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WPF 11/2-4

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bronx, NY
  • 381 posts
Posted by Hudson on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:04 AM
 MisterBeasley wrote:

Puzzle page!  Find the Atlas switch machine!

[

 

It's under that Pile O' Salad twixt the tracks!!!!

 

(Nice job!)

 

:)

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:09 AM
 C and O Fan wrote:

Ok Mr B i know you're good but i think you're spoofing us on the hidden

switch machine Wink [;)]

It's taken some trial and error, but I'm getting the hang of these scenic covers.  It's a lot cheaper and less work than ripping them up and replacing them with Peco's!

This is a "before" shot taken a few weeks ago:

And here's a look today:

Before I put anything over the machines, I put down some small very small blocks of pink foam around the little pin that you can use to manually throw the turnout.  I also put a couple of blocks at the ends to stretch the shape out a bit.  When the plaster cloth goes on, the blocks support it and provide a natural "cave" for the pin to move.  Once the cover is in place, the turnout works just fine.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:10 AM
 C and O Fan wrote:

Ok Mr B i know you're good but i think you're spoofing us on the hidden

switch machine Wink [;)]

It's taken some trial and error, but I'm getting the hang of these scenic covers.  It's a lot cheaper and less work than ripping them up and replacing them with Peco's!

This is a "before" shot taken a few weeks ago:

And here's a look today:

Before I put anything over the machines, I put down some small very small blocks of pink foam around the little pin that you can use to manually throw the turnout.  I also put a couple of blocks at the ends to stretch the shape out a bit.  When the plaster cloth goes on, the blocks support it and provide a natural "cave" for the pin to move.  Once the cover is in place, the turnout works just fine.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 883 posts
Posted by jktrains on Saturday, November 3, 2007 4:53 AM
 zgardner18 wrote:

Okay, I've know that I've posted this shot at other streads on this forum but I just wanted to add it in here this time with my MRL units to glorify Montana's railroad.  I'm hoping to do more work this weekend so by Sunday I should have some progress pictures.  I really need to start getting my freeway started. because that is really the only thing lacking in this area (plus power poles, signals and some other little things).

Zak - excellent work.  The models and the diorama look great.  Were the shots taken outside?  Nothing beats natural sunlight. Great photography too.

jktrains

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Sagamihara, Japan
  • 108 posts
Posted by DonaldAgne on Saturday, November 3, 2007 7:15 AM

The quality of work you guys (and gals) do is amazing!  I love looking at pictures of model railroads, and you people never disappoint.

I live in a fairly small apartment in Japan which doesn't have enough space for a permanent, around-the-wall layout.  So, I built this lightweight, portable, N-scale monstrosity that hangs on the wall when it's not in use.  Unfortunately, it's "not in use" most of the time, because I have to kick my wife out of the apartment for a full day if I want to run trains.  And, of course, she's not very often agreeable to that.

Overall view (finished): 

Overall view (under construction):

9600 (JNR prototype) running along the river at the lower left of the layout:

Playground near the station.  The playground equipment is all scatchbuilt using brass wire, styrene, and scale lumber:

Don

Don Agne

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
  • 2,934 posts
Posted by C&O Fan on Saturday, November 3, 2007 8:05 AM

WOW ! Super work Don !!! Bow [bow]

Nice detail

Love all the greenery !

What are the speakers for on the control cabinet ?

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Saturday, November 3, 2007 10:12 AM

I've been developing a liking towards these type of shots. Not the usual company photographer shot, but rather the kind we've taken ourselves. We've all taken them, the kind you just can't get close enough to without trespassing and you forgot the good lens at home !!! ....

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Saturday, November 3, 2007 10:31 AM

Boy, there sure is some talent in the photos this week. 

 Clapping Hands 

Sue





Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bettendorf Iowa
  • 2,173 posts
Posted by Driline on Saturday, November 3, 2007 10:33 AM
 MisterBeasley wrote:
 C and O Fan wrote:

Ok Mr B i know you're good but i think you're spoofing us on the hidden

switch machine Wink [;)]

It's taken some trial and error, but I'm getting the hang of these scenic covers.  It's a lot cheaper and less work than ripping them up and replacing them with Peco's!

Before I put anything over the machines, I put down some small very small blocks of pink foam around the little pin that you can use to manually throw the turnout.  I also put a couple of blocks at the ends to stretch the shape out a bit.  When the plaster cloth goes on, the blocks support it and provide a natural "cave" for the pin to move.  Once the cover is in place, the turnout works just fine.

Wow, those atlas switch machines WERE GINORMOUS!

They do look much better. You must have laid those down a long long time ago.

Modeling the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern 1995 in HO
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Mankato MN
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by secondhandmodeler on Saturday, November 3, 2007 10:34 AM

I've been trying my hand at making sidewalks from drywall mud.  Obviously they're not finished yet.  I had to 86 the wooden boardwalks.  I'm working at introducing more greenery to my barren land.  I also added a ton of trees to my hill, bet you can't tell!

