What did you do on your layout today?

John Rowlen posted:

Lionel Canadian Pacific Vista Dome

I switched to the Canadian Pacific Vista Dome after working on the Dome. h

john, another excellent outcome with the vista dome coach.  Also, the highlighted sentence in today's post alerted me to the cause of my OGR forum equilibrium being off; i.e., I missed your post yesterday on the dome observation car you'd done.  The passengers in the dome, especially, look very good and your efforts lowering the seats and anatomical adjustments were well worth the effort.  Your paint work on the interiors and painted detail of the add-on passengers really brings these cars to life.

PS:  Shame on LIONEL for not using the correct dome on such a premium set; particularly, since the UP Excursion domes are a much closer representation to the prototype Budd domes on the CP pax.

PPS:  Please note that while I used a "reply with quote" for this post, I edited out much of the original post since the cut material was not needed.  Simply highlight the text to be removed, and select 'cut" on the drop down menu.  Photos can be "cut" much the same way.  Just a thought for those who simply click "reply with quote" with no editing.

Building Main Street....roads and striping...

Well, today, I continued work on a project of moving my layout to our basement, which I had to do to free up the back bedroom in the event our son has to move back in with us. The new layout is my previous S gauge layout, with a good sized 042 Lionel O gauge loop added. Today I was working on some buildings and running my Century Club 773 Hudson with a train of modern-era Madison cars my wife bought me for Christmas. Sorry that the original version of this post dragged off-topic on other things on my mind. I'll endeavor to keep on-topic and concise. 

mike g. posted:

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

 

Mike, 

Thanks. Yes they are here and waiting for more toggle switches and terminal strips to finish the job.

Patrick 

Don McErlean posted:

Mike g :  If your using the old tubular track with metal ties, you need to check the insulator that is between the center rail and the tie.  This is nothing more than a small piece of cardboard on the original Lionel track and as the track gets older can either fall out or sometimes gets saturated with track cleaner fluid and becomes conductive.

Don McErlean

Paul

I’m really liking that grain area your layout is going to look very good 

Morning guys,

John, Nice work on the Vista Done car!

Paul, Your city and streets are looking outstanding! 

Patrick, thanks for the information. If you get a chance can you shoot a couple photos of your install showing the wire hook up!

So everyone I went out to the train room already and removed everything from the tracks and still have continuity between the center rail and the outer rail. So I did some checking under the layout and traced wires, But I was smart and started at the power supply. Come to find out and I don't know if this is normal or not but when the handle on my Z4000 is down in the off position with nothing attached to it there is continuity between the red and black post. But as soon as I raise the handle it goes away. 

I posted the question about it in the electrical section so I hope someone will answer my question. That way I can put things back together and start working on my dead areas on my sidings. I think I am going to un hook all the sidings and start over with the wiring.

Well its Saturday and I hope everyone has a great weekend and finds time for there layout and trains!

lee drennen posted:

Don McErlean posted:

Mike g :  If your using the old tubular track with metal ties, you need to check the insulator that is between the center rail and the tie.  This is nothing more than a small piece of cardboard on the original Lionel track and as the track gets older can either fall out or sometimes gets saturated with track cleaner fluid and becomes conductive.

Don McErlean

Paul

im really liking that grain area your layout is going to look very good 

Lee, why did you "reply with quote" of Don when you are complimenting Paul?  Confused.

I enjoy your photos of your modeling and descriptions of your work.  That's why this post has me stumped.

Mike g: Glad you are finding the problem. One more bit of advice. If you are going to isolate the sidings via the old fashioned fiber pin and toggle switch approach be sure to check the toggles before you wire them in.  I used just hardware store toggles (made in China) and ran into one that had connectivity regardless of the switch position. So it’s good to check. A couple of moments with a multi meter could save you lots of time. 

Best of luck. 

Don McErlean

Thanks Don, there all wired in I just have one dead spot. I think I am going to just add a power drop there. Then if that works I can get onto my to-do list!

Larry: What GREAT video, thanks for posting.  Now, I am going to ask for a little help. Larry or Anyone,  I have tried posting video from my phone and been fully unsuccessful.  Does anyone have any instructions or advice or is there a forum site / thread that contains instructions.  Thanks

Don McErlean

Populated Main Street with more vehicles and folks...as much as I like doing scenery, some days it seems like you're going no where fast...so I located the cars and people from storage and put them out sooner than needed to get to the fun part faster!  The cabs were packed together, so they came out first and in mass!

