Current Projects

[LiveSteamer]

I love the weathering...  it could fit right in with my fleet...

Thank you. I think it looks pretty good and shows it is definitely worked hard.

[LiveSteamer]

Today I got the MT-4 slug out and finished putting the handrails on it. Another step closer but I did mate it up with GP40 #3091 and ran it on some track and it ran smoothly. The grinding that was found before was fixed by replacing the wheels. I was worried that this wasn't going to fix it and it would end up being a static display but it fixed it. Now all that is left to do is order more decals so I can finish the other side and get the number boards in place and oh I forgot, I have to finish weathering it as well. 

   

[TMo]

Nice set of power, Matt. That slug was a nice project.

[LiveSteamer]

Nice set of power, Matt.  That slug was a nice project.

Thank you. It definitely was a nice project and I really enjoyed it. Now that it is nearly complete, I kind of want to build a MT-6.

[bdw9535]

Matt,

Good looking units, glad to hear that you're solved your vibration problem.  If you get a chance check out a Conrail modeler named CRSteve on YouTube, he has built four CR MT-6 slugs and did a video on how he did one of them.  I just found this last night when the grandkids were over, he has quite a few videos about his layout and the different builds he has done.  He also is a truck driver.

Bruce

[LiveSteamer]

Matt,

Good looking units, glad to hear that you're solved your vibration problem.  If you get a chance check out a Conrail modeler named CRSteve on YouTube, he has built four CR MT-6 slugs and did a video on how he did one of them.  I just found this last night when the grandkids were over, he has quite a few videos about his layout and the different builds he has done.  He also is a truck driver.

Bruce

Bruce,

Thank you. Yes I found him a couple weeks ago and haven't made it through all his video's. I will be looking for that video after I post this. I am happy that I solved the vibration issue as well. It was driving me crazy trying to figure out what could be wrong.

[LiveSteamer]

A huge update. On monday me and my fiance were in Altoona for an appointment and after that appointment we went to a hobby shop that we noticed over the weekend. It is one of those tucked away places that if you don't know it's there, you will miss it. They have all kind of things from model trains, track, scenery product to ceramic dishes. The fiance found tinker toys at a great price ( $19.99 ) for a complete set and I found 15ft of HO Scale Cork Roadbed for $4.49. We both walked away with a great deal on what we picked up. I looked around on the internet and for 15ft of roadbed, it definitely would have cost me more to buy it off the internet. Anyways, once we got home I went to work on the the engine facility, making sure the tracks were straight and to where I wanted them because there was no turning back once I started. I got everything where I want it to be and the fun began. 

I have never used the cork roadbed before and this was a learning experience for me. I watched numerous YouTube videos on how to lay it down and how to cut the cork for switches. I dont' think I did to bad of a job for my first time doing it and as the work went on, it was easier to see how to cut the cork for the switches. Once I completed all of that, I laid the track down and started to tack it in place. I can honestly say I was extremely nervous doing this but below are pictures of what has all been done. Now it's time to get some ballast and to raise the engine facility up some so the engines have some breathing room going in and out. I am planning on making the floor in the engine facility "concrete" and that will be another first for me.

One video I watched recommended that you scan your switches and print them off. So I did just that and it helped a whole bunch. 
   

   

   

   

   

[tompm]

Great job on the track laying thus far.

[ngauger]

Cork always looks good and it makes the tracklaying easier. Great job so far!

[jim currie]

nice. the real plus of cork is the fact that trains run a lot quieter on plywood.
Jim

[LiveSteamer]

Thank you all.

Jim, that is one thing I did notice, how much more quiet the trains run back and forth.

[TMo]

Easy to ballast, too! Lookin' good, Matt. My dog would be flippin' out if I ran trains over his cage... I gotta lock him upstairs if I run trains - he hates seeing them move.

[LiveSteamer]

Easy to ballast, too!  Lookin' good, Matt. My dog would be flippin' out if I ran trains over his cage...  I gotta lock him upstairs if I run trains - he hates seeing them move.

Thank you. Our dogs don’t even bother my trains. It’s the cat I have to worry about lol.

[LiveSteamer]

Ok everyone, I have a question. What can be used to make concrete for inside of my engine facility? I’ve seen a couple different ways of doing it but what would you all suggest?

[jim currie]

Easy to ballast, too!  Lookin' good, Matt. My dog would be flippin' out if I ran trains over his cage...  I gotta lock him upstairs if I run trains - he hates seeing them move.

Thank you. Our dogs don’t even bother my trains. It’s the cat I have to worry about lol.

sprinkle a some paprika or fine grind black pepper it will detour most cats as they like to smell things.
Jim