Layout maintenance
Making the Old Look New Again
I have recently assumed the task of overseeing the enlivening of the scenery on our aging club layout. We have over 600 sq. ft. of surface scenery and hundreds of trees -- all of which are many years old. After a recent addition to the club facility, we are expanding the layout and want the older scenery to regain its liveliness when seen in conjunction with the newer scenery.
We have dusted, swept, vacuumed and brushed -- it still looks "weary!" Short of tearing out and replacing, any suggestions?
Lessons learned from our latest layout setup
The Hill Country Outlaws 0n30 modular group participated in the New Braunfels Train Show this past weekend. Overall, I think the show went quite well. The setup at this show consisted of our core display of an 8' x 24' loop with a wye at one corner. A 12' branch runs off the wye to a transfer table module and turntable. The loop has a passing siding on each side to allow bi-directional running.
Anyone using webcams in the train room?
After recommending that Rob in Texas consider adding a webcam to the club I began to think about doing the same. There are a lot of inexpensive video monitors that are either usb or wireless connected but few talk about compatibility with apps like Skype.
Is anyone using a webcam to share or monitor the layout?
Does the pan & tilt feature work as advertised?
What would you chose to allow an interactive experience as Skype provides?
Thanks!
Neil
I can't recall any articles/videos focusing narrowly on paint touch-up techniques
I've spent many interesting and useful hours viewing videos and reading posts/articles/pdfs about painting (rolling stock and locomotives particularly) but I cannot recall ever coming across anything that focused primarily on repairing minor scratches/dings our models (particularly the ones we actually operate) can accumulate. I have a few items that could use a bit of patch work but I'm not really prepared to strip them down to the bare shell/brass unless boxed into a corner. Some of what I have was purchased painted by the factory so I have no idea what brand
How do you clean your turnout's points?
Lately, I've been using blender sticks that are made of paper. They can be sharpened to a point with a pencil sharpener. I just soak the tip in alcohol.
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Dirty Rails
Recently, I read a letter to the editor of a print magazine that questioned why a club layout suffered from dirty rails. The editor offered cleaning solutions, but no help regarding why the rails might be dirty. IMO, no help at all.
Poor conductivity or ‘dirty rails’ is caused by four sources: Rail Composition, Environment, Rolling Stock, and Maintenance.
Rail Composition
Any experience with smoke units making track dirty?
Anyone on here have experience running smoke units on their layout? Does the track get dirty faster? I would think yes, but it would be nice to find someone with actual experience to confirm this suspicion.
Access options on a very deep urban scene.
Hi all,
I am working on a concept layout that involves a very deep urban scene at some point and i would very much appreciate some input based on similar experiences in dealing with accessibility to parts of such scenes. Main Text and plans on the next post.
Many thanks in advance for your replies!
Yannis
Setting Goals - 21 Weeks / Week 3
Week 2 - 20 weeks remaining
Week 3 - Finishing trackwork
Week 4 - Continue working on Week 3 stuff (eat too much and cycle while the sun is shining!)
Building model trains is, and has been, a lifelong passion.
By definition my hobby is a pastime and not done for income or to please anyone other than myself. That sounds selfish and self centered but really true.
On the other hand I really love to share my efforts with those who understand. This forum has been that community.
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