2020-2021 Thirteenth Annual International Winter Layout Party

ppuinn Dec 11, 2020

  1. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    First turn of the helix has been put in and needs cork/track before I move to the next step:
    IMG_20201224_152618.jpg
    And clearances:
    IMG_20201224_153917.jpg IMG_20201224_153932.jpg IMG_20201224_160231.jpg
    It's got just enough room to clear and shouldn't be a problem going up to the main deck.
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2020
  2. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    So nice to see trains run for the first time!
     
  3. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Been cold in the train room and didn't like to run the heater so worked on some other items that need to be addressed before the test track is finished. One purpose of the test track is to install some of the hand-laid turnouts I've made for a real world test. I want to also test out a couple different ideas for controlling them. One will be to use the 'Hidden Switcher' I've made ....

    [​IMG]
    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-18.html

    ... on some of them. I'll also install a couple servos...

    [​IMG]
    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Servo Control/Servo Control-Index.html

    ... using the mounts and the controls I've come up with for them.

    The final turnout control option will be using the 'Gravity Switcher' ....


    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-26.html

    .... which I just came up with lately. So I did set up a trial run for it this past week and worked on designing and printing all of the final parts to make it functional. There are two options for controls for it. One is a push-pull option shown in the video above and the other is an option that has levers that you mount at the edge of the layout. I'll try to get an equivalent video up showing how they work also. So Worked on that this past week. The nice thing about the 'Gravity Switcher' is that if you can run a line to it you have control of the turnout's points. No push-pull rods that have to be installed accurately. There is a fair amount of leeway in how the line is run and adjusted, nothing critical.

    I also recently installed pavers in our attached greenhouse and used the 'locking sand' that you broom in the cracks between the pavers and then wet down. The sand dries and has a binder in it so sets up hard and is really fine. I wondered how it might work as a really cheap ballast as a 50 lb. bag is only $17 and available everywhere. Here are a couple pictures showing the end results and there is also a commercial ballast in the pictures as a comparison (ME N scale code 55 track).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I'll try and post more about using this as ground cover and ballast later. Besides the fact that it costs about nothing is that the binder is in it. Apply it and wet it down with a fine mister and it sets up and you are done. No messing with glue.

    Final thing I've been working on is the 3D printer files for the coal mine I want to print out.

    [​IMG]

    My hopes are to create a scene where an empty train enters the mine's loading facilities and a full one emerges on the other side. I documented what I'd like to do a couple weeks ago and will update that as I move along on the project (a big one).

    Will try and report back in a week,

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2020
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  4. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Since my update Last Monday I finished the temporary return loop using Kato Unitrak. This is on the east or left side of the door entry bridge.

    2020TBLP10.jpg


    Then I connected this isolated loop to the DCC system so I could run some test trains back and forth across the bridge.

    2020TBLP12.jpg


    Got a bit more done with the terrain toward the back. The river narrows and disappears behind the hill.

    2020TBLP13.jpg


    Before I can really get going on terrain around the bridges I need to get the bridge abutments in place so I got a start on them. I am making these out of wood with some concrete form lines being cut into them before painting.

    2020TBLP15.jpg


    From the photos I am using as reference there is a noticeable step in these abutments with the bridge shoes resting on the lower lower. I had not considered this when I put in the sub road bed structure so some notches were cut to allow for another layer behind the first.

    2020TBLP14.jpg
     
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  5. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    So we went to Michael’s today so my daughter could buy something with her Xmas money. While there I took a looky-see at the paints. I found a really nice orange that worked great for the DQ. And a couple other colors too for other stuff. So here it is, the finished version of my DQ for my modules.

    enjoy
    42B65057-B7FE-4C42-B5B7-77504EB4533F.jpeg 1C5EAEBD-1782-4F32-AE64-F5AC64491164.jpeg 87A2BE4E-8E5A-4880-97BF-74C3B9767261.jpeg
     
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  6. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    So starting another building. I wanted it a teal color but the coverage is not that great... so it will take a few coats to get it done. This is one coat. The bricks are 3 different colors of colored pencil ✏️. The roof is a metallic black. I choose metallic to simulate the different rock colors on an asphalt roof.

