Joe, I'll have another cup, Thanks
colvin, Yes I did make a thread about this a while ago. Here are some of the pics.
Here is a scetch (pretty much to scale) of what I have available to me right now.
this is the west side
this is the east side
You will have to parden the mess, I have a lot of cleaning to do. The wall in the center will be removed as well as some of the closets. I am still not sure of a track plan and would like some different opinions. Thanks. Mike
Good morning Mike..I'll join you for breakfast, if you don't mind. Joe, I'll have a coffee and a plate of hash with two eggs over medium please.
Well...It did make it to down -30 earlier this morning, but it's all the way up to -24 now! Thankfully we don't have much wind (at least here in the woods) this morning! With no skiing, and once I have breakfast.....I get to spend most of the day playing with trains!!
Mike you mentioned a while back about moving you trains inside, up stairs I think. What kind of space do you have available there? Sounds like a good idea to me! All under one roof and with one heating system too. GUB, you were building /designing in an attic space...Right? How is that going?
I saw a great pike in an attic (a huge attic) of an big old house in the Twin Cities a few years back. It was very impressive....Only draw back was a narrow and steep stair. When I think back...At one point a number of years ago, I rented an old farm house that had an attic that would have been the cat's meow! It was almost a full third story with side walls that were at least 6' high and was a free and clear (except for a chimney) space of 24'x24' If I were to do this over again, knowing what I know now regarding family needs.......I would either have a basement with a space just for the trains or I would have added a second story to my shop, again just for the trains. I really don't have it so bad with a dedicated Trainroom, but there are times I feel cramped for space. Gotta' get it a going...I'll send out the construction report latter.
Mornin all, I'll have a cup of black coffee this morning Joe, And put a couple eggs on the grill also. Thanks.
I did get out to the train room a while yesterday evening, ran some trains and everything went great. I do have one turnout that ever once in a while if the train is going in the right direction, the front loco will de rail with all 8 wheels, no matter how slow you take it, when it de rails, it does it all the way. I imagine I have some track that is a little wide in the turn out, f there are no cars being towed, it will stay on track. Oh well it doesen't happen that often, and I may end up moving the layout into the house befor long and will worry with it then.
I spent most of the day cleaning in the basement, I plan on making a wood shop down there, There are 2 walk doors and 2 windows opening to the downstairs porch. My house is built into the side of a hill so the back of the house is 2 story while the front is 3 story.
I see joe has brought me my breakfast, I'll see you all later. Mike
Good evening....I'm thinking a few Hot Toddies will do me this evening Joe!
Went to work this morning (teaching a swim lesson, then officiated an invite. in a neighboring town for the afternoon) with the thermometer reading -26. And the wind has been blowing hard all day too! At present we are at -19 with a wind-chill of -29 and a predicted low approaching -30 (lord knows what the wind-chill will be at that point) by morning! I'm going to bit real heavy on the side that we will cancel the Nordic ski lesson for tomorrow.....Trainroom time!
Chuck, spaghetti sounds great! And now that you mentioned it...It seems to be time for a batch again one day soon here too! Grated carrots are a staple in my spaghetti sauce...A tip learned from Aldo (an ex-brother-in-law), a professional chef.
Re: cork...Yup, a 50' roll seems like it would make a lot of roadbed, and it will, but I also use larger sheets of it in the yards / junctions, and I'm thinking about putting it down at least two major industries too. I may end up with more than I need, but I'm also thinking that it will get used somewhere, somehow!
As far as size of the pike goes...I have about a 16'x16' space with a two levels around the room and a peninsula. Sometimes I think it's way too small and other times, I'm thinking it's way too big.
I'll have one more Toddy Joe...And double the brandy this go-round!! I'm still feeling the cold! A round for anybody else that may be in need too. With that I'd better head for home, throw another log on the fire and get to bed. I'll give an update on the progress made I the Trainroom tomorrow.
'Evening, Joe. I'll have Tuborg tonight - just to confuse the issue. Keep the change.
Clear back on page 5! Don't tell me everyone's gone on the wagon.
