What did you do on your layout today?

Bryan, The Rocker Building looks great!  The sign is a very nice thing topping it off.  The skirting looks great on your layout too!

Elliot, I'm saddened to read of the past with your kids.  I'm glad you got to spend some time.

Lee, it's great seeing the piggy backs running on your layout!

Brian, Santa Fe all the way!

Vincent, Shiver me timbers!!  Argh!

Paul, The work on your roadbed looks great!

All I have done is buy a quart of flat gray latex to do like Paul before a lighter spray of the Rustoleum stone flecked paint.  The unopened can sits on the layout for now.

Got ready to convert some more cars.  Won’t take long.  GRJ’s DIY boards work great!

I disassembled and stored my pirate ships, their equipment, and their crews.

The SD24 might be the sexiest diesel ever made 

I’m in the middle of installing LEDs in a K-Line Passenger car.  It comes apart a bit differently than an MTH car which I am used to.  There are 2 screws near each end, once removed the ends can somewhat reluctantly be pulled out.   There is a wiring connector at one end, once disconnected the bottom (with all the seats) of the car can be slid off the body of the car.  The ceiling, with the incandescent bulbs, can then be slid off the inside of the top of the car.  After examining the interior I found no room for the buck converter for the LEDs that I bought via the bay to be installed inside the car since it is too large. Fortunately I have one of Gunrunner John’s constant current lighting regulators which is small enough to fit into a compartment in the undercarriage of the car.   I’ll let you know of the outcome when I get time to finish the install.

Larry

Thanks Mark, I know all that sounds awful, but I still think it was probably the right decision at the time. It kept the kids out of the middle of our fight. In the end it worked out OK.  I still don't speak to their mother, no reason to. Live and let live. I'm over it. I have a pretty good relationship with the kids, in spite of all that stuff.  

Sad to hear Elliot but sounds like you made the right decision at the time. At least you made the effort to reconnect with them and have good relationships with both now.

Vincent Massi posted:

I disassembled and stored my pirate ships, their equipment, and their crews.

Vincent, out with the old and in with the new. An industrial area? Sounds like lots of opportunities for switching .

Lew

geysergazer posted:

Vincent Massi posted:

I disassembled and stored my pirate ships, their equipment, and their crews.

Vincent, out with the old and in with the new. An industrial area? Sounds like lots of opportunities for switching .

Lew

I hope they left you a treasure map Vincent.

PSAP2010 posted:

I’m in the middle of installing LEDs in a K-Line Passenger car.  It comes apart a bit differently than an MTH car which I am used to. ,,,,,  After examining the interior I found no room for the buck converter for the LEDs that I bought via the bay to be installed inside the car since it is too large. Fortunately I have one of Gunrunner John’s constant current lighting regulators which is small enough to fit into a compartment in the undercarriage of the car.   I’ll let you know of the outcome when I get time to finish the install.

 

Larry

 

Post some photos of the alternate mounting location for GRJ's regulator, if you can.

I may have similar issues with passenger cars that have interiors.

          have a great weekend everyone !!!

Will do, Carl.

Larry

Got the first coat of earth color down. I'll let that dry and do another coat later tonight. Tomorrow heading out for a Northeast group breakfast then heading over Byran's house to see his layout. Depending on what time I get home tomorrow will decide if I work on the layout. Pics............Paul 2

The new paint looks great, Paul!!!

Hi Everyone, what wonderful work you all are doing! Including you Mark, Way to step up to the plate and get that paint so you will have something to do tomorrow ! LOL Just kidding, I sure hope you have a great weekend!

I have a few comments and handed out some more likes, then a little update on the airfield corner.

LEE D. Now that's a great looking Pig Train! 

Brian, Great combo BD & SF! Got to love them!

Paul 2, its a little catch up with you first the ballast looks wonderful! Then the idea of the joint tape, I wasn't to sure about it, but man that sure looks amazing! I will have to keep that in the back of my mind! Thanks for the idea and tip!

