Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Some Random Tuesday Tips

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - well, I've had these photos kicking around for a bit for future "Tuesday Tip" posts, but since they're (almost) self-explanatory, I figured I'd just go ahead and post them. Even if my captions are a bit wordy, they shouldn't approach "thousands" of words.

So, without further ado, here are a few tips you might find helpful....

Here's how I store my collection of styrene strip and stripwood. Just a bunch of paper towel tubes in a cardboard box. Fits nicely under the workbench, and I can take it down to the layout room as needed (saving lots of trips up and down the stairs)

This is how I mark where feeders are needed, though since this photo was taken, I've started using red pins as well as white to correspond to the wire colors I use for my feeders.

Speaking of feeders, when soldering feeders to rail, make sure that the feeder is - um - soldered to the rail and not just melted into the plastic tie.

This next series of photos shows my sophisticated method for preventing rolling stock from rolling off the layout.

I just drill a hole and insert a finishing nail centered between the rails so the coupler hits it.

I have two lift outs and one drop bridge, so I need a bunch of these.

Pretty low tech, but very effective (and MUCH better than nothing!)

Finally, if your airbrush starts pulsating - and especially if it's a Badger Model 200 - check to be sure the teflon washer (which goes between the spray head and the main body) hasn't been lost. Ask me how I know. I went ahead and ordered (what I hope is) a lifetime's supply. And then, once they'd all arrived, I found the missing washer on the layout floor. Naturally.
Let me know if you find any of these tips helpful - better yet, if you have any favorite tips to share please let us know in the comments!

3 comments:

  1. Thanks, for the suggestion for the "sophisticated" stop board for open bridges. I need to do this for my one drop down bridge, two tracks opening in my staging room.
    BTW, I got the idea for the drop down from yours. I much appreciate your posts and pix.

    Barry

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, for the suggestion for the "sophisticated" stop board for open bridges. I need to do this for my one drop down bridge, two tracks opening in my staging room.
    BTW, I got the idea for the drop down from yours. I much appreciate your posts and pix.

    Barry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Barry and thanks for your comment! I'm glad you see I "nailed" it wrt to the stopping posts (sorry, couldn't resist). Sometimes the simplest solutions are best - and this is pretty simple. I'm especially glad to know you were able to use the drop down idea and that you're enjoying the posts and pics. It's always great to have you stop by!

      Delete