Noob needs Christmas layout assistance and track plans, please.

[Anonymous]

Hello All, I am a noob both to this forum, and toy trains. I would like to build a simple around-the- tree layout with a couple of switches/sidings/passing tracks for interest, rather than just a simple circle or oval. I am willing to do simple wiring, and I would like to have a few lighted buildings and Christmas lights.I have a 2-year old Lionel freight set with a semi-scale Berkshire that I can use, but I'm also thinking of going to scale locos and rolling stock on the Christmas layout, or perhaps a larger layout in the basement. Any and all ideas will be appreciated. Thx! [:)]

[spankybird]

HI IT_Pro

Welcome to the CTT forum



here is a good web site that can help you
http://www.thortrains.net


tom

[3railguy]

Tom beat me to the punch line with the link he posted to 027 XMAS layouts.

You're looking to get into scale stuff and expanding into your basement? Diesel, steam?

We're not experts here. We just play with the stuff and develop our own opinions as to what's best and flame each other over it all. So this is my non expert advice from experience:

A good scale diesel to start with would be something like Lionel's GP-30 or MTH's GP-38 at around $350 discount. The include sound, smoke, command control, etc. Williams makes close to scale diesels without all these features and less detail for around $150. K-Line also makes scale diesels in this price range or the higher range with all the features. K-Line is offering a great introductory EP-5 for $100 (no sounds or command control).

If you like steam, K-Line's scale hudson is a durned good deal at around $600 with sound, smoke, command control, etc. or around $500 without these features.

Atlas O and Lionel make the most well detailed scale freight cars at around $50 each and they are addictive. Well worth the money and my opinion one is better than two cars of less money. MTH makes great scale cars too. They are cheaper but the detail isn't as crisp.

There are two different control systems out there. Lionel TMCC and MTH DCS. Lionel's TMCC is simpler and cheaper to start with ($100 to run command engines or $200 to run command and older engines) and is furnished with Atlas O, K-Line, and Weaver engines. MTH is exclusive to MTH, is more expensive to start with ($250 to run command and older engines). DCS has more features but also requires stricter wiring standards. The two systems are semi-compatible and you need both to run both MTH and engines with Lionel's TMCC.

Confused? If it were me, I would start with Lionel's TMCC outfit and add DCS later.

Want to dive into this? For around $650 discount ($800 MSRP) Lionel is offering a command control starter set with a scale Union Pacif SD-70MAC, something, husky stack cars, auto rack cars, and scale sized caboose. It comes with a 60" x 100" loop of fastrack, 80 watt transformer, and command control gear.

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogID=4&PageID=251

You should really visit a trainstore, get some magazines like OGR, and CTT, and some catalogs from Atlas O, K-Line, MTH, Williams, etc. There are books on getting started too. You also need to figure out a budget.

[Anonymous]

Thx for the info and the Welcome. [:)]I have subscribed to CTT for a few years, but never built a layout. I will take the advice to start w/Lionel TMCC. I prefer steam locos, so I will not be getting the Lionel set with the diesel. Thx again for the useful info.[:)]

Mike

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to my website.

http://home.comcast.net/~graz6/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

Near the end of the photo pages, is our styrafoam Christmas layout. It's a simple 4x8 carved from stacked sheets of the pink insulation styrafoam. I used gargraves track with Lionel 022 switches for the nostalgia factor. It's got a simple loop with a passing siding/loop. I painted the whole thing with white latex and then sprinkled fake snow. All of the buildings are the Walmart knock-offs of the Dept. 56 series.
We moved into a new home this fall and I don't think that I'll be able to fit it in the room that will house the tree!

[tjsprague]

A Chrismas layout doesn't have to be very complicated. I built mine with 2 sheets of styrafoam that fit around the tree (CTT did an article last year) I bought some cheap Dept 56 buildings on eBay- get the ones without boxes or that are chipped, very cheap. Then added some Lionel I've been collecting.

Pix are on the OGR site
http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=453102703&m=5211083711

Simple, 2 separate loops and it's fun! Use some older trains, or repaints when the little ones are over.

Good luck and enjoy!

[SPFan]

If you are thinking of scale steam locos, make sure the layout and engines are compatible. Many of the scale locos require radiuses larger than 031. If you intend to use TMCC its hard to beat K-Line for best bang for the buck. I have two of their engines. They run great and their service is excellent.

Pete