Mike g, I picked up these colors for the silos at Menards. Metallic will be for the tanks at the lubricant plant. Chiffon Cream will be for the silos at the bakery. The other color ( middle color )  will be for the silos at the flour mill. This afternoon I managed to find enough glue to glue the silos together. These are done till I get the tops from Plastruct. Then I can take them outside and paint them all. Probably will start laying out the track for this area. I have a good idea of what I want to do so I can get most of the track down with the switches I have but I have to order some more from Ross with switch motors because there will be at least three I will not be able to reach to hand throw them. Pics.............Paul 2

mike g. posted:

Johan, wonderful job on the Box car! But I have to say Amazing work on the scenery!

John  & Bob, good news. The CEO gave me the weekend off so tomorrow I will be pulling everything from the track and vacuuming and running a magnet over everything. At which time I will recheck and if I still have the same problem, under the layout I go! LOL

Lee, Sorry no train show for me, Have to figure out what my wiring problem is!

Paul 2Wonderful job on the loading dock roof! Do you plan on putting LED's under it for night time use? Also the Silos are looking good! What color are you going to paint them?

So no train updates as I have been busy, but as I stated above I will let you all know tomorrow if I get it figured out or not!

Mike. Thank you very much.🤝

Johan

New Under The Hood up! 

https://ogrforum.com/...las-ratlas-streetcar

Here's the Ratlas in action:  

@Don McErlean was wondering how to post video.  My best advice is to make sure the video is in MP4 format before uploading, as the forum software doesn't seem to like other formats... 

Mitch 

Also don't forget the 100 MB file size limit.

Paul 2, Nice colors for the silos! I am guessing you used super glue to affix them together!

Mitch, nice job on the Ratlas!

Don, if I were you I would just send the videos to Bob and have him post them on your behalf! LOL

Well guys I went out and worked on my layout for part of the day. First this morning and then again this afternoon. I am in the process of making sure all my sidings are isolated from each other and the 2 main lines, then I will be under the layout checking and rechecking the wiring and fixing anything I have to!

I sure hope everyone had a great day today and found time for some fun!

Mike g :  Best of luck.  I used a MTH terminal strip to sort my wiring.  It has a single set of terminals for main power then it has 8 or 10 pairs of terminals for power take off.  If you need to use a block you just run the hot side to the toggle and back to the track.  It makes the wiring a lot neater and easier to troubleshoot later. 

Don

Capetrainman posted:

Building Main Street....roads and striping...

Paul foam board roads?

Dave

B&O Fan posted:

Completed the turret building as a men's clothier business from Baltimore. Pretty pleased with the end result. 

Congrats on your building! Please make sure to show us how it looks when you place in it's permanent location on your layout.

Dave

sidehack posted:

Elevated arches and girders up and ran the first train over it.

First coat of paint on hotel, like it but might still give a light coat of a brownish and let the reddish show through.

Ray, looks like you're getting close to the home stretch!

Dave

Canadian Pacific Vista Dome

Over 12 hours later,  after correcting paint issues on the roughed-in Preiser 65602 120 figures I recently painted, I now have a completed Canadian Pacific Vista Dome Coach.  Each figure used had to be inspected and corrected if necessary.  It is a slower process from the previous Santa Fe 21" passenger cars I finished.  The people for those cars were completed and inspected last year while watching March Madness Basketball.  I just grabbed the figures and fit them into the cars.

I still need to do the lower level of the Dome Observation.  The upper Dome level of that car is finished.  It is time to rest my eyes.

Have a good evening.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

For those who were wondering about Shop Supervisor Norma Bates Kitteh's whereabouts:  

https://ogrforum.com/...0#134882035752622950

Mitch 

Lee, why did you "reply with quote" of Don when you are complimenting Paul?  Confused.

Carl. Sorry I’m getting old I think I was very tired you can remove it if you want again I’m sorry 

Dave, yes the roads are foam board called "Foamies."  The size is 12 x 17...I used a 6 mm with a 3 mm over the 6 mm to bring up the height of the curb along Main Street, with all MTH buildings.  Two coats of flat paint over the foam.

Today I spent a lot of time at the layout running my Weaver RS-11 and took some pics 

lee drennen posted:

Lee, why did you "reply with quote" of Don when you are complimenting Paul?  Confused.

Carl. Sorry I’m getting old I think I was very tired you can remove it if you want again I’m sorry 

Lee, I'm a fan of your posts.  If I did it, and I probably have, I'd chalk it up to a senior moment.

John Rowlen posted:

Canadian Pacific Vista Dome 

Sincerely, John Rowlen

 

John, are the stacked boxes, I count 11 or so, at the rear of the table empty boxes of Preiser figures, or more to paint?

lee drennen posted:

Lee, why did you "reply with quote" of Don when you are complimenting Paul?  Confused.

Carl. Sorry I’m getting old I think I was very tired you can remove it if you want again I’m sorry 

Lee, don't worry at all about it. Carl doesn't appreciate that some of us here aren't perfect and that we sometimes make liddle Oopsies. FWIW I understood what you were saying.

