hon30critter micktropolis Sort of struggling with that myself! Currently adding TCS and Soundtraxx decoders to everything from Rivarossi to brass depending on space and application. Even the BLI models are getting their Paragon2 and 3 decoders removed and replaced, 7 or so locomotives in total so far. I'm averaging about a decoder per month, so it's a decent pace at least. I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed! Hi micktropolis, We share some common goals and challenges. Just like you, I am trying desparately to stop buying more locomotives. Unfortunately eBay is too tempting. I look at my dilemma like this: We have more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of our lives so why shouldn't I indulge myself with what makes me happy? I figure that I would have to go really nuts if I was to blow our financial assets on model trains. That just won't happen. My hobby spending will never endanger our son's inheritance, so if I choose to spend some money on buying trains, so be it! I'm not trying to brag. I'm just explaining my situation. Admittedly, I am a lucky guy. Cheers!! Dave
micktropolis Sort of struggling with that myself! Currently adding TCS and Soundtraxx decoders to everything from Rivarossi to brass depending on space and application. Even the BLI models are getting their Paragon2 and 3 decoders removed and replaced, 7 or so locomotives in total so far. I'm averaging about a decoder per month, so it's a decent pace at least. I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed!
Hi micktropolis,
We share some common goals and challenges. Just like you, I am trying desparately to stop buying more locomotives. Unfortunately eBay is too tempting.
I look at my dilemma like this: We have more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of our lives so why shouldn't I indulge myself with what makes me happy? I figure that I would have to go really nuts if I was to blow our financial assets on model trains. That just won't happen. My hobby spending will never endanger our son's inheritance, so if I choose to spend some money on buying trains, so be it!
I'm not trying to brag. I'm just explaining my situation. Admittedly, I am a lucky guy.
Cheers!!
Dave
No worries there, Dave! My wife and I are looking at purchasing a house in the next year or so and starting a family shortly after. We aren't suffering in any way financially but have a shared goal, so I keep my spending in check and put more towards our savings.
It takes about a month or two (for brass) to install sound into a non-sound non-DCC ready locomotive at the rate I'm going due to work and other life factors interrupting, but I think it's a good pace.
I'm expecting the delivery of a gearbox for the PFM 0-6-0 today, so I'm excited to see how it fits - now it's waiting for the wheel puller and new motor. The worst part about these projects is waiting for parts to come in the mail.
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
Back on track, I touched up painting on some casting and then sprayed them with Lusterless flat as the final finish involves a rusting mixture. Tried it on another project without the extra flat and some of the paint rubs off while the fisnish is applied which is brushed on. Never had this issue before but these are old castings with lead in them so hopfully the clear flat spray will delay the reaction as the original peice looked fine but did need a touch up here or there.
hon30critter micktropolis I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed! Hi micktropolis, We share some common goals and challenges. Just like you, I am trying desparately to stop buying more locomotives. Unfortunately eBay is too tempting.
micktropolis I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed!
At one time I had over 70 locomotives, and that seems to be a relatively low number compared to the number of locomotives that some have on their roster. I have now cut back to 41 locomotives with a few more planned sales.
Why do we do this? I have a fairly large a layout, and I can rationalize the presence of each locomotive on the layout. But, it is impossible to run all of those locomotives.
Rich
Alton Junction
micktropolisSort of struggling with that myself! Currently adding TCS and Soundtraxx decoders to everything from Rivarossi to brass depending on space and application. Even the BLI models are getting their Paragon2 and 3 decoders removed and replaced, 7 or so locomotives in total so far. I'm averaging about a decoder per month, so it's a decent pace at least. I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed!
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter hon30critter Eventually I will put sound in all of them but I'm not going to pop for 11 decoders all at once. Well, that didn't last long! I did our income taxes yesterday and, thanks to the income splitting option, we are getting way more money back than I expected. I just ordered nine decoders!! Dave
hon30critter Eventually I will put sound in all of them but I'm not going to pop for 11 decoders all at once.
Well, that didn't last long! I did our income taxes yesterday and, thanks to the income splitting option, we are getting way more money back than I expected. I just ordered nine decoders!!
Sort of struggling with that myself! Currently adding TCS and Soundtraxx decoders to everything from Rivarossi to brass depending on space and application. Even the BLI models are getting their Paragon2 and 3 decoders removed and replaced, 7 or so locomotives in total so far. I'm averaging about a decoder per month, so it's a decent pace at least. I need to stop adding motive power to the roster that need decoders before I get more decoders installed!
