What's Your Winter Goals?

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
We started a major remodel on our house last March. After numerous set backs from the engineer not checking with the city about what was needed to bring the house up to current earthquake codes, including snafus that required the contractor to tear out and rebuild the framing completely on a couple of walls. Then we discovered that it is easier to find rocket scientists and brain surgeons than plumbers or electricians. We are finally getting drywall and stucco in the next 2 weeks. I would like the house to be done by Christmas, but I expect it will more likely be next March or April.
 

Go Big1

Member
I haven't been on The Gauge in a couple months. As I suspected, the summer months are too enticing for me to get out and do things with the kids, and model railroading slid gracefully to the back of my brain. And as the temperature drops outside, the thoughts of a tasty winter project slide back to the frontal lobe. Lo and behold, here I am, back at The Gauge, looking for ideas, help, etc.

As for my winter plans, the layout I was envisioning will have to wait, because the wife and I are considering moving in the next 12-18 months. With that, I want to build something that is more temporary this winter that can offer the fun for the boys and I, without all the bells and whistles (and scenary) of a more permanent layout. So, my plans are to expand the 4x4 layout of Bachman EZ track into a larger dog bone like plan, with at least 4 switches to operate for industries. I also plan on building some of the related buildings for the layout. If I can get this accomplished, it will make operations that much more entertaining for the kids and I, and the buildings I build can go with me to the permanent layout when I move.

Look forward to catching up with all of you over the coming winter months!
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
You could also make the center of the dog bone a separate diorama, with the ends as just return loops. That way, when you move, the center part can be a part of the permanent layout.
 

CNWman

CNW Fan
3) "Finish" my HO layout

But that goes against the formula!:eek: Acording to Formula 99.9 of model railroading:
Trains + prototype/scale-(19 + manufacturer*) divided by 2(Fun X loc%) - time NOT working on the layout + Deano/UP/(SD40-2) - Abraham Lincoln + Southern Democrats in 1861-1865 = NO layout, no matter what size, can NEVER, EVER, be considered done!
 

Kevinkrey

Member
Your right CNWman! no layout is ever finished, but I think you forgot to add in trips to the hobbyshop, or are you thinking of model railroading formula 99.3?

Everybody has big plans for the winter, good luck to everybody and their plans. But remember to come back with pics to inform us on progress. I laid some more track in my yard tonight.
 

CNWman

CNW Fan
Your right CNWman! no layout is ever finished, but I think you forgot to add in trips to the hobbyshop, or are you thinking of model railroading formula 99.3?
ARRRRRGHHHH! wall1 You're right kevinkrey! I frogot to add in trips to the hobby store/help recieved there!
 

jesso

Member
I realized that finished is a strong word, that is why I put it in quotes. I guess I should have said, "Get my HO layout to the point where I can watch the train go all the way around and not cringe and think that I really got to work on that area when it goes through certain sections of it." :twisted:

I got my first goal done this week. I figured that UP, CP, CN, NS, KCS, CSX has an executive train, why can't Utah Railway have one? So I went to the extended leasing company Walther's Railway and ordered some Alco FA-B units on sale and found a "great" deal on some Model Power heavyweight Amtrack passenger cars on the second-hand leasing company E.B.A.Y. However, the trucks were first generation and were terrible runners. I then heard of an Oregon Company that was very good at building trucks and couplers, so some were ordered, modifications were made to the cars and now they roll on the track very well. Now I have to get the train to the paint shop to add the familiar red and yellow stripes for Utah Railway.

executive.jpg
 

stripes

Member
Wow!

I plan on finishing the inside of my new garage and get started on my layout.

Nice garage! When can I move in? :confused: Oh! back to topic.

Well here is my list.

#1 Get my new web site up and running.
#2 Clean and paint the new layout room.
#3 Start on the new layout.
#4 Continue with that huge "honey do" list I
was presented with when I got back from the
States :eek:

But other than that not much to do around here! Got to go! I hear some laminate flooring calling my name.
 

nkp174

Active Member
Goal #1 - finish my christmas list so that the wifey can get me more scratch building materials
Goal #2 - Build 2' benchwork/under layout storage...and then cutting the mainline out so that I can build the scenery around it.
goal #3 - finishing the last 80% of the mainline and tweaking my hand laid turnouts.
Goal #4 - scratch building the roof and ends for my pay car...and getting it, my way car, and my B&S boxcar into service (They all need couplers...the boxcar needs the trucks to be attached)
Goal #5 - adding more rolling stock...a 26' CCRR excursion car, (a) 27' DSP&P boxcar(s), (a) 27' DSP&P coal car(s)...starting another passenger car
Goal #6 - completing my winter party cereal board CCRR powder car (the sides are together..needs ends, roof, side overlays, and t/c.
Goal #7 - finishing my HOn3 Reefer which I mispainted 5yrs ago.
 
Haven't been here in a while. Been a difficult year both at work and on a personal level.

Goals for winter:

1) Job Search
2) Finish course (online Electronics Tech course)
3) Job Search
4) Redo hobby room
5) Job Search
6) Re-organize work shop
7) Job Search
 

TrainNut

Ditat Deus
:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Mine is to work on my portable layout outside, in the warm summer sun, perhaps take a cool swim in the water.

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
thats right madhatter your summer is just starting in south africa and we get to get ready for the cold. After a hot summer in Uk (thats upper kansas):rolleyes: im ready for some colder weather.:mrgreen:
Here in Phoenix, we are kind of an in between mix... it's no longer summer but as opposed to you guys in the northern tiers of the US who retreat inside during the colder months, I look forward to it finally getting cooler and being able to get back outside again after the hell of summer. We just had a tough shed installed and I need to lay a brick walkway across the yard to it as I'm already starting to kill a little trail through the grass. I'm also hoping to start a very simple G scale layout outside. Probably won't spend much time inside on the n scale layout this winter.
 

46rob

Member
1. Finish the Arbour HO 2-6-6-6 Allegheny kit I started several years ago.
(found at a flea market)
2. Add the second phase to my n scale layout
3. Finish remodeling the house we bought, and get my mother in law
moved into it.

I think # 3 will end up the priority---Spouse wants her in by Christmas.
 

theBear

Member
Winter's project, oh boy.

Well we are moving into a brand new house, the winter's project is to get everything back where it belongs. Man do we have a box or two to unpack.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
Nothing very grandiose. At the moment, I am focused primarily on not freezing to death.

Beyond that, I am revamping my dream layout to see what advantage there might be to scaling down to N-scale.
 
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