BACK with a VeNgEaNcE

Gary S.

Senior Member
Okay, I am officially BACK!

I spent the past two months building a patio, putting in ceramic tile flooring, and painting. Now it is time to get back to the hobby.

I spent the last several days glueing cork, laying track, making more switch throws, electromagnets, etc. I had a great time.

Thanks for those who PMed me, asking how I was.

So what's been going on? Loren? Miles? DocWayne? Andrew?
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
I am in reno h-e-double hockey sticks myself. New flooring throughout, and a completely redone masterbath and walk-in closet. Been living in the basement with most of our furniture and two kids for about 6 weeks. The end is in sight - one way or another...! ;)

So model railroading has taken a backseat as my train room / workshop is filled with furniture.

I've been forced outside (Me -- "Aack!! What's that bright blazing orange thing in the sky burning me?" Kids - "That's the sun, Dad. You need to get out more.") and been camping, swimming, picknicking, gardening, museum-visiting, and BBQing. Lots of fun. Did get to see the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers at the Cumberland Museum. That was pretty cool.

;) :D

Andrew
 

Nomad

Active Member
Heeeeeeee's baaaaaaaaack balloon6

Actually we have been fixing up the house to. Redid the guest bathroom and replaced the carpet in the dining room with wood laminate flooring. Then we started on the yard work. It ain't easy keeping an acre plus yard looking halfway decentwall1.
I did manage to finish my train yard though! Since then I have been operating when I have time and thinking about scenery. But my wife did agree to let me insulate and wire the garage next year so I may just stay with operating and build my dream layout in the garage. It's a two car and I get the whole thing to myself.:smile:
Oh yea, i'm also a grandfather now. On my birthday yet:shock:

Loren
 

Nomad

Active Member
Thanks guys. I gotta admit that is probably the one thing that is better than a new loco for your birthday.:smile:
P. S. Sorry Gary, did'nt mean to steal your thread.

Loren
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
No problem, Loren, and congrats on the new arrival! Glad to hear that you have been up and running. Are you using a car card system, or the computer software?

Andrew, wow, your renovation experience sounds horrible. Best of luck on it! Ours wasn't too bad, we did it a room at a time so it didn't disrupt the living arrangements too bad.

As for the layout, a couple more days and I'll have all my trackwork done (except for 2 spurs I haven't decided exactly how I want them). Then I will run the heck out of some trains to make sure everything is in proper working order. Then I will start working on the structures again, and scenery.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has been doing.
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
Thank you kindly. I am sitting here right now before work today, soldering LEDs and resistors to use as indicators for my electromagnet uncouplers. Hopefully this evening I will get some more track put down.

How have you been?
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has been doing.

Absolutely nothin'!! :-D Well, maybe not quite nothin', but very little. It's great to see you back, though.
I did a whole-house reno last year, and have been working around here, mostly outside, catching up on some maintenance/improvements. The reno here will probably start in the Fall, although nothing too major: couple of bathrooms, hardwood flooring for the living room and new carpet for the upstairs. Maybe a move after that. ;)
As for trains, lots of projects to do, mostly loco rebuilds, although I'm having a tough time getting back into it. Doing some rolling stock rebuilding and a little painting and weathering for a friend, trying to get back into the swing of things.

Wayne
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
Good to hear from you Wayne. Sounds like everyone has been doing home projects this summer. And did you say "move"? As in move to a new home? Isn't your layout in your basement? Am I sitting here sobbing wondering what would become of your layout? And if we would ever see it again?
 

Nomad

Active Member
Hey Gary, I tried that waybill program (works great) but I had to go back to a computer switch list program. Just could not use the waybills.
Your wiring indicators for your elec-tromagnets? To tell you if there off or on?

Loren
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
Good to hear from you Wayne. Sounds like everyone has been doing home projects this summer. And did you say "move"? As in move to a new home? Isn't your layout in your basement? Am I sitting here sobbing wondering what would become of your layout? And if we would ever see it again?

Well, no definite plans, although I'd like to build another house. I'd probably save the layout from GERN to Chippawa Creek, and the town of Dunnville. Everything else would be torn out, although I've got a possible taker for unfinished Speed River area, with the double bridges. This may be why I'm having trouble getting back into "train mode". :rolleyes::-D

Wayne
 

MilesWestern

Active Member
Very Glad to hear from you again! I cannot wait (seriously!) for more progress on your layout...let's see it! :D

I'm back as well! Glad to see a re-union of sorts! :) I just finished moving my layout around for and created A LOT more of space for my layout!!! WHEE!! :D
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
Wayne: Oh man! Even though I've never seen your layout in person, I just can't bear the thought of it being dismantled. I mean, your layout is my inspiration, ya know! Maybe you shouldn't be thinking of moving? Aren't there some areas on the layout which aren't finished yet? Shouldn't you be concentrating on finishing it instead of moving? :rolleyes:

MilesW: So that great layout you had planned gets to be expanded now? That is super. My first thought is to keep the same theme and just make more of it, with longer runs and larger structures. That what ya thinking?

It is good to be back talking with all of you. Now that I think about it, I kinda missed you guys!
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
Hey Gary, I tried that waybill program (works great) but I had to go back to a computer switch list program. Just could not use the waybills.

What was wrong with the waybill system? I haven't made mine yet. Something I should know? I may need to get the link for that software again. Hey, how about some pics of your layout?

As for the LED indicators: Each of the electromagnets has its own pushbutton on the fascia. If you recall, the electromagnets have a time delay circuit... you push the button and release it, the magnet will turn on for five seconds and then turn off. This frees both hands for operating the train, and automatically turns off the magnet so it doesn't get too hot. The pushbuttons have a translucent red front. I installed an LED in each button so it indicates as long as the magnet is energized. I like it!
 

Gary S.

Senior Member
And on another note, the guys at the LHS were again asking if I wanted to be on the Fall Layout Tour.

"well, gee, but my layout is not even near completion"

"doesn't matter, it is good for people to see layouts in different stages"

"well, if you really want me on the tour"

"send an email to this guy and you're in"

So, I'm set for Nov 23rd and 24th. I've got a few months, and I am chomping at the bit to make huge progress in the next couple of months.
 

cnw1961

Member
Gary, glad to see you back. You know, your layout thread is one of my favorites here on the Gauge and to hear that you are on that Layout Tour is great news, if that means you want to make some real progress until fall. The next few months promise to be very interesting on the Gauge :wave:
 

N Gauger

1:20.3 Train Addict
And on another note, the guys at the LHS were again asking if I wanted to be on the Fall Layout Tour.

"well, gee, but my layout is not even near completion"

"doesn't matter, it is good for people to see layouts in different stages"

"well, if you really want me on the tour"

"send an email to this guy and you're in"

So, I'm set for Nov 23rd and 24th. I've got a few months, and I am chomping at the bit to make huge progress in the next couple of months.

Well - looks like you have inspiration to do more work on the layout now :D :D :D Have Fun!!!!!
 
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