What did you do on your layout today?

Finished repairing my new ATSF GP-9. The motor needed a serious cleaning and the springs for the brushes had to be tightened up a bit. Runs great now. The engine is in great shape otherwise.

Love the MPC Growl!

Hi Jim/carsntrains, Yes, those campers are on their way to a camp, down the road, for the holiday, and since every day is a holiday in Moon Township, USA, campers are out and about. However, somehow , they never seem to get very far. The rest of the journeys are left up to the imagination.

FrankM

mike g. posted:

Frank, great looking layout! I am sorry about the cat, I think if it was me I would have just ran a train threw the tunnel! LOL

 

That doesn't always work... 

Mitch 

Bob, I am glad you got the engine running! Sure looks nice~!

Frank, I am with everyone else Great looking layout! I could see myself camping there!

Mitch, that is just too FUNNY!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

mike g. posted:

Frank, great looking layout! I am sorry about the cat, I think if it was me I would have just ran a train threw the tunnel! LOL

 

That doesn't always work... 

Mitch 

Just watched parts 2 and 3. 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

mike g. posted:

Frank, great looking layout! I am sorry about the cat, I think if it was me I would have just ran a train threw the tunnel! LOL

 

That doesn't always work... 

Mitch 

That's some confident kitty right there! She probably has such trust of you that she knows what you're up to and doesn't get intimidated by any shenanigans via a little train honking and awaiting. Very enjoyable vignette.

FrankM

.

Moonson posted:

That's some confident kitty right there! She probably has such trust of you that she knows what you're up to and doesn't get intimidated by any shenanigans via a little train honking and awaiting. Very enjoyable vignette.

 

Thankee!  Yeah, Norma is a sweetie, and she loves the trains so much that a little honk or bump doesn't really bother her all that much... 

Mitch 

Frank those campers are awesome!!   My wife wants me to find some for our layout.  Seems I can only find new looking ones.  

As for the submarine.    Mine is newer and by what rotten band I got out of it seems to be just one. 

At this point (happily) my cat hasnt taken an interest in trains!    And I hope she never does! LOL

Hopefully I can get out to Hobby Town this weekend and get me some more 036 switches.   I still dont understand why Lionel doesnt make manual switches for 060 or 072.  I dont want remote switches.  Ive watched many many videos on switching and it interests me.  Unless you put the switch remote in front of the switch it seems to me they would be useless in switching sessions.  

PENNSYNUT it seems you are big into switching.    What is your opinion?   

Jim

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Moonson posted:

That's some confident kitty right there! She probably has such trust of you that she knows what you're up to and doesn't get intimidated by any shenanigans via a little train honking and awaiting. Very enjoyable vignette.

 

Thankee!  Yeah, Norma is a sweetie, and she loves the trains so much that a little honk or bump doesn't really bother her all that much... 

Mitch 

Me-thinks the Razorback RR needs to invest in a couple of steamers with sharpened cow catchers, or a good railroad snow plow (the rotery variety should evoke an interesting response)   

Apples55 posted:

Me-thinks the Razorback RR needs to invest in a couple of steamers with sharpened cow catchers, or a good railroad snow plow (the rotery variety should evoke an interesting response)   

Better yet, get the kittehs their own train!  

Mitch 

KC scale!

(kitty cat)

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Apples55 posted:

Me-thinks the Razorback RR needs to invest in a couple of steamers with sharpened cow catchers, or a good railroad snow plow (the rotery variety should evoke an interesting response)   

Better yet, get the kittehs their own train!  

Mitch 

I have a play date with my son to run trains this evening. That will probably be it (though I'm getting ready to add blinking yellow lights to a Plasticville signal bridge, as well as build the Plasticville Union Station).

Also, I didn't like how the Sharpie bled into the balsa wood that makes the front plate of my uncoupler box, so I'll probably paint it with a dark acrylic paint and hunt for some 1/2" vinyl letters.

Well the size of Carpet Central doubled, added regular LC RS-3 diesel. I know this is not much but what I can get away with in the living room, I think.  Also upgraded the last passenger car to led, but think I need one more in the middle, the other cars are 14 volt lamps running on 18v,MTH cars.

Old Mike

Old Mike,

   Very nice double Loop FasTrack layout for your room.  Another Passenger Car would be nice for the inside loop!  Good job with the LED's!

PCRR/Dave

Thanks Dave: I have the mail car without lights I can add from the set, they are all Pennsylvania cars. These are both lionchief RTR sets,the lighted caboose is also MTH.

Old Mike

All set now. My switches came today. The wife has a game tonight so I can do whatever I want to. The sign stand is ready for paint. The plaster wrap is done in the oil depot when that dries I can add plaster. And I placed a couple of switches by the grain elevator. I probably should spend a bit a time on the Pawn Shop to wrap that up. Pics.......Paul

paul 2 posted:

All set now. My switches came today. The wife has a game tonight so I can do whatever I want to. The sign stand is ready for paint. The plaster wrap is done in the oil depot when that dries I can add plaster. And I placed a couple of switches by the grain elevator. I probably should spend a bit a time on the Pawn Shop to wrap that up. Pics.......Paul

Looking great son !!

Ah shucks dad ( blushing )  thanks.....Got to get back to work......Paul

Deuce posted:

I have a play date with my son to run trains this evening. That will probably be it (though I'm getting ready to add blinking yellow lights to a Plasticville signal bridge, as well as build the Plasticville Union Station).

Also, I didn't like how the Sharpie bled into the balsa wood that makes the front plate of my uncoupler box, so I'll probably paint it with a dark acrylic paint and hunt for some 1/2" vinyl letters.