Love your twins, Mister Beasley! Gotta love your pickle car, too . Nice to know I'm not the only one with a sister who brings strange things home from yard sales.
Colvin, sounds like you hit big time with the cork! Don't know how big your layout is, but 200 square feet would just about pave my benchwork - and I'm well on my way to filling a double garage. If you convert it all to standard cross section roadbed you should be able to lay track from goal post to goal post with some left for a couple of passing sidings.
One of the things that has been slowing me down was the need to weight trackwork fastened down with foam. Today it finally dawned on me that I have 24 gallons of distilled water in one gallon bottles stored along the far wall of the garage! Now watch my smoke (like from 3 feet a day to 9 feet a day - maybe.) Of course, things will go quicker when most of the construction ISN'T raw-rail specialwork!
There's the dinner bell. Spaghetti tonight, wouldn't want to miss it. Can't wait to see what got added to this batch of my wife's secret sauce. Last time, it was chopped carrots.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Blondes would most likely be more trouble...I have two in the house, and that's all I'll say for now! Other than; Mr. Beasley, I like your twins!
And with that said...Howdy guys: Joe I'll have a Black Hook Porter this evening! They say we're in for some cold temps. for the next few days (wind chill is down to -26 already tonight) so I'm thinking that means I'll have some quality time in the Trainroom!
I did spend some time today painting up the rest of the parts for the backshop and assembled a store front for Sawbill. I also went on line and ordered a 200 sq. ft. roll of 1/8" cork. I'm just about out of store bought roadbed and have decided to try making my own....Not to mention I need some sheet for the crossover / helper service area, station and yard tracks at Cascade Junction. I had found a supply mentioned here on the forum, checked it out and took the plunge! I can tell you it's WAY cheaper than the small sheet I just bought, at the local auto parts store, to put down between the turntable and backshop! And even though I haven't done the math, I'm thinking that 4' x 50' will make on heck of a lot of roadbed for $110.00!
BTW, do you guys put down sheet in your yards? I thought of just putting the track down on the foam, but then though I really wanted some height and a bit of a grade.
Later boys and girls, I gotta' hit the hay early tonight, if I'm going to hit the Trainroom early tomorrow!
I need something strong................
underworld
Just time for a quick one, and to pass around a picture of The Twins:
So, you were expecting something more blonde, maybe with Scandanavian accents?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Why...Thank you Mr. Beasley! Joe, I'll have a Great Northern Porter. And as long as Mr.B sprung for the beer...I'll spring for the pizza! Stick a few in the oven, if you would please and if you can, make sure one has EVERYTHING on it!
Soooo...Are you playing with the twins? How is the sound on the new loco?
I did get to spend some time in the Trainroom today puting the finishing touches (paint) on the SL Backshop. Also got the roadbed around the "S" back down, in the proper location, and then started working out a few of the details at Cascade Junction. This will, indeed, be a very busy place with the junction of the CCRY and the DM&IR on my upper level. With trackage from upper staging, one of the upper level point to point routes (Cascade Junction being midway) and the helix, I've had to give this one a lot of thought.......I may need another beer her Joe!
Along with CCRY /DM&IR interchange, it is also at the top of the "hill" and hostes the helper service and a double crossover at the top of the twin track helix!
So far, I have the twin tracks of the DM&IR coming out of the helix into the crossover and an interchange passing with the CCRY. The two roads are sharing a track at the station. In addition, is the helper service track and engine house, and two passing sidings.
In a nutshell....I was able to "burn up" 14 turnouts in about 16 feet, with five tracks (not counting the helper service track) front to back, an interlocking tower, station, station platform and a speeder shed (more details to come latter) making up the scene. NOW, to get the glue out and go for it!
And maybe before I get that glue flowing...I'd better have at least one more! What's that Joe? The pizza is ready! So, what the hey...Pizza and beer tonight! I'll glue tomorrow.
Page 3! Wow, great news! That means (1) the forum is active and (2) it's time for a beer. Harpoon IPA for me Joe, and anyone else that makes his way in across the frozen tundra.
