What did you do on your layout today?

Just re-upped my OGR subscription, as well as the one for RMC and my NMRA membership tonight...

Made my Menards/Miller Signs 4.5 DC transformer box to power them all!

@Windy City posted:

How are you getting such a uniform road bed? It looks like you're cutting homasote board.  

It's foam roadbed.  I actually like it better than cork now that I've had a chance to lay several hundred feet of it.  I bought it on eBay after looking at Woodland Scenics and FlexBed samples, this stuff is ever bit as good and was way cheaper.  It comes in six foot lengths, very convenient.  I'm going to finish the turntable tracks today.

John, what is the name of the product? I’ve checked on the bay and the coloring is different from yours.
Thanks,
Jay

The guy sells multiple colors, the guy's seller name is sparks00033. The color I got was the gray.  He will also send you a free sample so you can actually see and touch it, that's how I compared it to the other stuff.

His paper with the stuff says:  Search for "SOUND FOAM ROADBED" on eBay, and indeed that brings up a bunch of his listings, in both HO and O.  He also has the wide pads for under switches, I haven't trimmed those yet after placing the switches, still to come...

Thank you John

Gunrunner John, your layouts looking really good, the Atlas O turntable looks great and one thing for sure, it will work correctly, meaning it will line up properly at the push of a button. I’m going back to your main thread to catch up on all of your progress, it’s a very nice plan. Today, we replaced an Atlas O Custom signal that was in a derailment accident. Happy Railroading Everyone

Thanks Larry, it's got a long way to go, but I'm looking forward to actually being able to run trains.

I didn't make much progress over the weekend on the tunnel but I did manage to steal a few minutes here and there. I finished roughing in the foam and got the plaster cloth on last night. I'm satisfied so far

I added a few more walls above the tunnel for the higher terrain

Plaster cloth is great stuff!

Bob

That plaster cloth does work wonders, it's looking really good!

Replaced the black roofing on the front and rear of my Korber Roundhouse with clear acrylic and added three chimneys on the rear.

Looks like there's nothing there (but you can see the "floating" chimneys if you look close), so it must have come out well !!

BTW, for anyone interested, the gray foam roadbed used by GRJ also comes in widths for Fastrack and it looks good in that application as well.

Grandson visiting. We were running trains when for unkonwn reasons, crates were ejected from a boxcar causing a derailment.  So, I ran the train around and just randomly sopped it to unload whatever crares reamined in the car and, no kidding, no staging, no Photoshopping...the crate was ejected and this happenned:

Knowing no one would believe us, my grandson decided to try and recreate it so we could video it.  This was the result:

Then we ran the Acela:

He just turned 9.  He's been running my trains since, maybe 2.  He loves'm.  Because of Covid he's in remote "no-learn" mode and today, whenever he has a break, he runs down to the train room and fires them up for as long as he has a break.  I'm hopeful his love for trains will never end.

@ToledoEd posted:

Grandson visiting. We were running trains when for unkonwn reasons, crates were ejected from a boxcar causing a derailment.  So, I ran the train around and just randomly sopped it to unload whatever crares reamined in the car and, no kidding, no staging, no Photoshopping...the crate was ejected and this happenned:

Knowing no one would believe us, my grandson decided to try and recreate it so we could video it.  This was the result:

Then we ran the Acela:

He just turned 9.  He's been running my trains since, maybe 2.  He loves'm.  Because of Covid he's in remote "no-learn" mode and today, whenever he has a break, he runs down to the train room and fires them up for as long as he has a break.  I'm hopeful his love for trains will never end.

Completely outstanding Ed'.. That is very cool'...Shut the remote no learn down.  Zack will learn more running trains'... Electricity, centrifugal force, timing and speed, mathematics'.. meters, to inches, etc'..

BTW, your camera takes a crystal clear photo and video'.. WHat are you using again.  Truly impressive'....😁👌📷

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That plaster cloth does work wonders, it's looking really good!

Thanks John.

@RSJB18 posted:

I didn't make much progress over the weekend on the tunnel but I did manage to steal a few minutes here and there. I finished roughing in the foam and got the plaster cloth on last night. I'm satisfied so far

I added a few more walls above the tunnel for the higher terrain

Plaster cloth is great stuff!

Bob

That looks awesome Bob

RSJB18

I see you used the plaster cloth.  I believe I will do a test run with the cloth really soon and use the foam like you show in the photos you have shared.    In the background I see the Titebond glue I find a Lowes.  I use that in my wood shop and I do believe that I can tell a difference when I glue boards together and then run them through the planer.  I feel with this glue, the boards are not separating near the ends as with other glues I have used.  Not as dangerous.   

For my ballast I also used Titebond as well.  My ballast dries together and lasts really well.  So I can recommend that product.  I apparently have missed those smaller containers when I am buying glue.  I need that smaller type of dispenser.   

