Quote from: SteamGene on July 15, 2007, 08:21:40 AM
One truck should be looser than the other.

Really? So do you have to put them on always faceing one direction? Sounds wierd, or maybe (most likely) I misread.

Insulators. That could be it. If they're not there, shorts galore!

Great! Did you ever see the museum pictures with the collapsed roof (dumb question, EVERYONE has!)?

Sorry, the era is 1930's-early/mid 1950's.

Yes, we're starting small first. At least once a month, our friends are coming to help build benchwork. I'm having trouble juggling scenery with cities & operations. I'd like it to have at least one loop so one or two trains can run the layout without any problems.

I'm pretty sure New York will be our east ending point, but it'll be a "non-existit" city (a couple special marked tracks in a 2'x10.5' staging yard, along with other track). I need a spot in the west, I'm looking at San Fransisco, Oakland, or Seatle.

Other railroads will be seen, like Reading, Erie, New Haven, Milwaukee, Nickel Plate, Southern Pacific, etc. just because they worked with other RR's.

Oh, and the dimensions are 20'x22'-6" . The 2'x10.5' staging is in a different room.

Thanks a lot,

The only one I've been to is the one in Strasburg, PA. They've got a GG1 (that I don't remeber seeing cause I was 4 but we got a picture so it's there. ) I'd love to see the one in Baltimore.

I guess I'm the only one from the Garden State of NJ? In the middle of South Jersey, and hour from Philly and an hour from Atlantic City.

I saw someone do it, or someone had it and explained it.

My guess, there are blue spots on Henry because his original coat was blue, so this looks like the transition scheme!

I can use this info, too, thanks!

I never glued my track down, or used foam, so, I'm learning!

Finally, a bigger basement! My main idea is Chicago Union Terminal. I've narrowed it down to 9 RR's: PRR, NYC, B&O, C&O, UP, GN, (AT&)SF, CB&Q, and N&W. PRR, NYC, B&O, and C&O are on the east side, UP, GN, (AT&)SF, and CB&Q are on the west side, and N&W is both.

I'll have to figure out how/when I can get the layout drawing on here, anyone got a giant scanner!? Drawings are made and copied, but thery're not computer files yet.

I'd like to hear from other modelers, I've already given at least 8 of the drawing copies out .

Any tips on benchwork, track, locos, passenger/freight, operations (ideas for operating sessions are well appericiated), scenery, buildings, ANYTHING!!!

Thanks a lot,

I'd:
1. plywood-homosote-cork-track
2. plywood-homosote-foam-cork-track

Installation. *I recommend a push drill at some points*:
1. glue the homosote to the plywood.
2. glue down the foam
3. put down the cork (glue if you want).
4. nail down the cork.
5. laydown the flex track (I wouldn't recommend gluing yet).
6. make small holes for track power wires (with tool of choice).
7. use a push drill to drill through the ties (at your spot of choice, glue first if you want), then spike down the ties.
8. finish track connections and wiring.

If you want to bank you tracks:
1. follow above until you get to #5.
2. get very thin styriene strips, varying in thickness (I'll get measurements later).
3. slide them under the outside rim of the ties (thinest to thickest to thinest).
4. use the push drill through the styriene and spike down.
5. pick up from #5 above and go on.

At the end of both, of course, lay down your gravel, glue it, and drop a train on it!

I didn't use foam , I might on the next layout (construction should begin soon! ). A push drill goes through homosote as well as it does foam.

You shouldn't run them outside because squrils don't know if they should run or ride them like a 1-1/2" gauge.

I'd say because if it rains, it cloud damage the locos/cars and the track. Plus, HO is small, so they're probably (if not, totally) able to be destroyed by a small, windy thunderstorm.

Outdoor HO would be cool, but until people figure something out, USE A GREEN HOUSE! (I'm going to try that ).

Con-Cor makes the M-10000. They also made the Pioneer Zephyr and the coming-out-soon Aerotrain. The M-10000 is going-to-be-coming-out in Winter 2007-2008.

Right now, I'm waiting for Rapido Trains' Turbotrain!

Those writing effects are awesome