What did you do on your layout today?

I've had that suggested a couple time . Strange, it's not as shiny in real life as it appears in the picture . I may try it out, though!

https://ogrforum.com/...4#141778603531085334

I'll definitely let you know. I'm not going for super realism, so I'll probably just play around with it and eventually call it complete. 

We have power

Not on the layout yet, but today I made some more real quick "fill-in" trees:

Not the place to hang your laundry!

Scott

Got a couple of deliveries today!  Excited to get the coaling tower that we're going to use for our quarry instead of coaling.

Also got the pvc bridge bases I mentioned a few days ago from https://freckleface.com/

Not only inexpensive and great quality but got here in 3 business days

Couldn't be happier with the bridge bases...the color almost perfectly matches the color of the Plasticville bridge...now as long as I can get it glued together properly I think/hope this is going to work out great.

Unfortunately my little man lives in Orlando and me in Miami...since we're all forced to stay home for who knows how long he won't be here to work on it with me.  He doesn't want me to wait so we'll video chat this weekend while I work so he can stay involved.

B&O Fan posted:

Not the place to hang your laundry!

Scott

That's great..... as long as you don't mind soot on them 

Nice work everyone. Today I got the bakery siding in. Waiting on my switch to come in so I can finish opff the rest of the sidings. The building for the top of the silos is on hold as is my order from Plastruct to complete it.  I laid down the cork for the flour/plastics plant silos. Maybe after dinner I can paint the cork and it is ready for track. And maybe I can find the screw drivers I bought for the Gar Graves track screws along with the Legacy Remote I have been searching for for weeks now. I think I am going to have to start a lost and found department for things in the basement. LOL .... Pics....Paul 2

sidehack posted:

We have power

The building looks great Ray. The trestle too. Almost a shame to block the view of one with the other. Overall great work. Put some taxis and a couple of bums under the "L" and you've got it.

RSJB18 posted:

sidehack posted:

We have power

The building looks great Ray. The trestle too. Almost a shame to block the view of one with the other. Overall great work. Put some taxis and a couple of bums under the "L" and you've got it.

Thanks, I hear you on the blocking view but I am trying to simulate the original scene as much as possible. However the original wasn't open on the bottom as it was actually a stone wall which would have been too restrictive. 

Took the K-Line Heavyweights out of storage!  Disappointed that the "gangway curtains" between the cars had deteriorated while in storage.  If anyone know where I could purchase several replacements, please leave a comment here...thanks... 

WOW what great work being done by all! It took me a while to get up to speed on what everyone has been doing. I handed out a lot of likes and am really amazed at the detail everyone in putting into there work!

Bob, your doing a great job on your building and loading dock! I am with Paul that you will be getting cargo any time soon! Its going to be a shame to see it get all messed up from all the loading and unloading!

Paul, wonderful job on the track! Maybe if you post a couple of photos of your layout someone here might find your screwdriver and remote for you!

Johan, outstanding job on the potato sack!

Ray, the hotel turned out perfect! I know if I was in town I would stay there if the price was right! LOL

John, I am glad your getting the cars loaded with people on the tracks! I hope you will post some photos of them!

I know I have forgot some folks and I am sorry for that, but when you have to go beck a couple of pages to the last time I was here there is a lot to take in!

I have been getting out to the train room here and there around 3 Am before I have to start on the house. got a couple retain walls installed, rearranging the road bed of where the train will leave the train room to go outside, and got more ballast done. I am sorry no photos but I will try and get some today for you all to enjoy! LOL

I hope everyone is staying safe and taking this time to enjoy your layouts and trains!

mike g. posted:

WOW what great work being done by all! It took me a while to get up to speed on what everyone has been doing. I handed out a lot of likes and am really amazed at the detail everyone in putting into there work!

Bob, your doing a great job on your building and loading dock! I am with Paul that you will be getting cargo any time soon! Its going to be a shame to see it get all messed up from all the loading and unloading!

Paul, wonderful job on the track! Maybe if you post a couple of photos of your layout someone here might find your screwdriver and remote for you!

Johan, outstanding job on the potato sack!

Ray, the hotel turned out perfect! I know if I was in town I would stay there if the price was right! LOL

John, I am glad your getting the cars loaded with people on the tracks! I hope you will post some photos of them!

I know I have forgot some folks and I am sorry for that, but when you have to go beck a couple of pages to the last time I was here there is a lot to take in!

