Building a New TINPLATE Wide Gauge/Standard Gauge Layout #3

Next, all the plywood got one coat of stain with General Finishes waterbased Dye Stain in Amber, Light Brown, and Green. Then, one coat of clear Varathane.

Then the wood was bolted together and all track laid down and screwed to the wood.

One corner had been left unstained in case a water area was wanted. It was, done using Minwax in Indigo.

How do you like the USA track? I am starting my standard gauge layout. The dimensions of my layout are 31 X 8, 1/2" plywood, homasote on top. I was going to try and fit 3 loops of standard and 2 to 3 loops of O gauge.

What is the spacing between your standard gauge loops?

Frank

@Frank Ranzino posted:

How do you like the USA track? I am starting my standard gauge layout. The dimensions of my layout are 31 X 8, 1/2" plywood, homasote on top. I was going to try and fit 3 loops of standard and 2 to 3 loops of O gauge.

What is the spacing between your standard gauge loops?

Frank

FrankR, USA TRACK is what SGers use, for some time now. It’s the best. Get large size curves. 7-1/4” center rail to center rail on the straights. This layout uses 84 curves on the two mainlines. The upper platform of the center double decker section is a loop with 42 curves.

After all the track was laid down it was time to put some trains down and give things a first go. While waiting for some very special trains to arrive, one track got my an original 1931 American Flyer Brass Piper bell ringer and its 1931-1932 tender, and one repro AF freight car. The other track had a repro Dorfan Crocodile electric with an original Dorfan Boxcar.  

Next, this layout would be needing some special stations. Wanted something different than what was on my two SG layouts. Decided that litho was the way to go.

A big thank you goes to Nation Wide Lines, I was blessed to be able to purchase these three gorgeous original American Flyer litho stations from him:

But wait! there's more! Two other special stations came to be on the layout as well; an original Ives litho 114 that I already had, and a original Ives litho 116 was snagged on eBay.

After seeing pics and video of a terrific SG double decker xmas layout, and talking with its creator, we decided to add a similar idea to the new Basement Layout. Located at the room's back wall, the Layout's Center Front. A lower {bottom} platform extension centered under the "Cinema Wall" space in front of the tracks had already been previously determined for the AF stations. Adding a large upper platform approximately 10-3/4"-11" above that was implemented. The width of each platform is 67-1/2" . The depth of the upper was 48", to accommodate a small 42STD loop. These platforms would create a dynamic "Showcase" area on the basic layout, adding much space for detailing and highlighting certain pieces.

Thank you for posting all the explanation and photos. I have a large O Gauge layout, but this past holiday season I found that the reproduction O and Standard Gauge trains would make a fine around-the-tree layout.  The O Gauge tinplate can stretch out its legs on my big layout.  However, for Standard Gauge, I do not want to be bored with a simple oval that severely limits the number of cars . Now your around-the-wall layout is giving me some ideas. And, yes, although the budget it tight just now, I had my eyes on (and my web browser bookmarked for) USA track. I do wish someone would make a few Standard Gauge switches.

Here's something you might appreciate: my large layout includes all sort of buildings, from off-the-shelf MTH, Lionel, and Menards to crafted and weathered, even paper.  However, the landscape is all painted on the sound board.  My imagination is thereby given some room to run.