Route 66's around the ceiling adventure

Route 66 Jun 25, 2008

  1. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Dave Winter,Thanks I appreciate you chiming in with some feedback. I used 150Lb test fishing line,after it was tied to the ventilated shelf or the eye bolt of the wooden shelf I put a couple drops of super glue on the knot to keep from coming undone. The fishing line end that went to the toggle bolts in the ceiling were used as adjustments by holding the line taught and wrapping around the bolt shaft than tighting so the fender washer pinches the line against the ceiling which holds the shelf in place and makes it eaiser to adjust all lines evenly when hung. I didn't like the expense of buying from some of the manufactures who design hanging systems and they do make some beautiful systems in wood or metal to fit custom to your rooms.It's really not a layout or modeling article but Hopefully somewhere down the line someone who wants to do this will have another outlet of info to achive an above ground around the room moving mobile. It sure beats having them set in their boxes on a closet shelf or a static display. Thanks again Rt.66
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Where I live, we have a restaurant that has done this theme.

    Boxcab E50
     
  3. Dave Winter

    Dave Winter TrainBoard Member

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    Yes. There's one here as well. A Colorado style narrow gauge locomotive and a few cars wander around the edge of the ceiling. No "scenery" of course.

    The big new public library in Merritt BC has a large scale train running around the ceiling as well. Beautifully sceniced with all the major bridges, tunnels and stations that were along the KVR in the area. A real show piece worth a visit.

    I would like to do that around 'the lounge' area of my basement once I get the ceiling finished. Give me an opportunity to run steam. Some people like to watch engines with 'wiggly-bits'.

    Dave at Winter Valley Regional Railroad - Welcome!
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ha ha. Interesting way to describe steamers! I do agree, viewing the various motions can be fascinating.

    Boxcab E50
     
  5. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Everywhere west she's a Rollin'

    I decided to get the fully intended consist GP-9 w/reefers and caboose rolling,I double checked and secured all track w/expansion gaps and there should be no derails do to the track pulling apart of course I was concerned and curious weather with the weight of the USAT GP-9 my shelf work would withstand some real rolling thunder since only one curved shelf is actually secured to a solid foundation with the rest being suspended from the ceiling....well it is a go... trains have run for hours with no problems I see no need for any added saftey railings the loco and cars have good weight and track well. Other than buying a brad nailer which I used in building the bridge and a biscut cutter for glueing the angled wooden curves tools which I wanted so they will be used in the future. The materials were inexpensive wood,ventillated shelving,150Lb test fishing line,toggle bolts and some fender washers. I'm useing a MRC control master 20 which has a variable dial which will top out and is set for 24 volts pure dc. It was not a hard project to accomplish and now I can enjoy some large scale railroading and yes!! I have the bug next will be a RR outside since I love to watch these monsters run.
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    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2009
  6. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    There used to be a restaurant in South Miami alittle NE of the University Of Miami on US 1 called "The Depot" which is now long gone but they had dinner tables with N scale layouts in them, I always enjoyed the Christmas shops in Gatlinburg Tenn. which had large scale LGB running overhead.
     
  7. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Quick update

    Not alot going on it is what it is a layout with bench work and track no real modeling involved. The USAT GP-9 has been performing well it has logged about 5-10 hours of running time I did have to lube the external axle journels since I was hearing a light squeek but that is to be expected since all locos in any scale are tested boxed and shipped and may sit on a shelf until the lil' darlings get adopted. I added a car and kept with the Beer theme and have my eye on another. My consist will run about 8 cars and a caboose which will work nicely with the room so as not to be chasing it's tail. I run them at a good clip but limit the speed since I don't need any wrecks at this altitude. All in all atleast they are running and no longer stacked in the closet. I now can enjoy them.
     
  8. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    Route 66

    I like the color scheme of the USA GP-9 locomotive you picked out, very nice.
     
  9. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    I really liked your thread and would luv to see more pictures, this was a great project that turned out real well, I especially want to see your new piggyback in action on this ceiling adventure.
     
  10. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great thread. This is what I would like to do myself.

