|
|
 Posted - February 23 2014 : 12:50:49 AM
|
Got home and spent some time in the basement painting the 5- 4X8 sheets of plywood... Tried to load a photo but it was large and wouldn't load. Maybe I'll crop a photo tomorrow... 
Edited by - walt on February 23 2014 10:18:03 AM
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 23 2014 : 12:31:52 PM
|
Looks like your "going green" has a different meaning, but a good one.  Looking awesome so far. Keep the updates steaming in! I've been thinking about using my garage for a storage/layout area, that way I could clean out my basement of all the train stuff I have quicker, and make the wife happier. Will take some doing though. NOt enough time or money at the moment.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 23 2014 : 11:16:35 PM
|
| Interesting concept of showing pictorial progress of an ongoing layout construction. Once it is finished you can look back and appreciate your patience of building it slowly but accurately.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 7607 ~
Member Since: February 12 2014 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 24 2014 : 8:42:01 PM
|
Thank You, Jerry
Had some basement time on Sunday too and got a lot of painting done. Hope to get some assembly time this weekend. I'm basically cutting and painting two 45 inch 2X4s away from having the whole table ready to put together. But need to second coat a couple of other pieces. 
Yes, Richard
It's kinda neat to document the whole thing. Not that's it's important or anything, just kinda fun...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 24 2014 : 9:04:13 PM
|
| You're rippin' right along there Walt. Kind of surprised me. I was thinking the next photo would be of the paint brush.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2087 ~
Member Since: March 16 2013 ~
Last Visit: July 05 2018
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 24 2014 : 10:44:30 PM
|
| Thank you, Barry. And that was funny ! But I'm actually using a roller!!
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 27 2014 : 04:26:56 AM
|
Superb track plan. I tried doing something similar, but I was using some cheap Chinese brand of slot car, and the slot cars quickly suffered loose drive gears and the conductivity of the pick up on imbedded rail was miserable after but a few weeks. No amount of cleaning was able to restore reliable conductivity. My other headache was that the slot cars shot about as fast as bullets, making them very hard to view.
I have no familiarity with Tyco slots, and hopefully you will be able to surpass these obstacles.
One idea I never got to was wiring the train tracks to hand held slot car throttles- having the trains race each other, and the cars.
I will look forward to seeing your future work and hope it is a banger!
JMcNeal
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 11628 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 27 2014 : 10:59:10 AM
|
Hi, Jeff
Was able to spend a little while at home last night second coating a few studs. Should get some assembly done this weekend for sure...
I plan on using the AFX cars on my layout. I have a few of them already. Slot cars can be pretty quick, but I beLIEve that is the purpose...
I run my two main railroad tracks in opposite directions. I never had many issues with my smaller similar layout in the 70s... I feel that I can comfortably make this work..
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 28 2014 : 11:32:59 PM
|
I assembled one table of 5 this evening. The top sheet is not screwed down yet as I have the one 2X4 to paint. Also need to make sure the green edge is totally covered. The ends and middle will be a table like this one. The second and forth tables will bridge between the other tables without legs. May do another tomorrow if time permits.
UPDATE ; Only managed the one table section this weekend but did get the green edge done and some peach touch up... So 1/5th of my bench is done...
Edited by - walt on March 01 2014 8:42:38 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 01 2014 : 11:55:26 PM
|
| Well you ought to be able to bust that track crew out before long.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2087 ~
Member Since: March 16 2013 ~
Last Visit: July 05 2018
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 02 2014 : 11:55:35 AM
|
Someday I will do this IF I ever move out of my tiny one bedroom house 
But layout will take up 3/4 of the room & NO "along the wall layout"! yuck
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 02 2014 : 2:00:34 PM
|
quote:Someday I will do this IF I ever move out of my tiny one bedroom house
But layout will take up 3/4 of the room & NO "along the wall layout"! yuck
Originally posted by microbusss - March 02 2014 : 11:55:35 AM
|
I never found the need to say " yuck", to anyone else's layout especially when I have NONE. Layouts are what each individual likes, thinks, wants, can afford and has room for. It's like me saying yuck to Taylor Swift when millions of others like her... I'm ok with Taylor by the way...
