Temporary Layouts

[Anonymous]

Most of the permanent layouts that I have seen and read about are usually done in either with Atlas, GarGraves and Ross track, and even tubular.

I have been thinking on working on getting GG track to start accumulating for making a layout with. For now, at least my layouts will be temporary and will be on carpet. I dont think it would do any harm to buy some GG track to use for such layouts. And its not often that it will be taken up and down as much either.

Looking at some GG track while in Houston, I found how light the track was with the wood ties and the fact that if one wanted an S-curve, they would most likely have to remove-replace pins.

I like the look of the track however, and am thinking at some point to make a temporary layout on the floor here in my duplex apt. I know that FasTrack and Realtrax are better candidates for floor based and temp layouts but I want to go with the track system that will eventually be permanent in the long term. Any thoughts?

[lionelsoni]

Remember that the flexible track usually requires trimming of rail lengths and so is not well adapted to a temporary layout.

[marxalot]

I think you can do just exactly what you want. You could also buy some used 031 or 027 tubular track on E-bay and have a real floor runner layout! And that way you would never be without a layout. You wouldn't stop running trains on the floor till you had the GG mounted on a board! Why not tubular on the floor? It always looks good at Christmas.

8-)

Jim

[Anonymous]

Gragraves and Atlas aren't meant to be used for temporary/floor layouts. The lightweight feature becomes a problem when you try to run trains on the track. The weight of the train starts to "push" the track around. The connectors need to be backed up by something like cableties or rubber bands to keep track sections together. On top of all this, the low profile of the track tends to "suck up" carpet fuzz and lint. If you really want to do a floor layout, use track that was designed to be used on the floor.

[dwiemer]

Last year, I think it was the November CTT issue, they did a story on Maj. Bolton who had a fantastic fastrack layout, and, as is the case of those who served, it was portable as the Maj. soon found out. He did a great job and for use on carpet, I think the Fastrack would serve you better. It locks together very well, doesn't have carpet pulling up between the rails and into your engines, and yet it looks fairly realistic.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input guys. I still have a few pieces of the Fastrack around from the PE set and some Lionel O tubular which is mostly new since it hasnt been used much. With the transition pieces I can still make a decent carpet layout, and my carpet is a low profile type carpet so it isnt shagged or anything like that. And thanks to the switches I still have I can make a functional layout.

Meantime, I will still work on the GG and Ross track purchases for my future layout plans. After talking layout plans with my brother.....we plan to work on one that's going to be very unique!

[lionelsuperotrack]

Well, perhaps one of the better track systems for your use is Lionel FasTrack. Below is a newly formed Yahoo Group established for those interested in FasTrack:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/

Why not take a look?

Very best, Mike
List Owner & Moderater

[marmelmm]

I use 027 tubular with the trolleys, and it works great.

A slightly raised shag on the carpet tends to help keep the track together. Best stuff I've found is the green vinyl indoor-outdoor "grass" sort of carpet material. I used that for the display layout in Fort Smith last month and none of the sections of track came loose (as they will on a cloth or low pile carpet surface).

VTY,

-MMM-