Ralph , great job on the engine! I too would like to know the details!
HandAndy, what a build! To see it from start to finish is amazing! Great job !
Mark I think your right about the angle iron, should be strong enough for a train set. I will probably do the same for the upper loop. Thanks for the likes guys!
Pingman posted:Ralph M posted:Added an LED headlight w on/off switch and cab figure to this chop nose WM GP7 . It is an unpowered dummy originally so I had to come up with pickup rollers, the wiring, etc . This way it can lead the train if I like. The other 2 units in this 3 unit lashup are powered so they can easily pull the train and push this dummy unit.
P.S. this grade crossing is undergoing a major rehab.
Great job Ralph. What did you use for the LED and DC power supply? Vendors/part numbers?
Thanks, again, for the photos.
OK, here's what I use for my LED headlights. These are pre-wired, 3mm soft white lights rated for up to 15V. Truth is, I attach them to AC track power and they work just fine. They do not flicker and they have not burnt out. I'm using Lionel 180 watt bricks for track power so my maximum *theoretical* track voltage is 18 and when measured is more like 16. Might be different for a Z-4000 - I don't know.
I know all about how they're supposed to be run off DC and I understand the theory but all I know is I hooked them up like this and they work just fine. Good enough for me.
I buy all my LEDs and other wiring goodies from Lighhouse LED.
https://lighthouseleds.com/3mm...ight-16-000-mcd.html
-RM
Mark Boyce posted:I wired all the buildings for lights and fired up the Polar Express. I still have to hang the wires from the underside of the upper level. As you can see in the lower left they are crossing the tracks. Then add people and trees. Here it is so far.
Mark, I just saw your Christmas double decker layout. Great job! A delight for the eyes!
Thank you, Pete!!
Ralph,
Yes I started out in electronics in 1974. I know the theory too. There is an explanation, but I’m too old to care! I’m like you, they work. That’s all I care about!
handyandy posted:I built a tow truck over the holiday weekend.
A scenery piece built in the style of vintage toy cars and trucks for my layout. Sheet styrene, a little putty, a lot of file and sandpaper work sculpted in the style of vintage Midgetoy and Tootsie Toy vehicles. The other red tow truck is my first attempt at building one of these cars. It didn't turn out too well. This new one will look a lot better parked next to the tin-styled gas station.
that looks great Andy!!
Mark Boyce posted:I wired all the buildings for lights and fired up the Polar Express. I still have to hang the wires from the underside of the upper level. As you can see in the lower left they are crossing the tracks. Then add people and trees. Here it is so far.
Wow, Mark... you have packed quite a lot into a relatively small space - very impressive (and Christmas-y!!!). It might just be the angle of the photo, but can I make a small suggestion for next year??? All of the beautiful buildings in the center of the elevated loop get kind of lost. Could you possibly add a 3”-6” platform in the center to raise the buildings slightly???
Yes Paul, I know what you mean. Having never built an upper level before, I first intended more spindly supports like on an EL, but then I didn’t want to put much money or time into it. I wondered how it would look. You are right, it depends on the camera angle or view. Sitting on the bed 3 feet away gives a nice view under the upper level. I was just doing that this evening.
After I had the upper level track installed, I thought of building up the middle 2 or 3 inches, but left it this way. Definitely, I plan to see how the town looks at a higher level next year.
Thank you for your comments!!!
Paul, I just took these.
Mark Boyce posted:Paul, I just took these.
Loos good this way, but maybe next year you could terrace Mt Brian. Start the lowest level near the front lower track and step back up the face of Mt Brian. The size (height & depth) of each step depends on the size of the buildings and available real estate.
Thaddeus, more lighting is always good! I have 4 4' LED shop lights and need 2 more. I also Prewired for dimmable track lighting!
Brian, you have it all don't you! I really think you have every road name made for railroading!
I think I might go out to the train room and try and get something done before work again today!
Mark, your Christmas layout is going to steal the show come Christmas day! Wonderful work!
Finally went back to getting something done. Made up a little area to paint last night and I painted the last of the building flats and this morning I painted the windows. Now I will add the mortar to the bricks this afternoon. Pics............Paul
mike g. posted:Thaddeus, more lighting is always good! I have 4 4' LED shop lights and need 2 more. I also Prewired for dimmable track lighting!
Mike,
Woot.com has some 3-foot LED shop lights on sale. 4 pack for $50!
4k temp.
No dimming.
Thaddeus posted:Finally installed two 6" can lights with dimmable LED 4K bulbs above the layout. It would have been nice to have these when I was first building the layout! I believe I will be adding three more.
