Mike, you aren't the only one a dollar short! So am I! Ha ha!!
Trainman2001 posted:I know from what I speak. This is the wiring in my control panel. It's all labeled on both ends so it's traceable...hopefully. It's what happens when you have 6 wires from each toggle (36 of them) and three from each Z-stuff switch machine (26 of those) all leading to the terminal strips. I made a mistake and hinged the panel at the bottom below the cross member so it tends to grab the wires when I close it up. I have to put in a long dowel to hold the wires above that level so it closes flat. Instead, I should have hinged the panel at the top of the cross-member. Oh well... live and learn.
Yes, anytime you have wires connecting 2 panels, one of which is movable, it makes it many times harder!
Trainman2001 posted:
I'm at an utter loss for words.
All I know is if my layout had something like that, the trains would never run.
Building it is easy. You just do one wire at a time from point A to point B. It's when you look at it finished that it blows minds... mine included. It's the same as rigging a model tall ship. Completed, it looks incomprehensible, but it's one line at a time and when you're doing it, you don't even see the the others. A spider building an orb web is a good analogy. I saw an example with the panel split into two and opened from the sides. I made a much neater installation. I got stuck on the drop down after wrestling with my first panel which I built on Layout 1 and 2 where the panel opened from the top and was almost impossible to solder. I thought this was the improved version. For soldering... yes. For maintenance...not so much.
Today I got the table leveled and screwed into the other table. Took a bit of time to screw the tables together. Takes a lot more time to get into a pretzel position. At the front of the table I'll be adding another table to come out around the old door jamb but that is a bit down the road. I have to work on the section to go between the tables in front of the washer dryer. Won't be able to lay track until I get my order for switches from Steve at Ross. Later today for a change of direction Ill be cutting those building flats out so I can mount them on foam board. Tomorrow heading out to Stockyard Express for their open house. Who know maybe come home with something good. Pics........Paul
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Mail came today and so did packages. Got two more weaver flats with trailers. A third one is suppose to come Saturday. And a nice box from Steve at Ross Switches came today also. That was a surprise because he said he a week or so behind but this is good for me because I can start putting the wood together to go between the tables. I thought I would do something a little different track wise. Went with a 11 degree crossover and a left hand 11 degree switch. So the switch will be on the yard lead. The 11 degree cross comes off the switch. The straight through will be the mainline and the cross over track will go to the siding with the black ballast. Pics..............Paul
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Progress continues on the uncoupler project as well as a number of other fronts.
The mess at Hiawatha is indicative of a variety of activities.
The Ford Plant module is mounted to the layout and the uncouplers are connected to it.
Same just down the line at the St Paul Ave yard.
The final step in the process is to drill the fascia and mount the carriage bolts that will be used to activate the magnets. To further that cause, I've done the final Spackle touch ups, in preparation for final painting.
I added a piece of Masonite where the Cleveland Avenue bridge will cross over the Ford Plant lead.
I've started to patch the screw and nail holes in the roads.
More rolling stock keeps hitting the rails. The Western Avenue yard is nearly full.
On the other side of the room, I finally finished cleaning the rails at Interstate, allowing me to move all the cars that had been parked over at 44th Ave.
With this yard emptied, I'm ready to paint and ballast this entire section.
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I noticed that my ET&WNC caboose from a kit is now featured on the kit mfg's website. Talk about validation!
I was happy to see that as I'm eternally grateful for them making a kit of a caboose that would have been a nightmare to scratch-build.
paul 2 posted:Mail came today and so did packages. Got two more weaver flats with trailers. A third one is suppose to come Saturday. And a nice box from Steve at Ross Switches came today also. That was a surprise because he said he a week or so behind but this is good for me because I can start putting the wood together to go between the tables. I thought I would do something a little different track wise. Went with a 11 degree crossover and a left hand 11 degree switch. So the switch will be on the yard lead. The 11 degree cross comes off the switch. The straight through will be the mainline and the cross over track will go to the siding with the black ballast. Pics..............Paul
Hi Paul, I have one of the Weaver trailer on flat car, the local Bessemer & Lake Erie. It's very nice, and yours are too!! I will be making an order from Steve too for the last 5 switches I need for my plan. Just looking at the ones I got, they really are nice!