And let's say WHEN I move out of this tiny house and what can I do to make that happen...
Edited by - walt on March 02 2014 9:14:50 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
 Posted - March 02 2014 : 9:27:27 PM
|
| sorry, Walt I meant "yuck" as in I hate them types of layouts
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 02 2014 : 10:41:22 PM
|
| I knew what ya meant Ben but your comment could offend those with the along the wall layouts. My project will not be along the wall but I wouldn't care if it was. (Other than i couldn't reach anything). I know nothing about old steamers but I won't downgrade those who favor them which covers many members on the forum. This forum has a lot of different members who have different interests... But we're all here for the model train hobby... And there's nothing about the hobby that I hate...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 02 2014 : 11:03:36 PM
|
Walt,
You're doing it right. That takes patience to go ahead build it right. I'd be so tempted to throw something together just so I could get the trains running.
quote:Someday I will do this IF I ever move out of my tiny one bedroom house
But layout will take up 3/4 of the room & NO "along the wall layout"! yuck
Originally posted by microbusss - March 02 2014 : 11:55:35 AM
|
Hey buss,
Why don't you put your bed under the layout, then if it takes up 3/4 of the room it won't be a big deal.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 825 ~
Member Since: December 22 2008 ~
Last Visit: March 16 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 02 2014 : 11:45:13 PM
|
Thank You, Paul...
I may be over doing the bench a little. But It will be solid and presentable when finished. I've waited a long time for enough room to build this plan, so the wait to finish the table feels relatively short...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 06 2014 : 11:30:17 AM
|
The stars must be in line cus I'm gonna get a lot of basement time this weekend !
I have from 4PM Friday till Sunday evening. My wife has to attend a family memorial in Canada... Hope maybe to get all 5 tables near, or finished... I've decided to add a lower 2X4 brace between the legs on the ends...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 06 2014 : 11:44:22 AM
|
| good luck walt,hope nothing stops you,ken
|
Country:  United Kingdom ~
Posts: 8294 ~
Member Since: September 28 2006 ~
Last Visit: October 20 2021
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 08 2014 : 02:33:52 AM
|
Got all 3 of the legged 4x8 tables standing tonight and one of the sections that will be bridged between the standing ones. Leaving only one more section to assemble. Shown in pics is the crazy time I'm spending painting the green edges before mounting the plywood. Waay too much time being killed here.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 08 2014 : 08:17:38 AM
|
walt I admire you for your patience on the benchwork. You know at first glance though I was thinking "look at the rolling landscape"
http://tycodepot.com/
|
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 08 2014 : 09:46:27 AM
|
| use foam under the tracks so you can here JUST the trains & not the track too
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 08 2014 : 1:09:09 PM
|
UPDATE BELOW...Going to use cork or foam roadbed. Trains are noisey so I'm not going to fight the noise...
Got all of the structures built this weekend but have left it in its 5 separate 4X8 sections due to not getting all of the painting done. I did add a brace between the legs on each end. Very sturdy now. Also have chosen the area of the basement where it will be.
Really happy tonight to know that I'm done measuring & cutting studs. A bit more painting of studs that no one will ever see, then screwing the sections together...
Edited by - walt on March 09 2014 01:47:38 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 09 2014 : 10:29:31 PM
|
A shot of 3 sections (12X8) sitting together as I was working last night. The middle section plywood is off cus I had bought 3 new studs to build it (due to warped others). Got most of the painting done and ready to assemble all 5 sections next weekend...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 16 2014 : 5:32:42 PM
|
Got the bench done about 3 o'clock on Sunday. Since photos I placed 12 screws around the edges of each 4X8... Need a tiny bit of peach paint to apply...
 A pic across the 20 foot, a few slot cars, etc on the table ...
Edited by - walt on March 17 2014 12:21:59 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 16 2014 : 9:12:12 PM
|
| That's gonna be a nice spread Walt. I hope there's an area where the street lights get burned out so the drag racers will have a place.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2087 ~
Member Since: March 16 2013 ~
Last Visit: July 05 2018
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 17 2014 : 12:47:00 PM
|
| Very clean work! It's coming along nicely.
|
Country:  Canada ~
Posts: 3445 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 17 2014 : 1:09:38 PM
|
Good job so far!Looking forward to seeing it when it's done!