My SW-8 is here! Now I've got P2K fraternal switcher "twins," my old Erie S1 and the new Lackawanna SW-8. The new one has factory sound and DCC. The S1 has a quiet decoder I put in myself. They look pretty good both working my yard together.
Howdy there Gub, good to see you back, Joe bring us a couple of beers will ya.... Thanks.
I UNDERSTAND the''Demands'' Oh how I would like to see one of those days in the summer when I had nothing to do except work on the RR. Oh well times must change and we will adapt. I am just glad that I got a RR built while I had the time, At least now I can make a mile if I find time.
You have got to love the hobby. Later Mike
Wow page three. Oh well. Sorry I haven't been around as of late. Too many demands on my time. Too many people doing something not so nice to my Corn Flakes. Anyways we're back on page 1 ... for now. I'll be back when I'm not in such a foul mood.
GUB
colvinbackshop wrote: Good to see you guys at the Barn...Joe, I'll buy the next round and I'll take a tall tap this time around. Squeaky...seems that taking up track is a major part of the hobby...At least here at the CCRY! I did the same thing today, as I got two parallel tracks, around a corner, a bit TOO close. Not that it will / would happen all that often, but two 85' passenger cars JUST cleared each other at this one spot where I have an "S" coming out of my helix. I thought of just leaving everything go...But "better sense" kicked in and I ripped it up this afternoon. Something to look forward to this week. It shouldn't be a problem...Just a matter of doing it right! Mike, it's interesting that you mention a lack of time. That is one of my major fears regarding taking out more commitment with this other job. I don't get to the Trainroom as often as I want now, and I would have WAY less time for that sort of thing if I take on more demands! Thanks for the insight! Going to go play with my Dad tomorrow taking a road-trip to check on the cabin over by Park Rapids and stopping at a gun shop (Dad wants to trade shotguns) on the way back home. Mostly it'll be just riding / driving, but it will be a day off together and we'll be able to "yuk it up" some! One more please Joe, that first one went down way too fast! Gotta' get guys...I'm turning into a pumpkin....Or a squash...Or something! Good thing I can walk home from here!
Good to see you guys at the Barn...Joe, I'll buy the next round and I'll take a tall tap this time around.
Squeaky...seems that taking up track is a major part of the hobby...At least here at the CCRY! I did the same thing today, as I got two parallel tracks, around a corner, a bit TOO close. Not that it will / would happen all that often, but two 85' passenger cars JUST cleared each other at this one spot where I have an "S" coming out of my helix. I thought of just leaving everything go...But "better sense" kicked in and I ripped it up this afternoon. Something to look forward to this week. It shouldn't be a problem...Just a matter of doing it right!
Mike, it's interesting that you mention a lack of time. That is one of my major fears regarding taking out more commitment with this other job. I don't get to the Trainroom as often as I want now, and I would have WAY less time for that sort of thing if I take on more demands! Thanks for the insight!
Going to go play with my Dad tomorrow taking a road-trip to check on the cabin over by Park Rapids and stopping at a gun shop (Dad wants to trade shotguns) on the way back home. Mostly it'll be just riding / driving, but it will be a day off together and we'll be able to "yuk it up" some!
One more please Joe, that first one went down way too fast!
Gotta' get guys...I'm turning into a pumpkin....Or a squash...Or something! Good thing I can walk home from here!
Colvin,
Maybe it is me who is robbing your ideas? Par for the course. I remember in an earlier posting you were having these problems with trackage- and mine I ripped up about two months ago but lost the ambition + it's too cold in there, to go and put the tracks/cork back down. Only yesterday I was able to re-paint over the plaster I put down to fix the transisional problems, and to mark the centers of where the cork will be placed.
The only thing I hate about taking something apart like track, is that it is a mess to put down, and one will be very reluctant to ripp it all up and start over. Here is where you get the liquid courage to do this with from BEER. Ha, Ha.
I bet most modelers expereince the same "growing pains" as us, regardless of what scale they are in.
I was just thinking about it this morning- what about the guys who hand lay their tracks- only to find out later that it wasn't exactly right? It would be to where the beer no longer works, and one would have to resort to a stronger drink. Then they could start a new thread calling it, "The Bawling Barn."
