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Projects for 2023

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  • Member since
    April 2023
  • 158 posts
Projects for 2023
Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Sunday, April 16, 2023 10:47 AM

Hello, 

  This is my new screen name. I was trying to change my avatar, and last time could only change it by making a new screen name. Even that didn't work this time, and I have the generic man avatar that is so in vogue these days....

  Anyhooo..... I always need a train project to work on. The garden railroad is looking great, and I'm satisfied with it for the moment. Shifting to the train room. Adding 2 more loops, bringing a total of 15 operating loops to the layout. I can run 12 trains simultaneously due to wall power output limitations. New additions are:

1. An H0/ 0n30 display loop to showcase Tyco and vintage H0 trains

2. an American Flyer S gauge loop. I have revised my plan. As Lou Palumbo mentioned in his column, I have realized I am no longer up to too much crawling under the layout, and various gyrations that would have been no problem in earlier times.... So, the new loop runs partially under the layout, pops out in my Royal Gorge scene, comes around the front, and around the corner of the layout on a huge rock outcropping. Then ducks back under the layout. 
  Also, I am pushing to use up everything I already have available: track, transformers, trains. Only purchasing construction supplies.

Stay tuned.....

Paul

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, April 17, 2023 8:59 PM

Holy frijoles, 15 loops? Did you buy an old Skateland to run them in? Please share some pics on Sunday Photo Fun, when you get a chance.

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 9:41 AM

Sure enough! When I have something to share, you will see it!

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Saturday, May 13, 2023 6:29 PM

If you focus on a project long enough, it becomes crystal clear. I finally figured it out:

for the train room, I need to move the Ho/ On30 loop to open up the access aisle again. I need to decommission my " Royal Gorge" scene, and move the 0-31 loop off the floor, and elevate it. Then, I can try to fit an elevated Flyer loop on the other wall. I need to keep the area under the layout for G gauge engine and car storage. And, access for cleaning and retrieving derailed equipment. 
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.....

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Posted by MidlandMike on Saturday, May 13, 2023 8:13 PM

Road Foreman of Engines
I need to decommission my " Royal Gorge" scene, ...

Could you post some photos before it's gone.

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Sunday, May 14, 2023 9:33 AM

Hello Mike,

  it is still intact. I will probably post some before and after pictures once I complete this major makeover. I always like a train project to work on; I enjoy building it much more than when it's done. Can't just leave it alone...so, yes I'll put up some pictures.

Paul

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Posted by pennytrains on Sunday, May 14, 2023 7:22 PM

I'll second that.  Building is the best part Wink

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Monday, May 15, 2023 9:15 AM

I have a lot of fun with construction. Become totally engrossed in the project, overcoming issues that come along, excited over the progress.

Yes, I enjoy it when it's done, but can become vaguely Ho-Hum.....

Love to build!

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Friday, June 16, 2023 12:01 PM

Last year was my first year of retirement, and I ran forward like gangbusters, with a major Garden Railroad project, and detailing the indoor layout, servicing locomotives. Most productive!

 This year, I must have joined the union, because work is progressing at a snail's pace, but it is at least moving along....

Just like " Mr. Habib"( Eugene Levy) in " Father of the Bride", the wrecking ball has come out. I have taken up a loop of 3 rail Lionel track, to be relocated. And half the loop of Atlas Snap track has been dynamited. There will be a line relocation.

Everything will be recycled. A new loop of Flyer S gauge will be worked in somewhere....

Paul

  • Member since
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  • From: Henrico, VA
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, June 16, 2023 12:47 PM

Road Foreman of Engines
Last year was my first year of retirement, and I ran forward like gangbusters, with a major Garden Railroad project, and detailing the indoor layout, servicing locomotives. Most productive!

If you're like me you know what you'll REALLY enjoy about retirement?

Having time to do nothing, if that's what you feel like doing!  Wink

I also look at it this way, I worked for 40+ years, now I play!  

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Friday, June 16, 2023 6:27 PM

Thanks, Flint!
  You know, I always hear stories about people retiring, and not knowing what to do with themselves. I don't seem to have that malady....

I always have lots of projects to work on, some for the house, but tons of train projects. Lovin' retirement!

  It's a great gig ,if you can get it....

