Skip to main content

Closed11 replies

4x8 "Toy-Rail" Layout Update

S SJCOGR Forum Member

It has been a busy 2 months on the Indian Valley RR....

 

In March I purchased an Imperial Railking N&W 2-8-8-2 Y6b Freight Set which includes the engine, tender, 4 coal hoppers and a caboose. It runs, sounds, and looks first rate however due to the size, weight, and crappy Lionel switch on the mainline, a 2 month long layout construction session began. 

 

The layout is 4x8, with a tunnel covering about half of the main level with another level above the tunnel (see photo). Track is Lionel tubular 0-27 profile with 0-42 curves on the main level and 0-27 curves on the upper level. Lionel 0-27 Manual switches have been in place for years with little issues. Due to the design of the switch on the mainline on the lower level, the Y6 could not run over it and so the switch had to come out. In its place is a Ross O-31 switch which is a bit rough but everything passes through with no problems. 

 

Since March, I have replaced 1 switch, continued the cliff/rock work around all exposed wood on the table and frame, painted the exposed wood legs of the table jet black as opposed to a dirty "Hunter Green" color, replaced about 4 feet of track in conjunction with switch replacement, and done countless scenery projects. I originally intended to just replace the switch and be done but decided to fix various minor things that had been waiting for attention, re-do, start, or complete scenery projects that had been waiting a LONG time for some help, and various other things. Having the layout ripped up and being in "construction mode" helped me get through with all of the dirty work. Prior to March, I had just finished a major re-ballasting of all track. 

 

Below are two photos. I intended to post more but two was all my camera would allow...I can't find the battery charger for the life of me....The "new" rockwork along the outer edges is fully finished except for one small section on the opposite side (control table side) of the layout. I'm currently waiting for the Sculptamold to dry before painting on a section that needed to be re-done after I bumped into it and damaged it. 

 

Here is a general overview of the main level. Note the B&O GP9. That is brand spankin' new and my first PS3 engine. Picked it up yesterday from Catoctin Mountain Trains (www.cmtrains.com). In the tunnel, on the same track as the GP9, is a Railking Western Maryland F3 ABA set with 3 MTH Premier coal hoppers and caboose in tow. Not seen on the right hand side is a road, station area, some hills, and an overgrown MTH trailer home atop a small hill. Also, following my interest in abandoned RRs, a rusty section of tubular track, roughed up with some weeds, bushes, and general unkept appearance is placed along side the mainline. 

 

DSCN0110

 

Here is a shot of the upper level. I recently added the siding shown towards the center. That is an MTH Premier 40' Boxcar, specially done for the National Capital Trackers and their 20th Anniversary in 2010 on the siding. On the mainline is an MTH Railking Rugged Rails B&O F3 A unit with short freight. That F3 came in a B&O Freight RTR set, which got me back into MTH, that I got for my birthday in 2004. The engine is fully equipped with PS2 and DCS and has just under 4000 PROBLEM FREE scale miles on it. The Caboose was signed by Mike Wolf during a visit to a LHS in 2005. Sorry for the blurriness, my tripod won't extend high enough to take the photo. That Lionel New York Central Caboose next to the station is on display. The idea came to me after seeing the rail equipment in nearby Gaithersburg, MD, at the train station being restored...I thought why not have a caboose on display at the station like so many real stations. 

 

DSCN0111

 

 

Just about all of my equipment is MTH Railking. I have 4 Premier cars and a few Lionel 0-27 passenger cars to go with my Railking Imperial K4s. Other than that, everything is pure MTH Railking. They make a good product and have been happy with the offerings. They look good on my small layout and provide plenty of enjoyment. I run the entire layout via DCS and have now 10 PS2 or PS3 engines. I especially like the MTH Railking Imperial products. 

 

While the layout is far from Magazine material, I'm happy with it and hope for many more happy years with it and I also wanted to share the latest updates with the forum. 

 

 

Better photos will come once I find my camera charger.....

Attachments

Hide
Images (2)
  • DSCN0110
  • DSCN0111
Last edited by SJC
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

CHCHOGR Forum Member

SJC,

Great layout!

I think it's great you built the layout that suits your needs, budget and space.

Looking at all the monster sized layouts (greater than say 8X8) makes me and perhaps others feel like we're second or lower class model train participants. (Carpet Layouts exempt.)

True, it seems that only the grande layouts get published...but that's because in part of the need to sensationalize the hobby so people will buy magazines/subscriptions. But alas, makes me and others I know feel like we'll never be happy because our skills aren't sufficient enough or some other random thing like: limited budgets.

