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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - September 21 2014 :  7:53:51 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Time for some updates!

/tyco/forum/uploaded/wiley209/20140921194546_modeltrainpics92114-02.jpg
Life-Like Snap-Loc commuter station. Since I now have two (one of them the elevated version) I thought I'd use the non-elevated version on my layout, removing the Power-Loc tab that goes on the bottom.

/tyco/forum/uploaded/wiley209/20140921194733_modeltrainpics92114-03.jpg
This TYCO 50th Anniversary boxcar has been upgraded with E-Z Mate knuckle couplers, for extensive layout use! (Though in most cases I'll probably use it for special trains.)

/tyco/forum/uploaded/wiley209/20140921194826_modeltrainpics92114-04.jpg
Currently I'm using it on this small train, that has both of my auto carriers!

/tyco/forum/uploaded/wiley209/20140921194910_modeltrainpics92114-05.jpg
I also just installed a TCS T1 DCC decoder into this Walthers Amtrak Dash-8 locomotive! So now I have six DCC-esquipped locomotives for use on my layout.

/tyco/forum/uploaded/wiley209/20140921195024_modeltrainpics92114-06.jpg
The full Amtrak train, now powered by DCC!

A word of note when installing a TCS T1 decoder into the Walthers Dash 8...
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Walthers/GE_Dash_8-40BW/Walthers%20Trainline%20GE%20Dash%208-40BW.html

When it comes to the motor pick-up wires, you must solder the red wire to the gray one, and the blue one to the orange one, instead of the other way around as shown in the pic. When you do that, it will mess up the direction of the locomotive on a layout, at least when you're using a Bachmann E-Z Command system.
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Barry
Big Boy


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 Posted - September 22 2014 :  12:14:24 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
Looking good Wiley. Thanks for the photos.
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JNXT 7707
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 Posted - September 22 2014 :  06:38:38 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add JNXT 7707 to Buddylist
Love the Amtrak train wiley - especially the Trainline loco.
http://tycodepot.com/
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ChessieRR
Big Six

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 Posted - September 22 2014 :  6:39:10 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add ChessieRR to Buddylist
Very nice layout! That Amtrak train looks great with the Dash 8 up front. I like the main street scene as well!
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - September 26 2014 :  8:52:42 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
My current locomotive roster for layout use:


The ones in the front row are DCC-equipped. The three Bachmann ones came with decoders, and the other three I installed decoders into. The ones in the back are DC-only, but I plan to upgrade at least the other Walthers diesels, but it looks like it'll soon be time to expand my controls...
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kovacste000
Big Boy



Daylight 4449

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 Posted - September 26 2014 :  10:23:22 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
My current locomotive roster for layout use:


The ones in the front row are DCC-equipped. The three Bachmann ones came with decoders, and the other three I installed decoders into. The ones in the back are DC-only, but I plan to upgrade at least the other Walthers diesels, but it looks like it'll soon be time to expand my controls...

Originally posted by wiley209 - September 26 2014 :  8:52:42 PM

I actually have that Santa Fe freight diesel in the front row right next to the BNSF diesel. Just thought I'd throw that out there.Not too bad in terms of overall collection.

-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."

Edited by - kovacste000 on September 26 2014 10:24:22 PM
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - October 09 2014 :  10:59:15 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Some more updates!


Just working on re-arranging the structures and fences along that area. Might also get a "real" farmhouse building kit for the farm (maybe the Pola/AHM/Tyco/IHC/Walthers one...)


Bachmann Gandy Dancer handcar! It does have a little trouble running on certain areas, but generally I treat it like an analog/non-DCC locomotive.


I now have a second locomotive for my main BNSF freight train! It's a DCC-equipped Bachmann Santa Fe GP38-2. I've set it to the same address as the BNSF GP40 to allow for double-header operation.


I upgraded a few of my TYCO rolling stock pieces with Intermountain metal wheels. It makes quite a difference in traction! I hope to upgrade more soon.


Since I love the look of trees in September and October, I thought I'd get some more autumn-colored trees, from Woodland Scenics and Life-Like. On my layout, these stay year round!


"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
I had gotten these new Walthers Scenemaster figures of elementary school students today, and since two of them were in a fighting position, I couldn't resist! Man, do I not miss seeing that during my days of public school...


I also now have a light in my Plasticville Suburban Station!


Just a couple pieces of Walthers TrainLine rolling stock I recently acquired. The BN tank care I got today (same Walthers order that included the school kids figures.)


