Train layout - next step after Figure 8 for children's train around tree?

Over and under trestles, bridges and tunnels will had some interest.

Thanks Don.  We like the FasTrack because we can just put it on the carpet under the tree without a huge permanent plywood baseboard.  We also run the track under our large wall cabinets/media center which is kind of cool and allows us flexibility.

The Lionel trestle is $82 on Amazon and looks to have some poor reviews.  Do you have more specifics? 

For me, simplest quick excitement upgrade  SWITCHES!  they really add to the complexity of running trains, which adds to the interest.  One or two straight tracks for a siding where extra rolling stock can be stored waiting for pick-up, or a curve or two for a passing siding.  Two switches will connect the two loops of a figure eight which changes the train's direction of travel without increasing the size of the current layout.

Steam rules

"a country boy can survive!"    (Bocephus, 1981)

The Lionel trestle is a pain to assemble, and feels less than solid on carpet. Once it's all together it works fairly well. MTH makes a fasttrack trestle with stone supports that I like much more. Another low cost option is using pink or blue foam to create inclines etc. Lots of info on that if you do a search.

I would search the forum for "twice around the tree". It's a great Christmas layout that got me started in this whole wonderful mess, which now includes a scale Polar Express and countless hours of enjoyment with my now 6 1/2 yr old son.

steam rules posted:

For me, simplest quick excitement upgrade  SWITCHES!  they really add to the complexity of running trains, which adds to the interest.  One or two straight tracks for a siding where extra rolling stock can be stored waiting for pick-up, or a curve or two for a passing siding.  Two switches will connect the two loops of a figure eight which changes the train's direction of travel without increasing the size of the current layout.

Thanks, great idea.  I was actually looking into these last night.  But aren't switches like $50-80 *each*?  Just seems crazy expensive - here I though the FasTrack was pricey enough as it is! 

We also have a few extra track pieces right now I think with the Figure 8 layout, so maybe I could even just buy 1 manual switch (so my 5 year old doesn't break the remote, etc.) and then just a bumper piece for the end?  Where would I insert the switch in my current Figure 8 layout?  Sorry I'm a newb.

Zep posted:

The Lionel trestle is a pain to assemble, and feels less than solid on carpet. Once it's all together it works fairly well. MTH makes a fasttrack trestle with stone supports that I like much more. Another low cost option is using pink or blue foam to create inclines etc. Lots of info on that if you do a search.

I would search the forum for "twice around the tree". It's a great Christmas layout that got me started in this whole wonderful mess, which now includes a scale Polar Express and countless hours of enjoyment with my now 6 1/2 yr old son.

Thanks Zep, I have looked at that layout many times before.  Last year I bought the Figure 8 because I got it for like $52 total on Amazon so seemed like a good deal. I like the other other gentleman's idea on adding a switch or two as well - I was considering that last night.

I just googled 'foam lionel fastrack trestle' and didn't get any links - can you help?

Try swapping to 042 curves and 027 profile track, lot more variaty that way.

El Classico posted:

Try swapping to 042 curves and 027 profile track, lot more variaty that way.

Hi there, I'm a "newb" - are you suggesting going to an old style track with a totally different radius?  I think that's way out of my budget and I really prefer the FasTrack since we just run it on our carpet easily.

Thank you for the reply!

ChristmasTrains,

IMO it was the adding of switches, that expanded the growth and interest in my Train layout when I was a young boy.  Today with FasTrack and the new Command Control Switches, that can be run from both the wired manual controller or the fantastic wireless  TMCC/Legacy remote Control the FTCC Switches open up all kinds of new layout geometry and remote control running fun. IMO if you want to expand your sons interest in his Trains, the Legacy package with a couple Command Control switches would definitely do the trick.  With a new Legacy Engine for Christmas, it would double that interest factor also.  Time to get your Christmas check book out Dad, you just might develop an interest for your son, that turns him into a Professional NASA Engineer some day.   The reason  for the Legacy/TMCC instead of DCS is that Legacy or TMCC is very simple for your son to understand, and owning the FasTrack already the low voltage wireless Command Control Switches are great engineering, that run off track power, a simple plug and play operation.  Then program each switch into the Hand Held Remote Control, or just use the track side manual switch controller, instant play time with his expanded train layout.

PCRR/Dave

to keep your layout with-in the size constraints you have, use a manual fastrack  036 switch (25 to 35 dollars used if you shop around).  Replace a 036 curve from where ever in your layout keeps you with-in your space limitations, add a few straight or curves to obtain the desired siding configuration, presto - instant siding.

if your layout is 4 x 8, a logical place would be to parallel the 8 ft side (either one or both sides).  If you had two switches, you could potentially connect both loops  using the  8 ft side.  this may require a fitter piece of track, but all sizes of shortened track are available from lionel.  

if going the switch route, be sure to visit both the " for sale" or the "want to buy" listings posted on this forum for multiple options and usually very reasonable pricing.  I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have found e-bay to be a pretty good source for current value of items by checking their completed listings file.  many of the forum sponsors also price many of their items very competitively.

Steam Rules

"a country boy can survive!"    (Bocephus, 1981)

It is highly inexpensive kamerade, to swap to tubular track.  I would try the for sale section of the forum, throw out some want ads.  You would be surprised by how little the stuff actually costs.

