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English Mobster
March 19th, 2009, 01:26 AM
Today was the day I began work on my first Model Railroad. I have an entire room all to myself, as long as I leave a pathway to one of the doors and leave room for Centipede, an arcade game which can't find any other home in the house.
After drawing up several paper versions of the plans and a version using Adobe Photoshop, I finally bought some track planning software called "Anyrail".
The result, after 4 renditions 5 renditions 6 renditions, was this:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/layout-2.jpg
The lighter the shade of grey, the higher up the section is. With the exception, of course, of the doors, conveniently labeled "Door".
(Yes, I borrowed the name "Bohan" from Grand Theft Auto.)
Last night I went down to the Home Depot and bought some wood. Today was the first full day of construction, and I managed to get 1/4 of the benchwork completed.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180339.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180338-1.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180341.jpg
What the layout looked like around 4 PM. Also, what the room itself looks like.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180342.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180344.jpg
What it looked like when I stopped construction at 7:30 PM. I basically took 3 1x2s, then bolted them on top of a 1x4. Since each beam was only 5 feet, and I need 16 feet, I cut one of the beams in half and spliced them together to get 2 15-foot sections. I'll have to add on another foot later, but I'm happy with this for now.
I now have to make legs before laying down several wood beams that match the width of the different sections of the layout. After that I have to buy some plywood and lay that down on top. From there, I can purchase some track and begin construction on the actual railroad.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3180345.jpg
While the only engine I currently have is a Union Pacific switcher (a gift from my Grandfather, an avid "trainfan" and Model Railroader since the 1950's), I'm planning to model the Santa Fe railroad as it was beginning its merger into the BNSF railroad company (2001-2003 era). As such, a mix of Santa Fe and BNSF locomotives will be found on the layout.
As for the projected cost, the track alone should cost around $1753, a pretty penny. As such, I'll only buy more track when I need it.
Pictures will be added as the layout expands.

Stats:
Scale: HO (1:87, I believe)
Railroad: Santa Fe/BNSF
Benchwork Height: 42"
Layout Length: 16'
Layout Width: 6'-9'
Maximum Grade: 2.5%
Minimum Curve Radius: 24"
Maximum Height above benchwork: 9"
Total Track Length: 369.41 ft

E: 3/20/09:
Placed an order today.
Bought 3 Santa Fe Hopper Cars (http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=931-651)and a BNSF Caboose (http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=931-520) (Yes, I KNOW they don't exist IRL, so sue me. How else will I know if any of my cars came uncoupled?). Both are going to go into the Coal Mine, which is probably one of the first areas to get constructed.

E: 3/27/09:
Still no traincars.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240966.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240967.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240968.jpg
Legs go up, I thought I grabbed a shot of the beams I used to secure it (and the brace I used to tie the bottom legs together), but I didn't. I'll have to get one when I can.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3250975.jpg
Using 2 doors to plan my layout, changing them out with some plywood later. I stuck a model of the Walt Disney World steam engine on the old, non-functional track for fun.

4/1/09:
Yesterday I mapped out the plywood I got for cutting and began to show off my new cars:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310346.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310347.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310348.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310349.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310350.jpg
Chances are, you probably didn't get any of that.
Any number like 3" or 4" means how high that section of wood will be above the board.
Any area with a percent, like 2.5%, means that that area is going to be a slope to the different levels.
Any higher number, like 30" or 32" or 28" is going to be the radius of my curves.
And, finally, any lines which are crossed through are areas which I screwed up my measurements on or just didn't look right in general, and they tell me NOT TO CUT THERE. I put a lot so that way it might penetrate my thick skull. :P
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310351.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310352.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310355.jpg
Among the cooler things I found was a railroad crossing where the gates automatically lifted to allow a train through. It's going to need to be repainted though.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310354.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310353.jpg

Today, I finally cut my plywood and began putting my hills together. Also, I used 2 wires I found and a couple clothespins as a ghetto way of getting power to my currently 1-track yard-long layout.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010361.jpg
(Don't focus on the Pepsi bottle, focus on the fact that the TRACK is higher!)http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010362.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010363.jpg
(About the graffiti: The house I'm moving in to was previously rented out by a tenant who was... Not happy about leaving. She hadn't paid her rent in 2 years, had everything in a different name, and was generally exploiting the system in every way possible so she could live large without spending a lot. We currently are pursuing a lawsuit against her for damages to the house, and the fact that bills for things which are in one of her alias names are constantly showing up to the door are ensuring that she might face some legal fines as well.)
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010364.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010365.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010366.jpg


5/7/09:
Long time, no new pics.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070218.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070219.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070220.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070224.jpg
Also:
Centipede Arcade game I HAVE to have in there (going to need to cut that wood):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070221.jpg
Random Santa Fe Passenger cars I found in a box in my shed:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070222.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070223.jpg

10/21/09:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437b.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091439.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091439a.jpg

12/6/09:
hr7sqw7cLsM

Some recent news:

I was at what essentially amounts to a model train swap meet in the Ontario Convention Center (in Ontario, CA, the convention center is just a few blocks from my house, actually), from which I acquired 2 new engines: a Santa Fe Dash 8 (the red engine in the video above) and a Santa Fe GP-50 to complement my OTHER Santa Fe SD-40. The GP-50/SD-40 team will eventually be used for light freight duty and switching coal cars at the coal yard; the Dash 8 will be used for heavy jobs like pulling coal or container trains. And yes, I WILL repaint some of the train cars and make them TF2 colors with "Red" and "Blu" on them, just because I'm cool like that. Look at the TF2 train prefabs in Hammer to see what I'm talking about.
Since my last update, I have been working on the technical side of things. This means working out the bugs and working with electricity. Lots of working with electricity. Electricity is fun for your body and for your soul. Electricity loves you.

