What did you do on your layout today?

Hi everyone. I "authorized" christmas train is coming together. So yesterday, my stepdad came over to test the layout. Tree skirt for reference. This is the start of my layout. So that counts as "what" i did to my layout right?

Dave Ripp. posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Dave Ripp. posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

Great photo with your moniker off to the side, love it,

Dave: Thanks. I love the BAR.

Johan

Their #56 BL-2 is one of my favorite locomotive photos. It's my favorite diesel and # and a great shade of blue.

Dave: I have a only #57 and i really like BL2 also. Maybe i can found sometimes a couple more about those beauties.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

OK you guys have convinced me.. I have to add a "STATE OF MAINE" car to my layout!  That is just an awesome job of weathering!  Like I said that other day, I'm glad I model the late 1950s when most of the stuff I have still looked new lol  

Jim  

righttirefire posted:

Hi everyone. I "authorized" christmas train is coming together. So yesterday, my stepdad came over to test the layout. Tree skirt for reference. This is the start of my layout. So that counts as "what" i did to my layout right?

I'm with you, Righttirefire! With only ten months to go, all of us need to be working on our 2019Christmas lay-out.

carsntrains posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

OK you guys have convinced me.. I have to add a "STATE OF MAINE" car to my layout!  That is just an awesome job of weathering!  Like I said that other day, I'm glad I model the late 1950s when most of the stuff I have still looked new lol  

Jim  

Jim: Thank you. I have about 30 of those State of Maine cars.

Johan

Excellent work all around gents! Bob (RSJB18), I like the additions, and the video is really cool! Lee, nice scenes and I like the ballast! Paul 2, the gorge is really coming together! Dave, good luck with the lake expansion! Brian, great pics as always, and congrats on the new car! Johan, you are an artist! Beautiful work. Josef, the church looks much better! Jim, the tunnel is plenty roomy now! Al, the laser cut wall looks good. Ready for paint! Andy, nice view in the video, and that is one lucky friend you have there. 

Andy

paul 2 posted:

Pretty good afternoon. I trimmed some of the tops and bottoms on some of the falls and added a small piece at the top of the waterfall between the abutments. Then I tacked down some loose places on the falls. I gave those a chance to set up and I poured my first water through the gorge. I'll pour another coat when the first has had time to setup. I am going to do three coats if not four. Once I do the last pour and it dries I'll do all my white high lighting. Pics............Paul

 

Paul

I like that stone work 

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Dave Ripp. posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

Great photo with your moniker off to the side, love it,

Dave: Thanks. I love the BAR.

Johan

I second that great weathering 

josef posted:

This is one of the best ongoing post. Has given me ideas and allowed me to follow many of the members layouts as they improve or add.

My only complaint is that I wish I was as good as 99.9% of those posting here. Keep it up and thanks to all that take the time to take photos, videos and post same.

I think I speak for all who post here doesn’t matter if your a beginner or have  been doing this for 40 years and built many layouts if you enjoy model railroading your good as us or if you don’t you still good as us. 

Today I was going to start ballasting but I’ve had a thought in my head how to lower the Lionel truck with the boster   Molded in so as I was looking at the Lionel truck that All Nations car I’ve been working on was sitting near me so I thought I would see what it would look like. So I put my idea to work and this is what I have so far. I think it sets lower now. I painted the ends and waiting for them to dry more updates soon

Vincent Massi posted:

I'm with you, Righttirefire! With only ten months to go, all of us need to be working on our 2019Christmas lay-out.

I'm new here, and stumbling my way through this adventure. So if I'm in the wrong place can you help steer me in the right direction,

But what should I use as a base for my christmas layout, or is the carpet fine for the 6 weeks it'll be running annually

My dad owned two Lionel locomotives and ran them in ovals one inside the other. We had a thick, short-haired carpet, and he laid a sheet over that, and then set up the tracks. Derailments were a rare occurrence.

Here we go with another before-and-after challenge. The car came from the Monroe WA show yesterday, the only thing I bought there. Today, I took it apart, removed all the window glass and cut out a spot where the driver window would have been rolled down, removed the pre-war unit markings from the door, dulled the finish, highlighted the perforations around the engine compartment, added a driver, repainted the interior to include gauges, gave it some very light weathering, and I think it looks very much improved from its original version. Now, I need to put some historically correct military license plates on it, and it'll be ready to go.

BEFORE

AFTER

I also added some GI passengers to my troop car...

Vincent, Those are some nice find's at a garage sale this time of year! LOL Great work!

Jim, nice video and you sure have some nice looking trains there! Very nice!

Righttirefire, If it's your layout and you did something then it counts! As long as your having fun doing it!

