What did you do on your layout today?

@Randy Harrison posted:

Layout progress for today, 9/10/2023, Zora Maya and I were hard at work this morning. The photo below shows the "Z" lady, queen of the soldering iron, doing electronic soldering.

Also, just a "heads up". I am not going to be posting next week. On Tuesday, 9/12/2023, I am having a laparoscopic surgical procedure that will require me to remain in the hospital for several days thereafter. However, I am borrowing one of my wife's laptop computers and will be reading the OGR Forum to see and enjoy all of your GREAT posts.

Randy, with my teasing comment to Dallas, I forgot to comment to you!  First, I’ve prayed for the surgery to be effective and you recover well.

Zora Maya is doing a great job!  It looks like she could work at the place a former coworker worked when he was young, where he had to get NASA certified on soldering.  It takes a delicate and steady hand, something I no longer have.

That flooring of the RPO looks great!  Hopefully you will be able to get back at it very soon!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Plenty of ventilation in the soldering area?!?!  Getting in the Way-Back Machine no one said anything about ventilation!!  Of course our lab instructor was a retired guy who checked for voltage with his thumb and finger.  I believe he helped George Westinghouse get his business started… 😆  Kidding aside, good advice, Dallas!

Thanks Mark.

And THANKS to THE FORUM for info about handling the lead was indeed one matter and the flux vapor was the issue for ventilation. .........  ( even a close acquaintance of mine , an electrical engineer for over 40 years , didn't realize flux vapor was the issue. )        Don't know if  someone with no health issues will have a problem though ........

@Mark Boyce posted:

......... on soldering.  It takes a delicate and steady hand, something I no longer have.

How about a desk size AI  SOLDERING  ROBOT  for those delicate jobs Mark !?!      ( maybe on one of the auction sites )

Had some time for the trains and got some railings installed, tying them into the stairs. I also got some vines done on the concrete wall. More railings to go next, and maybe some ballasting.  Looking forward to York, it's coming quick.

Thanks - Scott

That’s very impressive looking Scott. Where did you get the railings and stairs?

Jay

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Thanks Mark.

And THANKS to THE FORUM for info about handling the lead was indeed one matter and the flux vapor was the issue for ventilation. ......... ( even a close acquaintance of mine , an electrical engineer for over 40 years , didn't realize flux vapor was the issue. )        Don't know if  someone with no health issues will have a problem though ........

@Dallas Joseph posted:

How about a desk size AI  SOLDERING  ROBOT  for those delicate jobs Mark !?!      ( maybe on one of the auction sites )

Dallas, yes that flux vapor is nasty smelling and I’m sure not good to inhale much of it.  When I did more soldering at work in my younger days, hence the “Way Back Machine“, no one ever said a word about it.  Hmmm…I wouldn’t be surprised if it can cause respiratory distress and even cancer.  

If I got an AI machine to solder, it may just take over and tell me my layout is all messed up!  😆😆😆

@Mark Boyce posted:

If I got an AI machine to solder, it may just take over and tell me my layout is all messed up!  😆😆😆

Hey, that's what posting on the forum is for!

Are we in danger of being replaced by AI??!

@Tranquil Hollow RR  The handrails are mostly plastruct with some scratch built add-ins for the curves. The basic stairway was also a kit with scratch rails and landings.

Thanks - Scott

@Steve Tyler posted:

Hey, that's what posting on the forum is for!

Are we in danger of being replaced by AI??!

Hey Steve......I  think I have a deranged AI  steam engine .

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Hey Steve......I  think I have a deranged AI  steam engine .

O.K., here's the remedy: first turn it off, then turn it back on . . . a hard reboot will cure a multitude of problems, and show the AI who's boss!

Interesting history of K-line.

I had several of their products including their outstanding 21" SF streamlined cars which I thought were the 'best on the market'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_tlDJyDFuo 

Video of my K-line passenger cars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr5wq5dQx2k

WOO HOO Morning guys and it has only been a week from my last post! LOL

I hope your all doing well and keeping safe from all that life has to throw at you!

@Randy Harrison I know I am a day or two late, but I hope the surgery went well and that your recovery is going even better than expected!

@RSJB18 Bob there is nothing wrong with just running trains! I would do the same today, but I still have to swap out a couple switch motors and controller that lead to my upper-level yard.

@NSRailfan100 Wonderful looking job on the weathering! Also, a great looking train!

@B&O Fan Scott the handrail and stairs look great! But I do have to say that the whole scene looks OUTSTANDING!

Well guys I haven't done anything all week or yesterday, but today I plan on being in the train room to swap out a couple of switch motors and controllers that lead to my upper yard. If I get that done, I am going to pull a Bob and just run some trains after I move some stuff out of the way! LOL

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

waiting to get over this sinus head cold, or whatever it is. No energy at all. Had it since last week. Got Train projects to do !!

@Joe Cassiday Jr posted:

waiting to get over this sinus head cold, or whatever it is. No energy at all. Had it since last week. Got Train projects to do !!

Might be Covid. I just got over it again. Started with a cough and chest congestion, then moved to my head and sinus.

