What did you do on your layout today?

Brian- Need to add one more car to the consist.....

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

RSJB18 posted:

Brian- Need to add one more car to the consist.....

                                             a full size one, REFRIGERATED...       

LaramieJoe, with the postwar 022 switches there is a little "fixed voltage plug" that you can shove into the side of the switch motor housing; it bypasses the power connection from the center rail. You connect a separate wire to it, can daisychain a bunch of them together, and connect it to a separate 14-18 volt source (separate from "conventional" track power. The transformer I'm using now is an older ZW 275 watt that has variable 4 outputs and a common bus, I will connect the wire from the fixed voltage plugs to probably #3 output, set the voltage to a level that the switches are happy with, and then Bob's your uncle and I or grandson won't have to have the engine in motion in order to switch switches...

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Maybe we could convince Rich "RV" Melvin to take us on a Grand Tour   

I’ve seen his RV at York.  It won’t hold all of us!!

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Bob,

If i remember right, you're located on Long island. You are welcome to come visit the St. James Club sometime.

LaramieJoe posted:

Very nice plan! Would be interested to know how you go about wiring the switches independently from the track. I’m struggling with the concept.  

More information is needed:

1. What kind of switch/machines do you have or plan to buy??

2. What kind of power supply(s) do you have or plan to buy??

Pat Kn posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

Bob,

If i remember right, you're located on Long island. You are welcome to come visit the St. James Club sometime.

Thanks Pat- I will try and get out there when the weather is a little better. Hope you have recovered from the Great Polar Express Fire of 2017

Mark Boyce posted:

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

Hi Mark,

Actually the smoke unit stopped working last week, but a friend who is a Lionel tech knows What the problem is. He said it's a easy fix.

DennyM posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

DennyM posted:

I did this last month. I put a K-Line smoking car wreck on my layout and added two new Menards cars. Christmas goodies.

Looking good Denny!!! The smoking car wreck reminds me of an accessory I have that smoked well, then quit, never to smoke again.  I finally realized I had put too much voltage on it and let all the smoke out!

Hi Mark,

Actually the smoke unit stopped working last week, but a friend who is a Lionel tech knows What the problem is. He said it's a easy fix.

That’s good!!

I really like that series of Menards WWII box cars!!!   Awesome graphics!  TrainManMike got me to looking at SCARM and it confirms what I read to be true about the Fastrack problem I was having.   And with all the statements made by highly experienced O scale folks I think its going to work out for the better using much wider curves!   Thanks guys!

Jim

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

I would love to do that too. Great bucket list item! Also loved the movie, Bucket List.

Today I am trying to finish up my Mannhiem Road bridge project.  I painted the sub-structure an aged concrete color and then cut the Masonite for the roadway.  I cut and added the strip wood for the sides of the roadway next.  It is glued up and will get a coat of paint as soon as the glue has dried enough for me to handle it.  I hope to get it painted tonight so it can dry overnight.

When the bridge is done, I want to finish the retaining wall up to the bridge.  I also have some plaster work to do in this area and then this end will be done other than final weathering and extra detailing.  

Art

 

Slowhands posted:

LaramieJoe, with the postwar 022 switches there is a little "fixed voltage plug" that you can shove into the side of the switch motor housing; it bypasses the power connection from the center rail. You connect a separate wire to it, can daisychain a bunch of them together, and connect it to a separate 14-18 volt source (separate from "conventional" track power. The transformer I'm using now is an older ZW 275 watt that has variable 4 outputs and a common bus, I will connect the wire from the fixed voltage plugs to probably #3 output, set the voltage to a level that the switches are happy with, and then Bob's your uncle and I or grandson won't have to have the engine in motion in order to switch switches...

Very well stated.

Nice work Art!!!

Hand making me some pine Trees

Slowhand, in addition to the standard alternate pin for these switches, Tin Man has a great addition. They discovered that if  you also modify the pin to supply power to the turnout it performs so much better. They have these plugs on their web site and are a sponsor of this forum. For their price it odes not pay to make your own. Check them out...

Did some wiring

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

I ran my classic Lionel postwar 681 Pennsylvania Turbine pulling classic Lionel postwar coal dump cars, log dump cars. gondolas and Pennsylvania lighted caboose, while playing classical music; namely, the beginning of Tchaikovsy's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

You want to be inspired? Just look and listen to this:

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

Wago connectors, perhaps?

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

I believe those are lever lock  connection terminals

installed this woodland scenics door factory today

Mill City posted:

carsntrains posted:

randr posted:

Did some wiring

Randr what are those things at the end of the red and black wires?

Jim 

Wago connectors, perhaps?

Mill City.    Adriatic .    Thanks.   I couldn't see them on this computer!!    

Well tonight I shortened a 6x2 section of bench work to a 5x2 section.  Got it put together and into place.   Bench work is about 50 complete.   17 feet of 3 feet wide.  5 feet of 2 feet wide.    Need to build another 4x2 section, a 4x8 section, some small fillers, AND a lift out, lift up, or swing gate??? 

Jim 

Worked on a couple things today. First I had to do some final tweaking to the fascia that Patrick and I installed on Sunday. After that, I mixed up a new batch of my tinted Spackle. Then I went and filled in all the holes and seams around the rest of the small helix.

