Can't wait to get started !
And the G will have a spot as well !
Just could'nt wait any longer!!!
I don't blame you one bit! I would be anxious too. We sold our house over a year ago and didn't have a new house found. Had to tear the entire layout down and put it into storage with the rest of our stuff. We moved temporarily to a small apt, and it's been a year and we're still looking for a new house. I'm going to do the same exact thing. On move in day a loop of track is going on the floor in a spare room. I've been waiting a long, time.
I hope it works out well for you ! This moving stuff is quite an upheaval.We never realized we have this much stuff ! And the trains go on, and on, and I'm still moving them. Haven't gotten to the big furniture yet, got my priorities !!
It'll be a long slow process for me, wish you the best in your house hunting.
Paul
Go, man, go!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Thank you!
It's lot of work at the moment, but should work out in the long run...
Gotta run a train, or 3. Getting a feel for track plans...
As I start unpacking stuff
It's easy to get sidetracked...
My favorite Lionel engine
I'm looking for that same engine. Either a 2020, 671, 681, or 682. Doesn't matter to me. I've never had one but I to think that's one of my favorite engines!
Yep, all those Turbines are sweet !
Really unique looking engine.
I lucked into a 681 Pennsy Turbine about a month ago. I wasn't looking for one but it was a case of "Right place, right time, right price." It's a LOT more impressive in person than it is in photos, and had a "Pennsylvania" tender as well. Couldn't pass it up. A great runner, puller, and smoker, and it dates from 1953, just like I do! We've both aged remarkably well, if I say so myself.
The 681 is a very special engine. The drives and motor are so good, along with the smoke, and Magnitraction. What a sweetheart engine!!!
But it was a 1946 version 2020 that was my intro to Toy Trains. That one hooked me something fierce!! It is a completely different engine. It has the "Atomic" motor, and double worm gear drive. It growls as it heads down the track. It has the smoke bulb( which actually Does smoke, if you put a couple of drops on it). And the square 2466wx tender.
And, there is no E-unit lever coming out of the boiler shell, you just move a plug on the motor to shut off the reverser. It has it's own charm, and so different from the 681.
Ironic, isn't it? The Turbine worked a lot better for Lionel than it ever did for the PRR!
The whole sad story of the Pennsy Turbine was told quite well in a "Classic Trains" magazine issue several years ago. Too much to go into here.
Yes, I have that issue , too! It's true, what was somewhat of a failed experiment for the Pennsy Was a gold mine for Lionel !!!
And so it goes...
still love the Pennsy
and love those Lionel Turbines
Bedroom doors almost always open into the room and can seriously constrain the design of a layout. Because of that, I reversed the door to my train room, by mortising the hinges to the other side of the door stop and filling in the original mortises. You could also consider simply removing the door(s) and storing them.
Bob Nelson
Pocket doors are a train room's best friend!
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
Ya know, I was just thinking. That "Engineered-Hardwood Central" might look a lot better with a Persian carpet under it.
Not a real Persian carpet, mind you. An inexpensive imitation from Lowes would be good enough. Preferably with a lot of red in it.
Postwar Paul It growls as it heads down the track.
My 2035 does the same thing. To call it "distinctive" isn't quite good enough!
Folks, many great ideas, thank you !
I've been mulling over in my mind how best to tackle this.
And for Model Railroaders , it's never enough space. But I'm very thankful for what I do have, and will make the most of it.
Considerations:
this room will somehow need to fit
1. Postwar Lionel
2. American Flyer
3. HO Brass
4. N gauge
5. On30
please tell me I am not running a fever...
Penny Trains Postwar Paul It growls as it heads down the track. My 2035 does the same thing. To call it "distinctive" isn't quite good enough!
This room is 11' x 11'. Two 30 inch doors open inward in opposite corners.
Hint: it may be 11' by 11' square, but the space is a cube. Hmmmmm....
Here are some of my hair brained and half baked ideas...
1. The " wedding cake"
an island with larger scales circling the bottom, and progressively smaller scales as you go up
2. The " Flying Dog Bone"
an L shaped Dog Bone suspended, and occupying two adjacent walls.
3. The " Grass is always Greener"
two triangular shaped tables with massive bridges flying over a center aisle.
I know if I keep looking at the problem long enough, one day it will just come to me.
It usually does, sooner or later..
Around-the-walls offers more area, longer runs, and gentler curves. For example, around the walls of an 11-foot square room, with a 3.5-foot maximum reach from the edge, you can get 69.75 square feet and about a 40-foot run, compared to a square table in the middle of the room with 49 square feet and about 25 feet.
Thanks for the great advice ! Yes, that makes a whole lot more sense.
I also want to get some shelves up to display some trains, and liberate them from their boxes.
" Cage Free"
Postwar Paul Penny Trains Postwar Paul It growls as it heads down the track. My 2035 does the same thing. To call it "distinctive" isn't quite good enough! That 2035 is such a great engine. I'm glad I finally lucked onto one !
That 2035 is such a great engine. I'm glad I finally lucked onto one !
Still looking myself. No luck so far, but one thing I learned collecting guns is the best tool in the belt you can have is patience.
Ever since I saw Becky's video of her 2035 "Blockbuster" I've had to have one too!
I think the 2035 is one of those Postwar classics ( which is hard to say , because there were so many). Sort of an iconic engine, and look. Like the turbines, and hudsons, it speaks of that era...
Yep. And that's why the 681 is at the top of my want list!
The 681 is a great engine. Highly recommend.
Wish list ?
I have slowed down considerably, but I still want a postwar GG1.
And, of course a 773, and a 763e, but I don't have the cash to back that up...
I'm a little thin in Flyer, only 4 engines and a handful of cars. I could grow more in this area.
Would like one of their 4-8-4's, and a Pennsylvania pacific.
The " holy grail" would be the 314AW, it would complement what I have nicely...
Postwar Paul The 681 is a great engine. Highly recommend. Wish list ? I have slowed down considerably, but I still want a postwar GG1. And, of course a 773, and a 763e, but I don't have the cash to back that up... I'm a little thin in Flyer, only 4 engines and a handful of cars. I could grow more in this area. Would like one of their 4-8-4's, and a Pennsylvania pacific. The " holy grail" would be the 314AW, it would complement what I have nicely...
Paul,
Don't forget about the Lionel 783. All the quality of the 773 with the long stack motor, but much more affordable. I bought one back in 2011 and love it. Can't go wrong with a 2332 GG1 either.
As for Flyer, I've got a thing for the 312, 314AW, and 316 K5s. I will say that I feel that the 314AW is overhyped. I've always done well flipping them though.
My suggestion would be to set your sights on a large motor 336 Northern.
Jim
I love my 310. But this photo shows something of a quirk the loco has: it can't tolerate bad track work.
But you can see right where the rear pilot wheel is that there's a bit of a hump in the track. Consequently it derails there every 4 or 5 trips around the circle. I stopped running it in favor of my 303 which is much more forgiving. It won't be long and I'll be taking the summer layout down and I can level the rails then.
Well, thank you very much ! It's great to hear from someone in the know on these things, and you keep me from going over budget as well.
RedfireS197 Postwar Paul The 681 is a great engine. Highly recommend. Wish list ? I have slowed down considerably, but I still want a postwar GG1. And, of course a 773, and a 763e, but I don't have the cash to back that up... I'm a little thin in Flyer, only 4 engines and a handful of cars. I could grow more in this area. Would like one of their 4-8-4's, and a Pennsylvania pacific. The " holy grail" would be the 314AW, it would complement what I have nicely... Paul, Don't forget about the Lionel 783. All the quality of the 773 with the long stack motor, but much more affordable. I bought one back in 2011 and love it. Can't go wrong with a 2332 GG1 either. As for Flyer, I've got a thing for the 312, 314AW, and 316 K5s. I will say that I feel that the 314AW is overhyped. I've always done well flipping them though. My suggestion would be to set your sights on a large motor 336 Northern.
