@Yellowstone Special posted:Here's a 1960s era Union Pacific freight train I ran today. It's pulled by a Lionel early Legacy GP7, which still runs like a charm and hopefully, for a little while longer. 😉
Long hood forward! Very nice! 👍
Thanks, Kevin.
@Yellowstone Special posted:Here's a 1960s era Union Pacific freight train I ran today. It's pulled by a Lionel early Legacy GP7, which still runs like a charm and hopefully, for a little while longer. 😉
That is a great engine Vern. I have the UP 105, 106 (nonpowered) and another 106 I relettered as 107. They came out in 2007, Early Legacy and keep running flawlessly. If you look on page 33 you will see a video with the 3 units in a lash up with 107 as a helper in the middle.
Yes, I saw it and liked it, Wood. Your nice video inspired me to get my UP GP7 off the shelf and run it on the layout today.
Thank you for that. 😉
You are kindly welcome Vern...
@PH1975 posted:@leapinlarry - Great photos of your layout & trains Larry (as usual). Just wondering - was your wonderful layout ‘professionally built’, or just by you with perhaps the assistance of some knowledgeable train buddies of yours? Thanks.
@leapinlarry - I'm hoping you'll respond to my earlier query.
Have a nice day! 
@PH1975, thank you for reminding me to answer your question, no, I did not hire a professional group or company to build my layout. I have been blessed with many friends in the hobby and together, we put together “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines Railroad, The Quad L System. A friend and I built the table work, A grid system, and this made it easy for trains to go up and over more realistically. Then we added plywood and topped it with homasote, and cork roadbed under Atlas O, Gargraves, Ross Custom trackage. The layout is 17 by 36, with two helixes (072) hidden in the mountains on each end of the layout. There are 5 levels on this layout, and trains can actually run on their own level. All the tracks are connected together and a train can go from the bottom level, then the next level, all the way to the top, then, there’s a “Y” at the top so trains can go back down to the bottom level. It takes a few minutes to accomplish this. (We are setting up routes at this time to make it easier). So, that’s the table, the track system, now for the Control system. We went TMCC/Legacy and used MTH’s idea of Star wiring, although we only utilize Lionel’s systems.
So, the tracks laid, wired, and blocked, and trains run good for the most part. I have friends that know wiring, (Rich Hane, Madisonville, Ky.) how to hook up turnouts, how to hook up accessories, and so forth, Now, it’s Scenery time…. I was at a loss on this element of the hobby, making realistic scenes wasn’t my thing. A friend recommended a man and woman that worked on the Clarksville Museum layout, Customs House Museum, Clarksville, Tennessee, Ray and Louise Ward, (You’ve heard of Thelma and Louise, the movie, well, Ray and Louise were a Hoot to work with. I called them up, told them what I was doing, they came to see my track, grid system, and said, they could hide my mistakes, a we became good friends. The reason my friend recommended these folks is there personalities clashed with the folks at the museum, (there ideas were fixed and this clashed with other workers at the museum), but for some reason we did just fine. Ray and Louise are Christian folks, we go to the same church, it’s an amazing friendship. As you can see from pictures I post, it’s not professional, but it’s passable… They made a comment at the beginning, scenery will cost almost as much as the trains, and scenery materials is very expensive. We bought from Scenic Express, now Scenery Express out in Colorado. We began our adventure at the end of 1999, and we are still working on the layout, TMCC is outdated, and we are very happy with Lionel’s Legacy system. (Louise passed away earlier this year, she did All the painting on my layout, a retired school teacher, Ray, a retired Lt.Colonel from the army, did the scenery, 
Ray is 86 years young)
Therefore, 23 years of model train fun, and if your ever near Clarksville Tennessee, come see me. We will have a train day. Thanks for asking the Question. Now, Happy Railroading Everyone
Attachments
Images (6)
@leapinlarry- you are one lucky guy. Good friends make the work easy.
One of the top 10 layouts on the forum IMHO!
