What did you do on your layout today?

EricaAnn posted:

Another Railroad Rescue!

I always enjoy a good restoration challenge, but this one was BAD! Recently bought this Lionel Leigh High Valley 2-bay hopper car on eBay for $10. I knew it was in poor shape when I purchased it, but the posted photos didn't do it justice. I believe someone at one time had used it as a planter or an ashtray. There was a generous coating of sand, charcoal and a few used book matches in the bottom of the hopper when I washed it out. The wheels barely moved on the arbors they were so rusted. Did some research on this car before I stripped it and came to find that over it's production period there were 14 versions of the Leigh High Valley hopper car. Based on the paint, trucks and road markings, this little car was made in 1954. It was originally molded in white plastic and painted using Lionel's "dip" method. It's interesting to see how details disappeared from these cars over time. 

After many years, she runs the rails again under a new assignment to the C&NW hauling coal. Car 61327 was part of an order placed by the C&NW in early 1929 with the Standard Car Co., later purchased by Pullman, for 250 hopper cars.

Beautiful car! But could you clarify Lionel's "dip" method? 

Great work Paul, that is some nice scene. 

Andy 

Two simple tasks:

My electric locomotive had to keep its contact brush down so it could fit under my platforms. I raised the platforms to give it enough room.

Patch the Pirate and "the ark" were raised so that they are "floating"; the surface of my table is supposed to be "under water."

I'm not too happy with the ark. Noah's Ark was actually a rectangular box with dimensions that made it more seaworthy than the Titanic. The common pictures of Noah's Ark show a vessel designed to face into rough seas--an impossible task for a ship with no rudder or means of propulsion.

Ericaann, The car looks great!  You did a wonderful job!

Lee, The little details make a big difference!  I agree, you needed at least one nest right out in the open, and that may get folks to look for others.

Paul, The gorge area is looking better and better!  I'm glad you took the time to paint that one tie Mike mentioned!  

Vincent, The Pirate ship and Arc look good regardless of the misconceptions of the Arc's overall structure!  

I see the ICE train below.  How many cars does it have?

mike g. posted:

So today I had to go to a meeting till noon, then came home and got started in the train room. I got all the cork re-laid for the main and sidings.  I started with this .                                          Down at this end I had to put it down to an 072 curve and will I was looking at it I said to myself, you have room why not join everything together! So I made the outer track longer to flow around the corner and join back up with everything else!                                           It is really going to give me plenty of room for longer trains! The sad part is at the other end I had to drop down to one Engine House because I don't want to fight with tight curves so I used one of my defunked 054 switches and mated it up with some extra  080 curves! Looks nice to me!                                          Once I get my truck back I can go get another sheet of plywood and some more 1x4 to frame in and sheet for the rest of my reverse loop and get the cork down on that. Then all I will be doing is waiting on track! LOL

Ok Guys, I got it done sooner then I thought I would. so here is the updated layout plan! LOL

Everyone have a Great Sunday!

Mike, If you can take the siding that is in red at the top of your drawing and reconnect it to the main line, it will give you better operating options. That is, unless it is a stub servicing a specific industry. We have a local RR the even has an engine house that opens at both ends! Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work.

Steamfan77 posted:

Bob, the flat car and trailers look great. Paul, the gorge is really coming together, can’t wait to see more. Pete, the station house is looking good. Lee, the crane looks good in action. Mike, you’re making some nice progress, I like the changes. John, I agree with Bob, the molds could be the piers themselves. Lee, I like the milk car  and night run. Erica Ann, The hopper looks good, nice work.

Andy

 

Thanks Andy!

b

starting to add some miller signs

John. That looks great very nice landscaping. 

Paul.  The falls are looking good I like the brick work it’s starting to take shape 

Lee.  Every little detail helps great idea on the birds net they look nice 

Bob.  I sell HO buy more O scale I just can’t help myself. I seen those milk cars yesterday and I knew the would look good behind that steamer.

choff posted:

b

 

starting to add some miller signs

 

Very nice signs 

Ran the steamer and enjoying my new milk cars I’ve got some ideas for some team track sences. 

I remember the Big Boy!!!  Those Miller signs look great on your buildings!!

Vincent Massi posted:

EricaAnn posted:

Another Railroad Rescue!

I always enjoy a good restoration challenge, but this one was BAD! Recently bought this Lionel Leigh High Valley 2-bay hopper car on eBay for $10. I knew it was in poor shape when I purchased it, but the posted photos didn't do it justice. I believe someone at one time had used it as a planter or an ashtray. There was a generous coating of sand, charcoal and a few used book matches in the bottom of the hopper when I washed it out. The wheels barely moved on the arbors they were so rusted. Did some research on this car before I stripped it and came to find that over it's production period there were 14 versions of the Leigh High Valley hopper car. Based on the paint, trucks and road markings, this little car was made in 1954. It was originally molded in white plastic and painted using Lionel's "dip" method. It's interesting to see how details disappeared from these cars over time. 

After many years, she runs the rails again under a new assignment to the C&NW hauling coal. Car 61327 was part of an order placed by the C&NW in early 1929 with the Standard Car Co., later purchased by Pullman, for 250 hopper cars.

