BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I like how Mike calls those ones "GP60s" and then they flash "GP38-2" on the screen. Funny.

    I pronounce it "KAY-toe" too.

    Doug
     
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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    If I could go back to 40 with what I know now? Maybe? Oh yes, staying focused with regard to my back and knees. I've had problems with my back since I was in a football fight, the after the game thing. Hurt my back.

    As far as what it was like in my 40's. I don't think so. I don't want to relive the bad choices I made that far back. As far as my back and knees? :cry::cry: Add shoulders to all of that and you have present day dilemma. :mad::mad::mad:

    I think you son was right about adapting. I have to find new ways of doing something I used to do very capably. Sigh!! :eek::oops: :(:(

    Last of the Suitcase Connectors, have arrived. How about we call them Alligator Clips? :confused::confused::D
    Never mind that describes something else I've ordered. They've been a little slow at shipping. :whistle::whistle:

    I did purchase a new walk off mat to put in front of the Kitty Litter Box. That helps and the cat's like to lounge around on it. I also grabbed up a small 4x2 fold-able... portable table. Now I have something to put my tools on and grab my fingers. Watchout for the moving parts. They are all set-up and in place. Pictures at 11:00 p.m. :LOL::D Well... eventually.:unsure:;)

    :censored::censored: For the protection of the not so innocent we are not disclosing everything that goes on at Rick's house. Like anything does.:censored::censored:

    After all George is the one with the party train. :unsure:(y)(y)

    Later.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2021
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  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    As do I. The "AYe" I'm prone to use should be flat in pronouncement. As I was corrected by a Kato family member. That's embarrassing. Great guy. I let him know how much I appreciated their finely crafted N Scale train equipment. Profusely. He graciously thanked me. Slapped me on the head and said, of course, what did you expect. Uhh-err someone else did that.

    Doug, did you work for Atlas? Your website leads me to think you might have at one point or another. Some fine stuff coming out of Atlas. I've had to do the same things as Mike and fit in a Kato motor. Not all of them. I need to do something about my SD24's and haven't made up my mind yet. Those that have Kato motors, sure run smoother.

    Okay, I have work to do.

    Later -- in the day.
     
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  4. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Ah, would that I could have but no. It's just that I started buy Atlas N scale as soon as it appeared in 1967. I could barely contain my excitement when I first saw it in Nichol's Hobby Shop here. And then, when I discovered George's site on the Atlas first generation cars, well...

    Doug
     
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  5. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I haven't forgotten you guys and gals here at TrainBoard. I've been nursing an eye infection and a upset stomach. Said that way to save from grossing you all out. Doing okay at the moment but you never know what's going to happen next. In the undertaking business our not so favorite saying was, "If it can go wrong it will" and another way to say the same thing, "Stuff happens".

    Someone asked me privately, "How did you (I) originally build the layout, in the first place? Where do I start? It took a lot of planning, as in what parts of my Dad's old layout can I save. The helix managed to make it and the upper yard is almost as it once was. Next question I had to answer, is what do I want when I'm finished. Well, I didn't have a basketball court fully enclosed. That would of been nice. So a 10 x 10 metal shed would have to do. Grumble, grumble, grumble. Keeping in mind my Dad and I were now occupying my single wide mobile home. No room in the Inn for a train layout.

    After several drawings with elevations included. Rough or free hand... drawn and tossed in the trash can. We finally came up with something we thought might work. Keeping in mind everything is subject to change.

    I think when I started out this thread I mentioned the things I wanted to see on the layout. A hidden staging yard is one of them and you can see it in the pictures here. Just not for to long if I have my way.

    BWC-Mainline Connector to Seconday Main.jpg

    Below: You can see some of the basic woodwork used to support the sub-roadbed. I don't use Homasote as I'm allergic to it. I don't like working with Plywood or OSB. To many ways to get a splinter or find the track nail your driving-in or fine drill starts hunting. I prefer to use Particle Board for my Sub-roadbed. You can see Cork Roadbed under the track. And there's a problem with that as it can dry out and turn to powder. One of the reasons so many seal it up with Elmers White Glue. I prefer something stronger as in Elmer's Wood Glue or Tight Bond.

    BWC-Secondary Main Lower Deck Looking East.jpg

    Below: The coal district is the two tracks to the left and the main line is the two tracks to the right. Here, I'm getting ready to connect the main line to the other section of the layout. This is when and where the bridges come in. A search on the internet and quick run down the hill to a Hobby Shop in Victorville, Ca. (now closed) where I could find one half of the Arch Bridge seen in other previous pictures. Now to find the other half.

    BWC-Mainline on Right Coal District on Left.jpg

    Above: Here the track is attached directly to the particle board and has been raised to clear or sit on top of the Cork Roadbed.

    Below, I've finally added on the top deck where the upper yard will be. The future Ashfork Junction. For the lack of a better name.
    You can see my left shoulder in the picture. It is warm in Big Bear Country and I have the door to the train shed open.

