What did you do on your layout today?

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

Mitch 

Giraffes? Magnificent exotic looking animals, but I don't get it. 

Is this a train related inside joke?

paul 2 posted:

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" everyone. We're at the post and we're off. 2018 here we come. This morning was a plus and a little minus. As an after thought I decided to take a a bit of ballast from the track to add some culvert pipes which I made out of straws. Well as my luck goes I was too energetic in prying up the ballast. I wiped out a bit of the plaster I put down last night. So water over the dam. I applied earth color to all the rest of the plaster. I'll go back later and try to make a batch of plaster up small enough for that one section and maybe paint where the water will go. I glued the straws in place and as soon as it dries I have some aged concrete paint to paint the straws. Pics................Paul

Looks good Paul, if we didn't screw up along the way then the layouts would get done, then all you would have to do is run trains! The Build is most of the fun!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

mike g. posted:

Tom, thank you for explaining it to me, also WOW what a great looking layout! I am kind of glad I don't have that much room, cause I don't have that much money! LOL

You nailed it! I feel exactly the same way!

Nice words thank you but please do not feel envious.  

I started this one because of a new basement coupled with a love of wood working and a ton of leftover module materials.   Even after considerable downsizing this is still too big considering my work schedule, family responsibilities and age.  If I had to do it over it would be at least half this size.  Too much is too much.  It's all wood, hay and stubble on the last day anyway, just fodder for the dumpster.   Symmetry in life has become more important for me these days.

Tom Tee posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

mike g. posted:

Tom, thank you for explaining it to me, also WOW what a great looking layout! I am kind of glad I don't have that much room, cause I don't have that much money! LOL

You nailed it! I feel exactly the same way!

Nice words thank you but please do not feel envious.  

I started this one because of a new basement coupled with a love of wood working and a ton of leftover module materials.   Even after considerable downsizing this is still too big considering my work schedule, family responsibilities and age.  If I had to do it over it would be at least half this size.  Too much is too much.  It's all wood, hay and stubble on the last day anyway, just fodder for the dumpster.   Symmetry in life has become more important for me these days.

Tom, your thoughts are very interesting and there is much truth in what you say.

But, I have a train friend, Peter Fluchere, who is heavily involved in the Catskill tourist train in upstate NY that has the opposite view that many of us can relate to. He told me that trains are all about excess, meaning that our layout is never big enough, our collection is never big enough, and there is a never ending desire to make things bigger and bigger when it comes to trains. 

It's interesting to meditate on your thoughts and those of my friend Peter.

Tom,  I need to find that bumper sticker.  Sometimes layouts need to grow up as children do.  When we start with big plans, we feel an obligation to complete the project.  "All must be earned", in this life anyway.

It's -2f (brrrrrr COLD) in Southeast New Hampshire today.  Enough customers showed up this morning to take PAR1 (PanAm Railways F-7) on its maiden excursion.  I'm not a car body fan but when I saw the real thing up in Maine, I picked one up at my LHS, Brentwood Antiques, to go with my MTH PanAm passenger cars.  PanAm Railways run a single A unit on their excursions.

Nice Buy Matt! I to an not the body fan, but it sure looks nice on your layout!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

Mitch 

Giraffes? Magnificent exotic looking animals, but I don't get it. 

Is this a train related inside joke?

Mitch has a bit of an obsession with Gi-raffe's. A bit of a running joke that we all have fun with. Search his screen name and it will all make sense.

Bob

decoynh posted:

It's -2f (brrrrrr COLD) in Southeast New Hampshire today.  Enough customers showed up this morning to take PAR1 (PanAm Railways F-7) on its maiden excursion.  I'm not a car body fan but when I saw the real thing up in Maine, I picked one up at my LHS, Brentwood Antiques, to go with my MTH PanAm passenger cars.  PanAm Railways run a single A unit on their excursions.

 

Matt, those are beautiful trains and you have a very nice, clean looking layout with traditional O Gauge tubular track and O22 switches. 

Tom and I use the same kind of track and switches, though he has wider radius switches than mine which are almost all 031 curves.

It's interesting to compare Tom's clean approach, and my intentional filthy approach, which includes a lot of real dirt, dust, ballast consisting of dirty asphalt fragments from a local road, and insects and spiders along the right of way that died because they couldn't take all the dirt and dust. 

