Here's some layout ideas from my father's Lionel instruction manual dated Oct 1938. What could be more authentic for a tinplate enthusiast?!
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A treasure to be sure!
Peter
Fabulous. And very nice of you to share.
That little layout near the bottom of the first page that mixes O-31 and O-72 track is interesting. Not sure I understand the point.
A broad curve is considered a pleasing viewing profile by many. Too under a Christmas tree then "pop out"? It might allow a different arrangements of buildings, or use of accessories in a curve, etc..too.
But mostly, I think the point would be "why not?" 
Many of the layout designs are sound and have elements that can used in designing a layout today. Where these plans begin to not fit for today's hobbyist is the desire to run multiple trains simultaneously and dual mainlines.
Thanks for posting the information. I always like to look at the older track plans.
For the tinplate purist these layout designs would probably work fine. The main market was for children's toys but as model railroading was also in part becoming a hobby, Lionel did have the 5344 scale Hudson, scale cars and T rail track in that period. It would be impossible to guess how many Lionel owners used these plans to construct a layout. Most of the kids that I knew had carpet central layouts but a few later upgraded to 4x8 plywood sheets and I had a 5 x 9 ping pong table size from plywood.
