What did you do on your layout today?

Mike g, I am with Jim. Did you try any other engines with the cars to see if the same thing happened. But in any case you made the right move to use 0-72 switches. Each day the layout is looking better.

Chris a, super job of the building and you created a great scene with the other buildings. 

CSX Al, you never cease to amaze. The Sawmill scene will be a head turner. Great job on the pond and buildings.

Now if I could just get the three of you to move next door to me I could get my layout done and looking good with the three of you doing it for me. Of course I would offer beer but only after the layout was completed. LOL

Between Friday and Saturday I didn't have much time for the layout. I had to set up at the train show Friday night and then spent Saturday trying to sell stuff. No luck on that came back home with what I brought but it was still a great day. It was a good show and a lot of families attended with small children ( future engineers ). Friday afteroon I got another Weaver TOFC from Beth at Public Delivery Track and on the layout I managed to get the culvert glued into place. Had a couple of scraps of plaster wrap to fill in the gap at the back of the culvert. This morning After changing the back of the river on the backdrop I applied Realistic water to the new area where I painted more green so that is done. I think one more day all the water will be clear in the bottom gorge and I can go about adding white water effects. Pics......Paul

Looks good Paul- I'm with you, those guys could make a nice living traveling the country building our layouts for us. I'll even throw in Pizza!

                                yesterday while I was working...

              Marci and Izzy were out rail fanning,  oops,  I mean running errands...

carsntrains posted:

Mike glad you decided to make that change! I still don't get why there was trouble with the O54 curves and turnout. But I'm sure the O72 stuff will fix it! 

Al those are cool buildings! Must be a huge layout to have room for all that stuff! 

thinking about ordering a Lionel coal tower. Can't run steam with no coal. And maybe a few more cows!!! 😊

Jim

Jim, i don't know what the problem is. The manual says it will operate on 042 curvers. But all the cars I tried with Kadee couplers does the same thing! So I am switching it out cause one day all my cars will have Kadee's!

paul 2 posted:

Mike g, I am with Jim. Did you try any other engines with the cars to see if the same thing happened. But in any case you made the right move to use 0-72 switches. Each day the layout is looking better.

Chris a, super job of the building and you created a great scene with the other buildings. 

CSX Al, you never cease to amaze. The Sawmill scene will be a head turner. Great job on the pond and buildings.

Now if I could just get the three of you to move next door to me I could get my layout done and looking good with the three of you doing it for me. Of course I would offer beer but only after the layout was completed. LOL

Between Friday and Saturday I didn't have much time for the layout. I had to set up at the train show Friday night and then spent Saturday trying to sell stuff. No luck on that came back home with what I brought but it was still a great day. It was a good show and a lot of families attended with small children ( future engineers ). Friday afteroon I got another Weaver TOFC from Beth at Public Delivery Track and on the layout I managed to get the culvert glued into place. Had a couple of scraps of plaster wrap to fill in the gap at the back of the culvert. This morning After changing the back of the river on the backdrop I applied Realistic water to the new area where I painted more green so that is done. I think one more day all the water will be clear in the bottom gorge and I can go about adding white water effects. Pics......Paul

 

Paul things are really looking good there!  And that is a cool TOFC!   I'm going to ask that annoying question about it.... Does it have a new date??   

Bob the trim and detail on your layout turned out great!   

Chris that building is amazing.   It still blows my mind that yall do such good work AND have somewhere to put stuff!!   I don't have much but finding a place to put things really baffles me!  Even with the new space..  

I stayed up late again watching videos of old southern railway, and steam trains trying to learn more about consist.  And switching.  Fun stuff to watch.  

Jim 

mike g. posted:

carsntrains posted:

Mike glad you decided to make that change! I still don't get why there was trouble with the O54 curves and turnout. But I'm sure the O72 stuff will fix it! 

Al those are cool buildings! Must be a huge layout to have room for all that stuff! 

thinking about ordering a Lionel coal tower. Can't run steam with no coal. And maybe a few more cows!!! 😊

Jim

Jim, i don't know what the problem is. The manual says it will operate on 042 curvers. But all the cars I tried with Kadee couplers does the same thing! So I am switching it out cause one day all my cars will have Kadee's!

