What did you do on your layout today?

@Brad Trout posted:

Yours also looks great, Bob!

I also like your rock wall.  Is that commercial or did you make it?  Learning how to make very similar walls is what enhanced my confidence (and desire) to make the upgraded girder.

Brad- everyone comments on these walls. They are printed images. I use card stock for the prints and mount them to thin cardboard. Cereal boxes from Costco/ BJ's are perfect. I found them on line on a site called textures.com. You can set up a free account that gives you a limited number of free downloads. I save the files to my cloud file storage and can access it any time I need more prints.

I like using paper prints- cheap, easy, and when I take this layout down to build a bigger one, it won't hurt to throw them away.

@RSJB18 posted:

Brad- everyone comments on these walls. They are printed images. I use card stock for the prints and mount them to thin cardboard. Cereal boxes from Costco/ BJ's are perfect. I found them on line on a site called textures.com. You can set up a free account that gives you a limited number of free downloads. I save the files to my cloud file storage and can access it any time I need more prints.

I like using paper prints- cheap, easy, and when I take this layout down to build a bigger one, it won't hurt to throw them away.

OMG! Wow they look so realistic (textured), especially in that original photo I circled.  Amazing!!

I built mine from foam and then lots of painting work I learned from this YouTube crafter.

I love these ideas to help avoid floating track syndrome.

One of several methods I've used is simple, but effective. I used plastic edging from Home Depot, the kind used to put a finishing edge on ceramic floor tiles.  They have an "L" shape in profile and can easily be curfed with a Dremel to bend around curves too. While I've used it above the rails, the same method can be used below them.

It comes in white or beige, I painted mine with Krylon rattle can "red" primer

Brad, Bob always does a great job with his walls, he also prints up alot of other things for his layout. But I do have to say your wall and portholes look outstanding to me!

John, that edging looks great! Better then tracks floating in air!

Before I start on what I did today I really have to thank a few folks. I would like to take the time to thank Stan2004, Consolidated Leo, and Chris A. without these guys I would have not been about to get my signal bridge working. That being said its been a 2 week project as I am very slow when it comes to electrical stuff. It took me alot of trial and error but I just took what everyone kept telling me and just sat down this morning in the train room thinking it over. I just started from the beginning and went step by step making sure I fallowed all the information. Then low and behold it worked! LOL Here are a couple videos.

The last video and kind of a layout room update. I hope you all enjoy!

Mike g., great videos, very nice signal bridges, cool trains, I like it a lot. (Mike g. was that your local news station on TV?)  Wow. John Rowlen, beautiful BN diesels and a cool coal train, great video, and the sounds are great, cool trains. I just took a few pictures of the layout area today. Happy Railroading Everyone

Brad, Your elevated track bridges looks great, as does Bob's.  Brad, it looks like you used the same plastic timber trestle bents I used on mine.  Mine is still floating, but it has only been a year, so I have lots of time. 

Mike, The signals and your layout look great!

John, The BN train looks great!

Larry, Lots to see on your layout as always.

I worked some on my lift up bridges, but nothing new to photograph.

Thanks Larry and yes that was the local ABC news at 11 cause they cant come on later or it would clash with ABC National program and soap operas. LOL I know one thing I sure wish I lived closer to you I would give almost anything to see your layout in person!

Mark , thanks for the kind words!

Mikeg: Great layout videos. Busy place. Signal bridge works well. You have made a lot of progress on your layout. Cheers

Great pics and layout LeapinLarry.

Amazing how, within a single hobby, layouts and train rooms can be so different while, at the same time, the same in terms of fun.

How many levels do you have going there? I think I counted seven.

Love the room decorations and displays too.

@mike g. posted:

Brad, Bob always does a great job with his walls, he also prints up alot of other things for his layout. But I do have to say your wall and portholes look outstanding to me!

John, that edging looks great! Better then tracks floating in air!

Before I start on what I did today I really have to thank a few folks. I would like to take the time to thank Stan2004, Consolidated Leo, and Chris A. without these guys I would have not been about to get my signal bridge working. That being said its been a 2 week project as I am very slow when it comes to electrical stuff. It took me alot of trial and error but I just took what everyone kept telling me and just sat down this morning in the train room thinking it over. I just started from the beginning and went step by step making sure I fallowed all the information. Then low and behold it worked! LOL Here are a couple videos.

The last video and kind of a layout room update. I hope you all enjoy!

Very nice!  So you like Coors a little bit, huh?

@Mark Boyce posted:

Brad, Your elevated track bridges looks great, as does Bob's.  Brad, it looks like you used the same plastic timber trestle bents I used on mine.  Mine is still floating, but it has only been a year, so I have lots of time. 