I will watch to see how that you finish and color the plaster cloth when it dries!   I believe I will use about the same amount of foam as you have when I get to that part of finishing off the exterior tunnel walls.

Thanks !

Ed, What do you use for your streets and roads.  The center lines are great.

Thanks

Bob, very good job. That corner is going to look great. I have been using the combination of foam and plaster cloth for years now. I bought an inexpensive heat knife at Menards to cut the foam.

The only thing I have managed to do so far is I took a black marker and did the edges of the emery strips before I glue them down. ...............Paul 2

@Seth Thomas posted:

RSJB18

I see you used the plaster cloth.  I believe I will do a test run with the cloth really soon and use the foam like you show in the photos you have shared.    In the background I see the Titebond glue I find a Lowes.  I use that in my wood shop and I do believe that I can tell a difference when I glue boards together and then run them through the planer.  I feel with this glue, the boards are not separating near the ends as with other glues I have used.  Not as dangerous.   

For my ballast I also used Titebond as well.  My ballast dries together and lasts really well.  So I can recommend that product.  I apparently have missed those smaller containers when I am buying glue.  I need that smaller type of dispenser.   

I will watch to see how that you finish and color the plaster cloth when it dries!   I believe I will use about the same amount of foam as you have when I get to that part of finishing off the exterior tunnel walls.

Thanks !

Seth- I've used titebond for years. It's by far the best IMHO for wood and other porous materials. I used that for the foam, and white glue for the prints and balsa application. I use diluted white glue and water with a few drops of dish soap for ballast and scenic work.

@paul 2 posted:

Bob, very good job. That corner is going to look great. I have been using the combination of foam and plaster cloth for years now. I bought an inexpensive heat knife at Menards to cut the foam.

The only thing I have managed to do so far is I took a black marker and did the edges of the emery strips before I glue them down. ...............Paul 2

Thanks Paul. I use a Dremel multi-max to carve the foam. I don't want to worry about the fumes. I keep my shopvac running to catch the crumbs.

My next step is to cover the plaster with thinned joint compound to smooth over the fabric and then I should be ready for ground cover.

@lee drennen- Thank you too!

Looking good Bob, can't wait until you get it in place to see it come together. I like the Titebond as well, go through a lot of it with building the layout.

Took a break from the railroad to get some carpet put down and just finished my Sealtest milk distribution center. Got it powered up this morning.

Stay safe,

Scott

@B&O Fan posted:

Looking good Bob, can't wait until you get it in place to see it come together. I like the Titebond as well, go through a lot of it with building the layout.

Took a break from the railroad to get some carpet put down and just finished my Sealtest milk distribution center. Got it powered up this morning.

Stay safe,

Scott

Scott

great looking pics I really like that Sealtest building

Lee,

  Thanks, it's been slow on forward progress due to attempting to upgrade the basement to a more finished look at the same time.

Scott

@B&O Fan posted:

Looking good Bob, can't wait until you get it in place to see it come together. I like the Titebond as well, go through a lot of it with building the layout.

Took a break from the railroad to get some carpet put down and just finished my Sealtest milk distribution center. Got it powered up this morning.

Stay safe,

Scott

Scott;

Wow... Sealtest - there’s a name I haven’t heard in years!!! looks really sharp. And the brewing company is great too.

I agree on Sealtest!  I remember they were all around Western Pennsylvania.  The building looks great!!

WOW everyone is doing such great work and having so much fun! I want to join in! LOL

Ed, wonderful phots and video, but more impressive is the story line and that your grandson enjoys the trains! I have tried to get mine to enjoy them. But they are more into computer games!

Bob, your doing a great job back in the corner! You must have spent quite a bit of time in the corner as a child! LOL I really like the tow truck and your plaster work is really topnotch!

Larry, all I can say is the same thing I always say about your layout and photos, I really love the look of your layout and drool over the photos you post of it!

Scott wonderful work, The building looks outstanding even though I have never heard of the company! Looks like a well known company for what others have said.

Well for me I finely got my 182 crane working, been working on that for the past 5 or 6 days. I could not figure out why it would spin but not raise and lower the hook. It seamed like the coil didn't have enough power to pull the plunger in to engage the clutch. I talked to Jeff the train tender then Bob Hamnon about the coil and it was testing out ok, so I ordered plungers and springs from Jeff, He said he thought it was a mechanical issue and he was right. The plunger for the hook had been bent just enough to where it was binding as it tried to go in. A little bending here and there and now it works. Just wish it wasnt so loud! LOL

I hope everyone has a great night and is staying safe! Also please find time to have fun, life is just to short!

Mike, I’m glad you got the crane working!!!!!

Managed to get 2 erections taken care of today

Excellent trouble shooting Mike.

"Reply by Jim Van Every

@p51 posted:

Worked on the aluminum casting I got from the Age Of Steam Roundhouse over the past couple of days...

