What did you do on your layout today?

briansilvermustang posted:

 

 

 

 

 

        started adding on to the train room... LOL            I could only  wish...

Great forced perspective shot!  Nice idea Brian.

paul 2 posted:

Short morning but a productive one. I got the loading dock glued into place. And I added ground cover between the sidings at the brewery and around the silos. If I have time when I get back this afternoon I'll glue it all into place. Pics.............Paul

You are doing fine work using outstanding products and I enjoy everything about your projects EXCEPT FOR THOSE BUTT UGLY WOOD SCREWS SECURING YOUR TRACK!!!

Seriously, a #4 counter-sunk screw would be invisible; as it is, my eyes are drawn to the big, fat wood screw heads--but, hey, that's just me.

If you had planned to remove them, please disregard my remarks.

I finished the second Union Pacific 2-pack Dome Coach passenger car lower level with Preiser 65602 people I painted. The additional 2-pack will give me a nine-car "Challenger" passenger train.  The "UP Excursion Train" will have eight cars including the Theater car.

The car is drying and I will close it up after taking several packages to the post office and FEDEX. They are returns of Lionel that did not work. I still have to set up an RA to return a C&O 2-6-6-2 #1522 that arrived damaged from Dean at Lionel.  My CSX F40PH#9999 has to go back for a third time.  The sound control will not raise or lower the volume.

The only comforting thing is when I am painting the passenger cars late at night.

I will check for emails this evening. My work caring for Mom is a big day today: Wash and Cleaning Day.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Pingman posted:

paul 2 posted:

Short morning but a productive one. I got the loading dock glued into place. And I added ground cover between the sidings at the brewery and around the silos. If I have time when I get back this afternoon I'll glue it all into place. Pics.............Paul

You are doing fine work using outstanding products and I enjoy everything about your projects EXCEPT FOR THOSE BUTT UGLY WOOD SCREWS SECURING YOUR TRACK!!!

Seriously, a #4 counter-sunk screw would be invisible; as it is, my eyes are drawn to the big, fat wood screw heads--but, hey, that's just me.

If you had planned to remove them, please disregard my remarks.

I second that motion!  First thing I saw were the screws.  popped right out at me!   Beautiful layout!!! 

Jim

paul 2 posted:

Short morning but a productive one. I got the loading dock glued into place. And I added ground cover between the sidings at the brewery and around the silos. If I have time when I get back this afternoon I'll glue it all into place. Pics.............Paul

Paul: Looking good. When we can visit there? 

Johan

Paul, things are looking great! 

Patrick, what a fun look scene! Great looking layout!

Brian, that's going to be a huge redo! Lol I hope you have the right size track for them big engines! Lol

mike g. posted:

Paul, things are looking great! 

Patrick, what a fun look scene! Great looking layout!

Brian, that's going to be a huge redo! Lol I hope you have the right size track for them big engines! Lol

Hey Mike..  I see you say stuff about a "store" ..  what do yall sell??   Family ran?    Get any more track down?? 

Jim

John, get back to me about my email when you can.  I'm inquiring about the ESE RPO car; I'd like to make one for a project.

First I want to say thanks for all the likes on the last pics. I have enjoyed working on this Brewery area. Still have a few more things to do. But when done it will give me some interesting switching. 

Johan, if you are ever in the States give me a call. I am always open to anyone stopping over.......just call first to make sure I am home.

Pingman and carsntrains, I know what you are saying about the screws. I have used drywall screws for so long. I did order some Gar Graves screws to start using on new track work. I took a drywall screw out and tried a Gar Graves screw but they are smaller diameter then the drywall screws. So I'll have to rethink this............Paul

Look what the cat dragged in...

Sorry I've been away so long guys, but I just haven't been working on the layout at all since I hurt my knee at the end of November. For those of you who frequent My Dream/Nightmare layout,  you already know that I'm helping to present a clinic on static grass this Saturday at our NMRA division meeting. True to my word (and that promise motivated me to get downstairs and do it) I went downstairs, and tried it for myself. It sounds intimidating, but it's really fun and easy, and I was pleasantly surprised by the results.

Before, I get into it, there was one picture still in the camera that you need to see. This is how I messed up my knee. I can now see that it was the white cord from the lamp, that was literally my downfall. Owwwww.

Static grass... Start with some plain white glue.

