What did you do on your layout today?

Becky -is that your Disney land ??   really great.

jim pastorius posted:

Becky -is that your Disney land ??   really great.

Yep.  Paper daleks with beads for heads.

pennytrains posted:

jim pastorius posted:

Becky -is that your Disney land ??   really great.

Yep.  Paper daleks with beads for heads.

Very nice Disney, though I've never been there, I've seen a few photos 

And here I took your name to be Penny.  I should never assume 

Tonight I worked on doing some patching of a couple of small holes in the brick wall of the basement. Being an older house they are clay. Tomorrow I can apply some dry lock to the wall. Then I have to make something up for the transformer, legacy, TIU and power brick to sit on under the table. Keeping it simple this time around. I plan to run this layout with Legacy and DCS. No conventional. Plus the majority of the switches will be manual so less wiring.... ....Paul

Did some wiring on the mainline today. Essentially using Buss wiring and so far the DCS seems to work ok. Drilled holes in the benchwork cross members to snake wire pairs through. Using 14 gauge stranded wire .

Mark Boyce posted:

Very nice Disney, though I've never been there, I've seen a few photos 

And here I took your name to be Penny.  I should never assume 

Thanks!  Rebecca Penelope.  So, either/or. 

pennytrains posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Very nice Disney, though I've never been there, I've seen a few photos 

And here I took your name to be Penny.  I should never assume 

Thanks!  Rebecca Penelope.  So, either/or. 

That's excellent!  I could go by Alanrails.  I think I like it!  :-)

Assembled most of the Rico restaurant, carved some foam, cleaned up a lot of the basement, positioned the freight house, power house, machine shop and depot.  I plan to add a 2 or 3 inch brick room on the left side of the restaurant where the freight room would have been. 

The restaurant will eventually be located somewhere in front of the pink rock slope.

I would have to say the restaurant turned out wounderfull, I like the new colors. The power house looks sharp also. will be fun to fallow the progress of the mountain. Keep up the great work!

I agree with Mike !  What a transformation to the RICO!

I tried to do something yesterday,,

Got two switches yesterday from the Bay and both have issues.

This sucks for both of us, me and the seller.
You know e-bay should not allow someone to put not tested in their add then tell you "oh I am sorry".  If you can't test it and be sure it works then they should force them to sell them as Parts or Repair. JMHO. and a good one.

So I can get the right switch to work but it falls short on closing all the way swinging to straight, plunger is not pushing far enough. The other left hand, will switch off auto derail but not off the remote posts. Must be a wire issue. They are riveted together so I would need to drill them out to see what is wrong. If I have to pay shipping again then I am out half the cost of the total order. So I may as well just make a project out of the darn things and right it off as a lesson learned.

Now today to figure out how to get them apart and fix them,if I can.

Set up the logging railroad so two engineers can operate at once (the old fashion way!).

Functioning lighted billboard signs by Miller.

Five that I remember when I was a kid (many moons ago!) and a GN sign that my GNRHS had made.

videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be      

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgKfNiRM2D4&feature=youtu.be         

For details on installation see:

https://ogrforum.com/t...52#70693071085359952

Today I learned how to take apart lionel modern O27 switches. I got two on the bay yesterday and both were bad. So I worked it out with the seller and mixed what I got with what I had to get running.

 I had a very worn out point on the switch on the layout.

Used some parts from my switch to fix the one I got so now I have a switch with a much better point.

The other switch had an elect issue so I had to drill out the rivets, un-solder  the track from the back plate fix the wire and put it back together.

It is good to be retired.

Here is the rivets I drilled out.

Here is where I had to un-solder the track from the back.

Here is it opened up and back working. Sorry I did not take a picture of under the paper.

Nice repair work. Yes it is good to be retired. I too have repaired a number of these in PW 0-22 models.

What is the part number for the toggle switch you show int helots photo. I am assuming you are using this type of switch for throw the turnout?

jeff

Added my neighbor Pete Kayaking on Long Pond.  Well it looked long until I put the kayak on it.  LOL.

Jeff Z posted:

Nice repair work. Yes it is good to be retired. I too have repaired a number of these in PW 0-22 models.

