Good morning everyone! Sorry I have not been posting lately. I have been busy with other projects but was able to get this little video done. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more upcoming videos!
Trainmaster04, That was a great video of postwar trains running! The 726 sounds great! It's funny, I really like the detail and sounds of today's scale trains, but when your postwar trains are running, I can't tell the difference.
Trainmaster, I agree with Mark. I don't own anything pre-2000 but wow I was surprised how nice that engine sounded. Some of my older TMCC engines sound like badly compressed static crap next to that.
NS1975, check out EB*y ... a HS is selling the whole set of Model Power figures at a very good price.
Thanks, Mark and Scott! I do have to say the Century Club 726 is technically not a post-war locomotive but instead a modern era remake from Lionel. The SF F3s can get a little noisy but thankfully by the time I recorded them they had warmed up. Kind of like an old Mustang that is just trying to get started. Gives you a hard time but when fully awoken she runs fine. Thanks for the nice comments and happy railroading!
A K4s with a full tender of coal and water leaves the Postal team track with just 5 express cars today. Two B60s, three B70 express baggage, two that are repurposed BM70 cars. The three hour sprint concludes without incident as does all Road Orders and Session no. two. Next up, staying at home, getting to some house todo's and thinking about possible kitbash projects.
I was happily making snails pace progress on updating my layout and decided to run a freight around my three loops after getting my switches rewired. I had recently installed a used Lionel truss bridge (on my swing out) and was fiddling with adjusting the track. Noticed my 18 inch Southern Crescent heavyweight passenger car would just clip the bridge coming out of a Ross curved switch (Just like Mark's problem with his engine house). Adjusted the bridge placement relative to the track and readjusted the track alignment and I was up and running until - whack. Good thing I was running at a reasonable speed so I only had a minor derailment and no damage. My K-Line scale intermodal stack is just a hair taller than the bridge clearance and caught an edge. Both pin boxes just clip the underside of the trestle opening at the highest point. (still have to change the date on the camera!) Thought about taking a Dremel to the arch but that would have removed the rivet detail. So I remembered the bridge is held to the deck with 4 screws. Removed the screws, removed the bridge, reinserted the screws into the bridge and then placed the bridge back on the deck, (so it now sits on the screws) aligning it back into the mating channel where the deck inserts into the bridge. Of course now I have to figure out how to secure the pieces together, but I did surprisingly gain about a 1/4 of an inch. Also have to check the rest of my stack cars to see if I need more clearance, before I screw anything down more permanently. This is such a fun hobby! In the bottom photo (right side) you can see the beginnings of a 3 track covered passenger terminal.
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UPS started to drop of some of my Christmas in July acquisitions from @MrMuffin'sTrains as well as a repair item. As I added both trains to the track at different parts of my layout and ran them, I ended up with a very interesting visual, the trains basically running on top of each other in what I refer to as my pass through room. I had not planned to shoot any video and my pass through room isn't very aesthetically pleasing, less wine cork mountain, but shot two. Take a look.
John
Jeff, that's a good solution to your clearance problem! Looks good!
Jeff, Great videos! What material are you using for your roadbed? The sides look so smooth.
That is going to look like Steamtown when you are done Myles. 
I worked on the Alaska 2-pack with the Generator Car and #202 Coach.
The Generator Car has no lights. It has a volume pot, Max/Min Sound Selection and an On/Off for the sound system. I painted the floor even though it is impossible to see it without lights,
The #202 Coach has had all seats and bathroom toilets and sinks painted. I am now selecting, grinding, and gluing Preiser 65602 People into the Coach. Again, the single toilet was glued into the car backwards. All three Alaska Coaches needed the toilet rotated. I will add a few more people to the Coach #202. The seats do not line-up at each window. The best views are the three seats in the front, mid-car seats and last three seats. Window posts block the clear view on the other seats.
I located my two Alaska GP35 engines #2501 and 2502, and will post a brief video soon.
NEW PICTURES: I added a few more seated people.
Have a good weekend.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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Testing a new engine with a new decoder, motor, gear and 13 lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0EzAAhU7Ig
Inspired by John (JR), adding China figures and signage to interior of Amtrak passenger cars
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Tonight I broke out my postwar 2065 steamer which I got with my first train set when I was 4 years old. I lubed it up and let it run for a bit. So nice to see that thing prance around the layout! All of a sudden I was bit with the post war bug. I had forgotten about the charm of post war locomotives. I broke out a couple more postwar locomotives and snapped some photos and really had BIG FUN!! 
