mike g. posted:come on guys its just foam, I don't think I need a light saber!
Mike it takes a true artist to carve with a light Saber and it makes quick work with foam!!! 
Beat using an axe.
Paul nice work with the foam. Its truly coming along great. Just remember unlike an axe when you remove a finger, a light saber leaves no blood to clean up. Everyone else great work. Well I must be on a roll, its Saturday an actually have some me time. So here is another GN vid finished today. Yes BSB painted engines are finally showing up in Winterton.
I bought a wood tray at Hobby Lobby today, for when I do op sessions so I could place cars on it when I'm swapping out stuff at the interchange track when the session resets for another train.
I put some HO re-railer sections on it, and it'll hold more than enough cars. So at an op session where I run another train, I can have a new set of cars ready on this tray in another room, ready to go. I can also connect alligator clips to wires to the DCC system and use any of these as a program track if I need to.
There's also room for boxes for the car cards for each car being swapped out, too...
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Ran trains this morning while I put my SWSAT post together
https://ogrforum.com/t...38#72101420768990738
Ran trains again tonight while going through the bills- good thing I can multi-task 
Just placed a pack of these randomly on the layout. They're made for HO but seem big for that scale and look great in O. Little details extend to scenery, too: https://www.walthers.com/grass...g-42-yellow-each-1-4
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Lee, another great scene. If you lived close to me I would offer you a beer to do my scenery. And it is so amazing how you have hidden the third rail LOL ....Paul
Dave (Darlander) came over for a few hours this afternoon, and we had "Christmas in April". We unpacked, added to the inventory list, and placed on the layout a couple dozen cars. Tip of the iceberg.
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Elliot, looking better and better. Once that section is done and the scenery added it is going to be great looking scene..............Paul
Thanks Paul, that section is almost complete. There will be a little bit of greenery on either side of the main, and some on the backdrop and that's it. The trains are the real scenery.
p51 posted:
Just placed a pack of these randomly on the layout. They're made for HO but seem big for that scale and look great in O. Little details extend to scenery, too: https://www.walthers.com/grass...g-42-yellow-each-1-4
Lee looks great. Little details like wild flowers that I think people seam to forget.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Dave (Darlander) came over for a few hours this afternoon, and we had "Christmas in April". We unpacked, added to the inventory list, and placed on the layout a couple dozen cars. Tip of the iceberg.
Elliot
Christmas in April or in May June or July always the best. Nice to see the layout come to life. I guess I never thought of this ill now with seeing the Soo Line cabs. What will be the main road and era will you be modeling? I was thinking early 70s because of AMTRAK Circus consist. Also will you eventually turn to the dark side(3RS) and start converting to Kadees?
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Thanks Paul, that section is almost complete. There will be a little bit of greenery on either side of the main, and some on the backdrop and that's it. The trains are the real scenery.
Elliot,
The yard sure looks good with cars in it! I'm glad you had a good productive day with Dave there joining in the fun!!
p51 posted:
Just placed a pack of these randomly on the layout. They're made for HO but seem big for that scale and look great in O. Little details extend to scenery, too: https://www.walthers.com/grass...g-42-yellow-each-1-4
Nice little splash of color Lee. Looks like the Forsythia that are blooming in the Northeast now.
Bob
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Dave (Darlander) came over for a few hours this afternoon, and we had "Christmas in April". We unpacked, added to the inventory list, and placed on the layout a couple dozen cars. Tip of the iceberg.
Nice to see color in the yard Elliot! Long time coming I'm sure. Too bad NY is so far from Minn. 
Christmas morning was always my favorite day. Always got new trains from Santa as a kid 
Thanks Doug and Mark.
Mark - It's not all fun and games when you are unpacking en mass like this. We had to go in the other room, carry in the full boxes, log all the cars into the computer, get the trains out of the boxes (some can be difficult), put them on the layout, then bring the empty boxes back to the other room for storage. It sure was nice to have help with this process.