Mark Boyce posted:Bob,
Now I see the photographs!! Great one of the Lake!! I did not see the 5 NYC front ends five years ago! Very impressive!!! Thank you!!!
Mark,
It's a place called Blue Water Manor. It's an old resort that new ownership is renovating. Not only is the view spectacular, the food is excellent too.
Bob
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Progress continues on the uncoupler project as well as a number of other fronts.
The mess at Hiawatha is indicative of a variety of activities.
The Ford Plant module is mounted to the layout and the uncouplers are connected to it.
Same just down the line at the St Paul Ave yard.
The final step in the process is to drill the fascia and mount the carriage bolts that will be used to activate the magnets. To further that cause, I've done the final Spackle touch ups, in preparation for final painting.
I added a piece of Masonite where the Cleveland Avenue bridge will cross over the Ford Plant lead.
I've started to patch the screw and nail holes in the roads.
More rolling stock keeps hitting the rails. The Western Avenue yard is nearly full.
On the other side of the room, I finally finished cleaning the rails at Interstate, allowing me to move all the cars that had been parked over at 44th Ave.
With this yard emptied, I'm ready to paint and ballast this entire section.
Wow Elliot, you sure have got a lot done! Question what is the chicken wire under your layout for?
paul 2 posted:Mail came today and so did packages. Got two more weaver flats with trailers. A third one is suppose to come Saturday. And a nice box from Steve at Ross Switches came today also. That was a surprise because he said he a week or so behind but this is good for me because I can start putting the wood together to go between the tables. I thought I would do something a little different track wise. Went with a 11 degree crossover and a left hand 11 degree switch. So the switch will be on the yard lead. The 11 degree cross comes off the switch. The straight through will be the mainline and the cross over track will go to the siding with the black ballast. Pics..............Paul
Paul the mail man sure likes you! LOL I hardly see him anymore, but then again I guess I have to order stuff to see him!
p51 posted:I noticed that my ET&WNC caboose from a kit is now featured on the kit mfg's website. Talk about validation!
I was happy to see that as I'm eternally grateful for them making a kit of a caboose that would have been a nightmare to scratch-build.
Well deserved! Congrat's
Just run trains for four hours. Moved train run day from thursday to friday
Clem
mike g. posted:Wow Elliot, you sure have got a lot done! Question what is the chicken wire under your layout for?
Thanks Mike. The chicken wire is under almost all of the upper deck. It acts as a ground plane for TMCC. I wish I had used it on the main level when I first started construction. It seems to make a real difference. Still not exactly sure how and why it works, but my trains run better up there. 
RSJB18 posted:Mark Boyce posted:Bob,
Now I see the photographs!! Great one of the Lake!! I did not see the 5 NYC front ends five years ago! Very impressive!!! Thank you!!!
Mark,
It's a place called Blue Water Manor. It's an old resort that new ownership is renovating. Not only is the view spectacular, the food is excellent too.
Bob
Bob,
It looks very nice!! We may have driven right past it. Thank you for the tip!
Mark
Wow, Sam! You fellows have made excellent progress!! It all looks great!
Walked into the train room to check something, and there was Norma Bates Kitteh, obviously waiting for me to run something...
Mitch
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M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Walked into the train room to check something, and there was Norma Bates Kitteh, obviously waiting for me to run something...
Mitch
Priceless!
Couple of packages came this morning before I went to Stockyard Express. Good turnout there. They have a well stocked shop but I came out with nothing. When I got home I opened my packages. Another Weaver flat with trailer and two more building flats. They are HO which I am going to use for distance. Probably won't do anything tonight and get a fresh start tomorrow. Pics.........................Paul
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Paul, I like the idea of the HO flats for distance! Have you thought about HO Trains for the same reason?
My parking blocks came in so painted them up. A couple cars on order so I'll wait for them before striping if I choose to do it. Also I'm done with this icemelt scenic element. I promise. Too much "little here little there". Am I the only one that does that? Just can't leave well enough alone. 
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Looking good Ted. It's the little details that really make the difference.
Bob
RSJB18 posted:Looking good Ted. It's the little details that really make the difference.