And I didn't forget pictures.
NEW TRAINZZZZZ:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091621.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091621a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091624a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091638.jpg
(GAAAAAH INSTRUCTIONS)
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091633.jpg
AND TINY PARTS TO WORK WITH :gonk:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091624.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091629.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091629a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091630.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091638a.jpg
Train car loaded with nails for trackwork on-the-go = :iamafag:

And let's take a look under the hood:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091639.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091639a.jpg
Every little bit of track is now wired up and ready to go. The train now has very little issues getting to any place on the entire layout; although the switch to the coal yard needs to be replaced (it causes a shitload of derailments).

2/22/10:
I'm ripping out all the older tracks and replacing them with some better tracks better suited for the (somewhat) new technology behind the trains:
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186983969186_1665916228_437957_4573780_n.jp g
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs483.snc3/26430_1186991049363_1665916228_437988_748105_n.jpg
My trains are now in the digital age. I'm using a VERY old DCC (Digital Command Control) controller now, meaning that I can run more than one train at once, play sounds from each engine, remotely uncouple cars, and hook my trainboard directly into a computer. The top picture is the controller itself (a relic from the early 2000s, the newer ones are VERY expensive and can do MUCH more), the bottom picture is the specialized programming track.
I also got a new engine for Christmas:
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984009187_1665916228_437958_4462663_n.jp g
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984049188_1665916228_437959_5370281_n.jp g
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984089189_1665916228_437960_5063468_n.jp g
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984289194_1665916228_437965_5959729_n.jp g
And, finally, a look at the new layout. I haven't ripped out ALL of the old tracks yet; I need about 35 more switches to completely replace all my switching yards. The only old tracks which will stay are the ones which are supported by pylons, as the new tracks aren't designed for those pylons and thus I would have to buy some more.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984129190_1665916228_437961_4009272_n.jp g
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984169191_1665916228_437962_6021045_n.jp g
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984209192_1665916228_437963_5307488_n.jp g
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984249193_1665916228_437964_8054888_n.jp g
The black things in the tracks are little uncouplers which can uncouple cars for me. I have 3 on the tracks, but I also have 3 more to place.

6/13/10:
Mann Co., working on contract for Builders League United, LLC, and Reliable Excavation and Demolition, LLC, announces rail service to Well.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010001.jpg
Okay, so maybe the buildings aren't there yet (no scenery has been placed, and I need to get off my ass and scratch-build it), but it will be Well eventually. I plan to make little RED and BLU figures and place them around the tracks. My ultimate goal is to place a speaker inside the building hooked up to a computer which is playing a loop of an Arena_Well match.
As I was pressed for space, this Well is a conglomerate of Arena_Well and CP_Well, meaning that it has about as many tracks as Arena_Well (CP_Well has 9 tracks and 2 waterways, Arena_Well has 7 tracks and 0 waterways.
As I was out of space for switches, this Well has 5 tracks and 2 waterways), the waterways of CP_Well, and a cut-down spawn building from Arena_Well, to save space for the nearby main lines and yard.


Moving on.
New engine (and some new cars) are in service. The red Santa Fe Dash 8 I was showing off had a bit of a motor malfunction, causing it to become a brick. I took the motor out entirely (you can see it on the flatcar in the Well pic), turning the Dash 8 into a dummy to be pushed around by other units. All of my plastic supports have been demolished; they were flimsy and just unsafe in general. The bottom level is complete (except for the yard and diesel shop) and needs a double pull, double throw switch to become operational and prevent a short.
New engine:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010003.jpg
New engine pushing dummy Dash 8:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010002.jpg
(Mostly) complete bottom level (north end):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010004.jpg
(Mostly) complete bottom level (south end):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010005.jpg


Mann Co., working on contract for Builders League United, LLC, and Reliable Excavation and Demolition, LLC, is currently working on completing rail service to Badlands and Freight. Freight is estimated to be completed this summer, Valve Time. Badlands is estimated to be completed before Christmas, Valve Time.

E: For those curious as to the loads of those cars:
Car 1: Track cleaner (rides below the boxcar, makes track nice and clean)
Car 2: Screws
Car 3: Nails
Car 4: Coal
Car 5: Former load of coal (I got gypped.)
Car 6: Bent screws
Car 7: Industrial-strength magnet (for picking up spilled loads of preceding cars)
Car 8: Caboose
paladin
March 19th, 2009, 01:33 AM
I had an HO set up on a 4'x12' table when i was younger. I spent hours on it. Good luck.
n00b1n8R
March 19th, 2009, 03:41 AM
This is relevant to my interests (the terrain more than the trains though).
SnaFuBAR
March 19th, 2009, 04:56 AM
I had an HO scale set when I was a kid. There was nowhere for me to keep it constructed, so I'd set it all up differently every time. How are you going to sculpt the terrain? With styrofoam and acetone?
n00b1n8R
March 19th, 2009, 05:09 AM
Have you got any plans on how you'd go about deconstructing it when you move out?

Also, I'm interested in how you'd use acetone to shape styrofoam?
Most methods I read involve high density foam, hot wire cutters and sand paper.
rossmum
March 19th, 2009, 05:10 AM
Oh man, I always wanted to do this as a kid. I had trains out the ears, but the only one that ran under its own power was an HO Hornby, a little red one... the rest were mixed scales. I had a lot of mismatched N track and some HO track, but never enough to build a serious setup with, just little loops and things and run my toys about on flat cars. The bitter irony is that for nearly a year, we lived in a ridiculously huge mansion and I had 11 bedrooms to myself :(

e/ it melts it, if I recall correctly
SnaFuBAR
March 19th, 2009, 05:23 AM
Well,n00b, acetone breaks down styrofoam. iirc you can splash it, drizzle it, or use it in a spray bottle to get different effects.
n00b1n8R
March 19th, 2009, 05:26 AM
Ah, figures I probably wouldn't have heard of it then (I'm more interested in wargame terrain, so realism (especially natural features) is more of a luxury then a necessity).
RobertGraham
March 19th, 2009, 06:47 AM
You took my fucking dream as a kid :smith:
rossmum
March 19th, 2009, 07:13 AM
Ah, figures I probably wouldn't have heard of it then (I'm more interested in wargame terrain, so realism (especially natural features) is more of a luxury then a necessity).
Why not have both?