    19-I Almost Got In The Picture.jpg

    I don't like light shining directly into my face or from behind me. You can see how I solved that problem. I liked it.

    As far as what I'm doing right now? I have a wiring project upon a wiring project. Like George with all his lights. Let's just say I'm learning from the Master. I need to be able to hook my wires to the tracks with alligator clips. I thought what I had ordered was 20" s long. Nope. Less the ten. So, I'm cutting them in half, soldering on some additional wires to include the 14 volt LED's or Bulbs. once that's done I will connect them to the track. Drop them down and under the layout marked M1, M2, and etc. Hook up the power supply to the leads going into the control panel and start the process of matching the wires up. My goal is to: Avoid going topside every time I need to locate another block. They will be marked and once I get rolling it shouldn't take long.

    Also, I purchased a used Plasma, Wide Screen, Panasonic TV. All the brackets needed to hang it on the wall are here. Then there's the Valence, with the actual engine numbers. I need to hang that over the window. Then, oh my gosh it never stops. But I have two more computer screens to mount on the walls. One for cameras inside the layout allowing me to keep track of the trains that are hidden. The other for room security or some such thing. They will be focused on the exterior parts of the layout where I may have some of the expensive rolling stock sitting idly by.

    Oh don't forget the pictures to hang and of course the layout to finish up.

    Feels a bit overwhelming.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2021
  6. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm guessing you saw some green slider switches. They are being used as SPST for the turntable tracks. That's Okay. I will be switching over to DPDT with a reversing DPDT on the turntable.

    The green sliders are an old cling on from the HO layout, I built with the Common Wire. Incidentally, I don't recommend that. Caused my Dad and I nothing but grief. :confused::confused::confused: Thanks to Harry Hunter (not his real name) we switched over to DPDT. Wow and how that works! :D:D

    You may have noticed the lines drawn on the wood's surface. Those are center-lines for the track. I can butt the cork roadbed, which comes cut in half, up to each other to recreate the center-line which guides me in laying the track. Works great.

    Have you noticed the price of wood. I just paid for a 1x6x4 what I used to pay for a 4x8 3/4 pieced of particle board. Aiiyiiyii :mad::mad::mad:

    Have any questions feel free to ask.

    Thanks again for all your visits, interest in the layout, your participation here and all the Likes.(y)(y)
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2021
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  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Flash back.

    Here's the Train Shed.
    1a-Train Shed.jpg

    Inside the train shed. I'm about to tie the two sections of the layout together.

    1d-Interior Of Train Shed-Where Layout Splits.jpg

    Below: Me working on the layout. It's cold outside and I'm not about to let that stop me.

    Changes-Me-Wheres The Plan..jpg

    Here's why.

    Snow - Big Bear Lake 005.jpg
    Now that's snow. None of this piddly stuff we have in Idaho's Valley Country.

    Changes-Me Checking the plan..jpg

    I had one of those flashes of genius. Well, maybe not. I was contemplating a change as to the Hidden Staging yard. It worked, I'm pleased to report.

    Now it's time to hook up the power. I will be re-building the wooden bracket. It will have a finished look to it when I'm done.

    BWC-Transformer Wired-in.jpg

    Dejavue!
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2021
  8. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dang Rick....good to hear from you. I thought for sure you fell asleep under the layout doing 'Wireus Repairus" 2 weeks ago !!! :LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO:
     
  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    George, you know all too well, my friend.

    I fall asleep all to easily these days. Those who are diabetic's know what I'm talking about when I say my good nights sleep get's interrupted more often then not. So, a nap in the daytime helps. No, I didn't fall asleep under the table but I have been waiting for all may wiring aides to show up. Before packing up for the move I knew where a limited amount of test lights were. Now, yeah, just try to find them. Sigh. :eek::confused::(

    Just try to find anything at all. :sick::sick::cry:
     
  10. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I can relate my friend. Type 2 for 15 years now...:(

    I take Tulicity. It worked great for about 4 months. Then something changed...not sure what...wasnt my diet. My readings look like an EKG readout !!!! I still take Novolog when needed. The other night we miscalculated how much I needed. :oops: 3AM bathroom break and I was at 62 !! :eek: A couple of lifesavers to the rescue...(y) It took 2 hours before I was back in the 'safe zone'. :sleep:
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2021
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  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I put in a Like. Only because I agree with what you said. Not that I like what you are going through. I never like my sugar level that low. What if you don't wake up and go into a unpleasant place. If you know what I mean.

    I was part of a study group for Trulicity. Then it all stopped and I soon learned I couldn't afford it anymore. Numbers are okay for now. Oh and Lilly, the mfg., of Trulicity wouldn't help me. Harrumph:mad::mad::mad:
     
  12. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I just take Glipizide for now. My A1C was 9.5 about a year-and-a-half ago and it was 7.5 a few months ago. I don't monitor sugar level daily.

    They tried Metformin and I can't tolerate it.

