Picked up 6 more 072 Standard guge curves for the other end of my loop. Laid out the track, figured where I had to make some changes and cut on the straights and all went well. I had tested them for shorts before hand. After an hour or so of hard work I turned on the juice - short !! I suspected the last two pieces I put down, a short straight and the last curve. Took awhile with much frustration but finally got it all fixed. really glides through the wide curves. the main problem was a pin hole leak in the one cheap, soft cardboard(?) insulation piece. It wouldn't be a dead short with sparks or heat so, I suspect, when the heavy engine went over it the short occurred. The track isn't tacked own yet but waiting to see if it needs to be.
We have another work day scheduled for today. Hope to get the fascia installed that will determine the shapes of the sides of a double-track tunnel that is on the right side of my curved stone arch bridge. Also want to install all the rest of the fascia except where it abuts my 5 control panels. Jim also wants to get approval on the final designs for the new control panels so he can start producing them. Next steps after that will be to do an extensive check on my DCS signals, get them all where they need to be so I can start ballasting track. Exciting times for my railroad.
Art
Sounds like a full days worth of work. I sure hope everything goes smooth for you, but then again as long as your having fun its all the same!
Yesterday, I finished up filling in the benchwork deck and carving the roadbed. My wife helped me get the old TV off the wall, then I started mudding and taping that section. Today the plan is to throw some more mud, and get started on the bluff. Pics later.
Terry L, That's really sharp, the way it draws the eye and moves it along to several directions. And the balance and combination of various aspects of the landscape make realistic sense, to me. Also, the color tone of it all is unifying.
Bravo! A really nice job.
FrankM
Appreciate the comment. Here are a couple of other angles.
As promised, here are some pics of what I did today.
The dispatch corner is coming along nicely. I can't wait to get this primed and painted. It's going to be black with two big screen TV's.
I added this little wing wall, which allows the bluff to taper out, and also hides the security camera that watches the east end of the 3 track storage yard under the bluff.
The track coming through the opening is part of a reverse loop, but by the time I'm done, you'll never know it. There will be a road bridge that further covers the hole.
Here we see the west end of the 3 track yard. I have one more piece of foam left to cut, then I'll cut the vertical pieces. Finally, I'll fill in the slope by stacking strips of 2" foam.
This is what the west end camera sees right now. This will change when the foam gets a little further down the line. Everything above the plywood cross brace won't be visible after the foam is done.
Here's what the east camera sees now. I'm going to have to add some LED lighting so the camera will switch back to color instead of the low light B&W.
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Looking good Elliot, You sure are moving right along. You are a man of many talents, mudding, sanding, foam working, camera work. Are you sure your not some big wig from Hollywood that build sets for movies? I think I seen some of your work before on the BIG screen! LOL Great work!
Wow Big Boy, I am really impressed with the great quality of construction and planning on your Big Layout. It looks like everything is reachable, which makes life easier as we get Older...Very Nice dry wall work and great ideas...Keep us posted...Thank You...
What I did on my Layout Today was Start up my new VisionLine GG1 and I am very Well Pleased, Legacy Start Up, Sounds, Operation...It's Amazing...
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Larry,
The VL GG1 looks great! Everyone says they run and sound great too! Congratulations!
Boo Man posted: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.
You don't need those telephone type cables to make the signals work. Just run a single wire from J5-2 DOUT of the next block signal board to J5-4 YIN of the current block signal board. That will give you the same 2 block yellow function as the telephone cable connection.
Thanks Mike, Larry and the rest of my followers and "likers". You keep me motivated.
Some people here are aware of my history with train displays, but many are not. I try to stay very low key about my past, but every once in a while it comes up. This seems like one of those times to mention it.
Later this year will be the twenty fifth anniversary of the opening of enterTRAINment at Mall of America. While it was not a financial success, the layout was a huge hit, with over 100,000 paid visits in the 14 months that it was open. It was a wonderful and horrible learning experience all at the same time.
So, what does one do after "climbing Mount Everest"?
I give you the Twin Cities Central!
Much of the material used in this layout was salvaged from enterTRAINment, track, switches, wire, electronics, some structures, some accessories, scenic materials and a bunch of other junk. But the biggest take away from that adventure was knowledge and experience. I've taken all of that, added another 25 years, updated some materials and techniques, and voila.
