What did you do on your layout today?

mike g. posted:

Morning guys, its been a few day and a lot had happened so here I go. Oh By the way I read Alan's psot so this is all train related!

 

Lew, I plan on using the same system, but have to make it smaller as it now will be right above my Z4000 and wiring from my control panel. That will be one of my next projects along with getting the retaining wall along the back wall so I can ballast and be done back there so I can set building where I think I want them! As for the slot I am not sure if I will do that again, I might just ad some weight to the control wire so it will retract when the crane moves back and forth!

 

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! Oh and don't forget to find some time for your trains and layouts! If anything just go out and run your trains till your happy!

Mike, I think I see what you mean. You could attach a cable to the nut that is moved by the screw and with a pulley or two get from under the benchwork to above the deck and then it would look a lot like what I ended up with.

This whole assembly could be conveniently mounted under the benchwork with the operating cable attached to one of the tabs.

Mark, layout looks like it's coming along very nicely, I had the same feeling as you about the interior of the Rexall Drug store I had shown you before. It's not that you can see much through the windows but it's just knowing there is an interior of sorts.

So found pictures of scenes I thought would go well and scaled them to fit, I really like the picture of the baby boy. AHAHAHA

Ray, those are all great looking rooms!  Yes the baby boy is a hoot!  I'm hoping to get to some layout benchwork building fairly soon.  Working on a few building kits is just a diversion while I am recuperating.  I can use the time when I start back on benchwork for collecting interior ideas, materials, and photographs to use later on the interiors.

Mark, I agree with Ray that the interiors can be pretty sketchy and still be just fine because you don't really see in there all that well. Don't forget interior lighting though! Of course, lit at night the interiors would show more so maybe more detail needed.....Projects, projects. I can come up with stuff to keep you and Mike both busy. 

Lew, Mike and I have probably thought up enough projects on our own that will take longer to complete than the time we have left.  

Well guys, finally back to work.  My current project is adjacent to the layout.  I am finally installing the Glenn Display shelving that I purchased about a month ago.  This will give me much more storage than I currently have and I plan to use the first one or two shelves as a "ready track" for trains that I run but I cannot store on the layout (too many trains and not enough track ).  This picture is just the start of the job with the shelving location grid marked on the wall and the studs found.  Today or tomorrow I hope to drill and install the shelving.  More pictures to follow as the job goes on.

Here you can just see the blank wall and our tools laid out as we penciled in the location grid.  One of the 7 shelves is laying up against the wall ready to be marked for drilling. 

Best wishes to all

Don McErlean

Finally got 2020 LIONEL order in, got in caboose siding, and am getting caboose roof material, this last with thanks to Posters on here!

I finally spent some serious time working on my "Knights of Atlantis" lay-out today. I scrubbed all of my HO tracks with rubbing alcohol, and my trains run much better.

I went back to Michaels and found a better color for the window sills, etc on the AmeriTowne Marvin's Drug Store.  Funny, I had this color in my hand the other day, but for some reason put it back.  Deco Art calls it Fawn.  I think it tones it down a lot.  Too bad I didn't have it for the mortar also.

Ran trains most of the day, getting ready for tomorrow's op session:

Wheel noise after engine fades out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kxV7MxSpOs

Alot of work in the train room this week. I added 48 feet of display shelf. Replaced the ceiling tile that house a heating duct; it was starting to sag. Re-did the top of my mountain adding the Menards nuclear plant and the spaceship re-doing the surrounding scenery. A bought 2 halloween MTH ES-44 with 16 operating cars all in Halloween scheme. So the train room been a bustling. Next project is mounting lighting strips to the back of the layout facing the back wall so colored light shines up the wall. 

Mark - the building looks good as is. The colors seem correct. The sills are cement & the bricks were laid with mortar. Two different mixes. Your bricklayer may have used a bit too much lime. 😊

Morning Lew, The picture you posted was my first try and after installing it things just went bad! LOL The allthread would just bounce up and down as the motor turned and there was no way to add a support system for the rod. So I went with something like yours with a pully system that ran 50 Lb fishing line on. I will try and get a picture of it before I take it down to rework it for the cranes new location. I also added a few other things to try and make it run back and forth smoother, but will post photos of that when I get it all installed. Mark is right I know I have more projects then time, but please keep them coming and I will just add them to my huge list of things to do on the layout!

