Dream layout

[Kelly Shaw]

Would your dream layout have...?

[Big_Boy_4005]

My dream layout has realistic operation. Lots of switching, and no loops. Here's the plan for the first level.



It's not just a dream, it's under construction.

[Anonymous]

Elliot, very nice plan. What size space do you have to build this in?

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks! The space is 38 x 46, and there is a second level over the entire thing. There is also a hidden storage / staging yard below. This actually follows the local prototype as it passes through the Twin Cities, and includes much of the BNSF, and CP tracks, and even some of the UP. It's basicly the route of the Amtrak Empire Builder. I need to get busy working on it again. Winter is coming.[swg]

[cheapclassics]

I have two dream layouts, one for O and one for Standard. The standard one was in the 1930 or 1932 Lionel catalog and was the only depiction of a standard layout to appear in a Lionel catalog. CTT did an article on it a long time ago, estimating the cost of the trains shown and the accessories. Even with all the reproductions now available, it would still take a chunk of change to build. The O is a bit more achievable. CTT did a two article series on a layout that appeared in a Model Builder book from the 50s. It was on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. It was done with O-31 track. I do not know if a modified version could be built with FastTrack.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[brianel027]

My dream layout is the one I have now, flaws and all.

And if it weren't for K-Line and the decent low priced toy-type trains they were making in the early 1990's I wouldn't even be back in the hobby.

Okay, sure I would like a bigger layout. I'd probably still use 027 track, but I'd use Gargraves switches and have longer mainlines and loads more sidings for lots more action accessories.

But I guess because I have lived something of a hard life [8] (fire, car accidents, layoff) I'm what some might call "well grounded." It's nice to have dreams - even BIG dreams. BUT... I've learned the hard way there will be much less future disappointment if those dreams are something realistically attainable - that have the possibility of coming true. (Of course, that doesn't negate having to work for your dreams either.)

So I live with the reality of having to take cars off sidings, so I have room for others. I've learned to pretend that the reverse cut-off is sometimes a siding. I've learned to make modern TTUX cars from broken spring dump cars. And I look at my short Alcos and S-2's and imagine they are really SD90MACS.

Fortunately being blessed to be the creative person I am, I do a lot of repainting, rebuilding and scratchbuilding - so at least those Alcos and S-2's are in contemporary roads and paint schemes with little added extras like ditch lights and strobe lights. My accessories are custom designed (and /or heavily altered) to fit in a smaller space. I measure "scale" with "feeling" instead of a ruler. I've learned to make do with what I have - and probably still have as much fun with my trains as anyone else.

Yeah, if I ever win the Powerball or the Lottery, I may have a bigger layout.

But I guarantee I'll be giving to charity first... I've met far too many folks who would very thankful and appreciative to just have the small layout that I have. Or to know that the bills next month are covered.

As the old saying goes, don't count the blessings you lack, count the ones you have. [^] And not a days goes by now that I don't thank God for allowing me to have what I DO already have... I know it could all disappear again in the blink of an eye... or the strike of an arson's match.

[Anonymous]

I voted having a mix of switches and open stretches for long running. I like having lots of switches and yards, etc. but rather for displaying trains on as opposed to doing any actual switching with. I like running my trains on continuous loops.

As far as what my actual dream layout would look like, I envision a layout much like the one I have now, except only much much bigger. It would be a classic tinplate "green carpet-style" layout filled with beautiful prewar and postwar toy trains and accessories. Something I also imagine for my dream layout is a gigantic mountain that looks the way prewar tunnels looked with trains running on it and maybe even a rack railway (which some Eurpoean companies actually did make in the prewar years).

[cnw1995]

I'd like what I may be able to build over the next few years as I gradually clear out our raised crawlspace in the basement - put more 4x8 foam boards atop the fill and lay more 027 track. No benchwork to worry about - and so far, no wiring challenges. I just have a largish sideways u-shaped loop with a single siding - using some v. old 0 track shimmed to the 027. It's on four 4x8 boards. Two boards in the front, one forming the bottom of the U and one in the back. Soon as I clear out the 'right' side of the crawlspace, I'll hopefully be able to fit two or three more boards along the back, one on the opposite side and another in 'front.' It might not all fit. This'll leave me a river-like (more like a canal) crawling space to climb up and between the boards to deal with any problems. I'd like to eventually double-track part of it so I could run two trains, and through the help of some on this board find a few working accessories.

[artyoung]

Our last layout had 11 pairs of switches-way too complicated! The new one has 2 pair-perfect for long runs, but I miss the switching operations. "One Day" we'll build a layout with the works,but not in the near future. Either way, with all our accessories, what we have is still a lot of fun to play with.

[Anonymous]

i like layouts w long stretches of tarak so i can openup the train and let it go,
im all about speed and looks, thats why i like the t1 alot

[Anonymous]

Dear Elliot,
Oh my go***hat is a huge layout, especially for a private one! Good luck with it!
-Daniel

[Anonymous]

I can't afford my dream layout. Paying for it would become a nightmare.....

[Anonymous]

This Christmas I will be setting up an 8' X 8' layout consisting of three 50's era Marx metal trains running on three separate tracks. The main line will be a reverse "L" running my own repainted engine, tender, and caboose for the J R & M, a Marlines set on a figure-8 inside the "L", and finally a large oval on elevated tressles running an articulated set spanning the other two trains.

My inspiration for this layout comes from the Dec. 2000 Classic Toy Trains issue on pages 60-67, which shows Jim and Debby Flynn's wonderful Christmas layout.

I just got into Marx metal last Christmas, have done much research about the 50's era trains, purchased some Marx accessories, and find they all are wonderful. As a 3-5 year old, I only had a Marx metal wind-up.

I do set up 10-12 different layouts from Z to G all over the house with villages, trollys, monorail, and other "goodies". Guests enjoy seeing all the action.

[choochin3]

Though it's not my dream layout,my current layout is being dismanteled to do some work on the attic floor.[:(] Looks like the living room floor and a large oval of track will have to do for now!What a mess putting away all those trains and accesories!!Too Many Boxes!!![B)]

[spankybird]

I am still basically a loop runner. I would love to have room for a turn table and round house for my steam engines.


tom