So Mike, I guess in a roundabout way, I sort of am a "Hollywood Big Wig".
Larry, I tried to stick to the 4' or less rule, and for the most part, thing on the layout can be reached. Sometimes it's necessary to get creative.
It gets a little sticky for my "well rounded" and aging body to get into some places under the layout.
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Elliot, I wish I would have had a chance to see enterTRAINment, but living on the west side of the world just a little to far for me to drive! LOL Keep up the great work!
Elliot,
I see you make things as comfortable as possible for your helpers!! Smart man!!
Yes, I see the takeaway from Entertrainment was enormous! Now I am really starting to get a handle on your background and why you would attempt such a massive project! Excellent! And it is fun and informative to watch!
Gary E posted:Boo Man posted: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.
You don't need those telephone type cables to make the signals work. Just run a single wire from J5-2 DOUT of the next block signal board to J5-4 YIN of the current block signal board. That will give you the same 2 block yellow function as the telephone cable connection.
Gary,
Did not see this before connecting via the phone cables. Its working great though and I love it the signal system.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Thanks Mike, Larry and the rest of my followers and "likers". You keep me motivated.
Some people here are aware of my history with train displays, but many are not. I try to stay very low key about my past, but every once in a while it comes up. This seems like one of those times to mention it.
Later this year will be the twenty fifth anniversary of the opening of enterTRAINment at Mall of America. While it was not a financial success, the layout was a huge hit, with over 100,000 paid visits in the 14 months that it was open. It was a wonderful and horrible learning experience all at the same time.
So, what does one do after "climbing Mount Everest"?
I give you the Twin Cities Central!
Much of the material used in this layout was salvaged from enterTRAINment, track, switches, wire, electronics, some structures, some accessories, scenic materials and a bunch of other junk. But the biggest take away from that adventure was knowledge and experience. I've taken all of that, added another 25 years, updated some materials and techniques, and voila.
So Mike, I guess in a roundabout way, I sort of am a "Hollywood Big Wig".
Larry, I tried to stick to the 4' or less rule, and for the most part, thing on the layout can be reached. Sometimes it's necessary to get creative.
It gets a little sticky for my "well rounded" and aging body to get into some places under the layout.
Big Boy,
Cool layout. Is that railroad worker an Artissta figure? He does not look scale. LOL!
Mike, you just have to put your mind to it and make the trip. Visitors are always welcome.
Mark, I'm glad you are liking my updates. I enjoy sharing them with you. When my ex-wife and I decided to build our dream house back in 1999, I asked myself how much space I wanted for the train room, and decided I wanted the same space I had at the mall. The layout concept was just an expanded (double size) version of the layout I was starting at our previous house.
Thanks Bob, that figure is oversized even at 1:1 scale. 
Sometimes laying down on the job is a necessary evil. That wedge cushion made all the difference.
Had a very productive work day yesterday. Filled in some more gaps in the fascia and got a good start on the most difficult section. We started by reviewing the proposed new control panels. Everything looks great so we can now get into production mode on those. That is the single biggest road block that is preventing me from operating sessions. It's hard to operate a layout if you don't know the track plan and can't operate the switches. We made the decision to only allow the switches to only be controlled at the control panels, not manually so that makes it doubly important.
Here are a few pictures of the fascia progress.
The next pictures are of the difficult area. We had a good discussion about how best to treat this area scenically. We ended up calling a friend to give us his two cents worth. He had a great suggestion about placing buildings over the tunnel on the left side. We all liked that idea and then began constructing the tunnel structure that will be the support for the fascia in this area. There are pictures before we started and then some of where we left off. We got the left side tunnel portal in and the support structure. The right hand tunnel portal is also installed.
The last picture is the fascia on other side of my Mississippi River area which I can now start working on the scenery on.
Art
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Chugman posted:
Wow!
Great looking work. its always nice to have friends to bounce things off of. I cant wait to see what's next!
mike g. posted:its always nice to have friends to bounce things off of.
Too true. Some of the best things on my own layout came from suggestions of folks who saw it in progress. I don't think my layout would be anywhere near what it is right now if I'd come up with everything by myself.
Boo Man posted: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.
Is this the system which connects signals together with phone-type cord so they interact (Red, Yellow previous block, green two blocks back?)
I've been looking for those type.