I have been getting out to the train room here and there around 3 Am before I have to start on the house. got a couple retain walls installed, rearranging the road bed of where the train will leave the train room to go outside, and got more ballast done. I am sorry no photos but I will try and get some today for you all to enjoy! LOL

I hope everyone is staying safe and taking this time to enjoy your layouts and trains!

Mike. Thank you Sir. Nice to hear from you. 🤝

Johan

Making some more progress on the building. After looking at the white steps in the photos I decided it needed to be toned down. I mixed some gray acrylic paint into a thin wash and covered the white paint. I wiped most of it off which left just enough behind to do the job. Not too bad IMHO.
I sprayed the whole thing with dull-coat yesterday so I guess it's done weather I like it or not. Boy does that stuff stink! A lot worse than any rattle can spray I've ever used. I had to leave the kit out in my garage overnight or I would have incurred the wrath of SWMBO

Bob

mike g. posted:

WOW what great work being done by all! It took me a while to get up to speed on what everyone has been doing. I handed out a lot of likes and am really amazed at the detail everyone in putting into there work!

Bob, your doing a great job on your building and loading dock! I am with Paul that you will be getting cargo any time soon! Its going to be a shame to see it get all messed up from all the loading and unloading!

Paul, wonderful job on the track! Maybe if you post a couple of photos of your layout someone here might find your screwdriver and remote for you!

Johan, outstanding job on the potato sack!

Ray, the hotel turned out perfect! I know if I was in town I would stay there if the price was right! LOL

John, I am glad your getting the cars loaded with people on the tracks! I hope you will post some photos of them!

I know I have forgot some folks and I am sorry for that, but when you have to go beck a couple of pages to the last time I was here there is a lot to take in!

I have been getting out to the train room here and there around 3 Am before I have to start on the house. got a couple retain walls installed, rearranging the road bed of where the train will leave the train room to go outside, and got more ballast done. I am sorry no photos but I will try and get some today for you all to enjoy! LOL

I hope everyone is staying safe and taking this time to enjoy your layouts and trains!

Thanks Mike, if you stay we will give you the special OGR price and not far from the Big E

Real vs layout

               RAY  !!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

GREAT WORK RAY!

Looks like you need to find a nice B&M switcher to complete the scene

Bob, your building came out great. 

Mike g, I like the way your layout is turning out. As to my lost items. Table tops are void of the remote along with the screw drivers. 

Today was a real short day. I painted the roadbed and when that dried I laid down the track. I thought for a moment I could turn a left hand switch upside down and trace the footprint as if it was a right hand switch. Decided to hold off till I get the right hand switch. Then I can do the last two sidings in the bakery area. Pics.............Paul 2

RSJB18 posted:

WOW! WOW! WOW!

GREAT WORK RAY!

Looks like you need to find a nice B&M switcher to complete the scene

Thank you and Brian too with your "big word" , yes a B&M switcher would be nice but this will do for now.

The recently completed On30 ET&WNC hoppers just went through the paint shop. I didn't bother painting down inside the lower parts of the Interior, as all but one are going to have loads pretty much near the top.

SeabeeDaddy posted:

Just figured out (thanks YouTube) how to run 1122E switches off of constant voltage using a busted "experiment" switch. Now I'll start on the four that I use on my layout when time allows. As an engineer, figuring things out is almost more fun than the end result!

If you opened them to cut the traces to the rails, guess what. You can just slice into the bottom carefully and add a pigtail wire under the coil cover. The trace isolation sheets still do their job if cutting burrs are removed. (I taped my first cut only... wasted time and tape )

After a few good charge and discharge cycles to wake up the old wireless phone's rechargeable 4.7v battery, my toy loco bash gets...
From full charge to full stop testing... (a sudden death stop from this battery, no real "slowing" from voltage drop to speak of (maybe ¼-½ mph slower the very last lap) results...

197 laps at 95" "long" each (0-27x π + 10") took 41min and that equals14 scale miles (1/48), doing 20 smph. (It made the math easy by andchance  it was so consistent it was cool)  . .spellwreck" insists that's all proper English  

Last video it is pulling the equivalent of two Western and Atlantic coaches and a metal trucked pw caboose. (any more cars on either train consist= wheel spin and or clutch slip, just 3oz weight and clutch goo could do wonders (2-3 more)
Doubling the amp hours of the battery would still hardly make it worthy of a "local" with 30mile round trip fuel capacity So "deadrail" isn't in it's future.
It's still cheap fun to play with, change, "improve", etc. I can see a proto aspect to recharging etc, but I'd prefer a Mr. Fusion.

