Mark Boyce posted:Mike, so you had stuff stashed away in boxes too! Nice! I have a crane too, but don’t think I will use it on this layout.
I bought the crane cause it was a good price, I will have to make a place for it. After looking at all the stuff I can see I am going to have to do some changes to my plan!
No pictures, but I finally have the power for all four of my districts all sorted out. When we were wiring, a friend came over to help. I made a bad strategic error of allowing him to terminate the feeds. Either the wiring plan didn't make sense to him, or he was not very diligent in his efforts. FWIW, feeds 10,11,12, etc. went to district "1", 20, 21,22, etc. to district "2", and so on. Made sense to me.
Three of four districts had feeders that were all crossed-up. Back-feeding TIU channels really makes for a mess when you're trying to run DCS.
The only apparent casualty is one TIU Variable output channel will only work in fixed mode now. Not the end of my day as I don't plan to run anything in conventional on this layout anyway.
Lots of great stuff going on folks
Mike and Mark looks like Christmas in your houses.
Bob
Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania! The scene looks great! One lone palm tree in Minnesota!! That’s great!
Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!
RSJB18 posted:Lots of great stuff going on folks
Mike and Mark looks like Christmas in your houses.
Bob
Yes, it seemed like it!!
Mark, the area is taking shape with all the buildings. Good job so far............Paul
Went to the CAMRC show in Charleston with my son on Sunday. It was a nice show, had nice HO and O gauge displays, and had good supply of vendors. Mostly saw HO stuff, but they had a few people selling O stuff as well. I honestly think I spent more in gas getting there/home than I did at the show*. Did walk away with a vehicle and a nice trackside detail item (I'll take a photo later) along with the number of the guy who makes them ... I may request some custom work done in the future when I get the layout finally sorted out ... I have so much stuff crammed onto the layout at this point that there is no more room for anything that has a width larger than 2.5".
*My goal was spend time with my son, and then to possibly get vehicles and people, and I didn't see anyone selling people that I wanted.
paul 2 posted:Mark, the area is taking shape with all the buildings. Good job so far............Paul
Thank you, Paul!
Well not on the layout but under it I guess. The wife had a girls weekend away so I used that time to organize the basement and everything that was underneath it. I was getting tired of going through box after box looking for stuff that I knew I bought but just couldn't find. (Small electronics was the real pain) So I dumped everything out and started to categorize it. Good thing the wife wasn't home as it was a huge mess. Surprisingly, in a good way, I found a lot of people and vehicles that I had completely forgotten about along with 2 korber building kits.
With the day turning out to be nice I got down to the layout after breakfast and added plaster to the table and painted the foot prints for the buildings black. Got to go outside and do some yard work but I hope later today to add color to the plaster if it is dry by then. Pics.................Paul
Looking good Paul. Every available square inch is being put to good use in that basement for sure.
I'm liking the plaster cloth technique. I may try that on my layout too. I've been using grass paper in some areas but it doesn't look very realistic IMHO.
Bob
Mark Boyce posted:Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania! The scene looks great! One lone palm tree in Minnesota!! That’s great!
Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!
Mark, If it is OK with you, we're keeping the warm weather here for a while. Will send it on in JUNE! It has been a tough spring. Dave
darlander posted:Mark Boyce posted:Darlander, I’m hoping you are sending that warmer weather to Western Pennsylvania! The scene looks great! One lone palm tree in Minnesota!! That’s great!
Gilly, Congratulations on progress with your power districts!
Mark, If it is OK with you, we're keeping the warm weather here for a while. Will send it on in JUNE! It has been a tough spring. Dave
Ha, ha! I don’t blame you!
Yes it has been a tough spring here too!
Bought a few KwiKonnect 2-pin connectors from Model Power. They seem like an ideal way to get some of my accessories connected without having to use a wire nut between my 14/16/18 gauge track wire and those puny wires that come with a majority of the Lionel and MTH accessories (as well as the Model Power LED figures I recently purchased).
Darlander, Your work looks wonderful! It's hard to believe its in your garage, as it looks fine by it's self! Once again I think everything looks great and love the night picture!
Gilly, I sorry about the electrical problem, but and glad you got it fixed! I know its going to be a nightmare for me!
Bob, a lot of the stuff I had forgotten I had ever bought! LOL
Paul, the Plaster is looking great I sure like how it turns out! After you put the cloth down, what method do you use for the molding compound?
Mike, I was using a spatula but now for the ground areas I am using a plastic spoon. When I do the hills and cliffs I use the spatula..... Paul's
Thanks Paul! With the spoon I guess you put a dab down and put an indentation in it?