Ray, great work on the building interiors! I agree the baby boy is something else! LOL

Don, Looks like a good start. I look forward to seeing the shelves up and trains on them!

Mark, Look good! The Fawn color worked perfect! I think its going to look great on the future layout! Keep your eyes open you should be getting the parts for your crane today!

Bob, You have been busy! When you get a chance I sure would like to see the MTH Halloween train along with some photos of your layout and train room!

Well I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I hope to get to the train room today if not for sure tomorrow and it will be trains and NASCAR! I am taking the day off! LOL

I hope everyone finds time for there layout and trains! But most of all I hope everyone has a great weekend and has some fun!

It occurred to me today that I missed the 4 year anniversary of my layout.

1/31/16

Today

Everyone have fun with your trains today!

mike g. posted:

Morning guys, its been a few day and a lot had happened so here I go. Oh By the way I read Alan's psot so this is all train related!

Paul 2, Your buildings are coming along nicely! Great idea on the backdrops and the loading docks! I cant wait to see them in place!

Bob, your building is going to be a nice addition to your layout! I agree that the backdrops at the end of the siding need its own backdrop behind them, but things are turning out very nice!

Lew, I plan on using the same system, but have to make it smaller as it now will be right above my Z4000 and wiring from my control panel. That will be one of my next projects along with getting the retaining wall along the back wall so I can ballast and be done back there so I can set building where I think I want them! As for the slot I am not sure if I will do that again, I might just ad some weight to the control wire so it will retract when the crane moves back and forth!

Johan, the scene your Santa Fe MP15 is in is just outstanding! Great work!

John, wonderful job on the women! I am glad you mentioned the problem with the paint as it gives me something to watch out for in the future. Nice work on the Canadian  Pacific baggage car!

Mark, the building is looking really good! I am wondering what you are going to do for a floor as I see there is not one right now?

Patrick, Nice work on the signals! Are you getting your relays from Azatrac ?

Russel, Great description of what your doing and nice photos of what you have done sofar! I was wondering in your next post if you might be able to post your track plan?

Ray, WOW! That looks amazing! Start to finish what great work! Makes one want to get a 3D printer and learn Cad! But CAD is a rough thing for slow learners like myself! LOL

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! Oh and don't forget to find some time for your trains and layouts! If anything just go out and run your trains till your happy!

Mike. Thank you very much. 🤝

Johan

Bob, Very nice! You got a lot done in 4 years~! Looks great!

Lew, here are 2 rough photos of what I did for the crane along the back. I plan on using the same thing somewhat just a cut down version!

The BAR BL2 #57 crew take a break and look at the beautiful scenery before continuing to switching.

mike g. posted:

Bob, Very nice! You got a lot done in 4 years~! Looks great!

Lew, here are 2 rough photos of what I did for the crane along the back. I plan on using the same thing somewhat just a cut down version!

Got it, Mike!  

You should be able to cut away most of the side-pieces. Do you also plan on shortening the shaft to reduce the width as well? 

RSJB18 posted:

It occurred to me today that I missed the 4 year anniversary of my layout.

               Happy 4 years Bob !!    it has been fun watching you work on your layout

Thanks Brian.

       I've been having fun working on it too.

          Your turn to get started now.......

                hoping to be back working on it in a couple weeks...

                           can't wait to get back building again...

                               yeah, let's get back busy working on this !!!

Brian - I wish that I lived closer, i'd come over and give you a hand.  You have a lot to do my friend.

Good luck.  Using clicker training with Lucy the conductor as well as hand signals.  She's picking up quickly but I'm not getting any train time. LOL.

RSJB18 posted:

It occurred to me today that I missed the 4 year anniversary of my layout.

1/31/16

Today

Everyone have fun with your trains today!

Well Bob, buy the layout flowers and chocolates and you should be OK.

Matt,  Thank you.  Yes that one side especially looks like the bricklayers put that stuff in the mix these days that lets them lay bricks in colder weather without the mortar freezing as well.  It leaches out after a while.  