Makes one think, huh?
MisterBeasley wrote: Glad to see you on the mend, Mike. I think the bar stool is good for your posture. Certainly, you can't slouch on it like on a Lazy Boy. So, do your back a favor and have another beer with the rest of the gang. My treat.Squeaky - I think sound decoders just behave that way. While the engine sound is synched to motion and will rise and fall with the consist speed, horn and bell, like headlights, are only controlled on the engine that's being addressed. On my Lenz system, and I think on others but I'm not sure, you can control a consist either with the consist address or with the address of any of the engines inside it. So, I put my sound engine in front and use that address to control the bunch. Right now I've got my Alco RS-3 with a couple of silent Geeps hauling freight around. It's beautiful, and sounds great.
Glad to see you on the mend, Mike. I think the bar stool is good for your posture. Certainly, you can't slouch on it like on a Lazy Boy. So, do your back a favor and have another beer with the rest of the gang. My treat.
Squeaky - I think sound decoders just behave that way. While the engine sound is synched to motion and will rise and fall with the consist speed, horn and bell, like headlights, are only controlled on the engine that's being addressed. On my Lenz system, and I think on others but I'm not sure, you can control a consist either with the consist address or with the address of any of the engines inside it. So, I put my sound engine in front and use that address to control the bunch. Right now I've got my Alco RS-3 with a couple of silent Geeps hauling freight around. It's beautiful, and sounds great.
Mister Beasley,
Now there is something I haven't thought of- giving both locos the same address. I will have to try it out tomorrow after I recover from falling off the wagon. LOL
Thanks Mr. B.
No more for me today, Joe. Just going to get up here, and crawl on home.
Thanks for the offer there Mister B. Now that I am either working or driving from work or to work, I get very little done. Joe, I'll have that beer Mr. B bought me, Thanks. I was thinking tonight, If I was to build a new RR on what time I have now, how long would it take to finish? Hell, I can't even get to the trainroom for some fun very often, what if I was trying to build instead of run?
Just a thought Joe.....................................................................................
Hi Guys!
Thanks for the rounds of beer, Joe!
My layup has been taken apart because of mathematical and cheating ( it pays to never CHEAT!) errors. It seems tha my guesstimations, from my guessgeneering never came out right, so I ripped a lot of track/cork bed back up to try and make things right. (Never mind the ridiculous 18"curvers through the start, center, and ending of the tunnel- wanted to tear the tunnel out too, and start over, but my wife won't let me; she says it is such a beautiful tunnel- but some of the longer stock won't last the curves.
So, it is just me and Mr. Joe for now.
One thing I did try was muuing a pair of atlas sd24/w loksound decoders controlled by an mrc prodigy advance. Done across my kitchen table with some track sections. Once these two loksounds are buckled together in a consist, there are no horn or bell functions. Yes, the engines will both idle up, and idle down togher, but you can't blow the horn unless you call up one of the engines indiviually.
I was wondering if it was just beause of the prodigy advance, or because of a fluke between the Loksound decoders mating with a prodigy?
I know that a few of you guys that frequent this barn are quite smart. Please help me?
from the 49 year old kid that started this mess,
Thanks.
I also thank Joe for setting me up, and I thank my wife for letting me drink them down.
Thanks,JB, I will take coffee this morning.
The article on weathering in the new MR, looks interesting. Maybe on my next project, I will try some weathering. My main goal is to get some more track down. I find myself also working on several projects at once. I have this week off and plan to avoid town for most of the days. Layout time.
Back to work. Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Hey there Mr. Joe, and Howdy Ms. Sue. Joe, I'll have a Pale Ale and one for, what ever, Ms. Sue would like. Say how's about a plate of those crab stuffed mushrooms too!!??!!
Sue, when it comes to my painting the shop, it's not so much any order, other that the base coat, I just use the same brush, water, a paper towel and the three of so colors...And just paint away until I end up with something that I think looks good. And speaking of that...
