Running Toy Trains-short videos of my table layout

That's really neat - thanks for sharing!  I really like how you have trains running on multiple levels.

-Greg

Nice. Where do you get your scenery from. Looking for some lighted buildings for my shelf layout. Got a picture of the area where the McDonalds is at?

But overall, I like it. So many things going on at once.

Tugboat,

I make a lot of structures myself from balsa, cardboard, Plastruct sheets and windows.  I have a LHS (local hobby store) for lichen, grasses, trees, etc.   Scenic Express has just about everything you could need.  I told you about backdrops from Backdrop Junction.  For building flats, all you need is some 1/4 inch black foam board to mount the pics to.  I downloaded and photo printed most of mine, but, for really cool ones, you can get them online.

Woodland Scenics has the best lighted buildings, but most won't fit on a shelf layout.  Trainworld and Mario's Trains have most of what's available from manufacturers.

Here are some pics for ideas:

Large backdrop, Miller Engineering signs, stick-on decals on a wall.

Lionel factory is way too big, so I made this one to fit the space.  Added Miller Engineering signs, which I have a dozen of on the table layout, and seven on the shelf layout.  Perfect for your overhead, easily mounted, great light sources.

Lots of ways to make mountains and hills.  The rocks are simply carved and painted foam from shipping cartons, the grasses and lichen are from Scenic Express.

These building flats are plastic and I made one out of balsa.  The mall above is carved 1/4 inch foam, plus storefront pics, LED lights, and left over tiles.

You could make something flat like this, with a lighted Miller Engineering marquee.

The roadside stand on the left is a Plasticsville piece, with LEDS under the roof.  The Red Man factory and Burger King are flats, with mounted 5mm colored LED lamps for added light.   Both are small enough for a shelf project.

One of my favorites is that Lionel Luxury Diner on the right.  It's a real beauty.

Hope this gives you some ideas.....

Jerry

JerryG,

I really like how you've taken full advantage of the available space and it all looks really fun!

Question:  it looks like your layout must be viewed from outside its perimeter (doesn't look like this is a "walk in" design), so I'm wondering why your highest level is on the perimeter and lowest is in the center rather than the other way around. Doesn't this create a sort of "wall effect" (like a baseball stadium) that makes it difficult to view everything inside the perimeter unless you're standing over the layout?  Or is it intentional, to draw your eye in?  Asking because I've never seen this configuration before and trying to think through a new layout I will be starting soon. Thanks. 

Man do I love that bar. I don't even drink. It's just so "old school perfect".

Great train room/ bar/ man-cave. One of the best on the forum IMHO. For those who love to see lot's of action (myself included), you nailed it. Turn 'em on and sit back and enjoy. The EP-5 New Haven pulling the matching box cars is beautiful.

Goes to show what can be accomplished with the available space. If you can't spread out then go up. That's how Manhattan was built!

Bob

Thanks guys.  I appreciate your kind thoughts.

PJB:  Yes, that was the idea, to take advantage of the available space, without changing the functionality of the large rec room.  The layout was constructed in stages, with no concept of command control.  The three rooms on that side of the basement are only 88 inches wide.  It's 32 feet long.  Table level is 40 inches, and was set by the height of all the storage cabinets that my father built.  The top level is 62 inches off the floor.

I started with this, and planned for all three rooms.  The pine crossover is hinged, but I abandoned the idea of a drop-down.  That oil tank limited my options.  There are other space limiting problems....

These were sections saved from two previous layouts in other homes.  Those helped determine the plan for that room.

The middle room.  A large refrigerator is directly to the left.  Had to go around it and couldn't block the door to that room.

To gain space, I mounted the ZW and controllers vertically, under this new section. 

When I became aware of DCS, the idea for the overhead layout came to fruition.  I liked it so much, that when the overhead was done, I understood that I could control two more levels on the table layout.  The more trains you have, the better you are.  There are sight-line "wall effect" issues in the two end rooms, but, as Bob (RSJB18) says,  "if you can't spread out, then go up."  Exactly.   Also, I like the longer runs the top levels provide.  I double-track everything, and would love a four-track main line, but there is no way.  The idea of up/down ramps adds interest and is a family tradition, since this is the sixth layout in three houses, if you count the overhead.  Many of the curves are between 036 and 042.  This precludes the ability to run big radius engines.

Adriatic:  That bar is definitely old school.  My father built it in 1967.  In fact, he built everything you can see, except the layouts.  He told the contractor to leave the basement with bare concrete walls!!  I had to remove two really nice glass doors on the side cabinets, to get the 13 foot long board to complete the span over the bar.

Bob:  Thanks.  Love your comments.  Always wanted that EP-5, and love that New Haven scheme.  Never got the original, but it's better with the DCS control.

Jerry