What did you do on your layout today?

Mike G, it is like Vegas. What goes to the attic stays in the attic. The wood chips hoppers and the Weaver TOFC's are for the attic layout. I have more room in the basement to work on these projects. Also eventually there are engines and rolling stock that will be headed down to the basement. Later tonight I will try to take some different  pictures of the attic layout.......Paul

Cool! Thanks Paul!

It was a nice day out today, so I took my Lionel NS 911 and legacy base outside for a little photo shoot on our new deck. 

The unpacking of cars continued last week. That is so time consuming. I unpacked a brand new set of Atlas Maxi-IV well cars only to find the connector tongue missing from the "A" section, making the entire set useless Sent Atlas an email, but haven't heard back from them. I'll give it a few more days and try again if they don't respond.

Patrick came over Saturday, and we worked on a couple different things. First, we extended the 110V accessory circuit from an existing box under Red Wing over to...

a new box under the big helix.

From there, it went under the aisle. up a leg and across the bottom of the benchwork, to a box by my south turnout relay panel. Here Patrick cuts the conduit for the transition from flat on the concrete, to run up the leg.

After that we worked on getting the track laid over to the turntable as well as the garden tracks around it. This crazy little section, connects the diamond in the helix to the rest of the layout. Down a hill with a mild "S" curve. Even the challenger should be able to make it.

The center lines are draw all the way around the pit, but being that is a 4x8 sheet, a number of the lines are too short to be useful. If a switcher or piece of MOW equipment can fit, I'll put it in. This is primarily for looks anyway, as I already owned the pieces from enterTRAINment.

This is how we left it Saturday. It'll be a while before I bring power over here. Then I have to custom build the drive and control system. The original Bowser drive is useless.

Progress has been a little slow this month. I've been fighting a couple new nagging injuries, which I think I picked up at the gym last Thursday. Something is going on with my left calf, and lower back right side. I don't think these are train related.

I can' tell you what I'm not doing... running op sessions.

Right now, it's the 75th anniversary of the timeframe in which my layout takes place (summer to early fall, 1943). I was hoping to do at least one op session for that reason.

Nope, I tried three session dates recently and only one person signed on for one (and said couldn't stay long). I know it's the time of year as here in the Pac NW, everyone looks forward to this time of year.

Maybe August?

Paul, Is there time enough in one visit to see all there is to see in the basement and the attic??  

NS6770Fan, That's a very nice engine!  NS did a great job with the original First Responders engine, and so did Lionel!

Elliot, The look of modern railroading!!!  That's a bummer the head car piece wasn't included!  You look happy at the helix lead.  Yes, I think anything can handle that minimal S curve.  Patrick is doing a great job!  You go to the gym to get healthy, and get hurt!  Another bummer!

Lee, that cartoon is a classic!  You can tell Lynn Johnson is married to a train enthusiast!!!

p51 posted:

I can' tell you what I'm not doing... running op sessions.

Right now, it's the 75th anniversary of the timeframe in which my layout takes place (summer to early fall, 1943). I was hoping to do at least one op session for that reason.

Nope, I tried three session dates recently and only one person signed on for one (and said couldn't stay long). I know it's the time of year as here in the Pac NW, everyone looks forward to this time of year.

Maybe August?

I know too well what you're saying. A few years ago we adjusted our regular Thursday night meetings to whatever night most of us could make it in the summer months. Two weeks ago one of the guys as he was leaving said "Good night, see you in September." It's just that time of the year.

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, that cartoon is a classic!  You can tell Lynn Johnson is married to a train enthusiast!!!

Was. He left her several years ago.

p51 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Lee, that cartoon is a classic!  You can tell Lynn Johnson is married to a train enthusiast!!!

Was. He left her several years ago.

Oh no!!  Did he get to keep his trains???  :-o

Mixed up a few batches of fresh, crunchy ballast and set them out to dry over the weekend.

Almost 2 gallons made.  Enough to keep me busy for a while.