I always have a few things going at any one time. Last night I ordered a Scale Sound Systems Big Boy speaker for an Athearn 4018. Spent most of the evening trying to open that tender as well to start removing the old speaker box to prep. It isn't exactly clear how to open it so it took some careful prying and pulling before I figured it out. The old speaker will be repurposed in another locomotive.
Besides that, I have some brass models that are getting new motors and gearboxes, really just waiting on the mail for those parts. I'm planning out the fitment of decoders into a 2-10-2 and a 0-6-0 and I want to ensure they are running fine before committing them to decoders and paint. I'm interested in trying the Scale Sound Systems boiler barker speakers for that 2-10-2 in particular.
hon30critter FWIW, I put a subfloor in my McKeen car made out of 1/16" lead sheet. I also put a brass 'U' channel on the bottom of the frame to stiffen it. The channel could have been filled with lead but I thought that the car was heavy enough with just the lead subfloor. You can see the lead floor on the right:
FWIW, I put a subfloor in my McKeen car made out of 1/16" lead sheet. I also put a brass 'U' channel on the bottom of the frame to stiffen it. The channel could have been filled with lead but I thought that the car was heavy enough with just the lead subfloor. You can see the lead floor on the right:
Good idea! Due to my design, I can't make the subfloor from metal, but i can add a bit more weight where that U channel should go. Unless it's flipped over, I'm sure it won't even be noticeable that it's filled.
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Oh man, where do I start?
Well, I have a dead spot on one of my switches that I can't seem to figure out why that is happening. I also have to finish making my mountain and I have not been able to do that because of work, and once I finish that mountain, I have to find a new workspace since my "workbench" is the last flatspot on my layout.
I also have some not-big-but-not-small projects, like converting some of my locos to DCC/Sound or re-decalling and weathering some of my fleet.
I have just been putting it off for awhile now.
hon30critterEventually I will put sound in all of them but I'm not going to pop for 11 decoders all at once.
Finalized the track arrangement for the switching area and wired the main line. Now its time to wire the switching area with feeder joiners and test. In a short time I'll be removing the joiners and track and applying caulk to affix the track.
I could get it done in two days if I ever got motivated to solder the feeders to the bus. That's usually the hang up. Once I get in the mood and rolling, it goes quick though.
- Douglas
Just finished my locomotive lighting project, as previously discussed.
Next up. Gonna set up a series of track work and turnouts on the work bench to test a double crossover and a 3-way turnout. Each piece of track had some dead rail segments. I need to identify those rail segments, and possibly repair them, before selling them.
I also want that track work set up to test my NCE Mini Panel, Switch-8, and Switch It devices before putting them up for sale. My new layout doesn't have a need for any of these items.
Benchwork and main bus wiring completed. Now I am laying roadbed/track on the layout. For a change of pace I am also working on a LaserKit Crossroads Church at the work desk.
Paul
Darth Santa FeI'm working on finishing my F&C McKeen car. There are just a few details and figuring out how best to weigh it for traction before I get to painting. Since I recently decided to create a full interior and my custom truck uses a single axle like the prototype, getting enough weight on that one axle is tricky!
Hi Darth,
Here is the brass 'U' channel:
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.
I'm working on finishing my F&C McKeen car. There are just a few details and figuring out how best to weigh it for traction before I get to painting. Since I recently decided to create a full interior and my custom truck uses a single axle like the prototype, getting enough weight on that one axle is tricky!
Layout work on hold now and probably until mid-late May. Have to do a bunch of outside housework since HOA is back to doing inspections and my daughter is getting married May 1st in the finger lakes region of NY.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Walls all studded up, no place to cut insulation batts indoors, either too windy or 8" of snow making it hard to do outdoors. Have next week off, only one day tied up (so far), son coming home for two days next weekend. Will we be able to sheetrock? After that can do most of it myself, but summer haying is coming on fast.
Will have to move current layout out soon. Will miss the little thing.
Good luck to all,
Richard
Lastspikemike Use Code 83 and connect to Code 100 with transition joiners or Walthers transition 1/2 straights.
Use Code 83 and connect to Code 100 with transition joiners or Walthers transition 1/2 straights.
Appreciate the reply.
Trying to avoid ripping up code 100 track. It will look okay as I did a rest of the pieces in between the rails.
Neal
Good morning
I had some catching up to do on this thread. A lot of neat projects going on here. I would like to comment on the ones with the pictures.
