Back to Try Again

[Kanitster]

Years ago I had a 8 by 20 layout when my son was young. Son is 25 now and not much interest. My wife (#2) has asked me to set up a layout. I'm struggling with the size as I'm not sure I want one that big again. Thinking 8 by 8. Will need new track as all the old track is rusted and not sure if I'd trust it even if I were able to clean it up. I'm thinking of running multiple trains that I already own. Any suggestions for returnee. All comments appreciated. Thanks

[Seayakbill]

A bunch of changes since you left the hobby. Probably the first step is to look at layout diagrams for multiple main lines in a small space. Down the road you will need to consider if will you be running conventional or will be also running in the command control. You will be surprised on the enhancements in O Gauge railroading over the past 15 years.

[KRM]

Kanitster,

Bill is correct, a lot has changed in the toy train arena in the last few years. Twenty or more.

I am like you and have ventured back into the hobby after a long hiatus. Starting about 13 month ago.

So welcome back!  

You will find it to be an addiction once you get started and there is a wealth of knowledge here on the forum to help you get back into it.

Whatever size table you build, better leave room for more.

Kev.

 

[RockIsland52]

Why not start with a larger table but keep your initial setup simple and open?  In that way you can expand or add at your leisure and as your imagination takes you, but still get in some shorter term gratification by being able to run your trains while accumulating your ideas.  My experience has been that once you lay claim to a larger space (layout table), you are less likely to have that space encroached upon or confiscated for "other" uses later.    I have yet to read on this Forum about someone disappointed with having too much square footage at their disposal to work with, only folks who wish they had more space. 

Second, a larger initial  footprint opens up far more future possibilities, like grades, mountains, levels, and visual dimension which the shorter runs simply could not accommodate.

Third, if your interests eventually expand to scale, you will need the additional board length and width to accomodate the wider radiused curves the scale engines and consists require and still appear "natural."   

Fourth, if you want to have more than one main line and multiple trains running simultaneously, or sidings to accommodate engines and consists when not in use, you can do so with far more ease and less complication than trying to reconfigure and squeeze these things onto a smaller board.

Finally, if you eventually choose to get into buildings, roads, and operating accesories, these take up a considerable amount of critical board space you won't have (much of) with a smaller board.

Possession is 9/10s of the law!!!!

Jack

[Joe Hohmann]

Since you are not sure about where this will lead, try a minimum 5x8 table that is lightweight and supported by saw-horses. On it use 2 loops of Lionel FasTrack, along with a siding or two. If things don't pan out, use it as a Christmas layout and store it for the rest of the year.

[LL675]

welcome back! don't be too quick to rule out that old track.  cleans up pretty easy. lf you don't want to bother wlth lt l can use lt :)

[dwiemer]

One suggestion, get a copy of the Lionel repair of postwar trains(if that is what you have).  Also, pick up some grease and oil to maintain your engines.  One thought, the current manufacturers have track with included roadbed.  If this appeals to you, look into which one you will go with as that may dictate the layout plans.  You can still get the old style Lionel tube track too, as they still make it.

Welcome back,

Dennis

[runtime]

I concur with the various layout size suggestions expressed above.  I particularly agree with the suggestion that  you plan for expandability, no matter what size you decide to start with. To my mind layout size should only be limited by the maxmum space that can be commandeered, and the $$ and  time available.

If you want to get going quickly, and don't have existing benchwork to use, you could consider putting up a floor level layout. Lionel Fastrac snaps together and has integrated roadbed, although it is expensive. It could get you started, and if you go big on benchwork later, you don't have to stay with Fastrac exclusively; you could mix in cheaper tubular in either 'O' or '027' profile.

If you want to approach the project more methodically, start by evaluating the various track systems available from Gargraves, Ross, Atlas, and Lionel (did I miss any?). Cost, quality, features, and breadth of product lines vary within and between them. And keep in mind some track is non-magnetic, which may be important to you if you are running post war engines with Magna-Traction. 