Fitted three sets of binding posts, epoxied in to the frame of my O27 door layout. Fitted 11mm x 8mm ducting for the traction current wires to the binding posts, and for the accessory power wires from the binding posts to the coal loader. Fitted a new lock-on for the traction current feed. 

Progress! 

Adriatic, do you have any pictures on how to do that? I have 4 on my layout that I want to convert, but it sounds like you may have a better way!

Morning guys, looks like everyone is busy by being stuck at home for now. 

Bob, the building is looking great! Nice job on the stairs!@

Ray, I am with the rest of the guys. WOW what a great job, you cant tell the difference! As for the offer to stay and OGR prices that's great, but I would need a room at the back of the hotel so I could get some sleep! LOL

Paul, things are really coming together with all the track your getting down! Looking good!

Lee, Nice job on the hoppers! What kind of couplers are you going to put on them?

Well yesterday I said I would try and get a couple photos of my work lately. I have installed more retaining wall by the Morton salt building and am changing the area where my nuclear power plant was. It didn't make since just sitting in the corner with no way to get there, so I am adding a section to get track and a road there. Also instead of running the track out the window for the run down around the wifes garden, I am going to go right out the wall! LOL

There are a couple of photos of the corner I am working on now, the last picture I just threw in to show the mess I have going! LOL

I hope you all have a great weekend and some fun with your layout and trains! 

Please be safe and stay healthy!

Mike G., your layout is a work in progress, and the end result will be awesome. When you look back, building this room addition to your home, from pouring concrete to adding walls, a roof, heating and air, all the electrical that went into this nice room, you’ve come a long way.  It’s an amazing journey, we enjoy hearing what your doing, and thank you for sharing. Stay safe, stay healthy, and when possible, enjoy your trains. Your very  good with inventions, the moving crane, and st one time a lift bridge, your a very creative individual and this is why it’s nice to see your accomplishments. 

Lee, P51, Wow, the coal cars you’ve built are very realistic, a wow. Your photography and scenic skills are fun to view. You are an excellent modeler. Also your pictures of real life trains are fun to see. Your contributions to this and other forums is well appreciated. Thank You 

Lew, your window photography of your neat layout with beautiful Switchers moving Passenger consist and freight car sidings are fantastic. That’s a uniquely wonderful train room, a great escape from the world of troubles. Trains make a lot if difference in our lives, a common bond that gives us much pleasure. Keep your pictures coming, I love it when you show the trains with the sun coming into view. Your whit and whimsical words are inspiring. Thank You 

SIDEHACK, WOW, the elevated trestle is fantastic as is the hotel. Your attention to detail is awesome. All the pictures I’ve seen of your nice railroad give me lots of ideas.  Your Scenic details are so good, it’s always fun to see your handiwork.

Paul 2, wow, you’ve come a long way and your trackwork is awesome. It’s nice to see so many different ways to enjoy this hobby. Your backdrops, building flats, your industrial project is very nice. 

RSJB18 Bob, Wow, your building is coming together and I love those red doors, your weathered effect on the steps and porch, amazing work. Your layout is fun to see, your Switchers and other trains are really cool. Your personality and commitment to fun are very evident. Thank you.

Briansilvermustang, your pictures of real and model trains always make my day. You have such a diversified collection, all I can say is Wow. Keep those pictures coming. 

Gandydancer, I want to see more of your layout, yours takes us back to Yesteryear, a time when we didn’t have to lock our doors, we visited our neighbors every evening, literally had no worries and those trains of the 1950’s were the beginning of our self freedom. Our own little world, virus free. So, post some more pictures.  Thank You 

Farmerjohn, Johnny, post some pictures of your wonderful model railroad, such a great track plan, amazing scenes, one of the best layouts I’ve ever visited, Your attention to track side Signals, are very realistic, fun to see. Thank You 

Now, Everyone stay safe, stay healthy, reach out to your friends and let them know We Care. Make this time of your life special as many of us have time at home to ti be with our families and can enjoy our trains. Happy Railroading 

Thanks for the kind words Larry. I think I speak for everyone that you have a spectacular layout and we all enjoy the photos you share.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Thanks for the kind words Larry. I think I speak for everyone that you have a spectacular layout and we all enjoy the photos you share.

Bob

Larry, I second that emotion!