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Friday, June 23, 2023 4:43 PM

I've had several options for the new Flyer loop that I've been kicking around. It's not easy working a new track into an existing layout, especially one as densely packed as mine is. After careful and methodical consideration, I have gone back to my original scheme: it will be a 92" x92" square, elevated 28" above the main Lionel loop. There will be a loop of 0-31 in the back corner, 36" to 40" above the main Lionel loop.

 Once I have completed these, I can reinstall my Atlas snap track loop on a new alignment......

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Sunday, July 9, 2023 4:56 PM

So far, so good! I have installed my new Flyer loop. It is 8'x8', sitting 26" above an 8.5x8.5 foot layout. Using vintage Flyer track sections, some of which are bowed from being stepped on years past. I have nailed them down to the track boards, and have flattened them out as much as possible. Pretty smooth now! Eventually, there will be a guard rail/ safety net system. Not practical to install at this time, until construction is completed. Speeds will be low to moderate for now.....

Paul

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Posted by fifedog on Sunday, July 9, 2023 7:16 PM


That old Flyer track has been durable and forgiving on my layout.

 

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Monday, July 10, 2023 8:04 AM

fifedog


That old Flyer track has been durable and forgiving on my layout.

 

 

Great pictures!

I like the way the old Flyer track looks. Some pieces are not flat, and it is not always obvious, until you try to use them on a layout. But it looks like I have flattened them out.

Paul

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Posted by pennytrains on Monday, July 10, 2023 7:57 PM

Yeah, one finicky pilot truck spring will keep you up at night trying to figure out how to get that locomotive around that curve.  Wink

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:26 PM

It seems to me that 95% of the issues are more track related, with very few issues being the trains themselves. It would have made things easier to get some quality track, Gargraves or something. But I like the look of the vintage Flyer track. Some of these track sections are right out of the 1940's! Love the vintage look! With a little care, and careful track laying, I can still get acceptable results.

  Pretty happy with what I've got So far !

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 5:34 PM

Making progress:

Flyer loop is complete, 28 inches above the main Lionel deck. Just needs guard rails on the corners.

Lionel 0-31 loop completed at 65 inches above the floor. To display Marx, and smaller 0-27 trains

 The " Tyco track" is in place, to display low end and vintage H0.

just need to work on scenic elements next.....

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Saturday, July 29, 2023 1:08 PM

See if this link works for my updated train room

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Thursday, August 3, 2023 4:58 PM

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMn5Ihe7liEMS_ix0IRPAhnymgXfeBEBRibR7yFxHzgpZ8dj6E8qKuS10xhjHmmsQ?key=bGp1ckVzXzNuMGVHT004TE5jMDRFMXZiMjdCTGtB

Hey, check these out!

Paul

15 loops of track:

3 Lionel

3 Flyer

3 Quality HO

2 Snap track loops for Tyco/ 0 n30

4 tracks for N guage

12 can operate a one time

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, August 4, 2023 12:07 AM

Enjoyed the picture show. Seeing and hearing the layout in motion must be something to behold.

YesPirate

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Friday, August 4, 2023 9:38 AM

Thank you! It's a work in progress, and I'm sure I'll keep changing it around, since I get bored quickly with things....

 It's fun to get the layout really wound up with trains in motion everywhere! The rumble and sweet music of all those trains.....

It's very relaxing to watch and enjoy!

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Saturday, September 30, 2023 1:17 PM
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Posted by pennytrains on Saturday, September 30, 2023 5:05 PM

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by pennytrains on Saturday, September 30, 2023 5:06 PM

I can't quite figure out how those cylinders are supposed to operate Wink

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Sunday, October 1, 2023 9:54 AM

pennytrains

I like that locomotive, it has a little bit of fantasy, and whimsy in it! Not sure about the engineering on the cylinders.....

I like things that are a bit unusual anyway. Keeps things interesting......

Paul

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Posted by Road Foreman of Engines on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 10:43 PM

Road Foreman of Engines

I've added some pictures of my latest bargain trains: a red Lionel caboose and blue gondola, $ 5 each. Very clean. Also, an 8300 engine, no tender, for $9. Basic servicing got it running. Also got a Bachmann G caboose for $22. 
Cheap additions!

Paul

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