What did you do on your layout today?

Got a bunch done today!   No more shelving filled with decorations at one end!  No more wiring, outlets, or light switches hanging from the ceiling (thanks to my electrician Brother!).  Notch cut into existing wall for rock hangover. Have a few spots of drywall to patch. But it sure is nice to have that wiring from the torn down wall gone!   

Mike G. This is the area that needs the lift bridge.   Where the Wabash passenger train is. 

Oh and Lowes has Utilitech LEDs on sale for 11.88 for 8!   Got me a box when we went to get electrical box and supplies.  

Jim : )

Had to work on repairs to my K Line St Fe Berkshire.   I had installed the ERR CruiseM and a new can motor in 2012, so the inner workings are familiar, and easy to work on.  A main drive rod bolt had loosened and backed out to where it locked up when caught in the linkage.  A matter of time and some effort, she running right as rain, again.  Still need to do upgrade on the smoke unit, and chuffs, however.

Jesse   TCA   12-68275

Fixed a 151 semaphore with the help of forumites! (I had inadvertently wired it 'backwards' so it was buzzing constantly instead of only when the engine ran over the 153c).

Jesse, I'm glad you got the Berkshire fixed and operational.  Those are great close-up photographs!!

Thanks, Mark.  Really like running the Berk, pulls good and the ERR Cruise is so much better than the original K Line cruise that quit on me.  As stated, next time I open it up, need to have new fan driven smoke and John's chuff units ready to install.... along with the K Line scale 5344 Hudson, etc.  Really like working on my engines, so long as I can find the time!    LOL!!!

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

RSJB18 posted:

Deuce posted:

It's coming along. Last stretch of O27 will need me to get on the table.  Adding a small bit of trestle to elevate the short extension bridge. Thought I had O31 curve, but it was all O36 so I can't finish the long siding until my O31 comes from Mario's. 

Once the track is complete, it's time to accessorize and then when everything has found a place ... wire underneath the table.

When the remote switches from Apples55 (Thank you, Paul!) arrive, I will pull out the switch at the front of the track and make a siding that connects on both sides to the track.

Deuce- It might just be the angle of the photo but did you check the clearance on the 027 loop where it passes the siding that Thomas is sitting on in the  photo? It looks pretty tight.

Bob

Bob, I'll probably run them tomorrow and check. I think I have enough clearance but if not I have some room on the curves to tighten things up a bit.

Deuce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Deuce posted:

It's coming along. Last stretch of O27 will need me to get on the table.  Adding a small bit of trestle to elevate the short extension bridge. Thought I had O31 curve, but it was all O36 so I can't finish the long siding until my O31 comes from Mario's. 

Once the track is complete, it's time to accessorize and then when everything has found a place ... wire underneath the table.

When the remote switches from Apples55 (Thank you, Paul!) arrive, I will pull out the switch at the front of the track and make a siding that connects on both sides to the track.

Deuce- It might just be the angle of the photo but did you check the clearance on the 027 loop where it passes the siding that Thomas is sitting on in the  photo? It looks pretty tight.

Bob

Bob, I'll probably run them tomorrow and check. I think I have enough clearance but if not I have some room on the curves to tighten things up a bit.

Yeah that does look tight!    I like that you built the sides up around the layout.   What kind of power are you running?  

Jim 

Mark, that 2' X 4' module is really starting to take shape. Before you know it you will be posting some good pics. And I like the ease of the plaster cloth too..............Paul

mike g. posted:

Dave, sure is nice to hear your getting better weather back there! the time it gave you to do some work turned out looking wonderful!

Sam, that is one amazing ore Dock! Did you scratch build it? Not that I am going to, its just great!

John, nice looking cars and thanks for the little video! Its always fun to see others layouts on video!

Thank you, Mike. 

Steamer posted:

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Apples55 posted:

I don't see it. Based on his avatar, I think Mitch may be King Tut (not sure if he is the pre or post getting whacked on the head with a flower pot version)…

Nonsense!  You never see me going about in a robe and headdress! 

Oh, wait...  ;^.^ 

Mitch 

hmmmmm......

now we know why The Caped Crusaders are lurking about.....

We do indeed.....

Spidey too

Mark- the diorama is going to be nice when its done. One of the items on my to-do list too. Right after the other million are done.

Dansgnrr posted:

It has been a busy day for me, I finally got my layout up and running before the end of the year and here are some photos that I got done today and now it up to detail all the changes. 

 

Well I started out the day with a good cup of coffee, you are looking at a turntable that a friend of mine built for me.

 

This is the round house and I finally got it light up. Next will do track power. 

 

 

They layout is four scales and it is "tong in cheek" All High Rail....the N, HO and S are all higher than scale rails. This was a days work, I reconfigured the O Scale track with a mixture of Scale trax and Real trax, HO is Bachmann and N is Kato, and yes the S scale is MTH and Lionel. I had give the real trax to my nephew and it got returned so be the frugal I used it. I am interested in drains of different scales and each scale reminds me of someone that had inspired me into doing trains. It is now ready for detailing. You wounder why I did it well, I wanted to have it done and now I have it running. 

