Subject:
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Re: Home layouts
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Thu, 14 Oct 1999 04:34:36 GMT
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Reply-To:
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johnneal@uswest+AntiSpam+.net
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Viewed:
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1214 times
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Jim Rorstrom wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Paul Foster writes:
> >
> > I'm curious, how many people actually have train tracks set up
> > and available at home to run trains on? Some folks, it is obvious
> > from the web pages (like Joe D) that they can run trains anytime
> > but I was just wondering about others?
>
> Paul,
>
> I started in Lego® trains 2 years ago when I saw 4559 in the S@H catalog and
> thought it would be fun under the Christmas tree. I liked how the train ran,
> even on the carpet, and the kids loved it too. Last year I bought a few more
> sets and expanded the layout to a 4'x7' table in a finished room in the
> basement (on top of an existing N-scale layout). Inspired by many of your web
> pages I built some custom locos, rolling stock and buildings. Somehow this
> layout was moved under the tree for Christmas complete with lighting for the
> structures.
>
> This year the N-scale layout is gone and I have a built-in around-the-wall
> Lego® train layout of ~140 baseplates in the 11x11 foot room in the basement.
> I switched because (1) I really enjoy the challenge of finding just the right
> Lego® pieces to make the latest creation and (2) my kids (ages 4 & 2) want to
> be in on the fun (Lego® is durable). I really like having the train go around
> me instead of me around the train as with the table layout. The turnout
> switches are within arms reach and you feel more a part of the layout. The
> tabletop height of 29 inches is a compromise between good viewing from a
> sitting position for me (knees fit under the tabletop) and eyeball level for
> the kids while standing. The top layer of the tabletop is 3/4 inch Dow® foam
> insulation which makes for a quiet running surface. The tabletop is faced with
> 1/8 inch masonite which protects the edge of the foam and, because it sticks up
> 1/8 inch above the foam, keeps baseplates from sliding off the tabletop. I
> also have a painted backdrop, curved in the corners, made from the same 1/8
> inch masonite. It is painted with blue flat latex (I tried to copy the sky
> blue found on some Lego® kit boxes) and spray painted with flat white clouds.
> My wife noticed that the backdrop adds a lot to the illusion that you are in a
> Lego® world. The tabletop is painted Lego® tan to better represent dry
> Colorado.
>
> In the future a second level in planned complete with a helix-in-a-mountain
> to move trains between levels. To anyone planning an extensive layout the
> track designer program at Matt's Lego® Train Depot is a mus
??? a...muse? a mustake?;-) Don't know what happened but your layout sounds
swweet, Jim. Would love, and I'm sure others concur, to see pix:-)
I have just started laying out my permanent layout, with track in place. It is an
"L" that is 45" wide on the ends and 9' long along one wall and 7 1/2' along the
other. Jim, this might be of interest to you, because I have two levels as you
wish to build. You cannot make a traditional circle helix because you cannot get
high enough in the distance of less than one perimeter length. I take a very
gradual grade up (up by about 1 plate/section--about 20'), but a rather steep
decline (down 1 brick/section). I'll be able to hide the decline in a mountain
(30"x45"), but I'm guessing that is the bare minimum.
-John
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Home layouts
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| (...) an (...) the (...) you (...) get (...) mountain (...) So is this going to be separate from your GMLTC modules? Maybe a big free standing bridge between the two. I need more space. Although the stub wall dividing my lego room and the rest of (...) (26 years ago, 14-Oct-99, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: Home layouts
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| (...) Sorry about the cut off message. To anyone planning an extensive layout the track designer program at Matt's Lego® Train Depot is a must. (...) an (...) the (...) you (...) get (...) mountain (...) As you point out a circle helix will not (...) (26 years ago, 14-Oct-99, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: Home layouts
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| (...) and (...) ran, (...) more (...) planned complete with a helix-in-a-mountain (...) is an (...) the (...) you (...) get (...) mountain (...) John/Jim, Just picked up on this one. Like you, I have started on my own permanent layout which is based (...) (25 years ago, 8-Feb-00, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Home layouts
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| (...) Paul, I started in Lego® trains 2 years ago when I saw 4559 in the S@H catalog and thought it would be fun under the Christmas tree. I liked how the train ran, even on the carpet, and the kids loved it too. Last year I bought a few more sets (...) (26 years ago, 14-Oct-99, to lugnet.trains)
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