What did you do on your layout today?

briansilvermustang posted:

TASTYKAKE's are awesome, used to get them in Baltimore, Md. when I was little...

Fortescue likes 'em, too!  

And yes, one can get Tastykakes in Arkansas.  The place isn't TOTALLY benighted. 

Mitch

Tested out my new loop extension.

Inside track powered separately is a double reverse with a small engine yard.

Finially got to run trains!

Taking a little afternoon break. Tiresome cutting fence posts. At least I got an assembly line going. Cut posts, glue posts then paint the backsides after the glue dries. I think I can work into the evening. Pretty sure the wife has a game. But woe is me when I get the fence done and in place I then have to figure out where to put all the stuff I took off that table to work on it. LOL Pics..............Paul

randr posted:

Finially got to run trains!

YAHOOOOOO!

Hey Paul, the fence is looking really nice! As far as where to put stuff, just build another table! LOL

paul 2 posted:

Taking a little afternoon break. Tiresome cutting fence posts. At least I got an assembly line going. Cut posts, glue posts then paint the backsides after the glue dries. I think I can work into the evening. Pretty sure the wife has a game. But woe is me when I get the fence done and in place I then have to figure out where to put all the stuff I took off that table to work on it. LOL Pics..............Paul

Look on the bright side Paul. They are only 1:48 scale. My arms would have fallen off if I had to bury that many posts.

Mark Boyce posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Thanks Mike, but one gallon will more than cover the rest. Remember, I'm still working on the first gallon, and I'm about 80% of the way done.

Thanks Mark, seems like just a couple weeks ago that I said that. In reality, it was 5 weeks ago. I believe I said that as part of a caption with this picture, and of course pictures have dates. This one is from January 31st.

Ah ha, that's it!!  Thanks for looking that up!  I wasn't crazy then!  

Actually Mark, that wasn't it. That pic was from the January update. The comment was made prior to that, most likely here, but I couldn't find it. I know I said it, so you aren't crazy, but maybe I am. 

I carried another bag down yesterday, and it was another dark one. Now there are eight bags left in the garage, and I suspect three are bad. That would leave five good ones. I want to say my original estimate was very good, but having six bad bags, makes a serious dent.

Anyone need nearly black ballast or coal? As much as you care to spend on the postage. Take advantage of a flat rate box!

I checked the website, and it looks like my guy is still there, after three plus years. I'll send him some pics, and see if he "needs more coffee".

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, looks like all that painting I did on Tuesday is going to need serious touch up. There are a bunch of spots where it didn't quite cover. You can kind of see the lighter area by the points. It's much more obvious in person.

More of the same, its all over the place.

Yesterday, I carved roadbed over at Western Avenue...

and East Minneapolis...

and at Midway.

I'll be happy when the carving is done. Getting closer.

Finally, I did a very small amount of ballast gluing. Patrick and I will be making sawdust in this area tomorrow, so this will protect my "precious" ballast.

Found a loose spot on third track in, so I fixed it.

We'll be filling in the remaining holes at Western tomorrow, and maybe even get the carving done on the whole upper deck. I have two carpet knives. Divide and conquer!

Good luck with the ballast hunt Elliot. At least the guy is still in business.

Elliott, looks great even though I know it's frustrating to have to go back over it.

 I saw some pictures you posted in another thread about the modular tables and you mentioned EnterTRAINment. What's the history of EnterTRAINment? What was it exactly? How did you start it? Were you solo?  How long did you do it? What was its demise?

Sounds like a conversation to have around a campfire/fireplace, so I'll pull up a seat and have a listen if you would kindly oblige my request

Paul, Yes the tedious work on some of our projects get to be a pain, but the results are well worth it!  Looks good.

Elliot, I was thinking longer ago, but who knows.  It doesn't matter.  The problem seems to be some of what you have isn't fit for use now.  Bummer.  You and Patrick are really doing some tedious work too!