All-out war in a rail marshalling yard. Awesome.
n00b1n8R
March 19th, 2009, 07:25 AM
It's a matter of practicality.
You're playing a game with miniatures. Gently rolling hills aren't an option since top heavy models will easily fall on their ass (potentially breaking something). You can't have nice dense forests as that makes placing mini's a bitch. It all comes to balance, and since the terrain is made to play games, on, practicality always comes first.

The real art in wargames terrain comes from getting that ballance just right (beutiful terrain that is still practical to play on)

That, and people are generally more interested in investing time into playing the game over modeling pretty terrain to play on.
English Mobster
March 19th, 2009, 09:01 AM
I had an HO scale set when I was a kid. There was nowhere for me to keep it constructed, so I'd set it all up differently every time. How are you going to sculpt the terrain? With styrofoam and acetone?
Exactly.

And as for the mountains, I've found that paper mache works wonders. Looks real, too.


Why not have both?

All-out war in a rail marshalling yard. Awesome.
You know, I actually saw a layout which had a war going on all over it at a train show last weekend. There were tanks everywhere, and one cool thing they added was an airplane which came out of a cloud and divebombed a group of soldiers (complete with sound effects) before going back into the cloud.
All the trains were carrying war supplies, too. It was pretty neat to see.
Reaper Man
March 19th, 2009, 09:25 AM
Oh god, I've always wanted to do this D: I too had a train set when I was a kid. It was a nice mini one, and I built a table with some basic hills and a bridge on it, where it ran.
Limited
March 19th, 2009, 10:34 AM
I had an OO set when I was younger, Dad and I built a few, never finished them though, time was an issue you see.

Hopefully you will finish yours :D

This isnt mine, a random Google image but it shows what British Great Western Railway's ones are like.
http://www.team-triplet.com/TTimages/2005/P5153278.jpg
Hotrod
March 19th, 2009, 10:38 AM
Man, I've always loved those things, though never got to play around with them. :(

I'm actually really interested to see where you'll go with this.
Sever
March 19th, 2009, 12:16 PM
I've seen one that depicts a bunch of civilians and civil srvants engaging in less-than-pristine activities. It was humorously awesome. There were robberies, murders, sexual acts and vandalism going on in a formerly picturesque small town. It even had police beatings!
Varmint260
March 19th, 2009, 01:05 PM
Man... I had a 5'x10' plywood table set up with HO-scale track about 6-8 years ago. Still have all the parts but I have no place to set them up. Had a dozen cars, three locomotives (Canadian National locomotives and Canadian Pacific Rail tug) and a ton of Hot Wheels running around the thing. Sure, the HO scale and the Hot Wheels don't exactly match up... at all... but DAMN it was fun. Hope you have tons of fun with this... and ignore my obvious jealous looks for not having a room to build this stuff in for myself :(
teh lag
March 19th, 2009, 01:10 PM
My childhood dream :'(

Good luck with this. I can't wait to see it done.
Joshflighter
March 19th, 2009, 01:18 PM
All boys first start off wanting to make a train set, and then when they grow up... they want guns... Aha. :p

Anyways, I had a train set once, my brothers spent hundreds of dollars.. Then we had to move.. and it was all destroyed. :(

I would love to see this go further though. :p
English Mobster
March 19th, 2009, 07:20 PM
*Sigh*
Construction on the legs will have to wait until Monday or so, when I can borrow my friend's saw and get a nice, straight cut (Don't want to have a wobbly table).
On the bright side, my order of track just went in ($100 to get started), and should ship from New Jersey in 3-4 business days.
Rob Oplawar
March 19th, 2009, 07:34 PM
Dude, I have always wanted to do that. I used to be really into trains as a kid, and still love them, as a matter of fact. I was really into steam locomotives (nowadays anything steam powered gets me going).

I like seeing your work on the benchwork. It looks like you know what you're doing. :) Please do keep updating this thread, I want to see how it goes. Good luck, and of course, enjoy!
StankBacon
March 19th, 2009, 08:23 PM
good luck man, i have a pretty sweet old locomotive that used to be my grandfathers... it didn't work for years but i opened her up and fixed it... its attention to detail is awesome.

i never had a complex track system tho, only some turns and switch tracks on the floor.

i also had a n scale train set before (i think it was n) thing was tiny lol, but it burnt out from overuse :p
rossmum
March 19th, 2009, 08:37 PM
Dude, I have always wanted to do that. I used to be really into trains as a kid, and still love them, as a matter of fact. I was really into steam locomotives (nowadays anything steam powered gets me going).

I like seeing your work on the benchwork. It looks like you know what you're doing. :) Please do keep updating this thread, I want to see how it goes. Good luck, and of course, enjoy!
I love mechanical things, especially if they're steam-powered. We used to go to all the steam fairs in England, those owned.

e/


All boys first start off wanting to make a train set, and then when they grow up... they want guns... Aha. :p

Anyways, I had a train set once, my brothers spent hundreds of dollars.. Then we had to move.. and it was all destroyed. :(

I would love to see this go further though. :p
I get my No.4 Mk.I Lee-Enfield soon, but I still want a massive trainset. And a Spitfire. :smith:
English Mobster
March 20th, 2009, 08:12 PM
Placed another order today.
Bought 3 Santa Fe Hopper Cars (http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=931-651)and a BNSF Caboose (http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=931-520) (Yes, I KNOW they don't exist IRL, so sue me. How else will I know if any of my cars came uncoupled?).
Rob Oplawar
March 22nd, 2009, 07:59 PM
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e98_1237657552
:aaaaa:

If I ever go to Germany (and I plan to at some point or another), I have to check this place out.
English Mobster
March 23rd, 2009, 03:41 AM
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e98_1237657552
:aaaaa:

If I ever go to Germany (and I plan to at some point or another), I have to check this place out.
HOLY.
FUCKING.
SHIT.

