What did you do on your layout today?

Bryan, you are cleared to go. You are granted permission LOL because it's train related. Have a good time.. Paul 2

Bryan great idea! It's amazing how you pull this stuff out of thin air!

Brian, wonderful B & W photos!

Mark, the upper level is coming right along! Who cares if it takes all summer, its about the enjoyment and fun of building it! It's nothing but time!

Paul, give Bryan the one day pass! Heck if I lived there I would also want to go see the underground street car lines too!

Well today I am going to go out and work on my new drive mech. for the crane. I will take some pictures along the way and hope to have it finished sometime today.

It's Saturday! Everyone have a great day and by all means have FUN!

Mike. G. keep up the good work also. have a great day. I'm going to put in train yard today after I mow grass before it rains again here in  SE Michigan 

I won't be doing much on the layout today.

I‘m presenting at this NMRA event today in Tacoma, but I’m concerned that nobody will show up for my presentation: www.4dspringmeet.com

There are two other talks going on at the same time as mine, and I suspect they’re both more well-known than I am (they’re all NMRA Master Model RRs presenting except me and a guy I know from Olympia) and subjects that could easily sound more interesting to many. We’ll see how it works out.

SOMEONE will show up, I guess. I did this presentation in Olympia a while back and it was very well received, so I’d expect the word got out at least a little bit.

They’re going to be working on one of the bridges over the Nisqually River between Olympia and Tacoma starting late last night, so I need to leave early to make sure I get past that. The location is near the main line of the railroad near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, so if I get there early, I’ll have something to go look at before it starts...

If any of you are going to this event today, feel free to say hi later.

Research...really pleased with the prototype coaling tower, branch line size, l found on web, and bashed from a Plasticville one ( stiil needs changes and detailing), so tried for a small engine house and struck gold there again, as one came up with a really simple, but long,  gallows armstrong turntable, also desired. Want an armstrong turntable that will handle a Russian decapod, and a, to be built ,Little River 2-4-4-2.  Plan engine houses at both ends of line, vs. space gobbling roundhouses. Not running out of stuff to build....

Paul, I'm glad to see you are giving Bryan a bye!  That does look like a very interesting event, Bryan!

Mike, you are absolutely right about no issue if it takes all summer!  I just would like to be able to relax with the layout more!  The mechanism for the crane will be a nice project to see!

Lee, that looks like a great event!  Lots of great sounding clinics.  Creating a layout history!  Yes indeed, you are the man for the job!!!  I'm glad the presentation was well received in Olympia, and expect it will be today in Tacoma too!

We have a two day break in the weather, so I think I will mow some grass, then hopefully cool off with a little more layout work!  We haven't received as much rain as over in Ohio, but we have had more of our share of flooding!  It's a good thing we live over 300 feet in elevation above Connoquenessing Creek!!  A camp our church helps support that is downstream from us really got hammered just before the summer season for the underprivileged kids from Pittsburgh!  

                      layout is looking good Mark !!

                                                  keep up the good work

Mark Boyce posted:

What I need to do is quit this lousy part time job, tighten the belt, and live off our pensions and social security!  

Mark, I've thought about doing that too, but on the other hand, I find that I most enjoy my trains/layout when my law and mediation practice is doing well financially, and the trains/layout provide a wonderful escape when work is done for the day.

I'm very interested in knowing if others have similar feelings about their trains/layout and their jobs/businesses/professional practices. Arnold

hey Arnold, is this a new topic? nice to see you here.

Pierre here, at work as usual, but hiding from the black flies, mosquitoes, ticks and brown tail caterpillars!

my basement is safe and cool.

I am often overwhelmed with vicarious traumatization and compassion fatigue after work.

there are times when I am to tired to run trains after 12 to 16 hours of work.

 I do run trains the Next Day off I have.

 time machine tripping ( not a regressive activity)   with healthy soothers  works for me.

possible retirement in 3 years, I suspect  there will be a lot of train running then.

Pax  Vobiscum

Great day trip into Cleveland to tour the old Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway.  They open this up to the public 1 day a year and good to see hundreds of people there today exploring the history of Cleveland rail.  Lots of cool railroad related artifacts in and around that area some that may be included in my layout.  Couple of highlight pictures. 

Also, Paul you will be happy to know on the way back from the trip stopped at Lowes and bought all the plywood for the upper level.  I know you wouldn't believe me so here is the proof.

  I miss working, but not the rat race you inevitably fall into lovin' the work or not. I almost killed myself trying to run it when I should have dropped it in low gear and idled around. Trains helped me park myself. Parking or idling is nearly free once you find a sweet spot and resist the urge to lead the race...finishing has it's own rewards. Easy does it freinds... 😘

Adriatic posted:

  I miss working, but not the rat race you inevitably fall into lovin' the work or not. I almost killed myself trying to run it when I should have dropped it in low gear and idled around. Trains helped me park myself. Parking or idling is nearly free once you find a sweet spot and resist the urge to lead the race...finishing has it's own rewards. Easy does it freinds... 😘

Adriatic! Get yourself down here to Mexico! Almost everything is cheaper, the medical care is better, the air is cleaner, the food is healthier, and the streets are safer!