LEE, WOW that sure is a lot of work for an 1/8th inch drop! But you are right, lower looks better!

p51 posted:

Here we go with another before-and-after challenge. The car came from the Monroe WA show yesterday, the only thing I bought there. Today, I took it apart, removed all the window glass and cut out a spot where the driver window would have been rolled down, removed the pre-war unit markings from the door, dulled the finish, highlighted the perforations around the engine compartment, added a driver, repainted the interior to include gauges, gave it some very light weathering, and I think it looks very much improved from its original version. Now, I need to put some historically correct military license plates on it, and it'll be ready to go.

BEFORE

AFTER

I also added some GI passengers to my troop car...

Very nice Lee. I wonder if you could post that car on the thread I started so the others could enjoy that beautiful car they really like vehicles. Thanks Lee

I’m almost finished with this car. I put the doors and guides on the ends and added some Kadees. I need to add the latters and wheel brake but I ran out of paint. 

Guys it’s been a fun weekend and a productive one for me. Thanks for all your ”likes” and complements. It’s people on this thread that makes me glad I switched from HO to O scale. You’re layouts and projects look top notch thanks 

Vincent Massi posted:

My dad owned two Lionel locomotives and ran them in ovals one inside the other. We had a thick, short-haired carpet, and he laid a sheet over that, and then set up the tracks. Derailments were a rare occurrence.

We used 4 sheets covering the whole family room growing up. Without an issue and would be easy to foldup and store for the rest of year. I bet I could even get a "snow" look with a little fluffing of the sheet. Good idea. Thanks.

I was over complicating the idea thinking i needed a plywood base or something more stable than sheet and carpet... I guess I'll be putting hard floors in this year anyways...

Thank Josef, All of us are weak is some area of the hobby, and were weak in all areas when we started.  Some like me have delved into O Gauge from another scale, maybe HO or N.  Also, some like me are rusty on skills we once had practiced or now as we have aged aren’t able to do what we once did.

All that to say, we are here to help each other.  I’m happy to give another modeler a tip I just learned.  We are glad you are here!

Lots of great projects once again

Today I screwed the Homasote down on all my Benchwork I have assembled.  I went back to my track plan to check track pieces and once I pick up the correct curved Ross switch on Tuesday I hope, I will finalize the fitting of track, cut pieces, and lay down more cork roadbed.  I am using screws only to attack the Homasote in case I need to change things.  Also, I am making the tabletops in modules I can unscrew from underneath and lift off the Mianne frame.  If mother-in-law passes or has to go to a home, we plan to buy a ranch house and get rid of stairs.  I want to easily take the layout with me.  I’ll go over some other ideas in my layout build topic soon, but here is the photograph from today.

Looking good Mark! Keep up the good work.

Andy

Thank you Andy!!

cabinet Bob posted:

What did I do on my layout today? Nothing.... I can't get to it !

Menard’s doesn’t sell shovels???   

Sorry, Bob... couldn’t resist. 

RSJB18 posted:

One advantage of having your trains in the basement too....

AMEN!!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Today I screwed the Homasote down on all my Benchwork I have assembled.  I went back to my track plan to check track pieces and once I pick up the correct curved Ross switch on Tuesday I hope, I will finalize the fitting of track, cut pieces, and lay down more cork roadbed.  I am using screws only to attack the Homasote in case I need to change things.  Also, I am making the tabletops in modules I can unscrew from underneath and lift off the Mianne frame.

Very nice Mark and good-looking curves. The Mianne benchwork and neat homasote tabletop look very professional.

MELGAR

Mark Boyce posted:

Today I screwed the Homasote down on all my Benchwork I have assembled.  I went back to my track plan to check track pieces and once I pick up the correct curved Ross switch on Tuesday I hope, I will finalize the fitting of track, cut pieces, and lay down more cork roadbed.  I am using screws only to attack the Homasote in case I need to change things.  Also, I am making the tabletops in modules I can unscrew from underneath and lift off the Mianne frame.  If mother-in-law passes or has to go to a home, we plan to buy a ranch house and get rid of stairs.  I want to easily take the layout with me.  I’ll go over some other ideas in my layout build topic soon, but here is the photograph from today.

Been watching your progress from beginning. Can't wait to see the final results. I saw a lot in your plan that makes me take a second look at my plan and possible future incorporation. Keep us updated as you progress.

I agree on a single level home.

lee drennen posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Dave Ripp. posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

Great photo with your moniker off to the side, love it,

Dave: Thanks. I love the BAR.

Johan

I second that great weathering 

Lee: Thanks.

