What did you do on your layout today?

RSJB18 posted:

j. constible posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Well, I haven't even been downstairs yet today, but I just spent a lot of money on trains. I called Charlie Ro and placed my pre-order for the new Lionel catalog. Four more engines, the oil train, a bunch of tank car 3 packs, some hoppers, and the UP excursion set expansion 2 pack. List was over 5K. Pre-order knocks that down quite a bit.

My wife came into the train room and stopped, she believes the room is now full.

Hate to say it but she may be right....

Very impressive collection

a couple more shots

This morning I got my wood strips and this afternoon I found what I needed at Home Depot. I was hoping fopr 2 inch thick but one inch will work. After dinner I made up the bracing for the bottom of the gorge. I had a scrap piece of Luan board left over so I cut it to size to fit over the two braces. Now I can start to lay in the foam board. ..Pics.....Paul

Looks like you are ready for action Paul!!

RSJB18 posted

I used to blast Zepplin and Floyd in my headphones when I ran my old HO layout growing up. Very cool way to run trains.

I love listening to live and the original versions of Kashmir in various situations. Including running trains.

Even used it as a rally signal on active duty in the motor pool several times. You haven't lived until you start playing Zep and watch dozens of soliders scramble to their vehicles with weapons...

But my layout takes place in 1943, so sometimes I'll listen to big band music if I listen to music at all. My locomotives have sound systems for a reason.

I upgraded the speaker in my dummy today.

i can make it sound like an actual engine is on the track...my mom tells me it’s too loud

lol

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

 

You started it, Bob...

And I can’t help myself from keeping it going...

Kon112H posted:

Forgot this pic , but here’s the edit.  

Hi, Would you mind sharing how you weathered your the bridge work? Looks awesome! thanks!

SNOW DAY!!!!!! YAY!!!

What did I do on my layout today, hmmmm....
I don't know if this counts as a layout, but the past week I've been removing paint off of a lot of repainted trains I acquired a while back, and have discovered a neat little trick for doing so. So here's a tip for people removing just one layer of paint from repainted engines.

If using a Dremel rotary tool, which is what I use, get a hefty supply of q-tips (About 10-20) and cut them in half with a pair of scissors, then insert the tips into the area for the attachment, and tighten. The friction of the Q-tip rubbing against the new paint will cause it to heat up and melt, sticking to the Q-tip. Once the Q-tip is covered, simply drop it out and replace it with another one. Works like magic, and is best for removing paint from lithiographed designs.

Berkshire posted:

What did I do on my layout today, hmmmm....
I don't know if this counts as a layout, but the past week I've been removing paint off of a lot of repainted trains I acquired a while back, and have discovered a neat little trick for doing so. So here's a tip for people removing just one layer of paint from repainted engines.

If using a Dremel rotary tool, which is what I use, get a hefty supply of q-tips (About 10-20) and cut them in half with a pair of scissors, then insert the tips into the area for the attachment, and tighten. The friction of the Q-tip rubbing against the new paint will cause it to heat up and melt, sticking to the Q-tip. Once the Q-tip is covered, simply drop it out and replace it with another one. Works like magic, and is best for removing paint from lithiographed designs.

 

 

I recently acquired a set of PRR ALCO's that had some paint splatter on the shells (plastic, not tin). I found that Bug and Tar remover applied with Q-tips worked well.  Didn't think of the Dremmel though.

RSJB18 posted:

I recently acquired a set of PRR ALCO's that had some paint splatter on the shells (plastic, not tin). I found that Bug and Tar remover applied with Q-tips worked well.  Didn't think of the Dremmel though.

Interesting, I've never really tried any solevents on my trains to remove the paint.
I do have some gel paint remover in the shop, would that work well for removing added paint from lithiographed/enameled trains?

Not sure about removing paint from a painted surface. Since mine were molded plastic I figured it was worth a try. The B&T remover seemed like a logical choice since its safe to use on automotive finishes. It didn't harm the lettering at all either.

paul 2 posted:

This morning I got my wood strips and this afternoon I found what I needed at Home Depot. I was hoping fopr 2 inch thick but one inch will work. After dinner I made up the bracing for the bottom of the gorge. I had a scrap piece of Luan board left over so I cut it to size to fit over the two braces. Now I can start to lay in the foam board. ..Pics.....Paul

TWO inch thick bracing!?!?!? Are you planning on standing on it? Or do you own stock in Georgia Pacific?