Looking at switches, I'm not sure whether to go with the Remote or the Manual ones.  I see complaints about both:  that the Manual switch is harder for kids to align properly and could cause derailment; also, that the little level to switch it is fragile and breaks.  For the Remote switches, I see complaints that it just doesn't work at times.

???

christmastrains posted:

Looking at switches, I'm not sure whether to go with the Remote or the Manual ones.  I see complaints about both:  that the Manual switch is harder for kids to align properly and could cause derailment; also, that the little level to switch it is fragile and breaks.  For the Remote switches, I see complaints that it just doesn't work at times.

???

Not so on the switches. My 4 year old grandson could handle the manual switches from about 3. If they forget one, it's non-derail and the engine will push through. Look in the For Sale section of the forum or your local Craig'slist and see if you can up with a pair or maybe four. 036 manual.

The red/green aspect does break off, he can still manage to turn it and check the points. They pick it up quickly. I am just too lazy to make some and glue them on.

Sorry, meant search this site. "Foam riser", "pink foam carving" etc. Basically, I used 1"thick pink foam from home Depot, glued three together to make an approximately 3" s-shaped incline and cut it with a foam wire cutter from Michael's (art/craft store). Nothing hi tech or prototypical about it. Just fun. You can see the Lionel fastrack riser in the background that I used for the decline, but that's mainly because it was around.

I wouldn't worry too much about switches, my son figured out the remote switch in two seconds. The fastrack ones auto switch if set wrong, so derailing isn't much of a problem. I have had issues with them, but more power related than anything.  Well worth the entertainment value.

Eric Siegel has a great website and youtube channel, ericstrains.com that is an amazing resource. Erik Lindgren over on two rail scale forum shows how beautifully far you can take it. 

Moonman posted:

christmastrains posted:

Looking at switches, I'm not sure whether to go with the Remote or the Manual ones.  I see complaints about both:  that the Manual switch is harder for kids to align properly and could cause derailment; also, that the little level to switch it is fragile and breaks.  For the Remote switches, I see complaints that it just doesn't work at times.

???

Not so on the switches. My 4 year old grandson could handle the manual switches from about 3. If they forget one, it's non-derail and the engine will push through. Look in the For Sale section of the forum or your local Craig'slist and see if you can up with a pair or maybe four. 036 manual.

The red/green aspect does break off, he can still manage to turn it and check the points. They pick it up quickly. I am just too lazy to make some and glue them on.

Thanks Moonman.  The manual ones are cheaper too.

I've just posted in the WANTED forum asking to buy switches folks may not want anymore: 

https://ogrforum.com/t...l-or-remote-switches

Have you seen Three Times Around The Tree?

Hello, much like you, my world of trains started one year when I didn't put away the "around the tree" set that I had for years. I can tell you that the FasTrack manual switches are the right way to start. Mine have survived all three of my sons (and their friends) for 10 years now. Just like other have said, look in the forum here, look on eBay and don't forget the sponsors too. My journey started with converting my figure eight into two reversing loops. This allows for the train to run both ways around the track. I started with two switches to have a passing siding, but then got two more to make the eight with the reverse. Then later I added another two to have some sidings where we could add some action (dumping, loading, etc). To bridge the figure eight you need the two O-36 manual switches (with quarter curve) two 10-inch, one 5-inch, one 4.5-inch and finally one 1 3/8-inch piece (for one side). All of this was done over years.

christmastrains posted:

steam rules posted:

For me, simplest quick excitement upgrade  SWITCHES!  they really add to the complexity of running trains, which adds to the interest.  One or two straight tracks for a siding where extra rolling stock can be stored waiting for pick-up, or a curve or two for a passing siding.  Two switches will connect the two loops of a figure eight which changes the train's direction of travel without increasing the size of the current layout.

Thanks, great idea.  I was actually looking into these last night.  But aren't switches like $50-80 *each*?  Just seems crazy expensive - here I though the FasTrack was pricey enough as it is! 

We also have a few extra track pieces right now I think with the Figure 8 layout, so maybe I could even just buy 1 manual switch (so my 5 year old doesn't break the remote, etc.) and then just a bumper piece for the end?  Where would I insert the switch in my current Figure 8 layout?  Sorry I'm a newb.

Manual switches are cheaper but it is still a lot of coin flowing out at one time for only being used for a short time during the year.  I had trouble justifying the expense with my wife.  Also, I got kicked out from under the tree but we have a spare room for storage and kids' use in the basement I got permission to take over so that worked to my benefit.  In a previous year, got a couple of folding picnic tables and kicked the car out of the garage for a month.   Like you I was looking to do something more interesting than an oval or the figure 8. I balked at the price on switches and trestles.  Instead I built my own trestle using Legos and other blocks for the piers and cheap but sturdy edge wainscot plank paneling from Lowe's to support the track everywhere.  This allowed for a lot of flexibility in tinkering with the layout and adjusting.  Once the skeleton support was in place, I added white foam I had saved from packaging over the year and covered it all with the white cottony rolls you see at the hardware stores and other places around Christmas.  Not the most spectacular but it worked well this year and it was definitely a lot more interesting to run the trains on it than the flat oval or figure 8. 

Nect year I am looking to add a couple of manual switches and set up some reversing loops. 

Pictures attached of what I did this year.  

Alex

Alex(prospector),

That's a very nice and interesting variation of the figure 8 into an over/under. Everyone likes bridges and tunnels. A requisite on a layout.