Doug - It really does bring the layout to life. Let's start with the railroads. There will be six roads represented o the layout: BNSF, CP, UP, Minnesota Commercial, Amtrak, and TC&W (Twin Cities & Western). Time period is mid 70's through mid 2010's. Any of the predecessor roads are fair game too. That and pool power makes almost anything possible. As for Kadees, no can do. The fleet is way too large to retrofit, the track may not be smooth enough to prevent accidental uncoupling, and I've already installed the uncouplers for lobster claws. I'm stuck with them, but I don't mind.
Lee, the little things you do and how you take it just a little further sure makes things seam so real! Great job!
Elliot, things are looking good, if that is the tip of the iceberg, you sure are going to have a lot of Christmas days this year! lol just wondering if you sort them out as you put them on the track or do you save most of that for when you run trains?
DARLANDER, your scenery is coming along great. Stay with it. Getting to the summit takes a bit of time.......Paul
For me I got a lot accomplished. With the plaster wrap coming yesterday I was ready to start plastering but I decided to check to see how level the tracks were going through the girder bridges onto the bridge abutments. Well both were off so before getting into anything else I made up a couple of wood L brackets and screwed them in under the abutments. Then I moved the legs to them. Glad I did it made both sides level. Once I did that I started applying the plaster wrap. Now all the foam is covered. I'll let it dry overnight and tomorrow start plastering. After looking at the one side I think I have to get a bit more foam and build up where the L shape is to extend the cliff up above the table top a bit more and then on the table side taper it down like a hill. That should make it look better. Pics of the days work........................Paul
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The bridge pier supports look good and sturdy now! I think the river gorge is starting to take shape nicely! I want to do something similar with a river at the edge of the layout, but I won't need a bridge crossing the river.
paul 2 posted:For me I got a lot accomplished. With the plaster wrap coming yesterday I was ready to start plastering but I decided to check to see how level the tracks were going through the girder bridges onto the bridge abutments. Well both were off so before getting into anything else I made up a couple of wood L brackets and screwed them in under the abutments. Then I moved the legs to them. Glad I did it made both sides level. Once I did that I started applying the plaster wrap. Now all the foam is covered. I'll let it dry overnight and tomorrow start plastering. After looking at the one side I think I have to get a bit more foam and build up where the L shape is to extend the cliff up above the table top a bit more and then on the table side taper it down like a hill. That should make it look better. Pics of the days work........................Paul
Nice!! Following with interest!!
Yesterday while taking breaks from winter leaf cleanup and getting the mower running, I laid out my GarGraves track on the floor in an approximation of how the plan flows. It is not exact, because I just laid pieces overlapping where there will be track cuts, and I did not bend any of the flex to shape. I used some 054 and 072 I had on hand to simulate the bent track. I also only have 4 of the 9 switches, so only one is in place. I also left the staging sidings out. Here are a couple of photos of how the track will fill the space. Not too bad. I think I can live with this as long as I make the layout high enough to get my increasingly arthritic body under and into the access hatches. 
Sorry the room is so small I couldn't get a complete view. It was too windy or I would have opened the sliding glass door. I didn't want dried leaves and maple blossoms blowing in. I think you get the idea. You can see my plan on my topic that is listed in my signature line.
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paul 2 posted:For me I got a lot accomplished. With the plaster wrap coming yesterday I was ready to start plastering but I decided to check to see how level the tracks were going through the girder bridges onto the bridge abutments. Well both were off so before getting into anything else I made up a couple of wood L brackets and screwed them in under the abutments. Then I moved the legs to them. Glad I did it made both sides level. Once I did that I started applying the plaster wrap. Now all the foam is covered. I'll let it dry overnight and tomorrow start plastering. After looking at the one side I think I have to get a bit more foam and build up where the L shape is to extend the cliff up above the table top a bit more and then on the table side taper it down like a hill. That should make it look better. Pics of the days work........................Paul
Hey Paul, your work is looking great! cant wait to see the next layer and some ground cover! By the way if you move the pump coffee pot and what looks like a jar of marbles, you can store your extra Menards things there for now!