Tom's trains will require a lot less maintenance and have higher resale value than mine because  of the layouts they run on.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Tom and I use the same kind of track and switches, though he has wider radius switches than mine which are almost all 031 curves.

It's interesting to compare Tom's clean approach, and my intentional filthy approach, which includes a lot of real dirt, dust, ballast consisting of dirty asphalt fragments from a local road, and insects and spiders along the right of way that died because they couldn't take all the dirt and dust. 

Tom's trains will require a lot less maintenance and have higher resale value than mine because  of the layouts they run on.

My switches are 072 except for the mini yard behind the Holy Grail Brewery & Pub.  In the main yard I cut down 3 manual 042 prewar switches. to accommodate modern locomotives.  I wanted to use Atlas track 3 years ago when we moved  & I started a new layout.  In a way, I'm glad that I stayed with tubular,  the bad side is that there are so many more options with modern Ross, Gargraves, switches.  I'm 74 and I still think that my next layout will use modern hi rail trackage. My wife told me that I can use the finished 14X24 half of the basement for the next layout.  If I do that, it will be a modular system.  No more crawl under layouts for me.  I still have a few more dreams for this one , though.

decoynh posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Tom and I use the same kind of track and switches, though he has wider radius switches than mine which are almost all 031 curves.

It's interesting to compare Tom's clean approach, and my intentional filthy approach, which includes a lot of real dirt, dust, ballast consisting of dirty asphalt fragments from a local road, and insects and spiders along the right of way that died because they couldn't take all the dirt and dust. 

Tom's trains will require a lot less maintenance and have higher resale value than mine because  of the layouts they run on.

My switches are 072 except for the mini yard behind the Holy Grail Brewery & Pub.  In the main yard I cut down 3 manual 042 prewar switches. to accommodate modern locomotives.  I wanted to use Atlas track 3 years ago when we moved  & I started a new layout.  In a way, I'm glad that I stayed with tubular,  the bad side is that there are so many more options with modern Ross, Gargraves, switches.  I'm 74 and I still think that my next layout will use modern hi rail trackage. My wife told me that I can use the finished 14X24 half of the basement for the next layout.  If I do that, it will be a modular system.  No more crawl under layouts for me.  I still have a few more dreams for this one , though.

Matt:

You put me to shame! I'm only 66 and at the moment cannot imagine tearing down my layout and starting over with new modern track.

I love your ambition, energy and passion!

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

Nice Bob, sure looks like fun!

Thanks Mike. The Alco is 60 years old. Should have a few more years in her.

RSJB18 posted:

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

I also love the NY Central switcher. It looks like a modern engine that probably has some very nice modern features. Is the style the same as the Lionel US Army #41, which was a gas turbine diesel?

On my new Atlas Gunderson cars, I put the pins in the containers.  When I first put them in they weren't very snug so I ended up glueing them to the bottoms of the various containers.  The pins were tiny to begin with so this was trying to say the least.  I am not entirely sure Atlas didn't have them there to begin with.  Oh well, all good of 24, I only lost 1.

John

R.C. posted:

And here's the problem; If I wanna spray it rusty red primer, gotta do it in the mower shop; Brush painting would be tedious. suggestions?

 

Does the mower shop have electricity?  If so. warm it up with a couple of oil-filled radiator heaters!  Also, heat up the can of primer in a bowl of hot water (I use one quart plastic soup containers).  

Keep us posted!  

Mitch 

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

mike g. posted:

Tom Tee posted:

Mike, when you order wire from them also get several bags of wire clamps.  I wouild suggest a bag of each size of their 6 smallest sizes.  They all take a #10 screw and a 100 count box is available at L & HD.

Plus, number tape.  There will be times when you will be using the same color wire for certain purposes.  It is available 0 to 49 and 50 to 99 plus an alpha series.

This job has 8 control panels with about 70 blocks so I ran out of colors early.

Tom, I want to thank you for all the information. I am saving it in my Track planning file. I have a track plan just not sure about wiring it. when I get to that point I hope you wont mind more questions! all your wiring looks just great! I hope to make mine look like that this time around. Last layout it was just red and black wire for everything and man was that a PIA when trying to trace wires for problems. Also this time around I will do the test as I go along, cause last time I just wired everything and then started to pull my hair out trying to find problems! Thanks again.