I drilled the holes last night to match some 1/4" by 3/4" celvis pins. Going to run picture wire through the holes in the pins, onto a hook on the wall.

Then, I painted it in a dark steel spray paint and will let that sit for a couple days.

Black paint will cover that once it really dries over a couple of days, and then I'll rub that paint off some edges while it's wet, and then add a light touch of rust weathering powders as the real plates were cast iron.

Just got the plate done. I strung wire through the back of the clevis pins which worked well, and it fit on two hooks I'd already had on the wall of the train room.

You can see I simulated paint wear, and later I'll put small patches of rust in some spots as the real plates were cast iron.
Kind if dull in black, but that's what the real ones were painted.

I liked the clevis pins as the holes were too close to the inside edges of the back of the plate to put any nuts on standard bolts...

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Completely outstanding Ed'.. That is very cool'...Shut the remote no learn down.  Zack will learn more running trains'... Electricity, centrifugal force, timing and speed, mathematics'.. meters, to inches, etc'..

BTW, your camera takes a crystal clear photo and video'.. WHat are you using again.  Truly impressive'....😁👌📷

Ted, thanks. I use an iPhoneSE. I like it. I edit videos using iMovie and transferring video files to that application is a breeze.

@mike g. posted:

WOW everyone is doing such great work and having so much fun! I want to join in! LOL

Ed, wonderful phots and video, but more impressive is the story line and that your grandson enjoys the trains! I have tried to get mine to enjoy them. But they are more into computer games!

Bob, your doing a great job back in the corner! You must have spent quite a bit of time in the corner as a child! LOL I really like the tow truck and your plaster work is really topnotch!

Larry, all I can say is the same thing I always say about your layout and photos, I really love the look of your layout and drool over the photos you post of it!

Scott wonderful work, The building looks outstanding even though I have never heard of the company! Looks like a well known company for what others have said.

Well for me I finely got my 182 crane working, been working on that for the past 5 or 6 days. I could not figure out why it would spin but not raise and lower the hook. It seamed like the coil didn't have enough power to pull the plunger in to engage the clutch. I talked to Jeff the train tender then Bob Hamnon about the coil and it was testing out ok, so I ordered plungers and springs from Jeff, He said he thought it was a mechanical issue and he was right. The plunger for the hook had been bent just enough to where it was binding as it tried to go in. A little bending here and there and now it works. Just wish it wasnt so loud! LOL

I hope everyone has a great night and is staying safe! Also please find time to have fun, life is just to short!

Thanks Mike. He plays those too, but mostly plays with trains when he visits. By the way, I spent many weeks in Sofia, Bulgaria in the early 90’s just after the USSR broke up. Really enjoyed it...😁

I just shot these for the heck of it:

B&O Fan

I remember the Sealtest Ice cream. One of my favorites. Funny thing was I recognized the logo instantly and it brought so many memories back. Thanks. Well gotta go as Now I want ice cream.

@p51 posted:

I just shot these for the heck of it:

Nice Video’s Lee. That’s the kind I like to shoot for the heck of it

I did some Truck work on this Weaver Boxcar last night so I can get it back on the layout roster. It’s been down for almost 5 years.

Hello Lee,

Sorry that I did not know if your I’ll health until recently.  Hopefully you are doing better now and bounce back to full measure...

Please correct me, but, believe you experienced a recovery from something else in recent years. So this process isn’t new to you.

I attempted a private message with you but got a stop signal 😏

I recall I began my wonderful journey with OGR Forum about the time your daughter finished her high school career where she played sports.

So I also wish the wife and girls are doing well!

lastly, the many times that I enjoyed playing the board game Monopoly, I always made my way by riding the rails via the Reading.😊

@Seth Thomas posted:

Hello Lee,

Sorry that I did not know if your I’ll health until recently.  Hopefully you are doing better now and bounce back to full measure...

Please correct me, but, believe you experienced a recovery from something else in recent years. So this process isn’t new to you.

I attempted a private message with you but got a stop signal 😏

I recall I began my wonderful journey with OGR Forum about the time your daughter finished her high school career where she played sports.

So I also wish the wife and girls are doing well!

lastly, the many times that I enjoyed playing the board game Monopoly, I always made my way by riding the rails via the Reading.😊

Thanks Seth. I’ll see what’s up with my email it should be ok. I’m not bouncing yet I’m at a hop. This was one of my first weavers I purchased.

Fixed a low coupler and posted videos of passenger train on What did you run. . . thread.

Decided to run my MTH Premier Southern Queen & Crescent Limited. The engine is a PS3 20-3465-1  and the cars are 20-4077.  As much as I like the consist, it does not fit with what I am modeling, so I am listing it on the forum for a few days. (both are now in the hands of new owners Feb 2021)  Had my camera mic off - so no sound.  Enjoy.