I'll look into the 336, and 783.
Thanks again!
My 326 is a stickler for good track work, as well. Sometimes I have a little trouble with the track on the carpet, but no issue on a solid floor, or table top. Of course, I'm using vintage Flyer track sections, which may have seen better days. Doesn't hamper my fun one bit, though !
I like your 310. I believe it is based on a Pennsy K5, of which there were only 2. I have 2 brass K-5's in HO, and I feel a Flyer K-5 would be a great addition !
Penny Trains I love my 310. But this photo shows something of a quirk the loco has: it can't tolerate bad track work. But you can see right where the rear pilot wheel is that there's a bit of a hump in the track. Consequently it derails there every 4 or 5 trips around the circle. I stopped running it in favor of my 303 which is much more forgiving. It won't be long and I'll be taking the summer layout down and I can level the rails then.
And then there's my 290:
that ol' girl will go careening around curves on the roughest track work I can muster.
Laughing, joking, singing a song, she don't care...
Rack 'me up !
Some temporary shared storage until I get some shelving up in the Train Room
Instead of moving,I am exercising the fine art of goofing off...
Wow, a 224E. Pre-war engine with a post-war tender? That's cool, it just increases the versatility. It looks good on the "Hardwood Central!"
My buddy Shotgun Charlie gave me a post-war 224 for Christmas two years ago, they're good runners and pullers.
Fire lock, you've got a sharp eye, my friend !
this is a 224e from about '39, near as I can tell
the tender is from a 1655 from '48 or '49, but that whistle screams !
the engine runs great, just had to rebuild the E-unit, and replace the brushes
love the look of this engine !
A couple of ideas just came to me : the " Flyer Flyover"
And I like the O-27 inside the On30, may make it permanent
Thanks for the compliment Paul! (I lost track of this thread, hence the late response.)
I don't have a 2037, but I do have a 2018. Let me tell everyone, don't underestimate those 2-6-4's, mine's a great puller, 14 modern era cars, and it won't even break a sweat. The whistle and smoke unit still work too!
2037 is a great engine, and one of the best pullers, which is surprising because it is considered an O-27 engine. My theory is there is less dead weight because it is smallish, as compared to some of the larger engines, which have a very heavy boiler casting to lug around.
I also consider this to be an " every day " engine. I save the 681, and try to not run it too much.
The tractive effort of a prototype locomotive is the weight on its driving wheels divided by the "adhesion factor", which is usually taken to be about 4. The adhesion factor is the same, no matter how heavy the locomotive or how many drivers it has.
Locomotives are generally built to be as heavy as needed to get the tractive effort to pull the load they are intended to pull. The number of wheels is then determined as the number needed to support that weight without damaging the track.
The two tricks that model or toy locomotives use to increase tractive effort (not available to prototype locomotives) are magnetraction and traction tires, both of which can greatly increase adhesion. The 2037 has magnetraction, which makes its weight much less important than it would otherwise be.
Thank you, Bob. Great comments !
Factor of adhesion was one of the strong suits in the Pennsy k-4. I believe it was around 4.25. They came out with a K-5, using some of the boiler dimensions of the M-1 mountains. But the K-5 had a factor of adhesion around 3.8 or so, and have a tendency to slip. Too much power, too little weight. Only 2 were built.
I mis spoke. According to " Pennsy Power", the K-4 factor of adhesion was 4.54, the K-5 was 3.80. Factor of adhesion is weight on drivers divided by tractive effort. You want a factor of 4, or higher for best adhesion.
No Magne-Traction on my 2018, even if there was it wouldn't do me any good, I run on nickle-silver track. No matter, that gutsy little engine doesn't need it, it works just fine as is.
I do have modern engines with traction tires but you know what? When they wear out I just leave 'em off. With a 4 x 8 layout my consists are only so big, and the engines are so heavy the tires aren't needed.
I believe the 2018 is essentially the same engine, without the M.T. Great little engines.I have enjoyed coming across things that have been packed away, some things forgotten. Most equipment was thoroughly serviced a year or two back, then " stored serviceable ". And there's still a lot of stuff packed away I can't get to easily.
I only ran the 2035 one time, and it's packed away, under a pile of boxes. Need to replace the tender pickup wires, and work on the smoke unit.
The saga continues...
ok, still getting settled in, but found my soldering iron, Lionel and Flyer brushes, spools of wire, and smoke unit rebuild kit, which will go into the 2035.
As for the train room, I'm not a big one for drawing everything out on paper, I just like to let the creative juices flow, and " wing it". That's what I did with the Garden line at the last house. Eventually got up to a " phase 4" track configuration that was awesome! It allowed for 2 independent loops for hours of hands free " kicking back".
My current thoughts are:
1. Paint the train room walls first, sky blue, with clouds
2. I am leaning heavily towards an 8' x8' "skewed Wedding Cake" design. This would leave room for display shelves on 2 walls
3. a later addition could be the " High Line". An around the walls track above door level
4. I am also discovering that I have boxes of HO "Snap Track". Don't usually use this too much, but have some nice switches, and a double crossover, so I'll try to work something in for the vintage HO to run on.
Got some old Tyco, and such.
It'll be like a Model Train museum.
https://uniim-share.shutterfly.com/procgtaserv/47a8cf37b3127cce98548b1b2d5e0000001010kRoughing out a track plan
Having fun experimenting
Also, cleaned and serviced my 2035 yesterday. Rebuilt the smoke unit.
She's running like
Greased Lightning !!!
Offering some insight into my method of track planning
I test fit track sections until I get something exciting in the available space. This is a Tomix Japanese series 100 Shinkansen. It will occupy one level of my new layout.
It will sit above the HO deck, which has been repurposed
There will be another level of double track N scale. The plan at the moment is to have the Flyer run over the viaduct in the distance, and jump across to run on a shelf along the back wall.
I've got big plans for the Lionel. Just you wait !!!
Proposed Flyer level trackage
These tracks will bridge to a shelf on the back wall. 2 levels of N scale rise above this level.
Postwar Paul Also, cleaned and serviced my 2035 yesterday. Rebuilt the smoke unit. She's running like Greased Lightning !!!
I saw a couple of 2035's at a train show I went to yesterday, see my "You Never Know..." topic, but the condition of the both of them was kind of rough, so I passed. Yours is much nicer than the ones I saw.
No matter, I can wait. I did pretty well at that show anyway!
Your layout's lookin' good man!
Thank you, Firelock !
for the 2035, she slipped through my fingers 3 times, but finally found this one, and reasonable.
as for my layout, been checking dimensions, and measurements. Now just have to build it. I believe I have all the track components, now just the physical labor. I have sketched out all my track, time to get busy.
I'll post some pictures when I make some progress on it.
Got my walls painted
And started on the Flyer loop
Can ya dig it !!!
Postwar Paul Got my walls painted
Looks great! Did you hire Vincent van Gogh? I thought he was dead!
Impressionist, yes, it is a Toy Train layout, after all !
The funny side to this is that my daughter painted 2 walls, I painted the other 2. Her side is gentle, and Springtime. My clouds are very angry, and a storm's brewing. I'm sure there is some psychology in there somewhere, but we had fun !
I usually start with a concept, but it may have morphed drastically by the time it is built. The Lionel level has 2 different concepts having a tug of war in my brain, still don't know how it will actually turn out...
Let em' crash into one another and build the spaghetti that comes out of it!
Live Dangerously, I always say !