We woke up to -14 this morning and the weather service was predicting a wind (5 to 15 mph) too, so our Nordic skiing got canceled. It did warm up to just above zero...But!
With that, along with a few chores, I got to spend some major amounts of time in the Trainroom today! Not only did I finish painting the SL Backshop....I also bounced all around the room working on a number of projects!
Over on the East wall (Cascade Junction) I got cork and track down all the way to the DM&IR cross-over of the helper service and to the passing siding on the CCRY Sawbill / Forest Center subdivision. Then across the isle, on the peninsula at Isabella Station, I ballasted / sceniced the spur for Kallio's Mill and worked out a few details for the placement of the station. Around the corner of the peninsula (from the East side to the West side), I got the grade mudded in on the incline behind the SL Shops. I also did some "landform shaping" along the backdrop there and on the West side too. And last, but not least, I did a little more work on laying out the town site of Sawbill Junction. No, not all the buildings are together yet (some are, or are in the process, or somewhat "bashed" through) and it's coming together! It will mostly be on one level, but some of the site will also be "up the hill". I'm thinking residential hillside here. So far I have the main street pretty well laid out, consisting of Harrison Hardware, Red Ria's Roadhouse, Dad's Kitchen, Gary's Standard, Louie's Saloon, Poor Richard's Meat Market, Sander's Grocery, Burnstrom Oil & Fuel and Headstrom Lumber. That single street along with a house or a few, the team track, a passing siding, the wye and the caboose / abandoned (programming) track pretty well takes up the 12' or so of that scene.
So...I've got a good start, just hope to be able to keep at it for a while!
Joe, I'll take another please, and again, Ms. Sue...Name your poison, it's on me.
JB, I am impressed with your patience. With all those coats, I would never remember the order. I finally found india ink. With every trip to town, I checked all the hobby and craft store within a 30 mile radius. Larry used it on a box car today and liked its flowability.
MrB, How was skiing? Our freezing level has gone up to 7000 ft which is not a happy thing for skiers. It has been freezing at night but it is near 50 in the day time.
I think that I will just have coffee tonight, Thanks.
Sue
'Morning, Joe. Coffee for me, please. Too early on a Sunday for anything else.
colvinbackshop wrote: Chuck, your throwbar arrangement sounds like it should work real well giving a lot of strength to the "working part". What do you use to throw the turnout? A ground throw? Switch machine?......I've installed a number of Caboose Industries ground throws on the turnouts that are close to the front where I don't have to reach over much. But, I haven't yet set my sights on what to use on the ones farther back. I'm thinking either a brass rod or piano wire through a styrene tube or the old stand by...A choke cable.
Chuck, your throwbar arrangement sounds like it should work real well giving a lot of strength to the "working part". What do you use to throw the turnout? A ground throw? Switch machine?......
I've installed a number of Caboose Industries ground throws on the turnouts that are close to the front where I don't have to reach over much. But, I haven't yet set my sights on what to use on the ones farther back. I'm thinking either a brass rod or piano wire through a styrene tube or the old stand by...A choke cable.
Colvin, what I'm working on now is going to be hidden track, so twin-coil switch machines are the order of the day. That curved turnout's points will be powered by an ancient KTM (Kemtron) rock crusher with 3pdt contacts, which I need for control purposes. The other five on that removeable throat section will get RIX machines since the DPDT contacts will be adequate (one set powers the solid frog, the other powers indicator lamps on the panels.)
With the MZL control system I use, points which can be operated from two or more places get twin-coil motors, while those only operated from the immediate area are manual. The manual controls are electrical switches with mechanical connections - pushrods under my 26 year old module, but I'm leaning toward Joe Fugate's fishing cable and weight idea for future construction. Those electrical switches are mounted in little niches in the fascia, which keeps all of the electricals accessible from the aisle (and keeps my hamhooks out of the scenery.)
Good coffee, Joe. Well, time to toddle off to church...
Jeffrey, we know that's not from the Beer Barn. For one thing, there's no fresh asparagus, and the Hollandaise is clearly missing the red flakes from the Cayenne pepper.
