Bill's Toy Train Layout
After collecting a large amount of postwar Lionel trains and accessories the time had arrived for a new train table.. Research began using articles and Lionel instruction manauls from the 1950's. The goal was to create the classic toy train look, as if the layout was built in the post war era. Nothing modern, no Railsouds, no command control, nothing newer than 1959.
The design became a basic walk-in type, with no spot that was not easily reached by hand. No duck under, no crawling on top, no acrobatics involved. Simple 2 x 4 bench work and plywood tops strong enough to hold a real Buick provided the base.
50 year old track and switches were cleaned and repaired. Lionel accessories tuned up, Plasticville buildings assembled, and ZW transformers checked. Black paint made the roadways and lawns were made with green paint and old lionel bags of grass. Weeds became trees, stones became gravel, and mountains were created with styrofoam(NOT asbestos as the 1950's books recommended).
Train operation consists of 2 main lines each with reversing loops and sidings. A simple upper loop, a bumper car track, and and trolley lines allows operating 5 units at once.
Over 100 structures,165vehicles, 125 people, and lots of details later...... TA DA... the 1950's are back!!!
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