Really “Old School” Layout to mess with my tiny collection of Marx mechanical litho train stuff, this is the 1st go around, just to see how I’d like the set-up, small ain’t it, but with wind-ups you really dont want too big a setup.
Decided to try adding a third loop around this set up to run my prewar mechanical M-10000 which means extending the baseboard, so up comes the track and a better job of painting up the base before fixing the track back down.
What are you using for the upper circle supports? It looks like something you recycled but gives a good industrial look.
Vic, I have an old tin plate set from my youth, probably 1960 vintage. The loco is battery power from 2 C or D cells. Unfortunately I don’t have the track for it, but it looks to be about 7/8" gauge. It was hollow 2 rail with metal ties. Loco has forward/stop/reverse.
Any idea if there is/was track mass produced track in that gauge. Or due I have something that was produced by one company for the Christmas market?
That’s cool Vic!
Jon, those supports are Simpson strap tie framing anchors, bent to shape, cheap and work well.
Randy, i have no idea, if it looks like 7/8th it could be standard gauge but that is 3 rail, like Lionel, if you had a picture or could measure the gauge? theres alot of stuff out there thats just made to whatever scale/gauge the manufacturer wanted, but most tinplate is going to be either O, Guage 1, Standard Gauge Gauge 3 or maybe even the rarer Gauge 2. Have you tried putting it on G track? if it fits, its Gauge 1, if its larger that it could be Gauge 1 2 or 3
Vic I measured the wheel spacing on the cars and is about 7/8" gauge rail that it would run on.
That sounds like S gauge which is smaller than O. O is 1-1/4" guage, S is old American Flyer gauge, Take some pics its probably American Flyer
Very cool, Victor. I love the old tin-plate.
Ralph
Took some updated pics of the layout but have to upload them, till then heres a pic of the “expanded” layout
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Old%20School%20Layout%2004.JPG)
Have since placed the elevated section back in place and made sure the clearances were OK . this is still light enough for me to easily move it around. Once I relocate a couple shelves I’ll have a place to hang it in storage.
Layout to date:
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Old%20School%20Layout%2005.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Old%20School%20Layout%2006.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Old%20School%20Layout%2007.JPG)
Now its just a matter of collecting more metal litho buildings and accessories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzpSJi8-QRk
A short video of the layout in action. Since I finished the G layout to keep myself interested I’ve decided to rebuild this once again, this time along more traditional scenic means, also stacking the track plan and adding power so I can run some post-war Marx stuff I have. Have some interesting ideas, should be fun.
Ralph
New small layout in the works for my Marx trains, going from whats shown above, to this:
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Old-School-Layout-New-Direction_Best_Both_Worlds_3-16scale.jpg)
This will be themed around post-war to modern items, I was waffling between Lionel 0-27 track and Atlas 21st Century 0-27 track, the necessity to use old school Marx Turnouts to handle some of my engines fat drivers nixed the Atlas plan, so its Lionel track. Its basically the same track plan, only raised with much more traditional scenery, which will be blue foam based, nice and light and very easy to work with, overall scale will be centered around Marx 3/16” scale, so buildings will be Plasticville, AF and maybe a few O buildings as I develop it. A mix of old and new, I enjoy building and scenicing, not operations so this layout will be for fun & run, and small enough for one person to cart around without any disassembly, not that I’ve been invited to take anywhere yet. 
One small change, I just won a Lionel Bascule Bridge on Evilbay, so I’m going to have to adjust the layout accordingly
Marxist layout underway
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_01.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_02.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_03.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_04.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_05.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_06.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_07.JPG)
I went with 2 levels instead of three as the three layer mockup was incredibly bulky and hard to move by myself. This one is still a handfull to move. Also I modified it with no switches as on every test-run all the old engines E-unit auto-reversers constantly stalled or changed direction on whatever turnout (Marx-Lionel)I tested it with, so no turnouts, this will be just for fun-n-run. Also decided to leave the bascule bridge as-is and run some fiberboard and new track thru it, nothing has been touched other than some silicon adhesive which comes off easily. This will only ever run my Marx 3/16 stuff, clearences are too tight for Lionel, but then I’m not much of a Lionel fan anyways
Marxist layout continues Added additional ties at the track
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_08.JPG)
color looks closer in reality
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_09.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_10.JPG)
Begining to add Faller building paper facing
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_11.JPG)
More to come, got some old Atlas HO bridges need to modify them for something I have in mind
Victor,
Looks like you’re having fun.
Very cool draw bridge.
Ralph
Vic,
Did you buy the added ties, or make them?
Joe
I cut them from basswood strips,still messing with the Atlas bridges,need a couple more to cut up.
Thats really cool Vic. Its a neat look reminds me alot of the older lionel stuff grew up with.
Marxist layout continues II This is what I was takling about, the old Atlas HO bridges I modified for the layout 3 Atlas Truss bridges modified to cover the span of this side:
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_12.JPG)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_13.JPG)
This at the back of the layout, 3 Atlas Girder bridges cut together:
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Marx_Layout_14.JPG)
The upper level will be mostly urban setting, so the girders fit in nicely. Down to only 2 power packs, the last one I got turned out to be busted, oh well, at least they arent a rare item. More to come, got some old Atlas HO bridge girder loads to added at the front of the upper level