That's really a cool project you have going kitbashing the passengers cars Mel. Looks great!
Tom, that was a great idea you have with making the firebox flicker with the LEDs. I hope to see it when you are done.
The locomotive custom paint job sure looks like it's coming along well Dennis.
All the projects here sound like good ones.
I've been working on the foam formations of the removable mountains in the back corners of my layout. The two mountains will be connected together 70 scale feet above the rest of the layout with a horseshoe ore mining line. Scratch-built tipples will be made to load the ore cars. I'll post some pictures on WPF when I get to it later this weekend.
Thanks for the cool thread rrebell.
TF
Well I zip textured the small area I damaged. Workbench almost cleared. Have a depressed center flat car to deside on. I kinda screwed it up while building, for once following the instructions was a bad idea, second one came out great and awaiting final paint on the load I made for it (a moveable steam boiler on wheels from a kit).
I'm finishing sculpting some modest land forms with foamboard, painting my entire layout in a dirt-brownish color, and installing the last bits of cork roadbed. Tracks will come sometime this summer...., then wiring...., then model building.
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
I have a bit of everything on the railroad (in no particular order):
I am in the process of sorting out everything that is on my workbench and in the cabinets and shelves around it. Right now I have all of my non-DCC locomotives lined up on the bench so I can decide which ones to put sound decoders in. Eventually I will put sound in all of them but I'm not going to pop for 11 decoders all at once.
The next step will be to sort out all the box cars that are stacked along the back of the workbench. There are both kits and RTRs which I will sort into their respective tote boxes and move to the garage.
Then I will have a relatively clear workbench!
Don't know but I got nothing for the crown, the temp ussually just pops off but they are using a new glue that holds too well.
Well, I don't currently have any modeling projects but I am working on a list of projects that will allow a lot of modeling projects:
Complete a bathroom remodel that includes replacing most of the plumbing that is above the new layout location - plumbing almost done.
Finish painting a 12' long, 8' high set of built in bookshelves I built in my office that will hold my train and architecture library.
Clear out more unwanted stuff from the layout space to allow benchwork construction to begin.
Run wiring to the model train workbench, moved from the old house. Install lighting for the model workshop area and hook up the paint booth.
The last one obviously will allow working on individual models to resume.
It is the weekend, progress will be made on these projects.
Sheldon
Wow, not a bad responce for a friday. Went to the dentist so all I got done was sanding the patch in facia. All I had done was perminate crow put in after taking out temp but temp stuck and they had to cut it out so still a bit sore. Might get to the zip texturing repair at seam if feel up to it.
Just assembled and put primer on to an Intermountain PRR tool shed model and I just finished up putting together and doing the windows on three different vintage trucks to be used for my team track and fuel dealer scenes when I get those going.
Alvie
caldreamer Custom painted it for the BNSF in the H1 paint scheme.
Custom painted it for the BNSF in the H1 paint scheme.
Nice. Mine's in a scheme I devised for my fictional B&CCS.
Check out the Balfour and Colucci Creek Southern Railroad, my proto-freelanced N scale model railroad, at bccsrailroad.weebly.com or on Youtube on my channel, N Scale Train Boy.
-Dennis
Back in 2004-2005, when I first got into HO scale modeling, I bought most of my current locomotive roster, both steam and diesel, 41 locomotives in all.
I have just completed a project that I started in January of this year to fine tune the lighting on all 41 locomotives. When I first bought each locomotive, whatever the lighting functions were out of the box, I went with.
So, this current project included installation of LEDs to replace incandescent bulbs, proper functioning of headlights and Mars lights in forward and reverse directions, and documentation to indicate the proper F-keys on the throttle to control the light functions.
I am amazed at how screwed up the lighting functions were out of the box on my locomotive roster. But all is good now.
I built one of the Kaslo Shops SD50F kits. They are a little challenging, but with patience mine came out pretty well. Custom painted it for the BNSF in the H1 paint scheme.
In addition to struggling my way to the end of my second year in Architecture school, I've been finishing up work on a Kaslo Shops N Scale SD50F Kit, pretty much just have to get some decals, do some light weathering, get the windows in, and do some wiring work on the chassis I got with it. Also, on a bigger scale, with the NEB&W I'm FINALLY starting work on our competition piece for Walthers' National Model Railroad Build-Off this weekend! While we may still be separated from the majority of our railroad (it was dismantled as part of a move in Spring 2019 and hasn't been moved into our new space due to Covid and other issues), we at least are working again, so that's fun and exciting!