MODELTRAINPARTS, any of the other scenery I have done I like working with the 2 inch thick board because I have to do less cutting........Paul

modeltrainsparts posted:

paul 2 posted:

This morning I got my wood strips and this afternoon I found what I needed at Home Depot. I was hoping fopr 2 inch thick but one inch will work. After dinner I made up the bracing for the bottom of the gorge. I had a scrap piece of Luan board left over so I cut it to size to fit over the two braces. Now I can start to lay in the foam board. ..Pics.....Paul

TWO inch thick bracing!?!?!? Are you planning on standing on it? Or do you own stock in Georgia Pacific?

I think Paul is talking about the foam he is stacking up to cut the gorge out of??

Jim

Logan, the dummy sounds terrific.  Did you add lights too?  A smoke unit would really tip it off.

Your hand looks bad!  Ouch!  Injury or surgery?  It looks like mine did 25 years ago with carpal tunnel, then 20 years later I had to go through it on each hand again.  He couldn’t do arthroscopic since there was so much scar tissue to take out.

Berkshire, the q-tips in the Dremel is a great idea.

Bob, Bug and tar remover is a great idea!

Well I’m off to PT again.  Visit number 20.  Surprised insurance keeps approving, but it must be because the nerve damage affects me lifting my foot right

Well I put the chimney and marker lights on the Bunk car.   Pretty neat car!  Didn't get to test the lights but I will do that tonight!  Raining like crazy here and is supposed to flood.. ugggg.   Had to cancel my order of the hopper set from super man and then ordered them from the HEN.  So I have them and some more cabooses on the way.  Accidentally won another caboose on the bay.  Never thought opening bid would get it.  But hey its a RMT with marker lights and comes with a fee conductor dude!! : )    

Today I turn 53!!!   Do I qualify for Social Security or AARP yet?? LOL   

Paul I hope you make some more progress today!

Mark have fun at PT! 

Jim

The Lionel Theater car made a lap around my layout this morning.  Sorry about the lighting....

Jim, won't be much progress during the day. Today another TCA luncheon and then we are going over one of the members houses to see his layout. Then taking the wife out for dinner because I was gone all day having fun LOL. After dinner will be layout time...............Paul

Brian, the Western roads look nice today!

Bob, it’s freezing rain here, fortunately changed to rain, so I am at PT on the electro gizmo right now.

Jim, Happy birthday!  I am eligible for Social Security, but hope to hold out a while longer.  If nobody wants me to work after unemployment runs out, I may have to take it.

Gilly, The theater car does make for a neat video view!

Gilly@N&W posted:

The Lionel Theater car made a lap around my layout this morning.  Sorry about the lighting....

Gilly that is pretty cool! I really like the new stuff they are coming out with that has cameras in them!  Maybe an engine soon!

Mark you better get it while you can! 

Paul make sure to take lots of pictures!

Jim

Lots of great post here ! So hard to catch up. Need to get some projects lined up for the layout by York.  Had time to run various trains last night. We need more shelves still..

16 mins of running last night 6 trains https://youtu.be/DiGADtdEZXQ

Took delivery of a couple of Santa handcars from Forum member Ivan (as well as some nifty extras!) 

One of them is on its way to being repurposed...

Mitch 

Updated (again) my Williams WM FA1. Added power, cab figures and sound. I chose the path of least resistance and just wen t with all Williams components.  I checked out a bunch of the True Blast Plus sound kits and ultimately I just wanted a good sounding horn that wasn't a single-note "tugboat" sound.  Prime mover sounds are "close enough" for me. I love the simplicity and ruggedness of these Williams locos.  No muss, no fuss. They just run and run and run. 

Photos and a brief video. (pardon the auto focus issues my camera is having)

Gilly@N&W posted:

The Lionel Theater car made a lap around my layout this morning.  Sorry about the lighting....