Bryan, Go easy on Paul, he has been working hard this week, outdoor chores, indoor chores, train work! You know he isn't getting any younger!

OK Mark, here is the update on the airfield corner. The other day I was working on it and the CEO came out to see how things were going. She seen this little cabin and said this would look great in a park over here by the airfield. So that's when I switched gears and had to do a lot of thinking and here is what I came up with. Hope you all like it. Please comment!

First I made some concrete walls to support the upper level and added Pieolines.

                                         Next was to build a parking garage for the park and airport. I located that in the back corner of the area behind the tracks.                                                                                 Ofcourse I had to add some Menards lighted cars! LOL                                                                                    Last but not least I had to make some collums to support the airfield above the park and lower level parking garage!                                           

I sure hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wow I have to catch up forgive me if I miss some of you but everything looks great what’s productive week for some and some had fun like me running trains

Paul thanks glad you enjoyed the pigs. And you siding is looking very good and what progress

Bryan  I love that building reminds me of New York City always loved Hauling back east

Jack  great video and a great looking engine

Brian.  That’s my favorite paint scheme of the Santa Fe F units and that a haunting pic of the Reading F unit 

Mark. Thanks. Yes it does feel good running piggy’s again I really missed it. Guess I’ll have to build a layout for 1942ish so I can run my steamer

Mike. Thanks  All I can say is WOW what progress I love the garage and the LED lighted vehicles 

Vincent. How about a piggyback yard 

Thank you guys for the complements and likes this week 

Mike, The parking lot is great!  Of course you need a parking garage for an airfield and park!  The lit cars look great too!  Good job!

"Vincent. How about a piggyback yard "

Not a bad idea, Lee, but I'm an antique car man. I'll have them scattered around the rail yard.

Mark, see you tomorrow at breakfast. 

Mike g, underground garage is a neat idea.

Took the wife out for dinner and when we got home I went down and added a second coat of color. Tomorrow afternoon I'll see how it looks. Maybe I can start piecing in the track. Pics............Paul 2

I did nothing on the layout today except PLAY! So much fun now that it is really coming together after six months of work. Kids loved the new MTH Skipjack Tuna car (see my separate post for videos) and I completely lost track of time in the attic - that’s definitely what it’s about for me  

Kevin

Kevin,  That is why we build these layouts.  Looks great!!

Paul, Looks good!  I am afraid I won't be able to attend the breakfast or go to see Bryan's layout.  I wish I could.  I have some errands for my wife, and unfortunately I aggravated my back/sciatic nerve mowing grass.  I don't know if it was puling the start cord or pushing the mower longer than I did when I prepared it for mowing.  I haven't ridden or driven in the car more than 45 minutes at a time since last fall.  have had trouble getting to sleep because of leg pain.  I finally did and wouldn't you know, the dog wanted out.  I'm finishing this note as I just let her in.  I hope everyone has a great time!  I will surely miss it.

Thanks guys for the nice comments. 

Paul, the plaster is looking great! Have fun at Bryan's today!

Kevin, nice little video, as Mark said looks great and like a lot of fun!

This morning I am going to go out and do a little clean up, secure my upper deck supports, and maybe start on a scratch built swing set for the park. Heck maybe even a teeter totter and a merry go round! LOL

Everyone have a great day and I will check in later!

Well I decided to put a make shift siding on the layout this morning.  I don’t know if it’s going to stay or not but I wanted to display some of my cars and I got tired putting them up and putting them out all the time so I built this siding and I’ll see how it goes and I also serviced my RSD-12 Weaver  locomotive I clean the pick ups and oiled the gears. Of course I had to run it after I put it back in service 

Sounds great Mike!

Lee, The siding is a good idea.  I have the same desire to have a place so I don’t have to keep moving cars on and off by hand.  I know I can’t hold onto things like I used to.  LOL. That’s a nice train run too!

