Mark Boyce posted:Mr. Jack Benny, I presume?
With a vintage Maxwell, who else? 
Mitch
I added some foliage to the tunnel area. It looks very balanced in person yet still thinned out with the photos...it's a tinplate layout so I don't want to overdo it. Funny how these perspectives are different. Fendermain
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The RDC-to-Silverliner project progresses. The shells have gotten primered and their first coat of metallic silver paint applied:
Also continuing work on the Magic Eraser track cleaner car project. Turns out that the Allis-Chalmers frame holds an entire eraser without any alterations needed!
The trick is holding the pad against the track firmly. A couple of Grosser Benz Mercedes-es (just delivered to the RTC shops, one for resto, the other for parts) were tried, but this did not work well.
I have some flower frogs (photo not to scale) on order from eBay. I figure I can bolt one of these (flipped over) to the upper deck of the A-C car and use the downward-facing spikes to hold the Magic Eraser in place...
Onward and upwards!
Mitch
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Firs off there has been a lot of work being done here! Wonderful work by all!
Paul, I think the flats are looking Great! you have done so many I think in real life you must be a landlord! LOL Just wondering if you have end caps for the side of the buildings where you are spacing them out away from the wall?
Bob, its nice that your lurking, and checking in. That way we know your still around, if not we would start missing you!
Jim, that's a great idea, you will have to let me know where you got the lady! I have to do something like that on my layout if not for anything else just to blow the wife's mind! LOL
NSRAILFAN100, That sure is a lot of cars in 2 nights! But I have to say the pictures of the ones you posted turned out looking just great! Nice work!
Mark, I am sorry to hear about your back! You better let it rest up as not to make it worse! As for the leaves they can wait till spring now!LOL
Fendermain, The foliage looks nice! Your right about not wanting to overkill the area! Keep it simple!
Mitch, The silverliners look like they are going to turn out really nice, keep us posted on that one! Good luck on the track cleaning car and let us know how it works out!
mike g. posted:So yesterday before work I was able to get a little done on the upper loop! Still need to work on supports, but its a start!
Beautiful craftsmanship, Mike!
Hi Pete, Thank you! But its not the greatest, but I believe it will work! Now that I can see how big that area is going to be I might just do a small mountain and still put my airstrip that you can see under the bench work on top! I would have to build a road up to it but that would be easy!
mike g. posted:I would have to build a road up to it but that would be easy!
Why not an escalator instead? Bring shopping mall convenience to the wilderness.
HCSader73 posted:mike g. posted:I would have to build a road up to it but that would be easy!
Why not an escalator instead? Bring shopping mall convenience to the wilderness.
LOL Its funny you say that, I already have an escalator build that I have been working on, but got side tracked! Mo985 got me started on one about a year ago. I was almost there but couldn't get the motor speed right, so I have to do some more investigation!
Mike, you do nice work. That corner is starting to look good
You had mentioned end caps. The reason I am going to make up a couple of furring strips is the back ground buildings I am putting up first are glued to foam board so the strips will compensate for that. The front flats will be sitting on the back flats..,.....Paul
Lots of interesting work this year. You guys are making me feel lazy. I'm really only posting to let folks know despite lack of a functional like button most days, I've been enjoying myself just reading. Two highlights though..
1. Mike, I gotta say it's getting impressive fast. That corner had been creeping into my daily thoughts already. The additional level has "topped" that 
I wanna see the escalator. If the motor is too fast due to power supplied, diodes can slow it (- 0.75v each, two opposite if ac) You still have to worry about heat and rpm torque at the new voltage, but it may help. Small motor sites usually supply performance graphs for an ideal selection. HVAC gear motrors have plenty of torque, slow speed, but cost more (voltages vary greatly, 12vdc to 220v ac are usually stocked at better places.
2. I'm curious if Mark is running his el more than the lower level the way I have once it was up.
The road addition kinda reminded me of parking cars for my first valet work. A girl asked where we parked the cars once the main lot filled. Being a smart ***, and pointing... "we pull a set of ramps down off the roof and drive them right up there".
The bubbly reply was "Oh, thats pretty smart" as she "floated" away 
(I left her alone to her oblivious bliss. )
mike g. posted:So yesterday before work I was able to get a little done on the upper loop! Still need to work on supports, but its a start!
You're an inspiration, Mike!
mike g. posted:HCSader73 posted:mike g. posted:I would have to build a road up to it but that would be easy!
Why not an escalator instead? Bring shopping mall convenience to the wilderness.
LOL Its funny you say that, I already have an escalator build that I have been working on, but got side tracked! Mo985 got me started on one about a year ago. I was almost there but couldn't get the motor speed right, so I have to do some more investigation!