Elliot, hope your ballast situation works out. If not when I look at photos of ballast sometimes double track has two different colors of ballast. Just a thought. I was able to glue all the fence posts on. I'll let them setup. I have some wire I bought at Michael's that I used on the pawn shop but I had a lot left over. My thinking is seeing the fence post are hollow I would run the wire through them leaving a bit out at the bottom of the post. That way I would have an anchor to hold the fence in place. And the wife does not have a game till late so I may not make it back down tonight. Pics Paul

Great idea Paul!

Disassembled almost  entire layout....For about a year after my expansion plans took form, I could never get the affected part in correct alignment. It just didn't line up squarely on the table,  and one side was always some what longer FOR NO REASON I COULD DETERMINE.......Today, during disassembly, I found out why...I had ordered 12 pieces of 0-48 curve Fastrack for a larger outer loop. Sorting it out today I found 11 pieces of 0-48 and 1 piece of 0-60 !!! NEVER NOTICED UNTIL NOW...

I'll get another 0-48 and rebuild !!!

(ever feel like a dummy ?)

Don’t feel bad Jeff!  I have trouble telling one section of track from another too!

Jeff Horn posted:

(ever feel like a dummy ?)

Try telling O27 O-42 from O-54 just by looking at it sometime!   

Mitch 

and what is AF prewar banked, 040??

This evening on my layout I just had a great time with my 6 year old granddaughter, Karina. See her with remote in hand running the LC+ NJ Central Pacific and Postwar passenger cars around Yankee Stadium:

Like many of you know who have young children and grandchildren who get excited about our trains, it just doesn't get better than this.

Arnold

First phase of RDC to EMU conversion:  Rooftop horns + overhead wires are a poor match, so...  

My Phillies consist, masked off and ready for a nice coat of Razorback Red:

Meanwhile, on the Tastykake front,  Fortescue was busy too: 

"(burp)"

Guess the little guy was hungry!   

Mitch 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

This evening on my layout I just had a great time with my 6 year old granddaughter, Karina. See her with remote in hand running the LC+ NJ Central Pacific and Postwar passenger cars around Yankee Stadium:

Like many of you know who have young children and grandchildren who get excited about our trains, it just doesn't get better than this.

Arnold

That’s great Arnold!!!  Our girls were never interested in trains.  Maybe we will have a grandchild who is someday.  Mrs. B. keeps buying train stuff for him or her.  LOL

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

First phase of RDC to EMU conversion:  Rooftop horns + overhead wires are a poor match, so...  

Nice to see you are branching out from gi-raffs and pink flamingos to emu's...

My Phillies consist, masked off and ready for a nice coat of Razorback Red:

As a legally qualified long suffering Met's fan, I can't think of a better fate for anything Phillies (or Braves for that matter).

Meanwhile, on the Tastykake front,  Fortescue was busy too: 

"(burp)"

Guess the little guy was hungry!   

So, if you are found deceased under mysterious circumstances, Fortesque would be a Gi-raff of interest - I am sure he will try the Arkansas version of the Twinkie Defense!!!

Mitch 

Sincerely; 

Your friendly neighborhood Techno-peasant Paul

guard flamingos are watching developments closely, ready to scramble at

a moments notice

after eating all those tasty cakes, the gi raff will be an easy target

Apples55 posted:

Nice to see you are branching out from gi-raffs and pink flamingos to emu's...

My Phillies consist, masked off and ready for a nice coat of Razorback Red:

As a legally qualified long suffering Met's fan, I can't think of a better fate for anything Phillies (or Braves for that matter).

So, if you are found deceased under mysterious circumstances, Fortesque would be a Gi-raff of interest - I am sure he will try the Arkansas version of the Twinkie Defense!!!

I imagine so... 

After a few days away, mentally challenged neighbor problems, cadillac into the shop for 

engine and tranny replacement, lets talk trains. I purchased this set of uncataloged passenger

cars last year. It originally came with a black 1688 and black 1689w according to what I could find. 

I found a gunmetal 1668 cheap and a gunmetal 1689 cheap. Then it sat for months. 