Mike so did you test it with non Kadee coupler cars?     I really like the looks of them.   And since you can switch to O72 I would.  I really like they way the Kadees work while switch ( I don't have any yet just saw them).  O72 will look better anyway.    My outer main is O72 with a few pieces of O84 in one curve.   O60 on the inside with a few O72 pieces  on one curve.  

Wife just ordered me the Lionel coaling tower and WS cows.   Looks like they even come with some cow patties lol   

Jim 

Hi Guys, what a fun way to share (with others who actually care about trains). I built a lift out bridge and got my DCS up and running for the first time. I also changed the track from O27 profile (with O42 switches) to Fastrack. I plan to go with Gargraves for uppper level. I was unable to post my video here. I guess it’s too big Here is a link to the video update on YouTube:  

https://youtu.be/779tc-jVX4A

If you copy and paste that in your browser it will take you directly to the video. Look forward to your comments!

Thanks, Gerhardt

Mike G:   Jim, i don't know what the problem is. The manual says it will operate on 042 curvers. But all the cars I tried with Kadee couplers does the same thing! So I am switching it out cause one day all my cars will have Kadee's!

Mike G:   You might want to check the "centering" springs inside the Kadee coupler box...   I have been told by at least one OGR forum member who uses them that some of the springs are too stiff.   Seems like that could cause the symptom/problem you're describing especially if you're trying to get them working on 054, when the spec says 042.

Paul the gorge and the water is looking great !!   

Ralph, the decals look great. 

Bob, the layout and rolling stock are looking sharp. 

Chris, the building has become a fantastic addition, well done!

Al, the sawmill is truly a gem,

Paul, the gorge is looking great! And I like the TOFC too.

Andy

I finished painting the retaining wall. I’ll let it dry thoroughly and then install it.

Andy

Working on a small section of layout that passes through the laundry room/ workshop area and around the furnace. It is my representation of an area in Cleveland, Ohio called Tremont where I was born on Starkweather Ave. I modified it to look as to how it may have looked like in the late 1940's.....still a work in progress

GANDYDANCER1950, that is a good scene you are working on. Are those buildings cardstock and where did you get them????

Jim, there is a built date on the side of the flatcar. I tried to enlarge my pic but it became too fuzzy but I think it may say Blt 12-43. But I'll take it out and look at it and let you know for sure.

 I did a couple of small things while doing laundry again. I cut out the plaster on the one side of the bridge and then painted both sides black. I had a couple of spots I needed to put plaster but not needing much and rather then waste mixing plaster I decided to use the Dap I bought. Because the DAP is different then the Gypsolite it will color differently but it should blend in with the rest being the areas are not that large. Was going to head out to get some artist supplies to paint the backdrop but it started snowing here so I'll head back down and lay down some ballast. Pics.........Paul

owner, operator of The Cuyahoga Valley Short Line Railroad,

TTOS#8836

Very Cool scene,  great cars and trucks, keep going you're definitely onto something great there.   

Paul thanks!  I can't figure out why Lionel didn't put a date (that I can find) on those danged Southern TOFC.  I should just get them and date them myself lol   I really don't need anymore rolling stock! I wanted that Piggly Wiggly from menards but I think the layout needed the coaling tower.  Nice to see you are making great progress on your project!  

Chris that scene looks great!   Sounds like you are working in your basement?   

Its flooding here again.   Can't get a break from the rain.   Need to go get some goat food but I dont want it to get wet in the back of the truck. 

Did some switching today.  Think I need to work on some couplers myself! Have a bad toggle switch on my panel.  Need to change it too if it keeps being a problem. 