Bob
@RSJB18, Bob, thank you for the compliment, and truth be known, it’s the Friends in the hobby that make it so much fun, and your layout is equally fun to watch, your projects are so interesting, and @trumpettrainn, Patrick always has a great story with his feature presentations, always fun to read. This OGR Forum is one of the best parts of this hobby, so many great folks, great personalities, a truly fun place to relax and watch how others enjoy their trains. During the TCA, LCCA National Conventions in Nashville this year, I met so many fine model railroaders, (5 bus loads to my home here in Clarksville, Tennessee, 45 to 50 folks on each bus, one being a daily contributor, @Don McErlean, my Texas snd Tybee Island friend. He also joined me in visiting Dr. Jack Fishers home in Nashville,Tennessee. It’s the people that make this a fun hobby. Again, thank you for the compliments. Happy Railroading Everyone 
Another interesting feature of this Forum is meeting folks in other states, like my trip to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, meeting Mark Boyce, a very fun day and he is a kind hearted gentleman. He gave me a personal tour of two great hobby shops, and they were well stocked stores. So, I see why folks from other parts of the country ask about hobby shops in cities they plan to visit, it’s always fun. Have a great weekend. Thank you OGR for creating this wonderful way to communicate.
Attachments
Images (1)
@leapinlarry - Thank you for your very thorough description regarding the evolution of your layout. However, I strongly disagree with your comment “It’s passable - not professional”, because regardless of who built it - IMO it’s FANTASTIC!
I also appreciate your kind offer to ‘come and see you’ if I’m ever near Clarksville Tennessee, and although I’d love to meet you and see your layout in person, I live quite far away in Canada and the odds are slim that I’ll get down your way anytime soon. Nonetheless, maybe some day.
Many thanks again and take care!
@leapinlarry posted:@PH1975, thank you for reminding me to answer your question, no, I did not hire a professional group or company to build my layout. I have been blessed with many friends in the hobby and together, we put together “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines Railroad, The Quad L System. A friend and I built the table work, A grid system, and this made it easy for trains to go up and over more realistically. Then we added plywood and topped it with homasote, and cork roadbed under Atlas O, Gargraves, Ross Custom trackage. The layout is 17 by 36, with two helixes (072) hidden in the mountains on each end of the layout. There are 5 levels on this layout, and trains can actually run on their own level. All the tracks are connected together and a train can go from the bottom level, then the next level, all the way to the top, then, there’s a “Y” at the top so trains can go back down to the bottom level. It takes a few minutes to accomplish this. (We are setting up routes at this time to make it easier). So, that’s the table, the track system, now for the Control system. We went TMCC/Legacy and used MTH’s idea of Star wiring, although we only utilize Lionel’s systems.
So, the tracks laid, wired, and blocked, and trains run good for the most part. I have friends that know wiring, (Rich Hane, Madisonville, Ky.) how to hook up turnouts, how to hook up accessories, and so forth, Now, it’s Scenery time…. I was at a loss on this element of the hobby, making realistic scenes wasn’t my thing. A friend recommended a man and woman that worked on the Clarksville Museum layout, Customs House Museum, Clarksville, Tennessee, Ray and Louise Ward, (You’ve heard of Thelma and Louise, the movie, well, Ray and Louise were a Hoot to work with. I called them up, told them what I was doing, they came to see my track, grid system, and said, they could hide my mistakes, a we became good friends. The reason my friend recommended these folks is there personalities clashed with the folks at the museum, (there ideas were fixed and this clashed with other workers at the museum), but for some reason we did just fine. Ray and Louise are Christian folks, we go to the same church, it’s an amazing friendship. As you can see from pictures I post, it’s not professional, but it’s passable… They made a comment at the beginning, scenery will cost almost as much as the trains, and scenery materials is very expensive. We bought from Scenic Express, now Scenery Express out in Colorado. We began our adventure at the end of 1999, and we are still working on the layout, TMCC is outdated, and we are very happy with Lionel’s Legacy system. (Louise passed away earlier this year, she did All the painting on my layout, a retired school teacher, Ray, a retired Lt.Colonel from the army, did the scenery,Ray is 86 years young)
Therefore, 23 years of model train fun, and if your ever near Clarksville Tennessee, come see me. We will have a train day. Thanks for asking the Question. Now, Happy Railroading Everyone
Looks like a masterpiece of a layout to me. What's most impressive is the helixes and the trains being able to run on all 5 levels, going from one level to the others.
