My 9 year old son really likes this layout. I think it is a perfect father son project layout. I have a couple of questions. Is a track list available or has someone figured it out? I have never use fastrack before, but my son likes the look of this track system. Also, I have two 4X8 tables available. What would be the easiest way to cut the plywood tops for the 8X10 configuration shown in the article? Are 5X9 sheets available anymore? I’m thinking the old home made ping pong table. Might be easier to have a couple of those sheets ripped at the lumber yard. I am willing to live with some overhang since I don’t want to change the 2X 4 framing. Wonderful layout and a very nice article. Congratulations to Mr. Apitz and his family.
If it’s a simple table-top design, you should be able to squeeze both loops on the 8 x 4 sheets. Use O-36 curves for your inside loop, and O-42 cruves on the outside loop. However, remember on the s-curve up front you have to use O-36 on the outside , and O-42 on the inside…make sense? Then all you have to do is cut off 2 feet of another 8 x 4 sheet, and you have your L-shape layout. There is software out there to give you the track pieces you need, or you can get a track template and design it the old fashioned way;pencil and paper.
Jim A would be flattered that his article inspired your new layout.
Redlewis, if you do a search on this forum for “jumijo” as the author you will find a good number of threads here and postings by him - and he does talk about the process of his layout building along with some of the trains he has.
Jim and I sparred a little bit when FasTrack first came out (the match was fixed in his favor and I was forced to take a dive [:D] ). I was surprised when FasTrack started doing as well as it has, and happy for Lionel too.
But seriously now, Jim has done a great job with FasTrack and the whole layout. And he also has written one of the best reviews of the Lionel Thomas the Tank trains I have read to date… it’s here on this forum someplace back a bit.
He hasn’t been too active of late, so I hope all is okay. Or maybe he’s seen the light and ripping out all that FasTrack and replacing it with 027 track. [:D] [:D] [:D] Now dang, where did I put those boxing gloves???
I’m sure family life, work and marriage keeps him pretty busy too.
You know Red, I don’t know what area of the country you are in, which affects availabilty of this - but I have found the solid blue insulation board works very well for a layout surface, providing you don’t plan are walking on it. The Owens-Corning pink board has a little more density that the blue board, I went the the blue and it works fine. There are, of course, some drawbacks which I could go into, but the advantage (if you plan it right and build the layout in sections) is a lightweight layout that can be moved if necessary.
Also check out this website for many more ideas on FasTrack layouts: http://www.thortrains.net/
Look for the link on FasTrack layouts. There’s also
Brianel, he quite the forum due to the junk going on about him. [X-)]
Grayson, what junk??? I missed that! Well, if that’s true, I’m very sorry to hear that. I enjoyed his postings very much and thought the article in CTT was just great… nice layout and family to boot!
[#ditto]
What was said about Jumijo?, I can’t imagine anything that could have been said that was less than complimentary. If anyone knows him outside of the forums, I sure hope that they tell him how well respected he is, and how much he is MISSED.
Doug
PMs to both of you.
Over talked. Almost 400 posts in one month. Sometimes answering himself. Funny, lots of old timers are now returning. HUMMMM
Let’s try and play nice, guys.