John, nice work on the CP vista dome passengers...the figures look great and the color choices are perfect...with a nice variety!

Completed two buildings today for the waxhaw division. A Korber switch tower will be installed at the entance to the Union Sttaion Trackage on the Upper level. I have also put together a Lionel Maintenance shed that I picked up back in the 90s. Not sure exactly about placement but considering a couple of spots. Will try them out and see how they look. 

Hello and greetings,

I have followed this forum for many years, being a fan of O-Gauge Lionel. I am finally realizing my dream of having a train room. I have a 12' by 24' insulated room. It has been 7 years since my collection has seen the light of day. It is a small collection. Mostly scale. So, the attached picture shows how well the space acted as a catch all room. Sharp eyes will see some interesting things on the left side of the picture. On the right side you will see alternating 18" x 36" press fit shelving. This will be the base support of the train table, at 37 1/2" height; ply and roadbed to add an inch or so. The shelving underneath will be a blessing, with cardboard banker boxes occupying the spaces. Anyway, here is the first picture of the endeavour.

Working on a new project to combine 2 mth double track PRR signal bridges into a 4 track B&O bridge. Have the electrical side figured out, just have to plan the structural side. Surgery in progress. 

Scott 

Dave, Your 12' X 24' should give you a good starting point, for some reason they always seam to want to grow! LOL I have the same size room I built just for trains and plan on running a line out the window around the wife's rock garden! LOL

Scott, looks like a fun project! Reminds me I have one in storage that I am going to have to get out one day and get it on the layout!

Well guys its 4:48 AM here in the west coast, Time for me to get out to the train room and get back to my wiring and siding problem fix! I will check in later and hope to have good news on the project!

I hope everyone has a great Sunday and fun with there layout and trains!

Sans tender decals (still waiting on those) the Santa Fe FrankenHudson lives. It consists of the boiler from a MTH Premier Santa Fe Hudson #3464, the chassis and running gear of MTH Premier Santa Fe Hudson #3463, tender chassis, trucks, and toolboxes from a MTH Premier Santa Fe Blue Goose Hudson, and the tender shell from a Lionel 3751 class Santa Fe Northern. PS3 steam kit and LED lights. This is my 3rd Premier Santa Fe Hudson (I have 3463 and 3460 Blue Goose as well). I really like this model. 

It's alive!!  It's alive!!  Looks and sounds great, Lou!

David, It looks like a nice room for trains.

Scott, the signal bridge is looking good!

Mike, you are up before the chickens...So anxious to get to the train room!! 

Update:  A bit of tuning on the Ratlas.  The Evergreen angles cut from square tubing proved a tad flimsy, so I'm cementing in more substantial bosses made of entire sections of tubing...  

Also changed a burned out bulb in the ceiling lights.    

Mitch 

Up with UP posted:

This will be the base support of the train table, at 37 1/2" height; ply and roadbed to add an inch or so. The shelving underneath will be a blessing, with cardboard banker boxes occupying the spaces. Anyway, here is the first picture of the endeavour.

Clever idea for benchwork!  I may just  swipe borrow that idea for future endeavors.  ^.^ 

Mitch 

Lou1985 posted:

Sans tender decals (still waiting on those) the Santa Fe FrankenHudson lives. It consists of the boiler from a MTH Premier Santa Fe Hudson #3464, the chassis and running gear of MTH Premier Santa Fe Hudson #3463, tender chassis, trucks, and toolboxes from a MTH Premier Santa Fe Blue Goose Hudson, and the tender shell from a Lionel 3751 class Santa Fe Northern. PS3 steam kit and LED lights. This is my 3rd Premier Santa Fe Hudson (I have 3463 and 3460 Blue Goose as well). I really like this model. 

 

Gee Lou, it is a shame that you had to buy all of those engines to make just one (LOL). 

Fantastic job. The talent on this forum is incredible!

Lou, sharp looking engine for a steam engine! LOL I only have one steam engine and that's cause my grandson found it in the trash somewhere and gave it to me and said grandpa if you get it running you can keep it for your train room. So it always sits on the layout!

Mark, I did get an early start and I needed it! LOL

Mitch, Nice work, I am sure you will get it to up to your standards!

Well guys as you know I got up early to get out to the train room to try and figure out my troubles. Well I figured it out, Bob was right it was a miss matched wire. But I didn't find it till I added so many extra drops and replaced the curve where the engine kept stopping! Once I found it everything was a go and I guess it doesn't hurt to have extra power drops! LOL Here is what it looked like before I got a chance to clean things up.

After I got everything cleaned up I took every DCS engine I have which is 4 lol and ran them all on all tracks and there was no problem with any of them. So needles to say I am happy, just sucks it took me all day, but now I can move on with my list!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Congratulations Mike!  I’m glad you found and corrected the problem!!