    Charlie
     
  11. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Clydesdale's in action

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    Clydesdale's in action
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2010
  12. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    Route66 - That is real nice, I like that. It kinda makes me miss my ceiling adventures, but there is no way I could have them now, way too many trains and way too much rolling weight. The set up I had was actually wall mounted. The room you have this in is very nice too, I notice the old license plates, the diecast cars, it's a real nice hobby room. One day I will finish my basement which is hard to collect the trains you want, plus finish the basement to fit my train scene type of needs and then start on the structures, diecast cars, etc not to mention.

    Route66 - by the way, I put a set of instructions of how to set your default to view the latest threads in G scale under my Welcome to G scale sections new look thread.
     
  13. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Yes you have to include the weight of the equipment also,I have always collected alot of things in hopes that someday I could actually use and display my things,This house has given me that oppertunity.When we first looked at this place we didn't know what we would do with this room since the previous owner used it as a war game room something out of the movies like Rommel or G.Patton moving models of tanks & troops before the big campaign. I believe he is now holed up in a bunker somewhere waiting for the apocalypse!! So along comes another nutty fellow and makes it look like a diner and hangs a train!!! This room is the first thing you see when you enter through the front door. Wall space is at a premium these days!!!
     
  14. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    I have added a few other cars to my consists The first one being#1616 Miller Reefer which is up and running on the layout and is on the bench waiting to put on the details #1641 Amheuser-Busch Classic Reefer which will also join the consist.I have concluded that the number of cars running at one time will be no more than 10 cars.I will have to add a stabilizer support to my suspended layout to stop some swaying motion as the consist tends to have a whip action effect that slightly sways the layout but even with the sway the layout can handle it.The American series USAT are a good scale size match for the LGB cars I am running in fact they are identical except for the foot stirup difference.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2009
  15. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    Route 66 I have noticed the simliar design between the LGB woodside reefer cars and the USA woodside reefer cars, it looks like they almost used the same mold. Even though LGb is suppose to be 1:22.5 scale those LGB woodside reefer cars seem to be more a 1:24 scale ratio which is why they look the same size as the USA trains woodside reefer cars which are the American series 1:24 scale ratio
     
  16. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Anheuser-Busch boys

    EMD, agreed,another difference w/USAT Reefers is the brake wheel plateform(2nd pic) which is a nice feature that LGB cars are lacking, well I put the details on the Anheuser- Busch Classic Reefer and she is running with the other Bud products.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2009
  17. DragonFyreGT

    DragonFyreGT TrainBoard Member

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    I drilled out the holes for my Brake Platform on my boxcar when I was assembling everything but it still didn't fit. and when I went to trim my brake wheel, I accidently trimmed it too much and so my boxcar doesn't have one now ;;

    The one thing that makes me like aristo better is the brass handrails are pre-installed. Now don't get me wrong, I love to assemble stuff myself, I just wish USA Would use brass so their not so hard to get into the holes even with drilling. The Brake Platform is still a plus over LGB and I'm going to attempt to glue mine on. My friend says I should solder it by melding the plastic together carefully w/o warping the end of my boxcar. I'll pass as mine is weathered and my #1 favorite USA Trains piece
     
  18. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    Installing the details can be a pain I think that's why they sit on the work bench for a week before I get around to adding the details.On the LGB cars you glue them in, w/USAT if they snap in you don't have to worry about them falling out.I have broke a few of the tits on the grab rails trying to snap them in so I have bought extras just for that reason. I wouldn't try melting them in!!!Just use some acc glue.
     
  19. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    latch spring

    I have also found on a few of the old pieces of stock that I have aquired that car was placed in the box w/ the hook and latch coupler,latch side cramed up against the detail parts bags pushing the latch down which in turn causes the plastic spring to be compromised and latch hook to droup down, I have replaced the spring as I don't need any uncoupling action to occur causing poosibly a wreck.
     
  20. Route 66

    Route 66 TrainBoard Member

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    COKE is it

    Well my Coca-Cola reefer has been sitting here long enough so today she is now up and running,I know she is the odd man out since all others are alcohol related reefers maybe I'll have to find an Old Watts Train run of the Jack Daniels Reefer that would MIX well!!! alittle JD & coke Maybe?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2010

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