I'll sand all of this down tomorrow, then it's ready for paint.

My plaster cloth came in last week. I started putting in my cardboard supports alongside the hump yard. This first section was so narrow, I just went with a solid piece.

As the hillside got bigger, I switched to vertical strips. Some were pretty short.

Got to the top of the hump, and ran out of cut cardboard. Not sure if I want to weave this. I like the profile the way it is.

Just this little bit sure makes a difference in how things look. Plaster cloth Wednesday.

Better arranged the cardboard track base on my  7x7 ft. loop of carpet railroad then straightened and squared away my two layers of indoor/outdoor carpet so the track sets on it better. The big,old standard gauge engines I am currently running are heavy.  Things are looking up a bit,though, closer to moving to where I can have a nice layout. God willing.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Worked on a couple things today. First I had to do some final tweaking to the fascia that Patrick and I installed on Sunday. After that, I mixed up a new batch of my tinted Spackle. Then I went and filled in all the holes and seams around the rest of the small helix.

I'll sand all of this down tomorrow, then it's ready for paint.

My plaster cloth came in last week. I started putting in my cardboard supports alongside the hump yard. This first section was so narrow, I just went with a solid piece.

As the hillside got bigger, I switched too vertical strips. Some were pretty short.

Got to the top of the hump, and ran out of cut cardboard. Not sure if I want to weave this. I like the profile the way it is.

Just this little bit sure makes a difference in how things look. Plaster cloth Wednesday.

The fun begins!   I will have to find some time to come up and play in the mud (plaster) with you.  Fun to see it take shape.   You're making great progress Elliot.   Can't wait to see it again.  

Dave

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

trainroomgary posted:

Day in the Life of the Train Room with the Grandchildren

Today the grandchildren came over and they spent the day with grandpa. This is our story.

1.   We arrived at Carlton Hobbies in Waterford, Michigan.  The boys ran directly to the train department.

2   This Hobby Shop has two indoor tracks.  Radio controlled cars and slot cars.  We rented two slot cars and one hour of time. The shops owner set the speed power to the tracks, so the cars stay on the track but still ran fast and challenging.

3.  Across the street from the hobby shop, we ate lunch at Culvers.  Great hamburgers. See if their is one near your train room.   https://www.culvers.com/

4.  We had blue and white sprinkles on our frozen custard.  Grandpa had a hamburger and fries. Yes, a Pepsi for my drink.  

5.  Dusting off the dust from the flats before painting.

6.  Picked up a view supplies for this project. The house cyanoacrylate glue & dullcote.

7. Time to relax and run a LionChief Plus locomotive. Great day with grandpa.

Thanks for taking a look: Gary from The Motor City

Great post, Gary. The wonderful day you had with your grandchildren and the trains is priceless, and what the World's Greatest Hobby is all about!

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Count me in on this bucket list tour of train layouts!

Don't know if I can do it soon, but certainly before I run out of time, which makes it a bucket list thing.

Hope to meet many of you guys at one of the two big train shows at York this year.

Arnold, I loved your video! Gary, those boys look like they are a lot of fun, thanks for sharing the pictures.

darlander posted:

The fun begins!   I will have to find some time to come up and play in the mud (plaster) with you.  Fun to see it take shape.   You're making great progress Elliot.   Can't wait to see it again.  

Dave

Thanks Dave, totally switching gears here. Big push is on for February for the convention layout tour. You're always welcome, let me know when. Remember M-W-F afternoons don't work anymore. You coming up for White Bear? I'll save that date for you if you are.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

RSJB18 posted:

I think a good bucket list item would be a trip to see all of the amazing layouts of all the guys on this forum. Kind of like seeing a baseball game in every stadium around the country.

Bob

So I started a list;

Minnesota- Elliot

Michigan- Train Room Gary (I never turn down a lunch invite)

Ohio- Brian, Clem, and Paul2

Illinois- Art (Chugman)

Seattle and Pennsylvania- Mike and Mark- I'll bring my tools and we can knock out your layouts in no time. Lee- P51 too while I'm on the west coast.

Maryland- Patrick Trumptrain

Arkansas- M. Mitch.Marmell- I need to meet Fortesque in person

Locally Pat - St. James MRRC , and LI Steamer TMB Train Club, Arnold, Skip and SIRT.

Need to do more research on the dozens of awesome layouts, so many trains so little time

Bob

Count me in on this bucket list tour of train layouts!

Don't know if I can do it soon, but certainly before I run out of time, which makes it a bucket list thing.

Hope to meet many of you guys at one of the two big train shows at York this year.

Add in Laramie! I’d love to show off my fledgling layout! 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I ran my classic Lionel postwar 681 Pennsylvania Turbine pulling classic Lionel postwar coal dump cars, log dump cars. gondolas and Pennsylvania lighted caboose, while playing classical music; namely, the beginning of Tchaikovsy's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

You want to be inspired? Just look and listen to this:

Wow!

Well, if someone wants to pay the plane fare, I'd cheerfully do a world tour with Fortescue...  After all, my business cards DO say "Have Giraffe, Will Travel"... 

MItch 

Reminds me of folks sending cars cross country to be run on another layout. How does Forty feel about tight spaces and postage stamps?

I'm sorry   It was rude not to invite you directly Mitch 

How do you feel about tight spaces and postage stamps