Mike, Thank you!  Annie is watching.  The regular mailman already came and left stuff in the box.  She gave him an ear beating, no doubt because no packages.  But sometimes they run a separate guy around with packages, so she is still on guard for him!  

Brian, You had better listen to Izzy!

I washed the parts last night for the AmeriTowne #301 Real Estate Office, that I think looks like a coal country company store.  At least that's what I'm going to use it for.  I'll make a thin wash of that Fawn color for the mortar on this one. 

decoynh posted:

Brian - I wish that I lived closer, i'd come over and give you a hand.  You have a lot to do my friend.

Good luck.  Using clicker training with Lucy the conductor as well as hand signals.  She's picking up quickly but I'm not getting any train time. LOL.

          thanks Matt !   bring Lucy along,  I'm sure Izzy will keep her busy...

       I do have the upstairs,  12x35 all Alaska room I could use a hand with too...

                                             have a great weekend !!

Well guys, my effort on mounting the Glen Snyder display shelves continued today.  We mostly positioned and mounted 7 of Glen's 6 foot O gauge display shelves.  These are really quality products and the extrusion is top notch.  You do have to drill them for mounting, which makes sense as you have to align the mounting holes with your wall studs.  It's a two person job as the 6 ft length is not heavy but cumbersome to align with only one person.  My wife agreed to help and so the two of us put the 7 shelves mostly in place.  They are fastened on both ends, leveled, and spaced so all hard detail work is done.  I now have to go back tomorrow an add the remaining support screws in the stud holes I drilled.  Candidly at 76 and 75 the hardest part of this effort is that the drilling equipment is in the garage and the layout is on the second floor.  Stair climbing was harder than working on the shelves  So here is 42 ft of extra display shelving almost ready to hold trains.

Have a great weekend

Don McErlean

Painting Preiser 65602 Seated People 24 pack.

These are a few of the pictures for the post on painting the Preiser 65602 figures.  I am showing pictures and leaving notes today on issues I want to discuss as I revise this final post. 

The Four Unpainted Sprues sell for an average of $37.50 (US) in Preiser 65602 24 pack.  If Preiser painted them, the five factory packs total over $150.00 for the 24 people.  This is why I paint my own figures.

Tamiya XF-15 "Flesh" flat acrylic paint.  Paint should dip downward and run up into the brush by capillary action.  When paint pushes downward only, like a drumhead, it is time to stir or shake the paint and rinse the brush.

Quality brushes yield a quality paint job.  I have used Atlas brushes for years and recently switched to Tamiya brushes at $10-12.00 each.  87153 - Ultra Fine,  87154 - Extra Fine,  87155 - Fine.  As the number increases, the bristle length is longer.  Ultra Fine for ties and repairing final inspection errors.  Extra Fine for most painting of figures,  Fine for painting the interior of passenger cars.

The 24 figures have received the first coat of XF-15 Flesh flat acrylic paint.  Mold parting oils can cause open white unpainted spots to appear on the flesh of the figures.  Check for needed touch-up.  Avoid too heavy a coat of paint on faces - the eyes can be filled in and detail lost due to too much paint.

Paint neck ties, walking canes and Ultra Fine details of clothes after flesh is dry.  (Opps, sloppy painted ties and brown cane and purse will be trimmed by white shirts and blue dresses in next step.)

Paint shirt on either side of neck tie.  Paint Coat on either side of dress shirt, or paint dresses.

Paint hair and shoes.

There are very fine lines molded into the Preiser 65602 figures for hairlines and act as guides when painting.  The similar figures from China do not have these fine lines, or eye and face details, and need an extra coat of paint to cover the China figures.

I will be updating this post until all ideas are recorded.  Any questions are welcome.  Picture updates of the 24 figures will be pictured here as I paint them, step by step: ties, shirts, coats, hair, then shoes.  

