round tuit.

Thanks guys for the response on the prison project....although today it is back to wiring the yard.  I like the idea of trying to incorporate some real life prisoners in there.  Paul, I do have a creek that will be near by and planed on doing something to incorporate the Andy drainage scene from my favorite movie Shawshank.  Off topic I have toured that prison in Mansfield where they filmed the movie and even did the overnight ghost hunt a few times.  The scene your talking about crawling through the drain was filmed using chocolate syrup and the tunnel was only about 15 feet long. 

I fully subscribe to the "doing a little every day" method. It allows you to take your time and do things right. Yesterday I put some pavement lines on the Diner parking lot. The conventional track is mostly done and now it's on to the landscaping but I'm in no hurry.

Today I set up and shot photos of the Wabash Valley Markle Mill elevator, and of the uncovered vertical shaft mine headframe finished before the elevator.  I have a number of machines around it: rock crusher, portable stamp mill, cable drum and hoist, and a Hart-Parr tractor and Case steam tractor to power them.   This mine complex is larger than that of the famous Matchless Mine of H.A.W. and Baby Doe Tabor in Leadville, Colorado.  Looking at the Matchless, it is hard to believe that "Haw" told her to hold onto the Matchless at his death, and she froze to death in that little shack honoring his request.  Photos done, I opened and began an American Model Builders "Farmer's Grain" elevator kit.  Prairie railroads can't have too many elevators, although I already do.

JWD posted:

I fully subscribe to the "doing a little every day" method. It allows you to take your time and do things right.

Smart man. 

I took up that mindset early on after I got track on my benchwork and trains running.

p51 posted:

JWD posted:

I fully subscribe to the "doing a little every day" method. It allows you to take your time and do things right.

Smart man. 

I took up that mindset early on after I got track on my benchwork and trains running.

Amen!  Building a layout is like eating and elephant, one small bite at a time.  

Dave

darlander posted:

Building a layout is like eating and elephant, one small bite at a time.  

Yeah, but it sure is a daunting process, isn't it? I must admit early on, I about drove myself nuts during the build. For every one thing I did, I could only see ten more things that now needed to follow. At one time I was even having nightmares about all the work I still needed to do to even get trains running.

I know the build is the thing that some people love doing (my Dad's not a model RR guy but he loves building stuff from scratch). Not me. I do deeply enjoy tinkering, tweaking and adding details to my layout now that it sort of looks quasi-presentable, but everything that got me to this place, for the most part, was simply work to me. I didn't enjoy the early stages of my layout build at all. The most I enjoy a build is for a structure or a car; those, I do enjoy.

But not the layout. It's just a giant pile of work until it starts looking like a layout and not a unfinished table in an odd shape with track nailed to it.

I know its not much, but its a first for me! I just switched a yard light from the old Christmas light style to LED and it works great! Now I have 20 more to go.

Question? Has anyone really seen a RED tower light in a real rail yard?

Filled in some openings on my asphalt shingle roads with Woodland Scenics fine cinders.  Looks great!  Took about 8 minutes to complete this micro project. 

8 minutes of when time stopped in the middle of a very busy day!

I changed out my fluorescent lighting to LED's.  Brighter and the upfront cost hurts a bit but I like them a lot more.

trumptrain posted:

Filled in some openings on my asphalt shingle roads with Woodland Scenics fine cinders.  Looks great!  Took about 8 minutes to complete this micro project. 

8 minutes of when time stopped in the middle of a very busy day!

The filling in of pot holes even on a layout is a necessary evil.

I went back through my layout's website and noticed several shots I have of rolling stock were from before I started my scenery. So, I grabbed my cell and got some quick shots of the same rolling stock to replace them with. I think they turned out okay for a cell.

I really need to break out my good camera and some lighting to get some really good shots, as I do have moderate photos skills for normal stuff...

Started this corner

Looks good Doberman!

Through the kind offices of Jim Pastorius,  Norma Bates Kitteh now owns a Lionel 3424 brakeman boxcar:

It took some bribery involving ham and tuna, but I managed to get the car away from Norma...

Next up:  Freshening up the wiring and adapting a couple pieces of Fastrack to work with the car!

Mitch

Nice shots Lee,  I agree these phones today do some remarkable things.

I got a new coaling tower and water tower for my steamers.

I finished detailing two more Lionel Chesapeake and Ohio 21" passenger cars with Preiser Figures. I am working to finish my passenger cars so I can use the Acrylic paints while they are still good.   I am going to have to find another hobby shop for paints. My west side Cleveland shop just announced they are going out of business.  Finding supplies to finish my layout is getting more difficult.