Mike, The signals and your layout look great!

John, The BN train looks great!

Larry, Lots to see on your layout as always.

I worked some on my lift up bridges, but nothing new to photograph.

Mark, hopefully you will do yours once instead of twice, like I did!  You'll have a wide variety of choices from this post alone!

You also have the MTH operating station, I see.  I do as well and it's one of my favorite accessories, especially when kids come over.  It's such a mystery to them!

Lionelski, thank you, however, you have a cool layout and a great train room, lots of wall decor and also some nice trains on neat shelves. I left you a message on the other thread, Encouraging others to enjoy toy trains. I’ve never seen two layouts alike as it seems everyone sees the world differently, that’s why this forum is so much fun. My layout actually has 5 levels. Tomorrow I’ll take pictures of all sides for your review. Happy Railroading Everyone

Been working on a dry gulch  behind a small town.

@Brad Trout posted:

Mark, hopefully you will do yours once instead of twice, like I did!  You'll have a wide variety of choices from this post alone!

You also have the MTH operating station, I see.  I do as well and it's one of my favorite accessories, especially when kids come over.  It's such a mystery to them!

Brad, thank you!   If all goes with it as the rest of this layout, I’ll end up doing it 3 times!  😄  The operating station amazed one of my adult daughters, in fact!

@farmerjohn posted:

Been working on a dry gulch  behind a small town.

WOW, Dry Gultch, I am getting Thhirsty.. just looking a it. I can bring a shovel, a pick-axe and Canteen if you could use a hand

Farmerjohn: That is nice rock work and what great looking bridges.

Farmerjohn, that’s a Wow, I’m trying to picture in my mind where this scene is located on your layout? Could you post a picture from behind this area? It’s a great looking scenic job. Is this behind your station area? Awesome detailing. I’ll be glad when this pandemic ends and we can visit again. Happy Railroading Everyone

Farmerjohn, thanks for sharing the dry gulch photos.   Really exceptional modeling work there, the elevation changes, rock outcroppings, and blending of colors is awesome. 

Mike g:   Enjoyed your videos !  The layout is looking great Mike, doesn't seem like that long ago that you were finishing the train room, building the "she shed" !!! 

LeapinLarry:  Your train room is beautiful, love the mix of an outstanding  layout plus all the shelves, railroad signs, art work. 

I opened up my MTH N6b Woodside caboose yesterday, the one with the operating signalman.   Wanted to put the Kadee couplers on it, and lower it.  Glad that's done !  Working on that caboose was "character building" to say the least.... Didn't take that many photos, the first 3 show the drilling out of the dreaded MTH top-hat that raises the freight cars too high, then install thin flat fender washer in place of top hat

Ironically, when I installed the Kadee to the MTH pre drilled holes with NO SHIM between, it was dead on with the coupler height gauge.

Brad, thank you sir, you might say I like coors alittle! LOL

Larry, what a great shot of your train room. If you haven't maybe one day you can do a walk around video of it for the rest of us!

FarmerJohn, Outstanding work! Looks so real. But I do have a question for you, what is the spacing for your post on your cable guard rail?

I hope everyone has a great weekend, I think I am going to be spending most of my time under the layout cleaning up the wiring and adding TVS's to protect my engines and lighted cars.

Most of all I hope you all have fun!

@chris a posted:

Farmerjohn, thanks for sharing the dry gulch photos.   Really exceptional modeling work there, the elevation changes, rock outcroppings, and blending of colors is awesome.

Mike g:   Enjoyed your videos !  The layout is looking great Mike, doesn't seem like that long ago that you were finishing the train room, building the "she shed" !!!

LeapinLarry:  Your train room is beautiful, love the mix of an outstanding  layout plus all the shelves, railroad signs, art work.

I opened up my MTH N6b Woodside caboose yesterday, the one with the operating signalman.   Wanted to put the Kadee couplers on it, and lower it.  Glad that's done !  Working on that caboose was "character building" to say the least.... Didn't take that many photos, the first 3 show the drilling out of the dreaded MTH top-hat that raises the freight cars too high, then install thin flat fender washer in place of top hat

Ironically, when I installed the Kadee to the MTH pre drilled holes with NO SHIM between, it was dead on with the coupler height gauge.

You know Chris if I opened up a caboose and found all that stuff inside the cover would go right back on! LOL Great Job!

