(UPDATED) The 48 Club *** Announcing Division 59 Membership ***

@Mark Boyce posted:

Jerry, that is some more great looking art work!!

Thanks mark, I did have a second design that eliminated the decorative pin striping on the rear end.

Jerry

That's sharp too, Jerry!!

@justakid posted:

Hi, my name is Rich and I'd like to join the 48 Club. My allowed annual Christmas layout is a Polar Express Lionel Flyer S set around the left side of the tree.

(the RR president reserves the right side real-estate for grand kids gifts.)

Just a loop with a few Hawthorn Village and other buildings.  plot to add a straight track section  ( or 2 )and one new building next Christmas!

Maybe a figure eight IF I can move furniture for a bigger gift space.

Rest of the year I run carpet central O on the wood floors every now and then for a few days ( till the noise drives us and the dog crazy).

I must confess I got a Hornby OO Flying Scotsman set  this past Christmas ( a downsizing hint?)

It will get run eventually on its own board less than 4x8 but stored under a bed in the spare bedroom.

( I know, I know..multiple scales...I 'm addicted )

As you posted Jerry..."we build small but dream big"...

Best Regards

Great Photos and a fantastic tree decor! Thanks for the share

Thought I would post a quick video of my Super O Club 48 layout. A Postwar 736 Berkshire pulling a string of MPC Woodside reefers. The Berk and 8 reefers fit very comfortably on the 4x8 layout.

@Mark Boyce posted:

That's sharp too, Jerry!!

I was looking into making a set of passenger cars for myself and doing some master/silicone mold casting kind of of stuff but on Ebay there are a number of the Lionel TCA passenger cars including the SkyTop for not a lot of money. Would save me a whole lot of time since even tho I'd still have to paint and decal I wouldn't have to make the cars. I think the MTH SkyTops and the Lionel 6-19187 Milwaukee Road Skytop both look better but I don't see them being too easy or cheap to find so they are a non-starter. It's never easy is it?

Jerry

I have to admit, this thread has created in me a new nostalgia for those simple times that we all experienced when starting out in this hobby, perhaps many years ago.  Even in the midst of planning a new larger layout, I'm convinced that my 4x8  will remain.  Sometimes it feels great to fire up a train or two and enjoy  the simplicity and recall the joy  that first attracted us to model railroading.  Thank your all.                                 

Four by Eight is Great!

Earl         

I actually have a TCA Skytop OB .. I bought it, just because I liked the design, and I like the Milwaukee Road.

Rusty

@Diverging Clear posted:

I actually have a TCA Skytop OB .. I bought it, just because I liked the design, and I like the Milwaukee Road.

The pics I saw on Ebay made it look stunted, is it short or was that just an effect of the camera?

Jerry

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

I was looking into making a set of passenger cars for myself and doing some master/silicone mold casting kind of of stuff but on Ebay there are a number of the Lionel TCA passenger cars including the SkyTop for not a lot of money. Would save me a whole lot of time since even tho I'd still have to paint and decal I wouldn't have to make the cars. I think the MTH SkyTops and the Lionel 6-19187 Milwaukee Road Skytop both look better but I don't see them being too easy or cheap to find so they are a non-starter. It's never easy is it?

Jerry

IMO, the TCA passenger cars are a perfect choice.  Their decorating scheme is just begging for a repaint, which is why they can be found inexpensively.  They're also the maximum length that one would want for a 4x8 layout.  Get the whole set, including the engines, and you'll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind 48 Club set.

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

The pics I saw on Ebay made it look stunted, is it short or was that just an effect of the camera?

Jerry

When I've seen them in person, I've never noticed that they were badly proportioned.  And even if they are... 4x8!

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

The pics I saw on Ebay made it look stunted, is it short or was that just an effect of the camera?

Jerry

Jerry, I just measured my Skytop OB. Even with the striker on the rear of the car, to the end of the coupler on the other end, is right at 16 inches in long.