THAT would be awesome!
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mike g. posted:Firs off there has been a lot of work being done here! Wonderful work by all!
Bob, its nice that your lurking, and checking in. That way we know your still around, if not we would start missing you!
Thanks Mike- good to know you guys are looking out for my well being.
The corner of the layout is looking good
First shell has the window area painted. Decided to follow SEPTA's example and leave most of the shell in silver:
This is a test fitting prior to reinstalling the window strips and lenses...
Logos and lettering to follow, probably after the holidays.
Mitch
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M. Mitchell Marmel posted:First shell has the window area painted. Decided to follow SEPTA's example and leave most of the shell in silver:
This is a test fitting prior to reinstalling the window strips and lenses...
Logos and lettering to follow, probably after the holidays.
Mitch
Looking good!
Fendermain
Mitch, the Allis Chalmers track cleaner is a great idea! The RDC Silverliner looks good!
Mike, The corner curves look great! I aggravated the sciatic nerve problem reaching for a garbage bag from my wife. The chiropractor has helped but I still have to wait 2 weeks to see the back doctor. Yes the leaves can stay there.
Butch, I have run on the top level a little more than the bottom. Both are working fine. I changed out the Hogwarts for the North Pole Central a day before I aggravated the sciatic.
Brian, more nice photographs
Thanks guy for all the nice comments! I didn't get any train work done today and the wife had me putting Christmas display stuff out in the yard! Don't know if I will get any done tomorrow as I might have to help a guy do the breaks on the wifes car!
Mark, its funny how the simplest things can throw the body out of wack! One day I bent over to get a shovel and couldn't stand back up my back just went out in a second! Thanks for the kind words on my layout!
Paul thanks for the nice comments and I cant wait to see your flats on the layout! I bet its going to look great!
Butch, I am glad you find my build interesting enough to fallow it! It means a lot coming from you!
Dr. Joe, thank you! I am working on it, but there is so much inspiration here on the forum its really easy to get side tracked sometimes!
Pete, when I get back at I will let you know and post pictures as the build goes!
Brian, great Pictures, Coming to my layout sometime soon I hope!
Bob, I am always looking to see what you have going on! I have a long list of things I watch here and your among the top!
Mitch , the car is looking wonderful! Really shows your skills! Thanks for sharing!
Got the last leaves in piles ready to haul to the street. After dinner I headed for the basement and started picking out which background flats I wanted to use. When I got to the corner I didn't have any flats to fit. But then I thought At the corner with two flats meeting the black foam would show. So I got out the black paint and painted a strip between the flats and wrapped the one around the corner. If it doesn't hold around the corner I may put a small finishing nail in it to hold it in place. Pics..............Paul
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Looks great Paul! Yes a finishing nail should hold it if glue doesn’t. Congratulations on the leaves.
The assembled RDC to Silverliner conversion consist:
I've changed the lighting in the layout room from cool white incandescent to daylight LED bulbs, which improves photography.
Road Supervisor N. Bates Kitteh gets into the act, of course...
Mitch
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MIKE G. I like the looks of your upper level, and lower loop, it gives me some ideas on my future layout plan, which has changed a few times over the last few months.
Rusty
I did absolutely nothing. I needed a break from Muddled Railroading.
Just experienced problems with my new H-10 that worked well for one day. Day Two always brings the problems after the engine cools and now needs to start again. I saw a thread on OGR showing wiring issues that probably caused my sound to fail a night ago. The H-10 tender middle hatch does not lay flat.
Taking two aspirin and calling it a day.
Paul, the flats look wonderful! I am sure you will figure out how to hold them there if the finish nail doesn't work!
Looking good Mitch! I am glad N. Bates Kitteh approves!
Thanks Rusty, my layout plan changed probably 12 times over a year before I started the build!
Jphn, sorry to hear problems with a new engine! I hope you get it fixed ok!
jgtrh62 posted:mike g. posted:So yesterday before work I was able to get a little done on the upper loop! Still need to work on supports, but its a start!
This is looking really good Mike, can’t wait to see some trains running!
Neither can I John! But it's coming along!
Ran some trains this morning for my weekly SWSat post.
Working on Christmas decorations this weekend, gotta finish the last of the leaves too.
Bob
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M. Mitchell Marmel posted:The assembled RDC to Silverliner conversion consist:
I've changed the lighting in the layout room from cool white incandescent to daylight LED bulbs, which improves photography.
Road Supervisor N. Bates Kitteh gets into the act, of course...
Mitch
Those turned out quite nicely, Mitch. Instead of adding pantographs to everything, maybe you should consider designing a cat-catcher for the front,of the lead unit!!!