Looks great, Thaddeus! It is amazing how the LEDs shine so white. I changed over all my flourescent fixtures to LED and am amazed how things are no longer yellow.
Looking good there Paul! Where do you get your building flats from and do they have modern ones?
Thanks John, I only need 2 more and I have been getting them at Wal-Mart for $19 each! But I hope your around when it comes to getting the track lighting so I can pick your brain then!
Got the mortor lines done. Once it is dry I can apply the concrete paint. Pic...........Paul
Thanks guys!
Mike - I could paint the car purple and gold.
Nah...I know this is friendly. It would be different if you liked the Packers.
Paul - We do what we've got to, to get what we want. This is a fun challenge. That train was hiding under Pig's Eye when you were here in July. I need to fix a couple switches in the yard and move that train into position so we can run it this year.
Mark - Yeah, the train already has three K-line cars in the blue. They were what started this whole project in the first place. It really came into my head many years ago, in the late 80's when I fell in love with a print by railroad artist Larry Fisher, called "The Rainbow".
I got those three cars, and there was no turning back. I was lucky to get the Atlas engines for this. If I had known to pre-order, I would have gotten the exact engine number, 102.
Larry - Thank you. I've really slowed down on the progress since the convention in September. I need to get it going again if I ever want to finish. Lots to do.
Dave - Unfortunately, I committed to this method now. Those were good ideas, and the second one was what I used to create the mill wall. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, including my Dremel, a jeweler's saw and files. The thick aluminum is kind of hard to cut, too thick for my shear or tin snips. I have to rough cut with either my saber saw, or a cutoff wheel in the Dremel then sand in my belt sander to the final dimension.
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I was back at it yesterday, and almost have all the holes filled in. I forgot to take the camera down, but I brought the car upstairs and snapped a few this morning. In addition to making the rest of the window and door slugs, I got most of them epoxied into place, and did a first coat of putty. I also turned my attention to that vestibule end. I disassembled the whole thing. Seems a shame to get rid of those working doors, but they have to go. That unit is going to take some serious modification, and there isn't much to support the new metal. I get a little strip on the top, and a long one down the side, no bottom and no end.
Here's a shot of both sides.
I'm keeping the small windows, but fingers crossed for the end notch.
Not sure if I'll work on it tonight. I'll see how I feel.
Mike, the building flats I have been using for the brewery are Korber flats from Mr. Muffin. Go to www.korberflats.com which is Mr Muffin and you can go through al they have. I think the only more modern are one story buildings and flats.
Elliot, I think you are doing a great job on that car. A lot of work but the end result will give you what you want.
I got all the flats painted with the concrete color before dinner. After dinner I laid them oput and sprayed them with a clear coat. When that dries I can glue in the windows and them apply a black wash to everything. Pics......Paul
decoynh posted:Mark Boyce posted:Paul, I just took these.
Loos good this way, but maybe next year you could terrace Mt Brian. Start the lowest level near the front lower track and step back up the face of Mt Brian. The size (height & depth) of each step depends on the size of the buildings and available real estate.
Mike, Thank you!
Matt, Thank you. You have a good suggestion. That is the contour of a town I like, Thomas, WV, that I plan to sort of replicate on my Blackwater Canyon Line. In that case when you drive on the second street up the hill you are at the back of the second story of the buildings. It will hide my return loop. Why not do it on the next Christmas layout? The base is already setup for it! I like it!!!
Finished the track and electrical to run trains with arrival of two pieces of Gargraves sectional curve track for the upper loop.
The silver bridge and the piers supporting it and the other bridge were gifted to me by a generous forumite, albeit the bridge arrived in shiny Oxide Red, and the piers supporting the flat black truss bridge had to be shortened about 1.5". The black truss bridge was built from Plastruct HO plans enlarged and recently repaired after suffering damage from a fall of approx. 6'.
The elevated trestles were purchased from a forum member in response to my WTB. To get more into a Christmas theme they were painted red.
Will start decorating the table tonight by putting up the prelit faux tree.
The test mule which successfully demonstrated the operational side of things is a PW Lionel F3 redone along with a B unit and Lionel 15" passenger cars in NP North Coast Limited livery. It's going to the shop for some body work, including porthole windows, new number boards, etc. After Christmas it's going into the mechanical and paint shops to be refreshed.
Here are photos.
The color is off a bit: the Plastruct bridge is a flat black and the trestles are a rich red without an orange tint. The table is 4' x 6'; the outer loop is 042 and upper loop is 031.