Jim 

Jim,   thanks.   Yes the layout is in the basement.  Did most of the work on that factory building up in the kitchen on the island, one of the benefits of being divorced/single.    At this time of year, it runs around 60 to 62 degrees down there.   I have high efficiency electric heaters, but I'd rather not run them all the time.   Don't want to spend the money right now to have the HVAC system modified to heat and cool that level.   It's all really well insulated, and I have heavy duty commercial carpet tiles on the floor that are 3/8 - 1/2 inch thick.   Building is only 11 years old and we're on sandy soil, so it's dry as a bone down there and pretty air tight.  

chris a posted:

Steve, Mike, Dave thanks for your positive comments.  Until a couple of years ago, my model building skills weren't really all that developed.... with the major roto cuff shoulder surgery this past summer I have had lots of time on my hands to "keep busy".   

So I am living proof that if you stick to it and keep trying to improve, it's pretty good bet you'll get a lot better at these modeling projects.   For me, if I am not really earnestly trying to constantly improve, on each new project, it doesn't feel right....   Got too much of the perfectionist gene, and not enough of the patience gene...   

Chris

that building looks off the charts! Well done and it comments your layout very well

chris a posted:

 

Working on a small section of layout that passes through the laundry room/ workshop area and around the furnace. It is my representation of an area in Cleveland, Ohio called Tremont where I was born on Starkweather Ave. I modified it to look as to how it may have looked like in the late 1940's.....still a work in progress

owner, operator of The Cuyahoga Valley Short Line Railroad,

TTOS#8836

Very Cool scene,  great cars and trucks, keep going you're definitely onto something great there.   

Thanks Chris

chris a posted:

 

Working on a small section of layout that passes through the laundry room/ workshop area and around the furnace. It is my representation of an area in Cleveland, Ohio called Tremont where I was born on Starkweather Ave. I modified it to look as to how it may have looked like in the late 1940's.....still a work in progress

owner, operator of The Cuyahoga Valley Short Line Railroad,

TTOS#8836

Very Cool scene,  great cars and trucks, keep going you're definitely onto something great there.   

Chris 

that sence looks great. I like the 1949s look 

paul 2 posted:

GANDYDANCER1950, that is a good scene you are working on. Are those buildings cardstock and where did you get them????

Jim, there is a built date on the side of the flatcar. I tried to enlarge my pic but it became too fuzzy but I think it may say Blt 12-43. But I'll take it out and look at it and let you know for sure.

 I did a couple of small things while doing laundry again. I cut out the plaster on the one side of the bridge and then painted both sides black. I had a couple of spots I needed to put plaster but not needing much and rather then waste mixing plaster I decided to use the Dap I bought. Because the DAP is different then the Gypsolite it will color differently but it should blend in with the rest being the areas are not that large. Was going to head out to get some artist supplies to paint the backdrop but it started snowing here so I'll head back down and lay down some ballast. Pics.........Paul

Very nice Paul and I like it

Steamfan77 posted:

I finished painting the retaining wall. I’ll let it dry thoroughly and then install it.

Andy

Looks real nice Andy 

paul 2 posted:

Mike g, I am with Jim. Did you try any other engines with the cars to see if the same thing happened. But in any case you made the right move to use 0-72 switches. Each day the layout is looking better.

Chris a, super job of the building and you created a great scene with the other buildings. 

CSX Al, you never cease to amaze. The Sawmill scene will be a head turner. Great job on the pond and buildings.

Now if I could just get the three of you to move next door to me I could get my layout done and looking good with the three of you doing it for me. Of course I would offer beer but only after the layout was completed. LOL

Between Friday and Saturday I didn't have much time for the layout. I had to set up at the train show Friday night and then spent Saturday trying to sell stuff. No luck on that came back home with what I brought but it was still a great day. It was a good show and a lot of families attended with small children ( future engineers ). Friday afteroon I got another Weaver TOFC from Beth at Public Delivery Track and on the layout I managed to get the culvert glued into place. Had a couple of scraps of plaster wrap to fill in the gap at the back of the culvert. This morning After changing the back of the river on the backdrop I applied Realistic water to the new area where I painted more green so that is done. I think one more day all the water will be clear in the bottom gorge and I can go about adding white water effects. Pics......Paul

 

Nice bench work and I like that TOFC 

RSJB18 posted:

Another busy Saturday WOW!

