Progress report #2

[ginzokid]

I locked the other thread. There is some good stuff in there that probably has been reposted in other threads. I'll check. In the meantime, here's another place to write. B-)

[taz-of-boyds]

Barry, It would be great, if only we really had Star Trek transporters, pop in a few dollars (I would like it to be cheap too...) and off you go. Visiting Australia seems like it would be fun for us too, but with my dizziness problem, me and planes don't mix! Come spring, maybe we will find out if they got the repairs in. They have a big old building they can do all kinds of maintenance in. All the best, Charles

[dl85vette]

Finally got some pics uploaded. Couple shots of CP Rail RS13? couple shots of my trailer projects.

[ginzokid]

Well I finally got back to the big RR. Glued up about 9 ft. of backdrop and glued down a whole bunch of foam. Next I'll cover the foam with plaster cloth and then scenery. I have to complete this area as once I add the new industries I will not be able to reach it. You better believe my trackwork is perfect back there too. Can't have any derails....... B-)

[ginzokid]

Will the plastering ever end? Ballasting track will be a welcome change in the not too distant future. I'm still workin' on the railroad. B-)

[dl85vette]

Haven't even finalized the last half of industries or track arrangement for industrial park and while at work I was doodling trying to figure the track arrangement to transition from mainline (near indust park) to the 2 inch high mainline behind the scenery divider. I ended up with an epiphony on this same area to go from a climbing loop to a 2 track main with one track continuing into a helix for an upper level for my Powder River Basin sub. Last night continued of doodling to make a plan of track going to coal loader. The only downfall is the end of line for a reverse loop for flood loader. The overhang will make it harder to see part of the yard and cement facility below unless you move of stoop a bit. This is only a problem while switching those areas. Plans are nice but I think I need to finish laying track on the main level and get it wired. Be nice to have it operational again.

[ginzokid]

Finished building that caboose kit but still missing the special trucks that are coming from Phoenix. Pictures when it is totally complete. Now back to the scenery.... B-)

[dl85vette]

I started glue foam layers together to build up the (foam) shelf for my coal basin. It will be challenging for a bit until I get the hang of what I am wanting to achieve. Partly due to the fact I want to build the foam snadwich style shelf and whatever narrow scenery and then lay the foam roadbed and track and then hang in on shelf brackets. Although I wouldn't mind getting a system down for efficiency where I could wiring, ballast and do scenery for each 4 foot section before mounting it on wall. I need to get to the track laying stage before wiring and I want to conceal the wiring on backside of foam. Ok time to shower and get off here so I can make a quick run to Slum Depot for some hardboard. Sluffing the RR most of week. ITS FRIDAY!!! mind ya I goota work tomorrow at LHS.

[g-pa1]

My son afforded us a new Grandson. 9lbs 4oz and 20 1/2 inches long Sebastian is his name. I guess that is progress. He is the prodigy to carry on the family name. The other three are my daughters kids. Gene -- Edited by g-pa1 at 02/09/2010 4:16 PM PST Congrats Gramps! Where is my cigar? :^O -- Edited by ginzokid at 02/10/2010 4:37 AM PST

[barrysfp45]

gee four, I'm only ten in front of you plus 5 step grandkids, you have to start somewhere though, congrats Gene even if you really had nothing to do with it, did you? LOL ]:) Sounds like your family hasn't figured out what causes it, Barry. I stopped at five grandkids. Told the boys to "cut that out"!!! So they both got divorced....really! :-D -- Edited by ginzokid at 02/11/2010 4:05 AM PST

[taz-of-boyds]

Congrats Gene!! We only have three grandkids (all granddaughters)! Charles

[ginzokid]

Are we somehow overpopulating the planet? Not one model railroader in the bunch for me. Darn! :-(

[dl85vette]

Well yesterday I got tired of squeezing tracks in my new/revised indust park so I added another 6 inches to the width. I may not really be ble to squeeze in more track per say, but what I wanted to put in will go in withoutout bunching the building closer to each other. Also been working on my foam expansion shelf for col branch.

[ginzokid]

I have now added that industrial area I spoke of. It is 2 ft. deep and 5 ft. long. All the track is laid and I have operated it several times. It is a switching puzzle and challenges the mind. Now I have to build the structures to go with the tracks. More fun! B-) -- Edited by ginzokid at 02/24/2010 4:34 AM PST

[ginzokid]

Spent the whole day cleaning and lubing all my locos. Boy does that make a difference. Also changed all my rolling stock over to Kadee #5 couplers. They work so much better than the McHenry couplers.....metal is better than plastic. Didn't realize just how many cars I had!! A friend of mine gave me his HO diesel loco to fix. It didn't run very well so I cleaned and lubed it while I was doing mine and now his runs great too. It actually will run on DCC throttle step 1 at about 2 MPH. My geared locos really creep now too. Tomorrow it's back to the under side of the layout to hook up some more manual switch wires. Retrofitting is always harder than an initial installation, but I had not planned on using anything but ground throws until I expanded the yard. Isn't it fun!!!!! What a great hobby! :^O:^O:^O -- Edited by ginzokid at 02/25/2010 11:40 AM PST

[taz-of-boyds]

Man, sounds like some real progress you guys... Charles