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3533 ~
Member Since: February 17 2014 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2023
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 17 2014 : 7:42:53 PM
|
Thank You, Eric, Barry & Stephen... Had a few minutes today and layed out the almost 20 foot straightaway. Track is so dusty from long storage that I brought it with me to clean each piece. Waiting for the weekend again!
Edited by - walt on March 17 2014 8:48:21 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 18 2014 : 02:23:41 AM
|
Ahhh, now that's a beautiful sight! I like how all of your straights have the dotted center lines. You're catching up to me in terms of layout progress. My progress unfortunately is only going to slow down...it's getting warm enough outside to work on my 1:1 car...not that I'm too disappointed! 
Looking forward to your updates!
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3445 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 18 2014 : 10:59:44 AM
|
| Hi, Eric... I liked the painted detailed track better than the plain. All of my track has the paint other than my 12 inch curves that have none. I believe I've seen some 12s with paint over the years. I will watch for some and buy them if they exist. The detailed track was made from 1963 - 1971. Cleaned quite a few pieces late last night.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 20 2014 : 11:48:35 AM
|
Had an hour late last night and layed down some cleaned slot car track. I still have to shine electric contacts on the ends. Won't snap track together until I'm sure of what fits where. Trying to figure where the underpass needs to be ...
Edited by - walt on March 20 2014 12:05:35 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 12:27:10 AM
|
Got the full slot car track layed down and I believe this is what it will be. On Saturday, I need to dig my girder truss bridges out and make sure the look and fit well. I actually used all of my 9 inch straight pieces (I was afraid of this) but have a lot of 6 inch straights to fall back on... I took some pics of the whole layout but can't crop one enough to load here...
Edited by - walt on March 22 2014 12:34:39 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 12:39:03 AM
|
quote:I took some pics of the whole layout but can't crop one enough to load here...
Originally posted by walt - March 22 2014 : 12:27:10 AM
|
If you're running Windows, open the pics in Paint and resize them. I for one would love to see them!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 1674 ~
Member Since: December 13 2008 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 2:40:37 PM
|
| You bet. I want to see it, too. You can also download a free program called Picassa that will do that kind of stuff.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2087 ~
Member Since: March 16 2013 ~
Last Visit: July 05 2018
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 6:42:07 PM
|
Doing Everything from phone right now. I did manage to get a photo to load. It's hard to get a good photo of the whole layout. Spent some time today cleaning the electrical contacts on the ends of each piece of slot car track. Also have connected the long 20 foot straightaway on the right side , it's done.
Cleaning The electrical contacts became a project using an emery file. Had to be a better way. Thankfully I have a large cutting wheel that I cut automotive custom frame pieces with that cleaned the contacts in record time.
Edited by - walt on March 23 2014 01:08:57 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 8:28:28 PM
|
I hope there's something left of the contacts!
Thanks for the overall pic. Looks really cool. It could get interesting at the intersections once you have some city buildings in place! How about installing those Hot Wheels cameras in the cars and driving while looking only at the video monitor!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 1674 ~
Member Since: December 13 2008 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 9:07:28 PM
|
Walt that thing is CRAZY....and looks cool as heck. Looks like a blast to drive on, especially with the way the road splits apart and comes back together. Amazing. Can't even guess yet where you plan on putting the railroad tracks, looking forward to seeing more
http://tycodepot.com/
|
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 22 2014 : 11:40:22 PM
|
Thank You, Glenn
That metal cutter would cut one of those tracks in half in about 2 seconds! I've found electric tools that run fast can be controlled by using a short extension cord with a fan controller in it... Had the large cutting wheel running VERY slowly
The intersections and train crossings are a blast. Even have to try to place the buildings where the more expensive ones doesn't get blasted in an intersection crash! Have the Hot Wheels Camera Car in mind for sure! Knew I had to have one of those the day I saw the clip that Metalsmith1 put on the forum not long ago...