Overview of the yard section of my layout.
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Barry
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 Posted - October 10 2014 :  01:05:31 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
That's kind of crazy about the kids in the fighting pose. It does make an interesting view.
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - October 28 2014 :  11:43:46 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Here's some more updates. I have varied the motive power on my layout a bit. While my main freight is still pulled by my good old Bachmann BNSF GP40-2, I also have this...


IHC 2-8-2 Mikado Santa Fe steam locomotive and tender. This is the later model with a flywheel motor and a knuckle coupler on the tender by default. I wound up removing the lead truck as it was derailing on turnouts; it's sort of like some of those modified Mikados that became 0-8-2s now, making it a bit more unique. It's not DCC-ready, and though the installation is possible, I probably won't upgrade it for a while.


Life-Like Proto 1000 ATSF F3A, number 201C. This one IS DCC-equipped. I'll need to replace the headlight though...


I also now have the TYCO lighted signal crossing set up on my layout, replacing the TYCO signal man.


Check out these two streamlined cupola cabooses. On the right is the classic TYCO version (upgraded with metal wheels and knuckle couplers.) On the left is the later version made by Mehano and often sold by IHC (and included in later TYCO train sets.) This one also has metal wheels, but they were upgraded by the seller (bought it off eBay from ggnlars, the seller that often sells older rolling stock upgraded with metal wheels and knuckle couplers.)


These two trains look straight out of the 1940s or 1950s!
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toptrain
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On Pingynp

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 Posted - October 29 2014 :  07:45:28 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
I will report and cover just a small section of this layout, with my views and remembrances.
** As I look through all the layout photos to date, I notice many building kit from long ago and a couple I have never seen. Old favorites like the Plasticville Suburban Station are there. Glimpses of limited equipment like the switch machine with I guess to be a signal light with access ladder of some kind in the same pick as the station. It stands there alone without its AHM switch. Just a signal light with its operating arm. You can see the manual operating arm. And the track continuing on to the turn that is concealed with in the ever present, on all train set layouts, the factory detailed styrafome mountain, which covers the turn. l have had as a child this great scenic addition to all layouts.
* There is so much to see here and so little time to report on it all.
Well done Wiley.

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - November 08 2014 :  8:20:57 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Some more updates, especially since Brockton's annual model train show has come and gone...


I installed a TYCO Tru-Steel lighted bumper track section onto this siding, as I will say they do look neat, especially on a DCC layout. This type of bumper section is much shorter than the older TYCO bumpers, which were about the length of an Atlas, Life-Like or Model Power bumper track section.


I also bought my first Proto 2000 locomotive at the train show: a Santa Fe GP9! It did take a bit of time to put the parts together, but so far it looks pretty good! I need to break it in a little more before I actually do any layout use, as well as get a decoder for it, as it's DCC-ready. I'm deciding whether to get a Bachmann or TCS decoder for this, as I've had good luck with both kinds on my E-Z Command system.


I tried re-arranging a few structures here...


What's a layout with classic TYCO accessories without the TYCO Operating Log Dump car! Now I can easily dump logs by remote control!


A few of my current train consists.


I removed that small siding that wasn't getting any use; plus it made for a cumbersome arrangement at the railroad crossing there.


I got a new Life-Like Town Church building kit too! The old church was looking pretty crummy, like an old run-down building (it was one of the first building kits I attempted to assemble myself as a kid), so I figured it was due for a replacement.


TYCO traffic light I just installed on my layout. I don't know if I'll wire it up yet, but it does look pretty cool.


Just an overview.
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - November 21 2014 :  10:43:19 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Got a cool new piece of rolling stock today...


Bachmann's animated horse car! Not surprisingly, it was in "Silver Series" packaging. It's very reminiscent of Lionel's old horse car (do they even make it anymore?) Almost like something Bachmann would've made in the 1970s or 1980s, but with much better wheels and couplers! (Or maybe TYCO would've beaten them to it?)


Here it is on one of my trains.


Signs of Christmas are starting to show up on my layout too! The town tree was set up next to the church.


The downtown train station has been decorated for the holiday now, too!


My Christmas train so far.
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kovacste000
Big Boy



Daylight 4449

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 Posted - November 22 2014 :  01:11:12 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
That layout just screams 1970's-1980's era like what you're apparently aiming for. Something about it is just totally awesome.Looking forward to seeing how your museum eventually goes.
-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."
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - December 16 2014 :  1:03:28 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Here's how my Christmas train is now...