Chris A- the factory looks great. Bravo Sir . The details you added make it look like its been around forever. Fits perfectly on the layout too.
Darlander Dave- another great group of buildings. I think you achieved what you were going for. Once you detail the front and have some trains parked there it will be fine.
Mike G- sorry about the rip out but a least you found the problem now. Goes to show that it's important to test track as you go. Cork looks good too.
Mark- nice WM loco.
Lee- Thanks- The WM GP-7 is a Lionel Legacy model that I bought from Mark last year. It's a very nice engine, now I need to pick up a Legacy system so I can play with all the cool features. Nice trucks you're working on too.
John- if it wasn't for bad luck you'd have none at all. Good move to change gears and do some track work.
Mitch- I'm sure a good time was had by all!
Ralph M- The hopper looks good so far.
Mel- sorry about the hiccup in operations. At least you found the tire and got the loco running again.

WHEW I think I got everyone.

Bob

 Thanks Bob 

I went to garage today to take a few pics of the Mack H67 it was cold and snowy  but I hurried up and got some. I’m waiting on some mirrors from Don Mills and a Ive got to find a spot light then it’s done. 

Pondering what to do with the nice WM TOFC I just got. While sipping on a nice glass of adult beverage ,  I remembered that I had a couple of frame/ axle sets from a prior purchase. Thought why not put them on the flat car like they're being returned to the original shipper. Love it when the imagination gets cooking. Good thing I didn't set off the smoke detector .

I need to do some surgery on the wheel stops to get the smaller axles to fit and figure out a good way to secure them to the car. Now where did I leave my Dremell........

Planted a couple of trees too.

Not glamorous, but finally finished building shelves so I don’t have to store engines in boxes. 

Great use of available space Kevin. You do realize that now you have to limit your purchases to what will fit on 16" centers.....

Lee, I like that Mack! Bob, good luck with the surgery on the trailers, I like the trees too. Kevin, the shelving looks great! 

Andy

RSJB18 posted:

Pondering what to do with the nice WM TOFC I just got. While sipping on a nice glass of adult beverage ,  I remembered that I had a couple of frame/ axle sets from a prior purchase. Thought why not put them on the flat car like they're being returned to the original shipper. Love it when the imagination gets cooking. Good thing I didn't set off the smoke detector .

I need to do some surgery on the wheel stops to get the smaller axles to fit and figure out a good way to secure them to the car. Now where did I leave my Dremell........

Planted a couple of trees too.

I see it all the time Bob great idea 👍

Thanks Andy and Lee.

Lee- we built a parking garage on campus a few years ago- all pre-cast. The empties got sent back stacked just like I'm planning.

RSJB18 posted:

Great use of available space Kevin. You do realize that now you have to limit your purchases to what will fit on 16" centers.....

Ha, very observant! My layout has 022 switches so with that limitation I only have a couple locos that don’t fit on the shelves. I do have to find a solution for those, though. Right now they’re parked on sidings. 

CoastsideKevin posted:

Not glamorous, but finally finished building shelves so I don’t have to store engines in boxes. 

Kevin, left column, sixth one down and also the eighth one down--that looks like the Lionel gang car that my dad bought in 1953. It shot out sparks when it ran and a real test of courage for us was to put our hand on the rails while the gang car rammed us and reversed direction.

RSJB18 posted:

Thanks Andy and Lee.

Lee- we built a parking garage on campus a few years ago- all pre-cast. The empties got sent back stacked just like I'm planning.

That’s neat. We do the same when they need Chassis some where else here’s a few pics I took a couple years ago 

Surprised to find a "suitcase" for 75 cents that opens into a train station from Thomas the Tank Engine, I made room for "Sodor Island" and started today. First I had to scrub a Styrofoam fruit container (That was the hardest part). Then I had to dig through storage boxes to find a friendly yellow diesel (not a Thomas accessory), a crane car I made last year, and an evil diesel (named, appropriately enough, "Diesel").