Rusty

From a few years back, our annual Christmas layout... just under 32 square feet.  Currently looking at building something similar for my vintage Maerklin HO tinplate.  Hope this brings me into the club!

@Pre-War Steve posted:

From a few years back, our annual Christmas layout... just under 32 square feet.  Currently looking at building something similar for my vintage Maerklin HO tinplate.  Hope this brings me into the club!

You're in! I always liked the sheet metal stuff and was going to go with some of the newer offerings from MTH, but I don't see that happening now, at least not til the dust and prices settle!  While I'm not a big fan of the Lemax types of buildings they do lend themselves to that tinplate look but nothing beats the look of the sheet metal buildings!

Jerry

Thanks Jerry!  I've sold off most of my MTH repros in favor of the original Lionel, but have kept a few of the repro street lamps, bungalows, etc. 

Charter Members

1. RSJB18
2. Conductor Earl
3. bptBill
4. CA John
5. Walt Rapp
6. M. Mitchell Marmel
7. OKHIKER
8. Coca Cola Guy
9. Nucci
10. Rich Wiemann
11. CSXJOE
12. graz
13. Melvin P
14. Mrhobby052
15. Khayden93
16. palallin
17. John E K
18. Miggy
19. pdxtrains
20. SouthernFan56
21. randr
22. Will
23. Dave Warburton
24. GG1Guyy
25. Diverging Clear
26. Penn Flyer
27. Coach Joe
29. JohnnieWalker
30. Robert S. Butler
31.Mark Boyce
32. Jon Stachowicz
33. Madockawando
34. ScoutingDad
35. Darrell
36. PRRMP54
37. Mallard4468
38. PRR Mark
39. Berkshirelover726
40. NIKHIL
41. Ryan Mc
42. Plankowner110
43. justakid
44. Pre-War Steve

Jerry

On February 26, I had my 4x8 all cleared off and ready for rebuilding.

The scene last night.

Could it be...gremlins?

Personally, I suspect Norma and Fortescue are conspiring. 

Mitch

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

On February 26, I had my 4x8 all cleared off and ready for rebuilding.

The scene last night.

Could it be...gremlins?

Personally, I suspect Norma and Fortescue are conspiring. 

Mitch

Is that O-27 track?!??

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

On February 26, I had my 4x8 all cleared off and ready for rebuilding.

The scene last night.

Could it be...gremlins?

Personally, I suspect Norma and Fortescue are conspiring. 

Mitch

I would keep an eye on Sylvia.

It's always the quiet ones.....😂

@Madockawando posted:

Is that O-27 track?!??

Yeah.  27" and 42" radius, O27 profile.

@RSJB18 posted:

I would keep an eye on Sylvia.

It's always the quiet ones.....😂

(looks over at Sylvia)  (gets "who, me?" look)

Hmmmm...

Mitch

Anyone who builds and runs a 4x8 layout with nothing but O-27 track is definitely deserves a “Grand Pooh Bah” of the 48 club designation!

Doing a floor test of the layout. The theme will be kind of fantasy New York Worlds Fair slash Circus since I have some Long Island Railroad and the blue Fair Flushing Queens Subway and a lot of Lemax Circus attractions. On the tracks now is the blue comet set, and the Pennsy LC +2.0 switcher and Trainworld’s Worlds Fair themed MTH trolley. The layout will be temporary on two banquet tables, making a 5x6. I’ll add that the FastTrak trolley track is a boat load of fun.

@Madockawando posted:

Anyone who builds and runs a 4x8 layout with nothing but O-27 track is definitely deserves a “Grand Pooh Bah” of the 48 club designation!

Jerry

(laughs out loud)

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

(laughs out loud)

We ought to make up hats like that!

