Test fitting the new engine shed.
Decoynh--on flat land I lay track straight onto the foam. On grades, I run the luan supported by foam blocks underneath (with the foam blocks gradually changing height as dictated by the grade). Then I lay Midwest cork on top with the track on top of that. It "seems" like it should be a good system. But we will see--the jury is out.
My last HOn3 layout was by the book--L girder benchwork supporting plywood with homasote on top. I foolishly did not wear dust masks when building it and I have been dealing with the respiratory issues that ensued ever since. It was all my fault. Homosote on plywood is a great base for a layout. But I am so spooked now that I knew I would never do anything like that again. Then I started the new layout on the foam and I have never looked back.
My "benchwork" is even more off the track (pardon the pun!). It is a metal frame that started life supporting tape racks in Blockbuster! I bought the used frame to use building a trade show display. It was sitting around after the my last trade show was long over and I said "hmmmm....looks like sturdy benchwork to me!" The metal frame has worked out very well indeed. Solid all around. But I took precautions to bolt the sections together instead of just using the pot metal clamps that Blockbuster used. I would never risk crawling my 265 pound bulk onto the platform. But I have come close!
With the metal frame, another bonus is that the frame and legs are all around the edges of the platform. Underneath is mostly clear (I added some center support legs just as a precaution). I built several automobile-style "creepers"--taller and more comfortable-- to lay down underneath, looking up at the underside of the platform. There is plenty of space underneath to "ride" the creepers from one wiring hub to the next. Such luxury!
Laziness is the mother of invention, right? Or do I have the quote wrong?
Don Merz
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I really haven’t gotten much done on my layout this year, in part, because I have so much “stuff” laying on the layout. So today, I started the clean up process with all the extraneous engines. I started by cycling out a few engines from my engine yard. The remaining engines got rearranged in anticipation of adding a bunch of steamers I have sitting around. Now I could probably have done everything in about 15 or 20 minutes if I just picked each engine up and placed it where I wanted it, but no... I spent about 2 hours with my Cab2 throwing switches and making short moves. It was rather relaxing!!! I now have enough room for around four additional steamer.
Tomorrow, in addition to placing the engines in the yard, I’ve got a bunch of rolling stock that needs to be put away, then back to actually working on the layout!!!
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Great pictures fellows, I haven’t worked on my layout for awhile as I’ve been visiting friends. Here’s a picture of my friends new Big Boy, the newest and greatest, gloss friendly, Lionel legacy and many neat features. He is a 1st Lieutenant in the Army stationed at Ft. Campbell 26 years young, and a train lover. Happy Railroading Everyone....
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@John Rowlen, are the dome seats separately applied or part of the dome base's mold? I ask because I'm looking for similar seats?
Also, please supply the Product Number to make my parts search a bit easier.
As always, thank you for your response.
Carl,
I am sorry that I do not know the Lionel part number for the Dome Floor. There is no parts diagram in the car box. The seats are separately applied to the Dome Floor, and they are inserted into rectangular holes in the floor at the factory.
My "Challenger" Camera passenger car had three seats installed tilted, and they needed to be moved to stand properly. One seat post broke, and I had to glue it and the two people in the seat to the Dome floor to secure it.
The Challenger Camera Vista Vision passenger car is 2027270.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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Moved some salt around the yard today with my RS3.
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Thank you @John Rowlen for your reply with the requested information.
Unfortunately, even the product number and product name failed to show any parts on LIONEL's parts website. As I mentioned, I'm particularly interested in the seats; so, the search continues.
Thanks, again.
Carl,
Call Lionel Parts, The Dome Floor has been used for a couple of years under other product numbers, The new UP Camera car is probably not in the system because parts have not been gathered up and sent to Lionel yet. I bought the interior of the NYC Empire State Express coach car from Lionel Parts and used the seats I cut from the two floor pieces,
Good luck on your search.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
@FrankRazz posted:I ran my new Lionel SF Fantasy Blue Goose Northern;
That's gorgeous.