This is my homemade applicator, made from an electric fly swatter, and a kitchen strainer. All you do is remove the swatter head, and you'll find a red and black wire. Red wire to the strainer. Black wire is extended, and an alligator clip is soldered on. I accidentally glued the activation button during construction, so I just pop a battery in and out. Works. Total cost $11, and that was only because the strainer was in a set of three.

Here we have the Noch Grassmaster 2.0. It takes a 9V battery and comes with three different screen sizes. Retail price $189.95 bought on sale at Scenic Express $159.95.

I put a nail in the layout to act as a ground electrode. A little glue on the layout, and a spritz of water, which I spread with a paint brush. Using some short 2mm fibers and my homemade unit, I got this. For O scale, 2mm is really short, it almost looks like a manicured fairway or putting green.

This patch was done with the Noch. Not a lot of difference.

Now I switched to 10mm fibers. This was done with my $11 special.

Then I tried the Noch. I couldn't get the fibers to stand up, like they did with el cheapo. Maybe my 9V was dying. My wife said it looked like mown hay. I agree.

Conclusion: Cheapo on the left, Noch on the right. The homemade works as well or perhaps even better than the expensive unit. Why??? Theory: The fly swatter may actually generate a larger static charge, causing the fibers to stand up better (the way they're supposed to).

What do you need to know to teach a dog tricks? A: More than the dog.

Ready for Saturday. Bring it!

paul 2 posted:

Pingman and carsntrains, I know what you are saying about the screws. I have used drywall screws for so long. I did order some Gar Graves screws to start using on new track work. I took a drywall screw out and tried a Gar Graves screw but they are smaller diameter then the drywall screws. So I'll have to rethink this............Paul

Paul, put a drop of glue in the hole and add a tooth pic.   The Gar Graves screws should grab and work just fine.  Looking great!  Dave

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Look what the cat dragged in...

Here we have the Noch Grassmaster 2.0. It takes a 9V battery and comes with three different screen sizes. Retail price $189.95 bought on sale at Scenic Express $159.95.

 

Conclusion: Cheapo on the left, Noch on the right. The homemade works as well or perhaps even better than the expensive unit. Why??? Theory: The fly swatter may actually generate a larger static charge, causing the fibers to stand up better (the way they're supposed to).

Good Job.  Now I have to make one!!!!   It will be my next project!   Well done Elliot.  Dave

Wow, Two days since I looked at this topic and look at all the great activity!  Excellent work everyone!  I'm glad you are having a great time!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Wow, Two days since I looked at this topic and look at all the great activity!  Excellent work everyone!  I'm glad you are having a great time!!

This is a great post it’s actually hard to keep track sometimes.  

Kon112H posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Wow, Two days since I looked at this topic and look at all the great activity!  Excellent work everyone!  I'm glad you are having a great time!!

This is a great post it’s actually hard to keep track sometimes.  

Yes, I saw my email inbox piling up, but was too busy to really take a look!  This topic has stood the test of time.  (Somehow ‘stood’ doesn’t sound grammatically correct, but I can’t come up with a better one).  LOL 

carsntrains posted:

mike g. posted:

Paul, things are looking great! 

Patrick, what a fun look scene! Great looking layout!

Brian, that's going to be a huge redo! Lol I hope you have the right size track for them big engines! Lol

Hey Mike..  I see you say stuff about a "store" ..  what do yall sell??   Family ran?    Get any more track down?? 

Jim

Hi Jim, the wife and I run a little mom and pop convenient store for my father in law. That's where I am now. So from Tuesday threw Thursday I have to get done what I can on the layout in the morning.

I did get a little more done today and will post later when I get home.

Here is what I bought over the weekend at the Greenberg Show in Monroeville! My favorite purchases are 5 MTH 3-Car slag car sets! I got really good deals on these! Even my wife purchased 2 cars at very good prices!

paul 2 posted:

                                                 ****************************

Pingman and carsntrains, I know what you are saying about the screws. I have used drywall screws for so long. I did order some Gar Graves screws to start using on new track work. I took a drywall screw out and tried a Gar Graves screw but they are smaller diameter then the drywall screws. So I'll have to rethink this............Paul

Paul, you don't need more than a #4 screw of sufficient depth to reach the sub-roadbed/plywood.

One of the easier and pleasant aspects of putting down Gargraves track was using two drills--one to drill a countersunk pilot hole, followed by the #4 screw--the top of the screw was flush with the top of the tie.. 

Just remove the obnoxious fat screws and fill in the hole with putty, for example, then apply paint, marker or whatever to "hide" it. 

