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.
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.
Tonight I removed the six sets of LED lights that were on the backdrop because with the ceiling installation of LED lighting they were not need plus they were casting shadows. Then I discovered a problem. That of the sparkling waterfall I now have. 100_0942-4 by John Moore posted Jan 12, 2021 at 7:19 PM 100_0943-5 by John Moore posted Jan 12, 2021 at 7:28 PM So a careful application of dull coat will be in order.
If ya think about it....real waterfalls 'sparkle' when the sun hits the cascading water just right. JMO
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.
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!
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.
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. 100_0944-1 by John Moore posted Jan 16, 2021 at 5:06 PM 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.
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.
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.
Last night I upgraded the work bench with a wood organizer from Tabletopgamer. Besides the holes for paint brushes it has a number of large slots for tools and other stuff and two compartmented drawers. Fit right on the top shelf with it's small size. 100_0945-5 by John Moore posted Jan 18, 2021 at 6:35 PM Today I have been busy peopling the port train station. 100_0948-4 by John Moore posted Jan 18, 2021 at 6:31 PM
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. 100_0949-1 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM 100_0950-2 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Added more figures to the front and backside of the port train station. 100_0951-3 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM 100_0952-4 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Added figures to the garden shop and the diner area. 100_0953-5 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Added figures to the front of the grocery store. 100_0954-6 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Gave some customers to Kato's doughnut and coffee shop next to the village train station. 100_0959-10 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:52 AM Started on passengers for the West bound village train station platform. 100_0955-7 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Started adding workers to the M of Way area including an operator for the backhoe. 100_0956-7 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM A father and sons are fishing in Blue River. 100_0957-8 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM Folks taking a break from shopping and a lady of ill repute outside of Effie's Saloon. 100_0958-9 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 11:26 AM 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 100_0960-10 by John Moore posted Jan 21, 2021 at 12:14 PM 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.
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. 100_0963-1 by John Moore posted Jan 22, 2021 at 9:53 AM