What is the part number for the toggle switch you show int helots photo. I am assuming you are using this type of switch for throw the turnout?

jeff

Jeff,

I got them off E-bay a few years back but they are still there all over the place.

I use them for all my switches (bottom row) and the plain on off ones that match.

 SPDT Toggle Switches ON/OFF/Momentary ON (three position)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-SPDT...9:g:d78AAOxyyq5TMc0C

On -Off

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-X-He...5ZBWKKwn&vxp=mtr

Happy New year.  Well vacation is over and back to doing things train wise again.  Been following the thread and there has been some nice work. Art with the parking Garage, The rico restaurant and others.  Today first order of business test a newly arrived Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebra then build a lash up with other Atlas ATSF GP9. Couldn't get the lash up to work right and raised the white flag. Turned out to be a simple fix but had some help. https://ogrforum.com/t...ly=70693071086103124  Lash up now working fine. Of course the cool part I now have all three Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebras. 2 powered and one dummy. Still need to install kadees, but that will come.

Not diddly since before holidays, but today l took a few pictures of the steam coach while it is incomplete, to try to psych me up to getting back in gear.

suzukovich posted:

Happy New year.  Well vacation is over and back to doing things train wise again.  Been following the thread and there has been some nice work. Art with the parking Garage, The rico restaurant and others.  Today first order of business test a newly arrived Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebra then build a lash up with other Atlas ATSF GP9. Couldn't get the lash up to work right and raised the white flag. Turned out to be a simple fix but had some help. https://ogrforum.com/t...ly=70693071086103124  Lash up now working fine. Of course the cool part I now have all three Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebras. 2 powered and one dummy. Still need to install kadees, but that will come.

 

 

Looking nice! I don't know so I have to ask, when you do a lash up do the fallowing engine lights not come on? Just wondering. I don't have enough engines to know or the layout to try! LOL

Got a little bit done today.  I installed Atlas track on the banks of my Mississippi River valley.  I first sprayed the track with Camo Earth Brown and then cut it to fit.  I displayed a "shelf queen engine" and a couple cars to see how they will look there.  I'm anxious to get started on plaster, rock formations, water, and trees in this area.  The highway that runs on the left side will be my "River Road" and looks like a good place to get a speeding ticket.  I have some fishermen very eager to see the dam opened and water flowing in the river too.

Art

mike g. posted:

suzukovich posted:

Happy New year.  Well vacation is over and back to doing things train wise again.  Been following the thread and there has been some nice work. Art with the parking Garage, The rico restaurant and others.  Today first order of business test a newly arrived Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebra then build a lash up with other Atlas ATSF GP9. Couldn't get the lash up to work right and raised the white flag. Turned out to be a simple fix but had some help. https://ogrforum.com/t...ly=70693071086103124  Lash up now working fine. Of course the cool part I now have all three Atlas ATSF GP9 Zebras. 2 powered and one dummy. Still need to install kadees, but that will come.

 

 

Looking nice! I don't know so I have to ask, when you do a lash up do the fallowing engine lights not come on? Just wondering. I don't have enough engines to know or the layout to try! LOL

With the Atlas and Lionel engines it seams only the lead unit in either direction the classification lights work.  MTH engines I can set them to be on or off.

Chugman posted:

Got a little bit done today.  I installed Atlas track on the banks of my Mississippi River valley.

Very impressive so far, can't wait to see the finished scene!

well got some more done. made an arch for that area now need to do some details to make it a little more 3d

A momentary on/ off/ momentary on switch choice is better to keep from accidentally leaving a coil powered.

Jhainer, If that line fails let's open a farmers market and flea market in the old space.

Visually, I buy that so far. I'd put a building on it if they let me too. Some concrete and blocks could date various portions, for an upgraded section .

You need one of those Target store, stick on, wide angle, fisheye camera lenses. You've got all kinds of width to show and no distance to do it from, lol.

  Speaking of all the stonework lately, I think Chugman once had some Masons secretely shrunken to 1:48 for a nice job many pages ago too if I recall right.  Looks like they learned to mix and pour concrete as well.

Mark Boyce posted:

I agree with Mike !  What a transformation to the RICO!

