Building a new layout

Cool.  If you have a track plan, I'm sure everyone would like to see that.  Thanks for sharing.

More pics

Nice looking Lionel table. It looks bigger than the one I’ve seen in past catalogs. What size is it?

It’s two Lionel tables back to back - more pics are coming as I progress through the project

I had built a layout about 20 years ago only to take it down 15 years ago - I will list the products I use and some share some details as I progress

I used Foamular NGX to put on the tables - 1 inch thick

Then added woodland scene ready grass

Applied with 3M super 77

Before I get the layout designed - I played with fastrack pieces - by just laying out on table - this won’t be the final layout - checking to see if 60, 48 and 36 curves work -

I have 2 **** gates - I may split the tables and connect using the **** gates ? Don’t know yet ?

Love the table. Great job.

definitely leaning on separating the tables and having 'bridges' between them - thus extends the layout - and allows me to include the bridges - two HellGates - and some other types.   Still thinking about it....

@T2Deal posted:

definitely leaning on separating the tables and having 'bridges' between them - thus extends the layout - and allows me to include the bridges - two HellGates - and some other types.   Still thinking about it....

And might give you an access pathway to get in the "middle" of the layout and reach things, too.

What is Foamular NGX and where can you buy it ? Is it like the pink foam board you can buy at Lowes/HD.

Yes - you can get it online, lowes, home depot - etc...  I opted for the smaller 2 ft X 2 ft by 1 inch thick.  The Lionel tables have 1 inch availability between the top of the table and edges - so that works.  Instead of buying the larger sheets which are 4 ft x 8 ft - the smaller pieces are easy to work with.  I used a GOCHANGE 3 in 1 foam cutter to fit the pieces - and that worked great.

Thank you for the info. I will have to check this stuff out.

Jeff

I plan on incorporating 60, 48, 36 curves and 60, 48 switches.   I am contemplating installing a turntable on a separate table - and have it connected to the main table?  we will see.  I purchased the turntable over 20 years ago and never installed it before - I will post a pic later. 

most recent update - downloaded RailModeller Pro app for MAC to play with some layout options.   I am still considering separating the tables and installing the HellGate bridges between them which adds 30 inches to the width (86 inches x 146 inches/7.1 ft x 12.1ft)?  or keep them together as is with w 86 inch x 116 inch/7.1ft x 9.6 ft? or flip them to make 172 inch x 58 inch layout/ 14.3 ft x 4.8 ft? also contemplating adding a train yard? using the turntable I received many years ago (will post pic later).  first thing first - see the attached which is the first design 86 inches x 116 inches - no separation of tables - see left lower switch which will attached to the expansion train yard.

Here is another layout - same as before basically but added 30 inches in the middle to compensate for separating the tables - and installing the HellGate's and other bridges..... 

attached adding 30 inches

Here is another variation - 172 x 58 with the tables connected on the short side - thoughts between the three designs?  the more I think of it I most likely will add a train yard off one side to store the engines - that should be fun building that table (HAHA).

I think a yard is very handy. I built my first yard to store trains but then found out I love switching operations.

Update - adding some pics - decided to go with a Lionel transfer table “yard” - started to build table extension - where I can use the Hellgates - using the old Nilo table as a prototype - see

pics

More pics - going with “Cuda” style layout - see Fastrack 060 switches - other switches are FT 048 -

Instead of a turntable I will be going with Lionel’s engine transfer table with extensions

Amazing how a 30 year old Nilo table comes in handy

This is an interesting idea to use a transfer table for it.

I have been traveling so little to no work on the train layout.  Good news though - while traveling I worked on some ideas for extending the layout - decided to add a larger table extension that will be in the room behind the table - see pics above.  That room is a nice size and will house not only the Lionel transfer table but it will include the new Millhouse Turntable that I ordered yesterday -

https://www.studiozphoto.com/Millhouse.html

Many of you know of Millhouse and its owner Alan.  He was fantastic to deal with and has so much information to offer - I am going with the 34" turntable - working on the new table extension diagram - working on ideas to connect the 'yard' to the main lionel train tables.  I am toying with combining the two Hellgates back to back to serve as the connecting elevated section?  or will get a hold of a trestle system to serve at the connecting section.  I will continue with some thoughts and post pictures as it takes flight.

I need to build the table extension section.  I used the NILO as a prototype for the Lionel transfer station but understand that new table needs to be much bigger to house the yard that now will have the turntable and transfer table.

thanks for your patience....  as I continue with this adventure

Douglas aka "T2Deal"

picture example of the turntable I purchased from Millhouse - also ordered the new Flood Loader from MH

Been busy traveling on business but was able to work on the train yard extension today - built on table - working on the other table now

Will wrap the table tops in woodland ready grass - and finish the table ends after I attach the tables from underneath

Will wrap the table tops in woodland ready grass - and finish the table ends after I attach the tables from underneath

One more table after this one -

Then onto a prototype to connect the train yard to the main line through here……

Update - finish the train yard extension- see pics

Update - finish the train yard extension- see pics

Also ordered Korber Roundhouse plus extensions - from McMuffin

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/products/kb-304

Next - need to build the roundhouse.  Also need to build the table extension that will hold the two Hellgate bridges connecting the main line to the train yard - will post pics

Roundhouse’s came in the mail