Mark Boyce posted:Yesterday while taking breaks from winter leaf cleanup and getting the mower running, I laid out my GarGraves track on the floor in an approximation of how the plan flows. It is not exact, because I just laid pieces overlapping where there will be track cuts, and I did not bend any of the flex to shape. I used some 054 and 072 I had on hand to simulate the bent track. I also only have 4 of the 9 switches, so only one is in place. I also left the staging sidings out. Here are a couple of photos of how the track will fill the space. Not too bad. I think I can live with this as long as I make the layout high enough to get my increasingly arthritic body under and into the access hatches.
Mark, sure looks like its going to be a fun layout to build! From your plans from the other thread it looks even better with the sidings in. I will be fallowing as you go along!
mike g. posted:paul 2 posted:For me I got a lot accomplished. With the plaster wrap coming yesterday I was ready to start plastering but I decided to check to see how level the tracks were going through the girder bridges onto the bridge abutments. Well both were off so before getting into anything else I made up a couple of wood L brackets and screwed them in under the abutments. Then I moved the legs to them. Glad I did it made both sides level. Once I did that I started applying the plaster wrap. Now all the foam is covered. I'll let it dry overnight and tomorrow start plastering. After looking at the one side I think I have to get a bit more foam and build up where the L shape is to extend the cliff up above the table top a bit more and then on the table side taper it down like a hill. That should make it look better. Pics of the days work........................Paul
Hey Paul, your work is looking great! cant wait to see the next layer and some ground cover! By the way if you move the pump coffee pot and what looks like a jar of marbles, you can store your extra Menards things there for now!
Leave it to Mike to notice the little things!! Jar of marbles!! Wow, I sure hope I can see that good once I get these cataracts removed this summer!!
mike g. posted:Mark Boyce posted:Yesterday while taking breaks from winter leaf cleanup and getting the mower running, I laid out my GarGraves track on the floor in an approximation of how the plan flows. It is not exact, because I just laid pieces overlapping where there will be track cuts, and I did not bend any of the flex to shape. I used some 054 and 072 I had on hand to simulate the bent track. I also only have 4 of the 9 switches, so only one is in place. I also left the staging sidings out. Here are a couple of photos of how the track will fill the space. Not too bad. I think I can live with this as long as I make the layout high enough to get my increasingly arthritic body under and into the access hatches.
Mark, sure looks like its going to be a fun layout to build! From your plans from the other thread it looks even better with the sidings in. I will be fallowing as you go along!
Thank you Mike!! I will be very glad to having you follow along!!
Well you know Mark, I was going to say if you put the shelf back up, then you could have a place to store a few Mendards things! LOL
Mark, I like your track plan. Maybe if you go with a higher table height you could use something on wheels with a seat that would allow you greater mobility under the table. MIKE G, you don't miss anything. A lot of the stuff under the tables is the wife's. Not that it is going to stay there. Still have a lot to throw out. No, no trains will be going so do not think about dumpster diving here LOL .........Paul
Finished the second side of the airfield took a old control tower and made it look military 
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Mike, Here is part of my Menards stuff. Up on the Ceiling Central RR.
Paul,
I like your idea of the rolling seat. I have one of those foot-high rolling seats, but it is too low for extended use. I am going to keep an eye out for something else. Yes, you should see our garage, if you want to see a lot of miscellaneous stuff!!
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Mark Boyce posted:Mike, Here is part of my Menards stuff. Up on the Ceiling Central RR.
Paul,
I like your idea of the rolling seat. I have one of those foot-high rolling seats, but it is too low for extended use. I am going to keep an eye out for something else. Yes, you should see our garage, if you want to see a lot of miscellaneous stuff!!
Nice Mark, does that run around the room? Or just a static display?
Here's a follow-up to my drawbridge project. It's now painted, installed, and working very well. I decided to name the bridge in memory of our train friend Arno Baars, and had plates engraved for each end.
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It's been Repair and Restore Week at the Razorback Traction Company:
This distressed ZW was delivered with broken U posts and a rotted power cable. A donated power cable from a small Bachmann DC transformer and four 4-40 screws with nuts put it into fine working order!
The MTH Chicago PCC on the left was delivered with the dread LocoSound module. Now, equipped with a Radio Shack rectifier bridge and DPDT slide reversing switch, it trundles along gracefully.