"Sometimes laying down on the job is a necessary evil"
That reminds me of painting houses for a guy years ago. I'd done the toe mold paint in three rooms in 1/3 of the time as others and did a better job. "Good work, you others are too slow".
But days later, on room 6 or 7, when he saw me laying down on my side to do it, he had issues with it. He didn't care about results, only uncomfortable knees, and sweat. So, I asked him to hold my brush, and I went home. I can still see him with my brush in the window looking shocked, lol.
Mostly, comfort speeds production IMO.
Though I admit to falling asleep under a Skeeball game before. A pillow would have nice
Adriatic posted:That reminds me of painting houses for a guy years ago. I'd done the toe mold paint in three rooms in 1/3 of the time as others and did a better job. "Good work, you others are too slow".
But days later, on room 6 or 7, when he saw me laying down on my side to do it, he had issues with it. He didn't care about results, only uncomfortable knees, and sweat. So, I asked him to hold my brush, and I went home. I can still see him with my brush in the window looking shocked, lol.
Though I admit to falling asleep under a Skeeball game before. A pillow would have nice
Yeah, in the military, I saw this all the time, they didn't care so much about results, but how it looked as you accomplished them.
When I was in command, I couldn't care less what my people did or how they did it, so long as nobody got hurt and what we needed to do, got done. We once had to dig fighting positions and there was an engineer unit in the next field. We bribed them with the hot chow we had, and they used their vehicles dig out the holes in record time. When the Sgt Major came back through and saw us topping off the last of the sandbags when the other units in the perimeter hadn't even broken the topsoil yet, he went bonkers. He knew no human could dig out that fast, so he made my people fill them in and start over. Then, the Brigade commander came by 30 minutes later and asked why we were taking so long with the holes. I told him straight up what we'd done (emphasizing the initiative to get the holes dug so fast, other mission elements we were ahead on and had to them jump backward) and his own CSM's reaction to that. You should have seen the look on his face and I think he said something to the CSM behind closed doors afterward.
As for falling asleep, I can still, many years into civilian life, fall asleep almost anywhere. I once did a night land navigation qual and I feel dead asleep, snoring no less, while walking at least a kilometer. I only woke up when the road bent but I kept walking straight and went headfirst into a (thankfully dry) ditch.
It's really hard for me to watch movies anymore at home because there's always that memory my body has from getting sleep whenever/wherever I can. I've fallen asleep during countless movies, even the ones I really wanted to watch. And when I fly, I am usually asleep before we get to the runway. That drives my wife nuts, as she hates to fly (nothing's ever happened to her in a plane, yet I stumbled out of two chopper crashes, you figure that out)...
It could be how you ended up in command Lee; unique initiative. Lol.
When I started last night, the postwar gondala had MPC trucks and the MPC Giraffe Express and postwar PRR caboose had postwar trucks with one pickup each...
Now the 6417 has both postwar trucks with pickups, the gon has proper postwar trucks and the MPC caboose has MPC trucks with added pickups...
Naturally, Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh had to get into the act.
Mitch
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LOve the kitty !!
Kerrigan posted:Boo Man posted: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.
Is this the system which connects signals together with phone-type cord so they interact (Red, Yellow previous block, green two blocks back?)
I've been looking for those type.
Yes it is. I have 14 connected now and have them integrated. I am doing some scenery before installing the rest. If you are interested in them, check out this post on the forum.
Last few days I have been thinking up a design for another bldg just as a lark, while waiting for paint and glue to dry/cure on the machine shop. Still have a few more details and a sign on the rail side to do. Also made a brick extension for the restaurant.
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Big_Boy_4005 posted:Thanks Mike, Larry and the rest of my followers and "likers". You keep me motivated.
Some people here are aware of my history with train displays, but many are not. I try to stay very low key about my past, but every once in a while it comes up. This seems like one of those times to mention it.
Later this year will be the twenty fifth anniversary of the opening of enterTRAINment at Mall of America. While it was not a financial success, the layout was a huge hit, with over 100,000 paid visits in the 14 months that it was open. It was a wonderful and horrible learning experience all at the same time.
So, what does one do after "climbing Mount Everest"?
I give you the Twin Cities Central!
Much of the material used in this layout was salvaged from enterTRAINment, track, switches, wire, electronics, some structures, some accessories, scenic materials and a bunch of other junk. But the biggest take away from that adventure was knowledge and experience. I've taken all of that, added another 25 years, updated some materials and techniques, and voila.
