Good Morning and Good Afternoon, depending on the time zone you reside it. Been busy with non railroad projects recently. We had the main house and train building aka the guest house repainted. Same color, just a refresh. 

Currently working on painting, adding windows, shades, etc. to many the city buildings on the city scape of the layout. Adding lighting to the structures. They range from two to twelve story structures. Buildings are from a variety of manufacturers including City Classics, etc...  Most have been primed before hand but several have not. (Forgot how to add photos so any assistance would be greatly appreciated). There are somewhere about 30 buildings that need all or part finishing. All will have LED lighting and many with interior detail. This is going to take a while!!!

Have a great day.

Frank aka Erieman

Mark,

Now that the forum is back, I can't wait to see your progress on your layout. I have see some photos in the Narrow Gauge Mag, but now your updates can be more frequent. It looks like a wonderful project. Looking forward to your next post.

Frank / Erieman 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3YpdPgWNs&t=341s&ab_channel=ToyManTelevision

This is a link to a video update on my layout. Dale and his wife Karyn started Toy Man Television ten years ago. About nin years ago Dale took some video of my layout and posted it on his forum. This video opens with a portion of the layout back then. Recently Dale asked if i could send him some updated video. So here is about 14 minute of old and new, very new video of the layout. Currently i am working on installing LED lighting to many of the structures, especially in the major city. The video starts with scenes nine years go, then new video and then a final flashback to the old. 

Enjoy.

Frank / Erieman

Good Afternoon All,

Thanks to everyone that put in the time and effort to get the forum back up and running. I hope I still can remember how to upload, etc...  Looking forward to seingwhat everyone has been doing over the past many years. 

Here is a video link to my layout almost current. Dale Angel and his wife Karyn of Toy Man Television have been guest speakers for our regional NMRA conventions twice and you can see some prior and a lot of current layout status. They were or guest speakers back in June at our convention in Flagstaff. Dale mentioned that he could not come to Phoenix, but asked if i would take some video and sent itto him. The video shows some prior and current status of the layout. A lot of catching up to do as you will see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3YpdPgWNs&t=556s&ab_channel=ToyManTelevision

Thanks again to everyone who put inthe time and effort to bring back the forum. For fellow forum members, Welcome back and look forward seeing what you all have been doing.

Frank aka Erieman

Tom is a true friend. I've known Tom since the early days of the original forum. I am glad to hear that he is on the mend. We have met several times over the years. While visiting Disney World with the family, I took my granddaughter with me to visit Tom. He still asks about her. That was many years ago and she still inquires about Tom.


Got a question, ask Tom and you will get an answer. Several of us met at the builders in Scale show several years ago in Mass.. We all had a ball going to visit George Sellios layout. I've also had the pleasure of going to his house to meet his bride and see his layout. Awesome.


This is a small hobby with lots of great people. Tom is one of them. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. Tom is truly a friend to one and all.


Frank / Erieman

Good Afternoon Steve,


I have been popping in and out of the forum the past year or so. Several house projects have slowed down my forum viewing. My layout construction is in the home stretch, if there is such a thing. I hope to post some recent details soon. I want to let you know that you are doing a marvelous job on your layout. Just beautiful scenery and structures.
Keep up the wonderful work.


All the best,


Frank / Erieman

SWEET" With all this "free time" he has probably been thinking of what is next on his railroad!


Frank / Erieman

Great News. Good to hear that Toms is moving thru the healing process so quickly. All the best my friend.


Erieman / Frank

Good Moring All,


We are still experiencing a cold front here in the Arizona Desert. At 8:43 it is 37 degrees. Frost is definately on the pumpkin although we dont have any. I think we have one more day of this, at least i hope so. My backyard looks like an encampment of burlap structures. No body living in them. Protecting some of our more frost sensitive cactus and plants.


I retired 14 years ago next month, so i must be one of the old farts on the forum. I thought retiring would give me more time for the railroad. Well. i was partially right. Lots of house projects, vacations, grandchildren, etc.. The layout is getting close to completion, if there is such a thing.


All the best to everyone on the forum.


Frank / Erieman

HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all. Here is to a better year than 2021. Currently 48 degrees outside this am and only going to warm up to 54. We have a freeze warning tonight. That does not happen often, but i have a lot of plants and citrus trees to cover with frost blankets. So you can guess what i will be doing today. Maybe a bit of train time later today. Working of the final scenic area next to the steel mill. That does not that i am done, only finishing the background in the steel mill area.


All the best to everyone.


Frank / Erieman

Tom,


Best of luck with your surgery. I: sent you a package today with tsomw reading material for your recovery along with some train stuff. All the best my friend.


Frank / Erieman

Thank you to everyone for your congratulations on my MMR. Sorry fo the delay in responding. I've been lurking, but not had much time eto post. Several house projects have been taking a quite a bit of my time. I have been working on my steeel mill complex for quite some time. While i am not yet completed, i thought i would share some photos of the progress.
It's structures, scenery, track, switch machines ETC... Lots of LED lighting still needs to be added. Here are a couple of progress photos.


Frank / Erieman

Quote from: S&S RR on July 10, 2021, 07:25:58 PM

Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on July 10, 2021, 04:01:54 PM

QuoteI had gone to Preiser's site to see what they made and many seem to be discontinued.  A search of various retailers sites also showed a lot of their bulk packs as being discontinued.  I have a  hundred or so standing figures, but few seated.

I just checked out my local sources and it would seem you are right.  Such a shame.  Just as well I have stocked up over the years.

Cheers, Mark.

I have noticed the same issue with Preiser figures.  Does anyone know if this is a temporary supply chain issue related to the COVID restrictions or is it a long term problem with Preiser?  Sorry, to high jack this build thread with but it is a related issue.

John,


I think the problem stems from a totally different factor. The bulk figures that you see on the market are from China and are real cheap, but not very good. I am willing to forecast that Preiser is being forced out of part of their figure business by the crap from China. Only a speculation on my part, but it seems to fit the typical mode of the Chinese businesses.


Frank / Erieman

Good Morning All,


Several house projects have kept me away from the forum. I graze, but have not had the time to post. The house projects have taken priority for the past couple of months. I graze the forum from time to time.


Last week i recieved official notice that i completed my MMR #683 ( master model railroader ) certification from the NMRA. This has been a long journey, but a fun one. Another placque to hang on the wall. This is a fun hobby. You meet a lot of wonderful and talented people. Of course there are many great modelers on the forum.


Hope everone has a wwonderful holiday. Back to another structure for the layout.


Frank aka Erieman

Top of the morning Tom,


I notice that there is something missing in the top photo on page two. There is not structure supports beneath the stairs on the left. Did these brake off? It is going to be agreat scene when completed. Can't wait to see how you handle all the crates. They will really make the scene pop. More progress pics please.


Frank / Erieman