Trust me Mike,  that thought entered my mind a couple of times, when I opened it up.  And then a couple of hours in, and beyond the point of no return I was thinking:   "I should have my head examined !".....  I have 2 more of these PRR N6b cabin cars, fortunately not with operating signalmen, so they should be somewhat less challenging.   I really like the N6b caboose, but it's so short that when it's sitting too high, it doesn't look right.    I think it's time to put all the Kadee parts away for a while, and start my Union Station Kitbash.   

Your probably right, plus I cant wait to see the Union Station Kitbash! One question when you made your korber flats, what did you use to cut the walls?

Mike g:  my first choice is the 7 1/4 inch  60 tooth Freud Carbide tipped finish cut circular saw blade mounted in my 10 inch table saw with a zero clearance throat plate.    I know others choose dremel and razor saws....   I get really clean straight cuts and can even to 45 degree miters on the table saw.

its a really thin kerf so it doesn't remove much material..  i think its a $20 blade at home depot.   I buy them when they on sale once a year -  2 for $20. Smaller diameter slows the speed and reduces melting

Thanks Chris, I dont know if a 7 1/4" blade would fit on my armature on my table saw. I will have to check that one out!

Mike I'd be shocked if it didn't work.  I have interchanged these 7 1/4 inch blades on 3 different types of table saws, same 9/16" diameter arbor.... I think it's 9/16" ??  If I am not cutting really thick slabs I use the thinner kerf blade for wood too as it makes 1/2 as much saw dust to clean up !!

@mike g. posted:

The last video and kind of a layout room update. I hope you all enjoy!

@mike g.

Mike:

Your layout has come a long way and is really spectacular. Bravo!!!!!!

more platforms for more people

Ok Chris, I will have to give it a try and let you know!

Randy thank you sir! I still have a long way to go, but most of it has been fun! Sometimes the wiring fries my brain though! LOL

@j. constible posted:

more platforms for more people

J. your platforms are looking outstanding! But your right, your going to need alot more people! LOL

Got around to finishing up the paint job on my LionChief A-5. Figured if I’ll weather a engine might as well start on something cheaper. Added a little details to it, added some better coal to the tender. Also added some small wood to the steps.

Mike.g.  The gaurd rail post are 2 1/2 inches apart. Probably a little close but needed for such a dangerous  road . That's why there painted yellow instead  of white. I don't  know the rules about this of course  but it make some since to me. I placed some buildings in place also.

Today, I installed a Tortiose switch machine on a GarGraves turnout. The machine that originally came with the turnout has been a challenge to work properly. Not sure if I'm not wiring it correctly or what. So, I gave up on the original and tried the Tortoise. The wire lever is a bit too small and weak for the O scale turnout. But, after some working, I managed to free up the switch enough that it's working pretty well right now. I really wish Tortiose would send a larger size wire lever for larger scale turnouts. They claim it works for O scale but they leave it up to the buyer to find an alternative wire lever. I'll be installing these on two more turnouts. Wish I could find a stiffer wire lever somewhere. I think it would help.

farmerjohn,

Fantastic modeling. Rock work, ground foam, trees...top notch!

Dave

FarmerJohn, that is truly remarkable. WOW!

Farmerjohn, everything looks great!

I travelled to a train show today in Canfield Ohio.  There wasn't a lot to interest me there except one item for the layout.  I'll report more on that when I get it to the layout.

UH OH!

Steve

@John Rowlen posted:

At age 70, I finally added my first Burlington Northern equipment to my railroad.  For some reason, I passed the BN on my list of engines and cars to purchase.  I have looked at the BN Coal Train, but the new aluminum and green rotary bathtub gondolas finally caught my imagination.  The new Lionel SD40-2 with the BN nose markings finally sold me on the Burlington Northern.  It is really nice that it has operating ditch lights.  Here is a brief video of two SD40-2 engines pulling 16 cars.  The third dummy engine had to be returned due to shipping damage and missing parts.  Hopefully next week I will be able to add it to the two engines and shoot another video.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

oOHHH Be Still My Heart! Love it. Coming from ORE country, and now, well they are bringing Oil through Minneapolis and St Paul, I love the pattern of a consist hauling... Very Nice, thanks for the share

I finally set my tunnel diorama on the layout and put down plaster cloth. Hopefully I can get it finished up soon so I can run trains again.

@RSJB18 posted:

I finally set my tunnel diorama on the layout and put down plaster cloth. Hopefully I can get it finished up soon so I can run trains again.

Wow, Bob, watching this from the prototype to now, it is fantastic. Well done, You should be pleased-as-punch! Congrats

This project has turned out very well. Depending upon what goes in front of the entrance: have you considered using a mirror at the back of the tunnel?