What did you do on your layout today?

sidehack posted:

Made transformer pole, working on hoist

sidehack,

May I ask where you purchased the parts and rivet plates?

Dave

chris a posted:

Finally updated the firmware/software in my Legacy Base and 2 CAB2's to the V1.6 that I purchased during the recent Lionel parts sale in November.   Second controller seems to be playing nice and operating without the glitches...

Had to remove and replace my engine service "departure track" as the spacing wasn't correct for the new to me  GGD Ogle Coaling tower.  Ended up removing a LH Ross Regular switch and replacing it with a cut down  Ross 096 LH switch to get the track spacing right.  Ironically the 096 is a much smoother transition than the Ross regular which is pretty abrubt at the points.  Then I bent 2 full Gargraves sections to make smooth transitional curves from the turnout to the turntable.   Made some "concrete foundation piers" for the Ogle Coaling tower legs to sit  and finished weathering them this afternoon.    

While I was there I took a couple of photos from places I don't normally get to with the camera and tripod.   Figured it was best not to fill up the whole page with photos, so most are attached below.

 

  

 

Chris,

Some great work here! The scenes and your angles are bringing the best out of your layout. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

Good Morning Fine Model Railroaders,

I finally took the time to weather and detail a few row houses complete with window treatments. The only thing left to do is put some furniture and mats on a few of the porches and add the lighting once they are placed on their respective places on the layout. Until I get a workbench, this area of the layout serves that purpose.

Dave

luvindemtrains posted:

Good Morning Fine Model Railroaders,

I finally took the time to weather and detail a few row houses complete with window treatments. The only thing left to do is put some furniture and mats on a few of the porches and add the lighting once they are placed on their respective places on the layout. Until I get a workbench, this area of the layout serves that purpose.

Dave

I bought a few of these when Weaver made them I repainted mine and weathered them to. Good looking work and your track weathering is also great.

Thanks Dave, 

The green and white houses are all from Weaver.

Dave, looks great! Don't forget to put a broom out there on the porch! LOL

mike g. posted:

Dave, looks great! Don't forget to put a broom out there on the porch! LOL

Great Idea Mike!

mike g. posted:

So I have a question and I hope someone here can help me out. I am getting my parts from Shapeway today and it says to soak in acetone. I don't have any so I was wondering if paint thinner is the same thing. I don't want to wreck the parts and they are not cheap!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and find time for there trains and layouts!

Mike, Acetone is not the same as a typical paint thinner!  Nail polish remover is basically acetone.   Some plastic parts will dissolve in acetone!   I believe that Shapeway prints 3D parts in a nylon plastic.   Nylon plastic is resistant to acetone.   I purchased all-weather cab windows from Shapeway to detail my DM&IR diesel units.    I never got a message about soaking them in acetone.    They painted up just fine.   Would like to know more about the parts you are referring to and the reason why they tell you to soak them.   Anybody else have experience with Shapeway's detail parts?

Cheers, Dave

Ollie and I ran some trains after getting some track switched out. I found some of the K-line O-27 Super K straights at a show last weekend and added them. We had the curves already, but found the straights. I personally really like the look of them.

BTW, if any of you have more and are looking to get rid of it. Let me know! ;-)

Matt, I do plan to add some people down the road.

This morning I added more trees and shrubs. Then I applied a third coat of water. Till the water sets up that is all for now. Maybe towards dinner I con get back to it. Pics............Paul 2

It looks great Paul!  The trees make things blend into the backdrop nicely!

Paul,  looking good even though you are now just showing off and rubbing it in.  For those wondering how my module is going it is on hold as I have a tear in my rotator cuff from work when some kids were running in the halls and ran right into it.  Paul has graciously said he would help me carry my module in and out of the venue on the 15th so I can still show it.  

btw:  Are you going to add any people to this or just leave it 100% nature.  If you don't like people I think scenic express sells ducks and some wildlife. 

Wow Bryan!  I’m sorry you hurt your rotator cuff in the line of duty!  I’ll look forward to seeing photographs of the modules At the next show 

Hi Guys 

Just to bring you up to date on the Waxhaw division in NC, the track work on the upper levels has now been completed. I still have some work to do with the railking bridge piers to set those and attache permanently. In a month Next step will be to do the wiring for track power and run a train into those spurs.

Now we are working with the Northport division. We  a Union station that ties the upper and lower levels together. I wanted to add some railings along the upper level to cap the wall. Rix sells a 1930s style concrete  highway railing but it is HO scale. Thinking of raising it  up a bit on a strip of wood or foam to simulate a bass and put the railings atop that . Couple of photos showing the planning. Think this will wok out. Will paint the rails in aged concrete . Think it will look nice here.

