Hilarious!

And the SW looks good too!

New Locomotive

The Micro-Trains SW1500 looks good. Which decoder did you install, the Digitrax DN126M2?

N scsle MT SW1500

The Branch Rocket is Back!

The Branch Rocket is Back! Those decoders can be tricky, it's one of the reasons I left n scale. Any new updates on your backdrop?

My plan is to purchase a 4x8 sheet of .060 styrene. This sheet will be used for structures, streets, parking lots or concrete pads, detail parts, and of course the backdrop base. Since I rent, I need something lightweight and portable, as well as non permanent. I plan on cutting 12" strips the length of each module for the backdrop base, with the rest of the sheet going towards structures. Cost would be 50-60 dollars online.

Keep us updated!

Love the video

Reminds me of one someone posted in TT scale a while back with stop motion animation.....DaveB

Foamer

Many crews will close the windows and "hide" from the rail fans (foamers) especially if a camera is involved, but should a female (foamette?) show up, then it seems like everybody on the crew wants to take a peek.  Definition of foamer - somebody that foams at the mouth like a rabid dog when they see a train!  Yes, train crews make fun of silly people, the video's railnut would be a prime target for ridicule.

Thank you for your comments, guys!

Suvivaljoe, thank you for your reply. As you can see I used the hardboard for backdrop panels. I don't want paint the closet wall directly and I haven't win the lottery yet so next cheapest option (I think) was this.  I don't know what to do next yet. I don't know the hardboard can take the paint without warping either. I'll read more backdrop articles before doing anything. Please let me know your backdrop progress! I'm looking forward to see your new blog!!

Thank you, DaveB.  It's funny that you mentioned the stop motion movie. I was thinking same thing. Actually, my daughter have a stop motion movie app. Maybe I can move my 1/160 crews like Benny Hill show. I really like your picture on the signature section. Is that a SP engine? Do you model SP? I'd like to see your layout! Please let me know where I can visit to see it!

As always thank you for your first-hand information, fishnmack!  Although, I never did the "Railfanning" myself and I'm not against Railfanning, I can understand RR crews can get annoyed by fans. Especially be taken the pictures. Never know who see it, maybe their Trainmasters see it then get them a trouble. Less attention the better in that sense I think. I guess if I  was a businessman working in the cubicle, then "Businessman buff" showed up and start taking the pictures of me and the cubicle, I think I feel awkward too. Still though, I very much enjoy people's train pictures and one day I want to do Railfanning too!! You can say I'm contradicting myself saying that! Maybe I showed up dress like "formette", the RR crews would appreciate more!(or scare them!)

happy modeling!

dats475

" It's funny that you

     If anyone didn't see the stop motion TT scale video it can be found on youtube by searching for TT scale layout, it's near the top of the results.                                                                                                                                              The SP loco in my sig line is a Lifelike N scale GP20.  The train was shot on my recently dismantled N layout.  I'm working on a new TT scale PRR layout now but don't have much done yet....DaveB

Stop Motion TT Scale Model Railroad Video

Are you guys talking about this model railroad video

TT scale video and Life-Like loco question.

Walthers / Life Like GP38-2

Hi Dats475, I do own two Walters' / Life Like GP38-2's and I think they are every bit as good as the Atlas GP38-2.  The only downside to the Life Like GP38-2's, they are not plug-n-play DCC, but I've successfully installed TCS CN decoders into both of my LL GP38-2's.

LL GP-20

Mine is pretty old, it came with pretty big flanges so I ground them down a bit so it could run on code 55 track . Despite that trauma it runs pretty good on DC,(I imagine it would be hard to convert to DCC ?) .......DaveB

​ 

Life-Like locos

 "Too bad you dismantled the

Yeah, my layout was set further north in the San Joaquin valley. It was a shortline connecting the SP and the ATSF or the UP and BNSF in later days. The backdrop was painted with acrylic paints to roughly match some google street view scenes I brought up on an Ipad, that shot would be looking at the Sierra Nevada on the east side of the valley.....DaveB  

Life Like GP38-2

The motor has to be isolated from the frame. I used Kapton tape available from TCS to isolate the motor after soldering the orange and gray wires to the motor brush leads. 

Then you need to use a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to add slots to the front of the frame to accept the front DCC board.

From that point just add the wires between the front board and the rear board per the TCS CN instruction sheet.