Mark, Mike G. and those who sent likes. Thanks for the comments and thanks for the "likes" . I copied the paint colors from another forum member's Rico repaint.  There is a thread on the forum Show your Rico stations.  It was enjoyable to assemble and has interesting architecture. Tonight I printed some Evans brick paper and glued it to the sides and ends.  Hope to start detail work on the freight house later this week.

Back at it today, after life intervened on Sunday and Monday. I had wanted to finish the Dayton's Bluff scene by the end of last week, but I fell a little short. Just a tiny bit left, then I have to decide what to attack next.

Some final sanding, and this wall will be ready for primer. Then I get to turn my attention to the wall on the right which will be much easier I want this whole corner ready for the dispatch desk by the end of the month.

All of the roadbed is carved...

Just a few holes left to fill in, a small one on the left, and a couple behind the camera.

Let's do something a little different here. I'll let you guys help me decide what I should do next.

1. Paint the rail on this section.
2. Start filling in the deck on a different section.
3. Get out the pink foam and build the bluff on the right.

Vote early and vote often.

You forgot option D: let the spouse do it while you work on other stuff!

Also, let the kids help: let 'em earn their 'keep' for once!

I thought you were going to say D. all of the above.

Actually, my wife does help with projects for the layout, but not this kind of stuff. My kids grown and live out of town, so this will be all me.

Elliot, I say do what you hate doing first, that way it done and out of the way! LOL

mike g. posted:

Elliot, I say do what you hate doing first, that way it done and out of the way! LOL

I agree with that, if it is practical to do so.

Elliot, definitely C. as I want to see how you do it.  I am debating between pink foam and plaster on several areas, so this would be educational for me.

Art

Elliot, I agree with Art.  C - Build the bluff!  

Dave

Thanks guys, it sounds like the choice is C.

I'm rather excited to try this, because I've never really worked with foam before. The bluff will have to be very light, because the sections will need to be removable in order to access the hidden tracks below. I have some ideas on how I'll attack this project, without making a huge mess, which is always an issue when dealing with foam.

This will be the true start of scenery. Here is what I want it to look like.

Chugman posted:

Elliot, definitely C. as I want to see how you do it.  I am debating between pink foam and plaster on several areas, so this would be educational for me.

Art

Does blue foam count?

Elliot- I vote for the bluff too. Getting a major scenery piece done is a major milestone. It may give you ideas for the rest of the area as you go too.

Eliot - What I did was use pink foam as a support and WS shaper sheet for the actual structure.  I did it in 4' sections and only built a foundation in place while building the actual mountain off line on the bench.  After doing the landscaping, i dropped it on the foundation, i.e. the tunnel.  I've also built all foam mountains the same way - OFFLINE,i.e. on the bench.  I didn't take photos as I Progressed.  On the mountain/tunnel project,  the mountain is attached to the tunnel base with 2 twist ties so I can remove it for maintenance on the back side of the layout.  Good luck with your project.

That turned out really nice Matt. Four foot sections are exactly what I had in mind. I plan to make them hollow too.

I am currently busy installing the Atlas Signal System (12 of 20 installed).  They are working wonderfully on a stand alone basis.  They really add to the fun of the layout.  I am going to make my own connecting cables to get them connected so they work interchangeably.  That will actually add to the cosmetic appeal by having them functionally more important during operating sessions.  

Not much today. Worked on a low budget Lionel RS3 6-28844 and remover the front guard rail when I found it would hit a O27 switch I have on the small Lumber yard loop. So something is better than nothing.

 I must say, some of you have very neat layouts,,,,,,WOW!!!!!!!!!!!   

Work continues on the corner cliff. Laid the roadway pieces and ballasted the track going up the hill around the bend.

I used Rustoleum textured black spray paint on the road. I think it looks like real asphault.

KRM posted:

Not much today. Worked on a low budget Lionel RS3 6-28844 and remover the front guard rail when I found it would hit a O27 switch I have on the small Lumber yard loop. So something is better than nothing.

 I must say, some of you have very neat layouts,,,,,,WOW!!!!!!!!!!!   

KRM- I have  a similar RS-3 6-28832. The overhangs on the trucks is a killer. I added a second motorized truck to mine. It only had a single motor when I bought it and couldn't get out of its own way. Pulls like a champ now.