Paul, the flats are looking great! Thanks for the information about the flats I will check into it!
PINGMAN, looks like you have a good start on your Christmas layout! Remember to have fun along the way! LOL
Brian! Something new I have never seen a Gulf Mobile & Ohio! Nice
Got the windows glued in this morning. Now after the glue dries I can apply the wash. When that has dried I can apply the window plastic to the backs and they are ready to go. Pic............Paul
Looks great, Paul!!
Hi All- been lurking around a bit lately- work keeps getting in the way.
Everyone is doing great stuff as usual.
Mark- the Christmas layout came out great. From bare plywood to finished in a few weeks. great job!
Bob
Thank you Bob! That’s what being laid off and having too much rain, ice, and snow to do outside work can do for you. LOL
I never did get my dad’s leaves cleaned up. Now they are under a layer of rain turned to ice and then a layer of snow. LOL I told Dad that yesterday when I visited them at the personal care home. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders!
Got the black wash done. Before doing that I cut all the plastic I needed to cover the windows. When the wash dries I can start to glue the plastic in place. Pic..........Paul
Put a bathroom in Mrs. Smith house. She forgot to close the curtains. Artista figure, and dollhouse bathroom fixtures. Hard to take a picture, though.
Yard lighted holiday train... Wasted two days trying to find one about 5-6'+ tall that one store was sold out of...others of their stores found after long drive had 3' and just a 5' engine (no train). Internet search was not fruitful. Smaller one l have used several years shows it.
Fortescue is picking up Mr. Benny at the station!
Mitch
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Fortescue is picking up Mr. Benny at the station!
Mitch
Mr. Jack Benny, I presume?
Weathered 25+ pieces of rolling stock the past 2 evenings. If you like your trains to appear more realistic, try it! I am the least artistic person you’ll meet. It’s so simple yet so addicting!😆
NSRAILFAN100, how about some pics of your weathering and telling how you did it.
Tonight I got the plastic glued to the inside of the flats for window glass. Suppose to be warm tomorrow so I hope to be able to rake up the last of the leaves. Then I have to change out a tire on the wheel of my band saw so I can cut a couple of furring strips to glue the building flats before gluing it against the wall to finish off the brewery area. Pic..........Paul
It's coming right along, Paul!! I have my dad's leaves I haven't even started, but I don't know if enough snow will be melted to get to them. I conveniently twisted my lower back some more, so I am not even considering working on leaves! 
Okay everyone, I use an inexpensive airbrush kit that I bought from harbor freight. I use a small pancake 3 gallon oiless compressor from there as well. I have track on a lazy Susan so I avoid touching the car. The main color I use is Railroad Tie Brown from Testors. I think it gives the cars a nice dirty used look. I dilute the paint with denatured alcohol. Using the paint cup I try to mix the paint and alcohol evenly. Before I start to paint the car I test my paint flow on a scrap piece of cardboard. When painting make sure you stay 6-10 inches away from the car. Always start your flow away from the car then go across and stop after you reach the end of the car. I make passes in a horizontal motion. I start from the top/roof of the car and make my way down. The further down I go I put more paint on by making more passes. I do the sides of the car first, then do the ends. I add lots of paint to the trucks, wheels, and couplers. I practiced on a couple of inexpensive cars before I started doing more expensive cars. 
Below are pictures of a coil car, boxcar, and hopper that I’ve done.
Pingman posted:Finished the track and electrical to run trains with arrival of two pieces of Gargraves sectional curve track for the upper loop.
The silver bridge and the piers supporting it and the other bridge were gifted to me by a generous forumite, albeit the bridge arrived in shiny Oxide Red, and the piers supporting the flat black truss bridge had to be shortened about 1.5". The black truss bridge was built from Plastruct HO plans enlarged and recently repaired after suffering damage from a fall of approx. 6'.
The elevated trestles were purchased from a forum member in response to my WTB. To get more into a Christmas theme they were painted red.
Will start decorating the table tonight by putting up the prelit faux tree.
The test mule which successfully demonstrated the operational side of things is a PW Lionel F3 redone along with a B unit and Lionel 15" passenger cars in NP North Coast Limited livery. It's going to the shop for some body work, including porthole windows, new number boards, etc. After Christmas it's going into the mechanical and paint shops to be refreshed.
Here are photos.
The color is off a bit: the Plastruct bridge is a flat black and the trestles are a rich red without an orange tint. The table is 4' x 6'; the outer loop is 042 and upper loop is 031.
Looks great, Carl. And I love the PW ZW - I use two of them to power my layout.
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