The MTH bump-and-go on the right arrived sans left-hand step. Fortunately, I had the remains of an identical shell which donated a step. As a happy coincidence, when the donor step was snapped off the shell, the break lines were a near perfect match and no fitting was needed!
Fortescue J. Gi-raffe didn't actually have anything to do with the repairs; he's just a camera hog. ;-)
What is an annoying diesel engine sound inside a streetcar is a delightful addition to a mute Lionel F3.
The F3 was in the shop having its windshield glued back in place when I glanced over at the discarded Locosound module and speaker and had a Clever Idea...
And thus, my tagline is proved out once again!
Mitch
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mike g. posted:Mark Boyce posted:Mike, Here is part of my Menards stuff. Up on the Ceiling Central RR.
Paul,
I like your idea of the rolling seat. I have one of those foot-high rolling seats, but it is too low for extended use. I am going to keep an eye out for something else. Yes, you should see our garage, if you want to see a lot of miscellaneous stuff!!
Nice Mark, does that run around the room? Or just a static display?
Mike,
It goes around the room. About 12 x12. We didn't have any room for a layout since our girls were pre-school. My wife suggested this a few years ago. Now both girls are married, so I finally got an empty room for a layout. Here are a few other photos of the Ceiling Central RR.
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Mark Boyce posted:Yesterday while taking breaks from winter leaf cleanup and getting the mower running, I laid out my GarGraves track on the floor in an approximation of how the plan flows. It is not exact, because I just laid pieces overlapping where there will be track cuts, and I did not bend any of the flex to shape. I used some 054 and 072 I had on hand to simulate the bent track. I also only have 4 of the 9 switches, so only one is in place. I also left the staging sidings out. Here are a couple of photos of how the track will fill the space. Not too bad. I think I can live with this as long as I make the layout high enough to get my increasingly arthritic body under and into the access hatches.
Looking good Mark. Bench work can't be far off.
Bob
I got a double-sided Miller Engineering sign installed and working in my appliance store. I had them installed once before but my spacer between the two was too thin and apparently I overflexed the signs' connectors, leaving parts of each one dead. Chris at Miller Engineering kindly helped me to get replacements, which I assembled with a wider spacer made from 3 layers of .050 mat board. No flexing at all this time, and the sign looks great.
Joel
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I am seriously in to dismantling my layout. All the Standard gauge cars are packed and clearing off and packing the tin buildings I have. Next will be the pre-war tin plate.
RSJB18 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Yesterday while taking breaks from winter leaf cleanup and getting the mower running, I laid out my GarGraves track on the floor in an approximation of how the plan flows. It is not exact, because I just laid pieces overlapping where there will be track cuts, and I did not bend any of the flex to shape. I used some 054 and 072 I had on hand to simulate the bent track. I also only have 4 of the 9 switches, so only one is in place. I also left the staging sidings out. Here are a couple of photos of how the track will fill the space. Not too bad. I think I can live with this as long as I make the layout high enough to get my increasingly arthritic body under and into the access hatches.
Looking good Mark. Bench work can't be far off.
Bob
Thank you, Bob! Yes, if it was still winter! LOL Maybe I will at least get everything together so I can build in the winter, if not before. I'm thinking of getting a miter saw. I don't know if I want to do all my cutting with my hand circular saw. 
#Mitch <salute> Very nice, I like the "Do Not Trespass" Sign that the Transformer is holding.... and of course, "Step repair, photo bombed by the Giraffe"..
Frank
RETINPA posted:I got a double-sided Miller Engineering sign installed and working in my appliance store. I had them installed once before but my spacer between the two was too thin and apparently I overflexed the signs' connectors, leaving parts of each one dead. Chris at Miller Engineering kindly helped me to get replacements, which I assembled with a wider spacer made from 3 layers of .050 mat board. No flexing at all this time, and the sign looks great.
Joel
Looks great Joel! Glad Miller was able to help you out!
I see you are from Johnstown. That is the first I knew that! It's not that far from me in Butler.