Jerry

Hi folks:  I really like the idea of the 48 Club. I don’t know if this layout qualifies though. But here goes. Every year at Christmas we have had a 4 x 8 layout, most years O gauge 027, but some years Standard gauge. After Christmas we would remove the track and accessories and put the plywood in a shed. A few years ago, I cut the 4 x 8 sheet into two 4 x 4 halves so it would be easier to carry. Finally, last Xmas we tried using just one of the 4 x4 sheets since we had moved some furniture around. Then my wife suggested I make a small 4 x 4 layout that we could just put on an extra table we had in the front  room. (Our main 0 scale layout is in our 12 x 16 train shed in the backyard.) Anyway, after Xmas I decided to make this small layout a mid 1950’s style layout. It is fun, and I can run my train set I got for Xmas in 1956. It’s not a 48 layout; it’s a 44! Forgive the poor quality photography please.

Is there a 2.44 x 1.22 Club for us Metric members ...

@Fatman posted:

Is there a 2.44 x 1.22 Club for us Metric members ...

It's going to take some serious creativity to create a logo for that.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Yeah.  27" and 42" radius, O27 profile.

(looks over at Sylvia)  (gets "who, me?" look)

Hmmmm...

Mitch

"knowing nod... " Yup, yup.. "Nice Hat" (easy, easy, the Ewes are getting restless.)

There is something warm and cozy about these 4x8 layouts. Paradoxically, they also have their own sense of realism, even with the old Lionel tubular track. I want to thank everyone for sharing pictures of your 4x8 layouts!

@Madockawando posted:

Anyone who builds and runs a 4x8 layout with nothing but O-27 track is definitely deserves a “Grand Pooh Bah” of the 48 club designation!

That would be me. All 027 profile and curves with the exception of two 042 switches for the crossover.

@Coca Cola guy posted:

Here are the rough beginnings of a 32” x 84” trolley layout. Notice my crappy basement layout in the background!

Nice Job! Great beginning. I have my base now, and with crayons in hand, MY 8 YEAR OLD IS creating an action-filled plan. I missed out on the Crappy Basement Layout club. We have no basement and I do run on carpet as well. Perhaps I may join post-facto-ately ?

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

We ought to make up hats like that!

Definitely. 

@RSJB18 posted:

That would be me. All 027 profile and curves with the exception of two 042 switches for the crossover.

Mitch

@WP posted:

I don’t know if this layout qualifies though.

Easily qualifies, you're in! I love the display layout look of your creation and the Plasticville is a perfect fit for the 48 Club.

Jerry

HIVE MIND:

Since I'm going to be on banquet tables and operating two independent loops and the trolly (no switches), I need to route the track power from inside loop to transformer which means wire under the outer loop.

027 tubular design makes it easy to route wires under, no bulge, but Fastrak lifts the track. I'm thinking of cutting a notch on each side of the outer track I need to run a wire under so the track lays flat. MTH track made it easier because there were notches you could pop out.

Does anybody have a good technique for doing this? I recall once trying it and pretty much chewing up the track. Do you file it out? Any tips are appreciated.

Fastrack does the heavy lifting for you:

Use a razor saw to cut the sides of the notch, and the notch itself will snap neatly out.

Mitch

@Miggy posted:

Nice Job! Great beginning. I have my base now, and with crayons in hand, MY 8 YEAR OLD IS creating an action-filled plan. I missed out on the Crappy Basement Layout club. We have no basement and I do run on carpet as well. Perhaps I may join post-facto-ately ?

I came on that club just a little late, Scott.  I never knew whether the layout had to be crappy, the basement had to be crappy, either, or both!   

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Definitely. 

Mitch

Perfect fit!! 

Can 4x8 meters count?  My next layout will be 2 rail.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Definitely. 

Mitch

Ahhhh... the Mystic Imperial Poobah!!!

@Apples55 posted:

Ahhhh... the Mystic Imperial Poobah!!!

YABBA! DABBA! DO!

@RSJB18 posted:

That would be me. All 027 profile and curves with the exception of two 042 switches for the crossover.

         xxxxxxxxxxxx " ACK, ACKA, DACKA  ! " 

Jerry