Mike, I spoon it out of a small mixing pail and then after putting it on the plaster wrap I use the bottom of the spoon and sort of spread it around. Today the postman brought another set of die cast Weaver trucks I got off the Bay. So the plaster was dry enough that I got a coat of earth color on the plaster. Now I am going to let it dry all night, check it out tomorrow morning and add another coat of color. Pics.............Paul
I got the rails on the new tracks painted so they match the "rusted" look of the other tracks. I'm hoping to paint the underside of the plywood I'll be using for the downtown area this weekend. Things should move along quickly once the painting is done. Waiting for paint to dry slows progress 😉.
Paul, that sure looks great!
Lou, Waiting for paint give us time to do something else! Like Paul work on different section of the layout, while I use the time to play with my bulldog and have a beer! Sometimes wet paint can be a good thing! LOL
mike g. posted:Darlander, Your work looks wonderful! It's hard to believe its in your garage, as it looks fine by it's self! Once again I think everything looks great and love the night picture!
Gilly, I sorry about the electrical problem, but and glad you got it fixed! I know its going to be a nightmare for me!
Bob, a lot of the stuff I had forgotten I had ever bought! LOL
Paul, the Plaster is looking great I sure like how it turns out! After you put the cloth down, what method do you use for the molding compound?
Thanks Mike! The taconite plant is located in a darker area of the room so the plant lighting will show up even in daylight. I do like the lighting effect from the yard lights. They came from China, $14.95 for 10 and that included shipping. Can't beat the price and quality. As far as the garage is concerned - the work was done in the clean corner of the garage!
Dave
Put out people ...
Placed vehicles...
And put out trackside details ...
And then brought my son out to run trains... until the wife came out and started saying "Is that new? When did you get this? I dont remember seeing that last time." So much for my shop being a place of refuge. I guess I'll start going drinking with the guys at night.
The DeWitt Clinton is back home home at John D's dad's layout! 
Here's some more happy snaps of Joe D's layout! Scenicking is by local artist Gene Austin. 
Mickey Mantle says hi!
looks like that layout could use a friendly and helpful flamingo
beardog posted:looks like that layout could use a friendly and helpful flamingo
Well, he DOES have the second largest collection of gi-raffes in Northwest Arkansas... ;-)
Mitch
hmm give me his coordinates, oops, location
beardog posted:hmm give me his coordinates, oops, location
You can write him c/o the Fortescue Foundation. I'll pass any itinerant flamingos along.
jgtrh62 posted:Cool layout M, great scenicking.
Scratchbuilt, to the best of my knowledge.
Mitch
This is the far end of the "Trolly Loop" where the Gene D. Austin Train Museum is. The DeWitt Clinton hangs out at the museum and every minute or so, the trolley gets out of the way, a special announcement is made for all to board the DeWitt Clinton and off she goes around the table. This is fully automated, of course!
The museum was a Rico Station kit that Mr Gene bought when he first met my dad. I was in town visiting the day it was delivered. This was the first and last kit Gene will ever build. He hated it. He's been scratch building dioramas for years for his photography career (http://www.genedaustin.com/). Following someone else's instructions is not his style. Mr. Gene bought this DeWitt Clinton because it looked good in front of the museum. When he was done photographing it, he just gave it to Dad! A friendship was born.
One day, Dad and Mr. Gene were eating lunch and there was a painting of a barn scene hanging on the wall. One thing led to another and this is the physical embodiment of that photo. This is the first "O-Scale" diorama Mr. Gene ever built. No measurements, just instinct and the memory of the painting. Mr. Gene was hooked! Dad had an empty train table. The rest is history!
Dad doesn't remember if these trees are store bought or custom. Most of the trees Mr. Gene uses are store bought (JTT Microscale) but he heavily modifies them.
If you watch any of the Thomas the Tank Engine cartoons, look for the grist mill in the opening credits. It was the inspiration for this scene:
This is my daddy! Seems like Mitch sees him more than I get to.
Ok, one last story. The propane tank next to this house was a gift from me to Dad a few years ago. I got the idea from Tom Groff at Choo Choo Barn. It is built from the packaging of some O-scale One Direction figures he found at 5-Below. He showed it to me and I knew I had to build one for Dad. MANY years ago, we were living in southern Arkansas and had a propane tank just like this fueling our home. One Christmas, we went to NJ to see family. On Christmas morning, we got a call from our neighbor who came over to feed the dogs. A pipe froze and burst and flooded our sunken living room and destroyed the presents Santa left for us for when we returned. Turns out, the propane tank ran out, but the gauge still read 80%. The delivery guy didn't think anything of it and just drove on. When we got home, Dad suspected the float was stuck. With the manager of the propane company by his side, Dad grabbed a hammer and walked over to the tank, gave it a quick rap on the side and the gauge dropped to 0. In the below scene, you can see Dad, hammer raised, walking over to the tank to check the level.
That reminds me, I need to go check the level in my tank...where's my hammer?
