Lionel Dealer Display Layouts, Factory Layouts and Postwar Layouts

Hopefully get time this weekend and a warming in the weather to finish up the D54 as well as the OO gauge dealer display as well.

I got to my parents house to look at the D-63 freeway again. It is currently hanging up on a wall in the garage until we can get around to the restoration. It does in fact use a belt like the above pictures show. My confusion was from the fact that my dad has a chain and a couple of sprockets hanging in front of it and my eyes just convinced my brain that they were all the same thing.

Hey Fred, any pics you can get of this would be appreciated. I still hope to repro one of these in the future. So even pics of the buildings would help me replicate the artwork of the windows and such.

CSXJOE posted:

Here is my D-190 re-creation:

 

That is one of the most accessory friendly layouts ever.  Especially if you do not have the space for a large layout.  I had the same track plan on my last layout in the late '80s. It was just over 4 x 8 feet.  Here are some rather fuzzy photos of that layout.

The D190 does have a lot packed on it. I have an original I had to refurbish as it had been in a damp location and the top had sagged down. Put more supports in and rewired with original bus bars and period cloth wire. Saved all the accessories except the base of the ice station and bill board. Replaced all the track and trestles with period pieces-fun to run!!

Dan Padova posted:

CSXJOE posted:

Here is my D-190 re-creation:

 

That is one of the most accessory friendly layouts ever.  Especially if you do not have the space for a large layout.  

Indeed. And that’s one of the main attractions of the classic Lionel Dealer Displays. One can create a modest size layout with lots of operating accessories without having that “crammed together” look. A toy train layout at its best.  

D221 added and will reproduce the shelves to make it a d222

D221

I have enjoyed reading though this great topic on Lionel Dealer Display layouts.  I have not paid much attention to Dealer Display layouts but should have as they are closer to what most of us can afford and build in our available train space.

I have followed the Lionel Showroom layouts and have the CTT magazine on them but Dealer Display layouts are a better choice of interests for many of us.

Charlie

CSXJOE posted:

Here is my D-190 re-creation:

 

I did this layout early 60's.

I recently visited the Electric Train Depot train dealers shop in Ponchatoula, LA.  They  are dealers and sell trains of every gauge and have two operating train layouts in O gauge open to the public.  They have two Lionel trains dealers layouts at the store.

Below are pictures of my favorite of the two O gauge operating layouts at Electric Train Depot.  It has a figure 8 and oval that allows reversing of trains in either direction.  It also has a second oval to allow two train operation.  An elevated siding has a beautiful bridge in front of the background.  They have a timer on the wall that lets customers turn on the layout for a few minutes.

This is the credit for the above dealer layout.

Below is the track plan of my 40 year old main train board layout that has an oval and figure 8 with homemade turntable in center of one loop of the 8.  It also has at second loop with bypasses for two train operation and relays to allow two trains to operate on each loop.

How I built the layout is on this OGR forum topic.   https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Below is the second O layout at Electric Train Depot train store.  It has a figure 8 but it is not integrated into a loop and also has other ovals to allow two or more train operation.

Charlie

PS: I plan to take more pictures and better study the track plan of the first layout shown at the Electric Depot in March 2018 when I plan to attend a TCS train show in Ponchatoula, LA.

Ron's Books in Harrison, NY, has some copies of Roger Carp's book available here.

lehigh310 posted:

Ron's Books in Harrison, NY, has some copies of Roger Carp's book available here.

Thanks for the link, I just ordered one.

lehigh310 posted:

Ron's Books in Harrison, NY, has some copies of Roger Carp's book available here.

That link does not work for me. But thanks....

As mentioned on the other thread the Carp book (the one on Lionel Dealer Display Layouts)  is limited in scope in terms of the number of layouts featured.

Also, the price for even used copies of the book was very prohibitive the last time I checked. And that may be an understatement.  

The local library here in Indianapolis has a copy that I check out when I need it.

Regards,

Steve

@Jagrick posted:

Took years to finally get answer on how they were constructed--they are rare displays.

jagrick, Looking to revive this thread! Would you be willing to share any if the details around the Lazy Susan display? I would love to recreate one!

Thanks in advance!

