Yippie!!! No more "Carpet Express"!!! It's been just about 2 months since we got the Pole Ex., and since that time I've had to unpack and pack the entire thing in its box whenever we used it, trying desperately to not break of any of the pieces. But, oh what a difference $35 at Lowes makes. It's not done yet, because I'm going to add a 2" piece of Owens Corning insulation board under the surface board, maybe next week. But, then as we all know, even that won't make it "done".
ATSJer wrote: Yippie!!! No more "Carpet Express"!!! It's been just about 2 months since we got the Pole Ex., and since that time I've had to unpack and pack the entire thing in its box whenever we used it, trying desperately to not break of any of the pieces. But, oh what a difference $35 at Lowes makes. It's not done yet, because I'm going to add a 2" piece of Owens Corning insulation board under the surface board, maybe next week. But, then as we all know, even that won't make it "done".
Dr. John wrote:Congratulations! Now the fun really begins as you add track, buildings and accessories to your railroad. I imagine you'll spend a bit more than $35 before you're through!
Thanks, and yeah, my guess is that $35 won't look like a drop in the bucket after awhile. Heck the O-22 switches that I'll be adding cost more than that! However I did find them under $40.
O-22 Switches for $37.99!
Ohhhh.... that polar express set is just "asking" for a Lionel freight expansion set. 3.5 straights plus a .5 operating track, an action car, two more freight cars, plus a tractor/trailer. Hobby lobby has a 40% coupon online this week!
Jim H
jimhaleyscomet wrote: Ohhhh.... that polar express set is just "asking" for a Lionel freight expansion set. 3.5 straights plus a .5 operating track, an action car, two more freight cars, plus a tractor/trailer. Hobby lobby has a 40% coupon online this week! Jim H
Actually, what I hear it saying to me every time I see it, is that it wants about 30 more feet of track, with about 4 remote switches.
Is the insulation board to help absorb the sound of the fastrack? We have ours setting on a ready grass mat on top of a 8x4 corkboard type table and I'm looking for something to help quiet it down....
LOOKS GOOD, now to expand? Keep up the good work.
laz57
2 weeks ago I got my set off the floor and on a 4 X 8 layout and it made the 40" X 60 " track really look small so I purchased alot more track and 4 remote switches and now I have enough track to let my train run. I really like the FasTrack and the switches work great. It is nice to get the train off the floor and see it run at eye level. Now I need some scenery and some acessories. I know alot of people on this forum and others really like tubular track but as this is my first train set and have never used tubular track I really like the features of Fastrack. I think alot of new train enthusiast will share my feelings towards this track as it is a really good way to get the train up and running fast. I think Lionel has a good thing going with it. Congrats on getting your train off the floor. I think it makes it much more enjoyable.
mistyk11 wrote:Is the insulation board to help absorb the sound of the fastrack? We have ours setting on a ready grass mat on top of a 8x4 corkboard type table and I'm looking for something to help quiet it down....
Yes, the insulation is to help quiet the sound as it travels through the benchwork, without it the table is basically a 4x8 foot drum. I've looked at the Homasote but, I'm going with the insulation board because I need this table to be semi-portable as I know I will be moving at least every few years. And the insulation board will remove a ton of weight while still giving me plenty of rigidity on the table. After I add the insulation board, I will buy a bunch of O-31 tubular and begin to use the whole table, switches will come later.
As for the Fastrack, its nice and I will be buying another 40x60 oval to combine with this one, but it will be for the Christmas tree layout, I will be going all tubular on the permanent layout for three reasons, 1) I want a semi-post war look to my layout, 2) family tradition, 3) $$$$. I can't see paying twice as much for a switch in Fastrack as I would pay in O-31 that just doesn't compute in my brain.
Thanks everyone for the compliments, and I will keep the pics coming as I add new pieces to the layout. And it is great to see the train at eye level, instead of laying on my stomach watching it come at me.
Oh, I will also be adding a guard rail of some sort to help limit the damage of the eventual derailment. I don't need that Berkshire finding its way to the floor via the Express rail.
ATS, I use clear acrylic plastic about 1/8 inch X 6 inch x 48 inch on my corners. Don't even know its there and you can see through it.
Excellent, thanks a ton Laz that is a great idea, makes a good barrier and preserves the sight lines of the display, very nice.
Where do you happen to buy yours, and the all important question, how much $$$?
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
RR Redneck wrote:I have pertty much always been a floor runner, and I enjoy the flexiblity of it.
I don't mind the idea of being on the floor, but with two kids (5 and 2 yrs) I don't have the luxury of being able to leave my train permanently displayed or even displayed for longer periods of time, so I'm forced to pick it up every time, and I'm afraid something will get broken. Plus, I like to run the train for 5 or 10 minutes or so, and it takes twice that amount of time to pack and unpack the set from its boxes, so it really is more hassle than its worth. Plus, I really want to work on a permanent layout with scenery and everything, this becomes difficult with my situation.
I can't wait to get some tubular and have it snake around my new table, that's going to be the between step, prior to adding the switches; gotta have something other than the 40x60.
ATSJer wrote: Excellent, thanks a ton Laz that is a great idea, makes a good barrier and preserves the sight lines of the display, very nice.Where do you happen to buy yours, and the all important question, how much $$$?
I got mine from a local hardware store a "Do it Best" hardware, they sell it in sheets of 2ft x 4 ft. Can't recall price. But took it to school and cut it in 6 ich x 4foot sections then screwed to sides. Allowed about 3.5 inches of plastic come above layout. Hope this helps?
laz 57 wrote:I got mine from a local hardware store a "Do it Best" hardware, they sell it in sheets of 2ft x 4 ft. Can't recall price. But took it to school and cut it in 6 ich x 4foot sections then screwed to sides. Allowed about 3.5 inches of plastic come above layout. Hope this helps? laz57
Thanks, I think I will go this direction that way. Thanks for the help.
lionroar88 wrote:Triple R where ya been?
Openin new forums and givin y'all a break from me.
Well it's good to see you back!
Nice Job,
I wish I was off the floor. I plan to be by the time school starts after summer break this year. My new job pays alot better than my old so I think a layout and definatly some more engines and rolling stock are needed.
If I may say so, your PE isn;t only crying out for a freight expansion pack, but a mate as well. Take my advice and get a 4-4-2 or Mikado from the traditional line. You can also get a Docksider, 0-4-0 switcher, or even another Berkshire.
I'd say your in the right mind set now. Oh. A Lionel 133 station and maybe some platforms would be just right to start. Oh, and the the Lionelville Line of Buildings and Figures, or even Bachmann's Plasticville (cheaper, but nice) would be great.
Oh, and if do get an expansion pack, get the NYC or Santa Fe pack because it has a log dump car and then you can get the Log Loader. Or Coal might be your preference. If you want the Pennsy, which comes with coal, then I suggest you use the ads in CTT to find a Postwar or Modern Era 397 or 497 coal loader.
Have fun.
Cheese
Nick! :)
Whew, that's a big list! LOL. Here is my expansion plan as it is right now, after the addition of the insulation board, and 2x2 cross supports.
1) Lots of tubular track to snake across the 4x8 table.
2) 4 O-22 switches so I can operate 2 switch-back loops
3) A replacement tender that will be customized with "Pere Marquette" decals
3) Some generic box cars (for later customization); some odds and ends rolling stock may be added throughout, as well as two more Polar Express cars (not the baggage car . I will also be adding some basic buildings, at least one nice country church.
4) Uncoupling section and a 5th O-22 switch to access a siding
5) 4 Tunnel portals to create 2 tunnel sections and begin working on other landscaping
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