@Arnold D. Cribari, thank you for the compliment, and your layout is equally a masterpiece, with an American dream, a baseball park, apple pie, and Coca Cola, We all have different focal points on our layouts, yours is really cool. I do think we can thank our parents for giving us a toy train for Christmas, many years ago. @MELGAR started a very interesting thread, many of us OGR Forum members see some amazing trains. Happy Railroading Everyone 
Attachments
Images (3)
Took some HD video last night from the west end of the layout. Not sure I can see any difference, but it was fun setting the tripod up in the attic and running a long, triple headed Santa Fe Geep consist!
Attachments
Videos (1)
Running some CPR while working on some of the cars.
Attachments
Videos (1)
The local coal drag pulling out at o dark hundred. Reggie loves to blow that whistle. Drives the neighbors nuts!
Attachments
Videos (1)
been running several new to me items: Lionel RS-3 and a Menard's Milwaukee Road set made by Lionel in 2011
Attachments
Videos (1)
@leapinlarry posted:@PH1975, thank you for reminding me to answer your question, no, I did not hire a professional group or company to build my layout. I have been blessed with many friends in the hobby and together, we put together “Leapin Larry’s Looney Lines Railroad, The Quad L System. A friend and I built the table work, A grid system, and this made it easy for trains to go up and over more realistically. Then we added plywood and topped it with homasote, and cork roadbed under Atlas O, Gargraves, Ross Custom trackage. The layout is 17 by 36, with two helixes (072) hidden in the mountains on each end of the layout. There are 5 levels on this layout, and trains can actually run on their own level. All the tracks are connected together and a train can go from the bottom level, then the next level, all the way to the top, then, there’s a “Y” at the top so trains can go back down to the bottom level. It takes a few minutes to accomplish this. (We are setting up routes at this time to make it easier). So, that’s the table, the track system, now for the Control system. We went TMCC/Legacy and used MTH’s idea of Star wiring, although we only utilize Lionel’s systems.
So, the tracks laid, wired, and blocked, and trains run good for the most part. I have friends that know wiring, (Rich Hane, Madisonville, Ky.) how to hook up turnouts, how to hook up accessories, and so forth, Now, it’s Scenery time…. I was at a loss on this element of the hobby, making realistic scenes wasn’t my thing. A friend recommended a man and woman that worked on the Clarksville Museum layout, Customs House Museum, Clarksville, Tennessee, Ray and Louise Ward, (You’ve heard of Thelma and Louise, the movie, well, Ray and Louise were a Hoot to work with. I called them up, told them what I was doing, they came to see my track, grid system, and said, they could hide my mistakes, a we became good friends. The reason my friend recommended these folks is there personalities clashed with the folks at the museum, (there ideas were fixed and this clashed with other workers at the museum), but for some reason we did just fine. Ray and Louise are Christian folks, we go to the same church, it’s an amazing friendship. As you can see from pictures I post, it’s not professional, but it’s passable… They made a comment at the beginning, scenery will cost almost as much as the trains, and scenery materials is very expensive. We bought from Scenic Express, now Scenery Express out in Colorado. We began our adventure at the end of 1999, and we are still working on the layout, TMCC is outdated, and we are very happy with Lionel’s Legacy system. (Louise passed away earlier this year, she did All the painting on my layout, a retired school teacher, Ray, a retired Lt.Colonel from the army, did the scenery,
Therefore, 23 years of model train fun, and if your ever near Clarksville Tennessee, come see me. We will have a train day. Thanks for asking the Question. Now, Happy Railroading Everyone
That is an excellent layout. It's good to have friends to help with things!
Got a new to me Lionel Sperry Rail Service Speeder with TMCC. Fun little critter to run. Speeder is the correct term for sure.
Bob
Attachments
Videos (1)
@RSJB18 posted:Got a new to me Lionel Sperry Rail Service Speeder with TMCC. Fun little critter to run. Speeder is the correct term for sure.
