Buckeye Riveter wrote:Have you found the Phoenix sound system to hold up good in rain and snow?
I'm not brave enough to test my sound and RC systems in the rain. I doubt they would last long. I keep my locomotives in either the roundhouse or on the twin bridges under a tarp.
Everything, except the track comes inside over the winter. Occasionally we'll take some trains outside to run in the snow, but not while it's snowing.
Summer monsoon rains don't do too much to the roadbed, but dirt splashes up on all the buildings. The winter snow eats away most of the roadbed. I don't use any ballast (like the prototype) and simply refill and regrade the line every summer. It sounds like a lot of work, but results in smooth running and is not that bad. It usually takes a week or so to go from "hibernation" to up and running again...depending on any track damage the elk may have caused Late spring tear down takes a good 2 weeks, as I like to clean all the rolling stock and buildings before they get put away.
That was a fun video to watch. It was neat to see a Colorado & Southern #6 running your train. My C&S #6 was the first LGB sound loco I ever got. I'll never forget that LGB whistle and bell. She's not in original paint, has a new sound system, and runs on batteries now but she's still running strong. I renumbered her as 345. My other mogul, 315, was the power on the video train.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Southwest Chief wrote: tex702 wrote:Southwest Chief what are you using for streets on your layouts?I'm using streets intended for HO scale. I run mostly O-27 equipment and since Plasticville is scaled for use with both O and S scales I've found these streets work fine for me. The manufacturer was Mini Highways. Unfortunately I'm not sure if they are around anymore as the listings on Walthers is not too promising, with everything out of stock and unknown when they'll be back. Here's the link: Mini HighwaysMy Uncle, who also has an O scale layout, uses Moondog Express streets and they work well too. I could not find a link for these streets but using Google this is the best I could find: Moondog Express
tex702 wrote:Southwest Chief what are you using for streets on your layouts?
I'm using streets intended for HO scale. I run mostly O-27 equipment and since Plasticville is scaled for use with both O and S scales I've found these streets work fine for me.
The manufacturer was Mini Highways. Unfortunately I'm not sure if they are around anymore as the listings on Walthers is not too promising, with everything out of stock and unknown when they'll be back. Here's the link: Mini Highways
My Uncle, who also has an O scale layout, uses Moondog Express streets and they work well too. I could not find a link for these streets but using Google this is the best I could find: Moondog Express
Unfortunately, Moondog Express is no longer in business. I was fortunate enough to find an original set of their streets, unused, on Ebay last year. They're made out of rubber and are heavy enough for temporary layouts (no gluing down required). I think Scenic Express also carries streets suitable for O.
Hi Matt,
Your layout is so neat with all those Plasticville buildings. The vehicles are so appropriate to give it a 1950's look. I love the hedges too.
Here are 3 of the Plasticville on my layout.
The Frosty Bar is an old one. I found it in a box of old plasticville at a train show last year. It was missing all the stools so I made them out of golf tees.
The Farmers Market is a new one.
The Diner is old. I added a brick base to elevate the diner and make it look more permanent along with steps with a handrail and shrubs out in front.
SOTHWESTERN CHIEF, beauty of a layout KUDOs to you.
laz57
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