Johan

Steamfan77 posted:

Excellent work all around gents! Bob (RSJB18), I like the additions, and the video is really cool! Lee, nice scenes and I like the ballast! Paul 2, the gorge is really coming together! Dave, good luck with the lake expansion! Brian, great pics as always, and congrats on the new car! Johan, you are an artist! Beautiful work. Josef, the church looks much better! Jim, the tunnel is plenty roomy now! Al, the laser cut wall looks good. Ready for paint! Andy, nice view in the video, and that is one lucky friend you have there. 

Andy

Andy: Thank you.😀

Johan.

Morning everyone, I am up way to early for me , but that's ok!

LEE, Wonderful job on the Military car redo! The weathering is great and the car looks perfect on your layout! I am also glad to see you got some passengers for your troop car!

Mark, things are moving right along, I really like how the bench work is so clean and neat, as MELGAR stated very professional looking! With you knowing that one day you will move its a great idea to make it moveable. Smart man for thinking about the future !

Mel, Josef, and Mike, Thank you very much!  

I learned on the layout start in the little room the value of pushing the GarGraves track the whole way on the joiners past the little nubs in the middle.  When I didn't do it, the measurements didn't come out right.  Duh!!  This time, I am pushing them on, printing out full size sections of the track plan until I get on a roll.  I never used GarGraves and Ross, except on my Ceiling Central RR, and I just winged it there.  

In the past I built my layouts in back rooms that unless someone was specifically coming in to see the layout, it went unnoticed.  My own carpentry isn't very pretty.  I didn't mind, because as long as it was solid, it would be covered with scenery and fascia.  This room is a traffic route.  Anyone coming in from the garage, going to use the downstairs bathroom, or going through to the patio will see it.  I like the look of the Mianne benchwork for that.  Also, I wouldn't have been able to start building this winter with my disc and sciatic problem cutting and assembling my own benchwork.

Interesting thing about the Homasote.  I reported two years ago when I acquired it that this Homasote was on top of a large table/workbench that was in a room in my mother-in-law's basement.  The previous owner had been a seamstress in her middle age years, ant she used the Homasote as her work table. It was a single 4 by 10+ feet.  She had marked the whole length with pencil lines across the entire length of the sheet.  I cut it into 3 sections to move over to my house.  It is easy to measure and cut since she has markings on it.  That was the best part of the workbench for me, and second was that I was able to take the ends and make a narrower rolling cart.

Apples55 posted:

cabinet Bob posted:

What did I do on my layout today? Nothing.... I can't get to it !

Menard’s doesn’t sell shovels???   

Sorry, Bob... couldn’t resist. 

Best joke of the day.

Vincent Massi posted:

Apples55 posted:

cabinet Bob posted:

What did I do on my layout today? Nothing.... I can't get to it !

Menard’s doesn’t sell shovels???   

Sorry, Bob... couldn’t resist. 

Best joke of the day.

LOL

I recently bashed a non-powered Rio Grande A into a powered engine using stuff I had on hand.

I used a GP (powered) silver truck frame by cutting away the pilot and steps. When done the GP coupler extends a scale 2ft further than a proper Lionel F3. The permanent solution will be to pick up an F3 silver rear powered truck frame on eBay but that will take some time so I came up with a temporary improvement.

GP truck with the pilot and steps removed.

An MTH freight coupler with the shank filed smooth and the mounting hole enlarged.

The knuckle held closed with a screw.

Wa la! A much closer gap between the engine and the first car was achieved. Yes, that is an MPC power truck with new-style traction tires rather than the OEM version. They work just fine although slightly narrower.

Lew

Another busy weekend (Except for Cabinet Bob who is snow bound )

I finished laying the ground cover and touching up some ballast. I used Woodland Scenics fine green ground cover. I painted white glue and sprinkled the cover but now I  need to wet it and secure the whole thing. I'm happy with the results so far. Still needs detail work and some fine tuning.
1000% improvement over what it looked like before.

After

Awesome Lee!  Museum quality!

Cheers, Dave

Fortescue has proposed a video about ungulate safety around railroad tracks... 

https://ogrforum.com/...25#83368077904079325

Mitch 

LEW, Nice conversion! Just one question, why not just make the pilot fixed?

Bob, your right, looks much better! Nice work, it really gives it that finished look!

Experimented with how many turns of the key would get a 'loaded' train pulled by a Hornby clockwork engine around the layout. Still experimenting!

Finished my build of the Seven Macs building this past weekend.  Note that 'finished' is a term that approximates 100% completion, at least for my work efforts.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

 Bangor & Aroostook R.R. action. 

 

Great scene Johan.   Do you weather with chalk, paint or both!   I have yet to attempt that and would like to hear more about your method.   Weathering is in my future.   Cheers, Dave