A friend is going to help me rebuild my 4x8 layout that folds up into a 6" deep frame mounted to the wall(so some scenery can remain in place). I have a nice 1946 edition 726 Berkshire that I just found a matching restored tender. I am slowly building up the original set it was part of, 2115WS. I want the layout to resemble something son and father might have built in late 1946 and into the following year or so. So no plasticville and era correct rolling stock, transformer and controls ect. I am leaning toward a R transformer for dual train control, with seperate 167c whistle buttons. Does anybody have family layout pics from the mid 1940's, from holiday displays under the tree to table top layouts. Time from from 46 thru 48 with emphisis on the earlier part of that time frame. I need to see what others were using for scenery, buildings, track plans ect. Thanks in advance. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I immediately thought of vintage PUTZ cardboard houses. I've been seeing brand new versions at craft and department stores recently.
There's also tinplate houses by Lionel floating around on ebay.
This would have been the age of lichen moss and colored sawdust.
Take a look at " Lionel's Showroom Layouts", if you have it.My 2 favorites: the Panarama Layout is tops in my book.
and the ever famous '49 layout.
Paul
I have found 2 track plans that are of interst. I think the flat style with more track is probably the more likely layout one might have seen in that era. But the over and under with tunnels adds some interest in just watching a train run. Not sure which way to go at the moment.
Here's a fun site: https://www.bigindoortrains.com/index.htm
And there's some great info on building your own "Putz" or "Glitter Houses".
https://bigindoortrains.com/primer/glitterhouses/glitterhouses.htm
Helpful hints: I used posterboard instead of cereal boxes and white sand because it's cheaper than glitter. These are some that I tried to sell.
Same me, different spelling!
Cool buildings. Made some progress today with a friends woodworking skills. The new fold down table is up and in place. I rebuilt the wall frame on Friday evening from the shelves it had been turned into. Then he came over today and a trip to the store for wood and supplies. Now to decide on a track plan, layout is actually 4x7 as a full 8 foot makes it hard to latch it closed when its folded shut. He also shortened the height of my Trainworx "Lionel" bridge so it will fit on the layout in the closed position. Not sure if it will be used as its definatly not something one would see on a 1946 layout. Here are a couple pics of the layout both open and closed. And, the open bottom will be covered over with a nice finished piece of wood once wiring is completed.
pennytrains...These are some that I tried to sell.
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
These sold:
These didn't:
Wonder where I got the design for that house from...?
That's the arch over the parking lot entrance at Euclid Beach Park, a Cleveland landmark that still stands 52 years after the park closed.
These stations came in red, green and blue versions.
This one I didn't try to sell:
I can only put down the lack of sales to a lack of a market, because those are some gorgeous looking buildings!I can't blame you for not wanting to part ways with that last one!-Ellie
The Disney castle is really cool. I bet a 40's style Hogwarts school and castle would be popular with the Harry Potter set folks. I am really supprised that Lionel has not had buildings made for both the HP sets and the Polar Express series they have really done well with. Some affordable O gauge buildings for those lines would be welcomed. I bought an R transformer so I can run 2 trains or one train with variable power for lighting/accessories. Working on track now. I found one "twice around" layout, but the grades to get up to my bridge and back down might make running a constant "baby sitting" of the throttle necessary. I might do two flat loops with one above the other with that bridge at an angle across the middle of the layout.
I think there is a switch hidden under the upper level that the track from the passing siding ties into the return circle that is hidden under the upper level. A bit risky having a turnout inside a tunnel though, great place for a derailment and my layout is basicly landlocked on all sides but the front. Here is another more basic over and under plan. With only 7 foot of width to work with, the grades might be a bit steep for enjoyable hands free running though.
DJSpanky I really like when trains disappear and reappear.
It's a good way to make a layout appear larger than it actually is.
I agree, as long as the grades can be kept reasonable so one doesnt have to constantly change the throttle position to keep the train from stalling or going to fast. I like to set the train running, then just watch it go, getting lost in my thoughts as I watch the train run. Sometimes for hours. I did this as a child before being diagnosed on the autism spectrum and I still do this when the chance permits. I may just go with a nice Christmas theme with dept56 and other buildings. Kind of a morph of a 1946 era set and some modern holiday buildings
emdmikeso one doesnt have to constantly change the throttle position to keep the train from stalling or going to fast
If you separate the layout into blocks and have them wired to different throttles you can set the voltage higher on the upgrade and lower on the down so you don't have to constantly adjust. IIRC, Lionel's display deaprtment used to do it.
Or, just install a 45 degree crossing track, and skip the over-under all together.
That might happen to. I have the transformer now, a Type R for 2 train control, or one train and variable lighting/acc power. I also have some track on the way, so I can play around with ideas before going hog wild on construction. The bridge and a Marx tinplate freight house I had prior to starting this, so there might be a few fudges on the '46 theme. More like it was started post xmas '46 and developed from there. Here is the bridge, I have shortened its overall height so it will fit when the layout is in the closed position, but its still tall enough to clear my 726 Berk. Also my custom F3's I had made for me. The pic of the bridge was taken quite awhile ago as well, back when I had a non folding 3 rail layout.
Havent had much spare time to work on the layout as we get things put to bed for the winter. But I did get the "grass" put down today before work, and you can see that bridge I got from Trainworxx Studios that I want to use somehow. I love prewar Lionel OO, so I may put a small loop above the O gauge and use the bridge for it.
More progress, my track packaged showed up while I was work. I did a bit last night but with my wife sleeping, couldn't do much else. So today I have sort of planned where I want to put the bridge, current spot would support an upper loop of 031 track, if I put OO on it, then the bridge will be a bit further back as the radius is tighter. Trying to find my mandrel for my cut off disc so I can custom cut a couple pieces of track to square up the lower loop. Mike
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