What did you do on your layout today?

Morning everyone, once again some wonderful work!

Vincent, looking good, be careful in space! LOL

Lee, The Texaco turned out Amazing!

SIRT, Nice weathering job!

Bill, you have been quite busy. Looking good!

Bruce, Full Steam ahead! Looks like your ready for a lot of fun!

Well guy since I was up at 3 this morning I went out to the train room and got my first coat of Polyurethane on and now have to wait 3 hours for it to dry before the second coat. While I was out there I also added night lighting to the room and work lighting for under the layout. Here are a couple photos, I did not take one of the under layout lighting as I didn't think anyone would care to see that and my messy wiring! LOL

I hope everyone has a great Hump day and finds time for there layout and trains! But most of all that you all have fun!

@ToledoEd posted:

Completed phase 1 of automating my AMC/ARC Gantry crane. I enjoy spinning the cab and lowering and raising the magnet, but I've been antsy to also have it move along the track.  I finally got all the pieces to work, and now I'm in the process of making it permanent and pretty. In one video you'll see a covering over the spindle that automates the crane. I intend to make that a bit more 'industrial'.  Steps up to it, a railing some scattered 'stuff' and a figure or two. I'm considering adding a lighted welder, but that's down the road. I'm also going to build a shack to cover the motor that runs the whole thing.  I'm using a 3000pm motor that's connected through a board that allows me to vary the voltage and provides a switch that changes polarity and stops voltage to the motor.  Enjoy. Oh, the spindle rod is 12".  I can move the Gantry though about 11"

Ed that looks great! I tried a spindle rod and could never get it to work right with what I had so I went to fishing line and a motor from an old VCR. Here is what I came up with and can travel the full length of a 30" section of track. But yours runs a lot smoother then mine! Sorry Ed, I thought I had a video, I will get one and post it for you.

@mike g. posted:

Ed that looks great! I tried a spindle rod and could never get it to work right with what I had so I went to fishing line and a motor from an old VCR. Here is what I came up with and can travel the full length of a 30" section of track. But yours runs a lot smoother then mine! Sorry Ed, I thought I had a video, I will get one and post it for you.

Mike, anything associated with fishing generally makes everything go better! 

@mike g.

Mike: your layout is really looking well. You have made massive progress. Bravo!

p51, 

Talking about little people navigating the passenger cars I am detailing, here is a good mistake inside my Alaska Coach #200.

 If I stick my feet out the bathroom window, I might be able to sit on the toilet.

This is the third Coach car that has had this unusual placement of the toilet in the twenty-eight passenger cars I detailed since Christmas. 2019.

The toilet is now facing the correct direction.

Maybe I am hallucinating.  I am running a temperature of 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon.  (Now 100.2 F this evening.)   I have had low grade fevers since early February, 2020 when I lost my hearing temporarily.  Living on two aspirin twice a day and occasional Tussin DM for the cough, shortness of breath, and headaches since February.  I feel great today, but I have the temperature.  My doctor went out of business.  My other doctor retired.  And all the others are dead.  My accountant is still open.

Having fun detailing this third Alaska 21" passenger car.  The seats and toilets and sinks have three coats of paint.  Now it is time to add the Preiser 65602 Seated People I painted.

UPDATE:  A family reunion is riding the Alaska "Denali Star" this trip as the perfect way to catch up on news and visit on a wonderful scenic rail trip.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

One more card stock model.  This was a free download from clever models.  It’s called the “Silver City Tool House”.  I think it makes a good small industrial building.

@mike g. posted:

Morning everyone, once again some wonderful work!

Vincent, looking good, be careful in space! LOL

Lee, The Texaco turned out Amazing!

SIRT, Nice weathering job!

Bill, you have been quite busy. Looking good!

Bruce, Full Steam ahead! Looks like your ready for a lot of fun!

Well guy since I was up at 3 this morning I went out to the train room and got my first coat of Polyurethane on and now have to wait 3 hours for it to dry before the second coat. While I was out there I also added night lighting to the room and work lighting for under the layout. Here are a couple photos, I did not take one of the under layout lighting as I didn't think anyone would care to see that and my messy wiring! LOL

I hope everyone has a great Hump day and finds time for there layout and trains! But most of all that you all have fun!

Thanks Mike.   Your layout is coming along fantastically.  The automatic lift truss sure looks bullet proof.  I had hoped to include a moving bridge but the slanted attic overhead won't allow for it.  To compensate I'll be squeezing in a variety of stationary types.