@John Rowlen, thanks for the reply. I'll need to find some product numbers for the newer vista dome scale length cars that use the same parts as your Vistavision dome car.
I got my Timko motor back today. It's installed and she runs great. Along with the ERR Cruise Commander I now have a smooth running Commodore Vanderbilt. I did have to bend down the narrow part of the ash-pan to clear the motor flywheel. I was able to keep the backhead detail.
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I started painting 36 more P4806 Seated People from China on Ebay.
The Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People 24-pack is not available. I ordered three from a US Supplier at $37.95 for 24 people, including the adults with babies, plus $14.95 shipping. I may get them in four weeks. German Dealers can't ship to the United States on Ebay.
In frustration, I ordered three 50-packs from China at $9.99 each, plus $1.00 shipping. For less money, I get 150 people instead of 24. By the time I pay the $14.95 US Dealer shipping, I could have 250 China figures instead of 24.
The German figure blanks will cost me about $2.00 each, The China figure blanks cost 20 cents each. The quality is noticeably different, but with two coats of paint and the passenger car moving, the effect is about the same.
UPDATE: The 36 plus 4 people are finished. Just some touch-up painting is needed. Two more 4806 50-packs arrived today from China. Two and three more 50-packs are on the way to me.
Have a good week.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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I did not get down to the layout today, but I did watch a half dozen or so You tube PRR steam train videos. Interesting to see the mail trains, passenger cars, and different rr name coal hoppers on PRR consists and more. Always enjoyable and informative.
I always wanted an SP SW1, but could not find any in the original 1939 paint style made by any of the manufacturers of 3 rail. So I bought an MTH a couple of years ago with a different railroad’s paint scheme and planned to repaint and reletter it. I only recently finally found a source for dry transfers for the SP SW1. So at last I finished this projecy and just test ran the engine. A longtime goal finally finished!
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My Canadian National Legacy tank engine arrived today. It's going to make a nice addition to the attic layout Pic.......Paul 2
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@WP posted:I always wanted an SP SW1, but could not find any in the original 1939 paint style made by any of the manufacturers of 3 rail. So I bought an MTH a couple of years ago with a different railroad’s paint scheme and planned to repaint and reletter it. I only recently finally found a source for dry transfers for the SP SW1. So at last I finished this projecy and just test ran the engine. A longtime goal finally finished!
Looks like a beautiful layout as well.
I was getting ready to move four steamers into the engine yard when I decided to have a steam parade... on the same track!!! I can happily report that I didn’t have any accidents 
I also tried out a new toy - after a recent thread on taking videos for YouTube, I picked up a Sony HD Handycam HDR-CX440 (suggested by @BNSF-Matt) - I’m happy with the results for my first video!!! The engines are all Lionel Legacy models... NYC J3a #5418, NYC Niagara #6005, NKP Berkshire #765, and PRR J1a (and I’m an outlier on this one - I like the haunting whistle).
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Created my control panel for my layout. Cut out holes for the touch toggles but may do it again with cutting out holes and let the light shine through the paper. Curious if you anyone has used the touch toggles did they cut out holes or not. This is mounted in a 11x8 picture frame as a side note
Added some of the passenger car lines across the top for something extra. Tried as best to go East to West
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jjwyatt,
Very nice control panel.
John Rowlen
Sprayed bit of CRC 2-26 lubricant on the standard gauge loop near my ceiling in my home office. Its nothing special. I am running a #390 Lionel Classic with three #516 hoppers (one vintage Lionel and two MTH ones) and a vintage caboose. I find it relaxing. Just ordered a #384 Lionel Classic from Trainz to join the fleet. My other item is a #318 vintage set, which I acquired from a client whose grandfather owned it in the late 1930's. Both the grandfather and client (whom I represented for a divorce) have since passed. The client's brother was in a motor vehicle accident in 1965, long before I was a lawyer, hit by a Reading train as he was driving his car across a RR crossing, causing severe injuries, for which he lived permanently in a nursing home. He died a few years ago. When I run my standard gauge trains, I always think of the family, because their love of standard gauge got me into that scale. My son recently expressed an interest in Lionel O-gauge pre-war, of which I have some. So the torch will be passed.