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I am halfway through a TMCC Upgrade on my K-line GG1. I have the original K-line upgrade kit for this motor and it's still tedious. And what's with those weird wire joiners--like 1960's suitcase connectors? I just soldered the connections and used heat-shrink.
Also building an old plastic kit...This old old Russ Briggs Freight depot kit has 16 million parts and every one has big warts of plastic at every edge from where they were detached from the sprue. This was done before I bought the kit used, unbuilt. It's going to take longer by far to clean up the pieces than to put the kit together. I know nothing about molding plastic. But I have to wonder if all these attachment points are actually necessary to make these parts.
Also, Briggs repeatedly says in the instructions not to use ACC glue--to use glue designed for styrene instead. Why? None of my other plastic kits have come with this limitation. I dunno...
Don
Patrick, thanks for posting photo's of your postwar trains! I loved seeing your 2065 on your layout, and, I seen the Santa Fe Alco on the upper line, the Virginian FM, too!
Rusty
Myles,
Beautiful work.
Do you have a scale drawing for your roundhouse and turn you might be willing to share?
I am trying to figure out What the footprint might be - definitely more than a 4/8 sheet.
Thank you
Jerry Carr
@samparfitt posted:Testing a new engine with a new decoder, motor, gear and 13 lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0EzAAhU7Ig
WOW! Sweet engine and powerful puller. Love the scenery, lots of trees, mountains and long runs. That mixed train is fun to watch.
WinstonB,
The Amtrak passenger cars look beautiful. Nice work.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
Trumptrain: That 2065 is a real beauty. Loved seeing it do its stuff on a realistic layout vice a simple circle of track. It was great, thanks for posting those pictures.
Don
@trumpettrain I love your layout, I love your PW steamer, I love the whole thing! Yours has the look that I would like to attain on my first real layout build. Thanks for posting the pics!
George
5 gallon of Fine Gray Talus (ballast) from Woodland Scenics arrived yesterday . Tested it on my layout. Plan glue them this winter. 
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Finally it felt good to do something traain related. Yesterday I got all the wood cut for the frame and screwed and glued all the pieces together, Today I made up the legs adding Carriage bolts for leveling screws. Bolted them in place and then added the wood strips to attach the Masonite to. All I need to do tomorrow is make up a couple of cfoss braces for the legs, number all the wood so I can put it all back together in the basement. Pics...........Paul 2
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Paul, I'm glad to see you got time to get started on the next layout project. Building it out on the porch where there is room to work, make sawdust, and swing boards around is a great idea. I like the backdrop supports on the back and end. What are the overall dimensions.
I finished re-gluing my Thomas, West Virginia enginehouse I purchased from a modeler who is switching scales. Some of the rafters and center supports had come soose in transport. It is a Carolina Craftsman Kits product. I have it out of the train room so it doesn't get damaged until I am ready to place it on the layout. The seller had taken the doors off for shipping. I left them off but placed them in a plastic bag fore safe keeping.
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Mark:
That engine house is a GREAT model. Keep up the good work and please post progress photos.
Thanks Mark. Doing it outside is a little more work but a lot less dust from cutting wood in the basement. That is one nice engine house. The dimensions of the table come out to 17 1/2 inches X 8 foot. The supports for the Masonite are 2 ft high. I had to do that little indentation with the wood at the one end because I have an electrical wire that comes down the wall and goes out through the wall out to the garage. This is the smallest table the rest of the tables will be at least 2 ft X 8 ft....................Paul 2
Thank you Randy, Paul.
Paul, I missed seeing the indentation for the wire. Good plan.
found a few random layout photos....
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LOVE the enginehouse!
Go Mark!
Don Merz
Thank you, Don. I had to do some replanning to see if it would fit before I made the decision to purchase it. Originally I had planned for a one stall house. Reminds me of some conversation on another ongoing topic on the Forum. 
Too dang hot & humid outside here on Long Island (100 with the heat index) so I went downstairs to run some trains.
