Posted on another link, but thought it might be easier to find here.
I am looking for a specific book on construction of an O scale railroad. I read it many times after checking it out from the library, but they have no record of it anymore. Let me describe it. It involved construction of a LARGE lionel layout that was built in installments. It featured many loops and took the builder from the very beginning to the end. It had chapters on electricity, and specifically how to make better lionel switch controls using heavy duty toggle switches (he mentioned how he originally used Atlas ones and they melted).
I also remember that he divided it into blocks, and one block was nothing more than two turnouts back to back with the feeded connected to the middle rail pin in between them. It might have been called “Building an advanced lionel layout” or something like that. Does this ring any bells? The author also talked about how he always wanted to include two turnouts that had their curved tracks connect and the straight portions led into a 90 degree crossing. Grr, I can picture the book in my head but cannot remember the title or author and would love to buy it. Does anyone have it and can tell me the author or title?
Greenberg’s Model Railroading With Lionel Trains : Volume 2 An Advanced Layout
I think this might be it, but no place online shows the cover so I cannot be sure. Does anyone own this book and does my description sound familiar? Thanks.
I believe Scoobster is correct in terms of identifying the book you are looking for. We did that one back when I was with Greenberg Publishing. I’m sure it is long out of print, and didn’t sell well even when it was in print. Frankly, although I went to visit that layout on several of our photo shoots for the book (this would have been in the very early 90s, I believe), I was not impressed with the concept. And the technology for controlling toy trains and layout construction has come such a long way that I can’t imagine that most folks would want to approach layout-building in that way today.
I probably have the book somewhere in my boxed-up collection of Greenberg books, but I can’t offhand recall the name of the builder. He lived in the Baltimore area.
You have certainly done some neat things in your career, Allan. Someday, if it wouldn’t be too much an imposition, it would be great to hear more about your experiences.
Thanks for the kind comment, Doug, but I’m afraid there are some here who would not share an interest in knowing any more about me and my hobby involvement (both inside the industry and as an individual hobbyist).
However, I am writing a fairly detailed narrative of my hobby experience at the request of a book publishing house, and will be glad to share it with you (when it’s completed), if you’ll contact me via e-mail at almiller@vt.edu.
I’ve just been fortunate to have had a varied and enjoyable (for the most part) career in both my journalism profession and my life-long involvement in the hobby, in all its diverse aspects. I’ve worked hard to interest others in model railroading, and hope to continue doing so for as long as I’m able.
Thanks for posting those links, Doug! John Kouba–yes, that’s the fellow! I was having a dickens of a time remembering the name (creeping senility, I guess). John had (maybe still has) a huge layout that was jam-packed with stuff. Definitely not my approach to model railroading, and too complex to wire and control, but it certainly might appeal to others.
Personally, if I wanted to construct a large multi-train O gauge layout these days, I would go with DCS or TMCC, or both.
That is a gret resource book and Ikeep looking for it at train shows in case it shows up in someones used book bin. Our local library moved it from active circulation to reference so it can’t be checked out anymore. I still zeroxed out a few pages on tips on rewiring Lionel O-42 switches from track to contsant voltage and a couple of other tidbits as well.
Thanks for all your help. Yes, this is the book I am looking for. And now that I think about it, it wasn’t that interesting a layout operationally BUT I love wiring and tracklaying and it was interesting to read about those sections. I would never build a layout like that now but as a kid, it sure seemed like a great layout to own. I am checking other places because I don’t really want to spend $45 for a book like that. My local library system in my old town of Rochester (I am now a student at Albany) had it, but they sold a lot of stuff a year ago. I will check when I go home to see if they still have it and see if they might be willing to sell it. And, I will still check ebay.
Scoob, if you are a student, you may know your school library can get you practically any book via inter-library loan. It may serve you to just get the book out now and again.