Turtle Creek Central Part 5

John Moore Oct 7, 2020

  1. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    John, now that you've given us well lighted broad views of your layout, all I can say is it's beautiful, flowing from one scene to another seamlessly. :cool:
     
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  2. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Huge difference! (y)
     
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  3. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks folks. The man cave was originally a side porch to this over 100 year old house. Sometime in the 1920s the church bought this house to use as a parsonage. When they bought it the side porch was completely bricked up and three windows and a new outside door were added. The existing fireplace chimney became the back wall and sticks out into the room and is the reason for the offset layout Unfortunately the four brick walls really absorb the light and three light fixtures of 100 watt each were struggling to light the room. So when I found these lights on Amazon I took a chance and ordered one. Liked the first one so I went back and ordered two more. The three lights use less electricity than on of the 100 watt bulbs. Each fixture cost me $22 and have a life span of 55 thousand hours.
     
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  4. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks good John...(y)(y)

    I know when I added Led lights to THERR RV it sure made a world of difference....:)
     
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  5. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    If ya think about it....real waterfalls 'sparkle' when the sun hits the cascading water just right. JMO
     
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  7. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah, isn't water glossy reflective by nature?
     
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  8. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I guess I have been locked away with the covid thing so long that I haven't been near the water, other than the shower. I just took a look at my two and a half feet wide by five and a half feet long harbor and realized that it is shining too.
     
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  9. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    I think that is what draws people into the water in the first place. It's shiny... we are attracted to shiny things even if they are deadly. Water is one of the most deadly things on this planet... and the majority of the place is covered in the stuff... and it's shiny!
     
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  10. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am located in a maritime area with tidal rivers three of them, a large fresh water lake nearby, and then Mobjack Bay and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay within 5 and 10 miles respectively. Then to the South of me I have the port facilities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News. Large fishing fleet here. Besides the seafood and ship building, we have logging with two sawmills nearby and a paper mill about 40 miles away, plus farming. Fits right in with my layout. I don't have far to drive to see the real thing for modeling inspiration.

    My latest order for people are due to be delivered tomorrow so I will be able to finish crewing the fishing fleet.
     
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  11. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Sounds like you live in Hampton Roads. Are you a member of the MER 4th division?
     
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  12. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Way North and East of Hampton Roads. 1st and 3rd Mar Div Nam era.
     
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  13. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    I was in Virginia Beach and Norfolk when I first got into model trains. That was 4th Division MER.
     
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  14. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    My Tomy Tec figures arrived from japan the other day so I am busy crewing my remaining vessels in the port. Ordered three packs and I have a pack and a half left that will be scattered around the port.

    The recent conversation about switch stands and unitrack got me to thinking. So I have ordered some Osborn wood switch stands to help me find the turnout switches. They hopefully will be used to help me quickly find a switch when I need to and add another visual dimension to the layout.
     
  15. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Funny thing about the 'people' John. I was out running trains today. I found a buggered truck on my fav loco. I searched under the cabinets for my plastic container marked 'Locomotives' for said part. While searching I came accross a container marked 'People'. I forgot all the littlle WS packets of people I had bought over the years. Even has my 'homeless people' for 'Georgetown'... and the 'shop workers' and 'welders' I knew from the start I would need for the 'Engine Shop' I was going to build.
    (y)(y):D:D:sneaky:
     
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  16. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a number of WS people also and have about 60 or 70 on the layout now along with a few of other makes. As of the the last few years I have started using Tomy Tec folks because of the large variety and and selection not to mention a good price when ordered from Japan. Have quite a few sitting folks also so I can people both train stations at all three platforms.
     
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  17. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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  18. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well yesterday I went through the remaining little people placing them on the layout. Now waiting on the latest shipment from Japan that should arrived next week, a total of 7 packs.
    Since I already have police the latest ones from TomyTec made for excellent security guards for the guard stations at the NUMA/USCG and container docks.

    Added more figures to the front and backside of the port train station.

    Added figures to the garden shop and the diner area.

    Added figures to the front of the grocery store.

    Gave some customers to Kato's doughnut and coffee shop next to the village train station.

    Started on passengers for the West bound village train station platform.

    Started adding workers to the M of Way area including an operator for the backhoe.

    A father and sons are fishing in Blue River.

    Folks taking a break from shopping and a lady of ill repute outside of Effie's Saloon.

    There are other ladies of the night hanging around Wicked Wanda's and a lady in a bathing suit reclining on one of the boats docked at Wanda's

    Seven packs of figures left Japan yesterday via DHL and consist of two different packs of factory workers, four packs of sitting figures, and a pack of railroad workers.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2021
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  19. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Back to working on the third rail power now. I have been searching on the web for power feeds and emergency shut offs for 3rd rail and haven't come up with much that is not modern, and the same for power substations, so I am winging it and building what I think should be there. And the first is blue light boxes or stations where the power can be cut to the third rail in an emergency or for work. And next is a substation to reduce power for 3rd rail down to 750 volts. Also working on building track power feed boxes to go alongside the rails.
     
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  20. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    I have the exact same tabletop organizer for my workbench. Its been a god-send.
     
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