Bryan in Ohio posted:

Paul,  looking good even though you are now just showing off and rubbing it in.  For those wondering how my module is going it is on hold as I have a tear in my rotator cuff from work when some kids were running in the halls and ran right into it.  Paul has graciously said he would help me carry my module in and out of the venue on the 15th so I can still show it.  

btw:  Are you going to add any people to this or just leave it 100% nature.  If you don't like people I think scenic express sells ducks and some wildlife. 

Teaching, you gotta love it!

CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP!

MORE TRAINS SOON........

2018

Just received a KLine 16" Heavyweight American Red Cross "Louis Pasteur" passenger car.  As I hoped it's the perfect addition to my Hospital train.  (Thanks John)  It matches up well with the Atlas Hospital car.

The hospital train looks great, Matt!

Bryan, you shamed me into it. I just ordered people and trees from Scenic Express. I am hoping they get here Monday. I was going to work some more on the scenery but I'll let that last coat of water dry all night..........Paul 2

luvindemtrains posted:

Good Morning Fine Model Railroaders,

I finally took the time to weather and detail a few row houses complete with window treatments. The only thing left to do is put some furniture and mats on a few of the porches and add the lighting once they are placed on their respective places on the layout. Until I get a workbench, this area of the layout serves that purpose.

Dave

The houses look excellent, Dave!

John

darlander posted:

mike g. posted:

So I have a question and I hope someone here can help me out. I am getting my parts from Shapeway today and it says to soak in acetone. I don't have any so I was wondering if paint thinner is the same thing. I don't want to wreck the parts and they are not cheap!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and find time for there trains and layouts!

Mike, Acetone is not the same as a typical paint thinner!  Nail polish remover is basically acetone.   Some plastic parts will dissolve in acetone!   I believe that Shapeway prints 3D parts in a nylon plastic.   Nylon plastic is resistant to acetone.   I purchased all-weather cab windows from Shapeway to detail my DM&IR diesel units.    I never got a message about soaking them in acetone.    They painted up just fine.   Would like to know more about the parts you are referring to and the reason why they tell you to soak them.   Anybody else have experience with Shapeway's detail parts?

Cheers, Dave

Hi Dave, they are 3d parts from Shapeways and that is what the instructions say to do. Soak for 15 minutes in acetone and then was with dish soap.

Hi Guys, Just wanted to say what great work you are all doing! Keep up the great work and showing your progress for the rest of us to learn from!

I added a more green around the layout.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

I added more green around the layout.

WOW!  What a wonderful scene Johann!  Looks fabulous! 

Yesterday I crawled back under the layout to get to the access hole underneath my mammoth mountain ( Mt. Randolph ).  This involved moving several storage boxes which I keep under the layout table.  Once in position I was able to remove 5 freight cars which had derailed inside the tunnel which were  fouling the main line.

I installed new batteries in one of my hand held TMCC remotes.  Reprogrammed the C&O  0-8-0 and let it run on the main line.  Changed out some trains and just sat back and let them run, while taking it all in.  Good times!!  

Here's a video of the trains  running last night. 

Thanks John, I guess I know how to mess up a perfectly brand new home!

Dave

Patrick. Thank you. 🤝 I am gonna take that small tree off and put a something better looking there.

Johan

RSJB18 posted:

CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP!

MORE TRAINS SOON........

2018

RSJB18, I really like that BL-2.  Their unusual looks really appeal to me.  I wish someone would make one in PRR livery (and yes, I'm aware that the prototype PRR didn't have any).

As for me, no, I haven't done much with the layout itself, apart from righting a few trees that Catzilla knocked over during an unauthorized expedition.  Mostly, I've been running my Lionel 783, which I've been slowly upgrading to 700E configuration,  Most recently, I put a 700E pilot truck on it.

My new ES44 showed up the other day. I was happy to get my purchase BEFORE Christmas this year.  Anyway, I added to a lashup and wanted to share a video with you guys. 

Johan. great pic. You are really going to town to make the layout look better then it already is.

Today I did a course change. Scenery wise I can't do much on the module I am working on till my order from Scenic Express comes in. So I went back to the last building fronts I put up and took the last one down, recut it and glued it higher. Then took one long building front and put that in front. In that area will be a number of grain silos and a Korber 3D building. I glued the plastic film on the back of the windows and when the glue dries I'll paint them like I did the others building flats. Then start gluing the building together. Pics............Paul 2

Johan, the extra greenery really makes for an even better scene.

Pat, my two bad legs started to hurt more just reading about your trek to the Bowles of Mt Randolph yo recover a derailment!!