I enjoyed watching my 746 postwar N&W "J" puffing smoke rings as it pulled its consist of 7 "baby Madison" passenger cars. It passed underneath my postwar 2379 Denver & Rio Grande A-B F3 pair pulling 12 Lionel chemical tank cars. It also passed by my LIRR freight set. This set consists of a postwar GP7, hoppers, tank cars and a caboose all painted in LIRR livery by me.
Gotta love the sound of 3 Lionel postwar trains pullin' a lot of cars at the same time on tinplate track screwed to plywood.
I'm on LI like John @Lionelski too....unfortunately I still have to go to work each day so I have to deal with the heat, but would much rather hide in the basement running trains.
So I know why @paul 2 has not been on the forum much lately...he's been tunneling out his basement to fit that new table 
. Nice work Paul, I'm with you on keeping the sawdust outside. I do most of my major woodworking in the garage. Still messy but I can clear out the dust with a leaf blower.
Mark- that engine house is very nice. The steamers look right at home in there.
Gandydancer- your layout is a beauty. Love your postwar collection.
I'm building a pole and flood light to put at the end of my new siding. Nothing photo worthy so you will have to take my word that it exists......
Bob
Gandydancer1950, that is a beautiful pair of NH 209 Alcos - gotta get me a set. Something to look for when York comes back!
Are yours postwar originals or the LCCA remakes?
Wow a lot sure is going on! It took me a couple pages, I didnt go all the way back to where I last read, that would have taken me forever! LOL But what I did see is very impressive! I havent done anything lately as life has gotten in the way. I sure hope to sneak into the train room sometime soon, but that all depends on the CEO plans! LOL
I hope everyone has a great day and finds time for there layouts and Trains! Remember Just have some fun!
Gandydancer 1950, I alway enjoy when you post pics of your layout. I agree with Lionelski, those are good looking NH Alcos.
Bob, sorry no excavating...........too much outdoor work. Your corner really came out nice.
Mark, engine house is going to look great on your layout.
Today I got a coat of paint on the framework and legs of the table. I'll let that dry and do a second coat. I already numbered all the legs and supports so when I take it apart I can put it back together with no problem.....Pic....Paul 2
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@Lionelski posted:Gandydancer1950, that is a beautiful pair of NH 209 Alcos - gotta get me a set. Something to look for when York comes back!
Are yours postwar originals or the LCCA remakes?
The 209 New Havens are originals.
I'm still doing. Just a break before the scroll saw comes out to play. My lovely bride needed a social security nap, so I started running trains. I cleaned and lubed my #736 Berkshire last night. While it was building steam in the yards, #317 A5 switcher put a caboose on four milk can tossers headed back to the dairy. The Berkshire came ready to work. New smoke fluid left a chain of smoke rings lingering over the main line. It was a smooth trip with no time delays. When the milk cars were home, the Berkshire in it's stall, I was struck by lightening in the form of a NEW SPUR! I had to dig deep to find enough "good enough for a spur" track. I grabbed my random wood for proof of concept. Next I will make a pattern.
I'll be back. 
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Several weeks ago I removed the stripes on a K-line scale baggage car. The last few days I worked on kitbashing the large door to make resemble a B70 baggage car. It was not too complicated in theory, but paint colors and rivets were and the site of the bash stands out too much. I ended up brushing a very diluted wash of an acrylic wash to dull the car color to weather it and try to disguise the problem area. The actual PRR passenger color scheme evolved over the years and model makers attempts to capture were challenged. Pictured is a stock Weaver B60, my K-line kitbash, and a K-line RPO/baggage mail car with the gold stripes removed. I ran it late last night and plan to run it again tonight.
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Finally, the Lionel Union Pacific "Walter Dean" Observation is finished. It only took a month.
The other car in the Excursion 2-Pack #3 is the "City of Denver" Dining Car. It will need seat backs, painted details, people, and maybe a custom-built kitchen in the open space where the sound system would normally go. The car has no sound.
Here are a few pictures of the UP Walter Dean Excursion car.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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Took a little trip to Chattanooga Tenn. Wow what a great railroad historic place. The incline railroad is awesome. Just the history of Look out mountain is really something. . On the way down on highway 24 is an awesome concrete trestle support which I plan to use as a replica on my railroad.. I love the history of our nation. The work men and women have put in to it is amazing. The financing of the incline railroad was a woman.
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