Full steam ahead for sure.  They haven't locked me out of my attic.....yet.    You reminded me that some under layout lighting might be required once mine gets landscaping and curtains.  Open grid construction provides enough light for now but also allows me to forget that at some future date such things will be needed.  Oh boy....more wiring!

Bruce

Ed, Nice job on the cranes and the mechanical mechanism.  Works great.  Real ingenuity showing through'... Very impressive'... Beyond my pay grade'..✔💲✔

Mike, I would love to see the lights under the layout'... Look very good so far'... Keep going'...👍

Michael Hasty'.. beautiful job on the Clever kit'...  Very nice'.. 👌👀😉

Thanks Ted. Much left to do, but, it is satisfying knowing the mechanicals work!

Mike, I'm with Ted!  I would like to see what you are using for lights and how far apart they are spaced.  I don't care about the wiring.  I can do as messy a job as the next guy!  

Picked up, and unboxed, 6 new MTH freight cars. Ran smoothy out of the box.

Lee, I'm a little off-subject, but that green ar in front of your Texaco station looks pretty sharp.

Mike Hasty, could you post a link to the site where you downloaded that card stock building?

And today, we added a second rail line on the lunar surface.

Vincent, what issues do the railroads have considering gravity is so much lees than earth and also there is no atmosphere?

Back to paving and cementing in the  center tracks and switches for the BTE siding. Slow going. The side ties will be covered as well once the tracks get screwed down. 2 tracks will be underneath the overhang. No need for 3r there.

Morning guys, Bruce as for the lighting under the layout I am using a 5 pack of battery operated button lights. They are controlled with a handheld remote.

I have to help the wife at the store today but when I get home I will get you some photos!

I hope you all have a great Friday Jr. Lol

Don't forget to have fun with your layout and trains!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Vincent, what issues do the railroads have considering gravity is so much lees than earth and also there is no atmosphere?

The moon's 1/6 gravity is easily strong enough to hold the trains down--plus they now need less fuel.

The later Star Trek movies introduced a force field that solid objects could pass through, but air cannot. Parts of both rail lines are inside the force field and parts outside, allowing cargo to be transferred easily.

back at the project, made all the corrugated sheets for the roofs and made templates for the clapboard walls, will need to finish the docks and apply the foundation overlays.

@SIRT posted:

Back to paving and cementing in the  center tracks and switches for the BTE siding. Slow going. The side ties will be covered as well once the tracks get screwed down. 2 tracks will be underneath the overhang. No need for 3r there.

Wow the first photo looks like a real guy!.  What are you using to fill in the rails? I tried joint compound and did not like the shrinkage. Haven't tried the cinder & glue approach, but that will not work for concrete simulation.

Great detail - I don't think I have the patience to do what you are doing - tie plates are really cool as well - must be tedious laying all those in. I have a few from used Ross track - amazing detail. Thanks Jeff  

Hello all,

Our imaginary « American Train » layout has just received its new SW-1500 and a Box Car.

SW-1500 :

Original model : 30-2214-1 Chicago & North Western Proto-Sound 2.0

The board, roof and handrails were broken.

And now :

Proto-Sound 3.0

Directionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlight

Flashing LED Beacon

1 Engineer Cab Figure

@Vincent Massi posted:

The moon's 1/6 gravity is easily strong enough to hold the trains down--plus they now need less fuel.

The later Star Trek movies introduced a force field that solid objects could pass through, but air cannot. Parts of both rail lines are inside the force field and parts outside, allowing cargo to be transferred easily.

That's pretty neat about the ease of transferring cargo.  Less fuel, but where does the air for combustion come from?  Does the force field provide another mixture?

Warok, Great looking engine and car.  The paint scheme looks good and the weathering is wonderful.

Morning Guys, I hope everyone is doing well! I am sorry it has taken me so long, but here are the photos of the under layout lighting. I still have a 36' string of LED lights that I may put under there. All the lights were a gift from my brothers wife who said he will never use them if they have been sitting on the shelf for over a year! LOL

Of course I couldn't forget the inspector! LOL

I hope everyone has a great day and finds time to have fun with there layout!

Mike, Tank just needs a power nap after helping you with all your projects.

I realize that many of you have spent sleepless nights wondering: In a space battle between the Star Wars Empire and the Star Trek "Starfleet," who would win? You may calm your fears. The Empire has little control over its ship when they go faster than the speed of light, while Starfleet has complete control over theirs. And the Empire's ship are armed with lasers that only travel at the speed of light, while Starfleet's phasers travel faster than light and are far more powerful.

So when Darth Vader showed up at Lunar Base Nancy, we were not concerned. Captain Kirk quickly arrived, and we had the situation under control. A rebel "X Fighter" showed up to help, but it was unnecessary.

