Today, several more Bungling Brothers Circus cars have been completed, another passenger coach for cast transport, another box car and, not pictured yet, another flat car to transport circus wagons. All that remains to complete are another 2 flat cars and a caboose.
What'd I do? Switched the Paint Factory.
The Espee Box and the black Santa Fe Tank are currently spotted and the Box is now loaded with paint and the Tank is empty of resins. The other three cars are off-spot with the TTX box empty for loading , the MTH Box full waiting to ship and the orange Santa Fe Tank is waiting to unload resins.
The Petrolia Turn has just brought up for set-out this B&P Box loaded with pigments.
Work done! Now the TTX Box is spotted for loading and the Santa Fe Tank is spotted for unloading. The B&P Box and the Espee Box are off-spot waiting.
Ready for the next move. It. took 15 [locomotive] moves to do this work. This is the kind of stuff we model railroaders love and real railroad management hates. Lotta' man-hours get sucked up with switching work. 
Lew
Hey Y'all,
My train room is sitting on concrete, all nice and level. I will take a very long break before putting the goodies back inside. I forgot to remove my lava lamps before turning the building. Don't worry, they are fine. I will run something before bedtime.
Bill
Lew- that is a very busy railroad you are running. Love the details required to make the switching moves.
Bill- glad the lamps survived (collectors items?)- pace yourself please.
Doberman- very nice. Well done sir! 
Randy- that is going to be a nice train. Maybe they will go out on the road and pick up where RB-BB left off. Just not the same without the circus coming to town any more.
Bob
The great Northeastern Railway proudly announces the arrival of a new caboose.
This is part of our effort not to be like the New York and Long Branch RR, a railroad that owns no rolling stock.
Vincent Massi posted:Paul, that's one of the sharpest-looking diesels I have ever seen.
Thanks, Vincent... that’s part of my “local collection” - railroads that run/ran through my corner of NE Pennsylvania. The Jersey Central A-A is from Atlas (there is an old CNJ station in Scranton, not far from the entrance to Steamtown). Next to that are a Lionel D&H and Erie, which ran over/under the Starrucca Viaduct north of me in Wayne County. And in the background is a Lionel CN which currently runs through the area.
No photos today but I did order my backdrop from one of the forum sponsors.
I also finished up the 1225's builders plate that will hang on the wall on the back of the layout. Wednesday night I will move the layout back to the garage and finish putting plaster cloth down. Before it goes back to the basement for the last time I will put a coat of white paint all over it and sprinkle on some woodlands scenic snow, screw down the track and wire it up. The 1st running will be a week late but it will happen next weekend for sure!
Mark, I took several breaks and drank plenty of water.
Mike, good catch on the door clearance. I was about to pull a couple more clicks on my come-along when I remembered what you said. I have less than two inches clearance with the door open and there she will stay.
Randy, great video. My wife liked it too.
Bob, one lava lamp dates from the early seventies. The other is modern and has speakers and blue tooth. Got to have my daily Beatles fix.
Well, I was not able to run anything. Seems I picked up a dead short somewhere. My five amp circuit breaker for track power opens up when I apply voltage. I pulled large sections of track apart and attacked them with a Fluke meter to no avail. I will start poking around on the control panel tomorrow.
Bill
Great job, Bill!!
You guys inspired me to do some train work today.
Got out the solder gun and replaced an old (original) ZW power cord:
Works like a champ now.
Then replaced the original wiring in one of my PW 2421 Maplewood cars that was part of my first set as a kid:
Wired up a new block signal:
And something I have been wanting to do for a long time, experimented with black felt on one of my road crossings. Not done with it yet but getting there:
Ok, enough for one day! Have a good Sunday, all.
Kevin
Bob, Nice engine! I am glad you finally found it!
Paul, the service racks look great! Nice job!
Jim, wonderful job on the builders Plate!
Randy, the circus cars look perfect!
Lew, great setup. Looks like a good amount of fun to be had!
Dobermann, well done Sir!
Bill I am glad you noticed the clearance before it was to late and would have had to move it back out 2"!
Kevin, Things are looking good on the layout. The felt looks like it could be a good idea! Nice job on the cord replacement!
Well its been 2 days from my last visit here and guess what. Still no train room time, it seams like something is always coming up. Last night before bed I told the wife that today is train room day. I am not doing anything that doesn't have to do with the train room or trains! 
So when I get done here I am going out to the train room, start moving things so I can paint the table top, then work on my second crane.
I hope everyone has a great Sunday and please take time to have some FUN!
