Weekend Update - 8/23/2009

[John]

As you can see, I'm not going to be able to afford splurging on model trains for quite some time.  ;D

Dave Foxx

Congratulations . ... Better get busy

[flight2000]

I really need to get up earlier..... thought I was going to beat you to the punch.   :

Many thanks to Dave and his wife for having me over.  I had a great time and learned alot about the signals he uses.  Truly awesome stuff.

As a side note, I'm glad I didn't need to perform CPR after having all of that foreign power on the layout.   ;D

Hey Brian,

I really like your FEC power. Just visited your site and couldn't tell if you are getting out of N scale or just narrowing your focus to the FEC. What's the word? I live 10 minutes from the FEC line in South Florida, so if you need any local assistance for research purposes, don't hesitate to let me know! It is a cool railroad, nothing like seeing a long string of those red ortners.

Shawn

Hey Shawn,

Thanks for the offer and I'll probably be pestering you for info in your area, particularly with regards to industries.  I'm leaning more towards HO, BUT may stay with N because of the potential to model almost the entire line from Jacksonville to Miami (double deck style).  I need to research more along the lines of industries and what's available.  If Kato does an SD70M-2, I'll probably stay N.....

The SD40-2 and GP40 are two that are off limits from any sale....  ;D

Thanks,
Brian

[flight2000]

Brian

Are y'all trying to turn me into a Conrail Queen?




The storm off the coast meant awesome surfing, so I was on the board all weekend.

Yes..... ;D

[tom mann]

the shot of the hand needs helicon to get everything in focus.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I know it's late, but I started working on turning one of these  http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/433-7443.htm into a yard office.

I also volunteered last night at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition set last night, from 9 to 3, and crossed a potential basement off the list this morning.

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

Worked on my N scale test layout, please don't make fun of it. 




Need to work on this rock cut, made with shale.

[John]

Worked on my N scale test layout, please don't make fun of it. 

I won't .. but it looks like you are trying to do too many things at one time ..   I usually try - roadbed, track, then scenery

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

Yeah, but scenery is just so fun.  It's a test layout, and it's helping me for when I build a larger layout. Now I know, roadbed, then track, then scenery!  ;D

[John]

Yeah, but scenery is just so fun.  It's a test layout, and it's helping me for when I build a larger layout. Now I know, roadbed, then track, then scenery!  ;D

LOL . ..   

[asciibaron]

when you were working on the hillside, did you have a place in mind?  i find having a few pictures of scenes i like to work from really helps.  i think scenery is the single most area of anxiety for most new model railroaders.  i think doing a test layout or diorama makes sense since sometimes a scenery goof means rebuilding a huge section of the layout.

my advice:

get the track in place and working 100% - the goal is to have trains that run flawlessly.
find a picture of a scene and use that as a starting point - nice running trains running through nice looking scenery.
don't sweat if the scene looks nothing like the picture - it's supposed to be fun, right?

i think that looks 1000% better than my first attempts at doing scenery.  i was banned from using paint for a number of years...

[wm3798]

My advice would be to get that storm door hung so that A) you can use the cardboard to form up your scenery, and B) your wife won't pester you about the draft in the living room! ;D

Lee

[Guilford Guy]

I think those modeling on a door should put their layout to a practical use... When not playing with trains, you can hinge them to a doorframe and use it as *wait for it* a door! And who needs layout space when its mounted vertically! The key to any such layout is to make sure everything is held down... Tight.

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

when you were working on the hillside, did you have a place in mind?  i find having a few pictures of scenes i like to work from really helps.  i think scenery is the single most area of anxiety for most new model railroaders.  i think doing a test layout or diorama makes sense since sometimes a scenery goof means rebuilding a huge section of the layout.

my advice:

get the track in place and working 100% - the goal is to have trains that run flawlessly.
find a picture of a scene and use that as a starting point - nice running trains running through nice looking scenery.
don't sweat if the scene looks nothing like the picture - it's supposed to be fun, right?

i think that looks 1000% better than my first attempts at doing scenery.  i was banned from using paint for a number of years...

Actually, I haven't been able to find many pictures of the Haysi RR.

My advice would be to get that storm door hung so that A) you can use the cardboard to form up your scenery, and B) your wife won't pester you about the draft in the living room! ;D

Lee

I'm kinda young for a wife. lol I am using chicken wire for scenery. The cardboard stuff is just there cause it hasn't found a purpose yet. For anyone whose wondering, the TV is a fruit by the foot commerical.

[Zox]

Worked on my N scale test layout, please don't make fun of it. 

You might want to put some additional bracing--an extra sawhorse, if nothing else--under the middle of that plywood sheet, to avoid getting some unintentional grades on your mainline as the board starts to sag.

And it will sag if not supported--several of the HO modules in our club have "ski jumps" at the ends where 1/2" plywood sagged over the course of four feet, even with a 1x4 perimeter frame.

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

Trust me, I know that. lol I want to build a sort of L girder type benchwork thinger.