During that time I endeavored to clear away enough space in this corner so work could continue.  Then the beginnings of a stone arch bridge were made of hardboard.  Here's the second try, using smaller arches, as the first cutout made the bridge overpower the confined space.

On a slightly different angle the roadbed looks more interesting.  A huge adaptation to the bridge to accommodate that lower single track will be tricky but I have a plan. 

Bruce

just a reminder guys, Mitch still needs our help, pay it forward

BRWEBSTER, your layout is looking good. I like the curved arch bridge. Elliot, starting to take shape with cars on the layout. I agree with you it is time consuming to take them out of the boxes. Mark, how much time would you have. It won't be too long to view both. However if you want to start looking under the tables that is a different story. That will be a quest. Right now other then around August the 9 TH I am pretty much open. Email me at pstackow@yahoo.com. And Mike G, I am sorry no pics yet. I'll take some tomorrow. Today a couple of more packages came. I got another Weaver TOFC I located in Canada and Mr Muffin sent two tank cars I ordered awhile back. Plus I got out to Menards to pick up some PVC pipe to do some silos for the brewery. Tonight I glued the tops to the wood chip hoppers. Tomorrow I'll finish the bottoms and get the trucks and couplers on and they will on their way to the attic. Pics................Paul

The wood chip cars are looking good!

Finally got to the point where I can lay track on a novice's first layout and can actually contribute to this topic!  With the table and swing out door completed it's ready for track. 

Phase I (of 6 phases!) is an O31 tubular city loop with back-n-forth trolley line and reverse loop.  Pretty packed, 8 switches in this one loop so I used (mostly) the 6-23010/11 switch which I had on hand.  I cut the lantern housing off as well to give me much needed space (I plan on a panel and trackside lights).

I know about the required fix to these particular (mostly plastic) switches and will do that after I've fitted all the track.  I'm hoping that when modified they will be fine.  Issues may still occur with Williams engines or so I've read.  I have a Williams Crown Edition brass PRR T1 locomotive that will pass through the straight parts of the switch pair shown in the crossover (top right).  Since straight I hope it'll barrel on through without issue and glide around the rest of the mostly Ross track for faster running. 

Phase II is a yard that attaches to this loop at the top right of the picture.  Here I need to modify two 6-23010s to remove even more plastic than the lantern housing.  It looks like I can do this with a band saw.

I've run a few engines in conventional mode... so far so good!!!

More to come.

Kirk

  No matter how the build is going now, keep a loop in running order to avoid "complicated" times resulting in boredom with it all or rushing it ...'cause it looks real good here

brwebster posted:

Mixed up a few batches of fresh, crunchy ballast and set them out to dry over the weekend.

Almost 2 gallons made.  Enough to keep me busy for a while.

 

Wow, does it stay crunchy even in milk?

NS6770FAN, Nice looking engine there! The deck doesn't look bad either!

Elliot, you car collection get's more impressive with every post! Sorry about the missing pin, I sure hope Atlas steps up to the plate and takes care of you! The new work is looking wonderful, sure must be nice to have such great help! Side note, I did notice that you still have to do the mud work over your upper deck where the heat duck is. This gives you a chance to try it one handed with a beer! LOL

Lee, I wished I lived closer, one day I will make it down to see your layout in person. I am not really into ops right yet, but it would be fun to watch!

BRWEBSTER, Looks like you have enough ballast to keep you busy for awhile! I think the arch bridge looks great!

Paul, great work on the wood chip cars! Keep up the great work! Have you thought about installing a dumb waiter to take your stuff from the basement to the attic? LOL

Kirk, you have a great start there! Keep up the good work and keep posting!

Brian, you sure your train room isn't on fire! LOL

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smoke looks awesome!!

  " Smoke looks awesome!!"       thanks JIM...

          yes, that engine sure smokes pretty good...

Fortescue and friend inspect a Sakai signal and a couple of Marx crossings I got from @Former Member (among a box of other goodies)  which will be up for sale in the near future...  