    Doug
     
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  13. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Same here Doug. The side affects werent pleasant. Then they put me on Lantus in the mornings and Novolog at meal times. The bad part is...I have a needle phobia. THE WIFE has been giving me all these shots for all these years now. :love:
     
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  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    There are other medicines out there for Diabetics. I'm taking a relaxed Extended-Release version of Metformain, Glipizide, and Pioglitazone. Blood sugars were in the 9.0 area when I fist moved up here. I wanted it to stay high during the move. It did. Now we are back to 7.0. I'm okay with that. At least I feel like doing things.

    A short story as it relates to Metformin. I was in Victorville, Ca. for a Dr's Appointment. After which I decided to stop by Harbor Freight to see if they had a compressor. About the time I got out of the car it hit me. No warning, no signals but I had to go number two, Now. The urgent definition of NOW!! The guy ahead of me just made it into the men's room, he cleared just in time for me to use it. Then we both bumped into a fella in the parking lot who couldn't wait, threw down his pants and defecated right where he stood. I asked, Metformin? They both said yes, with expletives I can't repeat here.

    If that's what you mean by can't tolerate it, I understand. But!! I don't want to stand under it. Yuck! I think the guys in the lab figured we will fix these guys. How about a high powered laxative? That's what I think. :sick::sick::mad::mad:
    It wasn't long after that (four years later) they came out with the extended tablets for Metformin.

    How about some more construction photos? No? I know you'd rather see what I'm doing now. We will get there. I'm working on it, I'm working on it.:rolleyes::cautious:

    Here you can see some of the supports and risers used to elevate the track. It would be hard to do this with foam.

    BWC-Secondary Main Lower Deck Looking West.jpg

    No room for risers then how about this?

    Cantilever Construction.jpg

    The top is starting to form up. I have test trains out to see how I'm doing.
    The main line out of the Hidden Staging Yard on the bottom and the mainline to the top is shaping up.:)

    FS1-Extension Mainline & Secondary.JPG

    This last picture in this set shows that the two sections have been joined and the sub-roadbed in place waiting for the track gang.
    In this photo you can see trains. You can now run from the hidden staging yard up through the helix-i (more then one) and up to the upper yard. A story here but I don't have time to tell it now.:(

    FS2-Center Section.JPG

    That's it for now.

    Breakfast is on the agenda and I'm not sure what I want. Blood sugar at 138. Not bad.(y)

    Got both Pfizer vaccination shots. No pro bl m s, I mees ot leef f...i..i..ne!!?? :confused::confused:

    Take care all.:LOL:
     
  15. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    My drugs were far worse.

    But, they did help my return to toys. :whistle: Except bicycles. o_O
     
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  16. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, my meaning of "can't tolerate" is exactly that. Almost no warning. I won't live like that.

    I was prescribed the extended release version and no difference. I stopped taking it.

    My doctor said people do better with it but, like I said, I won't live like that. I will NOT be interrupted while working on the layout! :D

    Doug
     
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  17. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    I have the problem you understand but do not want to stand under without the meds. The best a Dr. has been able to figure out is I damaged the linings when I was 18 (around the time this issue started) by having swallowed a mouthful of gasoline when I was trying to siphon my tank empty when I was needing to remove it. Now I cant feel the normal feeling till it is well past the time... Fun stuff.

    Anyway enough of that sh... nvm... Glad to have you back Rick, I was thinking I was going to have pages and pages of thread to read, I was unable to read and participate in the forums much last week. I started a new position at work, and while working from home, I have a much more involved job that takes the majority of the day... Isn't that how a normal work day is supposed to be? I have not had work like this in a while!
     
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  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Glad to be back as well.

    What a lousy subject but I was hoping what helps me might help someone else. Thinking my problems last week has more to do with dirty kitty boxes and I might have forgotten to wash my hands thoroughly. If you get what I mean. :whistle::whistle:

    Metformin, has been a real problem for many and should come with a warning label. Warning my have to visit restroom more often then you have in the past. :confused::confused::confused: Stay home and endure. :eek::eek::eek: Really??:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

    Does this sound all to familiar?:rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
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  19. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I understand the medical profession's goals to their treatments and, in fact, planned on being a doctor for many years from the time I was a kid, but sometimes, they have a tendency to ignore other aspects of a person's life. I mean, what's the point of having low blood sugar levels if you are miserable, worrying about whether or not you are going to sh** your pants. Nope.

    Anyway, back to trains. I added some little sidings behind the station area like, you know, where real railroads often had them in addition to the tracks in front of the depot.

    Doug
     
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  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    So Doug, did you end up a Doctor? I do agree. If Soiling my pants is the best alternative, no thanks.

    For the most part Diabetes is a Rich Mans Disease. Only He, the alleged rich person, can afford to pay for the liquid treatments.

    I did learn that here in the upper forty, our health plans available, Trulicity costs as much as any of the Horse Piss Insulin products. So back to what? Does anyone care beside us diabetics?

    Glad you got those tracks you've been wanting to get in, done. Alright.

    Now back to the daily chores and things I want to accomplish today.

    Later.
     

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