Been in the hobby so long, looking for something a little exotic. When I say "the Hobby", I mean Model Railroading. To my mind, it's all the same from Z to G, you put a train on the track, and turn on the transformer. Unless you've got live steam...
Although Toy Trains has a bigger emphasis on collecting, but the operation is the same.
I've built track plans right off the page of a book, but now I prefer a free approach, whatever suits my eye at the moment...
looking for something different...
Nothing's gone airborne
Yet...
Cool! That American Flyer's flying through the clouds. I like it!
Thank You!
That's the look I'm going for, 'specially when I build the N scale levels above this one. An idea that has stuck in my mind...
The 300 from '52
No smoke or Choo- Choo, but one of the smoothest and quietest engines !
Work has slowed since I am now able to run trains...
Some touch up painting to tie everything together
The 290 on " Dead Man's Curve"
Merry Christmas everyone !
Postwar Paul Work has slowed since I am now able to run trains...
Oh, You gotta run the trains!
It's a pleasant distraction to avoid work ! I'm enjoying every step of this process.
I think I'll need to get my shelves up next to clear up some space. Next, n scale. Last step will be Lionel, which will require the largest footprint, but may be awhile before I get to this step.
Series 100 Shinkansen,circa 1985
I saw them in 1999, when they were still in service, although on " Kodama", or local trains
Now in museums, they have an example in Kyoto.
I think its starting to "gel"
But " hold the presses !"
I still have to cram in another N scale level
... and a Lionel track !
We were just talking about the Shinkansen over on the Classic Trains forum last month! http://cs.trains.com/ctr/f/3/t/273148.aspx
That's probably how I'm going to look standing in the middle of my N scale trains...
was that from Shin Godzilla ? I saw it on the plane last year. Great models, and effects !
Also, Godzilla is tearing through Tokyo Eki ( train station).
That's a famous building in Tokyo, I believe built in 1914, and it's enormous! The Shinkansen section is a new addition that you reach through a very confusing maze of corridors...
Experimenting with view blocks
I intend to use smoke
And mirrors
And every trick in the book...
By gorge, I think I've got it !
Building at this level to maximize my space
Never one to throw anything away, when my wife had shelves added to her walk in closet...
There was leftover baseboard, and hanger rod material. This will be painted to resemble concrete.
Test run !!!
Which translates into another work stoppage...
Man, I love this hobby !!!
I've yet to build the Lionel level...
He who dies with the most tracks wins ! The objective is to have as many trains running simultaneously as humanly possible...
The next project is the Lionel Mainline.
It's happening...
Well, you've got me doodling with Atlas Track Planning Software! Time to get my N gauge out of the box!
It's all fun ! I enjoy all of it !
There will be a scene yet to come with deliberate Forced Perspective. This was one of the Smoke and Mirrors tricks I was referring to previously.
Here's my latest-most-probable track plan. Impressive isn't it?
A folded dogbone with 1 turnout, 4 bridges, a factory, a station, a house and a river/creek/canal with stone retaining walls in a 34 x 27 inch space. But hey! That's an UPGRADE from the 2 foot by 2 foot oval layout I built 30 years ago! I guess you can say I'm a casual scale railroader!
Very impressive !!
And, it can be worked into an 0 scale layout in the background. We draw inspiration from everywhere. I always remember the great John Allen and his Gorre and Daphetid. No one had seen anything like it when it appeared in M R in January '69.
But, tucked away in the middle of his phenomenal masterpiece was his original layout, 15" radius curves and all. He kept it, and worked it in !!
Progress thus far...
My Forced Perspective scene will feature:
O
S
HO
and N
in one scene
My wife think's these tin diesels look like they should have cookies inside...
Ah, yes! The animal crackers in the cardboard bus!
Just like "West Side Story"
There's gonna be a rumble tonight...
Golden Spike
Y'all!!
The original concept was for the Lionel tracks to be at a 5 foot level, well above everything else. As I started building, I realized two things:
1. Wall studs seem to be few, and far between, and that's a lot of weight to support.
2. The idea of dropping a beam onto what I've built already would be a major setback.
This project has morphed, and adjusted at every step along the way. The present configuration for the Lionel track is more practical. I still have more track, so I can build another loop someday...
She approves of my track work
Now, to wire everything up properly, including accessories...
This semaphore protects the entrance to the Canyon line.
And is actuated by an insulated track section.
Got 3 wired up and running. Now for the Gateman.
The Marx semaphore
Actuated by this track contact
What else is a rainy day good for ?
Postwar Paul
From this angle the forced perspective really works!
Thank you !
Which goes to show : I have more luck than skill !
I said that I've been in the hobby a very long time.
I never said I was any good at it...
Hey, I'll take sheer dumb luck over hours of complicated math any day!
Thanks again for your kind words !
Here's a little tip to share :
If you have building flats...
Velcro is your friend !!!
The Central
and the Pennsy
Their rivalry was legendary...
But on my Railroad...
They're Best Mates !!!
Feels cold in here
all of a sudden...
One of my goals has been to get my trains out of boxes, and onto shelves. Gonna need a lot more shelves!
How's this for a load : some space capsules, cowboys, and a giraffe...
My 2026. His tender for postwar cars. I use a 1689t tender to pull prewar cars. She stands in for a 1666
Hard to get a decent shot, but here she is blowing smoke rings
Double headed hippos
need power too
So, I built this transformer shelf for the little guys...
The man cave takes shape...
For all creatures
great and small
My first ( and last ) attempt at hand laid track
on the HO lines
Coming together beautifully, it just gets better and better!
Thank you so much !
I work on it every weekend.
I just realized that I forgot all about the On30 trains. Whoops !
Where am I gonna put them !
One of the bathrooms, maybe?
An operating session would help to pass otherwise lost time.
O.k. That 's hilarious !
The mental images it conjures up...
The obvious thought would be a track around the ceiling,
but there may be another place to squeeze in another track. It may be a project I'll put on hold for the time being, until I get caught up with everything else.
Trade off with the HO?
Yes, at first thought this should be possible, but there are other considerations:
On30 runs on HO track, but requires O gauge clearances. The bores through my viaduct just clear HO passenger cars, but will not clear any On30 equipment, except the Porters. HO Snap track switches were modified for On30 by removing the switch machines.
Although they run on the same gauge, I treat them both differently. I still have a lot of HO, and like to run it. I view the On30 as something to run alongside the Lionel, as a narrow gauge counterpart, very much like the Rio Grande's narrow and standard gauge lines.
So, to my thinking at least, I'll need to find a separate place for the On30. Just different enough...
It's the Size of the equipment that becomes the issue....
I just had an idea:
I may be able to fit the On30 inside the Lionel loop. I would have to relocate the semaphore, and the Lionel transformers, but I think it's do able. I've got some really nice snap track switches, including a double slip switch. Could have some interesting operation with the Shay, and the Climax...
Santa Fe
All the Way !
(2055 rollin')
Someone say "Santa Fe All The Way"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9qLxbNFyo8
Yes, Santa Fe All the way !
They ran a first class operation until the end ! And, will be great to see 2926 out on the road !
Thanks, Flintlock !
In my railfan days, used to go up to Tehachapi. The operating philosophies of Santa Fe versus Southern Pacific was like night and day.
For example, Santa Fe would run short, fast, and frequent trains. With clean, well maintained locomotives. S.P. Seemed to wait until the yard was full, and couldn't hold any more cars, then send out a train. Their engines always needed a coat of paint ( among other things).
Don't get me wrong, I miss S.P., but they were opposites.
Who knows why railroads choose the operating procedures they use? It makes sense to someone, I suppose.