Beautiful car! But could you clarify Lionel's "dip" method? 

Hi Vincent,

Lionel did not begin spray painting their equipment until sometime in the mid-1950's. Mr. Cohn, the founder of Lionel, did look at spray painting as early as the late 1930's but deemed it a waste when he saw the amount of overspray the early spray equipment produced, so Lionel would hang their piece from a conveyor and run them through a vat of paint. They would then be left to dry before road markings were added.

You can tell a piece has been "dipped" when you go to strip the paint. There will be paint gathered on the lower portions of the piece as paint settled and dried. The paint will also not be a smooth as a spray painted piece.

The 49 Seated figures I stated painting a couple days ago are now completed and ready for final inspection and boxing.  A second new Lionel 21" Challenger Dining Car arrived yesterday, and I will start painting the interior tonight. I should begin installing people on Tuesday.

Cleaned the front yard of broken limbs and laid some mulch around the tree lawn trees.  Boy did I underestimate the amount of mulch I would need.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

EricaAnn posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

EricaAnn posted:

Another Railroad Rescue!

I always enjoy a good restoration challenge, but this one was BAD! Recently bought this Lionel Leigh High Valley 2-bay hopper car on eBay for $10. I knew it was in poor shape when I purchased it, but the posted photos didn't do it justice. I believe someone at one time had used it as a planter or an ashtray. There was a generous coating of sand, charcoal and a few used book matches in the bottom of the hopper when I washed it out. The wheels barely moved on the arbors they were so rusted. Did some research on this car before I stripped it and came to find that over it's production period there were 14 versions of the Leigh High Valley hopper car. Based on the paint, trucks and road markings, this little car was made in 1954. It was originally molded in white plastic and painted using Lionel's "dip" method. It's interesting to see how details disappeared from these cars over time. 

After many years, she runs the rails again under a new assignment to the C&NW hauling coal. Car 61327 was part of an order placed by the C&NW in early 1929 with the Standard Car Co., later purchased by Pullman, for 250 hopper cars.

Beautiful car! But could you clarify Lionel's "dip" method? 

Hi Vincent,

Lionel did not begin spray painting their equipment until sometime in the mid-1950's. Mr. Cohn, the founder of Lionel, did look at spray painting as early as the late 1930's but deemed it a waste when he saw the amount of overspray the early spray equipment produced, so Lionel would hang their piece from a conveyor and run them through a vat of paint. They would then be left to dry before road markings were added.

You can tell a piece has been "dipped" when you go to strip the paint. There will be paint gathered on the lower portions of the piece as paint settled and dried. The paint will also not be a smooth as a spray painted piece.

 

Thank you.

Mark Boyce posted:

Vincent, The Pirate ship and Arc look good regardless of the misconceptions of the Arc's overall structure!  

I see the ICE train below.  How many cars does it have?

Only two. It is one of the first sets I bought. The real ones pulled a whole string of cars.

Thank you, Vincent!

John, those passengers look great!  I never did get around to putting down new mulch last year.  It is looking pretty bad now.

I think I am pretty much finished with scenery for the gorge. I finished off with Martin Welberg bushes and wild mats. The bushes I scattered around and wild mats I added to ledges and inbetween some of the trees. Tomorrow the bridges start going in and then the track. This should finish off this module. Pics...........Paul

Erica. Thanks for that info I learned something today about Lionel that was interesting. 

Erika! Nice work on the Lionel hopper, Looks GREAT now!

lee drennen posted:

Apples55 posted:

lee drennen posted:

Thanks guys for your nice complements the Boxcar was fun I have another one to do then it’s back on the Mack FK.  I ran my new steamer after work with an new Lionel REA reefer car I got in the mail and the custom one I just finished. I know I’m running some plug cars with my steamer I know the didn’t come along till the 1960s but I’m using my modelers  license on this one 

Oohhhhh... NYC Steam...   

Paul nice steamers but I love that building 

Thanks, Lee. The flat is a special run done by @Todds Architectural Models a year or so ago. I still have to add lights, but it is definitely an eye catcher. And I just love the sign he made!!!

briansilvermustang posted: 

Brings back memories. Was lucky enough to ride the Alaska to Denali a couple of years ago. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing Brian.

When I put Woodland Scenics instant water in the scratch built water tower at Hunter, TN, the tower accidentally got rocked back, and the water sloshed to the back of the tank, leaving the water vertically along the back wall of the interior of the tank.

It never looked right, and I always wondered what I could do with it. Today, it occurred to me I could smear some white glue along those areas, and placed ground foam in there to make it look like growth from the water. It still isn't perfect, but it looks better than it did.

Here is before and after:

Work some on the Mack FK tonight 

lee drennen posted:

 I ran my new milk cars with my steamer this afternoon for a little bit then it was time to till the garden I just got done with the garden and it started raining so I went back in and got some more train time in. 

Great Lee... now I REALLY need to find my Century Club milk car set to run behind my VL Niagara. They’re in the basement somewhere!!! Looks like it’s moooooooving along nicely (and yes, I stole that from Bob).

