When I was 6, Santa brought me my first Lionel. Well, I learned how to put it together and run it. My Dad would come in from farming and I would have it all over the living room floor. Dad would fuss. Our house had one big room up stairs with a few closets. Mom loaded up the track one day and took it to a friend that was a carpenter. It came home tracked to a 4 X 8 sheet of 3/4 inch plywood. Each curve [027] had a straight section in between each curved section. This made some space for some buildings in the corners but helped elevate some of the sharpness of the 027 curves and some derailments. Anyway, my “layout” ended upstairs on saw benches Dad built. I used that for years with added accessories as they could be afforded. Farmers were not rich back then [nor today]. One day I added a wing of 4 X 8. So, layout growth will come along as you can do it. Imagination is great. Use it. Enjoy it and run trains.
Ok, Thanx for the advice, Chief.
I hope someday I can build (and afford[:D])a real big layout just like yours, even if it is on the floor.
Thanx Chief,
Colin
hey Ya’ll
Since this years Lionel Lineup has gotten me in the mood, I am gong to ask for the New Transylvania Railroad 4-4-0 and Caboose, as well as a few track peices for my layout, and I am going to build a layout no 3 4x8 sheets put togeather in a way of my chosing, soI can build a great layout.
I now love Fastrack.
Bert and Mary Poppins
Another easy way to start small and get larger is with hollow core doors instead of plywood. At Lowes a 36" x 80" hollow door is just $20 (also available in 24 and 30 inch). It is much lighter and much more rigid than plywood so it is easy to move and not as much benchwork is required.
My current layout is hollow core with foam on top to reduce noise. Here is a picture.
Jim H
I wanted to start off on hollow core doors, but the Lionel Fastrack is too wide to fit. You really need to allow 4 ft for a 4 section curve, unless you want the track to go right to the edge of the board.
Jim
I while back someone suggested Luan (sp?) sheets with insulation in between. Then you can get the solid “sandwich” structure and still not weigh very much. The Luan sheets come in 4 x 8 sheets.
Jim H
Jim H,
I’d really like to see a better photo of that door layout from the post above!
Bert and Mary, I prefer the Fastrack too. I’ve had a large loop of it set up in my den on the carpet for over a month now and not one piece has had to be re-connected. In my opinion, it looks much more realistic than the old stuff too. The only knocks I have against it is its current minimum radius and the price. If I had O27 track, I could build a table top layout or two. I’m hoping the product line expands to include different radius curves and accessories.
Jim
Just a thought…if you used two 24 inch doors for a Fas Track layout then the 40 inch diameter curve would fit nicely. The only thing is that you would need to connect the two doors somehow. It shouldn’t be to hard to do though.
Hey Ya’ll
I am going to build my 4x8 with 0-27 track. I like the nostalgia of 0-27 layouts. But, I plan to have a large amount of fastrack to take with me when I go some where or on vacation, or evactuating a Hurricane (I live on the coast of SC).
I made my first purchase on my want list, a Lionel Transylvania Railroad 4-4-0 with the sounds boxcar and the caboose.
I am to rrcieve a NYC Berkshire for my staright A report card.
Bert and Mary Poppins