Bob
Thx Bob, and to the other members for the "likes". It's encouraging. TW
With a 7 ft. square two loop "layout" can't do too much but do enjoy running a train occasionally and working on engines and cars. I have a Standard gauge tank car I fixed up and had a Lionel latch coupler on one end and an Ives on the other so I could use it as a "transition" car. Decided that was too limiting because I really like the tank car. Removed the Ives coupler and will use a flat car instead. Have 3 of them. I have two Lionel Standard gauge passenger cars that the roofs need cleaned up and will be repainted. Found some Rustolem rattle can paint that is a close match. I will leave the sides as-is. Seems the roofs get messed up more and are more noticeable than the sides.
TedW posted:My parking blocks came in so painted them up. A couple cars on order so I'll wait for them before striping if I choose to do it. Also I'm done with this icemelt scenic element. I promise. Too much "little here little there". Am I the only one that does that? Just can't leave well enough alone.
We are always our own worst critics. I think it looks great!
Finally finished putting together Lionel USMC set #1591, circa 1958.....
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TedW posted:My parking blocks came in so painted them up. A couple cars on order so I'll wait for them before striping if I choose to do it. Also I'm done with this icemelt scenic element. I promise. Too much "little here little there". Am I the only one that does that? Just can't leave well enough alone.
The Ice melt is a nice touch a lot of people seem to forget.
gandydancer1950 posted:Finally finished putting together Lionel USMC set #1591, circa 1958.....
Really like your "duck". Exciting ride at the "Dells" in Wisconsin a hundred years ago. Amtraks at Pendleton in CA in the late sixties...
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Walked into the train room to check something, and there was Norma Bates Kitteh, obviously waiting for me to run something...
Mitch
Obviously not impressed. Maybe she was looking for the Giraffes.
suzukovich posted:TedW posted:My parking blocks came in so painted them up. A couple cars on order so I'll wait for them before striping if I choose to do it. Also I'm done with this icemelt scenic element. I promise. Too much "little here little there". Am I the only one that does that? Just can't leave well enough alone.
The Ice melt is a nice touch a lot of people seem to forget.
I agree, don't see that very often at all!
Not really on the layout, but built some shelves and helped my neighbor start building a small layout for his son who is 5. Picked up a ready to run set and some turnout so he can run trains on 2 ovals. Best time I have had in the hobby in a few years.
Looks great Ted! Is there a post or posts showing your scenery techniques, or are you keeping them a secret Lol! I'd personally like to know more. I like the snow berms and melting ice effects.
Mike
Mike welkie posted:Looks great Ted! Is there a post or posts showing your scenery techniques, or are you keeping them a secret Lol! I'd personally like to know more. I like the snow berms and melting ice effects. Mike
Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. 
All my techniques are somewhere in this thread, cause I've ripped off pretty much everything I've done on this little xmas layout. It's heartening, the support I've re'cd from this forum and the recommendations and tips I've gotten through questions. So all I take credit for is implementing those suggestions. The snow berms(which will ultimately) have soft flake snow on them were made by cutting chunks of foam with a hot wire cutter. Best invention yet, IF, you work with foam.
Play sand base between ballast and foam, glued down like ballast. Then clear liquid acrylic with a drop or two(to taste) of either light grey or white pigment for the "ice melt". I did three pours. My only problem was letting it go after awhile. Leave well enough alone. Hope this helps. Let me know if there is something else. Ted
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Thanks, Ted and will! The ice melt looks so realistic! Btw, meant to ask, what is the number of that old Lionel scout on the inner loop? Thanks; Mike
Worked on engine railyard, ran power and fastened down.
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Mike welkie posted:Thanks, Ted and will! The ice melt looks so realistic! Btw, meant to ask, what is the number of that old Lionel scout on the inner loop? Thanks; Mike
242 Don't know for positive how old it is.
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Thanks Ted ,not too many of these veterans survived because of their undesireable running characteristics, Lol. Good to see one!
Mike
Mike welkie posted:Thanks Ted ,not too many of these veterans survived because of their undesireable running characteristics, Lol. Good to see one!
Mike
What chu talkin bout Willis? This one runs pretty good if ya ask me This is on the 11v side of a 1033.
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