Santa Fe was a class act in more ways than one. Check this link and look at the sheer volume of locomotives and rolling stock they donated (I assume) for preservation.
www.rgusrail.com/roster.html
It makes the massacre of steam by the eastern 'roads downright shameful. I know they couldn't save everything, it wouldn't make sense, but they could have done a lot better than they did.
Bust in' out the narrow gauge
Size comparison:
HO and On30
Yes, it's feasible. But the narrow gauge may have yield right of way to the Lionel at this narrow place
Flintlock76 Who knows why railroads choose the operating procedures they use? It makes sense to someone, I suppose. Santa Fe was a class act in more ways than one. Check this link and look at the sheer volume of locomotives and rolling stock they donated (I assume) for preservation. www.rgusrail.com/roster.html It makes the massacre of steam by the eastern 'roads downright shameful. I know they couldn't save everything, it wouldn't make sense, but they could have done a lot better than they did.
" It's a Kroc, I tell ya !".
Swiss Krokodil, and DBB boxcab
I'd like to see ATSF hudson 3450 fired up and running excursions at Rail Giants in Pomona.
But it should be relettered for Lionel Lines.
I agree, and it should be numbered 2055 or 2065 !
Been a productive day. Got all the tracks wired up, except the outside HO loop, no ran out of wire.
All tracks up and running
Have a spot cleared off for the On30
Running this Railroad reminds me of one of the acts on the old EdSullivan show:
How many plates can you keep spinning at the same time ?
Well it's not Topo Gigio.
Thank you for that memory ! I had completely forgotten about Topo !
Ed Sullivan had everything. Early television had shows that followed the Vaudeville formula:
a little singing, dancing, comedians, music acts. Ed had them all.
And break through performances by Presley, the Beatles, the Stones,the Doors, Santana, and on and on...
Cool beans, man !
If you can get it, The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show airs weekdays on Decades TV: https://www.decades.com/schedule
Thanks for the great tip !
Now that I've gotten a solid start on the train room, it's time to heed the wife's advice:
" Why don't you get started on setting up the trains in the backyard, before it gets too hot".
you know the wife is always right !
A feast for the eyes with 10 trains in motion !
Had my share of mishaps...
I'll keep work in' the scenery
And if I can tear myself out of the train room, I'll get started on the G gauge in the backyard...
It's been rainy, so I'm inside with the 0n30
It is currently a stub ended switching operation
I used my double slip...
Phase 2 will be to connect the loop all the way around. I need the access right now for scenery.
Look'in good Paul.
Topo Gigio was one of my favorite acts on the Ed Sullivan show - When he was on, I got to stay up later.
Thank you for the kind words !
I remember we got to stay up in our PJ's when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan. Another memory from that time frame was laying in bed, and trying to go to sleep, and hearing the " Andy Griffith Show" theme song ( whistling). A random memory, to be sure ...
This 2 cylinder Shay is just what the doctor ordered for switching!
Heave Ho...
Make a set out...
And build the train for the road engine
And now...
for the Climax!
Yeah, there's just no way to leave out the narrow gauge beauties!
Yep. I'm very selective:
I've got it narrowed down to anything that rolls on rails,
I'm into it !
Narrow gauge has a charm, and you can get hooked on it in a big way ( like me ).
U.p. Big Boys
C+O Alleghenies
N+W class A's
and Hawaiian plantation engines
I love it all !
A work in progress...
trying to add add visual interest by going vertical
I love the creative part of the hobby.
The original concept was for a miniature Mt. Fuji over the Shinkansen tracks
Instead, on a platform being constructed over the Shinkansen tracks
will be the Lionel station, for the Shinkansen passengers, of course !
Postwar Paul I love the creative part of the hobby. The original concept was for a miniature Mt. Fuji over the Shinkansen tracks
Where's Godzilla?
Postwar Paul Instead, on a platform being constructed over the Shinkansen tracks will be the Lionel station, for the Shinkansen passengers, of course !
Just curious, which station are you going to use?
It is not a real Lionel station
but a Lionel branded coin bank, which appears to be slightly larger than N scale. It will require a very robust support, which I am attempting to cobble together
Another cool discovery is this HO double track portal.
it would look great there !
I shouldn't say anything thing, and you didn't hear it from me:
Godzilla is doing hard time for tax evasion...
Postwar Paul I shouldn't say anything thing, and you didn't hear it from me: Godzilla is doing hard time for tax evasion...
Good Lord, no!
Who put the cuffs on him and "perp-walked" him? Must have been that meanie Mecha-Godzilla!
Test fitting my station support
Postwar Paul Test fitting my station support
That works!
Not only does it work, it looks like it belongs there, and always did.
Nice adaptation!
Thank you ! I like to adapt things, and combine and make something new from what I have.
Because...
when you're as cheap as I am...
My philosophy too. I don't care what things are designed to do, I care what they cando. When you don't have money it's the best way to get things done!
The fine art of adapting ( " hey, I can use this "),
is a way of life in the G gauge world.
a funnel = a smoke stack
a mini mag lite= a locomotive headlight
a gas appliance fitting from the hardware store = a brake stand in a locomotive
always looking at things with intent to exploit...
Mounted and permanent. All clearances are good. Now to crank out more buildings...
You know, the Shinkansens coming under that Lionel bank kinda-sorta reminds me of the National Diet Building in Tokyo.
See what you think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Diet_Building#/media/File:Diet_of_Japan_Kokkai_2009.jpg
Postwar PaulThe fine art of adapting ( " hey, I can use this "
Here's one you may find amusing:
The smoke stacks started life as 1:144 scale space shuttle solid rocket boosters!
Penny Trains That's exactly what I'm talking about ! And its fun to create something unique. That looks great ! Postwar Paul The fine art of adapting ( " hey, I can use this " Here's one you may find amusing: The smoke stacks started life as 1:144 scale space shuttle solid rocket boosters!
Postwar Paul The fine art of adapting ( " hey, I can use this "
Flintlock76 You know, the Shinkansens coming under that Lionel bank kinda-sorta reminds me of the National Diet Building in Tokyo. See what you think. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Diet_Building#/media/File:Diet_of_Japan_Kokkai_2009.jpg
"Hey, I can use this ".
This weekend's progress...
Flintlock76 Postwar Paul I shouldn't say anything thing, and you didn't hear it from me: Godzilla is doing hard time for tax evasion... Good Lord, no! Who put the cuffs on him and "perp-walked" him? Must have been that meanie Mecha-Godzilla!
Yesterday I picked up the new "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" on DVD at Walmart and on it is this preview:
Oh baby...
Looks like not only is "Big G" back, but he's brought Mothra, Rodan, and Ghidora with him! At least, I think that three-headed monster is Ghidora, or is Ghidora the Smog Monster? I'm a little rusty here.
The better use the "Godilla" theme music this time, they left it out of the last film.
Thanks Becky!
"Dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dumdum-dum-dum-dum..."
They're playing on Tolkein too. One king to rule them all, one king to find them....
Penny Trains They're playing on Tolkein too. One king to rule them all, one king to find them....
And we just know who that king's gonna be, don't we?
Good old pear-shaped, butt draggin' Godzilla!
Ah, I don't feel like waiting for the real Godzilla theme, just have to take matters into my own hands...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDeU42u2s2Y
Don't annoy Godzilla in this "Game of Thrones!"
Godzilla.... tastes like chicken. Ummmm.
Four score and seven years ago, when I was but a wee lad, I would read "Famous Monsters of Filmland", a magazine put out by a guy named Forrest J. Ackerman. This was before I discovered Model Railroader at the newsstand, which ,of course, changed everything.In fact , my subscription started just in time for the January '69 issue of MR, which featured the Gorre and Daphetid, which was a mind blowing experience in itself.