Been a while since anything posted. Am getting ready to make another Lazy Susan display for sale as someone expressed an interest-will post some details.

Also hope to recreate a rare dealer display the D-50. Also recently picked up a Lionel HO gauge dealer display.

Back in 1994 I re-created a Lionel Display layout featured in the March 1993 issue of CTT. (On an aside, that was a 146 page issue...those were the days!) The layout story, written by the author and layout re-creator Ed Schwartz captured my imagination. I started and finished it over a one year period 94-95. It was one of my early layouts and was 100% created for the joy of having fun running trains. I was immensely proud, more so of the lessons learned and friends made in the club I belonged to while building it. I moved soon after and sadly the layout was dismantled and tables recycled into various garage shelving and storage projects in the next house. Fast forward 20+ years and I decided to rebuild it, only faster, better, and stronger. 🙄 Like many of us, this past year has given us time to explore the greatest hobby ever and though I’m not finished (when are you ever?) on this version of the layout, I thought I’d share a few pictures. One is of the track plan Ed used to recreate the original display. Credit to CTT for this drawing. It was not a catalog display, rather one created for a Lionel VP. I’m not the greatest photographer. I wish I took more photos during the build, and possibly from the same spot. Something to consider on the next layout. 🙃

Picked up this HO dealer display recently

@John E K posted:

Back in 1994 I re-created a Lionel Display layout featured in the March 1993 issue of CTT. (On an aside, that was a 146 page issue...those were the days!) The layout story, written by the author and layout re-creator Ed Schwartz captured my imagination. I started and finished it over a one year period 94-95. It was one of my early layouts and was 100% created for the joy of having fun running trains. I was immensely proud, more so of the lessons learned and friends made in the club I belonged to while building it. I moved soon after and sadly the layout was dismantled and tables recycled into various garage shelving and storage projects in the next house. Fast forward 20+ years and I decided to rebuild it, only faster, better, and stronger. 🙄 Like many of us, this past year has given us time to explore the greatest hobby ever and though I’m not finished (when are you ever?) on this version of the layout, I thought I’d share a few pictures. One is of the track plan Ed used to recreate the original display. Credit to CTT for this drawing. It was not a catalog display, rather one created for a Lionel VP. I’m not the greatest photographer. I wish I took more photos during the build, and possibly from the same spot. Something to consider on the next layout. 🙃

Hi John,  Layout looks super! I remember that layout track plan in CTT.  Yours  has a nice look of a factory created layout.  Are you able to run two trains at the same time?  Thanks for sharing.   

Dave B,

The track plan has two switch back loops, so without throwing a switch, one train will traverse the layout three times before returning to the siding it started from.

I have four blocked sidings, two with a few accessories. Many activation buttons around the layout for visitors to play with. I can run multiple DCS/TMCC trains at the same time, but its crazy-hard trying to keep them from colliding at one of the crossovers or inside of one of the reversing loops. That said, I’ve enjoy shuffling DCS trains around each siding simultaneously, but every time I run a PW consist around it makes me appreciate the track plan.

I’ll have to post a video in that layout video forum some day. We have snow forecasted over the next few days so that could happen soon.

John

@John E K posted:

Dave B,

The track plan has two switch back loops, so without throwing a switch, one train will traverse the layout three times before returning to the siding it started from.

I have four blocked sidings, two with a few accessories. Many activation buttons around the layout for visitors to play with. I can run multiple DCS/TMCC trains at the same time, but its crazy-hard trying to keep them from colliding at one of the crossovers or inside of one of the reversing loops. That said, I’ve enjoy shuffling DCS trains around each siding simultaneously, but every time I run a PW consist around it makes me appreciate the track plan.

I’ll have to post a video in that layout video forum some day. We have snow forecasted over the next few days so that could happen soon.

John

Nicely done......would love to see a video!

Peter

Nice, great job!  With that L shape and the mountain in the corner, it is somewhat reminiscent of the layout in the 1957 catalog. Certainly lots of differences but on first glance it reminded me of that well-known layout.

A video would be great! Terry

Finally set up the YouTube channel and loaded a short video of the layout. Hope you enjoy!

D-190

I second that!  Can  you post the fastrack version?

Thanks

Keep those trains running!

