Dealer layout

It is the one that was on ebay. Needs repair but should be able to save most of mountain I hope. This layout uses a rudimentary block system to run two trains on the big lower loop if desired. Neat yet simple.

Very cool! Looking forward to seeing pics of your progress.

Peter

VERY COOL!!

Making new control panel as original was lost

Neat-o! This thread ought to be fun!

Andre

Nice to see you back Rick. Looks like another great Lionel dealer display on it's way back to life! 

Some recent additions to my D-105.

Awesome!  I've been thinking about building a modern day version of this exact layout (D-291).  Don't know when, or if, I'll ever get one done.  But at least I'm thinking about it! 

John you have done a beautiful job on that you really got the technique on the scenery 

Running out of room again time to get another building !! Hope to make it look like a big toy store of the 1950’s and a place to entertain local or visiting train guys

My upstairs space is too full to have many or any visitors

Jagrick posted:

John you have done a beautiful job on that you really got the technique on the scenery 

Thanks!  Have a few minor things left on this one and then...done. Maybe. 

Playing around with ideas for the next display. Thinking of a Super O layout with a Military and Space theme. Always one of my favorites. There were a few of those done by Lionel but may actually design my own.

amazing stuff!

FRom picture to reproduced display

Nice. These table and counter top type displays in your pictures above are quite eye catching.

Only to be able to go back in time and stroll into a hobby shop or train store and see them live and in person. 

I think that the present day Lionel should do something like this with the new Fastrack. They could offer layouts built using the classic display track plans but with the new Fastrack for sale to dealers, but also to the general public. They could add modern buildings and accessories as appropriate. What do the rest of you think of this idea?

tncentrr posted:

I think that the present day Lionel should do something like this with the new Fastrack. They could offer layouts built using the classic display track plans but with the new Fastrack for sale to dealers, but also to the general public. They could add modern buildings and accessories as appropriate. What do the rest of you think of this idea?

It's a good thought although I wonder if there would be any interest on Lionel's part. One of the advantages of a display (even a small one) is that customers can see the potential of building something beyond a small loop on the floor. And as you mention it also markets signals, accessories and buildings. 

Speaking of FasTrak, there have been a few threads here where hobbyists built older display style layouts substituting Fastrak for tin track. Easy to do.

This layout had been cut into 3 pieces. I am going to replace 60% of the framing where it was cut and have to paint match and fix the tunnel but should look great when done. Will wire by reinstalling the bus bars which are missing and correct routing and control panel. Felt mountain was cut looks like, probably because it had collapsed so well add an internal wood/screen frame for support and use wool thread and hide glue to heal it back together

Some of the bracing I am removing that was placed when the board was cut up. View of the near portals used only on these dealer layouts. I thinking of making the screen to allow me to make these to sell

The double folded loop is an interesting way to get a long run on a table of this size. 

Jagrick posted:

Some of the bracing I am removing that was placed when the board was cut up. View of the near portals used only on these dealer layouts. I thinking of making the screen to allow me to make these to sell

I'd be in for those!

New bus bars installed with new bracing

Replaced 80% of frame as the original had been cut when they sectioned the display

Returning to original colors

Jagrick posted:

Returning to original colors

I really enjoy seeing your steps in restoring these great old layouts. You always bring them back to life while keeping their character. 

I’m curious as to why you painted the outer perimeter the of table the off - white color?

 When Lionell made these displays, they would first paint the plywood with a light colored base paint, usually a light brown. Then they would use a large silk screen to apply the green paint and leave the areas where the accessories, track, trestles, lamps etc. would go to hasten the assembly process . The screens were usually slightly smaller than the plywood board so the edge would be left the color of the base. So when I restore these or even reproduce them I duplicate this feature to stay true to the construction characteristics

New control panel mounted and ready for components

What a great project. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Looks great as usual. Do you use Lionel 919 grass? Or maybe dyed saw dust?

Use original 919 grass I haven’t found anything else even close

Jagrick posted:

Use original 919 grass I haven’t found anything else even close

So you must be careful to sweep up the excess 919 grass and not loose any as it must be hard to come by... no?

Definitely a finite supply so I use a dedicated little dust buster to recover as much as possible

Jagrick posted:

Definitely a finite supply so I use a dedicated little dust buster to recover as much as possible

Same here. I picked up three large bags of the stuff a few years ago and have managed to make it last.

Jagrick posted:

 When Lionell made these displays, they would first paint the plywood with a light colored base paint, usually a light brown. Then they would use a large silk screen to apply the green paint and leave the areas where the accessories, track, trestles, lamps etc. would go to hasten the assembly process . The screens were usually slightly smaller than the plywood board so the edge would be left the color of the base. So when I restore these or even reproduce them I duplicate this feature to stay true to the construction characteristics

I never noticed that detail before.  Granted, I've never seen an authentic display layout in person, but I studied pictures of them online and on this forum quite a bit.  Great work as always.

The other thing I'm picking up that you do, that seems to follow the originals, is painting the table top the medium green color, while the sides are the more muted, blue-ish/gray-ish green color.  I sometimes see them painted entirely medium green or entirely blue-ish/gray-ish green.  Were there certain times that different paint schemes were used? Or were some of these examples repainted, without taking the same attention to detail as you?

the color for the frame did change, it was a dark green earlier post war and went to the lighter green in the late late 50's/early 60's. But there were variations, the first display in 1948 (10M) was a cream color and the D11 was yellow frame. The base color tended to be a light brown color later or early a off white. Then they used masonite in some cases and just screened with the green color ald let the masonite brown be the background color. The green for the grass and colors for the base and mountains also changed, early the green was brighter as were the mountain colors then they changed to darker earthy tones with a less bright green. You will also see differing density of grass probably depending on who was applying, how late in the day etc. I probably put more grass on than used most of the time but I am trying to cover a blemish, previous damage or just want a more uniform look. In one instance, the disappearing train layout the sides were left natural wood in ones I have seen and the construction of the frame more complex with router work required.

Rick has covered it well. My comment on colors on the old displays that pop up here and there is that you frequently are seeing significant amounts of fading so tough to judge in some cases. CTT did a special issue on displays a few years ago and it was pretty obvious how one display differed from another even from the same year. Some of these were displayed in stores or hobby shops while others were in private homes in a windowless basement.

When I did my D-105 I played around with the base color for the track bed and roads. Originally it was too white and finally found a cream that looked good. And for my “Lionel green” I used Behr’s Park Picnic which I think works well.

https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/P390-7

I took in a sample of clean paint from a protected area and had them color match, who knew there were so many greens!!

Jagrick posted:

Use original 919 grass I haven’t found anything else even close

Just curious here, but any idea of what type of material the original 919 grass is?