Awsome Bryan. I miss that coast a lot.

Bryan, looks like you and many others had a great time. Those were nice pics. But sorry to say I don't buy the pic of the lumber. I think you photo shopped someone elses garage. I have seen your garage and you can eat off the floor it is so clean...............Paul 2

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Great day trip into Cleveland to tour the old Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway.  They open this up to the public 1 day a year and good to see hundreds of people there today exploring the history of Cleveland rail.  Lots of cool railroad related artifacts in and around that area some that may be included in my layout.  Couple of highlight pictures. 

Bryan, I heard there are future plans for the East and West Coast Streetcars. When you were there, what did they say about? That's a great place to see. I seen it quite a few times in the past.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

What I need to do is quit this lousy part time job, tighten the belt, and live off our pensions and social security!  

Mark, I've thought about doing that too, but on the other hand, I find that I most enjoy my trains/layout when my law and mediation practice is doing well financially, and the trains/layout provide a wonderful escape when work is done for the day.

I'm very interested in knowing if others have similar feelings about their trains/layout and their jobs/businesses/professional practices. Arnold

Arnold, there's the rub.  I was pushed out of the job I knew well a year ago.  In a year of looking, I came to learn my skills were no longer desired anywhere within reasonable distance.  Such is the life of someone who has made a living for 43 years in electronics and technology.  What I had been doing is being phased out or is already gone most places.  Where it is still in place, they have their own old guy who they wouldn't let spend any time in the newer technologies.  He knew the old stuff that they didn't want to have the young guys learn.

So after running out of unemployment payments, I finally found an entry level job in tech support.  Yes, I am the guy you call to complain that your Internet is slow.  They want me to be thorough, coddle the customer with just the right words, and get it done quickly with all the documentation so you can take the next call.  I finally decided the right time to start taking Social Security is when you need it.  Our earned income this year projects to be about 20% what we were earning 2 years ago.  My wife just met the same fate as me 2 weeks ago. 

Everyone is different and everyone's situation is different.  I'm glad you can earn some money doing what you are good at.  I also greatly appreciate your thoughtful comments and new topics here.  

Hey look at it this way, I'm still older than my dad and father-in-law were when they retired!  Don't let the nearly full head of blond hair fool you!  

Gang, I retired 14 years ago at the age of 52. How did I afford it?

I had maxed out my 401(k) and IRA, stayed out of debt (except for my house), and  paid off my house early.

I hated my paper mill job, but it paid well, and they kept giving me unwanted overtime.

And then I found out about retiring to Mexico, and it has been wonderful.

Well, another Saturday with Patrick is in the books. While he did another section of skirting, I was making more wires for the uncoupler project, and putting track diagrams on the fascia.

As you can see, short skirts are in this year.

The new track diagram for the Ford Plant. It was a bit of a squeeze to get 8 tracks onto the fascia.

Patrick, the man behind the magic, wires the bolts to the electronics module.

After doing two small diagrams for Roseville, I forgot to look behind the fascia, to make sure the area was clear for the bolts. The bottom hole was fine, but the top one hit a mounting block for a Tortoise., Oops.

Patrick nearly panicked, but just I took the chuck key and moved the drill bit out as far as I could, and kept going, til it popped out the back side of the block. You can just see the tip of the bit, sticking out on the left side. I'll just have to hit Menards for a 5" bolt. Seat of the pants engineering at work!

Seat of the pants engineering is the true test of a good engineer!!  Looks like a great day of progress!

Thanks Mark, we made a pretty good dent in the uncouplers today. I think there are about 75 total. We got 13 ready for power up, and 10 more almost ready. Others have had work done on them. This is why I keep track of this stuff on a computer. I'm hoping by the end of next week, we'll be more than half done with these.

Evening everyone. Looks like a good day had by all!

Lee, sorry I didn't make it. It would have  been nice to see you again, but no driving for me till I get the all clear from the Doc.

Mark, I am so sorry to hear about your church camp! I know it means a lot to the kids that cant afford to go to camp. I hope they can get it cleaned up so there is a small window for the kids to enjoy camp this year!

Brian, there you go again, some more wonderful photos!

Bryan, that sure looks like a fun day trip. I sure would like to see that one day! Good job  on the picture of the plywood, but I am just wondering if it might have been sitting there for a week or 2 LOL!

Elliot, the short skirts look wonderful! Just in time for summer! You and Patrick sure are nocking the uncoupler bolts out! The Panels are looking great! WOW 75 of them! I know I need a couple on my layout but 75 holy cow! LOL Better you then me! LOL

I agree Elliot.  You really do need to keep track on the computer with so many of everything!

So guys today I worked on getting my crane to move forward and back. I got it done and just have a little fine tuning. I did a lot of bashing of other objects laying around in the garage that had not been used for years. I busted up an old VCR, Some old counting machine for bills, and believe it or not some 50# fishing line. Here are a few pictures and a short video. Total cost $0!!!