UPDATE: 2/16/20 - I painted Women in BLUE clothes.  Next box will be Pink, Yellow, Green and Lavender pastel colors I mixed.  The men will have light grey and tan suits.  Hair colors will be Earth Red, Sandy Blonde, and Rust Red with some Grey for older figures.  It is time to pull figures off the Sprues to continue painting.  I use an emery board to sand the sprue points off the figures.  (The Dremel Tool is to severe and creates a scratching that does not paint well.)

The figures are off the sprues and getting painting of clothes, hair and shoes.  Anyone can do this painting of Preiser 65602 Seated People when taken one step at a time.  It is time to do the final inspection and touch up.

UPDATE: 2/17/20 - I have started the second box of 24 Seated People in Pink and Grey clothes. The Pink are ready to come off the Sprues.  Yellow will be next.  Now doing Green.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

RSJB18 posted:

It occurred to me today that I missed the 4 year anniversary of my layout.

Today

Everyone have fun with your trains today!

Happy anniversary, Bob... what did you get her???  

John Rowlen, thank you for the photos, product info, and descriptions of your proven process.

I'm continuing on my machine shop build. I put the second coat on the lintels and sills and started on the windows.
I noticed that the building looked short sitting next to the track on my bench so I put a car in front and the dock is about a 1/2" lower than the car door. I think it will be easier to raise the terrain for the building to sit on than adding to the foundation. Once I get it assembled and on the layout I will decide.

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

It occurred to me today that I missed the 4 year anniversary of my layout.

Today

Everyone have fun with your trains today!

Happy anniversary, Bob... what did you get her???  

Paul- considering that I forgot....I'm lucky she didn't throw a box car at me

YEA! the shelving job is finished.  Thanks to 23 hand driven screws into studs that seemed hard as rocks, they are all up and fully fastened.  These seem so solid I could climb them like a ladder but Glenn Systems does not give any advice on using every stud or every other stud etc. so I used every stud in the 6 ft length.  It may take several days for the arthritic thumb / hand joints to recover but the job is done.  By the way, if you try to use this system and I do recommend it, as the material is very high quality,  you will need a couple of extensions on both your drill and your driver.  The 4" width of the shelf itself makes it hard to power drive the screws without interference to the drill body unless you have an extension (I of course did not...)

Here is a picture of the first "Completion Ceremony Train Arrival" - just like Promontory- It s a1938 uncataloged Lionel freight consisting of a Gunmetal / Nickel trim 249E , a Lionel 1717 Gon in orange / wood trim, a Lionel 1719 Box in green and blue roof, and the Lionel 1722 Caboose in orange with red roof. Lionel never put these lithographed , "Ives transition" cars in the catalog but did offer them in some uncatalogued sets. 

Have a great Sunday fellas...I am taking the rest of the day off and soaking my hands!!

Don McErlean

Bob, the machine shop building looks good so far!

Don, the shelves look great!  I have issues with my hands and especially thumb joints too!  It was worth it in your case putting up those excellent shelves!

Thanks Mark - wife is a 40 year career RN, prescription is soak in cold water, not sure if this is revenge or cure   Thanks for the compliment on the shelves.

Don

LIRR Steamer, corners are sometimes hard to come up with something. With the way your tracks are if I had that corner I would come out of the corner with a small river to a waterfall under the top track to a bridges on the lower tracks coming out the side of the table.

Mark, nice work on your building so far.

Today I have been working on the loading docks. Decided to do one wooden dock and one concrete dock. The wooden dock has the leg supports. The other dock I had to add another 1 1/2 inches for length. Once the glue dries I can do some more work on them. Pics...............Paul

Paul, Nice long loading docks!

I think that 'Fawn' color worked much nicer for mortar.  

Mark that color does look very nice, I'm trying to decide between reddish or brownish on my front. I have a reddish building already near it so the brownish would break it up a lot and there will be much old concrete around many windows to brighten it up. 

Ray, Thank you.  I think you are on the right track to go with the brownish color so the buildings don't look too much the same.

I like it Mark!

Paul- great idea using your long straight edge to place the posts for the dock.

Bob

This morning I got the wooden loading dock stained. Glued the front piece to the concrete loading dock. Later this afternoon after the glue dries I'll glue the side pieces on and when those dry use spackling compound to fill in the gaps before I add the concrete paint............Pics........Paul 2