That's really nice Dobson. Gives me some ideas for the grandkids.
I built a mini layout for my daughter and her friends (that is why it is in pink). I have three "levels" of train. Bottom one is 027, middle is 0 and top is 027. I used a type z transformer b/c the dials are easy for the kids to operate and I can do it all from one transformer. The switches are all from radio shack which the little ones like to operate. see gallery pics - the first one is the layout for the little ones. the next three are my layout that i put up for xmas. I haven't gotten too much into scenery yet so I apologize for the tunnel building.
9612928807
http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/453102703/m/9612928807
David, I'd say go for it...but I'd keep the base as light weight as possible. On the small clockwork layout I used 1/8 inch fiberboard as the surface and 1x2's as framing, given the size of your layout is close in size to my new one I would use 1x3's for rigidity, thats whats on the new layout. All the wiring can be safely stowed under the surface board. The layout can then be moved about or stored away leaned up against something, if eventually you need to get rid of the layout, its easy to dismantle with only a minimum of investment.
Have fun with your trains
vsmith, Your compact micro layout looks great so far and has inspired me to consider building a small portable layout of my own!
A few years ago I started collecting old Marx 6" tin train cars and thier associated engines and operating accessories. I have used them as toy trains under the Christmas tree for the past 3 years. Normally I would have thme packed away after the Christmas tree comes down but recently I have been fooling around with them and am considering building a tiny toy train layout. As you can see from the photo, they would look better running on a more permanent layout.
HAHA....boy can I relate, I did the same thing the day I test ran my cleaned up 999 that came from a dust covered trainset I picked up at a train show for $25, I ran the throttle to full, mind you this was with a tiny 25W transformer, the engine flew around the corner, right off the track, which wouldnt be so bad if it wasnt 3 feet off the ground! Luckily, somehow I caught it hacky-sack style with my knee, then with the top of my foot before it finally hit the ground, didnt damage it, even the lightbulb still works! Thats one thing I like about these, they are dam hard to kill..but now I'm very carefull about throttle control ;-)
Ha..I can relate. the world famous @#$%! moment,,when the engineering department gets the devils pop out of the details. I knocked a station off it's foundation, took out several pedestrians and a tree when I floored the transformer in a overly enthusiastic test run. The video is forthcoming?
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Test runs are now complete, had to trim a couple places to make room for my Marx F units set of diesels, one where the sides clipped a tunnel portal, another where my Lionel loco clipped some scenery on the top level, but a few moments of violence with a razor knife fixed all that.
I have a Marx power truck that looks to be a good fit as far as width and height. from the 40 ton diesel but I don't want to sacrifice it so I'm looking at eBay to see if one pops up. It is not much of a puller but it would work fine in the trolley.
Hey I've got one of those trolleys! Well, 2 actually, I have the green one too! If you do modify it to have a motor that doesn't exceed the width of the body like the one it comes with does, I'd love to see how it comes out! I've been debating wether to use a Marx clockwork, a Lionel scout type or even an AF S gauge motor since the trolleys are on the smallish side.
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Looks great and I hope you post a video. I just finished a 5 X12 layout after getting bitten by the Marx bug, which caused me to do a complete tear down of a previous high rail layout, so I can fully understand. The S gauge size on classic 027 track lead me to rid myself of Realtrax and become obsessed with tin. My current project is being ruminated on is take a reproduction wind up Playa trolley and motorize it but I might just re-gauge the wheels. They were selling for $5.00 on ebay. The Hornby turntable I highly recommend for the wind ups. They run around $10.00..If you ever decide to expand, contact me offline I have extra track and switches, cross overs etc that are just sitting in a box.
AF53 I think John's getting addicted to Marx as he just a few weeks ago got his first set! Ray
I think John's getting addicted to Marx as he just a few weeks ago got his first set!
Ray
The Marx stuff definetly has an appeal all its own different from any other 0 trains out there, at least the 3/16 scale stuff does for me....American Flyer sizes with 0-27 curves!
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Looking good. Definitely keep the clockwork engines. please keep us posted.
John
baberuth73 Good to finally hear from you. Have you given up on the clockwork engines?
Good to finally hear from you. Have you given up on the clockwork engines?
Thanks no I'm not giving up on the clockwork,this will also run them OK
Holy cow! This is looking fantastic! Keep up the excellent work!
Marxist layout underway
I went with 2 levels instead of three as the three layer mockup was incredibly bulky and hard to move by myself. This one is still a handfull to move. Also I modified it with no switches as on every test-run all the old engines E-unit auto-reversers constantly stalled or changed direction on whatever turnout (Marx-Lionel)I tested it with, so no turnouts, this will be just for fun-n-run.
Also decided to leave the bascule bridge as-is and run some fiberboard and new track thru it, nothing has been touched other than some silicon adhesive which comes off easily.
This will only ever run my Marx 3/16 stuff, clearences are too tight for Lionel, but then I'm not much of a Lionel fan anyways ;)
That is some amazing work!
dougdagrump Vic, Why not put a few of you "G" Pizza Box photos here so these guys can see some of your creativity ? It is cool !
Vic,
Why not put a few of you "G" Pizza Box photos here so these guys can see some of your creativity ? It is cool !
Instead of reposting pics...Here's a link to the Portable Pizza Building Log in the GR forum:
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/98019.aspx
Just skip to the last couple pages to see the end results.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
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Your option! Either way I'll look forward to your progress!
Holy Carp! I just won a Lionel Bascule Bridge on Evilbay...might have to slightly adjust my carefully laid plan
Looking good
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
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New small layout in the works for my Marx trains, going from this:
to this:
This will be themed around post-war to modern items, I was waffling between Lionel 0-27 track and Atlas 21st Century 0-27 track, the necessity to use old school Marx Turnouts to handle some of my engines fat drivers nixed the Atlas plan, so its Lionel track. Its basically the same track plan, only raised with much more traditional scenery, which will be blue foam based, nice and light and very easy to work with, overall scale will be centered around Marx 3/16” scale, so buildings will be Plasticville, AF and maybe a few O buildings as I develop it. A mix of old and new, I enjoy building and scenicing, not operations so this layout will be for fun & run, and small enough for one person to cart around without any disassembly, not that I’ve been invited to take anywhere yet.
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