An interesting and charming read, John D. I enjoyed it very much and especially appreciated the photos highlighting your narrative points and explaining scenic inspirations. And your father's wonderful smile is beyond description, telling of many joys and satisfactions in his life.
This was so enjoyable, maybe you should start a thread entitled "My Dad, Me, and Trains," inspired by your posting here.
I'm glad you made the effort to tell us this story.
With respect and applause, FrankM
Moonson posted:An interesting and charming read, John D. I enjoyed it very much and especially appreciated the photos highlighting your narrative points and explaining scenic inspirations. And your father's wonderful smile is beyond description, telling of many joys and satisfactions in his life.
This was so enjoyable, maybe you should start a thread entitled "My Dad, Me, and Trains," inspired by your posting here.
I'm glad you made the effort to tell us this story.
With respect and applause, FrankM
You're too kind. Of course the photos were snapped by @M. Mitchell Marmel. My handiwork is under the tables. At 40, I'm still considered "young and dumb" in my dad's eyes, so I get to crawl under the layout. From time to time, I have a good idea that he steals.
I come from a long line of story tellers. If there's anything we DiMaggio's love, it's a good story. I would like very much to do a narrative on Grandpa's Wine Cellar Trains. Of course, Dad would love to tell that story as well!
Nick R, I like your launch area. Interesting engine. I was looking for an Air Force engine because my daughter was in the Air Force. Did you make that one yourself?
Deuce posted:Put out people ...
Placed vehicles...
And put out trackside details ...
And then brought my son out to run trains... until the wife came out and started saying "Is that new? When did you get this? I dont remember seeing that last time." So much for my shop being a place of refuge. I guess I'll start going drinking with the guys at night.
Showed my wife your post and she just laughed! I think thing are looking really nice!
Mitch and John- great stories from both of you.
John- sounds like you and your dad have a lot of fun together. The propane tank story was hilarious (I'm sure it wasn't to you and the family at the time). Great layout too.
Bob
mike g. posted:Deuce posted:Put out people ...
Placed vehicles...
And put out trackside details ...
And then brought my son out to run trains... until the wife came out and started saying "Is that new? When did you get this? I dont remember seeing that last time." So much for my shop being a place of refuge. I guess I'll start going drinking with the guys at night.
Showed my wife your post and she just laughed! I think thing are looking really nice!
Face it Deuce- as sneaky as we think we are, our wives always know what we are doing. Might as well come clean and admit it.
Nick, you should think about applying to NASA! Things are looking really nice!
John D. you are one lucky man to have such a great Dad and all the great memories ! He has such a great looking layout, I can see why Mitch spends a good amount of time there!
John, side note, did you say somewhere you worked for a lighting company?
darlander posted:mike g. posted:Darlander, Your work looks wonderful! It's hard to believe its in your garage, as it looks fine by it's self! Once again I think everything looks great and love the night picture!
Gilly, I sorry about the electrical problem, but and glad you got it fixed! I know its going to be a nightmare for me!
Bob, a lot of the stuff I had forgotten I had ever bought! LOL
Paul, the Plaster is looking great I sure like how it turns out! After you put the cloth down, what method do you use for the molding compound?
Thanks Mike! The taconite plant is located in a darker area of the room so the plant lighting will show up even in daylight. I do like the lighting effect from the yard lights. They came from China, $14.95 for 10 and that included shipping. Can't beat the price and quality. As far as the garage is concerned - the work was done in the clean corner of the garage!
Dave
Dave you wouldn't happen to have a link of where you got the light would you?
coach joe posted:Nick R, I like your launch area. Interesting engine. I was looking for an Air Force engine because my daughter was in the Air Force. Did you make that one yourself?
Thank you, the engine is just a dummy I found for 10 bucks at a train show. A little paint and some decals is all. I spent some time in the Air Force as well at Vandenberg AFB in California so Ive wanted to incorporate a rocket launch site for a long time.
Nick
RSJB18 posted:mike g. posted:Deuce posted:Put out people ...
Placed vehicles...
And put out trackside details ...
And then brought my son out to run trains... until the wife came out and started saying "Is that new? When did you get this? I dont remember seeing that last time." So much for my shop being a place of refuge. I guess I'll start going drinking with the guys at night.
Showed my wife your post and she just laughed! I think thing are looking really nice!
Face it Deuce- as sneaky as we think we are, our wives always know what we are doing. Might as well come clean and admit it.
Mike: Thanks. I'm starting to get into the scenery now that the table is crammed with items. I actually had to pull some things off to make others fit ... so now I've clearly hit "critical mass" for this table. So now it's time to decorate ... people, ballast, shrubs, and other items.
Bob: I shall admit NOTHING! Since she last inquired about my purchases, I didn't buy anything train- or building- related. It was all either purchased and in transit or stored under the table waiting to be placed. 
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