    B2C3BEE3-8CC9-4FB4-AFD1-8236EDA36E81.jpeg
     
  7. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well since I am getting started once again - here is a picture of benchwork. What have I done so far? Well, Trains and Track have been in storage for nearly 7 years, The past two weeks have seen me clean and oil all locos and give them a good run around a 8-foot loop of track. Some showed their age and required a little more TLC than others. Over the next week, I'll get the plan finished and start the initial wiring and track layout. So standby while I learn to relax again!

    Oh, yea layout will be 19 feet by 15 feet L-Shaped 24 Inch wide with two 48" inch by 36 Inch loops at each end. Should be fun!

     
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  8. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice room, Owen, welcome back!

    Massey, that DQ is coming out nice!

    Nothing new from me. In fact, while I applied that joint compound on the fascia, I haven't even sanded it smooth yet for paint.... Busy week!
     
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  9. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    ++-+
    Thanks, Hemi, Been awhile now. What happened to that great big layout you had going? Looks like you did quite a bit of moving around!
     
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  10. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I finished another N scale structure today.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yeah, it was too large to move again, overseas and back no less. So I built a HCD and never looked back. I yearn for a basement empire, but that's not in the near future. Besides, it is a size I can easily finish, provides quicker results than a monster double decker. I may never have gotten scenery done on the room-filler!

     
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  12. ppuinn

    ppuinn Staff Member

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    Owen, It's Great seeing you at a Party, again!
     
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  13. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Dave, great to be back, we'll catch up in the New Year.
     
  14. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    How well did the paver locking sand work when dry? Is it as well-adhered as ballast with glue mix? Interesting concept.

     
  15. ppuinn

    ppuinn Staff Member

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    Early last week, I worked on the interior of the Open Hearth Furnace. I've removed the exterior walls of the OHF, and this first pic shows my preliminary mock-ups of the Teeming Side of the OHF. This view is looking west, and the charging ramp is on the left.
    Hopefully, during this Party, the penciled furnace details will be replaced with plastic pipes, spouts, girders, etc, and a 3D printed teeming ladle filled with hot metal, and (probably after the Party) there will be an overhead crane to move the teeming ladle over the molds to fill them.

    For the past 17 years, I've simulated the OHF charging buggies and mold/ingot buggies with 50 ft flat cars carrying 6 unpainted wooden charging boxes or 6 unpainted molds. Along with upgrading the OHF building interior, I'll be scratch-building shorter charging buggies that carry 3 charging boxes, and ingot buggies that carry 3 molds. On the left is an old mold buggy, and one of the three new mold buggy designs I'm testing is on the right. (This particular mold buggy has issues going through turnouts due to its light weight (and-full disclosure-a tilted truck because I drilled the bolster pin hole by hand instead of using a drill press.)
    upload_2020-12-28_12-23-17.png

    The second pic is looking east from the west side of the OHF and shows the Charging Side of the OHF. The curved cardboard in the middle (behind the Charging ports) should be about an inch or two higher because it is supposed to represent the top of the OHF. The LEDs simulating the glowing metal in the furnace shining through the charging ports will be hidden under that curved top of the furnace.
    Last week, I glued together the Charging Floor, and this week will build a bridge to support the charging tracks across the gap from the outside ramp to the inside Charging Floor. After the bridge, I plan to use Evergreen Plastic girders, pipes,strips and sheets to fashion the charging ports.
    upload_2020-12-28_13-3-46.png
    Tomorrow afternoon, when the train guys drop in, we'll work out a way to create an appropriately colored furnace glow with LEDs.
     
  16. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    I don't see a difference vs. the ballast that is glued to the left of it. I accidently dropped the test board/ballast on the floor twice now and none of it has come loose.

    I have a friend that is going to pick up 40 lbs. of gray paver sand the next time he goes through Farmington, NM (130 miles for me each way) and I'll try it. It is a different brand and not available here. I don't see a cheap way to get other colors at the moment although Sakrete is suppose to have some other colors besides the tan and gray but can't find them. The gray and tan (shown above) might be all I need.

