4 x 8 Layout Overhaul

Removal of the MTH track

After separation, some of the sections had crumbled under regular use. I made sure to keep the track flush to the table while separating it, and still some tabs broke off even though I took great care.

All screws were installed using hand tools, and nothing was overtightened. The chinese plastic is just failing with age. The switches are particularly brittle. When I installed this track years ago I thought it was The Bomb. Now, its junk.

I concur that two parallel sidings would be better because the second could be made much longer.

A clean slate for a new start:

And this is what will be on the tabletop. Foss Contender Green 24 x 24 peel and stick carpet:

Looks good. Glad you are finally putting down roots.

Bob

See is you can get some of those carpet joints under your track.  You could also stagger the joints.

Thanks Bob. Its time for an upgrade? back to tinplate... The grandkids need something more with some operating units to occupy their attention. Two trains going in circles gets old after 5 minutes with this crew. The three-year-old has discovered switching and wants more of that. Unfortunately the MTH stuff cant handle his abuse so its time put down some real metal.

And the trains I'm using are the cheapest stuff Lionel made so if they get airborne I don't care!

This track plan is from another 4 x 8 OGR thread. I like it, and I have all the material on hand:

@452 Card posted:

This track plan is from another 4 x 8 OGR thread. I like it, and I have all the material on hand:

That's a good plan with some switching action. I had looked at that one before I built my 4x8.

Get a hold of Jerry @baltimoretrainworks to join the 48 Club.

Bob

I think I will delete the crossover siding to get more room for buildings in the yard. It eliminates a switch and makes things easier.

@452 Card posted:

Removal of the MTH track

After separation, some of the sections had crumbled under regular use. I made sure to keep the track flush to the table while separating it, and still some tabs broke off even though I took great care.

All screws were installed using hand tools, and nothing was overtightened. The chinese plastic is just failing with age. The switches are particularly brittle. When I installed this track years ago I thought it was The Bomb. Now, its junk.

I made sure to keep the track flush to the table while separating it,

That right there was your problem...

You shouldn't pull the track straight apart, it wasn't designed for that, you need to bend it up in a V at the joints and they come apart easily, pulling them straight apart is a sure way to break them as it is almost impossible to seperate them by pulling them like that unless you really pull hard.

RealTrax

Fast forward to 5:04 to see how he separates them.

I have tons of Realtrax going back to when it first came out and none of it is brittle and I've never had any issues mating/umating sections but they really don't respond well to  brute force.

Jerry