Corey
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bettendorf Iowa
  • 2,173 posts
Posted by Driline on Saturday, November 3, 2007 11:05 AM

Scenery has begun on the "Driline". Roads, Roads, and more roads. I am using for the most part Hobby Lobby foam and spackling mixed with an acrylic color (Gray in my case).

 

Foam:

Fast N Final spackling from Wally World

Road #1

Road #2

Road #3

Styrene Road (not yet complete) Not sure if I want to use Kadee street decals or "Lektroset" tape.

Modeling the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern 1995 in HO
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Saturday, November 3, 2007 11:33 AM

jktrains, I just noticed your brass steps...very nice...and the rest of the loco is looking scrumptious, too! Big Smile [:D]

-Crandell

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Glendora, CA
  • 1,423 posts
Posted by zgardner18 on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:02 PM
 jktrains wrote:
 zgardner18 wrote:

Okay, I've know that I've posted this shot at other streads on this forum but I just wanted to add it in here this time with my MRL units to glorify Montana's railroad.  I'm hoping to do more work this weekend so by Sunday I should have some progress pictures.  I really need to start getting my freeway started. because that is really the only thing lacking in this area (plus power poles, signals and some other little things).

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/zgardner18/IMG_2369.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/zgardner18/IMG_2361.jpg

Zak - excellent work.  The models and the diorama look great.  Were the shots taken outside?  Nothing beats natural sunlight. Great photography too.

jktrains

Hey, thanks!  I agree with you about natural sunlight be the best and that is why I made my diorama in the garage with rollers on the legs, but I have to admit that these shots haven't been outside with natural, but I am using one of my construction flood lights.  I use the flood light to work on the diorama with because I only get my nights to work, and the lighting in my garage is not great.

--Zak Gardner

My Layout Blog:  http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com

http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net

VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,414 posts
Posted by Guilford Guy on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:36 PM

Alex

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:40 PM

 Driline wrote:
  You must have laid those down a long long time ago.

No, I put them down quite recently.  They are, however, very old.  They're all in the 40-50 year range.  Atlas hasn't changed their snap-switches much, though, so these still mount exactly the same way.  It also says a lot about the reliability of these old babies.  Sure, they haven't been in continuous service, but even making something that will keep working after 40 years in an attic is an accomplishment.  I pulled all of these off of my old brass track, since it was cheaper to buy manual NS Atlas snap-switches and add my own old powered machines.

On of my errors in the trial-and-error process was to mount the old machines too close to the track.  The old ones mount in the holes provided, not the snap-in connection like the new ones.  Atlas used to provide an extender to shift the machines outboard by another half-inch or so, to provide additional clearance.  If you look at the throwbar, you'll note that there are two slots where the actuator arm from the switch machine can go.  The outer one is positioned for old switch machines with the extender on them.  Anyway, once I pushed the machines away a bit, I then have plenty of clearance for the covers.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:48 PM
Last week I was doing some decal work on some of my locos. Here's one of them.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 3, 2007 1:03 PM

Zak: You cheated! No photos of real trains!!! Big Smile [:D] Great work!!!Bow [bow]Bow [bow]Thumbs Up [tup]

Mr Beasley: Can I steal your idea and use it for my layout? 

Great work everyone else too!

I've been working on New Poland, NH recently, adding a golf course. I'm not sure if I posted that other photo of it here, so here it is, if I already did, sorry for the re-post.

I know the sign is messed up; I already fixed it:

 

Here's the new golf course:

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,414 posts
Posted by Guilford Guy on Saturday, November 3, 2007 1:07 PM
 TrainManTy wrote:

Zak: You cheated! No photos of real trains!!! Big Smile [:D] Great work!!!Bow [bow]Bow [bow]Thumbs Up [tup]

Mr Beasley: Can I steal your idea and use it for my layout? 

Great work everyone else too!

I've been working on New Poland, NH recently, adding a golf course. I'm not sure if I posted that other photo of it here, so here it is, if I already did, sorry for the re-post.

I know the sign is messed up; I already fixed it:

 

Here's the new golf course:

 

Great job on the scenery my friend. 

Alex

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, November 3, 2007 1:34 PM

I went to a club layout open house last weekend.  They had some dealer tables there, too, and I found the Woodland Scenics "Beekeepers" set for a great price.  I cleaned up the yard of this house and started work on the family "beesiness."  I'm planning on a small roadside stand to sell the honey as well.

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: ARCH CITY
  • 1,769 posts
Posted by tomkat-13 on Saturday, November 3, 2007 5:45 PM

Men at work!