It seem awfully early in the day but I had abandon the train room and head to the big house. The thermometer shown is accurate. It is getting direct sunlight like my back did before I turned the building. 133 degrees F. Air temp in the shade is 96. I found a #6 wood screw shorting out my track voltage. I hooked everything back up and made three good laps with a #1055 Texas Special. I'm done and done-in. I feel a shower and a nap are in order. I'll check what y'all did in a few hours.
Kevin, A good power cord is so simple, yet so necessary!!
Bill, You deserve a break from the heat!! Yee-oow!!!
Finished this flatcar load project. I'm waiting for the MTH Bush 4141 to be delivered. I didn't buy any UP cars that were in the funeral consist but then I had this idea. 41 flew a TBF Avenger in WWII and thought it would be cool to include it in my 41 funeral consist. I decided on 1:48 scale..phew...it just fit. I'm having issues with some trackside accessories and supports for my elevated platform but, I can run it for a bit on my layout until I fix those issues. The section of the wings that house the landing gear extend beyond the track ballast. 
Of course the wings and rear stabilizers couldn't be attached so I decided to build a "rack" to store then in transit. Simulating the wing retraction as if on a carrier posed the same space issue. Then I had to decide what to do with the torpedo: mount in the plane, not display it and close the torpedo bay doors or mount it on the flatcar. I chose the latter and built a cradle to store it. I suspect at no time would this configuration ever be seen in real life, but, this is my layout and as I've been told more than once by the good folks in this forum "It's your layout, your trains, do what you like." This was the first model I've built since I was 12 or so....forgot what great fun and satisfaction comes from completing a build. More to come for the layout, for sure. So, this is in honor of a Naval Aviator, President and an honorable man and patriot. Thanks 41.
.
Ed writes " I suspect at no time would this configuration ever be seen in real life."
That's okay, Ed. It is rare to find a man as great as George H. W. Bush in real life.
Gang, I've had a rough five weeks at church. The woman in charge of the children's ministries had a successful C-section, and I wound up driving the church van routes by myself. She recovered in time for six days of Vacation Bible School, with me in charge of three church van routes.
I was in shock yesterday when I realized it was all over, and God had blessed us.
So, back to work! I began assembling "Circuit City," which will provide in-depth circuitry work for Vincent's Industrial Park.
Vincent Massi posted:Ed writes " I suspect at no time would this configuration ever be seen in real life."
That's okay, Ed. It is rare to find a man as great as George H. W. Bush in real life.
Thanks. You are so right.
Ed, Excellent job on President Bush's Avenger! it is a wonderful looking project!!
Vincent, God bless you for coming to the aid of getting everyone where they needed to be and helping make Vacation Bible School a success!! The City looks great!!
Thanks, Mark.
Congratulations ED', I knew you would figure a way to make it work'.. Nice job! It will be so cool once you receive the 4141 locomotive leading the special consist'... A very nice tribute to a great American that served us well in, 'gentler times'...
Thanks, QUARTER GAUGER 48. You are so right, the times were “gentler.”
Visited two layouts on Sunday.
getting ready to put in a new bridge and ground cover in this area...
Bill, WOW now that's getting hot! Guess some AC is in order for the train room! I am glad you found the short and still had time to run some trains!
Ed, Wonderful job on the flat car! What a great way to honor and very good man!
Vincent, way to think out of the box. Or should I say out of the VCR! LOL
Sam, what great layouts! Thank you for sharing them with the rest of us!
Well folks, I did spend the day in the train room yesterday. I got half of the bench top painted, but that's because the other have has all the stuff on it. Today I will get out there and paint the other have until I run out of paint. LOL I also worked on my new $5 crane from Wal-Mart. I got it setup for rotation and power the old battery line hoist with a small wall wart, but found out I don't have anymore DPDT momentary switches so I will have to get a couple. The best part about yesterday was while the paint was drying I was able to run trains for a little while! Great day! Sorry no pictures, I will get some today.
Well Its Monday, the wife and I are going fishing this morning and then it to the train room! Sounds like another great day! I hope you all have a wonderful day and please have FUN!
Happy Monday- grabbed a couple of minutes before work to give my new PRR A5 a quick test run. What a nice engine, runs really smooth. I now have this plus a PRR B6 0-6-0, and another Lionel MPC PRR 0-4-0, that should make a nice set of engines to run together.
Believe it or not, it's the first time the power has been put to the rails in about a month. I realize that is a very sad fact but it is what it is.
RSJB18 posted:Happy Monday- grabbed a couple of minutes before work to give my new PRR A5 a quick test run. What a nice engine, runs really smooth. I now have this plus a PRR B6 0-6-0, and another Lionel MPC PRR 0-4-0, that should make a nice set of engines to run together.
Believe it or not, it's the first time the power has been put to the rails in about a month. I realize that is a very sad fact but it is what it is.