    If someone wants to pay for the post office flat rate I could send some for testing or use,

    Sumner
     
  17. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dave that's quite the undertaking, will be interesting to see the end result
     
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  18. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Resin Shelving - I thought I would share with you my reason for going with Resin Shelving. Management really did not care what I did with two conditions - No Holes in the walls and whatever I did shelves must be underneath. I find Resin shelving is notorious for moving around and in some cases can be quite wobbly. Any shelving units I did research did not fit the requirements until I noticed these shelves. What's best is if I buy 3 I end up with 5 43" shelves, They are flat on the floor and best of all the sections interlock - No Nails or Screws and the shelf problem is solved, they are quite sturdy with no wobble. These particular ones are heavy duty and there are convenient rails and clip points to run wiring and secure the foam board which will tun along the top shelf. Attached some pictures.


    The Male End of a Shelf


    The Female End Of The shelf


    Two shelf sections interlocked and all 3 shelves of each section are all interlocked. I am now negotiating for two brackets at each end of 5 section grouping to secure to the wall. I think I have her convinced.

    Excuse the scratches and dirt on the shelves. I just put that one together.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
  19. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Plan - I tend to plan a lot of track and in the end remove some which are fine. This is the fourth revision since October and the first I have published. I am kind of worried about the clutter. However, I had a few wants


    A) Lots of switching for ops and places to place rolling stock.
    B) Coal, Gravel and Grain the main industries.
    B) Double Mainline and an Independent Local Loop.
    c) Lots of Continuous running to keep the grandsons interested.

    Along the South Wall and The West Walls, I plan to use the industrials, warehouse and city structures from https://www.modelbuildings.org/industries/ similar to this. They take up little real estate and from what I can see look pretty darn good if you follow some of the suggestions to make them appear 3D like rather than flat drawings on a wall.


    I think I have achieved all the wants, after all its only a plan and as we all know plans change!
     
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  20. ppuinn

    ppuinn Staff Member

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    Not only did I work on my own layout last week, but I also spent a major portion of last week developing a track plan and materials list for a friend who moved into a bigger house this spring and wants to replace his old 5'x9' with a 15.5'x 17.5' layout.
    upload_2020-12-28_15-48-58.png
    His new layout will be loosely based on the 1950s era CB&Q's Pea Vine Line in Central Illinois, but it will be focused on specific towns along the CB&Q between Beardstown IL and Lewiston IL near where he grew up. I've drawn heavily on my modeler's license to include a station plus at least one rail-served industry in every town, and most of the 1:1 trains actually originated and terminated in Centralia IL and Galesburg IL, well beyond Beardstown and Lewiston. My friend requested a plan that had a continuous loop but could be operated as a point to point, so I opted to have only one yard that would function as a staging yard with a separate track representing each town of origin and termination (Beardstown, Lewiston, and Table Grove).

    The towns between Beardstown (southern end of the modeled area) and Lewiston (northern end) were distributed around the loop with the towns along the southern half of the line located on the outside of the loop and the towns along the northern half of the route on the inside of the loop. Essentially, the plan can be operated as if it is a twice around (AKA folded figure-8) track plan with just a single loop of track instead of two loops of track. By only working the towns on the inside or the outside of the loop, an operator can actually switch any town along the route without simultaneously having his caboose in the next town up or down the line. The plan is more crowded than I'd like, but is MUCH better than the double main I originally drew up at my friend's request. The double main would have permitted one operator to orbit on the inside main while the other operator was switching all the towns outside the loop, and then orbit the outside loop while switching was completed on the inside loop. The single main loop plan looks much less like a spaghetti bowl, but only one person can be out on the main at a time, and the other will need to switch cars in the Staging yard to build the next train that will depart staging.

    If my math is correct for converting actual feet into HO scale miles, Beardstown to Lewiston via Astoria is around 2.5 scale miles, and Beardstown to Table Grove via Stewart and the Rushville branch is a little over 3 scale miles. And if he runs his Doodlebug from Beardstown through Astoria to Lewiston, back to Vermont and on to Rushville, back to Vermont and then to Table Grove and back to Vermont, then to Stewart and finally back to Beardstown, the run is over 4 scale miles long.

    I'm hoping he'll join us in this Layout Party when he starts construction next week in January.
     

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