E: Also, my track came today via FedEx. I didn't know FedEx even delivered on Sundays, but I guess they do.
Can't do much with it yet, of course! I don't have any plywood laid down...
StankBacon
March 23rd, 2009, 03:57 AM
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry has a very impressive scale city as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbg1vXYWoeE&feature=related

ive seen it in person, and it is truly a awesome sight.
n00b1n8R
March 23rd, 2009, 04:22 AM
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e98_1237657552
:aaaaa:

If I ever go to Germany (and I plan to at some point or another), I have to check this place out.
http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-gizz.gif
FlyingStone
March 23rd, 2009, 06:17 AM
Oh man. Me and my dad still have a ton of track that we bought for doing a project just like this. We used styrofoam, big thick 1", for a base. We were going to do a coal mine type set up where the train would run through the mine and a town.

However we never finished it because we had to move...so we ripped it all apart, saved the track, train, and the bridge for a little while..until I smashed it. Looks like your on the right track with this though, have fun.
Joshflighter
March 23rd, 2009, 08:16 AM
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e98_1237657552
:aaaaa:

If I ever go to Germany (and I plan to at some point or another), I have to check this place out.

Wow, just.. WOW.
sevlag
March 23rd, 2009, 08:30 AM
I remember my old train set, a loop with two switches that made the oval shorter or longer, then I got some old beat up tracks from a cousin and turned it into a LARGER oval (no creativity as a kid, I swear) but model train sets are a wonderful thing from simple ovals to those elaborate setups that utilize insulator plugs to close the flow of electricity to a section or sections of track (like a roundhouse or a siding where the locomotive is kept)

good luck my friend...

wow...just wow, awesome find from germany...
rossmum
March 23rd, 2009, 09:27 AM
those elaborate setups that utilize insulator plugs to close the flow of electricity to a section or sections of track (like a roundhouse or a siding where the locomotive is kept)
Oh man. I remember when I was visiting a friend down at Lane Cove a few weeks after we moved out here from the UK, and we were playing with his Lego trainset. I think he's a few years older than me; at the time I was either seven or just turned eight. I wanted to build sidings, but he said if it was anything other than a closed circuit the trains wouldn't run onto the open-ended section of track... young Ross wasn't having any of this, and after a few seconds of searching, came back with an inch-thick stack of bare wire coathangers and butted them up against the open end. The train ran right off the siding http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-unsmith.gif

Electric trainsets - learning about electricity and circuits, the fun way.
English Mobster
March 23rd, 2009, 01:36 PM
I remember catching the floor on fire by creating a spark with a Hot Wheel which I placed on the track when I was little...
http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-unsmith.gif
Varmint260
March 23rd, 2009, 03:55 PM
All boys first start off wanting to make a train set, and then when they grow up... they want guns... Aha. :p

I still love trains. Growing up FTL!
English Mobster
March 27th, 2009, 05:23 AM
Bumpity-bump-bump:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/layout-1.jpg
New layout plan. Some minor revisions have been made since the creation of this image; I thought I grabbed the latest version off my laptop.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240966.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240967.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3240968.jpg
Legs go up, I thought I grabbed a shot of the beams I used to secure it (and the brace I used to tie the bottom legs together), but I didn't. I'll have to get one when I can.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3250975.jpg
Using 2 doors to plan my layout, changing them out with some plywood later. I stuck a model of the Walt Disney World steam engine on the old, non-functional track for fun. The benchwork, save for the plywood, is essentially done, though the plans may require some adjustments still.

FYI, I'm making this layout at a house I'm moving in to, previously owned by my grandparents. As such, I can only go over there to do some work on it when time allows, and I'm not devoting any resources to moving things, fixing some things up, or hanging out with my girlfriend (who currently lives separately from me, though I would like her to move in :P).
SnaFuBAR
March 27th, 2009, 05:35 AM
hurry up or i'll kill you.

this owns.

hurry the fuck up.
English Mobster
March 27th, 2009, 04:00 PM
Here, whoever wants to contribute to the layout, go pick something for me to add to it from here (http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IT&Category_Code=HSC).

When I can, I'll buy whatever you guys pick out and add it to the layout.
Oh, and I'll post pics of it.

Just keep it manageable, ok?
Hotrod
March 28th, 2009, 12:11 AM
hurry up or i'll kill you.

this owns.

hurry the fuck up.
Agreed, why aren't you done yet? You should be done by now. Why aren't you working on this at this instant? Do you really think that life is more important than this? What the hell are you thinking? Get to work!

In all seriousness, that track looks like it's gonna be epic.
Dwood
March 28th, 2009, 04:10 PM
Agreed, why aren't you done yet? You should be done by now. Why aren't you working on this at this instant? Do you really think that life is more important than this? What the hell are you thinking? Get to work!


The world can't know the truth to this statement!!!

I would +rep everyone in this thread if I had enough rep to do so.
English Mobster
March 28th, 2009, 10:33 PM
I don't have a camera on hand ATM, but imagine those doors, but with plywood instead of doors. And awesomer track. Yeah.
New update for the plans, courtesy of my shitty laptop.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/layout-2.jpg

Thme keyboard's broken on thmis laptop\. If I didn't constantly chmangve my type, hmittingv backspace a lot, it would look like thmis\. In thme tihme it took me to type thmis, I hmad to hmit OK for egvery cohmhma, and I hmad to close the "searchm" box for egvery "c"\.
Joshflighter
March 28th, 2009, 10:44 PM
Awsome. :-3
Jay2644
March 30th, 2009, 02:39 AM
Cool stuff brah.
My grandpa's an avid trainfan himself, he prefers Union Pacific over BNSF, though.
StankBacon
March 30th, 2009, 02:53 AM
I

Thme keyboard's broken on thmis laptop\. If I didn't constantly chmangve my type, hmittingv backspace a lot, it would look like thmis\. In thme tihme it took me to type thmis, I hmad to hmit OK for egvery cohmhma, and I hmad to close the "searchm" box for egvery "c"\.