Any man this dedicated to the Pennsylvania Railroad is a credit to this forum.
Thanks Vincent- who doesn't like the PRR????
Yes, I used to see the B&O growing up, but the PRR ran through Nearby Freeport, Pennsylvania.
I have been working on a new project which is to install my transfer table next to my small yard and also have more room for visitors. 
Ran trains for about 10 minutes. Tried out my new ( to me ) K line scale F-3 AB diesels ... they ran fine. Also placed some 1955 VW's on my layout ( at the car dealership ) which I bought from one of our fellow forumites. Good times in the train room!!
The new layout will have 2 lines, I have the ground level of the 1st one secured, and have the 2nd about 75% laid out. With summer over I’m hoping to make some real progress
RSJB18 posted:Happy Monday- grabbed a couple of minutes before work to give my new PRR A5 a quick test run. What a nice engine, runs really smooth. I now have this plus a PRR B6 0-6-0, and another Lionel MPC PRR 0-4-0, that should make a nice set of engines to run together.
Believe it or not, it's the first time the power has been put to the rails in about a month. I realize that is a very sad fact but it is what it is.
Great stuff, Bob. Do you run conventionally or some type of command control?
Pushed the control panel project forward. Starting to shape up.
Bob, Nice looking Engine! Looks like it run nice and smooth! Should be a lot of fun running it on your layout!
John, sure looks like you have a good start on your control panel. Are the gauges for each track power?
Lee, Looks GREAT! Side note what Ballast did you use on your layout as I am almost to that point?
So folks the last 2 days I have been working on painting my bench top! One suggestion to anyone building a layout, when you get the top installed PAINT IT FIRST before you put anything one it! LOL I had to move everything from one end to the other and then again to paint the other end. Now I have to put everything back in place when I get a chance this week. But it did give me a chance to see different buildings in different places! Here are a couple of pictures of my current mess! LOL
Well its Tuesday and I hope everyone had a great weekend! I hope everyone has time today to have some Fun with there trains!
Mike, eggcellent progress! I did the same thing. First I built the Plywood Empire Route and THEN I painted the room.
I knew better but was in a hurry to get a train running.
Lew
Bob, nice fleet of engines.
Mike g, good progress so far. Looks to me that since you started construction the center seems to be getting smaller and smaller.
Farmer John, your layout is impressive. Can't wait to see the completion of that sgment.
Patrick, always great when you post and say you had a god time running trains.
Lee, I like the two pics showing before and after. Your layout is a showpiece.
About the only thing I can say is I am enjoying everyones posts. Been so long since I worked on anythoing train related. I di manage to score another Weaver TOFC off the "B". I already had one but this one had a different car number and I kind of like the Phoebe Snow. In a bit I'll be heading out for the Tuesday afternoon TCA lunch. After that with the weather report calling for rain I really do hope i can get something done trainwise. Pic of the car.... Paul 2
I botched up a cardstock building by punching out all the holes before discovering that the kit contained parts for two different buildings. Still, if I leave the law firm of Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe in the background, it doesn't look too bad. (I'll dump it as soon as I find another cardstock house).
mike g. posted:Bob, Nice looking Engine! Looks like it run nice and smooth! Should be a lot of fun running it on your layout!
John, sure looks like you have a good start on your control panel. Are the gauges for each track power?
Lee, Looks GREAT! Side note what Ballast did you use on your layout as I am almost to that point?
So folks the last 2 days I have been working on painting my bench top! One suggestion to anyone building a layout, when you get the top installed PAINT IT FIRST before you put anything one it! LOL I had to move everything from one end to the other and then again to paint the other end. Now I have to put everything back in place when I get a chance this week. But it did give me a chance to see different buildings in different places! Here are a couple of pictures of my current mess! LOL
Well its Tuesday and I hope everyone had a great weekend! I hope everyone has time today to have some Fun with there trains!
Thanks Mike. Your train room is really looking good, it’s amazing how transformative painting the plywood can be. I made the same mistake with mine, I was too excited and started placing accessories right on the plywood. Then I painted it all green, but really should have chosen a earth tone color like you did, or a cream/gray color for my road bed, then paint the green around the tracks. Oh well, you live and you learn!
the meters: the two outside meters are for the track power, and will monitor the large handles of the zw. I run conventionally, and I really only have two power districts: upper level and lower level. Each of those has some block control (on/off sidings) within it.
The two inner meters are for a) switches and b) accessories.
I thought it would be fun to see the meters working, and also provide a platform to introduce basic electricity to my kids. So when they hit the button for the log loader, they can see the ammeter jump up with the additional current draw. Or They can dial in the correct voltage for the AF oil drum loader before it starts flinging barrels all over the basement...
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