Track plan for the D-264 Super-O layout pictured above. Thanks for those photos, Mike.
These were display layouts so spurs were setup to demonstrate operating cars and accessories. The cars weren't ment to be moved so the "dummy" mainline/double tracks were used for scenic interest (like to show the 450 signal bridge). Also, a lot of times the spurs that were connected to main tracks werent powered directly. The D-131 posted above used a manual switch and there was a insulated pin in the center rail preventing a direct movement into the spur. Some modifications to the plan are necessary for making these more operator-friendly.
Also, one note on the D-27 Fastrack plan. The down grade is very steep and i recall from the CTT article that the track on the start of the grade had to be physically bent downward to have a smooth transition. Care would have to be taken that a smooth transition can be made because you can't bend Fastrack like that. Use of transition tracks and a piece of tubular may be necessary in that location.
Peter
Originally Posted by pdx1955:
These were display layouts so spurs were setup to demonstrate operating cars and accessories. The cars weren't ment to be moved so the "dummy" mainline/double tracks were used for scenic interest (like to show the 450 signal bridge). Also, a lot of times the spurs that were connected to main tracks werent powered directly. The D-131 posted above used a manual switch and there was a insulated pin in the center rail preventing a direct movement into the spur. Some modifications to the plan are necessary for making these more operator-friendly.
Also, one note on the D-27 Fastrack plan. The down grade is very steep and i recall from the CTT article that the track on the start of the grade had to be physically bent downward to have a smooth transition. Care would have to be taken that a smooth transition can be made because you can't bend Fastrack like that. Use of transition tracks and a piece of tubular may be necessary in that location.
Peter
Thanks Peter, interesting points there. I don't completely understand which layouts were made only for dealer displays and which were specifically for retail sale. The Lionel layouts typically allow unattended operation of two or more trains, and accessories for operating cars. It's curious that they made some tracks dead-ending in tunnels for scenic effect rather than for train operation.
The D-27 layout has a downgrade of about 6% and short upgrade of 10%, apparently intended for operation in one direction. I saw an instruction sheet online (not very clear) which appears to maybe have different voltages applied to different sections of the track for speed management. The downgrade section helps push a longer train through the steep upgrade, possibly a good trick to use on other layouts.
One item I did notice building the display, all the accessories are arranged so there is a clear viewpath if you are standing in front of the layout, one accessory does not block out another. I believe this is the case for all the display layouts.
Clever marketing concept by Lionel's display layout designers.
What have you guys been using/ what would you use for the postwar style grass?
I have used a couple different methods for the grass.
1) I put sawdust in plastic zip-lock bags, then mixed some Rit dye and poured it in the bags. I sealed the bags and then kind of tipped them around until all the saw dust was dyed. I then spread it out on a plastic sheet and dried it under a heat lamp. It worked, but was time consuming and messy.
2) The next time, I just painted the plywood and sprinkled on sawdust while the paint was wet. This was much easier and came out reasonably well.
do you think something like this would work - http://woodlandscenics.woodlan...GrassVinylMat/page/2).
Originally Posted by Mike Donahue:
I have used a couple different methods for the grass.
1) I put sawdust in plastic zip-lock bags, then mixed some Rit dye and poured it in the bags. I sealed the bags and then kind of tipped them around until all the saw dust was dyed. I then spread it out on a plastic sheet and dried it under a heat lamp. It worked, but was time consuming and messy.
2) The next time, I just painted the plywood and sprinkled on sawdust while the paint was wet. This was much easier and came out reasonably well.
I'm pretty sure that Kevin Coyle (whose layout we were all admiring in another thread) used method #1 to do his grass. Also recall him saying that it was, indeed, time consuming and messy.
Christopher - I used the WS vinyl mat on my current layout. It has some advantages in that you can mark-off where the roadbed and roads would go, and then take a putty knife and scrape off the ground cover. You can then paint the vinyl mat where the ground cover was removed. Having said that, the WS vinyl mat has the same appearance as their ground foam.
someone needs to make a retro ground foam 
I can't imagine doing it w. the zip-loc bag way on my whole layout. That would take forever. The WS mat may be the best way to go
I used Lifelike grass paper, No. 1152, Meadow Mat Paper. Same as used back in the fifties.
Saw this on an auction site:
Lionel factory layout elevation
appears to be from a D-198 Standard Gauge Layout, includes large elevation, corner elevation, 8 separate trees, 3 smaller grassed elevations that probably belong to another display as they are later variations. Main section has been rewired, overall C6-7 Unusual!
And a prewar factory layout:
Scarce LIONEL Factory Layout 1066E:
Circa 1935, debuting the 1700 Streamliner. 44 X 30" Table Top Layout including 913 Landscaped Bungalow, missing 2 trees, hedges worn; Scarce 4 separate-sale trees; Tunnel shrunk a bit with age, 48W Whistling Station(instead of Transformer station); Track; 1700 Diesel; 1701 Coach & 1702 Obsv., Has original vintage hand painted background panel, all show playwear, but scarce early display!
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Originally Posted by CSXJOE:
I used Lifelike grass paper, No. 1152, Meadow Mat Paper. Same as used back in the fifties.
The grass on your layout looks slightly darker than the ones on the Lionel Display layouts. Could just be the flash on the camera though. Your post reminded me of something - the 4x8 layout I had as a kid w/ my Dad's postwar trains used a grass mat - pretty sure it was Life Like. I guess they still make it?
Side note - I noticed you go to OCSMR - Do you know Kevin Burkitt?
which version of this did you use - http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/433-1007
Christopher2035:
Yes, I do know Kevin, a good guy.
The Lionel display units used sawdust, not grass paper. I was too lazy to mess around with the loose sawdust and glue/paint.
The reason the paper looks darker is that all the pictures of display layouts are at least 50 years old and the "grass" has faded
Kevin is a good friend of mine - gone on many railfan trips together He's even brought me down to the club a few times when I live in NJ.
I don't think I could mess w/ the sawdust/paint thing either - that's why I was thinking about the grass mat. I never thought about the fact that the ones we are looking at now are faded
I always thought the D-63 display was really cool, with the operating elevated highway through the city-scape to the mountain, and the two train operation with relays.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KnDjL4_iEC4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here's a link to the youtube vid of the layout: (fixed);https://www.youtube.com/watch?...=channel_video_title
Originally Posted by johnstrains:
I think I mentioned this in the 1963 layout thread, but posting it here since it’s on topic.
If any forum member has the Roger Carp book, “Classic Lionel Display Layouts You Can Build” and is willing to scan and post some of the track plans, it would be very much appreciated. 
Am kicking around several layout ideas.
That might violate copyright laws
I checked the Roger Carp book out of the Indianapolis Public Library. You might want to check your local library to see if they have it.
Steve
