Trains.com

folding layout

2557 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 10, 2004 7:15 PM
daan where are you located in holland i lived in wiesbaden for 7 years and my father lives in gelsenkirchen loved it there
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 10, 2004 7:05 PM
thanks . yes i do use tubular track . Ive been out for awhile but i pulled out the old lionels . cleaned them up and they run fine i already have a nice looking layout .. but you know you just cant leave it alone. bought a nice 4-6-6-4 this weekend union pacific chalenger WOW .how things have changed . thanks for all the info this will help me out alot .my son is having a blast ..thanks
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Holland
  • 1,404 posts
Posted by daan on Monday, May 10, 2004 1:47 PM
If you havn't run for 25 years, do you use tubular track? If yes, tubular track can be soldered easy, so if you make the tracks that way that 2 trackpieces end excactly on the folding section, you remove the pins connecting them and solder the 3 rail on wood screws screwed in almost on the edge of the folding part. This way your joint won't move when folded and join nice when you set up your layout. Track power can be past on by a flexible wire underneath.
Daan. I'm Dutch, but only by country...
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Over the Rainbow!
  • 760 posts
Posted by eZAK on Sunday, May 9, 2004 7:43 PM
I made a folding layout once.
It folded up against a wall & was 8' x 3.5'
It was attached to a shelf & in the up position it was about 8" from the wall.

When it was down the trains ran on it as well as through the wall to a table top.
To cross the hinge section there was a small gap in the rails.
The power was transfered using about 3" of lamp cord soldered between each rail.

A couple points to remember;
Keep the center of the hinge at your rail height &
Make sure you have a little slack in your power wires.

I hope this helps.

If you need more info just email me eZAK61@msn.com
Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Home Brew!</font id="size2"> Pat Zak</font id="size3">
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 9, 2004 5:23 PM
thanks for the help ... i have been to quite a few sites .and WOW. its changed. that was what i was thinking about doing but Im getting trainmaster and wasnt sure if the loss of power for even a few seconds would affect it. whats getting me is how to lock the track together between the hinge ... i did see the drawbridges in lionel site thanks again and glad to be back .. with my trains
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Sunday, May 9, 2004 5:13 PM
HI chochojohn,

First I would like to welcome to the CTT forum


Boy are you in for a great surprise. Has O gauge changed in 25 years. You must visit some of the new manufactures web pages, like K-line ( www.k-linetrains.com )and MTH ( www.mth-railking.com ).

If I understand you correctly, here is one thought. Why not build the add on like with a draw bridge connection. To get power to the new section and also the add on piece, why not add a lock on to each for power.


tom

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
folding layout
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 9, 2004 4:30 PM
please help .. ... i want to expand my layout and have run into a problem .. this set up folds against the wall .but the exp im planning on will fold in front of that .hard to explain. how do i get the track to recive power and hook up short of once unfolded placing track between the switch and new track i just pulled my locos and entire set out of 25yrs storage and have been out of the loop for awhile thanks any help will be appreciated .bringing my son up to speed

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month