My fictional CSX layout

[spikedrivingblues]

Originally Posted by sid

maybe get one of those tiny vacuums for key boards like computer key boards. canned air works too but spreads dust every where as well. but it should dust off the buildings nicely.
maybe one of thesehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787KXTFW...ainforumcon-20

Looks like blowing off the rolling stock and buildings then vacuuming up might work.

Thanks for the link, too. That should work well as long as it doesn't blow the buildings apart

[Andreash]

I use a soft artist brush in one hand, and a small vacuum hose held close to where I’m “sweeping”. I find it effective....keep up the good work.

[spikedrivingblues]

Originally Posted by Andreash

I use a soft artist brush in one hand, and a small vacuum hose held close to where I’m “sweeping”. I find it effective....keep up the good work.

Another good tip for this rookie. Thanks!

[spikedrivingblues]

Unfortunately, I'm not posting to show progress . I seem to be in a holding pattern when it comes to continuing the build.

However, one thing has been puzzling me from time to time and it just occurred to ask you guys about it; one of my locos with crew radio chatter sounds will occasionally play a series of tones (sounds like what you would hear if dialing a phone) but no dialog.

If a visitor should ask me what that was...what the hell should I tell them?

Thanks

[Stan D]

Does it sound like what you might hear from a fire/rescue station radio? As a former Motorola radio salesman, I can say that those may be a multi tone signalling sound. It was used (before digital systems) to trigger only the station that needed to answer a call.

[spikedrivingblues]

Originally Posted by Stan D

Does it sound like what you might hear from a fire/rescue station radio? As a former Motorola radio salesman, I can say that those may be a multi tone signalling sound. It was used (before digital systems) to trigger only the station that needed to answer a call.

It does. Now that you mention it, it reminds me of the beeping on that old TV show "Emergency" when they got a call.

Is that something that would be heard over train crew chatter?

Thanks
Paul

[SantaFeJim]

Over time I have seen many nice HO layouts on a 4’ x 8’piece of plywood. By adding 5’ to the wide and 3’ to the length you have more than doubled the total area. That allows you to create a very interesting layout capable of running trains of 15-20 cars and not have it look like a dog chasing its tail.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted. You are off to a great start.

[spikedrivingblues]

Originally Posted by SantaFeJim

Over time I have seen many nice HO layouts on a 4’ x 8’piece of plywood. By adding 5’ to the wide and 3’ to the length you have more than doubled the total area. That allows you to create a very interesting layout capable of running trains of 15-20 cars and not have it look like a dog chasing its tail.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted. You are off to a great start.

Jim, thanks so much for the encouragement.

I wish I were posting progress more frequently but life has been tireless at throwing challenges at me for quite a while (but those details are for another forum) and I've done nothing on the layout for some time.

Hopefully I can get through everything and get back to the layout at some point

[flyboy2610]

Originally Posted by spikedrivingblues

I wish I were posting progress more frequently but life has been tireless at throwing challenges at me for quite a while (but those details are for another forum) and I've done nothing on the layout for some time.

Trust me, my friend: almost all of us can relate to this!
Life can be going along great, and then it just goes bonkers for awhile!
But as Red Green used to say: "Remember, I'm pullin' for ya! We're all in this together!"

[spikedrivingblues]

Thanks. I'll be back at it ASAP!