 

I'd like to see a series of articles on what you can do on a small layout with a complementary artile or two on small Chris-tmas layouts. This series could certainly inspire families with fixed/limited financial resources to realize...this is a do-able hobby and perhaps, buy that first starter set from their LHS.

 

I've used one of the layout apps and gone through 45+ layout ideas of all shapes, sizes and using multiple scales only to find myself in an endless loop. I finally settled on one for a Chris-tmas layout in 2010 and began steadfast development. What a chore (of love)!

 

So, you sir, I commend you. Specifically for enforcing and maintaining the K.I.S.S. formula for your layout and, being proud enough to share it with the forum.

Here's to all the hours you'll enjoy with it (and time noodling to tweak it).

 

If there are others out there reading this thread...brushing this effort off as "small potatoes" that's a real shame.

 

CH

BANDOBBANDOBOGR Forum Member

Sign me up as one of the folks who like your layout!  You are giving me some good ideas, too. Mine got started today, with the lower level of my NCT modules going up in the basement. They are 12x3, and next steps will be to figure out how to fit in reverse loops for each end of the bridge.  I hope to be able to get a couple of sidings off (or inside) the reverse loops. No trains will run before Monday night, since I'm going to be away the next two days. (Killian: I'm taking my ship's cap....always a good conversation starter!)  But, I'll try to get a video or photos of the first run.

 

B&OBill

S SJCOGR Forum Member

Thanks for all the nice words - much appreciated. I used to have a 4x12 HO layout (in another house) and my return to O gauge started in 2004 with a Lionel PRR Flyer Set and MTH B&O F3 Freight w/ PS2 set. I had attempted to recreate (roughly) a Lionel dealer display layout using the PRR Flyer and had a small loop for the MTH stuff on the floor. That didn't quite work out and never finished it. I eventually did a few green carpet type layouts on that 4x7 before incorporating it into a 7x12 foot O gauge layout in the current house I'm in. Although I miss having that layout, it was a big big for me at the time. I then went to some green carpet 4x8s before going with scenery in Summer 2010. 

 

I'll be honest and say that I've had carpet layouts in O when I was young, G, HO, and N...and I'll say that I probably had more fun with carpet layouts then I did with a permanent layout. When I was younger (I'll be 20 in a few weeks), my dad purchased a few Lionel tubular RTR sets and an MTH PS1 Amtrak Superliner set. All the time I would change track plans and whatnot...I loved it! 

 

 

On the layout now, most buildings are MTH Railking with a few Lionels tossed in. Scenery items are all from Woodland Scenics....I like their detail parts and scene/people packs (think they are called SceneScapes but may be wrong...I just know the price tags are not small)!

 

 

 

 

Here are a few more older photos (still looking for that charger!).

 

This photo was taken in March, just after I finished re-ballasting and just before I started the major work I finished this week. It is blurry as I didn't have a tripod available but it gives you a good sense of what the layout looks where the above pictures didn't show. You can see the roof of the trailer home on the hill, abandoned track, sidings, etc. 

 

DSCN0091

 

This was taken right around Christmas before re-ballasting and switch change. 

DSCN0003

 

These next photos were taken just after I finished major scenery construction in 2010. I believe these photos were taken in early 2011. Not the best as I was using a very old camera with poor lighting but they are the only ones showing the beginning of the scenery stage. 

DSC05360

DSC05361

DSC05362

DSC05364

DSC05365

Attachments

Hide
Images (7)
  • DSCN0091
  • DSCN0003
  • DSC05360
  • DSC05361
  • DSC05362
  • DSC05364
  • DSC05365
K killianOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by SJC:
Originally Posted by killian:

SJC,

 

You have a really nice layout.   Thanks for sharing the photos.  NOW get off the computer and go run your trains.    Just kidding.  Killian

 

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

 

Will be doing so shortly...need to be over at the RR early to spend some time running this puppy..... Her American flags are on her for the weekend. 

 

DSC05343

 

    Blow that whistle loud & long.   Killian 

 

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA  

W WMRYCOOGR Forum Member
What a change to see a small layout built to your needs and desires!  I agree with person who shared long live the smaller layouts.  Big layouts do make the scene frequently but a terrific small layout that has you running the kinds of trains you want when you want needs the lime light too!  Keep us updated!  You have done a terrific job for the space you have!  Go, go, go!!
Views: 4,076
Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×

Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership

OGR Forum Supporting Membership

Help support this forum with an OGR Forum Supporting Membership.
You will be able to watch the videos in the INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO FORUM!
A one-year OGR Forum Supporting Membership is only $12 per year, so sign up now!


    OR     


Access the ALL the OGR VIDEO FORUMS AND  over 300 back issues of OGR
with a DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION!



$12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable)
×