So Mike, I guess in a roundabout way, I sort of am a "Hollywood Big Wig".
Larry, I tried to stick to the 4' or less rule, and for the most part, thing on the layout can be reached. Sometimes it's necessary to get creative.
It gets a little sticky for my "well rounded" and aging body to get into some places under the layout.
Lookin Good! Dont get to much done before we get there in Feb i want to see the construction eh LoL
Not to worry Chad, there's plenty left to do. BTW, that picture of me on my back wiring, is from two years ago.
pennsynut posted:Last few days I have been thinking up a design for another bldg just as a lark, while waiting for paint and glue to dry/cure on the machine shop. Still have a few more details and a sign on the rail side to do. Also made a brick extension for the restaurant.
Things are looking good, are you going to light your buildings? If so what did you use to make the windows? After more and more reading on here I have a lot of stuff needed to build some buildings. Just don't know what to build. Still thinking on that.
Plans are to try to finish the tunnel enclosure and get the fascia installed around it today. Decided to use a lift-off section above the left-hand side of the tunnel for easier access. I am going to put some buildings on top of this area and an added benefit of the lift-off will be I can do all the work at my bench. This area will be at the edge of the layout where it will get a lot of close inspection so being able to detail it at the bench will work out great.
Art
mike g. posted:pennsynut posted:Last few days I have been thinking up a design for another bldg just as a lark, while waiting for paint and glue to dry/cure on the machine shop. Still have a few more details and a sign on the rail side to do. Also made a brick extension for the restaurant.
Things are looking good, are you going to light your buildings? If so what did you use to make the windows? After more and more reading on here I have a lot of stuff needed to build some buildings. Just don't know what to build. Still thinking on that.
Mike. I made the windows on the machine bldg with Evans paper and stretched them so I could cut the parts out that I wanted. I just glued them on the masonite after I had papered with Evans brick paper. The windows for the restaurant were made by gluing baking paper inside the window openings. With printers its possible to create your own and I have also bought gray construction paper and drawn on the window mullions with colored fine point sharpies. As far as what bldgs to put on a layout, I have done a lot of thinking as well. For me, I have gone back and forth on whether to buy a few highly detailed ready mades (1 or 2) as focal pointsor buy kits to bash and scratch build others. At this point I have room for one more bldg and the location is probably suitable for a scratch built because of the other scenic elements. There are so many great product offerings for structures that are really superb. My biggest challenge continues to be visualizing a scene and the possibilities. I hunt on the forum and other sites for creative ideas. As far as lighting, I decided long ago to forgo lighting structures and even my passenger cars. I might change my mind someday, but I am trying to finish "problem corner" and finally run some trains.
Boo Man posted:Kerrigan posted:Boo Man posted: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.
Is this the system which connects signals together with phone-type cord so they interact (Red, Yellow previous block, green two blocks back?)
I've been looking for those type.
Yes it is. I have 14 connected now and have them integrated. I am doing some scenery before installing the rest. If you are interested in them, check out this post on the forum.
If you're using the Atlas signal system and want to have the signals work prototypically around turnouts then check out Custom Signals (customsignals.com) . Terry was authorized by Atlas to build and sell Atlas signal system compatible circuit boards. His Turnout Control Module is plug compatible and controls the signals around turnouts.
Gary E posted:Boo Man posted:Kerrigan posted:Boo Man posted: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.
Is this the system which connects signals together with phone-type cord so they interact (Red, Yellow previous block, green two blocks back?)
I've been looking for those type.
Yes it is. I have 14 connected now and have them integrated. I am doing some scenery before installing the rest. If you are interested in them, check out this post on the forum.
If you're using the Atlas signal system and want to have the signals work prototypically around turnouts then check out Custom Signals (customsignals.com) . Terry was authorized by Atlas to build and sell Atlas signal system compatible circuit boards. His Turnout Control Module is plug compatible and controls the signals around turnouts.
Custom Signals website says he is going out of business in the middle of 2016 .... yes/no?
Hi guys,
Not a lot but, I added another insinuated track section to the kids loop so the crossing gate will fall before the train is already above the roadway and ran trains
Got two replacement Lionel O42R O27 profile switches for stock seeing they don't make them anymore and they seem to be going for gold.