Little more done with the little things. Glued down cork. The 0-42 switch off the mainline was just the thing. Got the stand for the sign painted. Then I got the awning glued in place. To help hold it in place I put in the awning supports. Haven't glued them yet I still have to cut them down. I'll let everything dry real good tonight and get an early start tomorrow. Pics..............Paul

Received a lot of help from a D3R member, He beefed up the relay system he built earlier. I guess I push the limits a little.  The relays where giving up, but now all is right in the basement. Ran trains for 4 hours had a derailment, and the system worked,  failure in one block shut down entire main line all 4 blocks, so no train ran into another.

Thank you Dennis  

Clem   

paul 2 posted:

All set now. My switches came today. The wife has a game tonight so I can do whatever I want to. The sign stand is ready for paint. The plaster wrap is done in the oil depot when that dries I can add plaster. And I placed a couple of switches by the grain elevator. I probably should spend a bit a time on the Pawn Shop to wrap that up. Pics.......Paul

Paul, sure sounds like you had a nice night! Things are looking really nice, next thing you know you will be running trains downstairs!

Paul- Put a bunch of little jobs together and suddenly you accomplished quite a bit. 

Bob

Your right Bob. It has been good to be able to jump around working on different things. Hope to get some more little things done today. Mike, that is where I have been procrastinating .....wiring. After all this time of building this layout I haven't run one train. I have pushed cars around by hand. I know sooner then later I am going to have to start wiring...............Paul

paul 2 posted:

Your right Bob. It has been good to be able to jump around working on different things. Hope to get some more little things done today. Mike, that is where I have been procrastinating .....wiring. After all this time of building this layout I haven't run one train. I have pushed cars around by hand. I know sooner then later I am going to have to start wiring...............Paul

Don't feel bad Paul, I hate wiring. Mainly cause I don't know a lot about it. I am always second guessing myself. When I get to that point I will be asking a lot of questions!

mike g. posted:

paul 2 posted:

Your right Bob. It has been good to be able to jump around working on different things. Hope to get some more little things done today. Mike, that is where I have been procrastinating .....wiring. After all this time of building this layout I haven't run one train. I have pushed cars around by hand. I know sooner then later I am going to have to start wiring...............Paul

Don't feel bad Paul, I hate wiring. Mainly cause I don't know a lot about it. I am always second guessing myself. When I get to that point I will be asking a lot of questions!

Wiring is easy guys!!   Well I reckon that depends on how you are setting up.   I just use two transformers.   One hot from each to each loop.   Will do a bull buss wire around the loops .  Inside red, outside green, accessories white, single black common ground (phased transformers).  Of course I dont have my new track wired correctly yet.   Will do that after I get finished moving stuff around. 

Paul things are looking awesome! 

Mike G....    Get another wall done yet??

Jim

Jim, I did that when I rewired my attic layout a number of years back. Was able to get enough colors of wire so that everything was actually color coded except for ground. That is all white wire. Like you I have the transformers phased and all the grounds from the transformers go to one terminal block and then out from there to the layout. I know I have to do it Jim. Guess I am just lazy or not wanting to put my body in a pretzel position again because it doesn't do it as good as years ago...............Paul

Paul.    I feel what you are saying.   With my last table layout (which was my first)   I put off wiring for months!  I just didn't think it would be as easy as it was and doubted my ability. After doing that one I think Ive developed a plan not to do the pretzel imitation lol

Jim

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

Shocking...

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

I'll pass.    I don't like to do ANY electrical work.  Although I do when I have to!

Jim

carsntrains posted:

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

I'll pass.    I don't like to do ANY electrical work.  Although I do when I have to!

Jim

People think I'm crazy but ... I'd rather do electrical than plumbing.

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

I'll pass.    I don't like to do ANY electrical work.  Although I do when I have to!

Jim

People think I'm crazy but ... I'd rather do electrical than plumbing.

I've been an electrician for over 30 years. I wouldn't switch to plumbing for twice the money.

Still just little things. I needed to take up some cork because I didn't draw a center line through the grain elevator so when I measured for that I found that I had to take up cork and move it over, I spent the next twenty minutes or so looking for my Chisel. I finally found it but to my surprise in looking for it I found the assembly directions to the Pawn Shop under a pile of stuff. But still thanks to those that help me. And it is a short day. I have to get my stuff ready for the train show at the Independence High School Fieldhouse tomorrow 6001  Archwood rd Independence OH. It is from  10 AM to 3 PM Saturday March 3rd. But I am heading up there tonight to set up so I don't have to get up early and do it tomorrow. I got the lettering cut out for the sign, that's a slow process. And then I glued them to the sign frame. After it dried a bit I placed it on the roof. Then I went back to laying cork. All the cork is down. It probably won't be till Sunday that I can work on the layout again. Pics.......................Paul

RSJB18 posted:

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

RSJB18 posted:

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Wiring? Piece of cake

Don't know what you guys are worrying about.

Try working around 13,000 volts and then we can talk.

lol Bob, 120 & 240 is enough for me! LOL

Well that can kill you too. 13KV brings a whole different level of respect.

I'll pass.    I don't like to do ANY electrical work.  Although I do when I have to!

Jim

People think I'm crazy but ... I'd rather do electrical than plumbing.

I've been an electrician for over 30 years. I wouldn't switch to plumbing for twice the money.

Now mind you ... my electrical work typically extends to swapping out light fixtures, switches, and receptacles for the most part ... but I figure the worst that would typically happen is I kill myself. With plumbing, I could potentially ruin my entire house ... and honestly, I'm worth more dead than alive ... and I'm not sure if self-inflicted water damage is covered by insurance (is it?).