LOL
English Mobster
April 2nd, 2009, 01:53 AM
Well... It was a rather... Interesting experience getting to this thread.

Anyway, I got some new cars and whatnot from a Hobby Swap Meet (imagine a Swap Meet, only with train shit. Yeah.)
Anyway, yesterday I mapped out the plywood I got for cutting and began to show off my new cars:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310346.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310347.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310348.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310349.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310350.jpg
Chances are, you probably didn't get any of that.
Any number like 3" or 4" means how high that section of wood will be above the board.
Any area with a percent, like 2.5%, means that that area is going to be a slope to the different levels.
Any higher number, like 30" or 32" or 28" is going to be the radius of my curves.
And, finally, any lines which are crossed through are areas which I screwed up my measurements on or just didn't look right in general, and they tell me NOT TO CUT THERE. I put a lot so that way it might penetrate my thick skull. :P
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310351.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310352.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310355.jpg
Among the cooler things I found was a railroad crossing where the gates automatically lifted to allow a train through. It's going to need to be repainted though.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310354.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P3310353.jpg

Today, I finally cut my plywood and began putting my hills together. Also, I used 2 wires I found and a couple clothespins as a ghetto way of getting power to my currently 1-track yard-long layout.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010361.jpg
(Don't focus on the Pepsi bottle, focus on the fact that the TRACK is higher!)http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010362.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010363.jpg
(About the graffiti: The house I'm moving in to was previously rented out by a tenant who was... Not happy about leaving. She hadn't paid her rent in 2 years, had everything in a different name, and was generally exploiting the system in every way possible so she could live large without spending a lot. We currently are pursuing a lawsuit against her for damages to the house, and the fact that bills for things which are in one of her alias names are constantly showing up to the door are ensuring that she might face some legal fines as well.)
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010364.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010365.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P4010366.jpg
English Mobster
April 4th, 2009, 01:48 AM
HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT THE FUCK IS IN THIS FUCKING BOX
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091504.jpg
OH SHIT
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091506.jpg
LOOK AT THOSE
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091506a.jpg
AND LOOK: MOTHERFUCKING PEANUTS. SHIT YES.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091508.jpg
HOLY SHIT
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091506b.jpg
ITS A FUCKING BNSF CABOOSE WHAT THE FUCK THEY NEVER MADE THOSE
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091507.jpg
AND A SANTA FE HOPPER CAR
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091507a.jpg
AND ANOTHER
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091507b.jpg
AND A THIRD. FUCK YES.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091507c.jpg
HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THIS FUCKING CABOOSE
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403091508a.jpg
IS THAT THE BEGINNING OF A MOTHERFUCKING COAL MINE?
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403092051.jpg
SHIT LOOK AT THAT FUCKING CURVE
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403092051a.jpg
AND THOSE SWITCHES
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403092051b.jpg
IS THAT A TRACKSIDE VIEW? SHIT THAT LOOKS SO AWESOME IT MADE ME PISS MY PANTS
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/0403092059.jpg
n00b1n8R
April 4th, 2009, 02:11 AM
oh no he didnt
SnaFuBAR
April 4th, 2009, 02:17 AM
btw if you can get some syringes you can fill them with acetone and inject it into the foam. gives it that nice sinkhole look.
n00b1n8R
April 4th, 2009, 02:54 AM
Does that give of any delicious fumes?
English Mobster
April 4th, 2009, 01:09 PM
Acetone is also known as nail polish remover, so check and see. :P

Also, remember that you guys can request what you'd like to see on the board (http://www.modacity.net/forums/showpost.php?p=379017&postcount=37).
SnaFuBAR
April 4th, 2009, 02:19 PM
Does that give of any delicious fumes?
plenty

Acetone is also known as nail polish remover, so check and see. :P

Also, remember that you guys can request what you'd like to see on the board (http://www.modacity.net/forums/showpost.php?p=379017&postcount=37).
Acetone is not nail polish remover, just an ingredient.
n00b1n8R
April 4th, 2009, 07:43 PM
Put a church on there.
If you look in the window, you see the father getting friendly with an alter boy.
English Mobster
April 4th, 2009, 09:31 PM
Put a church on there.
If you look in the window, you see the father getting friendly with an alter boy.
Alright. Bohan's perfect for that sort of shit. :P

Any other suggestions?
rossmum
April 6th, 2009, 06:41 AM
Acetone is also known as nail polish remover, so check and see. :P

Also, remember that you guys can request what you'd like to see on the board (http://www.modacity.net/forums/showpost.php?p=379017&postcount=37).
OHOHOHOHO PICK ME PICK ME

decrepit industrial shit, oh god yes

i'd say decrepit soviet industrial shit but it seems a little late for that so
teh lag
April 6th, 2009, 10:29 AM
Acetone is also known as nail polish remover, so check and see. :P

Also, remember that you guys can request what you'd like to see on the board (http://www.modacity.net/forums/showpost.php?p=379017&postcount=37).