I model MKT & CB&Q in Missouri. A MUST SEE LINK: Great photographs from glassplate negatives of St Louis 1914-1917!!!! http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/kempland/glassplate.htm Boeing Employee RR Club-St Louis http://www.berrc-stl.com/
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Page, AZ
  • 355 posts
Posted by Chuck Geiger on Saturday, November 3, 2007 7:30 PM

Orange picking and shipping time in the Central Valley of California:

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Sagamihara, Japan
  • 108 posts
Posted by DonaldAgne on Saturday, November 3, 2007 9:09 PM

C&O Fan wrote:  What are the speakers for on the control cabinet ?

Terry,

Thanks!  The speaker boxes and the speakers installed in both ends of the control cabinet are for an MRC Sound Station.  I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of money, but....  I guess it's better than no sound at all.

Don

Don Agne

 

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Eastern Massachusetts
  • 1,681 posts
Posted by railroadyoshi on Saturday, November 3, 2007 9:37 PM
Thanks for the kind comments everybody. Mark (Brunton), the helix is made for just 1 track. Your beast (a beautiful one, I might add) was an  inspiration. The track will just be caulked down directly to the plywood in the interest of clearance and cost.

Donald and Mark R, fantastic work! Mark, you're submitting that first one for publication, right?
Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Saturday, November 3, 2007 10:11 PM
 MisterBeasley wrote:

MrB, 

Did Jerry Seinfeld help you with that scene?

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, November 3, 2007 11:20 PM
 gear-jammer wrote:

Did Jerry Seinfeld help you with that scene?

Sue

Uh, could bee...

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 4, 2007 12:00 AM

Well

I dont have the most pretty of pictures, but here's my project for the week

turn this

to being able to start laying track by next week atleast on the main, modeled section of the layout (the 2x16 long strip)

cause i cant stand for these

to sit there and collect any more dust

 

The plan is to get everything cut with the exception of one facia panel that needs to be cut to fit with the scenery by hand, tommorow afternoon once i finish work, and maybe get all the plywood attached to the layout, then monday though the weekend will consist of priming and painting the facia and backdrop, and getting it, and the needed foam attached to the layout, then the next week i can start laying track,and hopefully by december i will have my Starucca Terminal layout (credit to GG for name and for major help with the track plan) running some trains

 

one quick question though

Do you think I would need to add more than 1 Digitrax UR90 IR recievers to the layout being that its 16 feet long, and i need to get around to the staging area aswell (my zephyer system will be located with the staging area) I already have one,  and a UT4 throttle, i dont mind buying a second one though, but the $30-40 to get another one could be spent elsewhere in the many other things i need to buy

 

Great work everybody, some really nice pics this week 

  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 3,150 posts
Posted by CNJ831 on Sunday, November 4, 2007 5:21 AM

Something I don't believe I shown here before

(click to enlarge to a more appropriate viewing size) 

CNJ831

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Jarrell, Texas
  • 1,114 posts
Posted by Tom Bryant_MR on Sunday, November 4, 2007 7:23 AM

Great stuff.

Art, you are really using the 3rd dimension with all that foam construction !

Yoshi, yes. Mark B's work on his helix is an inspiration. I should not have chickened out and did my original plan.

Good idea on disguising the Atlas switches Mr. B.

And, CNK931, I just love those older buildings.

After returning from a 30 day vacation, I cleaned up the layout to re-focus on what was next.  With everything out of the way, I decided it is a good opportunity to finish painting my track.

First, cut an access hole so that I can get to that area in the back. My grandson thinks I cut this just for him Wink [;)]

 

Next, start gathering up the cars from around the layout and place in Taylor yard where the track is painted.

 

Regards,

Tom

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Sunday, November 4, 2007 2:01 PM

Not really anything to show from my layout this week, but I have a couple from the Syracuse Train Fair I went to yesterday that you folks might enjoy.  A couple of shots from an n scale modular layout:

I think that this one shows what the hobby should really be about!

Road to and from the show on:

Do I look like I am enjoying the ride?

How could I help when I was hanging out with this guy!

A fellow train nut and Musician..... 

To see more of my photos from the excursion, go here: http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h259/slow_rr/SyracuseTrainShow07/ 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Georgia, USA
  • 583 posts
Posted by rayw46 on Sunday, November 4, 2007 6:38 PM

Every November the Piedmont Division the NMRA in northwest Georgia hosts the Piedmont Pilgrimage when members open their layouts to visitors.  This year over 60 layouts will be opened for viewing.  Today, Sunday, November 4th. I visited three outstanding layouts.  The first was Al Churella's On2 Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes RR.

Next there was Rob Kemp's OO scale Sandbourne British Railway.

And finally, Bill Dischinger's Three Rail O Scale Layout.

It's a really great month for one of the most active divisions of the NMRA.

Ray

 

 

Shoot for the stars; so you miss, you are only lost in space.

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