Basement Train Layout: Week 236

Sun, Feb 3, 2019 thru Sat, Feb 9, 2019

Sun, Feb 3, 2019

Train Day!

Moved from Monday to Sunday with Rob Fair & Jordan Osborn (2-3:30pm - 1.5 hrs.)

Rob Fair working on the trim work for the station platform at Melrose Park.

A view of the Metra Commuter and the engineer running the train.

Length: 00:00:13 sec.

Rob Fair takes a break as the Metra Commuter zips by Melrose Park station.

See the fence at the end of the station platform?
I had to move it in from the end since the edge of the commuter cars hit the railing.

Jordan Osborn stepping out!

Rob Fair setting weights in place for the glue to set on the trim pieces.

Mon, Feb 4, 2019

I started taking off the weights Rob Fair used last night.
Here you can see some of the points are still in place but I will remove them shortly.

Rob Fair's excellent trim work at Melrose Park Metra Station

Length: 00:00:25 sec.

All the weights and pins have been removed and we're looking at a nearly finished Melrose Park station platform.

Tue, Feb 5, 2019

No train activity today.

Wed, Feb 6, 2019

Train Day!

Full House today.

Introducing First Time Guests:

Cameron Passaglia (3:45-5:15pm - 1.5 hrs.) & Norm Zielke (5-5:30pm - .5 hrs.)

Carlos Baez (4:15-5pm - .75 hrs.) Dean Hatzis (4-5:15pm 1.25 hrs.) Josh Jones & Jordan Osborn (4-5:30pm - 1.5 hrs.)

Fun time had by all...

The first group on site.
l. to r. is Dean Hatzis, Josh Jones, Jordan Osborn, and newly acquired, Cameron Passaglia.

Carlos Baez joins the group.

I had to take a picture of Carlos Baez "in the hole".

Another view of Carlos working form below and Dean Hatzis working from above.
Note how the 1x4 pieces are not in place in this picture.
In a later picture in today's blog you will see the installed 1x4 pieces in place.

Carlos Baez using a power tool.
Cover your ears.

Length: 00:00:09 sec.

You can see the trim 1x4 pieces in place in this photo.
Next step will be to install the ledge where the cut out pieces will fit perfectly.

Jordan Osborn keeping an eye on his train.

Norm Zielke joined the group about 5pm.
He's my expert on the overhead lights of which some had gone dim.

Cameron Passaglia did a great job tonight.
He and Josh Jones did some major car inspections tonight.

Norm Zielke installing a new bulb in the train layout light fixture.
We found out the dim lights had to be 12v 20w.
The reason they were dim is because the bulbs were 12v 35w or even 50w.
Not compatible.

Thu, Feb 7, 2019

Marking the mainline every foot.
But will need to redo...

Length: 00:00:35 sec.

Fri, Feb 8, 2019

Here's my attempt to make my job easier.
I cut out each foot marker and taped it onto the ruler.
It was much easier to move around taking the tape off and putting it every foot.
The 72' marker is for the first lap. The 207' marker is for the second lap.