But as for FM, they had a photo spread back in the 60's showing the sets and film shoots for the Godzilla movies. Enourmous, and highly detailed and very realistic models of Tokyo. They were probably 1:32 ,or larger. Godzilla ( or a man in a Godzilla suit) would knock down these buildings, and trains. The destruction was quite convincing, with the splintering of the wood and the buildings.
The models in all the Godzilla movies are worth the price of admission all by themselves !!!
Paul, that was a man in a Godzilla suit. They filmed the sequences in slow-motion as well to give Godzilla's movements a bit more realism.
As bit of trivia here. To all Godzilla fans who've dreamed about putting the suit on themselves and having a ball wrecking things, those who've actually worn the suit said it was a miserable experience, especially under those hot studio lights! Sweating off several pounds during shooting wasn't unusual.
Toho Studios model work was certainly second to none.
Wayne
The OTHER Godzilla theme:
Nakajima Haruo passed last year at age 88. The original "Gojira" suit was made of "ready mix concrete".
Gojira by the way is based on two Japanese words: "gorira" (gorilla) and "kujira" (whale). So it's not god-lizard but gorilla-whale!
Sort-of getting back on track.....
Looking over the pictures, I see that you built a shelf for the smaller transformers and have two larger ones trackside.
(Maybe, I missed it but) have you given any thought to where you are going to place the controls when your layout is completed?
Are you going to leave the transformers on the shelf where it is now or are you going to move the transformers up to track level?
Will the two larger transformers stay trackside where they are now or will they be moved outside the outer track?
Thanks for those clips Becky! Holy smoke, I'd forgotten all about Blue Oyster Cult!
Blast from the past!
I loved both of those clips ! Thank You so much !
I had not heard the Blue Oyster Cult performance with Godzilla, but fantastic. !
And I always love those behind the scenes stories from these great films !
Thank you
traindaddy1 Sort-of getting back on track..... Looking over the pictures, I see that you built a shelf for the smaller transformers and have two larger ones trackside. (Maybe, I missed it but) have you given any thought to where you are going to place the controls when your layout is completed? Are you going to leave the transformers on the shelf where it is now or are you going to move the transformers up to track level? Will the two larger transformers stay trackside where they are now or will they be moved outside the outer track?
I started out with specific goals to incorporate all my many different trains, and scales into one layout.
But, I had no formal plans, and " built it on the fly". I originally had the Lionel LW, 1033, and 1053 on the deck with the Lionel track. Then, I realized I had completely forgotten about the On30 trains, and had to move the Lionel transformers down to the transformer deck. They will stay there, which is a shame because they look so darn cool ! But...eminent domain...
The track is 95% complete, but I am focusing mostly on scenery now, which in my miniature world means buildings and factories...
Shinjuku.
On the southwest side of Tokyo is a major crossroads, and rail junction.I believe it is one of the busiest stations in the world, with a JR station, an Odakyu ( private rail company) , and many subway lines Intersecting.
When you make your way out into Shinjuku, towering above some of the high rise buildings, is a giant Godzilla head, looking down at you !
He is an international celebrity!
Speaking of "Big G," I blundered into this day-before-yesterday.
You've gotta see this! It had Lady Firestorm and myself in hysterics!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-GPZo8ztd0
The "OTHER" Godzilla:
"Shin Godzilla?" That's a new one on me. However, he sure puts on a helluva light show doin' his thing!
You know, now that I think about it Godzilla's worked over Tokyo more times than the B-29's ever did.
Penny Trains The "OTHER" Godzilla:
Highly recommend!
Flintlock76 Speaking of "Big G," I blundered into this day-before-yesterday. You've gotta see this! It had Lady Firestorm and myself in hysterics! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-GPZo8ztd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-GPZo8ztd
Godzilla -- you can't take him anywhere.
No manners.
O.G.
Trying to create....
Industrial ambience
Oh, you're definately capturing a big city mojo.
My plan...
it's working!!
Just kidding, but thank you, I appreciate it !!
A lot of details to clean up.
Having fun !!!
Running trains:
Far more interesting than anything on Television
Easy to lose yourself in this miniature world...
Aint' it fun!
Well, yes, it is fun !!!
I have enjoyed all aspects of this hobby. I was amazed the other day when I realized how many kits I have built over the years. I used to really enjoy building those loco kits. Built 3 Bowsers, 4 Model Die Casting engines, 8 Eastern Car Works P70 coaches, countless building and structure kits from a variety of manufacturers.
But, mostly I like to run trains.
Brought out my 2025, really love that engine. For some reason, the whistle on that engine has a really sweet tone. A pleasure to operate !!
The devil is in the details...
"... building a stairway to heaven..."
New life for the Revell enginehouse, which was $ 1.98 in the late '60's
Still like to find a Flyer Pennsylvania Steamer to balance out my collection...
Jeez, that last picture gave me a shock!
"WHAT did Paul paint his 2025 gold for? Has he gone nuts?"
Then I saw the 2-rail track. Whoops. Never mind.
You can see a family resemblance in my steamers (Pennsylvania), where a Flyer engine would fit right in.
I had planned to paint this brass engine a few years back, and had even bought the paint.
But, I procrastinated, and the paint dried out in the jar.
This is one time I'm glad I procrastinated, the engine has taken on a very nice " antique brass " patina.
Things always work out somehow...
Postwar PaulThis was before I discovered Model Railroader at the newsstand, which ,of course, changed everything.In fact , my subscription started just in time for the January '69 issue of MR, which featured the Gorre and Daphetid, which was a mind blowing experience in itself.
That very same magazine chenged my life and eventually made it possible for me to earn my living as a scale model maker. Please click the link in my signature, I think the story that is similiar to your is all in there somwhere.
https://www.facebook.com/Great-Divide-Lines-423511918192732/?modal=admin_todo_tour
I really enjoyed reading your story, and the profound experience so many of us have enjoyed in the Gorre and Daphetid.
John was the first, and the one who showed us the way, and what could be possible. The 60's were the age of Snap Track, Tyco trains, Lychen moss, and European structures we tried to Americanize. Then came John Allen...
What is facinating is some of his most famous scenes are very shallow in depth, the illusions are so convincing. The mirror at the end of the street in Port. And this was also the age of locomotive kits. I believe he had some Varney engines in those photos. He was an innovator: there was an article where he had modified a caboose with a ball that would roll forward on down grades to apply the brakes!
He was an original, and he has left a legacy that has set the bar so high,and will always be remembered !
I will love to check in from time to time on your progress!
Enjoyed your page very much, brought back many great memories!!!
Nope
Haven't done a darn thing
on the layout recently
Other than rotate engines
and play trains
Anyone besides me think there's something, uh, a bit supernatural about John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid going up in flames not long after John shuffled off this mortal coil? Like he put so much of himself into it the G&D just couldn't live without him?
Strange. Makes me wonder.
I don't know the circumstances of that fire, but was a huge loss.
Fortunately John Allen had photographed the layout. He was a pro photographer.
The new pedestrian footbridge
and overpass
Lookin good!
What's the story on the little boxcab?
Looks to me like it's German, Austrian, or Swiss. I enlarged the photo as far as I could and it's got European bumpers.
Duetsches Bundesbahn boxcab.
Next to the famous Swiss crocodile, from Saint Gotthard pass .
The narrow gauge Rhatische Bahn had baby crocodiles, and I believe LGB used to make a model.
If one turns up at a train show...
Penny Trains Lookin good! What's the story on the little boxcab?
In honor of the 1688:
A unique and beautiful engine, in many variations
Look familiar ?
Because I'm a people person...
The little details by far take the longest.