I know you're going for Santa Fe/BNSF '01-'03 and all that, but fuck realism.

http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IT&Product_Code=BAC-50302&Category_Code=HSCLOCSTLBAC48D&Featured=
http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IT&Product_Code=BAC-83306&Category_Code=HSCLOCSTLBSP2LD&Featured=
http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IT&Product_Code=BAC-83307&Category_Code=HSCLOCSTLBSP2LD&Featured=

You already seem to have a few locomotives, but it is absolutely necessary that you get your hands on a steamer of a massive nature. (I would suggest a Big Boy (http://www.hattons.co.uk/images/products/HR2005_1.jpg) but they're mega expensive heh).

The future of the universe depends on it.
English Mobster
April 7th, 2009, 08:00 PM
Yeah, I was going to put a few Steamers on there anyway, hence the Roundhouse. I'm just going to say that the coal mine never switched to diesel or something like that.
thehoodedsmack
April 7th, 2009, 08:07 PM
Hmm... This thread is making me want to do a Combine Trainyard sorta thing...
English Mobster
April 7th, 2009, 08:09 PM
Good luck finding 1:87 scale combines. =P
thehoodedsmack
April 7th, 2009, 08:10 PM
Crush my dreams why don't you... <: (
rossmum
April 7th, 2009, 08:13 PM
Hmm... This thread is making me want to do a Combine Trainyard sorta thing...
YES.

You have no idea how badly I want to see that.
Sever
April 7th, 2009, 08:13 PM
Meh, just find normal combat figurines of that scale and paint them - you'll have to retouch basically everything else anyway, so it shouldn't be that hard.
English Mobster
April 7th, 2009, 08:25 PM
*Sigh*

I'll break out the paint and stick some Combine shit somewhere...
rossmum
April 7th, 2009, 08:26 PM
Make a Depot.

:haw:
Limited
April 7th, 2009, 08:35 PM
Oh snap, its Americanized....Not bad just, different..
rossmum
April 7th, 2009, 08:41 PM
Oh snap, its Americanized....Not bad just, different..
much like your spelling

http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-owned.gif
n00b1n8R
April 7th, 2009, 08:44 PM
You have to do a "pick up that can".
No exceptions.

Oh and have somebody holding a brick with the force next to a seasore puzzle.
Sever
April 7th, 2009, 09:29 PM
Oh snap, its Americanized....Not bad just, different..
much like your spelling

http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-owned.gif

Oh and have somebody holding a brick with the force next to a seasore puzzle.

Well, at least his spelling isn't Australianised.

Seriously, n00b1: SEE. SAW. It's not that hard, lol.

Now gimmie combine-five _@/
n00b1n8R
April 7th, 2009, 11:46 PM
\@_
English Mobster
April 14th, 2009, 12:13 AM
Anyone have a picture of the exterior of Black Mesa? I need to take a look at the building to discover how I'm going to do this... I found this (http://www.nextdimension.org/bmrf/Black_Mesa_Research_Facility_HL_Map.jpg), but that's not really much help.

I might be able to pull this off... Take out the Propane Plant and put in Black Mesa, and have it ship out tank cars full of god-knows-what, so let's just say Radioactive goop, which is required for the fast food restaurants in Bohan.
CSFLOYD
April 14th, 2009, 12:17 AM
k
Syuusuke
April 14th, 2009, 12:50 AM
I used to love model railroads this as a kid, good stuff man, gooood stufff.
Cortexian
April 14th, 2009, 12:53 AM
My grandfather had a really nice train set complete with artificial buildings/scenery/mountain with spiraling tunnel. It was really awesome to play with as a kid, but he just recently took it all down and sold most of it off. I think most of it was HO scale too... I'll see if there's any left and post pics, you can probably have it for cheap if you pay shipping.
rossmum
April 14th, 2009, 05:40 AM
Anyone have a picture of the exterior of Black Mesa? I need to take a look at the building to discover how I'm going to do this... I found this (http://www.nextdimension.org/bmrf/Black_Mesa_Research_Facility_HL_Map.jpg), but that's not really much help.

I might be able to pull this off... Take out the Propane Plant and put in Black Mesa, and have it ship out tank cars full of god-knows-what, so let's just say Radioactive goop, which is required for the fast food restaurants in Bohan.
oh god no i just had a far superior idea,

AIR EXCHANGE

that is all
Bodzilla
April 14th, 2009, 08:30 AM
oh god no i just had a far superior idea,

AIR EXCHANGE

that is all
what is it with you and fapping about anything that gets airborne.

combine stays.
rossmum
April 14th, 2009, 08:45 AM
what is it with you and fapping about anything that gets airborne.

combine stays.
oh my, you retard

the air exchange is combine, from the beta days. exchanges our air for nasty shit the slugs breathe
Bodzilla
April 14th, 2009, 04:50 PM
:smithicide:
Jean-Luc
April 14th, 2009, 05:29 PM
oh my, you retard

the air exchange is combine, from the beta days. exchanges our air for nasty shit the slugs breathe

With the amount that you reference IL2, trust me, I don't think we were expecting "air exchange" to be a HL2 beta reference :p
rossmum
April 14th, 2009, 08:35 PM
Well it is. It's in Raising the Bar and if anyone has the "Russian" version of HL2, it's one of the (albeit unfinished) levels. It was chopped in favour of Nova Prospekt but even judging from the tiny glimpses in aforementioned "Russian" version, it would've been bloody impressive in terms of level design.
Bodzilla
April 15th, 2009, 05:37 AM
theres moar halfe life 2?

this changes everything. god dam i love that game.
English Mobster
May 7th, 2009, 07:26 PM
Long time no update.

More pictures on the way.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070218.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070219.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070220.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070224.jpg

Also:
Centipede Arcade game I HAVE to have in there (going to need to cut that wood):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070221.jpg
Random Santa Fe Passenger cars I found in a box in my shed:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070222.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P5070223.jpg
n00b1n8R
May 8th, 2009, 11:06 PM
What's centipede? I hope it's not the one I think it is.
Jean-Luc
May 8th, 2009, 11:08 PM
What's centipede? I hope it's not the one I think it is.