The consist: Bachmann DCC-equipped Santa Fe FTA locomotive, TYCO/Mantua "Season's Greetings" boxcar, TYCO 50th Anniversay boxcar, A.H.M. 1979 holiday boxcar, Bachmann animated reindeer stock car, Life-Like christmas tree gondola car, and Bachmann wide-vision caboose.
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - December 24 2014 :  12:57:12 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Well, it's Christmas Eve on my layout, and things are busy at the church!

Yep, got the Walthers Scenemaster Christmas figures (made by Noch) to use for the holidays.


Santa Claus is spotted delivering presents! But since there's no snow, it means no sleigh. So how DID Santa get there? Or is it just an impostor?
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - December 25 2014 :  2:37:30 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Merry Christmas from Roundpost Junction! Here are my Pola/Walthers Trackside Maintenance buildings I got...






And of course my Christmas train on its' last day of operation for the year.
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scsshaggy
Big Boy


scsshaggy

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 Posted - December 25 2014 :  5:04:34 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add scsshaggy to Buddylist
quote:
And of course my Christmas train on its' last day of operation for the year.
Originally posted by wiley209 - December 25 2014 :  2:37:30 PM


Technically, this is only the first day of Christmas, with the Christmas season lasting through Jan. 6, hence the song: The Twelve Days of Christmas.

I see an excuse, here, to run it for 11 more days.

Carpe Manana!
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Barry
Big Boy


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 Posted - December 26 2014 :  3:15:05 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
Nice collection you got there Wiley.
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - January 03 2015 :  11:26:57 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Recently bought some more stuff for the layout...


TYCO chrome Shell tank car. It may not be prototypical, but it sure looks cool! I've already swapped out the horn-hooks for knuckle couplers. I also like the separate details on it.


Again, not very prototypical but what can I say? It's Conrail! (I say this because Conrail used to own the tracks running through Brockton before the MBTA bought the line; freight services here are now done by CSX.)


Bachmann tri-level car transporter. I don't plan to run it on my layout because it is pretty long; I just think it looks cool and makes a great display piece.


This I got for Christmas; a Woodland Scenics Tidy Track roto-wheel cleaner! Handy for cleaning my locomotive wheels!


Life-Like moped dealership!



A couple of my freight trains in action.


Overview as of today.
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toptrain
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On Pingynp

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 Posted - January 04 2015 :  08:18:05 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
* Great set of photos. With all that equipment you must to very good at switching." Clear the tracks!"." The Morning Express Train is coming through ! "
frank

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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kovacste000
Big Boy



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 Posted - January 04 2015 :  11:46:38 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
I love all the colors on the layout, man. It's actually quite nice.
-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."
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Barry
Big Boy


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 Posted - January 04 2015 :  3:07:43 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
I'm thinkin' if my layout abutted a rock wall that I'd be quite tempted to get out some mortar and build my tunnel right from the rock wall. What a resource. That chrome tank car is pretty fine Wiley.
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - January 07 2015 :  9:07:19 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Here are some more updates!


My Proto 2000 GP9 now has a DCC decoder in it! (I used a TCS LL8 decoder; it was a pretty easy plug-and-play install job.)


The classic Pola "Aunt Millie's House" building kit (TYCO version.) I'm using this as a farmhouse for the layout's farm.


The town library so far. This is a Bachmann Plasticville Silver Series kit (sold in the mid-to-late 1990s), which claims to be more detailed than the "regular" Plasticville kits. I may do some painting and detailing to it on my own soon.


The residental area of my layout in its current state.


I've also now put the Bachmann "action caboose" loading platform here.
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wiley209
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 Posted - February 07 2015 :  8:45:25 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
We had a bird loose in our basement! Somehow it got in, and was flying around and knocked out part of the electricity in it. (I believe it was a Starling of some sort.) Well, yesterday we got him out of the basement, but it did a bit of damage to my train layout!





So I had to do a lot of cleanup. Fortunately it didn't poop on anything, from what I saw. But I can imagine the whole town having to take shelter due to a giant bird being on the loose!
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scsshaggy
Big Boy


scsshaggy

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 Posted - February 07 2015 :  10:58:07 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add scsshaggy to Buddylist
quote:
I can imagine the whole town having to take shelter due to a giant bird being on the loose!
Originally posted by wiley209 - February 07 2015 :  8:45:25 PM


The perfect premise for a 1950's sci-fi thriller! An ordinary bird, exposed to the unpredictable effects of modern farm chemicals (Miracle Grow?) and radioactive fallout, grows to the staggering height of 75 feet. Our hero, a scientist with glasses and a handsome, masculine jaw line, brings modern science to bear to save the town and defeat The Colossal Bird . Coming to a theater near you (in brilliant black and white).