@mike g.- Hope you get the switch machines fixed. Been a while since we've see what you've been up to. You know the drill.....no pix? then it didn't really happen. And yes, it's been nice just running trains.

Bob

Something completely different.

Yesterday I bought a box of Trix 3 rail HO track from the Illinois Railway Museum Model Railroad Store.  24 straight, 24 curve, terminal section, 2 bumpers, and 2 pairs of switches.

Today I cleaned up the track and ran some trains.  A Marklin 0-6-0 and some American freight cars.  Trains ran nicely.

Not my layout but tinplate room. I hung 30’ of GSDS. That’s almost as much fun as hanging wallpaper by yourself! Oh I’m dating myself.

No pictures still have to cleanup; got too tired.

Haven't done anything on my layout for a week. Really bad, Head-Cold, feel tired & Weak. Nota a good time to be working on Electronics !!

A series of projects begin before my open house in November. I always push myself to see how much I can achieve before the event. These are some roof accoutrements for an industrial building I'm currently working on. I still need to weather them but they're constructed and painted. More to come.

Dave

I cleaned up the work area and loaded the shelves today. https://ogrforum.com/...8#179650963008554838
My main purpose of adding the shelves was to  make room for the Blue Streak and arrange it with all the articulated sets. I also wanted the 224E and 226E to be in this room. I rearranged the old wall and filled in the new wall.

@pennsyfan posted:

I cleaned up the work area and loaded the shelves today.

Hey, I still see a few empty slots . . . and, y'know, York is fast approaching . . .

Steve has a point, Bob!  The Blue Streak looks great, as does the whole collection on display!

Started working on wiring and picked up a new toy. Lots to do and so little time these days lol.

Got my new to me Lionel SW1200 unpacked and on the rails.

First diesel with a dual shaft drive.  Makes a bit of noise so I will have to open it up and check the grease in the drive train. Programmed it into my Cab 1L and the LC app.

Runnin' the worms......😁😁

Bob

Just uploaded these:
https://youtube.com/shorts/dlz8xPvy1xs

https://youtube.com/shorts/JcKgQkb6vMs

The Chesapeake, & Delaware has been restoring the Freehold Secondary, which runs from Farmingdale to Freehold. They recently installed these cRoss bucks on every grade crossing. I decided to make a copy of one and install it on my layout. I stood next to one of the cross bucks; I’m 6’3”. I estimated it was about 8 1/2- 9 feet so that’s what I made my model.  Since I don’t have a secondary;  I installed it on a siding that has a grade crossing.

I can't take credit for this, but my young son made this stop sign for me. I shall display it proudly.

@pennsyfan posted:

The Chesapeake, & Delaware has been restoring the Freehold Secondary, which runs from Farmingdale to Freehold. They recently installed these cRoss bucks on every grade crossing. I decided to make a copy of one and install it on my layout. I stood next to one of the cross bucks; I’m 6’3”. I estimated it was about 8 1/2- 9 feet so that’s what I made my model.  Since I don’t have a secondary;  I installed it on a siding that has a grade crossing.

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

I can't take credit for this, but my young son made this stop sign for me. I shall display it proudly.

Two great signs.

Sorry Bob, but Donnie's wins on the cute factor.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Two great signs.

Sorry Bob, but Donnie's wins on the cute factor.

Bob

😂

Well afternoon and evening guys I hope your all doing well! I just came in from the train room and thought I would check in.

@RSJB18 Bob Wonderful looking new SW1200 I am sure you will work all the noise out of it! As for the switch's I am still working on them, to be honest the last couple of times out I moves buildings and other stuff around and just ran trains with a nice cold one and did a lot of thinking!

@luvindemtrains Dave great start on all your roof pieces! I am sure you will do an amazing job weathering them!

@pennsyfan Bob all I can say is wow! you sure have been busy with all those shelves. Not only putting them up, but filling them also! l was going to point out the obvious but the guys beat me to it. It kind of looks like you need to buy a few more trains! You did an outstanding job on the new RR crossing sign!

@Lancer Lance good start, and don't worry no matter what is going on in your life your trains and layout will be waiting for you as you get free time!

@Donnie Kennedy Wonderful stop sign, I can tell you have a great assistant and artist helping you out! Keep him motivated and he will keep supriseing you!

Well guy as I have said I have spent the last couple of time out in the train room just running trains and thinking! I it so nice to be able to set 2 trains at 20 MPH and let them run with all I have to do is throw a switch now and then!

But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

@mike g. posted:

Well afternoon and evening guys I hope your all doing well! I just came in from the train room and thought I would check in.

Well guy as I have said I have spent the last couple of time out in the train room just running trains and thinking! I it so nice to be able to set 2 trains at 20 MPH and let them run with all I have to do is throw a switch now and then!

But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

Nothing wrong with just running trains Mike. Works for me every time.

Moving? I'd hate to see your train room go but if moving is in the plan then go for it. Obviously, detailed scenery will have to wait, but as long as you can run trains then all is well. Don't ballast, paint the bare plywood, place your buildings and enjoy.