There's a large open-air market tomorrow, so construction is on hold until I see what treasures I can find. 

Vincent Massi posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

Not glamorous, but finally finished building shelves so I don’t have to store engines in boxes. 

Kevin, left column, sixth one down and also the eighth one down--that looks like the Lionel gang car that my dad bought in 1953. It shot out sparks when it ran and a real test of courage for us was to put our hand on the rails while the gang car rammed us and reversed direction.

Yes indeed! The gang cars always guarantee  peals of laughter from my little ones!

Pics and vids from yesterday's train show! 

https://ogrforum.com/...019-images-and-video

Mitch 

Bob, waste not want not. It is always nice when you can take something sitting around and repurpose it.

Jim, I went to the Lionel Cataog that had the Southern TOFC and noticed that the other cars on the page had more printing on their sides. Maybe it was a typo.

I got back down to the basement and added the ballast to the tracks on both sides of the bridges. I put some earth color on the Dap I put down which was dry but it is not porus like the plaster I was using. I'll let that dry and maybe apply another coat of earth. If that doesn't make it any better I will just add a lot more dirt turf in that area. I am hoping to get some time down there after dinner to glue al the ballast down. Pics..............Paul

So many great projects everyone! 

Paul, the gorge is looking great and so is the roadbed!  Speaking of roadbed, I got to spend a few minutes here and there this week on the lower of my planned turnback loops.  I liked the idea someone here on the Forum shared which is a variation of what Paul is doing.  I sprayed the cork roadbed with Rustoleum American Accents Stone Textured Finish.  

So the idea is that it looks a bit like ballast while building.  In the past I found I like to put in a lot of my scenery before ballasting.  This will look pretty good until I get to that point, and since I don't like ballasting, it would be presentable even if I never decide to ballast.

I had already cut and fitted all the track pieces, so I drilled holes for soldered jumpers to come up through the table and put all the track in place with what I think will be appropriate block gaps.  I had started using GarGraves pan head screws, but liked the idea of countersunk flathead screws.  While at McCormick's Hardware in Zelienople Pennsylvania last week to pick up my curved Ross switch, I asked for screws.  Jeff showed me these that he stocks just for my purpose.  I don't even need to paint the heads black.

So here is what I got down.  I have run a car over the track, and everything seems smooth.  I have not yet connected power to my taps.  Since the DCS is still in the other room powering the Ceiling Central RR, I'll just run some wire out with clip jumpers to test blocks until I get the gumption to move all the power for both this and the Ceiling Central RR to this room.

Hey Lee,  the scene below actually belongs to GANDYDANCER....    I think I screwed up something when I copied and pasted Gandy's original post into a response,  to compliment him on the great work !!!!    Oh Well.. thought I should note my error. 

chris a posted:

 

Working on a small section of layout that passes through the laundry room/ workshop area and around the furnace. It is my representation of an area in Cleveland, Ohio called Tremont where I was born on Starkweather Ave. I modified it to look as to how it may have looked like in the late 1940's.....still a work in progress

owner, operator of The Cuyahoga Valley Short Line Railroad,

TTOS#8836

Very Cool scene,  great cars and trucks, keep going you're definitely onto something great there.   

Chris 

that sence looks great. I like the 1949s look 

The old Cleveland neighborhood looks great, Gandydancer!!  What is it about Mail Pouch signs that just make you feel good?  Something form the past always stirs up good memories.

Mark Boyce posted:

The old Cleveland neighborhood looks great, Gandydancer!!  What is it about Mail Pouch signs that just make you feel good?  Something form the past always stirs up good memories.

Mark I agree!   But I see something about snake handling?  I thought maybe that was a southern thing lol   Still a great looking scene!!!   And your section is looking good too!  

Paul your addition looks better at each step!  

Keven the display cases look good!  Some nice stuff you have loaded on them too!   

Started to add some lighting to the ceiling in the train room.   My plan of string lights from Harbor Freight didn't work out.  So now maybe some LED work lights??  

Jim