Finally getting started on my OO dealer demo layout project. I have wanted to build this for a couple years now as my old mini portable layout isnt mini enough to fit in our older Jeep Wranglers. But the original OO demo layout is small enough to fit. While the original only had the Lionel Jr depot. I will add a few more buildings, and lights to bring it to life. Step one was to aquire the proper 1938 OO set. That arrived in the mail today. Just have to restore the hopper and box car back to silver and yellow as the owner many years ago redid them into another paint scheme. So a strip and restore is needed. The Hudson runs excellent, whistle is nice and loud. Here is a pic of what I call the mini 700e. About as close as I can get on my blue colar wage to a real 700e from the Prewar years of Lionel. More pics as the layout progresses. Waiting on a friend who is good at wood working to make the basic layout surface that I will paint and detail. Mike
Here is what the basic layout will look like, this is an original that is up for sale if you have a spare 6500 bucks burning a hole in your pocket!!
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
That's a great little layout! I've been wanting to do the same idea for my N gauge, my american HO, my Brittish HO, my German HO....the wish lists never seem to get shorter do they? Anyways, looks like you've got another fun project!
Same me, different spelling!
Thanks, I also have a little bit of Marklin HO AC 3 rail with their Santa Fe warbonnet F7's that I might do something with someday. I cant wait till my friend gets the layout base done so I can really start to move things along. I still need to find an older 1041 with 2 posts on the top instead of 3 across the front, then restore the 2 unique cars to the 1938 set, the light grey SP hopper and the pastel yellow box car. I have them both, but they were repainted years ago. But the original color can be seen inside the box car whilst I have the floor taken off to be straightened as it was warping. The Hudson runs nice and quiet, unlike my last 2 that sounded more like coffee grinders even after being serviced. Mike the Aspie
I drug my old 55x33 portable table out of the shed to serve as a tempoary OO platform. The actual one my friend is building for me is under 2 inches thick and is 32 by 43, so it will fit much better. I also got the horrid paint stripped off the hopper and will also do the box car once I find some light yellow/cream paint that is close to whats on the inside of the body casting. Such a shame both got repainted years ago as they are 1 year models(1938 only). Decals for both are also ordered. I will take a video tomorrow and post a youtube link. I dont think my wife would like the noise at 2:30am! Mike the Aspie
and the other end, just changed a few buildings around and put the Girard station behind the ZW. In time, everything will be lighted/wired up.
Video link, running my 2343's and the OO set at the same time after doing a partial refurb of my ZW(R) transformer(still need to replace one carbon roller).
Made some progress on the train itself, I have the caboose now and I got both of the unique cars repainted in proper colors, or as close as I can come to it, and new decals on the box car. Decals for the hopper are on the way. I also rebuilt the Hudson with a lower mileage frame from parts donor as the original one is totally worn out from lots and lots of use. Something more Lionel OO didn't get usually. Someone really enjoyed this set thru the years!
Just out of curiosity Mike, but where do you get your decals from?
The local 24/7/365 model train show otherwise known as ebay. Just seach Lionel OO under the general model railroad topic, not under OO. They have decals for all the OO stuff including the engine and tender which so often are faded away from being played with. Granted they were rubber stamped and not decals on the engine/tender. I know there is the 5342 rubber stamp on there, but where the heck do you find the right ink? Both my engine and tender are nearly faded away. Mike
Thanks Mike! I don't do OO but I'm always on the lookout for decal providers, there just isn't as many around as there used to be.
I know, so few are left. The younger generation of train fans are taking the modeling part out of the hobby. Now its all RTR to suit the "gotta have it now" generations. Gone are the days of building something from basic materials one could find around the house or at the local store. Mike
emdmike The younger generation of train fans are taking the modeling part out of the hobby.
Sad. Years ago when I was into building model airplanes the rule among serious modelers was "Don't use the kit decals, use Micro-Scale's, they're the best around!" I'm not sure Micro-Scale's even around anymore, they used to do railroad decals as well but there's nothing from them now. I managed to find some old ones at a small hobby shop a year ago, but that's it.
Micro Scale is still around, but Herald King and Champ are gone now. There are some small companies making decals for certian areas of the country like the New England area ect. Mike
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