Jim, the two engines look great!

paul 2 posted:

Johan. great pic. You are really going to town to make the layout look better then it already is.

Today I did a course change. Scenery wise I can't do much on the module I am working on till my order from Scenic Express comes in. So I went back to the last building fronts I put up and took the last one down, recut it and glued it higher. Then took one long building front and put that in front. In that area will be a number of grain silos and a Korber 3D building. I glued the plastic film on the back of the windows and when the glue dries I'll paint them like I did the others building flats. Then start gluing the building together. Pics............Paul 2

Paul. Thank you. After grass comes trees & bushes. 

Johan

Mark Boyce posted:

Johan, the extra greenery really makes for an even better scene.

Pat, my two bad legs started to hurt more just reading about your trek to the Bowles of Mt Randolph yo recover a derailment!!

Jim, the two engines look great!

Mark. Thank you. I am glad because i start this project.

Johan

Painted the plastic on the windows. Then I forgot I had a piece of flat slate I found in the driveway next door. I took it and broke it into a couple of pieces and glued them down for a ledge for fishermen which I have ordered. Next order of business put the Korber kit together and get some more PVC for the silos. Pics.......Paul 2

Haven't posted much on the Forum lately because I've been busy with work, recovering from a bad cold, and working a lot on the layout.

I believe working on the layout is helping me recover from my illness. I noticed that I coughed a lot less when totally focused on installing new  Heavy Duty Atlas Connectors for my 8 independently powered sidings. This was totally engrossing because the wiring for my conventional layout is a mess to begin with. LOL.

The good news is that it's less of a mess now, but still a mess, although everything is running fine. LOL

I had a problem with the new Atlas Connectors. When I used my 20 gauge bell wire, the little screws that go into the sockets wouldn't catch. I then used 20 Gauge Stranded wire, and most, but not all, of the screws would catch. 

The screws also did not catch when using the small metal tabs that go between the Atlas Connectors so that several of the Connectors could be powered from 1 power source. I believe this problem with the screws not catching was caused by a defect in the sockets. 

For many years I have used Atlas Connectors designed for HO trains for my sidings and accessories. I never had this problem with them.

I decided to solder some of the wires to the new Connectors. I got a lot of practice soldering (something I've tried to avoid), my soldering skills and confidence doing it is better, and everything seems securely fastened, so the problem with the screws not catching turned out to be a good thing.

Here's a picture of my Atlas Connectors, the new heavy duty ones for the sidings are on top, and the old ones on the bottom are for the accessories; the controls on the left side are for the O22 switch tracks:

Arnold 

Balshis posted:

RSJB18 posted:

CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP!

MORE TRAINS SOON........

2018

RSJB18, I really like that BL-2.  Their unusual looks really appeal to me.  I wish someone would make one in PRR livery (and yes, I'm aware that the prototype PRR didn't have any).

As for me, no, I haven't done much with the layout itself, apart from righting a few trees that Catzilla knocked over during an unauthorized expedition.  Mostly, I've been running my Lionel 783, which I've been slowly upgrading to 700E configuration,  Most recently, I put a 700E pilot truck on it.

Seems you either love the BL-2 or hate it. Never seen a PRR either but Bangor and Arostook- @BAR GP7 #63 has a beauty,  Monon, and a couple other lines. I have it in the demonstrator paint scheme by MTH that I need to unpack.

EMD designed it to compete with the ALCO RS series but it never caught on. The GEEP soon replaced it.

Arnold, I used the Atlas switches and connectors in the past.  After years at work using crimp on lugs, I use them almost everywhere at home.  I did have to buy new wire stripper and crimper tools because of my arthritis.  About the only time I put the bare wire under a screw is for temporary connections, and lately I bought some alligator clip leads at Harbor Freight for that.  I also have had plenty of soldering experience going back 45 years, but still hate soldering.  
I guess all that is to say there are a lot of different methods and as I age, I re-evaluate which to use.

Finished the 3D printed hoist

Ray, that hoist looks wonderful!!

Afternoon guy! 

Between ripping out the ceiling in one bedroom and helping the HVAC guy I was able to get out to the train room and remove some track for relocation and the addition of another spur. I am moving my out side siding closer to the inside one to give more room for buildings between the inside main and the outside siding. 

The spur I am adding is so I can move my Crane from the inside main line to the front of the layout for the grandkids to be able to see better and enjoy it much more!

Great work everyone!

Paul, I really like how you stay busy with your layout and module!

Jim, I love those BNSF!

Patrick and Johan, both great looking scenes!

Lew, sorry no photos, maybe tomorrow! I know until then it didn't happen!