Model RR Lets see those TRAINS!

[slim67 2,735]

Steve , there used to be a good website called railfan.net I think. It had everything thing on there but I haven’t been on in awhile. I liked checking out the small industrial railroads on there.

[slim67 2,735]

I brought these to work but am taking home today. Older stuff but still good info.

[JCM 9,130]

This is all I got. Usually try to set this up in December for the holidays. I have named it The  Squonk Asaurus Express after two of our most fearless members at the controls of that beast.  @squonk     @stevasaurus      

[jeepdan 321]

Love this topic. Great photos.

I have post war Lionel stuff, as well as a couple of G scale Bachman Shay Locomotives. Haven't been unboxed for 5 years, used to get them out every Christmas.

Last piece of train stuff that I had bought was a Lionel O gauge Shay locomotive.

I live 4 hours away from the Cass Scenic Railroad, so I'm partial to Shays. 

Edited January 11, 2022 by jeepdan

[Stormin 9,981]

 I was a young lad, I always asked for a train set for Christmas. And I was always talked out of it.  Stopped asking when I was 15 and just asked for money to save for a motorcycle.   

  I like to see the videos of some of the layouts you have over there.

[squonk 41,071]

nORM, I can send you more that I found on YT

[lynnmor 7,305]

11 hours ago, jeepdan said:

I live 4 hours away from the Cass Scenic Railroad, so I'm partial to Shays. 

 

Here is what he is talking about:

[stevasaurus 22,717]

The Shay...these are excellent to see run if you ever get the chance.  

 

 

[Stormin 9,981]

Now those are REAL locomotives. The diesel's hold no attraction for me.

[slim67 2,735]

17 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

The Shay...these are excellent to see run if you ever get the chance.  

 

 

Geared for low speed drags. The Cass  is on my list.

Edited January 13, 2022 by slim67

[lynnmor 7,305]

10 hours ago, slim67 said:

Geared for low speed drags. The Cass  is on my list.

Take note that all the wheels drive, including the ones on the tender.

 

I have been to Cass twice, don't miss it.  Choose a clear day for the ride, the mountaintop can fog in.

Edited January 13, 2022 by lynnmor

[squonk 41,071]

Just got this yesterday. Going to get more track. Set it up quick just to try it out. The crabs swim in the aquarium car! 

 

 The Monkeys enjoyed it! 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by squonk

[stevasaurus 22,717]

You need to find a job Mike.    Love the Alaska colors.  

[squonk 41,071]

11 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

You need to find a job Mike.    Love the Alaska colors.  

Check out the Crab Car! 

 

 

[squonk 41,071]

Night Moves

 

 

[8ntruck 6,998]

Turns out that most of my train photos are on the computer in Michigan.  I'm currently in Missouri.  

 

Here are a couple of shots of layouts that we set up at the local train swap meet last November.  Was held in the community center.  Our assigned spot was front and center on the stage.

 

 

The above picture is of our portable Polar Express themed layout.  Unofficially, the kids at the show voted this as the best layout there.  It is 6' by 9', the track climbs uphill for three loops, then dives downhill through a tunnel to start uphill once again.  The lighted track was the new addition this year.  The track lights up as the train runs on those sections of track, then goes out when the train is past.  The lighted track is just in the village section of the layout.  One of the guys involved with the N scale layout behind us thought the lighted track was neat.  Was wishing he could get some in his scale.  

 

 

The steam engine sitting in the center of the loop of track nearest the camera in the above picture dates to somewhere between 1950 and 1952.  Judging by the wear on the wheels and pick up rollers, it has about a million miles on it.  Still runs great.  I brought along a couple of my favorite cars from the early 60's - the rocket launching car and the satellite launching car.  Most kids got a kick out of them when I demonstrated them.  The green car behind the sliver hopper is a Buggs Bunny vs Elmer Fudd box car.  As it rolls down the track, Buggs rises out of one end, Elmer starts to rise out of the other with his shogun, then Buggs ducks.  The younger kids didn't seem to know these characters....

[squonk 41,071]

 

[adsm08 2,047]

I'm working on building a PRR passenger train.

 

I have a set of Pullmans, two coaches, a sleeper, obersvation coach, baggage and mail cars. I ordered a beautiful 4-8-2 steam loco, which is lost in shipping for two weeks now. The seller has been working with me, but I'm still a bit nervous because the locomotive wasn't cheap.

[formariz 11,987]

Here are my Grandsons. The biggest layout. There are several throughout house.All from the 1940s.

 

[squonk 41,071]

Cas love it. I plan on doing the 2 outer ovals like yours. I know I need the 1/4 curves but are there any odd size straight pieces involved. Closest train store is an hour away from me and I want to make sure I have everything I need in 1 trip. I know I can get stuff from the Jungle but I's rather support this store. Plus they have a lot of used track.

[8ntruck 6,998]

Nice layout Cas.  Nice to see one of those log loaders operating.  I have two that need refurbishment.  Does your cattle pen operate?  I had mine set up at a show once, and was demonstrating it.  My cattle weren't being very cooperative.  The people watching  were impressed with the realism -  seems real cattle don't cooperate very well, either.

[8ntruck 6,998]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Cas love it. I plan on doing the 2 outer ovals like yours. I know I need the 1/4 curves but are there any odd size straight pieces involved. Closest train store is an hour away from me and I want to make sure I have everything I need in 1 trip. I know I can get stuff from the Jungle but I's rather support this store. Plus they have a lot of used track.

@squonk You can always custom cut track to fit your needs.  I built a jig for my table saw for that purpose.

 

Lionel sells curves in several difference radii.  You can get 6" spacing between the tracks by using the different curve radii.  Dig through the catalogs on the Lionel web site for more detail.

Edited January 22, 2022 by 8ntruck

[formariz 11,987]

On 1/22/2022 at 9:22 AM, squonk said:

Cas love it. I plan on doing the 2 outer ovals like yours. I know I need the 1/4 curves but are there any odd size straight pieces involved. Closest train store is an hour away from me and I want to make sure I have everything I need in 1 trip. I know I can get stuff from the Jungle but I's rather support this store. Plus they have a lot of used track.

Thank you. My son and his kids are greatly into it. This setup is in garage. It also has a cover that will protect entire table from dust when he uses it to to woodworking without disturbing anything on it. He is always improving it with different electronics. The underside of that table is also impressive with all the wiring. Kids love trains. They also have small setups in their rooms, all from the 1940s.

23 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Nice layout Cas.  Nice to see one of those log loaders operating.  I have two that need refurbishment.  Does your cattle pen operate?  I had mine set up at a show once, and was demonstrating it.  My cattle weren't being very cooperative.  The people watching  were impressed with the realism -  seems real cattle don't cooperate very well, either.

Thank you. Everything they have works. There have been improvements to the log loader . It now loads logs flawlessly every time. The cattle pen also operates flawlessly and there is a milk can loader I believe. He is deep into this including the electronic components which he keeps rebuilding.

[giddyap 1,569]

On 1/11/2022 at 5:28 PM, Stormin said:

  I like to see the videos of some of the layouts you have over there.

 

My train layout has become a permanent fixture in our home because it doesn't require any valuable floor space. Our largest room had several ready made shelves including a full length along the outside wall, the top of the fireplace, a half wall between the kitchen and living room and the foyer closet. Track layout software gave me hours of fun, the correct curve radius and amount of track required. An incline with a 2 degree grade was possible on only one side of a 6" high overpass. In 3 years I have not one derailment. The photos are in sequence and start and finish in the same spot      

[formariz 11,987]

@giddyap Love it. Seen that done in another place and love that idea. Permanent and not interfering with anything including living space.