Mine is a model of a 1948 layout designed by Bob Sherman. It is conventional power, although I run a couple of Lionchief engines for the Grandchildren. It has 15 switches and several blocks which make running interesting.
That was awesome! Thank you so much for making this video Al. I really like the Atlas controllers. It makes everything look neat and organized. Postwar is definitely my favorite. 😊
Thank you for taking the time to show us the details of your layout! Your videos are enjoyable, so it is nice to see how the trains can actually move around on your layout.
Pretty impressive Al. Who needs a legacy remote. You have everything wired up from your engineers position. I’m impressed by your cab drawing. You obviously have some computer literacy skills. Nice to see your drivers seat. Everything looks organized. Interesting video to watch.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hard for me to believe that I drew this up over 24 years ago. The tables were set up about the time I worked on the AutoCAD drawings. I spent time measuring the room and setting the scale creating the individual scale track pieces, switches, transformers, etc. Once individual pieces were completed, I could duplicate and connect them, and array them as needed. The intent was to maximize the space I had. The Cad drawing was a labor of love in my ambitious years and a desire for a postwar layout.
Al, thank you for taking my request seriously. I aprpeaciate you taking the time to film and explain everything. This gave me some insight and inspiration to make my own layout very practical and easy to use. All the best!
I'm glad it provided some insight and inspiration! Seeing the layout fit on paper was extremely helpful for me during the construction phase. I wanted to achieve a toy-like feel to my layout from the 1950s. The hardest part for some is diving in and starting construction. I still have some unfinished items to complete, telling myself I'll do it when I retire from work.
Great layout design. I really appreciate the analog operations. I was really into TMCC and DCS in the early 2000s and built a digitally controlled layout. My latest layout is 90% analog with a switched option for TMCC and DCS operations. The reliability of analog trains and controls can't be beat, and I can usually fix or repair any malfunctions. When some of my $1000 MTH PS-2 and 3 engines broke down with circuit board failures a few years ago, I completely rethought my approach to O gauge trains and refocused on analog operations and haven't looked back.
Your layout looks absolutely amazing! Even though it’s old school conventional control, you have set up the way Lionel intended it too, and it’s all done remotely with the use of analog switches. You’re in total control when you’re at the helm. Outstanding!! I love the way you have your block switches set up. It’s the perfect operation. Great job Al, I’m very impressed. Tom
Thank you for sharing. That's really cool!! I know it's been 24 years, but do you remember if you find a set of track section & switch templates somewhere, or did you have to generate them yourself? I like your choice of going 'old school', using tubular track, all manual controls, and a well thought out arrangement for your layout and control board. Honestly, everything from the natural wood finish on the board, to the patio carpet to represent grass while cutting the noise level down seems like exactly the right way to do things. About the only differences on mine are the absence of switches and that I keep most of my E units switched off. Except where they need to interract with accessories, I like to let people just watch the trains run. ...And a bunch of E units in constant opetation make a lot of extra racket, and occasionally stop (or suddenly reverse!!) the action. LOL, I don't need the ghost of Gomez Adams wrecking my antique toy train collection for me! 😳 I even wrap wire or tiny zip ties around most of my couplers to keep them from opening unexpectedly, followed by the locomotive plowing into the caboose on the next lap. Oh, and I think your wiring is just fine. It's neat and orderly and looks well supported everywhere. Except for occasional troubleshooting if something quits working, and unless you're going to be tinkering with the setup a lot, color coded wiring doesn't seem especially important. Thanks again for sharing. 👍
I actually had to create all my own track sections, switches, etc. first, before duplicating and placing them together. I actually measured everything in order to replicate accurately in the old, old, version of AutoCAD. For O-72 curves I first created a circle of track, after measuring an assembly of O-72 track on the floor and taking actual measurements. Once I had the 3 rail circle, I was able to cut it into 16 equal sections and separate into individual pieces. It was a lot of work. My employer at the time paid for my college AutoCAD course prior to this. I did the same for O-31 curves, switches, etc. Sounds like we have very similar style layouts. Very cool!
Excellent, good job.I managed to build a large layout table, complete with with roomtable 120V supply, room lighting and backdrops 24 years ago, but ran out of energy so focused on collecting rather than complete the layout, now I intend to finish what I started, with conventional control in mind, as you have done.
