Wiredup Wrote:i'll be trying a similar thing with my modern roundhouse. What would you do differently about that application now?

also, where did the crane come from? is it part of the kit?

I would not do any of the track different. The crane was a cut down version of this Walthers kit.
http://fiferhobbysu770.corecommerce.com/...il&p=11603
And I scratch built the traveling rails in the building as it does not come with the crane for some reason.
Mike

Mike...Nice going with that shop..!! I'll have to revisit this video to see what all is in there so I can populate my roundhouse with some equipment....
One glimmer of hope...I saw in a close-up in your video, that a portion oi the scenery looks a little bit like mine....So I must be doing something right...I just need to add a bit of reddish/brown tones to give it a bit of variety....
Keep the videos comin'....

Steamtrains Wrote:Mike...Nice going with that shop..!! I'll have to revisit this video to see what all is in there so I can populate my roundhouse with some equipment....
One glimmer of hope...I saw in a close-up in your video, that a portion oi the scenery looks a little bit like mine....So I must be doing something right...I just need to add a bit of reddish/brown tones to give it a bit of variety....
Keep the videos comin'....

Yes Gus , I do use some pretty drastic orange and reds but just remember to thin them down well after they get applied and let them run out.
Glad you found some useful info.
Mike

Merry Christmas to all!
Here is what I added this weekend to the ACTRR.
I have put in a 4 track yard on the front edge of the layout to handle all of my rolling stock that will not be on "made up" trains. Also added another Electro-magnetic un-coupler and the two caboose tracks double as the program tracks. I only had to make a small adjustment to the panel, by adding 1 DPDT switch to the program track and make the old program track switch a block switch.









Thanks , Mike

WoW Mike...That's an awful lot of track in that yard..!! You'll be able to store a bunch of cars there...
The scene will look great once you finish it...with that depot sitting there and the rest of the car/engine facilities....The backdrop and clouds really bring the whole thing together..!!

That backdrop is fantastic. I especially like the tie-in to the layout in the upper right corner of the last photo. Excellent work.

Layout is turning out great! Your backdrop looks wonderful! That yard is very nice. I have been enjoying watching your layout go up and the videos have been fun to watch.

Thanks Gus , Gary and Scott . I am hoping to get more time over the holidays to work on it.
Thanks Again , Mike

Hi Mike and Rob, Just found your site and RR last evening, I am looking to start in N and didn't know where or how to begin, did a search and found your AC&T, It is fantastic and a credit to you both well done and keep up the excellent work whilst having fun.
Perhaps if you get a moment to spare you can point in in the right direction regarding Kato unitrack and the best way to start either kits or individiual track pieces. I am in the UK but intend modelling a US Railroad, I have a shed 13 feet by 10 feet so I should get a decent layout funds permitting of course?
Looking forward to the start of what looks to be a great hobby.
Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all members.
Darreldoo

Holy smackers! That's awesome!

Thanks Tetters and Darreldoo we will be glad to help in your new adventure and welcome to the Big Blue group.
Mike

This is a 2009 Hallmark ornament that I have re-worked. I removed all the snow and trimed off the snow base and put a new roof on. Then touched up the paint and added a few trim pieces anf here you go.







Thanks , Mike

Wow Mike...you're really moving right along. My compliments on the trackwork.

Did you use Kato-track everywhere or did you transition to Code 80 snap track? The reason I ask is that I just got my El Capitan yesterday with the Kato track included and don't know what to do with the stuff. I could use it on my layout on the back mainline very near a wall/ceiling juncture that will be hard to ballast, but was wondering how easy/difficult it is attaching the Kato track to Atlas Code 80 flex. Any experience doing this?

Also, do you plan on a skim coat of ballast over the Kato track or leaving it the way it is? On my first layout, I used the Bachmann EZ-track and lightly ballasted over the top of it, which made the overall roadbed slightly wider, but made it look better IMHO. Since the Kato track is already multi-color, it already looks better than the Bachmann track, and I thought Kato sells a matching ballast that could be used.

Great job...really like watching the progress.

Herc Driver Wrote:Wow Mike...you're really moving right along. My compliments on the trackwork.

Did you use Kato-track everywhere or did you transition to Code 80 snap track? The reason I ask is that I just got my El Capitan yesterday with the Kato track included and don't know what to do with the stuff. I could use it on my layout on the back mainline very near a wall/ceiling juncture that will be hard to ballast, but was wondering how easy/difficult it is attaching the Kato track to Atlas Code 80 flex. Any experience doing this?

Also, do you plan on a skim coat of ballast over the Kato track or leaving it the way it is? On my first layout, I used the Bachmann EZ-track and lightly ballasted over the top of it, which made the overall roadbed slightly wider, but made it look better IMHO. Since the Kato track is already multi-color, it already looks better than the Bachmann track, and I thought Kato sells a matching ballast that could be used.

Great job...really like watching the progress.

I used all Kato track.
You can transition pretty easy.
No ballast , that is what I was getting away from. I do ballast between tracks with Kato ballast but then paint the track.
Thanks Herc , Mike

Thanks for the info! Really like the church btw...you wrote that was a Hallmark - as in card company? Great idea for a structure. Several years ago I bought (after Christmas at a steal price) the Hallmark UP "Veranda" Turbine, tender, and cattle car. Probably the closest thing I'll see in a Veranda UP Turbine in Nscale. Sits pretty on a shelf. Maybe one day, Athearn will do one...maybe...just maybe.