Carpe Manana!
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - February 16 2015 :  12:28:26 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Not bad, scsshaggy! It's already playing at the Loew's Theater!

Now everything has since been cleaned up since the Colossal Bird attacked. I did have to clean up a couple small spots of bird poop on the landscaping, but it could just be scraped off mostly. Glad it wasn't anything too seriousl


With the exception of the caboose, this Bachmann Santa Fe GP40 is pulling all TYCO rolling stock!


I also now have all three of the TYCO Amtrak cars!
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Chops124
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 Posted - February 22 2015 :  6:35:01 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist
Classic Tycomania. Your use of track laid right on the
grass had such a classic feel to it, that when I
rebuilt my Tyco layout I copied your technique
using brass track.
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cadetpwr
Big Six

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 Posted - February 23 2015 :  07:59:38 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add cadetpwr to Buddylist
Looks great. A suggestion to try and get that pilot truck on your IHC 2-8-2 back on. If its picking the tip of the points, file the tip of the point rail to help it taper into the main rail. If its picking the frog, then the wheelset in the pilot truck is most likely out of gauge. Its usualy a simple fix to correct that issue. I have run into this before with Tyco and Atlas snap turnouts. The end of the point rail is squared off and fairly thick, so it sticks out a bit and a flange can pick it and derail. Mike
Still NT's, I have Aspergers.
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toptrain
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On Pingynp

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 Posted - February 23 2015 :  09:09:28 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
This is a topic I find myself wandering through all the photos that are open to me. Page 3 is complete but most of the photos on page 2 come up as little squares with x in them. Too bad I like seeing all the old buildings. Thanks for the photos. I enjoy them.
frank

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - March 22 2015 :  4:52:48 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
quote:
This is a topic I find myself wandering through all the photos that are open to me. Page 3 is complete but most of the photos on page 2 come up as little squares with x in them. Too bad I like seeing all the old buildings. Thanks for the photos. I enjoy them.
frank

Originally posted by toptrain - February 23 2015 :  09:09:28 AM



Facebook has been acting funny with the old photos. I'll have to get around to re-uploading them to this forum when I get the time.
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Chops124
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 Posted - April 01 2015 :  1:28:27 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist
Fabulous, classic, and gorgeous. Can you shoot some
video??
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wiley209
Hudson

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 Posted - May 03 2015 :  4:13:27 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Here is my most recent video of the layout, shot back in December:



But now that I have more engines and a large layout, some of my trains seem to struggle a bit. I tried cleaning the track, and wheels on several locomotives, but it appears that the power for my E-Z Command unit may not be enough right now (just one amp.) SO, I ordered the E-Z Command 5-amp booster, since I figured I've had DCC for over a year now and am willing to upgrade it a bit more. (I might get a walk-around companion for it too, so I can have walk-around control and a second throttle.)
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Barry
Big Boy


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 Posted - May 04 2015 :  12:08:56 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
Wiley, that's about the most fun video I've seen in a spell. Lots of interesting nooks and crannies on that layout and nice running trains. Sound was pretty cool, too (though I'm a bit surprised some outside auto noise came through . . . you'd think in that rock dungeon sound would be pretty isolated?). That pipe loader makes some interesting sounds. I imagine you've already tried lubricating it? Man, you gotta somehow incorporate those rock walls into your layout. They're beautiful. I can see some other rocks used to sort of blend that natural rock landscape (your walls) right into your layout. Cool video. Thanks Wiley.
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12444
Switcher

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 Posted - May 04 2015 :  12:31:21 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add 12444 to Buddylist
quote:
Recently bought some more stuff for the layout...


Bachmann tri-level car transporter. I don't plan to run it on my layout because it is pretty long; I just think it looks cool and makes a great display piece.

Originally posted by wiley209 - January 03 2015 :  11:26:57 PM



Cool layout you go there. I have that same exact autorack.