Get out, Centipede rocks.
English Mobster
May 9th, 2009, 01:18 AM
What's centipede? I hope it's not the one I think it is.
http://www.play.vg/games/30/Centipede/

Except you can move up and down in the real thing. I don't know if it's my computer, or what, but I can't go up and down in that version.
English Mobster
October 21st, 2009, 10:22 PM
Oh, hello there.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091437b.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091439.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1018091439a.jpg
Sorry the pics took longer than I promised, I had a few... snags. Wound up using my cell phone camera to take pictures.
I have a complete circuit going, and I've actually completed the coal yard, although it's unfinished in these pictures. Things have been coming along smoothly, though I've come across financial snags which have kept me from progressing as far as I would have liked nearly 6 months into the project.
Ganon
October 21st, 2009, 10:26 PM
I used to do this kind of stuff when I was like 10. looks like you just have a giant mess, nice mess
Cojafoji
October 22nd, 2009, 01:11 AM
That shit is awesome. Had my fathers O scale trains when i was a kid, and a couple miniature trains. Wish we still had them, but times got tough for the family etc.
English Mobster
October 22nd, 2009, 01:13 AM
I LIKE my mess. :saddowns:
I was going to clean it up before I took the picture, but I got too fucking lazy and made trains go around in circles instead. :iamafag:
Alwin Roth
October 22nd, 2009, 06:13 PM
I just sold 3 boxes full of railroad tracks at my garage sale,

I want them back now :(
English Mobster
October 22nd, 2009, 06:39 PM
You may have track, but do you have TRAINS? :p
Cortexian
October 23rd, 2009, 04:50 PM
You going to actually build it up with scenery and stuff? People who make tracks that are as nice as yours and then leave them like that with no scenery automatically fail.
English Mobster
October 23rd, 2009, 06:03 PM
Scenery is going to be added, of course. :p

Right now I'm getting the bare bones of the layout down. I've been wiring up the "dead spots" on the track so the trains will run smoothly.
I've actually managed to get both yards online and working as of ~5 minutes ago.
OmegaDragon
October 24th, 2009, 05:53 AM
I hope that AT-AT is part of the final scenery that would be kickass.
English Mobster
October 24th, 2009, 07:46 PM
It will be.
Sel
October 24th, 2009, 08:09 PM
You have the most fucking awful writing I've ever seen.

I mean honestly, I haven't written that badly since I was 12.

Nice railroad though.
English Mobster
October 24th, 2009, 08:44 PM
Yeah, my handwriting is horrible.
English Mobster
December 7th, 2009, 01:18 AM
Oh, hello there.
hr7sqw7cLsM

Some recent news:


I was at what essentially amounts to a model train swap meet in the Ontario Convention Center (in Ontario, CA, the convention center is just a few blocks from my house, actually), from which I acquired 2 new engines: a Santa Fe Dash 8 (the red engine in the video above) and a Santa Fe GP-50 to complement my OTHER Santa Fe SD-40. The GP-50/SD-40 team will eventually be used for light freight duty and switching coal cars at the coal yard; the Dash 8 will be used for heavy jobs like pulling coal or container trains. And yes, I WILL repaint some of the train cars and make them TF2 colors with "Red" and "Blu" on them, just because I'm cool like that. Look at the TF2 train prefabs in Hammer to see what I'm talking about.
Since my last update, I have been working on the technical side of things. This means working out the bugs and working with electricity. Lots of working with electricity. Electricity is fun for your body and for your soul. Electricity loves you.

And I didn't forget pictures.
NEW TRAINZZZZZ:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091621.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091621a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091624a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091638.jpg
(GAAAAAH INSTRUCTIONS)
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091633.jpg
AND TINY PARTS TO WORK WITH :gonk:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091624.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091629.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091629a.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091630.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091638a.jpg
Train car loaded with nails for trackwork on-the-go = :iamafag:

And let's take a look under the hood:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091639.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/1206091639a.jpg
Every little bit of track is now wired up and ready to go. The train now has very little issues getting to any place on the entire layout; although the switch to the coal yard needs to be replaced (it causes a shitload of derailments).
Heathen
December 7th, 2009, 01:29 AM
that thing looks like it is booking something fierce

hella fast

also nice train
English Mobster
December 7th, 2009, 01:39 AM
I think that was only at perhaps 50% power, maximum. I've pushed it up to 75% before, but that particular engine I haven't tried to go any higher, speed-wise. I'd imagine the top speed would be twice what you see in the video.
E: I just did the math. In the video, the train is moving at about 60 scale MPH (that's .7 IRL MPH). The top speed for that particular engine would be 120 scale MPH. Not bad, for a Dash 8.
Varmint260
December 7th, 2009, 07:15 PM
God damn, I really want to go dig out my old HO scale set and see what I have now. Too bad I have no place to set it up.
English Mobster
December 8th, 2009, 05:59 PM
Playing with toy trains = manliest hobby ever.
Nearly cut my finger off earlier, I've met many people who have actually lost a digit.
:ohdear:
Cortexian
December 8th, 2009, 07:25 PM
Lego scale is the manliest scale ever.


SANTA FE Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/83877168048945675238.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/46900831774150876758.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/82717588270837488758.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/56232855496363708940.jpg


Random BNSF Engine:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/42871378351553293850.jpg


Bullet Train Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/37400928638628058134.jpg


Work Train Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/83031243575529020453.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/31732478975952335145.jpg


Commuter Train Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/75877775378392047985.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/19099130018813529936.jpg


Steam Engine Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/77528802673214070417.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/60677695449492999615.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/90397937222975211586.jpg


Thread jack spoilered for your convenience!
paladin
December 8th, 2009, 08:14 PM
I had a lego train set. Besides some of the Star Wars sets, it was my favorite.
English Mobster
December 9th, 2009, 12:10 AM
I had:

Lego scale is the manliest scale ever.


