Starting a new layout

That’s a nice start. Have some fun.

Thanks, I am trying!  Its nice to look at right now, working on getting a couple larger scale items sold so I can buy a locomotive to pull the few cars I do still have. 

Another option as I am a fan of the Missabe route, is one or two of the old SD18's that Lionel did, they are affordable as is the bay window caboose.  Then get me a bunch of ore cars to pull.  Granted those engines are not pul-mor equipted sadly, if I remember right, they run ok.  Just looking at options.     I am thinking, if I change the siding to curve back to the right as soon as it diverges off the main, I can use a Lionel trestle leg set to climb up and over the main at the rear to a faux "ore dock" in the frame area on the wall at the rear.  Just need to move all the "stuff" that is stored back there.  The question would be, could I do it and retain the fold up ablity of the table.  It nolonger fully closes against the wall frame, but shuts to the 3/4 point with a pair of chains that hook on each side.  Granted I rarely ever fold this thing shut as there is so much stuff stored under it now!   Hmmmmm.  I am sure a pair of powered SD18s could shove a string of ore cars up hill to the dock.  Be nice if the dock could be 2 tracks wide, shove loads up, then pull empties out.  I would have to set up remote uncoupling as you all but cant reach back there.  So maybe single track is best for less derailment chances that a switch might cause.   AD

Is this layout a separate one from your OO gauge layout?

I sold off all my Lionel OO, the track to build a nice layout on this table would take a small bank loan and lots of camping out on ebay.  I do still have a Scale craft OO engine and a couple cars stored away.   I had all this O gauge stashed away, just no train to run on it right now.  Trying to work with what I have since I am stuck at home for awhile.  I know where I can get a clean pair of 2343's for $215 plus shipping and I have been looking for a clean early 675(quieter running).  I wish I would have kept the 2035 freight set I was given just over a year ago, but I fixed it up and and found it a new home.  I still have the portable table to build the Lionel OO demo layout if I ever find a complete set I can afford.  AD

I would absolutely love to do this table with Lionel OO.  It would have to be 3 rail as the diameter of the 2 rail track is larger than will fit on a 48" wide table top.  Gargraves makes hi rail style track, but no switches so that option is out and dealing with On3 flex track isnt what I want to do.   Maybe in a few years if my health gets better.  Plenty of track and such on ebay, at a price though.   Anybody have seeds for a money tree?  or a nice box of OO to show up on my doorstep?    Oh well, someday maybe.   

I have the table still to recreate this someday.  Even getting the trains and track seen in this pic of an original layout, is very expensive these days if one goes by the wishing prices on ebay.  But if someone has OO that needs a home, by all means let me know, worst case it takes me a few weeks to scrape up the $$.   I would still love to do my whole 4x7 table with a nice OO 3 rail layout.  Not so much a double track loop, although that would be nice, but a single track with sidings to switch cars out. 

Thanks for the update. Good luck on your layout. I know you have a lot of irons in the fire, what with your revolving Gauge 1 live steam roster and such.

Yep, but this time of year the live steam stuff gets someone shelved and indoor trains take over.  I am slowly settling into a Austrian/German narrow gauge feel on the live steam railway.  I have a live steam version of the LGB Stainz on its way here soon.  Thats fall project as it has worn valve gear.  With my stuck at home dealing with health issues, its indoor train time.  I am going to slightly modify the track plan as I have a loop of Gargraves OO track arriving today, that will circle the outer edge of the table with the O gauge in the middle so I can run both.  In time, the layout will be all 3 rail OO.  But not till spring time when profit sharing arrives.  That vintage OO track is NOT cheap or easy to find.   But its the one way I can enjoy a scale 700e Hudson on a 4x7 layout.   While the reissue 1-700e will manage 042 curves, it looks silly doing it.  I have always been drawn to OO, its just a perfect size for a small layout and its just a bit bigger than HO.  Its the one way I can enjoy the scale size prewar Lionel in small space,  Just like Lionel marketed it for.     AD

Made some changes, O gauge tubular track replaced with Gargraves tinplate OO track.  This is the outer loop of a planned layout, inner will be vintage Lionel 3 rail track with switches since nobody offers them for the Gargraves 3 rail track(a real loss and shame on Gargraves for not offering switches, I think they would sell enough to make it worth the effort). But this Hudson has a replacement 7 pole L&S motor, which limits trailing truck swing.  She should be on on these big curves, and will pull my Twilight Limited passenger train.  Still need another piece of flex track and some pins from Gargraves to finish the loop.   This track is the cheapest way to run 3 or even 2 rail OO trains, but its Hi-Rail track and not scale.    AD

Whoa, is that a Roundhouse Millie on the back shelf? I just bought a Lady Anne last year, but have always wanted a Millie for their long run times.

Yes it is, its for a friend of mine, I had to rebuild it as the axles and valve gear was worn out.  It will go back to him soon.