I'm home schooled, I love to work on cars and anything with an engine and wheels, I love model RR'ing, and listening to Dire Straits.
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microbusss
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 Posted - May 04 2015 :  3:44:53 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add microbusss to Buddylist
who made the skool bus?
That one cheap Tyco crossing flasher I wants cause I want to rewire to to my flasher with bell
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wiley209
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 Posted - May 04 2015 :  5:31:17 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
quote:
who made the skool bus?
Originally posted by microbusss - May 04 2015 :  3:44:53 PM



That's a Life-Like school bus. Unfortunately it's been discontinued for a while now, but it sure looks cool!
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Chops124
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 Posted - May 08 2015 :  02:06:37 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist



Hey, just got to see your video! You really put your heart and soul
in this creation. That pipe unloader was so neat, I've never seen one, much
less one in action. The photos above are my dear pals at the train club,
tonight, beating their collective brains out trying to fire up a very, very
expensive state of the art DCC system, and Broadway Limited GG1 (not shown).
I think I'd much, much prefer that Bachmann EZ Command Control unit
you have there- much more my speed. These poor folks spent two hours
trying to get the pantographs to go up and down, turn the bell off, make it
move at all. How does that Bachmann unit work for you?

Edited by - Chops124 on May 08 2015 02:07:31 AM
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microbusss
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 Posted - May 08 2015 :  10:28:26 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add microbusss to Buddylist
quote:


That's a Life-Like school bus. Unfortunately it's been discontinued for a while now, but it sure looks cool!

Originally posted by wiley209 - May 04 2015 :  5:31:17 PM


Nuts I want one or 2
It would be a good canidate to make it a hy-rail bus
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wiley209
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 Posted - May 09 2015 :  9:15:52 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Well, I finally installed a DCC decoder into my Walthers Amtrak F40PH! It runs pretty well, but I found out the reason for some of my trains often struggling is due to the track needing cleaning in some areas, so I'm working on that as well. I also got the Bachmann E-Z Command booster so I could at least still have a bit more power than one amp.

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raysouthernpac
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 Posted - May 21 2015 :  11:51:18 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add raysouthernpac to Buddylist
The booster should help. I think your lovos were struggling because the botchman system is designed to run one loco at a time. I am getting a booster for my NCE it puts out 3 amps and I want to run more trains do its a must.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
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wiley209
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 Posted - June 05 2015 :  11:33:52 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
quote:
The booster should help. I think your lovos were struggling because the botchman system is designed to run one loco at a time. I am getting a booster for my NCE it puts out 3 amps and I want to run more trains do its a must.

Originally posted by raysouthernpac - May 21 2015 :  11:51:18 AM



It did seem to help quite a bit, but I found it was also apparently due to dirty track, so I'm working on cleaning that as well.
I'm also now getting the Walk-around Companion, so I can try out the walk-around control technique as described in Robert Schleicher's "The HO Model Railroading Handbook" (formerly "The TYCO Model Railroad Manual"), and so I can have a second throttle on hand!
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wiley209
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 Posted - August 22 2015 :  1:56:40 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Now that summer is almost over, I'm going back to my model train layout a bit more (I usually spend less time on it in the summer, and plus I've been helping out more with the model train museum's layout!)


My fleet of DCC-equipped locomotives. (Even the TYCO Chattanooga GP20 has a decoder!)


An interesting kitbash I did; I took the body of a TYCO Santa Fe GP20 (1978 version), modified the inside a bit, and installed it on a 90s-style Mantua GP20 chassis. Not a bad runner so far, but the wheels may need a bit of cleaning (it's been a while since I ran it.)


A lot of Amtrak travel going on during the summer, with people going on long train trips and such.


A couple of BNSF freight trains in the rail yard.


The most recent overview (today.)
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microbusss
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 Posted - August 23 2015 :  9:25:04 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add microbusss to Buddylist
cool
where'd you get the RXR sign from?
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wiley209
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 Posted - August 24 2015 :  3:59:26 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
quote:
cool
where'd you get the RXR sign from?

Originally posted by microbusss - August 23 2015 :  9:25:04 PM



I got it at the Greenberg's Train and Toy Show at Wilmington, MA back in March, along with a bunch of stuff for my layout.
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wiley209
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 Posted - September 02 2015 :  1:22:28 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Some more pics from last week and this...


Comparing my TYCO/Mantua Santa Fe GP20 and my Walthers Santa Fe GP9M, both in the red/silver "SuperFleet" colors.


A family camping near the woods on my layout. Hopefully they aren't woken up by passing trains (like when my family and I stayed at a hotel next to the railroad tracks in Old Orchard Beach, Maine!)



Some "dark" shots on my layout, showing the various lighted buildings and accessories, as well as the lighted Amtrak cars.


A freight train waiting for clearance on one of the switches.


