Hello!
I'm looking for some advice on my elevated train project.
I haven't had a train since I was a kid (and that was awhile ago) so I know nothing about building layouts.
I recently purchased the Lionel Polar Express Remote Train Set - O-Gauge, and an additional Lionel - FasTrack - Straight Track - 4 Pack so this gives me eight curved 0-36 FasTrack sections, seven 10" straight FasTrack sections, one 10" FasTrack wall-pack terminal section in total.
I want to set this up in my living room with the train going around my Christmas tree this year. The tree will be in front of my large picture window, the bottom of which is only 11.5 inches from the floor. This window allows my entire lit-up tree to be seen from the outside.
So my project idea is to elevate the entire train 11.5 inches off the floor so its visible as well from the outside when it's going around the tree. I'm looking for suggestions on the easiest and simplest way to do this. Of course, I also want it to look nice and professional, keeping in mind it's a Polar Express/Christmas theme. Obviously it needs to be sturdy and solid so everything stays in place when the train is running around the tree.
The window sill is more than wide enough for the FasTrack sections to sit on, so I thought I could simply use the sill to support the FasTrack sections on that side of the tree. Does that sound reasonable?
If so, what's the best way to elevate the rest of the track? I've looked at the Lionel 6-12038 FasTrack Elevated Trestle Set (wood look) and the 40-1134 - 8-piece Elevated Trestle Set (concrete brick look) but either would have to be on top of something else (blocks of wood?) to make them the correct height.
I've also thought about getting a piece of plywood and cutting it to the shape of the layout so there are no corners and the tree can still go in the hollow middle, but then again I would still need to elevate that cut-out plywood to the bottom of the window sill.
Also keep in mind I have a carpeted floor so I don't want anything permanently attached to the floor. After the holidays, I want to be able to dis-assemble everything for storage.
Any of your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Holidays!
Jerry:
First welcome to the forums!!!
I would suggest a "table", the same height as the window sill, with as you said a hollow centre for the tree trunk.
Half inch plywood is a great top, then a 1"x4" grid under the plywood, and 2"x2" legs as they will be very short. Screw every thing together, no need for glue.
Keep three or four inches of table on both sides of the track, so that there is less chance on a dive by the locomotive to the floor. Even a foot drop is not good.
Enjoy yourself.
Dave
Hi,
While I am a Lionel "kid", I hate to send you elsewhere...But, the folks on the Classic Toy Train section of Kalmbach's site might be of more help to you.
ENJOY !!!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
RR_MelHome Depot sells 12” screw in wooden legs, cut them off to make your layout level. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Waddell-12-in-Wood-Round-Taper-Table-Leg-2512/100534788
For your purposes, these legs sound good, they will unscrew for more compact storage (I would not use for a permanent layout). There should be legs about every 3 feet or so (lots of legs). Note the answer to the question on the HD site about the thread size:
5/16-18 table leg hanger bolt; it fits perfectly into the metal plates you buy that attach to the table base, these legs then just screw into the plate
You should ask HD if the metal plate comes with the legs or what plate you need to buy to install the legs.
You will also have to think of how to connect the sections of plywood base together. Track alignmet is essential for good operation. The sections should be numbered on the bottom with a permanent felt tip marker so you will know what parts go together next year.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I would go with the box frame with legs idea, too, with a few possible changes.
1. Make it completely free-standing. Don't depend on the window ledge. That way, you can use it somewhere else if you need to.
2. Make the base of pink or blue foam, not plywood. It's much lighter.
3. Make the whole thing in 2 pieces that you can add AFTER the tree is decorated. You don't want to be climbing on it.
4. Use leg levelers at the bottom of the legs so you can fine-tune their height and get the base as level as possible.
You've got one month. Get started, but consider this to be a multi-year project. Build it to last, and add to it each year. Merry Christmas!
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.