I got a chance to put down a coat of gray paint before a thin spray of the stone fleck paint.  I have another errand to go on, so I’ll post a photograph after the spray and track is on.

lee drennen posted:

Well I decided to put a make shift siding on the layout this morning.  I don’t know if it’s going to stay or not but I wanted to display some of my cars and I got tired putting them up and putting them out all the time so I built this siding and I’ll see how it goes and I also serviced my RSD-12 Weaver  locomotive I clean the pick ups and oiled the gears. Of course I had to run it after I put it back in service 

Gotta' love that Alco sound, Lee!

Having enough siding space for car storage is a problem the prototypes fight with frequently so you are in good company .

Lew

What'd I do? Well, my spanking new MTH P&OC SW1500 did NOT want to play well with my ancient MRC AH101 walk-around throttle. I remember old threads here about early Protosound and the MRC throttles so I changed it out for an MTH Z1000. It runs perfect now!

BTW, this Z1000 was one of the ones with ground polarity reversed between throttle ground and AUX ground which won't work with a common ground buss. The fix takes a minute. Cut and reverse the wires that go to the throttle.

I'm good to go temporarily but I've lost walk-around so I ordered up a DCS Remote Commander. I'll have to run hybrid though because my passenger train is Lionel with TMCC or conventional. Would like to just spring for the full-blown DCS and run the Royal Gorge with TMCC but too much $$$.

Lew

Hi everyone I hope its been a good Saturday for everyone!

LEE D. Nice train run, very smooth! IMO Sidings are always nice to have!

Mark, glad you had time to get some paint down today! Every little step adds up!

Lew, I am happy you were able to get things fixed and able to run your trains! I have a few conventional engines I plan on running on I think its called Z track set up in DCS. It enables you to run DCS and Conventional engines on the same track with the hand throttle!

Well I got some more work done on the airfield and park area today, I also started making a retaining wall coming down from the American Power and light plant.  Here are a few pictures! Enjoy!                                           I sure hope everyone has a great Sunday! I might get some more work tomorrow, not sure the kids and grandkids are coming over for our Easter and the wife and I had to work last Sunday!

sometimes it's the "smaller" details that make all the difference.....

Mike,  The layout is looking very good.

Gandy Dancer, The details are very realistic.  Thank you both for sharing.

I converted two Atlas O B&O PS-1 50' Double Door box cars to 3-rail.  My new Lionel Baltimore & Ohio GP9 #3419 is at Lionel service for the gear alignment and wheel gauge issues.  I added a few B&O cars to the collection to follow behind the GP9 and E7 engines. I am favoring the transition time period for my layout and listing items on Ebay. There are some MTH Dwarf Signals and Atlas O G Road Signals.  I over-purchased when I gathered supplies for my layout..

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Went to a local train show and found the Lionel SP Scrap Yard for only $35.00, and with the box too. Looks like new and works great. Came home and created a spot for it right away.

Working on the quarry. My plan is to have a main street along the top, across the entire span. Ordering some Ameri-towne kits tonight to start off with. 

Took a few photos last night.  Ran trains and had FUN!! 

Also connected a couple more LED's to light the tunnel when visitors come by the layout. Pretty productive Saturday.

A couple packages showed up on my doorstep late yesterday. Patrick came over today and we brought them downstairs. The first one was the resolution of the Atlas return from a couple weeks ago. This time it had two each of four different 40' containers. The second package was a nifty item I spotted for sale here on the forum.

With the layout tour just a week away, Patrick worked on the skirts some more, while I did some cleaning, track repair, train movement, created a new train, and did a little painting.

This is what I bought on the forum. It's a non-functioning, Lionel 213 lift bridge. It couldn't be more perfect really. I never needed it to work, it just has to sit there and look good. It will represent the lift bridge at Prescott, WI.

It does have one slight problem though, not enough height clearance for tall cars. The tallest car I'm aware of, is the MTH husky stack.

I'm not too worried about the towers, I can build some decent looking foundations to raise those up. It's the bottom of the bridge that will need work. I got lucky, because the length is perfect, and I had no idea how long it would be.

Patrick started working on the last rail installation.

Finally got the missing part put on this car. Only problem was, two other parts fell off in the process.