Thank You, Jerry! Should be a riot as it grows with the buildings, light ups and landscaping. I found a decent drawing of the plans that will better show at least the two main railroads. I'll try to put it on here on Sunday evening... One thing I really like is the
long four lane straight on the right... that will have the Tyco Fluorescent street lights for some good ole night time street racing!!!
NOTE I plan to us 4 transformers, running each lane on its own power pack.
Future plans call for better overhead lighting, Nikon camera pix instead of iphone, Hot Wheels Camera Car clips and any other form of pix & movies to share this fun with others... Daytime pix, night time pix, ect... Feels like it's 1975 again guys!!
Edited by - walt on March 23 2014 12:47:36 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 23 2014 : 10:33:16 AM
|
It needs some loop-the-loops, crossovers & banking curves
hehe jk It looks good
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 23 2014 : 12:51:51 PM
|
I've never driven anywhere where I had drive thru Loop. I had the same mindset when I was 10 years old... Don't like them ...  .
Edited by - walt on March 27 2014 7:53:48 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 23 2014 : 12:58:56 PM
|
I knows you is making city streets
I was kidding hehe
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 23 2014 : 6:02:18 PM
|
quote:I've never drove anywhere where I had drive thru Loop. I had the same mindset when I was 10 years old... Don't like them ... .
Originally posted by walt - March 23 2014 : 12:51:51 PM
|
Someone should petition the city council to replace the highway cloverleaf near my house with a loop and a stunt ramp...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 332 ~
Member Since: February 24 2012 ~
Last Visit: January 26 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 24 2014 : 1:32:46 PM
|
Here's a little better plan on paper showing the two main rails marked with small pink dots. Opposed to this plan I have extended the slot car track clear to the end of the table.(at top of photo)
This leaves the railroads girder bridges going over the slot track at the large green dot. I also left one foot on the left side bare, for turn outs and side tracks.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2014 : 3:52:21 PM
|
A pic of one of my dirtier pieces of slot car track. I have cleaned the left contacts but notice how dis colored the right ones are. The track gets a general surface cleaning with shining the contact rails on the surface...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2014 : 8:20:39 PM
|
| That's some rusty track you have there, Walt! Are you using any chemical cleaners or just the metal cutter? The slotcar track I used on my layout just needed a good wipe-down with some WD-40 and Windex. The TT track on the other hand....that involved power tools.
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 3445 ~
Member Since: September 22 2006 ~
Last Visit: February 24 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2014 : 10:13:37 PM
|
Yes, Eric.. I used a nasty piece to show what a difference the clean side made. I have a lot of 6 inch straights and won't even use this one. Most of my track has no rust but the contacts are a bit dull. Cleaning every piece and thinking of getting some electrical contact grease and using a tiny dab on them. . Only the metal cutting wheel to shine these contacts. Have a slot car contact rail cleaning eraser for the surface rails...
Edited by - walt on March 27 2014 10:23:22 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 28 2014 : 12:28:30 AM
|
| now clean off one side of road but leave the other side icky & take a pic
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14999 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 22 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 28 2014 : 02:16:27 AM
|
There ya go Ben. I have about 20 pieces here. The end contacts have already been cleaned. Not home tonight so I used the masking tape, emery file method. Rub the tops of the rail clean, then lay the file along each side of the rails to clean. Fortunately I'm a long time custom car builder leaving me many ways of cleaning metal. Those not limited to sand, glass or other media blasting, oxysolve, cutting wheels of many sizes. My career and results, depend on extremely clean metal...
Edited by - walt on March 28 2014 02:21:53 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 31 2014 : 11:31:23 PM
|
Brought 6 of the road & rail crossings to clean this week. Not bad for 40 plus year old track. Also have the 4 bridge track sections that will make up the underpass, and 6 of the 8, road & road crossings (intersections). Have 25 of the 9 inch straights here too.. Cleaned most of the contacts on the ends of the track earlier today... This is one of those " no fun" parts of the hobby!
Edited by - walt on April 01 2014 10:05:07 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 06 2014 : 9:27:30 PM
|
Got nothing accomplished this weekend other than killing about 10 minutes spacing Tyco Fluorescent poles along this long straight. I think I found that 18 inches between poles works well when lighted...
Edited by - walt on April 07 2014 12:29:37 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