Yes I would like see them good steal from Bob I liked it. 

Lee.  I like that water tank water looks good. 

Sorry guys no faces today, To much to write! LOL So much has been done today while I have been out in the train room!

Hi John, Thanks I am trying to get as much done as I can. There will be more pictures at the bottom of todays work!

Bob, the reverse loops I had were 054 and the cars fallowing the engine didn't like the tight curves. So redo with 072 curves and switch's. As for reaching the back area there will be a access hatch on the back side of the cross over where the wye's will are.

Erica, the hopper looks great! Also thank you for the fun little history lesson!

Lee, nice little details are what makes your layout so great! Also nice job on the water tank!

Paul, thank you! You have done such a great job! I hope you know I was just playing about the tie! Its been awhile since I found something to have fun with on your layout! The trees look great!

Vincent, nice use of the leggo's! You layout sure looks interesting to say the least!

Jackson, it has been brought up more then a few times. The RED line is 6" above the main line and its soul reason for having it is to feed the future garden line that will go outside among the trees! The wife asked for that from the start!

Choff, the Miller signs look great! I have a few also just not to that point yet, but it sure is nice to see them on others layouts!

John, the people look wonderful! I hope the dining car doesn't pose a problem! I had to do yard work Monday, and man did that suck! LOL

Lee D. The Mack truck is coming along nicely!

SO as for me today I was in the train room at 6AM getting started. I was able to get all the cork laid for all the bench work I have. Also I was able to get tracked laid on a siding along with a switch. Then I added a second track for a double engine house! and last but not least I got my airfield back on the layout, its a little smaller but it has to go on the layout! 

Just an FYI, the track in the second picture is just laying there, not fixed down!

Cleaned the train room to finish off the night! Here are a few pictures!

Mike. The layout is looking great! 

Well be before calling it a night thought I would decal this Lionel Standard O Boxcar 

Choff, the signs look great. John, the figures are first rate, as always. Paul, I can’t say enough good things about the gorge. Your work is excellent. Can you take a few pics from farther away to get the whole scene? Lee, nice solution for the water tank. Lee D., the Mack looks good so far. Nice job on the decals too. You posted while I was replying! Mike, the layout looks good. We all have to “reload” for a new task from time to time.

Andy

Thanks Andy and others more updates next week guys 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Finally out of the hospital!  A little celebrating with Fortescue, Thomas, and Norma B. Kitteh,  with Sylvia Siamese just offcamera...

Mitch 

Mitch;

On the one hand, glad to see your back home and on the mend. On the other hand, I (and Fortesque!!!) are deeply concerned that it won’t be long before we see this... 

Mike,  The layout is looking very nice. Thanks for adding the pictures. The bridge appears to be standing up to being raised and lowered. Great work.

Lee,  I like the trucks.  The people you painted will look good servicing the fleet of trucks you have done.

PS1,  I like all the detailing you have done on your layout. The store, and license plates for vehicles are outstanding details. The water tank looks good. 

Paul 2,  The work on the gorge has progressed nicely.  It is truly "gorge"eous.  I like the mix of vegetation and trees.

Mark, Your layout looks like progress is being made. Your custom second level looks good.

I don't normally list everyone because I am going to miss someone like Gandy Dancer and Doc.  Please forgive me. I am getting old and feeble, but having fun.  Thank you for sharing.  The 49 seated people are finished and boxed for storage until the Santa Fe 21" passenger cars arrive. I am working on the UP Challenger Dining Car next.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Mitch,  Glad you are on the mend and home with the cats.  I am sure they are happy to have you home.  Cats can also be man's best friend.  They are "Purr-fect" companions.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

mike g. posted:

 

Mike,

The layout is really moving along.

I'm so happy for you, as I can understand what its like to want a layout SO bad and then to finally get one underway.

Are you going to do op sessions once its up and running?

Mitch, we could not spell Fortescue without "U".

And,

Be certain to walk your characters daily for they have been "patient" for you as well!

Take care!

John d.

Erica Ann, great work bringing that Lionel hopper back to life, and, revenue service! Also, thank you for the Lionel history on how paint was applied to classic rolling stock!

Rusty

mike g. posted:

Mike;

Thanks for my laugh of the day - LOVE the sign. Glad to see you are making progress... slow and steady does it!!!

Lee Drennen, Nice looking milk cars! I read you're back dating your layout to Spring of 1942 ... many new modeling avenues for you! With the United States at war in the Pacific and Europe, that means war trains on the New York Central!

Rusty

Apples55 posted:

mike g. posted:

Mike;

Thanks for my laugh of the day - LOVE the sign. Glad to see you are making progress... slow and steady does it!!!

So after reading Paul's post, I opened the attachment so I could read the sign...  

Mike- I do remember the issues you had with the curves. I guess I missed the solution. Looking good.

Bob

Diverging Clear posted:

Lee Drennen, Nice looking milk cars! I read you're back dating your layout to Spring of 1942 ...

I hadnt seen that before.

Two Lees on this forum, both modelling the WW2 years. Talk about coincidence!