                                                   Everyone have a great Sunday! Remember have FUN!

That works great, Mike!!

Mark Boyce posted:

That works great, Mike!!

Thanks Mark! I still have to work on the control wiring!

Thanks Mike. I know 75 sounds like a lot, but only places that are hard to reach get them. Most are in yards on the upper deck, for drilling cars, but there are some at industries for switching too. That combined with the fact that almost every engine I own, has electro couplers should take care of operations. I also have uncoupling sticks for where you can reach.

Mike your layout is really looking good. The rail paint turned out nice. I always wanted to do that with a crane, but I don't a good place to do it. 

Thanks Elliot, I have a small layout, so I want to add things that will excite the grandkids! Plus it fun for me to build it cause I have to have plenty of test time to make sure it works correctly! LOL

Now I have 2 cranes and I also have a crane car and flat car with it that will go somewhere on the layout!

That is so awesome. looks really good Mike

crossing the East Branch...

Howard, those are all great photographs on you photogenic scenes!  I do love the East Branch crossing!

Elliot- another productive day. 75 uncouplers is a lot. But then again EVERYTHING on your layout is counted by tens not ones. . I have a couple of 4' long drill bits if you are in a jam too!

Mike- the crane mechanism works great. I love reusing stuff too. I stripped down an old ink-jet printer recently for the motors and drives. A crane in on my wish list but I may put them away for another layout another day.

Bryan- looks like a great field trip. It's a shame to see how much of our old infrastructure has been abandoned.

Mark- sorry to hear about the camp too. Hope they get dried out and operational again.

Brian- keep the pix coming.

Vincent- your Mexico sounds a lot different from the one we hear about in the US media everyday. Takes courage to pick up and move to a different country for retirement.

Howard- love your beautiful layout. The period you are modeling is my favorite too.

Me? still no train time but maybe a round of golf later today.

Happy Sunday.

Bob

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Rainy day project yesterday.... so I bought these toy building kits after Christmas a couple of years ago.  (they were in clearance for 3.98 and they had 50% off clearance items so end cost 1.99 each) Didn't really know if I could use them ever for the layout but for 2 bucks each couldn't pass them up.  They are more HO size length beams, but I had a stroke of genius and was like just combine 2 beams together to make it the correct height.  Obviously the red plastic wasn't going to do so after creating my structure I spray painted the entire thing with a gray to give it a better look.  (Spray paint cost just as much as the structure lol) Add in a Menards crane and I think this scene is going to work all for 8 dollars.

Very similar to the Kenner Girder and Panel Building sets from the early 1960s.

Larry

It’s been awhile since I had been on this thread, had five pages worth to read through.  Always so much going on.  Haven’t had much time for train stuff between taking care of grandkids and painting the inside of the house.  Had a little time yesterday afternoon to apply some conspicuity striping to a Lionel GN gondola and to think about where to put it on the sides of the two Menards BNSF flat cars that were recently added to my collection and a Lionel Santa Fe flat car.  They all will be used in either my MOW or work train consists.

Larry

mike g. posted:

So guys today I worked on getting my crane to move forward and back. I got it done and just have a little fine tuning. I did a lot of bashing of other objects laying around in the garage that had not been used for years. I busted up an old VCR, Some old counting machine for bills, and believe it or not some 50# fishing line. Here are a few pictures and a short video. Total cost $0!!!

                                                   Everyone have a great Sunday! Remember have FUN!

Mike:

My son and I are trying to accomplish moving a gantry back an forth as you have done. Do you have any step-by-step explanation of how you made this happen? If so, can you please publish it. I would rather not have to "re-invent the wheel". Yours works so well.

Thanks for the offer Bob, I have some long drill bits too, though no four footers. Actually, that would be way too long, because the aisle is only 30" there and I would have to drill at an angle. Beside, where am I going to get a 4' bolt?

Randy, there are multiple ways to "skin that cat" animating the crane. String, chain, and screw drives would all work. String might be the easiest, because you only need a couple holes in the deck, one at each end. The other methods would need a slot or two running the length of travel. I always envisioned the screw drive powered by a DC motor and the use of a couple limit switches. Then you knockout the small axles of the wheels and insert your wires connected to the traveler on the threaded rod.

  You already had the answer to that 4' bolt Elliot

...in the same post too; "All thread".

Now to hurry back to work on inventing flexable drill bits. It's a bit of walk from here 😜

Yes Butch, but for my purposes it's really about the carriage bolt head. Looks are everything on this project.

Rainy day in Minnesota, perfect time to built a platform to raise engine house so can sit flush on Fastrack. Pictures show what I did. Cut edge of lighted bumpers so can sit flush on back of engine house. Going to paint the floors gray soon then glue on Fastrack and 1/2 inch thick plywood. 

A splicing nut, red locktite, all thread, and short carriage bolt. Slightly oversized hole about two inches deep the splice nut will draw in and lock up too. Being much longer, it bites ok.