Really, with as nice a layout as you are building; with such nice buildings, etc., these screw heads got to go.  Good luck.

EDIT:  Just read Darlander's suggestion to use a tooth pick in the hole.  Good advice if you don't want to drill more holes.

NSRailfan100 posted:

Here is what I bought over the weekend at the Greenberg Show in Monroeville! My favorite purchases are 5 MTH 3-Car slag car sets! I got really good deals on these! Even my wife purchased 2 cars at very good prices!

Did you buy all these from Brad?    That is quite a nice haul!!!  That's quite a lot of hot metal or slag cars!  Are you building a steel mill?

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to the show this time!

Mark Boyce posted:

NSRailfan100 posted:

Here is what I bought over the weekend at the Greenberg Show in Monroeville! My favorite purchases are 5 MTH 3-Car slag car sets! I got really good deals on these! Even my wife purchased 2 cars at very good prices!

Did you buy all these from Brad?    That is quite a nice haul!!!  That's quite a lot of hot metal or slag cars!  Are you building a steel mill?

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to the show this time!

I actually did not get all of them from Brad😂 I do plan on doing a steel mill modeling the Union RR very loosely. I had the hot metal cars and now i have the slag cars!

NSRailfan100 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

NSRailfan100 posted:

Here is what I bought over the weekend at the Greenberg Show in Monroeville! My favorite purchases are 5 MTH 3-Car slag car sets! I got really good deals on these! Even my wife purchased 2 cars at very good prices!

Did you buy all these from Brad?    That is quite a nice haul!!!  That's quite a lot of hot metal or slag cars!  Are you building a steel mill?

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to the show this time!

I actually did not get all of them from Brad😂 I do plan on doing a steel mill modeling the Union RR very loosely. I had the hot metal cars and now i have the slag cars!

That sounds great!!!

Elliot, great job, I think you have inspired several of us to try and make one! But I think I will wait and see how Dave does with his!

SO today before work I got a little more tracked laid, secured the track to my second bridge. Wasn't sure how I was going to do it as the bridge deck is metal, but had a brain storm. I drilled holes and use the 2-56 screws and nuts to fasten it down. Worked great cause the size of the screw heads are really small! Stole them from my Kadee coupler kit! LOL

Mike G,  Layout is really coming along.   I got your message and responded.   

Yes, I have been away for awhile.   Eliot, nice job with the static grass applicator,  I also purchased the Noch Grassmaster 2 , from a fellow forum member last year.   I get, decent but sometimes mixed results with the really long 12 mm grasses.   I use a small shop vac, with a piece of cloth covering the nozzle to vacuum up the excess and get it stand up better, plus with the thin cotton cover over the vacuum tube I can recycle and re-use what doesn't stick.  

Been  doing a ton of wiring since Friday, and I am slow.  It was inevitable that this sub control panel would end up controlling track and switches on 3 separate modules, so I decided to take the time to figure that out now and install plugs and connectors that could be easily taken apart and plugged back together.

Wish I had done at least one of my other two panels, like this one.... This time I decided to build a small shelf on the back of the control panel at the bottom at a 90 degree angle and mount all my terminal strips there.  All my panels are mounted on hinges, so the neat thing about this final improvement is the terminal strips are easy to access as they fold out with the panel face.   Made up some terminal strip labels on the PC and printed them, coated them both sides with heavy duty packing tape so I can read the labels. 

Also decided some time back to label most, if not all, of my wires underneath the layout,  with the same method.   

I thought I'd remember what all those color coded wires were for, but I was under a section I built 2 years ago the other day and couldn't remember as much as I thought I would.  Between signals, insulated rail leads, switches, track power, building lights, street lights, crossing signals, 12 volt relay supplies etc, etc, etc......  Much better for me to have the labels that clearly spell out what most of the wires are ..... 

Anyway,  here's a few photos, fortunately everything checked out so no "troubleshooting required.    

Playing around with the cell again...

Mike, you are moving along pretty darn good. Trackwork looks good.

Chris, nice wiring job.

Lee, playing around is turning out some great pics.............Paul

Chris, your control panel is looking great, I too am slow at wiring as I have to double sometimes triple check my work! Down the road when I start building my control panel I will probably be asking a lot of questions!

Lee, the pictures are amazing! Side note do you know if there is a train show this month in Puyallup?

Paul, thanks for the kind words! Its slow, but its moving forward!