All three are in working order, though I'm still figuring out how the Sakai signal (which has a solenoid inside and is apparently a block control) operates...   

Mitch 

p51 posted:

brwebster posted:

Mixed up a few batches of fresh, crunchy ballast and set them out to dry over the weekend.

Almost 2 gallons made.  Enough to keep me busy for a while.

 

Wow, does it stay crunchy even in milk?

Sure does!  It' s an important part of a nutritious breakfast.  Tony says, " Thay'rrr Grrrrrreat! "

Bruce

MIKE G, before I rolled up my sleeves to finish off my wood chip hoppers. I took new pics of the attic layout. I'll say it is beytween 85% and 90% complete. Two upper mainlines with a long sweeping curving grade going to the bottom joining the two lower mainlines. Pics.................Paul

          very NICE Paul !!    thanks for the tour !    looks GREAT !!!

                           great rock work and scenery !!!

          really like this shot !!          now to connect to the basement

Paul, I really think you made the most of the attic room with that layout!  I like how you have the sweeping curves, lots of conifers, and lots of railroading action!  I'm looking forward to getting with you next month.  August, I mean!  It's almost here.  Yes, I'll be sending you an e-mail.  I've had a bunch of work to do trying to get setup for the next while in my "semi-retired" state.  

brwebster posted:

p51 posted:

 

Almost 2 gallons made.  Enough to keep me busy for a while.

Wow, does it stay crunchy even in milk?

Sure does!  It' s an important part of a nutritious breakfast.  Tony says, " Thay'rrr Grrrrrreat! "

I now have this mental image of an exchange between Dennis Day and Jack Benny on Jack's show during wartime (when Jell-O was in short supply,  so General Foods switched Jack to Grape-Nuts sponsorship):  

Jack:  So what did you do with the case of Grape-Nuts our sponsor sent you?

Dennis:  I used it for ballast on my train layout!  It worked great!

Jack:  Dennis!  Grape-Nuts are for eating, not for model trains!

Dennis:  That's what my mother said, so I ate it instead.   Boy, was that tough! 

Jack:  Oh?  Why...No.  No,  I'm not going to ask.   My blood pressure is high enough as it is.

Don Wilson:  Well, SOMEONE has to ask why Dennis had a tough time eating delicious, nutritious Grape-Nuts!  Part of a good breakfast!  

Jack: Don.  Donneleh.  Donsy.  (pause) Oh, go ahead and ask already.  

Don:  Dennis?  Why did you have a tough time eating Grape-Nuts? 

Dennis:  The track kept getting caught in my teeth!

Jack:  You HAD to ask! 

Dennis:  And the milk ran all over the layout! 

Jack:  Dennis!

Dennis:  And you don't wanna know what happened to the sugar!  

Jack:  Sing,  Dennis...  

Mitch 

This afternoon I completed three wood chip hopper kits. I also reworked a Souther chip car. Then I got out the two wood chip hoppers kits I got from the "B" and glued some of the parts together. After dinner I'll glue the top sections down and when they are dry put the cars together. Pics................Paul

paul 2 posted:

MIKE G, before I rolled up my sleeves to finish off my wood chip hoppers. I took new pics of the attic layout. I'll say it is beytween 85% and 90% complete. Two upper mainlines with a long sweeping curving grade going to the bottom joining the two lower mainlines. Pics.................Paul

Paul, you have a layout in the attic and you're in the process of taking over the entire basement.  Well done!   Both layouts are looking great, by the way, but your total train real estate is something for all of us to envy!   You have a very understanding wife!   Keep laying track you lucky man, Dave   

Paul, the wood chip cars look mighty good!

On my layout today, I hung a powerstrip connected to a group of switched outlets connected so that one switch will turn on all 12 180 watt powerhouses. And I wired in 4 of the powerhouses. After that, I started mounting and wiring in the two MTH 500s and one 750 that will run my 3 TIUs though their aux power ports. The TIUs are already mounted (vertically, per the instructions in Barry's book). The TIUs are wired into a separate set of switched outlets so I can turn them and the AIUs on prior to applying 18V to the track. 