Really nice layout. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would not have guessed it is 24 years old because it is clean! How do you keep it so nice and dust free? Also, what’s your method and frequency for cleaning track?
Thanks! I have always been a very busy person working, military, several deployments, etc. So there have been some dry spells as far as operating the trains over the 24 years. I clean the tracks maybe once per year. I have used different things over the years to include:Clorox wipes, paper towels with WD-40 and wiping dry, Scotch Brite pads, etc. My run time per week is probably about 1 or 2 hours on average.
Thanks! Layout dimensions are roughly 18 x 10'-8" around the room. All of the switches are O-72 except for the five O-22 type switches (31" radius) on the inner layout loop.
Could I ask, are those units with the green buttons Atlas 215 selectors, do you ever throw them under load? I see people suggesting they are to light duty for use in O Gauge that way.
I don't use them often, but when I do the throttle is off. So I switch them without a load. I've had one switch go bad in 24 years and replaced it. They are probably not designed for the heavy load of O-Gauge, but I also only use conventional control. It might not work as well if I had DCC or Command Control/Legacy where there is constant full voltage. Good question!
Thanks, that's very helpful.I'm trying to get it through my head how I will control the layout I plan to build, multiple loops, blocks for sure...perhaps two trains on the same loop simultaneously...haven't got it straight yet, found some old articles showing control using rotary switches, effective but very 'busy'...LOL, your video, has helped a lot. - very useful.@@alsvintagetoytrains7042
Mine is a model of a 1948 layout designed by Bob Sherman. It is conventional power, although I run a couple of Lionchief engines for the Grandchildren. It has 15 switches and several blocks which make running interesting.
That was awesome! Thank you so much for making this video Al. I really like the Atlas controllers. It makes everything look neat and organized. Postwar is definitely my favorite. 😊
Glad you liked it!
You have a very nice layout thanks for sharing .
Thank you for taking the time to show us the details of your layout! Your videos are enjoyable, so it is nice to see how the trains can actually move around on your layout.
Very nice Al!
Thanks for the tour of your layout and amazing control panel.
Thanks!
very cool. love it.
I’ve enjoyed your videos in the past but I hadn’t realized how well thought out your track plan is.
Nice work.
Thanks 👍
Nice layout👍 8:41
Nice layout wish i had more room thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Pretty impressive Al. Who needs a legacy remote. You have everything wired up from your engineers position. I’m impressed by your cab drawing. You obviously have some computer literacy skills. Nice to see your drivers seat. Everything looks organized. Interesting video to watch.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hard for me to believe that I drew this up over 24 years ago. The tables were set up about the time I worked on the AutoCAD drawings. I spent time measuring the room and setting the scale creating the individual scale track pieces, switches, transformers, etc. Once individual pieces were completed, I could duplicate and connect them, and array them as needed. The intent was to maximize the space I had. The Cad drawing was a labor of love in my ambitious years and a desire for a postwar layout.
That is awesome. Reminds me of my layout that is slowly being built. I have discoved layouts "Are a work in progress" LOL
Yes indeed! I started mine 24 years ago and I still have many things I want to complete.
Al, thank you for taking my request seriously. I aprpeaciate you taking the time to film and explain everything. This gave me some insight and inspiration to make my own layout very practical and easy to use. All the best!
I'm glad it provided some insight and inspiration! Seeing the layout fit on paper was extremely helpful for me during the construction phase. I wanted to achieve a toy-like feel to my layout from the 1950s. The hardest part for some is diving in and starting construction. I still have some unfinished items to complete, telling myself I'll do it when I retire from work.
Thanks for posting this video.
Great layout design. I really appreciate the analog operations. I was really into TMCC and DCS in the early 2000s and built a digitally controlled layout. My latest layout is 90% analog with a switched option for TMCC and DCS operations. The reliability of analog trains and controls can't be beat, and I can usually fix or repair any malfunctions. When some of my $1000 MTH PS-2 and 3 engines broke down with circuit board failures a few years ago, I completely rethought my approach to O gauge trains and refocused on analog operations and haven't looked back.
Great set up !
Your layout looks absolutely amazing! Even though it’s old school conventional control, you have set up the way Lionel intended it too, and it’s all done remotely with the use of analog switches. You’re in total control when you’re at the helm. Outstanding!! I love the way you have your block switches set up. It’s the perfect operation. Great job Al, I’m very impressed. Tom
Thank you! I wanted it to look and feel like I was back in the 1940s or early 1950s.