A question for you guys. Mike G gave me a tip to buy clear plastic folders to cut windows out of instead of more expensive plastic. Worked like a charm. Now my flats are all ready to be glued in place. There will not be much space behind them so there will be no back lighting. The wall is painted black. Here goes the question. Has anyone ever added opaque paint to the back side of the plastic to give the illusion of lighted windows. Any help appreciated. Thanks Paul
Paul, how about some glow in the dark tape ....
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C...e8-a28e-8b2b3716acbc
or...
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Brian, The green tape looks perfect for alien occupation of Paul’s flats. Call the Aliens, Flat Stanley! LOL
Bob, good deal on running trains. I’m done with leaves this year. No they are still there, but I’m out of action until I get to the back Doctor on the 13th. I was at the chiropractor Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and finally got a steroid shot and some potent anti-inflammatory med at the ER early this morning. I can’t drive or put up the Christmas lights or wreathes. Im not complaining there. Well this med is going to put me asleeeepppp.......,,,,,,,ZZZ
Over the past few weeks I've been experimenting with remotoring a couple of engines to improve their shortcomings. Here's how I tackled a woefully anemic C&O Yellow Belly from the LTI era into something more up to date. Out comes the original Pulmor and by drilling ONE hole in the mounting boss, a can motor is basically hung in place with ONE screw. The ground away portion is there only because I didn't have a machine screw long enough to suit. A brass tube with an inside diameter that slips over the armature shaft is the basis of new driveshaft adapter. A washer is soldered on and drilled to accommodate 2 screws that replicate the prongs that fit inside the original rubber coupling. If the motor appears somewhat unfamiliar that's because it's a German made Faulhaber.
The swap was made easy by the enormous amount space in a cab area that has no backhead. The can motor looks like it might be too small to handle the job, but believe me these babies could twist your arm off. I sourced the Faulhabers at a local Princess Auto store for $10 ea. Under command control the Lionel factory gearing combined with a motor rated at 24 volts produces a low top speed that is acceptable enough IMO. Biggest issue I'm having right now is the need for better traction. 6 or 7 heavyweights is about it's limit on the layouts steepest grades.
A number of cosmetic and electrical enhancements can now be performed at a leisurely pace in between running sessions. LED's have already been installed. Yup, that dislodged handrail is now fixed.
Bruce
Just use my Boston & Maine Alco S2 & switching some cars.
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paul 2 posted:A question for you guys. Mike G gave me a tip to buy clear plastic folders to cut windows out of instead of more expensive plastic. Worked like a charm. Now my flats are all ready to be glued in place. There will not be much space behind them so there will be no back lighting. The wall is painted black. Here goes the question. Has anyone ever added opaque paint to the back side of the plastic to give the illusion of lighted windows. Any help appreciated. Thanks Paul
What about LED tape? Can't get much flatter that that. They can be cut in 3 chip pieces and wired to the power supply. Mark the spot on the wall where the windows will be and stick the chips to the wall.
Black out the windows you want "dark" and leave the rest clear.
Bob
Bob, looks good! Yesterday was my Christmas light day, and today was mommas new breaks for her car! Took me most of the day as the drums didn't want to come off! LOL But tomorrow is looking as of now, so I hope to spend the day out in the train room tomorrow!
John, thanks for the thought, its the same for me as I would really like to help and visit some of the Forum members here on the ease coast!
Bruce that is quite the undertaking! Just wondering how it runs after all the work!
PINGMAN, Very nice Christmas Bridge!
Johan, sounds like you had a fun day! Enjoy it every time you can!
Paul, I know its not the easiest thing to find, but what about some fiberoptic strings fed by one light?
BAR GP7 #63 posted:Just use my Boston & Maine Alco S2 & switching some cars.
Again Johan, very realistic. The man in the yard shack looks alive.
mike g. posted:Bob, looks good! Yesterday was my Christmas light day, and today was mommas new breaks for her car! Took me most of the day as the drums didn't want to come off! LOL But tomorrow is looking as of now, so I hope to spend the day out in the train room tomorrow!
John, thanks for the thought, its the same for me as I would really like to help and visit some of the Forum members here on the ease coast!
Bruce that is quite the undertaking! Just wondering how it runs after all the work!
PINGMAN, Very nice Christmas Bridge!
Johan, sounds like you had a fun day! Enjoy it every time you can!
Paul, I know its not the easiest thing to find, but what about some fiberoptic strings fed by one light?
Mike: Thanks.
Johan
decoynh posted:BAR GP7 #63 posted:Just use my Boston & Maine Alco S2 & switching some cars.
Again Johan, very realistic. The man in the yard shack looks alive.
Matt: Thank you.
Johan