Another shot of the rail yard.


As of today, the kids on my layout go back to school.


I don't think I shared this before, but a few months back when I was cleaning and lubing my DCC-equipped Bachmann BNSF GP40 (my first DCC locomotive I got; it came with the E-Z Command control unit), I was quite surprised when I removed the shell...

The inside looks quite different from the included diagram. It even has dual flywheels! Maybe that's one reason why this locomotive is a pretty solid runner. But then again, my Bachmann Santa FE DCC FTA locomotive doesn't have flywheels. Maybe the GP40 was produced later than it or something. Though the motor does make kind of a humming sound whenever it's running, due to it using Bachmann's lower-end DCC decoder. No matter; it's still one of my favorite locomotives to run.

Edited by - wiley209 on September 02 2015 1:25:13 PM
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Barry
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 Posted - September 02 2015 :  3:23:28 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Barry to Buddylist
Thanks for the photos Wiley. The campsite setting is pretty cool. Once again, sure dig that basement with the rock wall.
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wiley209
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 Posted - September 26 2015 :  12:33:11 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Update time again!


Sometimes you can't have too many rerailers...


I now have a TYCO Amtrak observation car with the red/white/blue stripes! (Phase I, to be exact.) It does look great with my other TYCO Amtrak cars here (though of course, I still have a more prototypical Walthers Amtrak F40PH pulling them!)



I've also been working on adding stripes and markings to my roads. They may not be totally realistic-looking, but it's an improvement over the blank roads. (Next layout I do however, I might actually put some kind of material down for the roads instead of just painting on the plywood.)


The steam freight on the main line consists of all TYCO rolling stock. The steam locomotive is my IHC Santa Fe Consolidation 2-8-0, which actually uses the same tooling as TYCO's old Consolidation and 0-8-0, so it fits pretty well here, AND is a better runner. (Maybe I'll install DCC in it, once I know how (it'd probably have to be installed in the tender, as it has electrical pickup and a working rear headlight.)


Here's a sight you'd probably never see on the real railroads: a steam-powered freight train and a modern Amtrak diesel passenger train in the same area!


Another good use for the TYCO Pak on my control panel that I use for operating turnouts and action accessories is that I can hook up my Woodland Scenics Tidy Track Roto Wheel Cleaner to the DC terminals for cleaning my locomotives!


Even Gumby and Pokey want in on the action! (Yes, that Gumby figure is supposed to be based off the '50s version.)
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wiley209
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 Posted - September 28 2015 :  9:28:51 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add wiley209 to Buddylist
Now for a few more pics...


I added the appropriate pavement markings to some of the railroad crossings (ones not protected by "crossing gate/signal" operating accessories. I plan to wire up these two crossing signals soon, most likely to a Grade Crossing Pro controller from Logic Rail Tech.


A comparison of my two TYCO cabooses.


The Santa Fe GP9 does a bit of yard work, moving a caboose into a siding.


Disaster occurs! Now normally a handcar can't cause a train wreck, but I based this off the early 90s Winnie-the-Pooh episode "The Good, The Bad and the Tigger," where at one point a speeding handcar collides with a runaway steam train, causing it to blow up!


My attempt at an auto-carrier train. Unfortunately, the Athearn auto-loader car has some problems; when facing a certain way one truck derails on a certain curve, and one of the coupler covers keeps falling off, messing up operation. So I am not running it right now. (I just linked the TYCO one to my main BNSF freight for now.)
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burlington77
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 Posted - September 28 2015 :  10:32:49 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add burlington77 to Buddylist
I can't get enough of this layout. This is very inspirational to me now that I'm rebuilding. You've definitely captured the classic fun side of HO scale.

I see you do not use any roadbed under the track. How do you like that? I think it looks fine, especially with your layout's style. My old,old, old layout when I was a kid was the same way and it was fine. My last layout had cork, and it was fine. I haven't decided yet what I want.
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pacbelt
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 Posted - September 29 2015 :  9:29:47 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add pacbelt to Buddylist
This is one cool TYCO Layout!
It's the HO Scale counterpart to the Ol' "tinplate" layouts!!! Classic and charming!
In my pursuit for "3-D art", I forget the magic of all those COOL accessories we enjoyed as kids...
Makes me want to start a small, or even Diorama layout, showcasing those great
operating accessories!! [wink]

Carmine - CEO, Engineer, and Chief Bottle Washer
Pacific Belt RR, in HO Scale, Since 1975!
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