I moved the Empire Builder, which had been making the circuit for visitors, out of the way to main two on the upper deck. This cleared the way for the new train to loop the upper deck. Since Patrick will be helping run trains next week, he asked if I would let him run the C&NW SD-45. So I threw some cars behind it, and gave it a test run. (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the new train)

Normally, I run the upper loop in a clockwise direction, but opted to have the new train go counter. Well, that exposed a track flaw that only the SD's three axle trucks could find. The gap at the far left was not aligned very well, both vertically and horizontally.

I ended ripping out that segment of rail, shimming the ties, to fix the vertical problem, then re-spiking it to fix the horizontal problem. What a pain.

I turned Patrick loose with the landscape fabric. He did aisle two faster and better than I did aisle one. He picked up where I left off, and within a couple hours...

had gone all the way around, finishing aisle two.

Then he nearly finished aisle three.

Just a little more cleaning, and I'll be ready to go. Maybe on Thursday, I'll have my son help me set up the BN camera caboose, and I'll swap out the engine that's on the lower loop train for the new BN U-33-C so the caboose matches, then we can put the live picture up on the big screen for visitors.

MARC C, coming out great nice job.

GANDY DANCER, small details lght up an already good scene.

Mike g, like the lighting in the parking area. Plus the layout is starting to take on shape.

Patrick, very nice pics.

Elliot, with Patricks help you are picking up the pace again. Hopefully with your son there and Patrick the gremlins will stay away when you are running for the public.

This morning I got the track down for the sidings. I decided to add an uncoupling track to the American Handling siding. I have to make up a bumper for the end of the siding and start wiring up the tracks. Pics......Paul 2

Looks good Paul 

Lew, yes we need more power for these trains than we did years ago!!

Mike you defiantly need to get the American Power and Light company online to power all that airport and garage lighting!!  Thank you, you are right that every little bit makes me one step closer.  

Howard, those scenes look great!

NS1975, the scrap yard was a great deal!!  It looks great at that bend in the track!

Marc, the coloring and texture on the quarry looks great!  And the tunnel really looks great, as well!  How did you make the craggy rock wall inside of it?

Elliot,  The lift bridge looks great!  It will be nice once you have it revised so your double stacks can go through it!  Patrick has done a great job continuing on with the skirting!  Have a great time with the open house!!!

Paul, the siding and surrounding area is looking great!

Yesterday I was almost done painting roadbed when I noticed that I had forgotten to pull the small nails out I had holding the cork roadbed down on curves until the little bit of glue I had applied dried.  I could have left them there, but decided to pull them so if and when I change things, I can just slide a putty knife underneath and lift the cork off.  So, I painted over the spots where the nails were, and will setup to spray the rock fleck paint another day.

Marc C posted:

Working on the quarry. My plan is to have a main street along the top, across the entire span. Ordering some Ameri-towne kits tonight to start off with. 

Blast!😃

Mark Boyce posted:

Sounds great Mike!

Lee, The siding is a good idea.  I have the same desire to have a place so I don’t have to keep moving cars on and off by hand.  I know I can’t hold onto things like I used to.  LOL. That’s a nice train run too!

I got a chance to put down a coat of gray paint before a thin spray of the stone fleck paint.  I have another errand to go on, so I’ll post a photograph after the spray and track is on.

Thanks Mark I was like you I I’m losing my grip in my hand I was afraid of dropping one of these babies 

geysergazer posted:

lee drennen posted:

Well I decided to put a make shift siding on the layout this morning.  I don’t know if it’s going to stay or not but I wanted to display some of my cars and I got tired putting them up and putting them out all the time so I built this siding and I’ll see how it goes and I also serviced my RSD-12 Weaver  locomotive I clean the pick ups and oiled the gears. Of course I had to run it after I put it back in service 

Gotta' love that Alco sound, Lee!

Having enough siding space for car storage is a problem the prototypes fight with frequently so you are in good company .

Lew

Thanks Lew that’s the first time I’ve caught the turbine whistling on video I get chills watching it