I would have responded earlier but Momma had me putting in a yard drain which ment digging down 2 feet to run a pipe to the drainage ditch in the front of our house! NOT FUN!

Just think Mike, if you lived here the ground is so frozen you wouldn't have had to dig that ditch!  It's been below zero at night for several nights, and predicted all week until Saturday.   I'm way behind also.   That is a picture of me in a top hat! 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

Mitch 

Congratulations, Mitch!!!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

decoynh posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Tom and I use the same kind of track and switches, though he has wider radius switches than mine which are almost all 031 curves.

It's interesting to compare Tom's clean approach, and my intentional filthy approach, which includes a lot of real dirt, dust, ballast consisting of dirty asphalt fragments from a local road, and insects and spiders along the right of way that died because they couldn't take all the dirt and dust. 

Tom's trains will require a lot less maintenance and have higher resale value than mine because  of the layouts they run on.

My switches are 072 except for the mini yard behind the Holy Grail Brewery & Pub.  In the main yard I cut down 3 manual 042 prewar switches. to accommodate modern locomotives.  I wanted to use Atlas track 3 years ago when we moved  & I started a new layout.  In a way, I'm glad that I stayed with tubular,  the bad side is that there are so many more options with modern Ross, Gargraves, switches.  I'm 74 and I still think that my next layout will use modern hi rail trackage. My wife told me that I can use the finished 14X24 half of the basement for the next layout.  If I do that, it will be a modular system.  No more crawl under layouts for me.  I still have a few more dreams for this one , though.

Matt:

You put me to shame! I'm only 66 and at the moment cannot imagine tearing down my layout and starting over with new modern track.

I love your ambition, energy and passion!

Matt,  The Pan Am train looks and sounds great!! 

At 61, I'm already thinking about how to make my new layout as "crawl under free" as possible.  No climbing onto either.  I don't know if I will want to start over in a few years, so I'll do what I can now.  I was going to work on a little staging in the new train room today, but my dad, who along with Mum are in the personal care home, called and wanted me to check on something at his house.  Since he has anxiety issues, I did as he asked.  At 87, this is the first winter he hasn't been living in and maintaining that house except for the two years he was in the Army.  Hopefully we can get things worked out for our older daughter and her husband to move in (they have to sell their house which isn't in great shape)  Then a young man can take care of all those things a 19th century house needs, and I can build a layout!!!    Oh, I forgot, I still have my mother-in-law and 92-year old aunt I need to do stuff for.  

RSJB18 posted:

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

Looks like the motor replacement was a big success.  Both engines look great!!

Mark, it sounds like you have a lot going on and a lot to do. Good news is you have longevity in your genes: you should live to be 110, and you may be able to build 10 more layouts with that much time!

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

That looks great, Tony!!  I’m with you, my crawling around on a regular basis are done!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

The Arkansas and Missouri's 2018 calendar is out!  And gi-raffes are involved!   

Mitch 

Mitch;

I don't know whether to offer my congratulations on being included in the calendar, or to express my concerns over the spreading of the Gi-raff cult. Decisions, decisions...

OK... allow me to offer my qualified congrats and a happy and (mental) healthy New Year to you, Norma B, Fortesque, and the herd   

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Mark, it sounds like you have a lot going on and a lot to do. Good news is you have longevity in your genes: you should live to be 110, and you may be able to build 10 more layouts with that much time!

Arnold, It is hard to imagine living almost 50 more years in relative good health.  LOL  As happens to all of us, we just have a little harder time moving around.

Ran some trains.  Hung some pictures in the train room.  Took a few photos and got the layout ready for viewing by friends tomorrow. 

Designed a new layout today on scarm! The basement is getting remodeled in February. I would like to start fresh with something completely new. It’s 8x18 with a 2x5 walkway through the middle. Let me know your thoughts! 