The perspective from the car is very good, especially when approaching another train on the adjacent track.  It's the way cars look when standing on the track.

carsntrains posted:

Well I put the chimney and marker lights on the Bunk car.   Pretty neat car!  Didn't get to test the lights but I will do that tonight!  Raining like crazy here and is supposed to flood.. ugggg.   Had to cancel my order of the hopper set from super man and then ordered them from the HEN.  So I have them and some more cabooses on the way.  Accidentally won another caboose on the bay.  Never thought opening bid would get it.  But hey its a RMT with marker lights and comes with a fee conductor dude!! : )    

Today I turn 53!!!   Do I qualify for Social Security or AARP yet?? LOL   

Paul I hope you make some more progress today!

Mark have fun at PT! 

Jim

Happy Birthday Jim! Don't rush it. It'll be here  before you know it.

Bob

Jim, Bob is right!  9+ years went by fast for me.

Ralph, the Williams FA1 looks good and sounds good!  It looks like it runs good too!  Very good choice!

Got this text from my wife yesterday....another pin hole leak in my hot water line

At least its not over the trains......

Working on some stuff today. I will post pix later.

Snow this morning, now sleet, supposed to change to rain later and wash it all away.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Got this text from my wife yesterday....another pin hole leak in my hot water line

At least its not over the trains......

Working on some stuff today. I will post pix later.

Snow this morning, now sleet, supposed to change to rain later and wash it all away.

Bob

OUCH! Not goodGuess What drain from my first floor bathroom sink and shower broke a few years ago?

OOHFAAHH! At least my waste lines are cast iron and PVC.

RSJB18 posted:

OOHFAAHH! At least my waste lines are cast iron and PVC.

OH NO!    One of the negatives about basements!!!  UGGGGGGGGGG

Jim

Oh no Bob and Jackson!!!  

At least all our pipes are on the other side of the house from the layout!!!

Ralph, that is a nice-sounding diesel, as well as a sharp-looking one.

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Took delivery of a couple of Santa handcars from Forum member Ivan (as well as some nifty extras!) 

One of them is on its way to being repurposed...

Mitch 

Mitch, I'm with you. We barely have ten months until Christmas, and we need to get serious about our 2019 Christmas lay-outs! I have already purchased three items for this year's display.

 OK I can’t resist either this was always was one of my favorites 

Great benchwork guys looking good already this week 

 Happy birthday Jim  we all here appreciate you  and your post

So I intended to get some stuff done today. I was cruising along until I decided to take the shell off my new D&H RS3. I had not serviced it since I bought it so why not. The front truck was jumping off the rails on a couple of switches so a little extra weight was in order. That went fine till I realized I put it at the rear end. Took it apart again and moved the weights to the front. 

Then I had the bright idea to rewire the motors in series. Don't know what I did but now I have a short some place and it won't run. Dicided that I had hit the wall and put the shell back on and put the engine on the shelf to be attacked another day. I've done a bunch of K-lines without an issue. 

I was working on the engine while I was waiting for the glue to dry on the wood I added to the front edge of the layout. I am going to put a small piece of trim on the front to clean it up. Been bugging me for a long time. Don't have the trim I want so I will hit the Depot tomorrow. I also moved the switch for my Lionel switch tower to the control panel. It was next to the clamp on the left on the bench top. 

Snow has ended and its raining now. Hopefully it will be gone by morning. 

Bob

Sorry the RS3 gave you trouble, Bob.  Yes, better to put it on the shelf for another day.    Sprucing up the front of the layout!  I haven't used those wood clamps since wood shop in school...oh my, that was 50 years ago!!! 

Bob, it’s nice to see handscrew clamps in use. I thought I was the only one using them 

Andy

Brian  thanks for the great California Zephyr photos.  Especially with the WP F units up front.   Have you every found any decent interior photographs of these cars ?   I went looking some time back and only found one or two photos via Google.    

Lots of great work getting done, by everyone....  Unfortunately,  I am working on company tax preparation,  so I can meet with the new accountant Friday... I'd rather be working on the trains !!!!