Thanks for sharing, I love your layout.
Thanks!
Fantastic job and layout. Very detailed. You would need to be Rick Wakeman to run it though.
Excellent layout! You can enjoy this hobby without dcs or legacy.
Thank you for sharing. That's really cool!!
I know it's been 24 years, but do you remember if you find a set of track section & switch templates somewhere, or did you have to generate them yourself?
I like your choice of going 'old school', using tubular track, all manual controls, and a well thought out arrangement for your layout and control board. Honestly, everything from the natural wood finish on the board, to the patio carpet to represent grass while cutting the noise level down seems like exactly the right way to do things.
About the only differences on mine are the absence of switches and that I keep most of my E units switched off.
Except where they need to interract with accessories, I like to let people just watch the trains run. ...And a bunch of E units in constant opetation make a lot of extra racket, and occasionally stop (or suddenly reverse!!) the action.
LOL, I don't need the ghost of Gomez Adams wrecking my antique toy train collection for me! 😳 I even wrap wire or tiny zip ties around most of my couplers to keep them from opening unexpectedly, followed by the locomotive plowing into the caboose on the next lap.
Oh, and I think your wiring is just fine. It's neat and orderly and looks well supported everywhere. Except for occasional troubleshooting if something quits working, and unless you're going to be tinkering with the setup a lot, color coded wiring doesn't seem especially important.
Thanks again for sharing. 👍
I actually had to create all my own track sections, switches, etc. first, before duplicating and placing them together. I actually measured everything in order to replicate accurately in the old, old, version of AutoCAD. For O-72 curves I first created a circle of track, after measuring an assembly of O-72 track on the floor and taking actual measurements. Once I had the 3 rail circle, I was able to cut it into 16 equal sections and separate into individual pieces. It was a lot of work. My employer at the time paid for my college AutoCAD course prior to this. I did the same for O-31 curves, switches, etc.
Sounds like we have very similar style layouts. Very cool!
My kind of layout. Can't beat a post-war type layout.
Excellent, good job.I managed to build a large layout table, complete with with roomtable 120V supply, room lighting and backdrops 24 years ago, but ran out of energy so focused on collecting rather than complete the layout, now I intend to finish what I started, with conventional control in mind, as you have done.
Amazing run .
Cool 😊
Really nice layout. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would not have guessed it is 24 years old because it is clean! How do you keep it so nice and dust free? Also, what’s your method and frequency for cleaning track?
Thanks!
I have always been a very busy person working, military, several deployments, etc. So there have been some dry spells as far as operating the trains over the 24 years. I clean the tracks maybe once per year. I have used different things over the years to include:Clorox wipes, paper towels with WD-40 and wiping dry, Scotch Brite pads, etc. My run time per week is probably about 1 or 2 hours on average.
Nice job! Do you use any 072 switches at all? What are the layout dimensions?
Thanks! Layout dimensions are roughly 18 x 10'-8" around the room. All of the switches are O-72 except for the five O-22 type switches (31" radius) on the inner layout loop.
Al very impressive and certainly like the reliability. What size curves is the inner loop ?
All three main line loops are O-72 .curves. The inner cross overs are 0-31.
Nice track plan for a lot of train running. How big is that room?
Glad you like it! The room is 18' x 10.75' with a door at a 45 degree angle in one corner.
I wish u had it in cad
Me too. It was on AutoCAD 13 which came out in the 90s. It was the first window based version from around 1997.
Could I ask, are those units with the green buttons Atlas 215 selectors, do you ever throw them under load? I see people suggesting they are to light duty for use in O Gauge that way.
I don't use them often, but when I do the throttle is off. So I switch them without a load. I've had one switch go bad in 24 years and replaced it. They are probably not designed for the heavy load of O-Gauge, but I also only use conventional control. It might not work as well if I had DCC or Command Control/Legacy where there is constant full voltage. Good question!
Yes, they are Atlas 215s.
Thanks, that's very helpful.I'm trying to get it through my head how I will control the layout I plan to build, multiple loops, blocks for sure...perhaps two trains on the same loop simultaneously...haven't got it straight yet, found some old articles showing control using rotary switches, effective but very 'busy'...LOL, your video, has helped a lot. - very useful.@@alsvintagetoytrains7042