Adding the decoder sounds harder than it really is. It does require that you completely disassemble the model to add the motor wires to the motor and to cut the slots in the front of the frame for the front DCC board.

Believe me, I'm not an expert and if I can do this project, anyone can

A switch failure.

I was also once called a

I was also once called a "trainiac" by a conductor when I was riding Amtrak from Orlando to Tampa and back for fun.  He said it in good humor and actually chatted with me a few minutes.

Murphy's Law video

Hi Dats475, Your new video is very entertaining. I like the brake shoe smoke and the sounds of the flat spot on the wheel, very nice.

For your turnout question, from time to time I'll clean my Atlas turnouts with a old tooth brush and alcohol.

I place a few drops of 50% isopropyl alcohol on the contact strips that run between the point rails and the stock rails with a pipette. 

Then scrub the contract strips with a old tooth brush. Be careful you don't damage the turnout.

Don't use more than 50% isopropyl alcohol as you don't want to melt the plastic parts or loosen your ballast.

LOL...Another Great Video

That new video is great, had the kids watching it earlier. Seriously reminds me of watching Thomas when I was a kid. Keep em coming! I subbed to your channel too.

Did you ever get around to trying the india ink? Any updates on the backdrop?

Those switches can be a real pain too. Did you check to see if the trucks are riding up over the throw housing? Also, sometimes with the insulated frog you can also lose power at low speed if you land on the sweet spot.

Awesome videos and layout!

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your videos! What a great little layout and the videos were both hilarious and provided a good overview of the trackplan and operations. Great job and I hope you will post more videos.

Regarding the hardboard backdrops. My last "large" layout had Masonite backdrops painted with latex paint. No problems whatsoever with warping.

With my current limited space, you've inspired me to break out my 2x4 module and create a small N scale switching layout. I only hope my 56 year old eyes are up to the task! 

Thank you for encourage

Thank you for encourage comment Dr. John. I appreciate very much.

According to rumors, my tiny train crews are missing from active roster. 
One guy said that the brakeman failed the book of rule class 2nd time waiting for retake. Apparently, he answered “Stop and proceed” indication “Stop and just go” on the signal test and failed it.
The engineer refused take an engine with overflowed toilet and got fight with a Road foreman. He is out of service for awhile but enjoying this “forced vacation” went to deer hunting.
The Conductor was just marked off 10 days for attending The Elvis Presley impersonator show in Las Vegas and got a problem with a Trainmaster. 
The union is working on their cases now.  They will be back soon.
The truth is the superintendent of the division (me) making the moves (operation the railroad) by himself having a great fun despite of union contract violation. He is drilling cars on a yard job and running a local job all by himself and sometime he just runs his engine in circle over and over like teenager’s joy ride. Even he abandons his job in 10min sometimes.
Good thing that nobody complain about it.
M.of W. Guys working in a switch at west end of The Closet siding since two days ago. installing a short guardrail.

Joyful modeling!!

Operations

Dats475, You are not alone, It's not uncommon for my Long Valley Branch crew to circle the branch 10 times before stopping in Long Valley to drop off or pickup a car. Then they'll park the locomotives at the coal loader and run off for refreshments. Of course I can't blame them as the current contract rate of pay is $0 per hour and their union rep left town years ago. So the old contract stays in effect until they get new representation. 

Did I mention a new operator has been assigned to operate the Long Valley Branch. The P&LE is now operating the Long Valley Branch and business is booming despite the infrequent service

Q&A

Hello,

The Closet Branch Q&A.
Q. Are you still here?
A. Yes, I'm still here.
Q. Are you still in the closet. I thought you are giving up.
A. Yes, I'm still in the closet. Doing things.
Q. Is your closet stinks?
A. Yes.
Q. Anything new then?
A. No, I tried to print out my backdrop but I got out of ink.
Q. Are you going to buy a new ink now?
A. No, the black ink still works.
Q. Are you cheap?
A. Yes.
Q. So why are you here?
A. I made a new video.
Q. Is this video any good?
A. No.
Q. Are you running out of ideas?
A. Yes.

Oh No......

Dats475, That is too funny. I really like the safety rule answers, I'm still laughing, especially the one about the lemon juice 

How about a video showing the crew working the General Food spur. I'm thinking that is the gray building with the covered hopper unloading shed?