I noticed due to high winds, that the metal roof was pulling away from the top of my train building on the south side along the front of the building.  I screwed back in the screws that had backed out and added screws as needed.

Also the CBS railroad shops is building a new road/yard slug, no pictures of the slug.

Thank you Bob for the kind words, We are all blessed in this hobby to have fun with toy Trains and related. My layout began in 1998, when Lionel came out with the Allegheny articulated steam locomotives, which really got me excited about the hobby. I went krazy over the Command control. I built a hugh table 17 by 34, allowing 5 levels to be totally connected and operable. Now, with track on risers, flattop, everywhere, I needed good help. Retired Lt. Colonel Ray Ward, his lovely wife, Louise, we’re doing scenery on the Clarksville Museum Layout and were recommended to me. Do to Rays personality, having some issues with the folks at the museum, he left them, and they spent 8 years with me, (every Wednesday) hiding all of my mistakes. So, I’m responsible for all the track, track lighting, wiring, accessories, trains, they did the backdrop scenery, the mountains, hills, valleys..... So, I was blessed to have there generous help. They called it a labor of love. Our friends in this hobby make it so much more fun. 

Trumptrain, the recent pictures of your colorful pike, lots of times viewed by a young lad on a bike, is so creative. I like your box cars full of goods, the tow motor operator, and all the Switchers and GG1’s doing their best to make on time deliveries. I like your Videos.... Thank You 

One load more.

geysergazer posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Thanks for the kind words Larry. I think I speak for everyone that you have a spectacular layout and we all enjoy the photos you share.

Bob

Larry, I second that emotion!

As do I. Love your work and thanks for the recent kind words!

mike g. posted:

 

Lee, Nice job on the hoppers! What kind of couplers are you going to put on them?

Looking back on it now, I guess I could have bought some On3 couplers, but I went with Kadee 148s. The longer cars, I will probably have to add more shims to get the coupler height correct befoee affixing the pockets in place with ACC.

Great looking progress on your layout!

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

One load more.

Very nice pulpwood load. Northern New England was the softwood (evergreens fir& spruce) source for the pulp mills. Pulpwood was processed into paper. In the early 1900’s my grandfather ran a lumber harvesting business with his 5 sons & 100 men. No chain saws back then.  The Great Depression forced them out of business in 1930. In the 1950’s, when we went on vacation in the summer on our way to Quebec Canada, we would pass the smelly pulp factories near Berlin NH. My mother would complain, my father would say “that’s the smell of money”. Those days are gone, probably forever. Thanks for the memory. 

p51 posted:

mike g. posted:

 

Lee, Nice job on the hoppers! What kind of couplers are you going to put on them?

Looking back on it now, I guess I could have bought some On3 couplers, but I went with Kadee 148s. The longer cars, I will probably have to add more shims to get the coupler height correct befoee affixing the pockets in place with ACC.

Great looking progress on your layout!

Lee- I hadn't commented before but you have done a great job on those hoppers.

Bob

decoynh posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

One load more.

Very nice pulpwood load. Northern New England was the softwood (evergreens fir& spruce) source for the pulp mills. Pulpwood was processed into paper. In the early 1900’s my grandfather ran a lumber harvesting business with his 5 sons & 100 men. No chain saws back then.  The Great Depression forced them out of business in 1930. In the 1950’s, when we went on vacation in the summer on our way to Quebec Canada, we would pass the smelly pulp factories near Berlin NH. My mother would complain, my father would say “that’s the smell of money”. Those days are gone, probably forever. Thanks for the memory. 

Matt. Thank you Sir and thanks for the interesting story.

Johan

This has been an ongoing side project I posted on a bit ago. I'm bashing two MTH double track PRR signal bridges into a 4 track B&O bridge. Almost done and got it back on it's feet again. Was planning on using square brass stock but couldn't find a good way to secure it inside the gingerbread to drill and tap accurately. Not much space to work down inside. I decided to try JB Weld Stick. Worked really well, now some more filing and a fresh coat of paint and that should be it. Electrical part complete and tested. Had to rewire two of the sockets and replace leds.

Be safe -Scott

Well, the first post in this thread was in 2013....I wonder if those guys are still doing their layouts today!

Me, I'm no designer or scenery maker but I did get my hands on a "house on fire" and now need fire engines, firefighters, hoses and the rest! Made room on the layout but really need to see where it's going to sit so I guess that's what I'm doing on my layout today. adding a firefighting scene!