Bob

That’s a huge undertaking on every level Mike. It’s a matter of what makes sense financially and practically. When we moved the first must have was one floor living. Plus, the outdoor upkeep needed to be moderate. Of course, there had to be a train room/space. As far as your layout if there is something you want to experiment with go ahead and practice. You just got finished with the redo on your layout. However, a cold one and running trains will assist with the decision making process.

Jay

@mike g. posted:

But I do have a question for you guys that have moved and started over. The wife and I are throwing around the idea of moving and I don't know weather to keep going ahead with the layout or just run trains till its for sure. I know I am not taking it down till we are firm on moving! Sure would like to get all your thoughts!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend and find time to have fun with your layouts and trains!

Mike thanks for your comments.
To answer your question. We had a two family house in Brooklyn for 43 years. The last couple of years there we got tired of deadbeat tenants and left it empty. I started a layout and was working on it for about a year and a half; when we finally started looking in NJ. We were at it for six months. One day I asked my wife to come up and look at a scene I just finished. She came up and said when are you going to stop? What happens when we find a house. I told her that I would stop building when we had a contract to buy; and I’ll start taking down the layout when we have a contract on our house. I did that because a friend started taking his layout down when he listed his house. He moved 10 years later. The only part of the layout that I took with me was the Mianne bench work; and Gargraves track, Ross switches. Oh BTW we signed a contract for our new home on Friday, and had a contract for our  Brooklyn home on Monday. I was busier than a 1 armed paper hanger.

Mike, I would echo others' comments.  If there is something you want to experiment with, go ahead.  However don't take anything apart before you have a move firmly planned.  We are in a similar spot as Jay was.  We want to move to a single floor home.  However, we are staying put as long as my wife's mom lives across the road.  Since we don't know how long she will be there, I'm keeping on with the layout.  I plan to be like Bob, take the Mianne benchwork, track, switches, electronics, buildings, and trains; and scrap my hodge podge of lumber. 

@B&O Fan posted:

Had some time for the trains and got some railings installed, tying them into the stairs. I also got some vines done on the concrete wall. More railings to go next, and maybe some ballasting.  Looking forward to York, it's coming quick.

Thanks - Scott

The "Nighthawks" vignette is just magnificent!

Peter

Thanks to Tropical Depression Ophelia, I got a reprieve from house painting, lawn mowing & firewood splitting today. 😁. So my train room time was spent assessing track, etc.,inventories and making a York shopping list !  I AM bringing my GMC pickup, but it’s only got a 6-1/2 ft bed , lol !

Rich in WV

Hi guys I took all your advice and went out to the train room today! I have to say I am not impressed with MTH switch motors or their controllers! I must have checked 10 sets and mix controllers with motors before I got everything to work for 5 switches. I was running trains and bumped on of the controllers and it got stuck. Needles to day it melted one of my motors here are a couple photos of the motor and controllers.

Next time in the train room I will be switching them all over to SPDP momentary toggle switches!

As for the layout, I am going to keep going, just no real scenery. I will place buildings and build roads; you know all the good stuff! Absolutely no more ballast till I know what the plan is! LOL

I wonder if I can make DZ motors work with scale track? Guess I will have to buy one and figure it out!

Well I hope you all had a great weekend and had fun with your layouts and trains! I will try to check in before next weekend as a lot can happen in a week! LOL

Last week or so has been spent thinking about how to install a wall in front of my elevated town. So far one section will be a concrete wall with arch panels in front to provide depth. Another section will be arches which will allow a view of the trains running in that short section. (I do not think brick or stone will work visually)  Added supports to install the upper level decking for the town. Nothing to add to the photos already posted.

@mike g.  I suggest limiting the thinking to what you really want to see on another layout. Having bought 2 homes with good sized train rooms only to have the deals fall apart at inspection, the result was a skewed idea of what I wanted to do when faced with the reality of a much smaller available space with the 3rd house. Once you have the home and see the space then decide on what goes where. Regardless keep running those trains. If you do decide to ballast try not to glue it down, we know how much fun you had recycling your old ballast.   

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys I took all your advice and went out to the train room today! I have to say I am not impressed with MTH switch motors or their controllers! I must have checked 10 sets and mix controllers with motors before I got everything to work for 5 switches. I was running trains and bumped on of the controllers and it got stuck. Needles to day it melted one of my motors here are a couple photos of the motor and controllers.

Next time in the train room I will be switching them all over to SPDP momentary toggle switches!

As for the layout, I am going to keep going, just no real scenery. I will place buildings and build roads; you know all the good stuff! Absolutely no more ballast till I know what the plan is! LOL

I wonder if I can make DZ motors work with scale track? Guess I will have to buy one and figure it out!

Well I hope you all had a great weekend and had fun with your layouts and trains! I will try to check in before next weekend as a lot can happen in a week! LOL

Mike- I have 3 Realtrax switches on my yard. The motors are wimpy to say the least, and the controllers are not much better.  I usually wind up flipping them by hand.

I like the plan going forward. Just limit the amount of permanent stuff for now.

Bob

imitating the prototype

Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.

@pennsyfan posted:

imitating the prototype

Rail service into and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 30-minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire issue resulting in a disabled train in Penn Station New York. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken.

Can't see the pix....