 

runtime

[dougdagrump]

First off  to the asylum forum.

To begin with here is a site that will give you a multitude of layouts. Even if you don't use one as layed out you might find one to modify. http://www.thortrains.net/ 

When it comes to the advanced operating systems I think that the best on-line tutorial is at www.coilcouplers.com . Granted it is strictly for TMCC but it does get your feet wet so to speak.

[Seayakbill]

Granted it is strictly for TMCC but it does get your feet wet so to speak.

Just be aware that TMCC was discontinued a few years ago and replaced with Legacy which is an enhanced and considerably more expensive system. You can still find used TMCC components on the secondary market. Legacy will operate TMCC locomotives.

[RockIsland52]

[quote user="runtime"]

I concur with the various layout size suggestions expressed above.  I particularly agree with the suggestion that  you plan for expandability, no matter what size you decide to start with. To my mind layout size should only be limited by the maxmum space that can be commandeered, and the $$ and  time available.

If you want to get going quickly, and don't have existing benchwork to use, you could consider putting up a floor level layout. Lionel Fastrac snaps together and has integrated roadbed, although it is expensive. It could get you started, and if you go big on benchwork later, you don't have to stay with Fastrac exclusively; you could mix in cheaper tubular in either 'O' or '027' profile.

If you want to approach the project more methodically, start by evaluating the various track systems available from Gargraves, Ross, Atlas, and Lionel (did I miss any?). Cost, quality, features, and breadth of product lines vary within and between them. And keep in mind some track is non-magnetic, which may be important to you if you are running post war engines with Magna-Traction.  

runtime

[quote user="runtime"]

_______________________________________________________________________________________

This is what is so valuable about this forum.  You don't have to go it alone, think of everything, and make avoidable (perhaps costly) mistakes up front.  Others like me have already done that.   Then you can use your time and your resources for something far more productive.  

Re runtime's excellent recommendation (bolded above), do a forum search on something like "track options" or "what track do you use?"   These topics have been covered extensively.....pros, cons, cost, appearance, ease of use, measurements, noise, connection issues, etc.  The same for goes for switches which can be quite pricey!. 

I recall one thread where one poster took the time to photograph and provide pictures of 3 or 4 available brands of track.  The pictures really helped a lot of folks see the track options side-by-side and then visually decide what would float their personal boat......like classic toy train appearance (like Lionel tubular) versus a more detailed track option that might include more realistic-looking railroad ties and/or ballast.  Lionel Fastrac is just one of the latter.

PJ

[gunrunnerjohn]

Seayakbill

Just be aware that TMCC was discontinued a few years ago and replaced with Legacy which is an enhanced and considerably more expensive system. You can still find used TMCC components on the secondary market. Legacy will operate TMCC locomotives.

Well, TMCC will be around for a long time, just not the CAB1/Command Base.  Those are the components that have been replaced.  Lionel is still introducing new TMCC stuff, take the Fastrack command compatible switches for instance.  Also, check the latest Lionel catalog, plenty of standard TMCC stuff still being offered.

[Kanitster]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I've decided to go with 8 X 8 because that's all my spare room will accommodate and still be able to get around it. We're in a condo and don't have a basement so that's why the limited area. After reading up a bit I'm going to try to clean the old track and see how that works out . I am looking forward to getting back into the hobby as I spent many hours creating my son's old layout. I wish I had taken pictures but for some reason didn't.

[lionelsoni]

Have you thought about going around the walls?  That's a way to get more track distance in a small space.  There are two general ways to handle the across-the-door problem:  You can duck under, use a bridge, or have a lift-out section.  Or you can put a loop at each side of the door so that a train goes around the room first in one direction, then the other, perhaps on a double-track main line.  In any case, you may find it advisable to reverse the door so that it swings out rather than in, to prevent losing a big chunk of the room.