                         Marci & IZZY helped with more tear down last night...

                    a margarita request was made after the dust settled...

                           looks like IZZY may of had one too many...

                                  my new weed sprayer M of W car...

Wow Brian, your really going to town! I sure hope your help is still there when the time come to put the new layout up! 

Do  Marci & IZZY really know what they are getting into? Or are they just along for the ride where ever it take them! LOL

WOW

Everyone is doing great work. A lot more than me these days.

Keep it up all.

Bob

mike g. posted:

Wow Brian, your really going to town! I sure hope your help is still there when the time come to put the new layout up! 

Do  Marci & IZZY really know what they are getting into? Or are they just along for the ride where ever it take them! LOL

        hopefully some more margaritas and treats will keep

                   them interested with this new project...

                actually they are there taking more down more

                                        and cleaning up some right now...

       can't wait to try out my new 4 1/2" saw Marci got me for Christmas,

                     going to have a lot of wood to cut soon

                               Marci is busy pulling up more track...

The last  3 weeks I have been slowly adding all of my MTH engines to the DCS Wi-Fi app.  37 added with about a half a dozen to be added.  The other day I had added the GP60M I had bought back in September.  I coupled it up to the cars on the track and proceeded to run the consist around the track.  The engine got part way through the first curve and uncoupled.  Neither one of the couplers had opened.  I coupled them up again and noticed that the engine coupler was quite a bit higher than the one on the car and seemed to be pointed upward.  After a closer examination, I found  the rear pilot was bent upward which I assumed was forcing the proto coupler to angle upward.  I removed the pilot from the truck, straightened it the best I could and reinstalled it.  The pilot was pretty much straight but the coupler still wanted to point upward.  Found the coupler mount on the truck was bent.  Not a very easy thing to straighten.  I placed several pieces of electrical tape on the shaft of the coupler to build it up so it would be forced down by the upper part of the opening on the pilot.  Here’s a picture of the engine before I did the correcting, note that the steps aren’t parallel to the track. 

Larry

Pingman and carsntrains, this morning I pulled all the drywall screws out in the brewery area. Put in the Gar Graves screws and then added the rest of the ground cover. Here are some pics. First is with the drywall screws in the rest are with the Gar Garves screws. What do you guys think. Thanks Paul

          looks GREAT Paul    very nice !!

paul 2 posted:

Pingman and carsntrains, this morning I pulled all the drywall screws out in the brewery area. Put in the Gar Graves screws and then added the rest of the ground cover. Here are some pics. First is with the drywall screws in the rest are with the Gar Garves screws. What do you guys think. Thanks Paul

Good improvement Paul!   Screws are less conspicuous. 

Dave

Looks good Paul- where did the screws go????

Question for you- what are the dimension of this area? I'm designing (aka- dreaming about....) a layout extension and so far I have just a bunch of spurs to park trains on. A switching plan would give me more operational options while having additional storage space. I'm working with a 2' deep shelf by about 7' long.

Bob

paul 2 posted:

Pingman and carsntrains, this morning I pulled all the drywall screws out in the brewery area. Put in the Gar Graves screws and then added the rest of the ground cover. Here are some pics. First is with the drywall screws in the rest are with the Gar Garves screws. What do you guys think. Thanks Paul

Looks awesome!  Looked great before!   Now it looks... Greater!

JIM

Mike, the new track looks great on the layout and on the bridge.  I had to enlarge the photograph to be sure I was seeing the screws holding the track to the bridge.

Chris, Your wiring looks very neat, and your labeling should come in handy when you do have to troubleshoot.  Careful attention to detail makes for little troubleshooting while building as you observed.

Lee, The black and white photographs of your layout look so real to life.

Brian, did everyone wear hard hats and steel toed shoes during demolition?  

Larry, I see that pilot was twisted up for sure.  That is a lot of engines to have added to the Wifi!  You will find it quite handy.

Paul, The new track screws are less noticeable.  I hadn't noticed the larger ones in your previous photographs, but these are certainly better!

Bob, off the top of my head I can't remember. After lunch I'll go down and measure the whole area..........Paul

   Brian, did everyone wear hard hats and steel toed shoes during demolition?  

          yep...

briansilvermustang posted:

 

   Brian, did everyone wear hard hats and steel toed shoes during demolition?  

         

          yep...

Good!!!  I just want to be sure everyone is safe in case a neighbor calls OSHA!!