Turned out to be a great day of skiing. Lots of brand new man-made snow. We're up here with our friends. John, a novice skier, has told us his technique for trail selection. He looks for trails with words like "fluffy" in the name. On the other hand, I had a blast today on Shockwave. Yeah, an old phart like me likes to dive down the double-blacks. Who'da thunk it?
Eggs Benedict? That sounds good! I'll take that too.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Coffee for me this mornin', Joe. Cold as the contents of a sorceress's brassiere this morning here in Maine. We're up at Sunday River, but right now (9:23 AM) I'm staying inside until it warms up a bit. Last temperature check was 4 below at the base, and we're talkin' Fahrenheit here. (Yeah, I can go out and ski when it's like this, but it's "survival" skiing. Been there, done that. No thanks.) For those who watch the conditions, there are a few inches of old natural snow around, but the snow guns have been running and almost the entire mountain is open, with all lifts turning. The glades are still off-limits, but a few people have tried them, to the detriment of their skis.
Got an e-mail from Gerry at Maine Trains. My P2K SW-8 with DCC Sound is in. $99.98 from Walthers last week. Given the conditions, I'd rather be home setting up CV's and doing some switching (or shunting, for those on the other side of the Atlantic.) but for now I'll have to wait until Wednesday to go get it.
Eggs Benedict? Wow, when did that get on the menu. Sure, and keep the cup filled.
Evening guys..I'll have a cold one Joe, and set up Chuck and Mike too. It's on me boys!
Mike, sorry to hear about back troubles!!! I've got bad / damaged disks (L4 & L5) that have given me trouble for the past 20 years! I wish back troubles on NO ONE! Hope that you are doing better soon! Darn that ice!
Thanks for all the great comments on the steelart herald. Every time I go past it, I have to say wow too! It really is cool. When I emailed Don, I also asked about doing "my" herald. The reply was "no problem, just send me a good quality graphic". Well....I can't do that until I get a scanner, or have the herald scanned (mybe at school office or print shop) but I really do want to have one made! I didn't ask about cost (felt that I would be violating Lori by doing that) so I'll find that out down the road...Got to get a graphic first anyway!
One more round Joe..Then I've got to get to bed. Gotta' teach a swim lesson in the morning, but then I get to head off to Duluth and the LHS (Ok, so it's not real local) with the girls for a day in the big town!
how do you do to everybody here. Joe I need a cold beer here and set up anyone that looks dry.
I like the looks of the herald , I was wanting something on the outside of my train room and my nephew surprised my with a RR crossing sign for Christmas.
I have not gotten to work much this week due to slipping on the ice Mon. and pulling a muscle in my back. I came home at 4 PM on Tues. and missed Wed. and Thurs. all together. I went to work this morning and had to leave at 2:30 PM to get back to the heating pad. I am so tired of sitting in front of the TV watching DVD's I could have a fit. I did get into the trainroom for a while yesterday and did a little work and mostly just ran some trains. I guess I am starting to get the train feaver again. The trains sure did run good!
Joe, that beer you brought me must have had a hole in it as it is empty, Thanks, See you all later. Mike
Howdy, Joe. The lunch special looks good, and I'll have a Pabst to wash it down.
Colvin, I think the folks at Model Railroader felt your need. This month (March's) Step by Step is about painting and weathering wood structures. I'm going to need that myself when I finally build my way out of the subterranean spaces devoted to hidden track.
Incidentally, the steel plate herald is beautiful! Knowing that it's able to handle exposure to the weather is just a bonus.
I've just completed installing a pair of switch points using a new (for me) throwbar arrangement. The pivots, instead of vertical pins, are wires, soldered along the base of the point for about .375", bent down through a hole in the throwbar, then bent parallel to the throwbar away from the track centerline. They're lots stronger than my old vertical pins, pivot freely and, once I hit them with a dab of "grungy rail" paint, should just about disappear.
With the points in, I ran my derailment checkers through both legs of the (double spiral easement curved) turnout. Not a bobble, or even a suggestion that a single flange even considered derailing.
Now I have to get busy in the other five turnouts on that removable section, then the seven on the other end of the staging yard, then...
I love it.