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

Tony, I noticed 3 holes in the ledge board and I assume those are for alignment. What did you use for pins to keep the track aligned? Also I noticed the top sheet of decking is in 2 pieces. Is there any particular reason for that or were you just filling in with the pieces you had? I'm going to need a longer lift out section and this seems to fit the bill with a ledge, alignment pins, etc., on both ends in place of the hinge.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Engine shop was open today. Put a new motor in my post-war ATSF Alco. Also fixed a cranky smoke fan in a NYC Plymouth.
Oh- ran trains for a while too

I also love the NY Central switcher. It looks like a modern engine that probably has some very nice modern features. Is the style the same as the Lionel US Army #41, which was a gas turbine diesel?

Arnold- they are K-line Plymouth switchers. I have a PRR model too (blurry in the background). They are very nice engines. All die-cast bodies, very well detailed. Only draw back is the couplers look out of scale to the engine, otherwise I love them.

Bob

trumptrain posted:

Ran some trains.  Hung some pictures in the train room.  Took a few photos and got the layout ready for viewing by friends tomorrow. 

Patrick- The color window inserts look really nice. Who made the cars?

Bob

DoubleDAZ posted:

Tony H posted:

No more crawling under for me, getting too old.  The hinged lift up is finally operational.  Had to wait until all the track was down, wired and tested.

  

Tony, I noticed 3 holes in the ledge board and I assume those are for alignment. What did you use for pins to keep the track aligned? Also I noticed the top sheet of decking is in 2 pieces. Is there any particular reason for that or were you just filling in with the pieces you had? I'm going to need a longer lift out section and this seems to fit the bill with a ledge, alignment pins, etc., on both ends in place of the hinge.

The top sheet is in 2 pieces because I was low on homastoe, down to my last pieces, and I did not want to get another sheet.  Should be hidden when I do the ballast/scenery. 

It is heavy, that is why I added a pneumatic lift like you have on a car hood, make is so easy to lift and lower.  

This is all Ross track and I used their Ross Roadbed, really nice product.  So the Roadbed is screwed down and the track fits very snug in the Roadbed.  I did use a few track screws on this section but only near the cuts.  That is all I used for alignment as of now.  With a section this big, 30x47, I don't see the sections not being aligned, but I did think about using some pins, but I have not found any yet.  I am still looking.  

Not sure where the three holes are in the picture.

                                               time for a little steam...

Tony H posted:

This is all Ross track and I used their Ross Roadbed, really nice product.  So the Roadbed is screwed down and the track fits very snug in the Roadbed.  I did use a few track screws on this section but only near the cuts.  That is all I used for alignment as of now.  With a section this big, 30x47, I don't see the sections not being aligned, but I did think about using some pins, but I have not found any yet.  I am still looking.  

Not sure where the three holes are in the picture.

Sorry, I guess what I took as holes are actually screw or nail heads. It's interesting that you aren't using any pins. My section is going to be about 4' along the front, 2' deep and 7' along the back. My initial thought is to align the rails and then just clamp it from underneath. It will only get removed when the water heater needs to be serviced.

Today so far just the little things. Last night I cut up some straws for culvert pipes and glued them down. This morning first thing was paint the straws and the bottom of the drainage ditch. Then I mixed up a small batch of plaster to patch where I broke the plaster and then touch up a few little spots I missed along the sides of the ditch. Before I use up all the plaster I remembered I had a section to do by the Sauerkraut factory. I'll let everything dry and later color the plaster. Pics............Paul

Yesterday was busy with assembling track and and all those rebuilt 022 switches into the inner area of the layout. I also rewired about 3 of the controller switches, tested 5 more, and tied them into 8 of the 9 switches on the layout. The wiring is all run on top right now for testing purposes. Problems with a broken wire on the tender complicated things for a bit, however some time with the soldering iron took care of that. We ran trains, to the great enjoyment of both my grandson and I. Running them in the dark with just the switch lanterns, headlight, caboose light, and controller lights was just awesome.

Paul, you are moving right along! What do use to make the little hills in your plaster ? I like how it brings the ground cover alive!

Slowhands, sounds like you had a great night! Its nice when you can have fun at the same time!

Mike, when I mix the Gypsolite it tends to be on the soupy side. Basically I use a spatula for larger areas but for the drainage ditch I needed to use something with more control so I used a spoon. Using either the spatula or the spoon I just sort of swirl ( if that is the right word to use ) when I lay the plaster down..............Paul

Thanks Paul!