Phew..just got back on here! Some updates and questions needing answered

[yallaen]

So, after fighting to get back onto the forum...lol...

Here's my accumulation so far for my project. For those of you new, or not remembering...I'm wanting to run a 2-track shelf around a basement room..with a couple of crossovers..and potentially branching out into a yard track and another room. Wife wants more of a layout..but that would be in HO I'm thinking..not right now...

SO, I have a post-war #675 steamer/tender, some rolling stock, and lots of Lionel 3-rail track. Some of the track is rusted, and a local railroader suggested putting it in a bucket of straight Pine-Sol for about 4 hours...it would remove the rust. Any pitted pieces could be junked. Thoughts??

I have a TW transformer which works.

I just bought a TMCC Cab-1 unit..have the command base and the remote. Can I use the TW transformer for power for the time being? Or should I just get a power pack, and use the TW for accessories as I originally intended?

Now, someone on the forum sent me some pics of his shelve layout. I'm wanting more pics of that..or if anyone else has suggestions? I was going to use shelving brackets and that pink foam insulation for base..but then got to thinking how would I decorate the foam? Should I just use plywood for base and insulation for sound deadening? How do you decorate over it?

I'd like to start tackling this project this week!

Thanks for all your help!

Norm

 

[Roger Bielen]

Norm, any transformer having enough power to run your trains can be used with TMCC.  See the current issue, Sept., of CTT, there's an article on hooking up TMCC.  If you do go with the PH get a 180W unit, now days they might be easier to find than the 135W.

[willpick]

Norm, if the track is lightly rusted, just clean the tops, the pins, and the inside of the rails where the pins go. This should eliminate any dead spots in the loops.  Until you get  a TMCC equipped engine, the TW will run your PW 675 just fine.

You don't state how big the room is, but you shoud plan on more than 1 power connection to your track-- you'll need at least 2. I'd use 3 or more, evenly spaced on each loop. As to the shelf, plywood and foam would be how I'd build a shelf layout, if I was doing one. Put the plywood (1/2" is fine) on TOP of the foam-- this will help deaden the sound, and you can screw the track down-- as to scenery, on shelf layouts there usually isn't much--

[jefelectric]

Check out the Sunday photo fun from last Sunday, it is now on page 2.  Frank53 has photos of his shelf layout posted.  In fact he posts regularly so check out some previous Sundays as well.

I have a small shelf section that connects two larger layouts.  It is constructed of 3/4" plywood with a layer of homosote and covered with green I/O carpet.  supported by shelf brackets.  It is just 12" wide but I was able to place some background buildings along it.  Here are a few pics.

[Frank53]

Check out the Sunday photo fun from last Sunday, it is now on page 2.  Frank53 has photos of his shelf layout posted.  In fact he posts regularly so check out some previous Sundays as well.

 

thanks john. It's a little behind on updating, but I have a ten page thread link in my sig line to my shelf layout from the start to where it was about six weeks ago.

[pbjwilson]

My layout is a shelf style that runs on both sides of a wall.

This is the big curve that wraps around a pole and into my office.

This is in the main room of the basement. The train runs on a countertop above cabinets.

And sceniced with carpeting, fabric backdrop, lights, etc.