A bridge too far ? ....
Poor guy needs a brass pole to get down to street level.
Getting back up? He'll figure something out!
" one small step for man" ...
Checking clearances
Just clears.... barely
now to finish the lower portion of the stairs
How about a slide?
Penny Trains How about a slide?
Add in' dem details...
This platform in front of the Tombstone courthouse
My daughter says there should be snakes at the bottom....
Aligators would work too.
For the very few out there who are wondering what's being referred to...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClwIj3x24Q4
How 'bout this " California Paul, and the Temple of Trains "
Or Indiana Jones, and the ' 49 layout
now that would be an adventure!
Love the look of the Panarama layout, an inspiration! One of my faves, from what I've seen in pictures...
A small sample of the caliber of fine scale modeling I'm known for...
thank thank you very much !
Flintlock76For the very few out there who are wondering what's being referred to... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClwIj3x24Q4
Personally I think on my end it has something to do with spending so much time in the mouse galaxy...
It is hard to beat a 681. I got mine for Christmas in 1949. I had not yet turned 2. It survived my childhood (it was my only engine and used hard). I still run it today.
LarryPRR It is hard to beat a 681. I got mine for Christmas in 1949. I had not yet turned 2. It survived my childhood (it was my only engine and used hard). I still run it today.
It just occurred to me that I haven't run mine on this layout yet.
With my next motive power rotation....
Lube it up !
I've completed my motive power project
time to return to detailing the layout
All parts of the same whole!
How 'bout a San Francisco flair ?
I said " Calpis"
Not " cow pies"
oh my! Who's gonna pick this up !
Penny Trains All parts of the same whole!
The 3 Amigos...
The classic " triple threat " ....
Time for 681 to stretch her legs !
Keystones galore! And the John Bull too!
Penny Trains Keystones galore! And the John Bull too!
In G, I would keep blowing out gears, so my roster was constantly changing, and evolving. Sometimes I would take 2 broken engines, and combine parts and come up with one good engine. Loved doing that !
Roll on Pennsy, roll! Gone but not forgotten!
In my world, they all still exist.
PRR, NYC, AT&SF, NH, LV, C&S......
I'm impressed by what a great model this Lionel caboose is,pretty darn accurate!
Runnin' trains...
Welcome to my world !!
Postwar Paul Runnin' trains...
You know, that fat-fireboxed Flyer looks like something the Reading used to run.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3711233
Yes, you're correct. There were a number of northeastern roads that used the wide, flat "Wooten" firebox to burn hard Anthracite coal.
RDG, CNJ, and I believe LV, D&H, and others used the Wooten. Many times it crowded the cab space so much, that the cab was moved forward, to create the " Camelback" type engine.
"Wide" was an understatement!
Good ol' 592, the last Jersey Central Camelback.
Parked in the B&O museum, never to run again.
Beats a scrap-heap.
Penny Trains "Wide" was an understatement!
Don't forget hand firing from a tender mounted footplate!
Penny Trains Don't forget hand firing from a tender mounted footplate!
" Hang Ten "...
The poor, unloved Camelbacks.
Built to burn waste, unsaleable anthracite coal (the waste was called "culm") which the "Anthracite 'Roads" could pick up at the breakers darn near free for the asking the only people who loved them were the railroad's accountants.
Road crews typically hated them, for reasons stated. Impossible communication between the engineer and fireman, the distinct possiblity of a main rod failure wiping out the engineers cab (it did happen on occasion) and the "bouncy-bouncy" balancing act the fireman had to perform on his footplate, and with TWO firebox doors no less, enginemen were glad to see them go.
On the plus side, as far as the Jersey Central's Camelbacks were concerned, they were peppy, powerful engines for their size with plenty of "get-up-and-go."
Sometimes you end up with more stuff than you have shelves to put it on...
Still trying to get things out of boxes.
Motive power rotation !
I can spend a lot of time running trains. Fun stuff !
I am making something
can You guess what it is ?
Uh, a Hostess "Snowball?" The marshmallow's on it but you haven't applied the cocoanut yet?
Flintlock76 Uh, a Hostess "Snowball?" The marshmallow's on it but you haven't applied the cocoanut yet?
But, if it turns out the way I envision....
Hey, I know! It's gonna be a big natural gas storage tank!
And if it doesn't turn out quite right, you can put a little James Cagney on it and blow it up! Remember "White Heat?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjzKiEs_pHI
"Made it Ma! Top o' the world!"
Ah so! Mount-a Fuji! Domo arigato, Paul-san!
A World War Two Navy vet I worked with years ago was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender and could see Mount Fuji clearly. He said photographs didn't do it justice, it's breathtakingly beautiful and has to be seen to be believed.
Flintlock76 Ah so! Mount-a Fuji! Domo arigato, Paul-san! A World War Two Navy vet I worked with years ago was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender and could see Mount Fuji clearly. He said photographs didn't do it justice, it's breathtakingly beautiful and has to be seen to be believed.
Roughed it in...
A dormant volcano, it has the classic cone shape
And the crater in the top. I'll need to seal it with a clear spray.
On a very clear day,
you might might be able to spot Fujisan off in the distance.
Should be no problem to spot...
It's right next to the Matterhorn...
There will be rock work, and a tunnel for the Flyer track
Always a goal for this layout,
but had had to scale down do to space limitations.
It is actually quite convincing from the correct angle
Every time I have seen Mt. Fuji, it has been at great distance
So, this looks natural to me
On a hazy day, you may only see the top snowy cone
Behold !
Mt. Blackrock
The famous JR 500
and Fujisan
In that unique corner of the globe
where Mt. Fuji touches the Alps !!!
That corner needed something
it was was a little barren
happy with the way it turned out
Getting fired up to fill in the rest !!!
Cool! We've got Mount Fuji, we've got the Shinkansen, but where's Godzilla?
It's OK, I can fix that...
Flintlock76 Cool! We've got Mount Fuji, we've got the Shinkansen, but where's Godzilla? It's OK, I can fix that... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-GPZo8ztd0
Not after last time....
But the Ponies...
welcome anytime !
Wow! The engine in that last shot's really got a roll on!
Flintlock76 Wow! The engine in that last shot's really got a roll on!
( Madagascar)
Rotated the N locos
This location is screaming out for scenery
I'm thinking a deep vertical canyon
The Black Canyon is what I envision
To the floor?
Penny Trains To the floor?
Roughing in the shapes
Styrofoam panels will be reinforced
The abyss
Lake Morraine, up in Alberta, is surrounded by ten peaks, and was featured on the Canadian $20 bill, at one time
PWPaul - !
Regards, Roy
Interesting use of the coin sorter. Does it have a back on it? It appears to be close to O or S size based on the doors/windows? I never saw one up close.
wrmcclellan Interesting use of the coin sorter. Does it have a back on it? It appears to be close to O or S size based on the doors/windows? I never saw one up close.
I believe you are referring to the Lionel station. It was originally a gift from my Mom to my daughter, when she was small. It was gathering dust for years, but I always felt it would come in handy someday. The base has been removed, and yes, all 4 sides are intact.
wrmcclellan PWPaul - !
1. Dries too fast, sometimes never gets out of the mixing bowl
2. Horrible mess to clean up
3. Incredibly heavy, unnecessarily so
I keep searching for alternative materials, this is my latest brainstorm !!
I agree. Lately all my terrain features have been heavy kraft paper (butcher paper) over foam skeletons with wads of paper filling in the gaps. Diluted white glue paintd over the paper makes a nice, paintable shell that is easy to lanscape. And it's flexible too!
