Tried yet another stain for the Std. Gauge layout table. Minwax Express Colors Onyx. Decision made! Same consistency and same product as the Emerald I really like. Its terrific. When both are very polyurethaned to a gloss-like finish, it will be just the look I was thinking of. The shaped facing boards will also be stained in Emerald.
Pic shows 2 dry coats of the Emerald, and one quick coat done with a cloth application and then wiped off of the Onyx.
I have a Lionel Standard gauge #380 engine that needs a Super Standard motor so I have started a project to swap a motor in to it. The donor is a second #8 that I have. Not quite a drop in-the 380 frame needs notched on the side.
This morning I am heading to the Train Show in Parma Ohio hoping to find a goodie or two. When I get home I'll be measuring for the next two tables on my switching layout...............Paul
This past week I completed my prototype dwarf signal. I am building dwarf signals to indicate switch direction at a cost less than $3 each. I found some O scale target faces on eBay for only $12.99/10 - (JTD23 10 sets Target Faces With LEDs for Railway signal O Scale 2 Aspects).
They came complete with LEDs and resistors. Unfortunately, the 976K resistors that came with them did not work very good with the 9volt DC power source I am using to power the Tortoise switch machines on my layout. Note the LEDs are not very bright. Luckily, I have an EE friend who tested and determined I needed different resistors. The green LED will need a 82.5K resistor and the red LED a 13K resistor. You can get 10 resistors for about $0.65 so it was not a big deal. They are on order.
With a rattail file, I reshaped the back of the target face as pictured. The 5/16 tubing will rest in this filed groove.
Fit and cut the 1/4 styrene strips as pictured. Need to attach the three sides as shown to that back side of the target heads. Glue with CA+.
Glued the LED’s to the target faces with a drop of CA+. I positioned them so that the long lead (positive) wires were orientated the same.
Bent the short leads and solder the respective resistor to each red and green LED and then connect the other end of the resistors to the power lead. Shielded the bare leads with shrink tubing.
Cut out the front face of the tubing. Cut the pattern shown with a track saw and finished with knife and file.
I stripped out an old cat5 telephone cable for the wires to connect the LEDs to power and the internal SPDT on the Tortoise machine.
Shown is my test bench with a spare switch to check out wiring and LED operation. The signal shown is my prototype model. I will be using the new resistors to build the signals for the layout which will show brighter LEDs. Hope the pictures complete the story. 
I really enjoy all phases of this hobby.
Dave
Carey TeaRose posted:Tried yet another stain for the Std. Gauge layout table. Minwax Express Colors Onyx. Decision made! Same consistency and same product as the Emerald I really like. Its terrific. When both are very polyurethaned to a gloss-like finish, it will be just the look I was thinking of. The shaped facing boards will also be stained in Emerald.
Pic shows 2 dry coats of the Emerald, and one quick coat done with a cloth application and then wiped off of the Onyx.
Carey,
Looks like you are building a piece of fine furniture and the train room will now be located in the living room. Great project.
Dave
Considering that, a month ago, this train was in pieces after having been built in the 1920s, presumably used as a floor toy in the 1940s, thrown in a box in the 1950s and left to molder, I think I've done darned good by it!
Mitch
And some stills...
Even Norma Bates Kitteh is interested in the new consist!
Mitch
You never cease to amaze me,Mitch! Another Marmel Marvel !!!!
Mike
Also I'd like to say, you are on my bucket list of people I'd love to meet, Mitch !All of your projects are so inspiring!
Mike
I made this bridge today. It is all out of 1/2" steel square tubing. 31" long 8" wide 7 " tall. Fist attempt at making a bridge and I'm happy with my results. Still needs painted but had to test it out and see how the trains looked running over it. Need to finish off the cut out on the layout just st did that tonight too.
Great looking Bridge Paul. It's mind blowing you did that in one day!
Mike welkie posted:You never cease to amaze me,Mitch! Another Marmel Marvel !!!!
Mike
Thankee!
All in all, I think the Razorback Traction Co's Sand Hog Express (so called because of the paint scheme) is destined to be a crowd pleaser. ^.^
Thanks
I have about 6 hours in it. It went a lot smoother then expected.
You must be a welder or metal worker by trade!
I am not I am actually an electrician by trade. Metalwork is just a hobby of mine.
PaulB231 posted:I am not I am actually an electrician by trade. Metalwork is just a hobby of mine.
Well, you're a champ at it! That's an extraordinarily nice bridge! Looking forward to seeing it after it's painted and all!
Mitch
Added a 6 1/2" X 14' module extension along the back wall moving the 2' X 14' module out enough to facilitate a highway and freight service building.
Just finished rehabbing an MTH 151 semaphore in need of a new arm and a replacement terminal.