Mark
Working on 32 more People while I wait for the "Colorado Eagle" Excursion Vista Vision Dome Camera Car to arrive. I need to paint ties, white shirts and Coats on these figures from China.
The work is done. Some more bags of 50 seated people wait for me to start painting again.
Have a good weekend.
Sincerely, John Rowlen.
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@Apples55 posted:I was getting ready to move four steamers into the engine yard when I decided to have a steam parade... on the same track!!! I can happily report that I didn’t have any accidents
Looks nice Paul. I didn't see any D&H power moving though 😂😂
@RSJB18 posted:Looks nice Paul. I didn't see any D&H power moving though 😂😂
True, Bob, but one of the big holes in my collection (that doesn’t run on toy train curves 
) is a D&H steamer 😢😢😢 And considering my predilection for large steam, I am full of regret that I don’t have a D&H Challenger in my fleet.
Got the keys to the house this morning. Got 3/4 of my bench work done this evening! Ran out of lumber so I’ll be heading to Lowe’s in the AM. Just need to make a 4x8 table and 4x4 table!
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You just moved in and you already got all that benchwork in! Amazing!
Replaced my Rev H1 TIU with 2 blown channels with a brand new Rev L TIU that just arrived in the mail!
Been away from the layout for a while. I'm finally putting the lights back in my Ameritowne building after it's been sitting on my workbench for weeks and weeks. One step forward, two back. I installed the new light for the loading dock and soldered it in only to find that one of the coach lanterns is toast. It worked last time I checked it. So now I need to order some new lights from Evan Designs before I can move forward 
I was hoping to get it back on the layout this weekend. Oh Well...... 
(Before photo)
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Bob, It's always something!
The start of my new layout! Going to try to bi-weekly updates once i get all my track shipped to me.
Weekend project, added an elevated section to the layout and reworked the lower sections.
Before
In progress
Mostly complete, few tweaks needed for clearance
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Paul, Wonderful Steam parade! I only have one steam engine that is from my grandson and it just sits cause I never can get it to run right.
JJWyatt, Nice job on the control panel!
NSRailfan100, WOW! You must have one understanding woman! LOL Looking good and I really liked your video update. One thing though I could barely hear you in the video. I also might have an idea for your lift bridge.
Lancer, Nice engine!
Bob, That really sucks, but it's still a wonderful looking building!
Jstewart204, Now that looks like a fun weekend project!
I haven't been in the train room for awhile but did pick up a new truck for the layout at Walmart for $6. I think it will fit right in. Also today I think I am going to try and figure out what is wrong with the motor in my 182 crane. I will try and get some photos of the truck and a video of my crane when I get my computer fixed! LOL
I hope everyone has a great week and gets time for there layout!
For a long time something "new". I finished one BAR box car more, ( repaint, decals & weathering ).
Johan
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Hi guys I hope you all had a great day on your layout today! I spent some time adding LED lights to a couple building and wiring all 3 in the corner up.
After that I found a nice little ford to go on the back of the hot Rod car hauler.
Then while I was under the layout I found these street lights I am thinking about switching over to LED's! But that will be next weekends project.
I hope this video works as it is the noise my Crane is making!
Everyone have a great week! And find time for your trains and layouts! But most of all have fun!
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Cool projects Mike. Really like your buildings.
Getting ready for winter, so I set aside the 21" passenger cars to detail, and I am painting more China figures in the evenings. I am also waiting for Preiser 65602 Seated Figures to come back into stock.
Here is a picture of the next 30 people in progress.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
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