I haven't done anything yet on a third circuit that will control lower voltages for switch machines, accessories, building lights and signals. 

The amount of electrical work that it takes to run even a modest sized layout is non-trivial. And it's all behind the scenes. Anyone looking at the layout sees none of it. It's a distinctly unsexy aspect of the hobby. I'm tempted to rate it below even benchwork. But it's a close call. 

Don

Unsexy indeed.  When it all becomes too much, just remember to chant the electrcians mantra.   OHM!

Bruce

Yes, I would rate it below benchwork.  However, it sounds like you made great progress towards running some trains!!

After 4.5 years of layout construction and running conventionally, I finally implemented my DCS system.  Before I started my construction, I read and followed guidelines outlined in “The DCS O Gauge Companion by Barry Broskowitz..  I Never tested the system before ballasting, scenery, etc., but when I turned it over to DCS, everything works just as planned!!  Today, I am a happy camper and able to operate 3 trains on continues loops and two more in the yard.

The only DCS issue remaining is to get the WiFi installed and operational.  I might have a cable issue or system set-up issue with my iPhone and iPad.  I am unable to find engines with these devices.  My DCS system was upgraded to system 5.0 when I had my MTH Yellowstone 2-8-8-4 upgraded to PS2 a couple years ago, and everything works great with the DCS Remote Control.  I may need to install a newer version on my TIU.   I‘m a Mac guy so it is not convenient to down load MTH files and updates from home.

An earlier problem upgraded:  Early on during layout construction, I had issues running my articulated MTH Yellowstone, 2-8-8-4 through the diverting arm of a Gargraves 072 turnout.  I received much help on the forum regarding the problem of center driver wheels, on large articulated engines, shorting out on the center (+) section while diverting through the switch.  It was suggested I use electrical tape on the side for insulation.  This weekend I removed the tape and glued a piece of .010 x .250” (StripSryrene 109) to the side of the center section.  I even added a small piece over the top, at the bend, to prevent any chance of electrical contact of the flange-less driver as the engine makes the turn.  After filing and trimming the insulated strip, I blacked the visible edges with a magic marker.  Results: the engine will divert through the turnout at 1 mph, a big operational improvement.   I also made the same modification to the 072 turnout under the summit with the same noticeable improvement of operation.

It has been a productive weekend.   Dave

paul 2 posted:

MIKE G, before I rolled up my sleeves to finish off my wood chip hoppers. I took new pics of the attic layout. I'll say it is beytween 85% and 90% complete. Two upper mainlines with a long sweeping curving grade going to the bottom joining the two lower mainlines. Pics.................Paul

Paul, who would have thought that when you look up the stairs that it would be leading you into a great looking layout! What wonderful work you do and have done! Looking at all the cars you have on your layout and all the Weaver boxes stacked around, I would have to say your really trying to catch up to Elliot! I love all the car haulers sure makes a beautiful train! I want to take this moment and thank you so very much for sharing here! Now it will be here forever to look back at!

paul 2 posted:

MIKE G, before I rolled up my sleeves to finish off my wood chip hoppers. I took new pics of the attic layout. I'll say it is beytween 85% and 90% complete. Two upper mainlines with a long sweeping curving grade going to the bottom joining the two lower mainlines. Pics.................Paul

Was your house built in the 1950's? My 1956 built house has those same banisters/railings.

Paul, the wood chip cars are turning out great!

Don, You sure have a lot of wire running! How big is your layout?

LOU1985, our house was built in 1912. I put the railing in a few years back......Paul

.

Dave, as you know I am just getting started on my future layout and plan on running DCS! I too also plan on fallowing Barry's book as close as I can! I am just happy there is so much help here on the forum!

Your work on the switch looks wonderful and I bet you like it a lot better then the electrical tape! LOL Great work!

Nothing done in the train room the last couple days, but I have 4 walls up on the She Shed and 3 of them sided! WEEEEEE!