@John E K, that's terrific. It makes me want to get the post war out and do a layout. I love when the train almost hits itself. I guess that is as long a train as you can run on that loop!

My Lionel D-105.

A 5x9, two level layout. It has a few tweaks, but is mostly faithful to the original Lionel design.

@John E K and @johnstrains fantastic layouts! You just can’t beat those original postwar designs for that  nostalgia feel. Enjoy them....

@John E K posted:

Back in 1994 I re-created a Lionel Display layout featured in the March 1993 issue of CTT. (On an aside, that was a 146 page issue...those were the days!) The layout story, written by the author and layout re-creator Ed Schwartz captured my imagination.

John, I am so glad someone made that layout and you did a fantastic job! As you, when I saw that plan in the CTT magazine, I think I was on an airplane and did not want to even consider other layouts.

Fast forward 27 years and I still have not forgotten that layout but I did actually "build" a new plan based on the Atlas Track Planning software. The one change I did make was to use 072 as a minimum, and could larger if needed. Well... it turns out that doing that the plan becomes enormous... way too large for my space.

After seeing your layout, I may try to redraw the plan but with 054 as a minimum and see if that works/fits.

If I can figure out to post I will.

Thanks again for sharing John, the video was nicely done as well!

Charlie

Here is my Super “O” D-264 layout from the 70’s. Unfortunately I only have a few photos of the layout from that timeframe. This was a fun filled layout with lots of train action and operating accessories. The mountain was constructed with wood supports, shape formed with old window screens than covered with old bedsheets. Landscape and ballast was from aquarium gravel and plantings that I had from previous hobby.

After a year or two I had added two additional tables to expand the rail empire.

@John E K posted:

Finally set up the YouTube channel and loaded a short video of the layout. Hope you enjoy!

GREAT video! Only 1 problem - it's TOO SHORT !

@Rich Wiemann posted:

Here is my Super “O” D-264 layout from the 70’s. Unfortunately I only have a few photos of the layout from that timeframe. This was a fun filled layout with lots of train action and operating accessories. The mountain was constructed with wood supports, shape formed with old window screens than covered with old bedsheets. Landscape and ballast was from aquarium gravel and plantings that I had from previous hobby.

After a year or two I had added two additional tables to expand the rail empire.

@BurlingtonBill posted:

Great-looking layout, Rich! I always have loved the look of Super O! My dad & I built a train table back in 1961 and constructed the O27 version of your D-264 but the sidings went opposite directions under the overpass track and there was no separate outside loop. (It was a std. layout shown in many of the late 50's - early 60's era.) Wish you had more than just 2 pix, but those 2 made my day!

Here is a variation of an 8'x8' D265 Super O Dealer Display Layout that I built in 1989 for a Christmas Festival at Bear Mountain State Park in NY.

Thats my Dad and I. We ran the layout and gave out Lionel Catalogs every weekend between Thanksgiving and New Years.

And these are photos of the same layout various years later, set up in my basement.

This layout was a lot of fun!!!

@BurlingtonBill posted:

Great-looking layout, Rich! I always have loved the look of Super O! My dad & I built a train table back in 1961...... Wish you had more than just 2 pix, but those 2 made my day!

Similar situation, my Dad and I built our tables in the early 70’s. It was a lot of fun and a lot of trips to the local lumber yard and LHS’s. Once built we were really into it. Sunday mornings during the fall and winter, as I remember it, we were at the many Long Island and New Jersey train shows looking for bargains. I do wish I had more photos of the build and operating sessions.        

@NYC Fan posted:

Here is a variation of an 8'x8' D265 Super O Dealer Display Layout that I built in 1989 for a Christmas Festival at Bear Mountain State Park in NY.

Thats my Dad and I. We ran the layout and gave out Lionel Catalogs every weekend between Thanksgiving and New Years.

And these are photos of the same layout various years later, set up in my basement.

This layout was a lot of fun!!!

Skip great layout, memories and photos. You have a lot of great detail and classics on the tracks.  I am such a fan of Super O track. It’s a shame it was so short lived. Do you still have this layout all these year later? Or has it been a donor for a more current layout?

Beautiful pictures - this was a great layout to build!