Helpful hint: A Lionel 151-11 semaphore arm works fine, but the center hole will need to be drilled out to 9/64" to fit the MTH pin.
Worked on my Lionel Standard gauge #380 loco last night, got the frame notched and the motor fits fine. Have to clean everything and then paint the shell. Plus, I want to add some weight, probably, on the frame. I want it to pull 2 #418 passenger cars with a #490 Obs. car. They are heavy !!
Started a slight change to the design of my inner loop. Taking away one siding and repositioning another switch to give it reversing capabilities. But can't figure out why I have so many left hand 022's on hand but short one right hand. Well, I'll try searching some more tonight before returning dabay. Repositioned the left hand 022 just to the right of the river, so I can always back a train through when needed to reverse for now.
Tim
After coming back from the train show yesterday I measured for my next tables. Made a list and later I'll head to the Depot to get all my materials. I laid out the next three tables so that should keep me busy for a while.......Paul
Hello all! It's been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy building my layout. Here are some pictures of the trestle bridge I'm working on
Uncle Fester posted:Hello all! It's been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy building my layout. Here are some pictures of the trestle bridge I'm working on
Yes, I would say you have been rather busy. A lot of sticks to put together there....!!!!
Tremendous bridge work. I see a Big Boy in the background that will look fantastic rolling over it. Your bridge looks similar to the fine work of Alex Mueller's Hidden Pass Railroad and the Judy Bridge... Check it out and be proud!
Ted
ChefTed posted:Tremendous bridge work. I see a Big Boy in the background that will look fantastic rolling over it. Your bridge looks similar to the fine work of Alex Mueller's Hidden Pass Railroad and the Judy Bridge... Check it out and be proud!
Ted
Thank you Ted. I do have a video of the bigboy rolling across.
ChefTed posted:Tremendous bridge work. I see a Big Boy in the background that will look fantastic rolling over it.
From the ramp, I thought that was the Galaxy Express 4884... 
Agreed! Wonderful bridge work there!
Mitch
Uncle Fester posted:Hello all! It's been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy building my layout. Here are some pictures of the trestle bridge I'm working on
Holy Trestles, Uncle Fester-man! Wowowow-wee! One can only barely imagine how rich that whole vista around the trestle is going to be, judging from the intensity and thoroughness (even including a barrel emplacement, complete with metal-appearing bands & weathering of the barrel) of the work in front of us. Please, continue to document it all in photos so we can someday see the whole layout in OGR.Fabulous.
FrankM.
Sorry and sad to say that I am taking it all down. Do to my health I just can't run my trains anymore so off everything from the layout is gone to the auction. I am still keeping my collection of trains that I enjoy looking at in my man cave train room. I just can't run them any more.
maint posted:Sorry and sad to say that I am taking it all down. Do to my health I just can't run my trains anymore so off everything from the layout is gone to the auction. I am still keeping my collection of trains that I enjoy looking at in my man cave train room. I just can't run them any more.
Quelle dommage! Hope your layout fleet finds a good new home!
Mitch
I installed 120 volt outlets around my layout. When I was building the tables and installing track and scenery I was always looking for outlets and I had extension cords all over the place. I just eliminated them and should have done this at the very beginning of this project.
Work was held up today while the crew fixed a flat on the boss's deuce coupe.
Bruce
Looking great dobermann! I like how it turned out. What did you use for molds?
Today I got materials to do three more tables. Once I get those done it will time to lay out track...............Paul
Painted my Lionel #380 today and then put the brass back on plus the bell & whistle. Used Rustloeum "Nutmeg" a medium tan that really looks great and is available in small cans and rattle cans. I used the rattle can. Added two lead weights and the engine looks and runs good.
I went to the show in Timonium Marland today. I bought some trees from Harrison Trains and Scenes. I also bought a shot gun wedding ( complete with pregnant bride, nervous groom,because the brides daddy has a shot gun pointed at him�� From Scenic Express ( both dealers are OGR advertisers )
Here are some picks of the wedding party standing at the entrance of Our Lady of Locomotion in downtown Patsburg. Also some photos of the new disciduous trees planted this evening. 
Hi: I've been slowly working on the layout. Working on the scenery. Today I finished the two trestles (in the middle is a drop in Pratt truss bridge). This is at the door entrance to our train shed. It's an around the wall layout in a 12 x 16 shed. I am not finished with the scenic work yet, but slowly, slowly... Starting to add the trees and fill in bushes, grass, and ground cover. So much more to do! And then I start the ground cover and scenery on the upper level
John
John
mike g. posted:Looking great dobermann! I like how it turned out. What did you use for molds?
Thanks. Bragdon Enterprise #1 10x27. First attempt at resin casting. If I had a do-over I'd start smaller.
Wow, John. How steep is that trestle grade going to be? It looks pretty steep, or is that just an optical illusion in the photo?
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