A new/old layout

Looks great

Does it for me too.  If I had it to do over it would be all post war.  Good going,

Bud

Very nice!

Thanks. It's very simple but will be a fun project. I added in an 022 switch tonight and am figuring out wiring for postwar signals. I don't really want to use contactors so I'll rig up some relays like on my larger layout. The whole purpose of this is to get some of these great Lionel items out of my storages bins. 

The hitch in all this is I have no room to keep it out. I have to store it vertically against the wall behind my bigger setup when not in use. My larger layout is on castors and is easily moved. The signals and other accessories will need to be easily added in then removed but again with such a small setup that should be no worry.

Maybe I'm making a bigger deal than this is but I welcome all comments and ideas.

Roman

I'm kicking around trying to get off the floor, so I feel your pain.

Another member posted a picture of a fold-down layout that struck a chord. Why not find an open section of a wall and hang it like a picture, with hinges at the bottom? A couple of legs like a card table or that just slip in when the table is folded down for use.

Good work and maybe show us the bigger one sometime.

I have definitely gone smaller and simpler over the years. I would now , if I were to completely start over, go with a post war layout. I now have cut back to a small 5x10' layout but all my engines are command control. If I hadn't already invested in command I would now go all conventional. Just me as I can understand others preferring more scale and realistic operations as well. 

I would use the contactors-keep it post-war simple. It works. I made a small table for my pre-war Lionel Jr set. Sometimes, I need that train smell too.

Rather than against the wall vertically, maybe slide it under a bed? And before you get too far along, maybe paint of carpet the platform?

The more I thought about it I think I will go with the contactors. Postwar simple is a great thought.

I will paint the base green. This was of course the first step of fitting the track and just getting a train running. I'd love to have it in the house under a bed or hinged to a wall but those ideas are filed away under "happy wife, happy life". 

Here's sloppy pic of the messy larger setup. Sort of hi-rail meets postwar. More for running smaller scale stuff.

You can wire the accessory off of fixed power and use the contactor to break ground on an out side rail.

here's the 1954 Lionel manual to help with the different wiring methods.

Are you going to put some spackle in those screw holes?

Well little more work on mini layout. Got it painted, darker than the standard Lionel, but it's ok. I'll probably use a little ground cover here and there. Need to begin wiring up some accessories.

Nice storage alternative I worked out is instead of having store it behind the layout in the background was rearranging some storage boxes under layout allowing to just set it on top of those. Gave me an idea of a sliding table type of setup for underneath. We'll see how that go.

Roman,

 Nice job on your small layout which happens to be larger than my current 0-27 circle which is on my work bench.

 What did you use for the green paint? 

Tom

Tom, I used Rustoleum Hunter Green on top of a coat of Kilz primer. I used Kilz for no reason other than it was left over from other jobs. This is a layout on the cheap. The total spent so far is about 15 bucks, $3 for the can of paint and about $12 for the side trim which is plain baseboard. 

Roman posted:

Well little more work on mini layout. Got it painted, darker than the standard Lionel, but it's ok. I'll probably use a little ground cover here and there. Need to begin wiring up some accessories.

Nice storage alternative I worked out is instead of having store it behind the layout in the background was rearranging some storage boxes under layout allowing to just set it on top of those. Gave me an idea of a sliding table type of setup for underneath. We'll see how that go.

Hi Roman,

I am actually starting a 3x4 portable layout with 027 Track. Since my main layout has been dismantled, I was looking for somewhere to run my postwar collection for sometime now. I plan on adding some postwar accessories, and will using indoor/outdoor carpet which was a last minute design change. I was going to paint and use Lionel 919 grass. I will post pics once i get started. Thanks again for sharing and good luck with the progress. Looks great. Even small layouts can be fun.

Michael

I like it! nothing wrong with simple green painted plywood. works for me.