Penny Trains I agree. Lately all my terrain features have been heavy kraft paper (butcher paper) over foam skeletons with wads of paper filling in the gaps. Diluted white glue paintd over the paper makes a nice, paintable shell that is easy to lanscape. And it's flexible too!
plaster over window screen
hard shell
hydrocal, and on and on. These all look great, and many fine railroads have been built this way.
But, in '81 I built a 4x4 foot N scale layout from a John Armstrong track plan. It was in an Atlas book: nine N scale track plans. I built the " Monopoly and Octopus ". I built 2 humongous plaster mountains. This was when I lived in an apartment, and this layout would be propped up in the corner when not in use. I would pull out a card table, and strain to heave this monstrosity up on top. That's when it hit me:
plaster ain't it !!
So, I like light weight, thank you very much !!
Yeah. I can gaurunntee I wouldn't be hauling no Matterhorn up and down the basement stairs at least twice a year if it was made of plaster, chickenwire and plywood!
Materials test
take 1
The goal is to create a rock textured skin over the styrofoam that is lightweight,
and can can be mass produced
and painted. We'll check on it tomorrow after it dries.
go, or no go
Proceed !
I can tweak the colors,
but it but it should have a Colorado red rocks feel
Looks like it's ready to throw on the bbq grill
wrmcclellan Looks like it's ready to throw on the bbq grill
Here's my idea in a nutshell:
there will be 12 of these free standing panels in my access pit. I can move them around as needed.
Here's one that I have started to texture and primer
I started to experiment with tin foil over foam core on my last layout. Lightweight, but fragile
I'm sure I'll be working on these for a month or two
You know, that kind of reminds me of weathered old sandstone gravestones like you see in the old colonial era cemeterys where I grew up in New Jersey!
Flintlock76 Postwar Paul You know, that kind of reminds me of weathered old sandstone gravestones like you see in the old colonial era cemeterys where I grew up in New Jersey!
Yeah, and sandstone could be pricey too. Styrofoam's a helluva lot cheaper!
The only real stone I used on my layout is some travertine bathroom tile sections. I simulated a retaining wall with the same. Just like tiling a shower wall, "gooped" the wall, applied the tile sections, spread on the grout, and voila! Realistic looking retaining wall!
Two more " Colorado panels"
each each weighs less than 5pounds, including wooden stand
Or, should I say " Tombstone "
the panel I primered yesterday has been painted over with latex paint
Diggin it!
The patio chairs provide a good perspective. Those 'tombstones' are pretty big!
wrmcclellan Diggin it! The patio chairs provide a good perspective. Those 'tombstones' are pretty big!
I bought 48 inch styrofoam pieces at Home Depot. I broke them off at different heights. Here's one with the painting, and dry brushing.
1 painted
4 only primered
And, there are 7 more to build !
Check out my new 681 !
Well
not quite....
I'm going to build this mirror into this side
it shows off the trains !
Hoo-wee! A 681 Pennsy Turbine in full cry! Gotta love it!
I got one myself in Henning's Trains in Lansdale PA (CTT has an article about them in the September edition), tuned-up and ready to go for $185. Runs like a deer!
I wasn't looking for a Turbine, but it was in great shape and the price was right. Happens every time I go in the place, I always find something I didn't know I needed.
The 681 is a great engine, and my favorite Lionel engine ! I was lucky to buy it when I did- that hobby shop is long gone. They had a lot of great Postwar stuff, and were a very bad influence on me !!
The concept with the mirror came from one of John Allen's gimmicks, who was a master of deception. He taught me that model railroading is all stagecraft !!
Too hot to work outside today, I'll work on my mirror.
Easy way to double your collection !
got my mirror mounted.
Getting layout tips from John Allen is like taking guitar lessons from Hendrix...
When you learn from the best...
Postwar Paul Getting layout tips from John Allen is like taking guitar lessons from Hendrix... When you learn from the best...
Given the choice I'd prefer guitar lessons from Les Paul, I never could stand Hendrix.
Noise, just noise.
Been working feverishly cranking out Paul's Famous Tin Foil Scenery
patent pending...
Taking on a decidedly southwestern look...
More panels under construction, to fill in the canyon
I think Hendrix would approve...
More scenery on the way...
It's certainly taking on a Southwest look all right!
If you develop a sudden craving for tacos or some Tex-Mex you'll know why!
Ah! Youv'e got my favorite Marx diesel set too!
Thank you both !
And I do like Mexican food, by the way !!
Got 3 more Tombstones primered, but not painted yet.
Although my mountains are flats, they are 3 levels deep. I hope this will help create at least some depth.
This could be a John Allen-esque scene. He liked trains flying over high and impossible canyons. Take a look at his work...
It was hard not to think of "The Monolith Monsters" as I went through all of your pics!
Thank you !!
I'm trying to go for the dramatic-hopefully creating visual " wow", because I don't have very much space otherwise. I have mentioned John Allen many times, and he found ways to make even small areas seem complete, and with great depth.
Not that I'll ever be even close to his level in my lifetime, but I'll keep trying.
Thanks Again !
What a splash of paint can do !
The next wave...
Canyon end wall under construction
Lionel track will have a pseudo bridge
this area is almost hidden, the mirror helps !
Rock formation reminicent of
"Phantom Curve"
New free standing mountain
does not obscure gateman
Foiled again !!
Phantom Curve
I'm trying to incorporate a little of everywhere I've ever been...
Here's the " bridge" I created for the canyon end
This will be your view from the transformer station
Everything primered, ready to paint
I like it. Not being able to see everything at all times lends an aire of mystery and danger to the whole layout.
Well, Thank You!
I'm really enjoying the scenery aspect of this. But the problem is : once you start, all the other spots that lack scenery really stand out. That's why I don't light any of my buildings : once you light one.... yep, ya' gotta do 'em all !!!
But I realized the train room is a great place to sit and relax, even if the trains aren't running.
It's the ambience... I'm having fun!!!
Time to take a break
and run some trains...
What may, at first glance, appears to be a peaceful and serene model train scene
hides a dark secret...
or two...
And although many trains pass this way each day....
most most people fail to notice...
Standing in the hollows, and deep recesses of the rock formations...
the Wicked Witch of the west !
but, that's not all...
But, there is another, and much more sinister being lurking in the shadows...
Erik !!
The Phantom of the Opera !!!
Yes, that's right !!
The real " Phantom Curve "!!!
Love it!
Thank you!!
I've got so many ideas floating around...
Contemplating my next move...
I always love looking at any, and all layouts, regardless of scale, or gauge. Many great ideas out there, maybe some I will try to adapt to my humble 8x8 layout !!
I get inspired looking at others work, makes me want to try !
Isn't that what it's all about ?
I have more scenery built and primered, for the canyon entrance
I moved my semaphore up on a platform
The Lionel track will duck into a tunnel, and hidden trackage, popping out on my " bridge "
Like so...
I like the southwestern color palette !
Postwar PaulMany great ideas out there,
Here's one that John Grams employed:
Penny Trains Postwar Paul Many great ideas out there, Here's one that John Grams employed:
Postwar Paul Many great ideas out there,
Here is with proper paint
What I have so far...
Next project will be a bridge for AF, and foreground Lionel tracks
What a great spot for unloading milk cans! Look out beloooooow!
Penny Trains What a great spot for unloading milk cans! Look out beloooooow!
Or logs or gravel dump cars.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
One of the fun things about the Toy Train hobby is the operating cars. I'm running a train of them.
I moved my UCS strip from the original location, which would be inside the tunnel now
I want to see, and enjoy my operating cars. Not only will this location need a bridge, but some receptacle for jettisoned material...
Drop depth charges !!!
I don't have the correct barrels, but chucking these dowels is a blast !!!
Got excited, and forgot to caption the last shot !!