Those lights should serve the purpose fine, Mike.  Save the LED strings for passenger car lighting.

I had some time in between cleaning up around the layout for running in one of my latest.  I'm a sucker for Pennsy E6's.  This '89 Williams was DOA but only had a U joint separated from the flywheel.  Once up and running I swapped out the EE unit for a Cruise Commander.  The lighting got the LED upgrade, even where jewels formerly existed.  I'm not totally happy with its inability to creep so I may experiment with another Falhauber 24V motor swap.

I am happy with the pulling power as is what with traction tires on all 4 drivers.  Command central is shown in its new configuration but only in its basic form.  There's still tons of work on a control panel and accessory wiring to be done.

A project on the workbench finally had it's full maiden voyage around the room today.  A 1X4 support behind the scenery needed a 1/2" trim to allow for boiler swing on the BadBoy

The early version TMCC just didn't cut the mustard so a Cruise M was installed.  The original solid number boards had to go too so new ones of brass were made.  Now that it can navigate the layout successfully it can return to the workbench for further upgrade work.  Keep on Trainin'.

Bruce

Here is a link to my (finally) running layout. First running of these trains in over 40 years. I cleaned and lubricated the engines and car axles.

https://ogrforum.com/...5#146142158533554675

Finally got a Lionel Legacy Chessie Steam Special T1. And she is GORGEOUS. She is gonna pull my spirit of 76 boxcars. 

Mike, Thank you for the photographs of the under layout lights.  I saw nothing else under there! 

Lewis, congratulations on getting a train running after such a long time!

Acrking76, The Chessie T1 looks great!  I have thought of looking for one myself, but maybe someday!

acrking76, that is one beautiful engine. 

@acrking76 posted:

Finally got a Lionel Legacy Chessie Steam Special T1. And she is GORGEOUS. She is gonna pull my spirit of 76 boxcars. 

 

Now THAT is one beautiful locomotive!

I tried taking some shots tonight for one to submit for the NMRA calendar. This is one that didn't make the cut but I like it in B/W...

@p51 posted:

I tried taking some shots tonight for one to submit for the NMRA calendar. This is one that didn't make the cut but I like it in B/W...

great job, this B&W is so realistic, one of the best I've seen

Happy Saturday!
Great work folks.
Bruce- very nice locos (and Bose 901's ) The B-6 is one of my favs too!
Lee- Magazine or not, that's a great photo.
Lewis- Solid start on a great post-war layout.
acrking76- congrats!
Mike G- nice lighting. Can't have too much, especially as our eyes get older
Ray- nice work on the new building, it's going to be a nice addition to your layout.

Apologies if I missed anyone. I started going into my office this week so Forum time has been reduced. Heading back to work allowed me to get some printouts done for my next project. We have a nice color inkjet printer that does a great job. I printed some images on card stock of a engine shed that I plan to use to make a building flat behind the new building and siding I finished recently. The printout is for a 3D model but I'm only using one side. I'll post more as I progress.

Bob

Plan on placing it back here on the wall. I might add a fence between the two also.

@p51 posted:

I tried taking some shots tonight for one to submit for the NMRA calendar. This is one that didn't make the cut but I like it in B/W...

This is an unusual example of black and white being more beautiful than color.

The BIG railroad news is that our new washing machine arrived yesterday. I had to remove the extender from my train table while I built my current lay-out, so they could get the washing machine inside our house. Now, I'm building up the lay-out and will later add the extender and increase the lay-out.

Meanwhile, we added a siding for the crane car The little red car is actually a motorized tender that pushed a dummy locomotive and pulled cars.

Cleaned track, then ran a train. 

With the good weather the last few weeks I've had little time for the layout. Nice to see everyone's projects. I've had many weeds to pull and new landscaping projects. 

Recently finished up my sign for the Esskay meat packing plant background building.  Hope to finish lighting and placement this weekend. 

Stay safe, 

Scott 

                                         Hid the third rail on Atlas O 036 for street running...

The captain figure in the MTH GI set always bugged me. The helmet was painted wrong, and the belt wasn't represented at all. So, I repainted the helmet, painting the front and rear straps, put a very small first Lieutenant Insignia on a the front of the pot, as well as repainting the holster, even putting in the bronze grommet at the bottom of the flap, hand painting on the grommets on the leggings and the first aid pouch on the cartridge belt.

It's a very small detail that hardly anyone would notice, but I would know.

 I also added some bird poop, and an actual bird, to the sign for the new gas station. I had completely forgotten to add both when I first finished it...