Trains.com

My Marx Portable Storable Train Layout

4181 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • 621 posts
My Marx Portable Storable Train Layout
Posted by dsmith on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 9:03 PM

For the past six months I have been working on a new Portable Storable Layout for my vintage Marx tin electric trains.  The layout is 46" x 62" and is hinged in the middle to fold up into a compact 34" x 46" x 5".  The layout is fairly well finished, so here is a video.

  David from Dearborn  

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • 951 posts
Posted by servoguy on Thursday, March 26, 2015 1:08 AM

Dave,

Very nice.  Looks like you are having too much fun.

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,207 posts
Posted by stebbycentral on Friday, March 27, 2015 7:45 PM

I am impressed on several levels, both with the layout, and with the woodworking.  I see you also follow Norm Abraham's favorite dictum: "You can never have too many clamps."

I have figured out what is wrong with my brain!  On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, March 27, 2015 8:44 PM

Very nice

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,024 posts
Posted by fifedog on Saturday, March 28, 2015 7:08 AM

That was a fun 8 1/2 minutes!

Thanks for sharing, Dave. YesCool

 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 14 posts
Posted by BARailroad on Monday, March 30, 2015 7:51 PM

Very nice work, Dave!  I always enjoy viewing your posts and videos.

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Monday, March 30, 2015 8:12 PM

Wow! YesYesYesYes

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • 621 posts
Posted by dsmith on Thursday, April 2, 2015 4:46 PM

Here is the track plan for my Marx portable storable layout.  All the track is LIonel 027, the switches are Marx 027 and several pieces of track have been custom cut.  The layout size 46" x 62".

 

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/dtsmithnet/IMG_8842a_zpsuz1ouesb.jpg

 

  David from Dearborn  

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: The ROMAN Empire State
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by brianel027 on Saturday, April 4, 2015 11:59 AM

Dave, you are one of a small handful that has videos on YouTube on 027 trains in all their glory!  

I know the new scale trains with all the electronic features seem to garnish all the praise and attention. And I've seen videos of them running, and they just bore me to tears. Then when I watch your videos Dave, I think "this is what Lionel trains are all about!"

Many people think the Lionel Cop and Robber Box Car, or the Hydraulic Maintenance car is one of the least desirable operatating cars, because of that large mounting that sticks up from the roof of the box car. But I saw one of your other videos showing operating Lionel cars, and thought, "Yes unsightly, but they do look like a fun car to run on a train."

So based on seeing your video, I got one and I have to admit, despite the unorthadox appearance of the car, it sure is a fun one to watch in a train consist.

brianel, Agent 027

"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Hobart, In
  • 568 posts
Posted by jwse30 on Saturday, April 4, 2015 9:23 PM

Another fantastic video! The trackplan is interesting, and the folding design is pretty neat too.

 

Can you show or describe a bit better how you made the bases for the accessories? It looks like you have contacts on them so the bases remain wired, and the accessory would sit on them. What holds the accessories to the bases? It doesn't seem like gravity would be enough to hold them tight enough to make a good electrical connection.

 

I am surprised that your 45 degree crossing hasn't ended up in the magazine yet.

 

Thanks for a great video,

 

J White

 

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