It is a whimsical layout with some force perspective.  In one of the photos there are a picture of two 1/8" scale war ships I built when I was doing that kind of modeling they are both RC and I have had fun running them. 

That looks like one room full of fun. I don't know if i would ever leave

Very nice.

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Deuce posted:

It's coming along. Last stretch of O27 will need me to get on the table.  Adding a small bit of trestle to elevate the short extension bridge. Thought I had O31 curve, but it was all O36 so I can't finish the long siding until my O31 comes from Mario's. 

Once the track is complete, it's time to accessorize and then when everything has found a place ... wire underneath the table.

When the remote switches from Apples55 (Thank you, Paul!) arrive, I will pull out the switch at the front of the track and make a siding that connects on both sides to the track.

Deuce- It might just be the angle of the photo but did you check the clearance on the 027 loop where it passes the siding that Thomas is sitting on in the  photo? It looks pretty tight.

Bob

Bob, I'll probably run them tomorrow and check. I think I have enough clearance but if not I have some room on the curves to tighten things up a bit.

Yeah that does look tight!    I like that you built the sides up around the layout.   What kind of power are you running?  

Jim 

Jim,  the inner loop will be run via CW40 that came from a starter set.  If it's not strong enough, I have a MRC Throttlepack. The outer loop is off a CW80 which will also power the accessories.

Mo985 posted:

I placed my 93.2% complete, scratch built, background building on the layout. It needs some final adjustments (I need to work an uncoupling track in, I can't reach that siding) and, I'm still parusing the Miller billboards to decide what company owns the building.

I know it looks very similar to one of our beloved forum sponsors offerings,  which I did consider, however this one is custom sized to the space I had. And don't they say that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ?

I used 3/16" luan, 1/8" hardboard, foam board, and plastic canvas (for the windows).

I like that building...gives a HUGE idea!!!! (-:

Rick.

Rick Bivins posted:

Mo985 posted:

I placed my 93.2% complete, scratch built, background building on the layout. It needs some final adjustments (I need to work an uncoupling track in, I can't reach that siding) and, I'm still parusing the Miller billboards to decide what company owns the building.

I know it looks very similar to one of our beloved forum sponsors offerings,  which I did consider, however this one is custom sized to the space I had. And don't they say that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ?

I used 3/16" luan, 1/8" hardboard, foam board, and plastic canvas (for the windows).

I like that building...gives a HUGE idea!!!! (-:

Rick.

Made me think too!   Ive been purchasing houses and stores.  Trains don't service houses, grocery stores, or bars lol  I need some industry!!!   

Jim 

Deuce, if the clearances are too tight for overhang it looks like you still have some room to use an additional 1/2 length of Fast track on each short end to move the siding and main line a little closer to the front of the layout or a substitute a 1/2 length of the 027 on each short end  in place of a full 10" length to give more space between to 027 and the fast track siding.  The good thing about adjusting the inner loop is you can always cut you tubular track to the length you want.

Mark, you got to love that plaster cloth! sure make life easier. Sure is going to be really nice when its done, Keep you the great work!

Jesse, Nice engine and glad you got it running again. I haven't got to the point where I want to dig in to any of my engines really, maybe some day!

Thanks for the info Mo. Looks like a good place for a brewery and I hope you have good luck with the Real Estate agent!

Jim things are coming right along! What is the span you have there that you need a lift for?

coach joe posted:

Deuce, if the clearances are too tight for overhang it looks like you still have some room to use an additional 1/2 length of Fast track on each short end to move the siding and main line a little closer to the front of the layout or a substitute a 1/2 length of the 027 on each short end  in place of a full 10" length to give more space between to 027 and the fast track siding.  The good thing about adjusting the inner loop is you can always cut you tubular track to the length you want.

I agree with Coach Joe. Another idea would be to reverse the two switches on the fastrak and have the sidings outside the loop. Might help to have them where little hands can reach without leaning over the main track. This would also allow you to make the sidings a little bit longer.  I did a quick plan in SCARM for you to see.

Bob

Nice Brian, I am just wondering with all the engines you have, do you run just Lionel, MTH, Weaver or a mixture of all manufactures? Also is it TMCC,DCS, or just conventional?

     same manufacturer with more than one engine together,

                  TMCC in conventional mode for now...

J,

   Nearing the 1/2 way point on the Construction of the PCRR Train Room, final touches for the Hellgate Bridge and Skirting for the layout were accomplished over the last few days, along with the updated Christmas Bear Tree in front of the fire place.

Things are starting to come together in the new Train Room.

PCRR/Dave

Looking good on the Pine Creek Railroad!    Cool  Santa you have back there!  Is he Union Product?  That bear is cool too! 

Jim  

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

Bob, your on a roll! LOL

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

Bob, your on a roll! LOL

Thanks Mike.