SANTA FE Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/83877168048945675238.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/46900831774150876758.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/82717588270837488758.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/56232855496363708940.jpg

This one.
Random BNSF Engine:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/42871378351553293850.jpg

This one.

Work Train Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/83031243575529020453.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/31732478975952335145.jpg

This one.
Commuter Train Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/75877775378392047985.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/19099130018813529936.jpg

This one.
Steam Engine Set:

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/77528802673214070417.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/60677695449492999615.jpg

http://leimg.lancersedge.com/images/90397937222975211586.jpg

And this one.

Thread jack spoilered for your convenience!
Can't forget about this:

http://www.twwn.net/Lego%20Pictures/hp3lego8.jpg
This:
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/4565-1.jpg
This:
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/droolicious/2007/11/23-End%20of%20Month/lego-holiday-train.jpg
And this computer game:
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/desperadoss/nbcb/Lego_Loco-cdcovers_cc-front.jpg

All of which I had.
I'm such a geek.
English Mobster
February 22nd, 2010, 08:23 PM
:iamafag:
It's time for another update.
I'm ripping out all the older tracks and replacing them with some better tracks better suited for the (somewhat) new technology behind the trains:
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186983969186_1665916228_437957_4573780_n.jp g
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs483.snc3/26430_1186991049363_1665916228_437988_748105_n.jpg
My trains are now in the digital age. I'm using a VERY old DCC (Digital Command Control) controller now, meaning that I can run more than one train at once, play sounds from each engine, remotely uncouple cars, and hook my trainboard directly into a computer. The top picture is the controller itself (a relic from the early 2000s, the newer ones are VERY expensive and can do MUCH more), the bottom picture is the specialized programming track.
I also got a new engine for Christmas:
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984009187_1665916228_437958_4462663_n.jp g
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984049188_1665916228_437959_5370281_n.jp g
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984089189_1665916228_437960_5063468_n.jp g
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984289194_1665916228_437965_5959729_n.jp g
And, finally, a look at the new layout. I haven't ripped out ALL of the old tracks yet; I need about 35 more switches to completely replace all my switching yards. The only old tracks which will stay are the ones which are supported by pylons, as the new tracks aren't designed for those pylons and thus I would have to buy some more.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984129190_1665916228_437961_4009272_n.jp g
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984169191_1665916228_437962_6021045_n.jp g
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs503.snc3/26430_1186984209192_1665916228_437963_5307488_n.jp g
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs483.ash1/26430_1186984249193_1665916228_437964_8054888_n.jp g
The black things in the tracks are little uncouplers which can uncouple cars for me. I have 3 on the tracks, but I also have 3 more to place.

I'm probably going to pick up some new stuff in about 2 weeks, so I'll update again then.
Cortexian
May 11th, 2010, 01:25 AM
This:
http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/4565-1.jpg

I have that set as well, I just can't find it :saddowns:

Also, post updates on this.
English Mobster
May 11th, 2010, 08:41 PM
I'll be able to get some more pictures this weekend.
I haven't had as much time to work on this as I have in prior updates, but I've still made progress. The main line is nearly complete, from there I'll have to get under the hood for some rewiring, lay down some more track for branch lines, and then I'll be able to place in scenery.
English Mobster
June 14th, 2010, 01:57 AM
Mann Co., working in conjunction with the Bent Nails Santa Fe railroad on contract for Builders League United, LLC, and Reliable Excavation and Demolition, LLC, announces rail service to Well.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010001.jpg
Okay, so maybe the buildings aren't there yet (no scenery has been placed, and I need to get off my ass and scratch-build it), but it will be Well eventually. I plan to make little RED and BLU figures and place them around the tracks. My ultimate goal is to place a speaker inside the building hooked up to a computer which is playing a loop of a recording of an Arena_Well match.
As I was pressed for space, this Well is a conglomerate of Arena_Well and CP_Well, meaning that it has about as many tracks as Arena_Well (CP_Well has 9 tracks and 2 waterways, Arena_Well has 7 tracks and 0 waterways.
As I was out of space for switches, this Well has 5 tracks and 2 waterways), the waterways of CP_Well, and a cut-down spawn building from Arena_Well, to save space for the nearby main lines and yard.


Moving on.
New engine (and some new cars) are in service. The red Santa Fe Dash 8 I was showing off had a bit of a motor malfunction, causing it to become a brick. I took the motor out entirely (you can see it on the flatcar in the Well pic), turning the Dash 8 into a dummy to be pushed around by other units. All of my plastic supports have been demolished; they were flimsy and just unsafe in general. The bottom level is complete (except for the yard and diesel shop) and needs a double pull, double throw switch to become operational and prevent a short.
New engine:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010003.jpg
New engine pushing dummy Dash 8:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010002.jpg
(Mostly) complete bottom level (north end):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010004.jpg
(Mostly) complete bottom level (south end):
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/Mudkipz47/P1010005.jpg


Mann Co., working on contract for Builders League United, LLC, and Reliable Excavation and Demolition, LLC, is currently working on completing rail service to Badlands and Freight. Freight is estimated to be completed this summer, Valve Time. Badlands is estimated to be completed before Christmas, Valve Time.

E: For those curious as to the loads of those cars:
Car 1: Track cleaner (rides below the boxcar, makes track nice and clean)
Car 2: Screws
Car 3: Nails
Car 4: Coal
Car 5: Former load of coal (I got gypped.)
Car 6: Bent nails/junk
Car 7: Industrial-strength magnet (for picking up spilled loads of preceding cars)
Car 8: Caboose
Amit
June 14th, 2010, 04:17 PM
Whoa, by the end of this you're probably gonna have mice with red or blue cloth taped to their backs running through this maze of trains playing a game of capture the cheese.
English Mobster
June 15th, 2010, 09:33 PM
Don't be silly, they'll be playing Control Point.