My goal lately has been to get old purchases up and running, so I found a 1688 to  scavenge 

the front and rear trucks, and the marker lights from. The 1688 was fine, I just preferred the

1668. The last challenge was to replace the latch coupler on the tender to match the hook on the cars.

Finally Jeff Kane at Train tender found the right one.  Thanks, Jeff

RSJB18 posted:

Blue with pink poka-dots?????

Whew.... I thought for a second it was a "gold dress" when read from my email. Do you have any idea how frustrating those illusions are to an Aspie's logic?  I'd be tempted to sip on Lectric Shave if convinced I'd see blue dots instead of pink 

Posted by big boy 4005:

Anyone need nearly black ballast or coal? As much as you care to spend on the postage. Take advantage of a flat rate box!

This idea becomes priceless if you can figure out how to mount a Go-Pro to catch the look on ol Mr Zip's  face.

   Those TK's must melt in the cold or something, I've never seen one.

Hostess ruled this town... before they tasted like plastic    

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

This evening on my layout I just had a great time with my 6 year old granddaughter, Karina. See her with remote in hand running the LC+ NJ Central Pacific and Postwar passenger cars around Yankee Stadium:

Like many of you know who have young children and grandchildren who get excited about our trains, it just doesn't get better than this.

Arnold

Delightful, Arnold. A land crafted to communicate! Very enjoyable, indeed!

FrankM

Ran trains last night while a snapped a few photos.  Enjoyed the time and had great fun!!

Got all my fencing and gates painted. As an after thought while I was looking at the front of the fences I decided to pen in lines to show sections. I did it at every post. So when it all dries I can start putting it all together. I still have to make some small pieces of pipe to hold the gates in place on the fences. Pics..............Paul

briansilvermustang posted:

 

Now there is a man after my own heart! I just love BN and BNSF Stuff!

paul 2 posted:

Got all my fencing and gates painted. As an after thought while I was looking at the front of the fences I decided to pen in lines to show sections. I did it at every post. So when it all dries I can start putting it all together. I still have to make some small pieces of pipe to hold the gates in place on the fences. Pics..............Paul

You sure have nice work going there Paul! All I get to do is put more bird blocks in! LOL

Mike, just think when it is all framed in layout building starts and then running trains. Rome wasn't built in a day but you are making good progress.................Paul

Ever have a day you should have stayed away from working on the layout? Today is my day. Deconstructed a finished rock wall because there was not enough clearance for the cylinder head  overhang on an engine to make the curve to go onto the branch line. Now this was not a simple process since there is a 1/2"  plywood backing to the rock wall and screwed and glued to the benchwork. So cut to rock casting rip out the plaster/cardboard strips, expose the plywood now cut the plywood ro shift it back 1 1/2 ", crawl under the benchwork and  remove the supporting 2x2s . These bones are not too keen on crawling under the layout. Finally cleaned up the debris from cutting back the upper shelf the rock wall was attached to and now time for the replacement rock castings. Paint the mold, let it dry, finish pouring the resin and foam when I remember that I had not lined the mold with petroleum jelly releasing agent. Spent the next hour breaking out the resin/foam mess that was supposed to be the rock casting. Well, I raised the white flag and retreated upstairs . I decided I needed to log onto the forum and take encouragement from other forum members successes.  Thank you guys, Mike

I sort of had one of those days, Mike.  I made some retaining wall-tunnel-portal pieces for the ends of my small layout.  I thought I made the tunnel portals wide enough.  I should have thought again.  Measure twice, cut once.  

Other than that I had a good day installing several operating accessories.

I have a temporary layout so I can change it when I get bored. Today I set up and ran transit, my absolutely favorite way to enjoy running trains. 7 Express to World’s Fair, MTA Metro North to Grand Central, and a fantasy LIRR train. It’s not the same as working on a real layout, but it’s my version.

paul 2 posted:

Mike, just think when it is all framed in layout building starts and then running trains. Rome wasn't built in a day but you are making good progress.................Paul

Thanks Paul! Right now I get my enjoyment watching all you other guys building great layouts!