CNM's train layout construction thread

[cubsneedmiracle]

I actually hate when trains get "tagged" (what railroaders call graffiti) but it is prototype for modern trains at this point.

I know a few years ago some idiots tagged one of the Union Pacific Heritage diesels.. That created a lot of anger in the RR community towards taggers than normal.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

HO scale layout overview 9/12/11 - YouTube

Layout overview as of yesterday!

 

[Scoot26]

That's about the time I'm probably gonna get one.. I don't really have a huge need for it now with layout building..

Something I've also wanted to do once I've gotten pretty good is start a custom painting and DCC install business on the side.

I seen what some of these guys make from weathered, custom painted models (Whether box cars, engines, or buildings) on eBay and always thought "I can do that". My problem has always been setting it up by myself. Joint business venture?? lol.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I seen what some of these guys make from weathered, custom painted models (Whether box cars, engines, or buildings) on eBay and always thought "I can do that". My problem has always been setting it up by myself. Joint business venture?? lol.

Yeah that's what I've always thought too.. Just gotta work on the craft a little..

Maybe.. make some bacon along the way :crazydance:

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Going to the hobby shop tonight with daddio

Spoiler

We need some track for a passenger mainline.. and I'm sure there will be other things that come home too.. as usual

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

My new CB&Q E8 (to replace an old one that was shot) just got delivered.

Real one looks like this..

 

[Scoot26]

Yeah that's what I've always thought too.. Just gotta work on the craft a little..

Maybe.. make some bacon along the way :crazydance:

Haha...I'll have to show you some pics of what I've done chalk and dry brushing.

Today a guy I work with gave me some of his old model railroad stuff..Not high quality stuff and I"m not even sure it'll run, but we'll see. He and I had a long talk about scenery methods...All this talk is making me want to kill off that table and the room itself and start up again lol.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Haha...I'll have to show you some pics of what I've done chalk and dry brushing.

Today a guy I work with gave me some of his old model railroad stuff..Not high quality stuff and I"m not even sure it'll run, but we'll see. He and I had a long talk about scenery methods...All this talk is making me want to kill off that table and the room itself and start up again lol.

Yeah thats like the box I was given earlier this week.. Its a lot of 80s stuff.. I know the one engine doesn't work worth a darn without even trying.. wheels are wayy out of gauge..


I'd say go for it! :yep:

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Video of the CB&Q E8 w/ Mars light and its Zephyr train

HO Scale Proto 2000 CB&Q E8 with its train - YouTube

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Big accomplishment!

Trains running on both mainlines

 

[inactiveuser1]

Big accomplishment!

Trains running on both mainlines

thats so cool!!!!!! :elephant: do you have one of the overall layout?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

thats so cool!!!!!! :elephant: do you have one of the overall layout?

Here ya go

HO scale layout overview 9/12/11 - YouTube

Layout overview as of yesterday!

did this video the other day.. theres some new things but nothing major enough to make a new video.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Picked up a track cleaning car.. totally necessary!

also picked up this

I did assemble.. thats the picture from the website.

also this

Which I will assemble this week!

 

[inactiveuser1]

This is so awesome! When do you think you'll finish? And what inspired you to do this?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

This is so awesome! When do you think you'll finish? And what inspired you to do this?

We're hoping to have a vast majority of the major work done (wiring, scenery, buildings etc) by December in time for the family to be here.. There's always stuff to fiddle with or trains to buy though.

When I was a kid I grew up about 5 mins from the railroad museum in Union IL. Illinois Railway Museum

So obviously having that in my town as a kid always made me enjoy trains and its still with me today. Even though now I live 70 miles or so away from Union.. I still get up there at least once a year.

 

[inactiveuser1]

That's cool my grandparents took me to that museum a few years back, it was fun I enjoyed it. That's what got me putting a giant train set under the Christmas tree each year

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

That's cool my grandparents took me to that museum a few years back, it was fun I enjoyed it. That's what got me putting a giant train set under the Christmas tree each year

Yeah when I was about 4 I got to go up in the Nebraska Zephyr E5 and honk the horn as they were pulling it in the station.

That's also why I have a Zephyr on my layout.

 

[inactiveuser1]

Neat-o! How many trains will be on the track? That zephyr looks cool

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Neat-o! How many trains will be on the track? That zephyr looks cool

On the Zephyr main.. It will just be the one train.

On the regular main I can have one or 50 or more.. Its a digital system that independently runs trains via a decoder in each engine. The operator uses a control that sends a unique binary signal to the programmed decoder.. So technically I can run two separate trains going in opposite directions on the same track if I want. Normally though one.. but I will consist several diesels together soon.. Like you would normally see.

There is also now construction of a separate switching spur.. That will also operate one engine..

So in total normal operation 3.. but sometimes we will add a 2nd on the regular main so 4.

 

[inactiveuser1]

That sounds really cool man make sure to post videos every so often! So when did you start?