Bob
Bob, they have to run fast, otherwise they would stop on any dead spots and frequently on switches. My grandkids race them on the outside rails. Lots of fun.
@RSJB18, Bob your layout looks cool in night lighting. Nice job.
@RSJB18 posted:Got a new to me Lionel Sperry Rail Service Speeder with TMCC. Fun little critter to run. Speeder is the correct term for sure.
Bob
Bob, the peppiness of your Speeder reminds me of the Lionel Postwar gang car. Very cute.
I once videotaped the gang car running with the music of the Flight of the Bumble Bee in the background. That music would also work with your Speeder. Arnold
@Wood- Yea- It stalled on one of the front 042's at a slower speed. I have a bunch of K-line Plymouth's and the wheel base and pick ups are about the same and I have the same problem with them.
@TedW- What's a layout without lights. Nice night shot on yours too. 
@Arnold D. Cribari- yes that would be the appropriate sound track. Thanks.
Bob
Bob, I never considered adding a speeder to my layout. I think I’m going to have my purchasing department set up a purchase order.
Jay
A few minutes ago I ran this LC+ Erie Camelback steamer hauling K Line NY Central Madison Heavyweights:
The detail of this modestly priced Lionel locomotive is outstanding. It has, by far, the best detail of my 5 or 6 LC+/LC+2.0 engines.
Arnold
Attachments
Videos (1)
LOL! Looks like the cowcatcher caught a bush!
I ran a train today to test for clearance on my bridges. The Big Boy seems to be one of the engines with the most over hang so this is what I test with.
Thanks;
idea-thinker
@idea-thinker, Wow, what a beautiful video showing your Big Boy crossing, not a 6 foot bridge, not a 10 foot bridge, but an amazing 14 foot long hand made Masterpiece. This long bridge is truly amazing. You have a really good start on a fantastic layout. Thanks for doing this unique video. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry got it right. Amazing bridges. Thanks for the video
Mixed freight at the TMB model train club
Attachments
Videos (1)
With the City of New Haven cleaned up, we were able to run something today. A New Haven mountain type with a revenue freight.
Let me try this again. If I had to earn money as a computer operator, I'd starve. This is the New Haven mountain type hauling freight. The previous post was a Weaver I-5 Hudson type hauling a passenger train
This thread gets many pictures of highly interesting layouts, but few are intricately designed as @idea-thinker, and pictured earlier is his unique video. I was wrong when I said the long bridge was 14 feet long, I exaggerated a foot or so, 12 foot 6 inches. Being there on Monday, our train day this week, I took a few pictures of this really cool layout. Enjoy. Happy Railroading Everyone 
Attachments
Images (10)
MTH Railking PS3 Long Island B6 steam switcher and Lionel Postwar green 2400 series passenger cars:
I took this video while railfanning along the Hudson (just kidding) in my basement. LOL, Arnold
Attachments
Videos (1)
@leapinlarry posted:This thread gets many pictures of highly interesting layouts, but few are intricately designed as @idea-thinker, and pictured earlier is his unique video. I was wrong when I said the long bridge was 14 feet long, I exaggerated a foot or so, 12 foot 6 inches. Being there on Monday, our train day this week, I took a few pictures of this really cool layout. Enjoy. Happy Railroading Everyone
So Larry is this your layout pictured? I have no words ... stunning and complex. How do you access the lower rails for maintenance?
Good morning @ScoutingDad, No sir, the comments and pictures I posted above, on this really interesting thread, is the layout we visited Monday, at the home of @idea-thinker, whom is a great friend of ours. My mind is not capable of this magnitude of extreme precision of track laying, even Embedded in the actual floor. So, we are pleased to have a friend with unbelievable Ideas, @idea-thinker. (I do not have the picture of the track in the floor, next time I’ll get that picture) Happy Railroading Everyone 
Attachments
Images (7)
Today we ran a symbol freight from Scranton to New Haven pulled by an old Lionel F-3 A&B set painted in NYO&W livery.
Can't neglect that New Haven Passenger service so we also ran an I-5 with streamlined cars just like the real NH.
I am glad I don;t earn my keep like this. Hopefully this is the NH I-5
