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Rehab My Railroad: Episode 12
Chuck in Episode 12 there was a shot of your basement laundry tubs. As a model railroader, how do you keep the tubs so clean?
Will you be installing any scenic material on your drop bridge to tie it in with the rest of the layout?
Have you ever considered expanding the railroad upwards, that is to say add a second level? Would you have room for a helix if you decided to do that? You guys could bring in Tony Koester and let him work his magic! Call it “Add to My Railroad”. Great series as always!
Great episode like always. Thanks MRVP crew and Chuck for this series. The episode from last season about suitcase connectors came in very useful lately as I had to do some wiring for my Dad’s milk barn. We had a section of wire that was always coming loose, so we got some new wire, and then I rewired that section with suitcase connectors. This is the first time we had used suitcase connectors for the barn and I love them. The only problem with fixing the wire is that if there is a new problem, we have to look for a new trouble spot. Also, I call suitcase connectors, suetcase connectors, since in the TV show Perfect Strangers, Balki calls a suitcase a suetcase. I have a question as well, I am just starting out with DCC, and as I have the same, or at lest similar, type of DCC, I would like some tips. And I hope that you will do a Run My Railroad series.
Cody, Are you going to reinstall the grade crossing signals after finishing the grade crossing?
Chuck, do you plan on installing any CTC Signals? Does your C&NW railroad interchange with any other railroad? The Milwaukee Road perhaps? Great series
As always, protect the shove
Frank Hassler from North Dakota I really enjoy Rehab My Railroad. Keep the series going
Thanks for wrapping up 2015 with another great episode of Rehab My Railroad! Now, not to be mean but one can’t help but notice that Chuck is supervising, David is working hard on the gate, Cody is slaving away creating the road crossings, Jenny is carrying the heavy camera, but Drew is playing ball, eating, or wandering around. Did someone forget to give his ADHD meds? Actually Drew seems like he would be great to railfan with or to have around if you really didn’t care about getting much done 
On a more serious note, I will add my vote to a series “Operate My Railroad”. I have been a model builder for many, many years but still need to learn more about operations on a modest sized layout. I really enjoy both seasons of RMRR and have drawn inspiration for some of my own improvements. A Happy New Year to the MRVP cast and crew.
Charles in South Dakota, if you used the suitcase connectors on a 110VAC circuit please check the ratings on the ones you used. The #905 red connectors were designed for use in automobiles and are only rated at about 32VDC. Many of the 3M connectors like these are rated for much higher voltages but make sure the ones you use are or you may end up burning down the barn.
Larry Puckett
Contributing Editor
Model Railroader
www.dccguy.com
Hi, Neville from Pa again (grey cloud backdrops!). In an early episode, Chuck mentioned grey rubber interlocking mats, and I was expecting more comments later. (Maybe I missed it.) I have used these mats all round my layout, having once had to clean out soaking carpet after a burst pipe! The are much easier on old legs and feet than hard concrete!
Another question for Chuck: Where do you get your research information for your layout? Websites, CNWHS, etc?
Cody, To better fit the road sections between the rails, I found using the “rub tracing technique” to work quite well. Take a piece of copy paper, trim it down to size and tape it down over the rails. Then, use a graphite pencil and “rub” the side of the graphite over the rails. This creates a template that includes any variations in straightness. The paper can then be trimmed and taped to the road bed and the outline transferred. I have found this technique leaves a tracing that is slightly oversize so that it can have a final trimming. I use a straight edge to make the first cut to get it “close.” Then sand the edge to the final contour. This saves having to use filler strips and leave possible extra pavement cut lines. I have used this used this technique to create custom switches and crossings also.
Another great episode. a few episodes back you had also read my similar question to Chuck about operating his railroad when I noticed that he had routing waybill boxes on his fascia. So I also would be glad to see a series on operating my railroad. Only one request though, do not drop the rehab my railroad series. This is great stuff.
I guess my next question for Chuck then would be, Is he looking forward to doing the operate my railroad series?
thanks again
Steve
Great coverage of modifying the swing gate. I could use some pointers on mine that is installed on somewhat of a 45 degree angle at both ends instead of straight across… any suggestions? Thanks for covering the copper clad plating again.
Cody cracks me up wearing his safety goggles when playing basketball with Drew… something we should know?
Allan
I always enjoy the videos on MRVP, and learn stuff at the same time. I noticed the use of a cut down 1/2 gallon milk jug to hold Sculptamold while applying it. Neat! This may be an old idea, but I had not heard of it before. Do you think it would work with plaster too, or would the plaster be too heavy? Thanx!
As always another fine episode, with all the fine work of the MR and MR Video Plus staff. I’ll be looking forward to the episode. It’s nice to see trains running on the layout, it will be very interesting to see the operating session video. That will be one to watch for, as Jim would say “Onward”.
Why does David solder wires on one side of the bridge and use suitcase connectors on the other side? Great show guys. I appreciate you all and your hard work.
! QUESTION FOR REHAB MUG !
First off - you two guys do a terrific job hosting Rehab! Good laughs!
My question is for Drew.
What are your model railroad interests? Do you have a model rr layout, what gauge, era and prototype road do you model? Or are you just interested in photographing the real thing?
Thanks!
Hey guys, just wanted to say, love this series. Do you plan on doing this on another layout or is this it?
David … what are the orange-colored quick-connect connectors you used under the drop-down track. You mentioned that they are used in the boating industry, but I have not been able to find them. What, exactly, are they and where can I purchase them?