We have all scene pictures and most likely videos of the D-27 dealer display layout. Great novelty idea and a crowd pleaser but not very practical in our day to day operation of our layouts. During one of our many train display's some of us were talking about doing this on one of our modules.
cons:
1: how big should the curves be ?
2: our modules are 8' X 37"
3: really don't want to destroy a module just for this.
4: what ever we built would cause problems for most trains.
5: it would have to be modular
pro's:
1: It would be a cool....
The pro's have it ! Thanks to ACE, he came up with an idea. Keep it on the same level with a cross over and cover it with a mountain. Topeaka I say ! this might work.
Now I only have 18" on the inside of the module to work with, so expanding the module or an add on piece is my only choice. Ok, well what radius track ? Well I decided that this would
probably only be used at our Christmas display ( that is about 6 weeks long ) so why not dedicate it to a Christmas theme ?
Well the first thought was the Polar Express, Let's see, very popular and known by the public. The club already has one. The biggest thing, It will run on 036 curves... That's it.
The disadvantage, any train in the tunnel has to be able to negotiate 36" curves. Also the train can be no longer than 8' 4". So far all things I can live with. There is also a slight rise ( 3/4" over 44" length ) but not enough to worry about.
I won't bore you with any more details ( unless you want more ) but here is the track with a 2' X 4' extension table. 072 curves lead into the crossover and the rest is 036 curves.
Next is the Magic mountain itself. If you look at the retaining walls on the tunnel, they are the cardboard separators that fluorescent tubes are shipped in. Free from home depot if you ask. The sides are Styrofoam with 2 on each side and 2 in the back, Any side piece can be removed so you can reach in and re-rail the train if you have a problem in the tunnel.
The top ( 42 X 44 ) was originally going to be a small town and a trolley. I have decided to try and recreate a Christmas morning scene from the 50's. A small tree with Lionel ornaments, Some postwar boxes, A postwar starter set ( That will be running), and because this person was so good some plasticville buildings with crossing gates and billboard signs.
Finally the finished product. Version 1.0
and a short video. A Polar Express engine and 6 cars... All worked as planned.
Now for the real test, Let's see how it goes over this week....
Bruce....