RSJB18 posted:

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

Bob, I have two K-Line "speed demons" that I would love to slow down by wiring in series. Is it possible that you could explain the process in layman's terms so that even I could do it? Thanks  

gandydancer1950 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

Bob, I have two K-Line "speed demons" that I would love to slow down by wiring in series. Is it possible that you could explain the process in layman's terms so that even I could do it? Thanks  

gandydancer- the typical K-line diesel has two motors. The two wires coming off of the reversing board (blue and brown), that feed each of the motor leads (blue and yellow).

What I do is disconnect the 6 wires and clean up  and re-tin the ends. Connect the blue wire from the board to the blue wire on one of the motors. Next I connect the brown wire from the board to the blue wire on the other motor. Finally connect the two yellow motor wires together. The motors in these are installed opposite each other so the need to turn in opposite directions for the loco to move in the right direction.

I use heat-shrink tubing on my connections, tape is ok if that is what you have.

Here is a recent discussion on the topic.

https://ogrforum.com/...ive-motors-in-series

This is one of my S2's looks like its the same as your NYC.

Bob

paul 2 posted:

Mark, that 2' X 4' module is really starting to take shape. Before you know it you will be posting some good pics. And I like the ease of the plaster cloth too..............Paul

Thank you, Paul!  Now I just need to order some more of the stuff!  

RSJB18 posted:

Mark- the diorama is going to be nice when its done. One of the items on my to-do list too. Right after the other million are done.

Thank you, Bob!!  I know, the more I do, the more I think of!

mike g. posted:

Mark, you got to love that plaster cloth! sure make life easier. Sure is going to be really nice when its done, Keep you the great work!

Jesse, Nice engine and glad you got it running again. I haven't got to the point where I want to dig in to any of my engines really, maybe some day!

Thanks for the info Mo. Looks like a good place for a brewery and I hope you have good luck with the Real Estate agent!

Jim things are coming right along! What is the span you have there that you need a lift for?

Thank you, Mike!!

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

J,

   Nearing the 1/2 way point on the Construction of the PCRR Train Room, final touches for the Hellgate Bridge and Skirting for the layout were accomplished over the last few days, along with the updated Christmas Bear Tree in front of the fire place.

Things are starting to come together in the new Train Room.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, Once you got settled in your new home, you have really made considerable progress!  It will be quite a train room when you are "finished"

Added a wall siding for K-Line Reefers.  Have room for 3 or 4 more K-Line Reefers.  

Mark, I don't know how I missed your post yesterday, but that's going to look real nice. I never thought of building a diorama for photos.

RSJB18 posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Took another one of my K-line diesels apart yesterday and changed the motors to series wiring. Three down two to go.

Bob

Bob, I have two K-Line "speed demons" that I would love to slow down by wiring in series. Is it possible that you could explain the process in layman's terms so that even I could do it? Thanks  

gandydancer- the typical K-line diesel has two motors. The two wires coming off of the reversing board (blue and brown), that feed each of the motor leads (blue and yellow).

What I do is disconnect the 6 wires and clean up  and re-tin the ends. Connect the blue wire from the board to the blue wire on one of the motors. Next I connect the brown wire from the board to the blue wire on the other motor. Finally connect the two yellow motor wires together. The motors in these are installed opposite each other so the need to turn in opposite directions for the loco to move in the right direction.

I use heat-shrink tubing on my connections, tape is ok if that is what you have.

Here is a recent discussion on the topic.

https://ogrforum.com/...ive-motors-in-series

This is one of my S2's looks like its the same as your NYC.

Bob

 

Wow Bob waaaay easier than I thought! Thank you very much for your explanation

Today not much done. Errands to run in the morning and this afternoon with the weather being better I had to sweep the driveway to get all the acorns off of it. But once that was out of the way I got to the basement. I brought a couple of Weaver PS-2 discharge hoppers from the attic. Then I got out what cars I had down there and placed them through out the sidings for the future brewery. Going to end up with 2- 3 D buildings with the rest as building flats. Not a tremendous amount of track for storing cars but it will make for some interesting switching. I finished painting the stands to hold the storage tanks and glued them to the base. Then I got some paper and put down all the measurements to see what I will need for flats. This probably the extent of work today. Pics...........Paul

Matt, the wall siding looks like a great idea~

Paul, I thing your sidings for the Brewery are going to work well! On a side note, buy a blower then you can get the driveway done faster and gives you more time for trains! lol

Just added a whole new 4ft x 63" section to my layout so i could fit O-72 curves.

Mike the way it looks I can get three cars on three of the tracks two cars are each track where the hoppers are siting and one or two cars along the wall down from the end. Around the corner two cars on the one siding and one tank car on the other siding. I think once it is all done I am going to have fun switching cars there. Trying to figure out amount of buildings flats I'll need for this. I have a blower for outside but it stopped working right the last time I used it. I have got to get it fix.............Paul