The dump cars are my favorites!!
Want to get a log dump car next !!
Yeah. That's one of the things that bugs me about having a small layout space, there's only room for one extremely short siding for the milk car and platform. All the other open spaces on my wonky ovoid are either out of sight or, like you had, inside a tunnel. Oh well! One of these days I'll get the S gauge it's own board and then I can have operating cars besides the kind where a man opens a door.
Penny Trains Yeah. That's one of the things that bugs me about having a small layout space, there's only room for one extremely short siding for the milk car and platform. All the other open spaces on my wonky ovoid are either out of sight or, like you had, inside a tunnel. Oh well! One of these days I'll get the S gauge it's own board and then I can have operating cars besides the kind where a man opens a door.
a small layout space forces discipline! Tough choices, and priorities...
Here's the latest wrinkle :
Rock formations on the backdrop based on the Bisti Wilderness of New Mexico
Who knew there was a rr line through Red Rocks?
wrmcclellan Who knew there was a rr line through Red Rocks?
Ruby Canyon on the Rio Grande
Placerville down through Dolores, if you follow along the RGS right of way
Sedona and the Grand Canyon
Shiprock
all these wonderful places, and more!
Just love it !!!
But wait...
there's more !
More of my New Mexico rock formations !
What I'm trying to create...
Wow! The almighty's boomerang!
Boomerang?
Well, perhaps. But, very interesting shapes, and the more precariously balanced, the better....
I'll need many,many more...
With everything painted, and installed on layout...
I am going to shift focus back to the city, and buildings on the front side of layout
Maybe you should put the Road-Runner on one of those table rocks with Wile E. Coyote sneaking up on him?
With an Acme (fill in the blank...)
Meep meep...
that would fit in nicely....
Incident report !!!
" Dispatcher !!
come in!!
do you read me ?"
" we got a problem here !!!"
Had to " bad order" the Pennsy boxcar; it was the culprit. I have up to 10 trains running simultaneously, and my attention might be on one train, and not notice another has come off...
The are all part of the overall effect...
Where's that confounded bridge ?!?!
The Rainbow Bridge
The Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
And especially...
the Bridge to Retirement...
Picked up some log cars, too...
I'll cut some dowel logs to throw from my new bridge !!!
Postwar Paul The Bridge of Sighs
"Bridge of Sighs" indeed! I'm sure there's a lot of "OOOOH's" and "AHHHH's" from an appreciative audience when that 2035 "Blockbuster" rolls past.
Gotta get me one of those. Still looking...
The 2035 has that iconic Postwar look.
Plus, I have 2 2025's, and 2 2035's. Although they are essentially the same engine, and the 2025 are silky smooth runners, the Magnetraction of the 2035 makes a Huge difference !
So, if you come across one at a reasonable price, don't let it slip through yours fingers !
Yes indeed! The problem so far is I haven't found one at a reasonable price or one in reasonable condition. But there's one out there I know, I've just got to be patient.
And they're collision proof! OK maybe that's only in my dreams. But you gotta admit a 2035 and a 2018 both pulling freight in opposite directions on the same figure 8 layout and passing through each other like there was nothing there is quite a memorable sight! Even if it was only a dream!
Well, I've got a 2018, so I'm half-way there! Woo-hoo!
Well, I know where my dreams come from. One of my favorite time wasters is my Nintendo DS and my favorite game is Lionel Trains: On Track. In the game two opposing trains or even one faster and one slower train can pass right through each other. Here's a short clip someone posted on the tube:
The other half of that dream had me climbing a steep cliff so I could get a shot of the "newly restored for excursion service" Pennsy loco that was pulling silver passenger coaches accross the long bridge over the "great horshoe falls of Cleveland". Only the loco was a Pennsy Atlantic of the 1990's Kughn era Lionel production that looked something like this:
I've got a wacky brain!
I think I completely forgot what I was jabbering about.!
But what a fun diversion !!! You can really get pulled into that game !!
Incidentally, I like those little Atlantics!
The last time I was at Carnegie Science Center's 0 gauge layout, last May, many trains were powered by the trusty little workhorses. I wouldn't mind picking up a couple to assist in traffic upturns...
They do the job !!
I gave mine the Nickel Plate look with some water based paint and paper labels:
I would say that the overall proportions of those Atlantics are pleasing to the eye. I will probably pick one up at some point.
And the NKP;
one of my favorite roads ! Rode behind 765 and 587 out of Chicago.
Lima superpower Rocks !!!
My city is getting a complete makeover...
It is becoming much more vertical
Scenery helps to keep things from hitting the floor
I had a " break in two", and the engine came around and slammed into the back half of the train. My most common accident scenario...
"Now boarding, train for Kyoto and Osaka"
"Please watch your step"
The front and side of the layout will be filled in with building flats
I had to go back and look. You've come along way in 364 days!
Well, thank you ! I was just reflecting on the fact that My Space is having it's first Birthday !
It's been so much fun !!!
A lot of ideas, and things I've always wanted to try are showing up here !
It took me awhile, but I finally figured out that if I lift the factory above the N scale tracks, it would open up a lot of space in the center section
The original supports for the elevated track were not used, but have come in handy now
The entire front face of the layout is being re- done, and improved
Like that Pennsy tender from a #250. The 250 was my first Lionel train. Still have it.
wrmcclellan Like that Pennsy tender from a #250. The 250 was my first Lionel train. Still have it.
My first 2025 was complete, with tender and box. I loved it so much, I bought a second 2025 at the train show, but it was A La Carte ( no tender). So, I found this tender at my old train store. It was a perfect fit !!
Building flats are coming along nicely...
At least on the transformer station side...
But even with " shake the box " kits...
It takes time to assemble and paint everything
Happy with what I have so far
There are those who will try to tell you this house is haunted
but don't you believe it !!!
I wouldn't say that house is haunted either, but it certainly has a rather unique second-floor tenant!
I'll betcha there's not going to be any burglaries in that place!
"Frank" stands at the door to the train room to greet guests, check I.D.s , and remove the unruly.
Like some of those bouncers back in the Disco days...
one guy had a face covered with scars, and a nose that looked like it was broken more than once...
Most of the building flats are in place along the front face
There are thousands of details to clean up, but this is roughly how it will look
This is my best layout so far, and I've enjoyed building it
It shows!
Thank you ! I have learned a lot from past layouts,
and I'm always on the look out for great ideas to steal....
Never got around to finishing this
at least yet
Most heavy construction is done
it's just about adding details
And with that, I plan to take advantage of the cooler weather, and start setting up the Garden railroad,
so, I'll be switching gears for a while...
Postwar Paul Never got around to finishing this at least yet
How about a zipline?
Penny Trains Postwar Paul Never got around to finishing this at least yet How about a zipline?
Or maybe some firefighters holding a jump net?
Sorry, haven't looked at the forum for a few days
trying to get the G rollin'...
A lot of this old track will have to be rehabbed before it can be used...
Plowing the back forty...
going into a 16x20 space, a little smaller than the 20x25 at the old house, but still workable.
Excuse me for always sharing photos like these...
I had stopped the Lionel 2055 to add smoke fluid. I did not notice the 312 uncoupled, and came back around to slam into the tail end...
Fortunately, these trains are tough...
Yeah, don't you just hate that when it happens? A bit of excitement you don't need.
It's happened to me more than once. Part of the train comes uncoupled and then I have to make a flying leap towards the transformer to shut off the power.
Sometimes I'm too late. As the saying goes, "Oh NO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuDuzJ13NPU
Everything was running great for so long.
Until you take your eyes off the ball...
Luckily, it didn't hurt anything. It's the feeling that you get when your looking somewhere else,and hear that sound....
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