Lionel Postwar 027 Layout Video

[dsmith]

I would like to share a video that I took of my Lionel Postwar 027 5' x 9' Tubular Track Layout.  The video is about 4 minutes long and is a collection of an overall shot of the entire layout, selected sections of the layout and several segments onboard the moving train.  I tried to run the trains as slow a possible without stalling.  For the onboard shots I simply rubber banded the digital camera to a flatcar located just behind the 2018 steam engine.

205 Alco Diesel AA
LV 627 44 Tonner
520 Electric
2018 4-6-2 Steam
Custom Great Lakes Passenger                                                                                  8690 Trolley

You might also see a 132 Passenger Station, 128 Animated Newsstand, 145 Automatic Gateman, Prewar Automatic Flagman, 445 Automatic Switch Tower, 252 Crossing Gate, 154 Flashing Crossing Signal, 140 Banjo Signal, Automatic Semaphores and lots of scenery all crammed into this small layout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI5SrbCNeKM

Here is a schematic of the layout.

http://www.geocities.com/musicalcraft/Schematic.jpg

Enjoy

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, nice layout!!! Do you have them running on block control? I noticed you had two on each mainline.

[Anonymous]

pretty nice.....and

[Anonymous]

Lots of bang for the buck.

Wayray

[Wes Whitmore]

That's a nice layout!  Makes me want to change some of the things that I did...

Give us some of the specifics!  It looks great.

Wes

[dwiemer]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

Dennis

[Brutus]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[dsmith]

Yes, each mainline has automatic block control which allows me to run 2 trains on the same track.  There is an insulated track section that energizes a relay.  The relay will reduce the power to 6 track sections behind the insulated track.  A pair of opposite facing diodes will reduce the voltage by about 1/2 volt.  Add several until the train will stop without disengaging the E-unit.  If a train approaches too close, it will stop until the leading train leaves the insulated block.  This system works quite well, but you have to keep an eye on how the trains are behaving.  You must use engines that are well matched in speed.  I have slowed some of my fast engines by using a pair of opposite facing diodes in the engine to slow it slightly.  You can adjust slight speed differences by adding or subtracting cars.  If you run the trains too slow, sometimes an engine will not restart after it has stopped.

So, I have 2 mainlines that can each run 2 trains, plus a trolley line.  It's a lot of action in a small space.

Another feature I use when running a single train on the whole layout is an automatic feature using Lionels antiderailing 1122 switches.The 4 switches that allow a train to pass from one mainline to the other can be wired together so that a single train will automatically travel around one mainline for 1 1/2 times, then enter the other mainline and travel around for 1 1/2 times, then repeat contunuously.  In this way it will take a train about 2 - 3 minutes to complete one pass of the layout.  All this in a 5' x 9' layout.

[magicman710]

Very nice layout!!!!!!  By the way, I notice in your other videos there is always a clicking type sound, sort of like wheels on the rail joints, is that what it is? Its just a softer soud than normal rail jonts, so i was wondering.

 

Grayson

[Anonymous]

Wow!Arn't you cool! I LIKE THAT!

[dsmith]

The other clicking sound that you hear in my other videos is the camera's autofocus that is continuously working.  In this video I turned the continuous focus off, so it only focuses once at the beginning of the shot.  All the other sounds are the natural sounds of the layout in operation.  I love the sound!

[MadMarx]

Fantastic! That little 520 is a growler! Hahah....

[Frank53]

How did I manage to miss this topic for so long.

Very nice layout, nice stuff on it too!

[lionel2986]

Hard to tell but what did you do for scenery? Is that tan carpet? I'm in the process of putting together an 0-27 layout too. Looks good.

[magicman710]

How did I manage to miss this topic for so long.

Very nice layout, nice stuff on it too!

 

Frank!!!!! You forgot to mention that one of the MAIN thing that makes this video so good is that the trains are running on TUBULAR track!!!

Fatrack vs. Tubular............ Tubular

Grayson

[dsmith]

Yes, I am using a mottled light brown carpeting on my layout over the top of 1/4" plywood.  The frame is 1/2" x 4" plywood strips around the outside edge with 3 strips to brace the middle of the 5' x 9' layout.  This might sound like a real light structure (it does twist easily if you lift it), but I do not have any plasterwork on the layout and I don't move the layout around much.  The advantage is that it is a lightweight layout, if you do have to move it and holes are real easy to drill through the 1/4" plywood/carpet for wiring.   1/4" plywood is plenty thick enough for screwing down track and accessories.  I debated over using green/tan felt, green indoor outdoor carpet, or the brown carpet.  Some of the advantages of the brown carpet are, the carpet helps quiet the track which can be quite noisy on 1/4" plywood, if you drill holes for wiring, the holes will just disappear in the carpet if you no longer use them, the carpet adds a nice 3 dimensional texture (compared to felt), and the mottled brown looks nicer than the even green of felt or indoor outdoor carpet.  I origionally was planning on a toy train layout with track and accessories but no scenery, but I have gradually changed my mind to include buildings, roads, trees, bushes, people, telephone poles and lots of other scenery and I've found that the carpeting still looks good.  One disadvantage of the carpet is when you are drilling holes, the carpet strands will start to wind around the drill bit and you can easily unravel a portion of the carpet.  You can avoid this by pressing hard on the drill and applying power just until the drill bit penetrates through the 1/4" plywood and then stop the drill and pull it out.  It's great how the drilled holes just disappear in the carpet if you no longer use the holes.  I have relocated quite a bit of lamp posts and track connections and no holes show.  I am very happy with the light frame and the carpet.  I would not use this if you are adding plasterwork or plan on walking on your layout.

[danrunner]

dsmith,

This is the 027 layout i've been looking for.  I want to use it for myself, please.  You don't happen to have a parts list for how many of each lengths of 027 you needed to make it, do you?  If you do,  please publish it as well.

 

Thanks again for the awesome plan.

 

Dan 

[fifedog]

You have a handsome layout, Smitty.  Nice MAN CAVE too to run it in.  Really enjoyed the on-board perspective.  Thanks for sharing.

[lionel2986]

Very nice I was thinking of going with a color carpet like that with the current layout I'm building. I'll have to view your video again when im on broadband. I do remember some sort of wooden strip under the elevated tracks. What is this and is it something I could pick up at lowes or homedepots?
Thanks again

[Anonymous]

great videos, really enjoy them

[dsmith]

I am using 1/4" hardboard running underneath the elevated portion of the layout.  I have made my own elevated trestles on the portion of the layout that shows the most.   There are  1" strips of heavy cardboard attached to the trestles, covering the sides of the 1/4" hardboard.  The cardboard is painted gray to simulate steel plate girders.  I think this gives a more finished look to the elevated section.  I'll try to post a detailed photo if you are interested.