1957 Super O Dealer Demonstrator Layout

IF the Photo that you posted is your intent to recreate, the track itself is O gauge Tinplate and NOT super O.

There are a lot of problems with the layout you mention - it is an artist's rendering.

The operational and architectural shortcomings have been addressed by several folks over the years to come up with a workable layout.

Here are some jumping off points:

1957a

1957b

1957c

prrhorseshoecurve, and ADCX ROB,

Thank you for the reply, very helpful.  However I'm might not have been as clear as I should have been.  My main interest at this point is collecting the various accessories associated with this layout.  I am aware this layout has some issues, one of which it seems a trestle is in the middle of a lower track!

I was able to get what I think is a list from a couple for the original pictures, (attached) but just not sure.  One specific question was the number of uncoupling sections that were used.

Matt

Depending on the version of the layout you are referring to, the accessories changed from the first time it was pictured to the time it was diagrammed out by Lionel in their literature.

Is there one that is considered the "most recognized" or "iconic"?

Here is the Super-O track plan you might be thinking of.   They are very similar, this one says "Super-O" at the bottom.   Perhaps there is another page associated with this plan, as all of the buildings are numbered - presumably identified in a key on another page.   If there is another page, that could be helpful to you, but I do not have it.

You have probably seen this illustration, which would appear to be of the "Panoramic" layout plan, not the "Super-O" plan, if the number of ties in each track section is a reliable indicator.   However some of the track angles and track positions would indicate that it is an illustration of the Super-O plan, judging by the angle of the two turnouts at the left, and the position of the elevated track in the lower right - which does not reach as far down (toward the edge of the layout) as the lower track does, consistent with the the Super-O diagram.   I seem to recall learning that this illustration appeared in "Popular Mechanics" magazine:

I do not know which version would be considered "iconic", I would guess its the Super-O diagram above.

Thanks all., I really appreciate the insight and help.  Funny, found a great article on this layout in my wife's Pinterest account, of all places! 

Mingram,

Classic Toy Trains magazine has done a couple of special issues on 1950s Lionel trains and the many layouts that were featured back then. I know one of these issues had a pretty good article on the '57 layout.

You can probably find the information on the CTT website.

M,

I would consider the "iconic" one to be the artist's rendition on the back of the 1957 catalog, even with all its flaws. That is where most of us first saw it and put it on our long list of "wish I could haves" from Lionel catalogs.  It is detailed enough to identify most of the accessories. 

To actually build the layout, one of the track diagrams, of course, is better.

But, nothing beat looking at that back cover as a kid and wearing it almost clean through by tracing out the routes with a grubby little finger over and over again!  

Jim

John, Jim,

Thank for the replies.  Via Pinterest of all places, I found the CCT article that gave all the information needed and Jim, I agree- I want to replicate the back cover- just classic PW Lionel.

M