IT is starting.

Information Technology (IT) has been around for a few decades.
just in case someone else was puzzled by the vague subject.

overlandflyer posted:

Information Technology (IT) has been around for a few decades.
just in case someone else was puzzled by the vague subject.

Yes, thought we might be discussing one of my favorites.... IT

First this is a 90° Tunnel not 45°.

To check for clearances take two pieces of Lionel 'C' curves (mated) and place the tunnel over them. You might want to add a piece of 'S' straights on each end. Move the track around until there is about a 2" clearance between the tie ends and inter edge of each entrance wall. Use a 402/408 loco and check the clearance. Adjust the track, if necessary, and you'll have your answer without any fancy mathematics.  (Remember that the 140/140L Tunnels were produced when they were manufacturing the State cars so they didn't want any unhappy customers.)

Ron M

ron m posted:

First this is a 90° Tunnel not 45°.

(Remember that the 140/140L Tunnels were produced when they were manufacturing the State cars so they didn't want any unhappy customers.)

 

Is there any wonder why I flunked 7th grade geometry?

Yeah, my State cars fit just fine. It's real simple; the end of the curves need to be dead center in the portal.

WOW, your building a Lionel pre-war layout. Thats not a cheap tunnel you have there, and you are using early switches.  I would like to see the progress as you work on it. I'm also a tinplate collector & operator.

Dreyfuss Hudson posted:

In my opinion.. you can do all of the digi track planning in the world, but unless you lay it out physically first, you will regret if after you build the benchwork. So... I have designed about 10 different layouts and am currently carpet-testing them for clearances, switches (see other post), and looks. My BIG problem is the layout has to be in a three-sided corner of my basement, so it will have to have open areas in the middle for access. Another tricky problem that would never be figured out on a computer is setting the all the track clearances for the 140 L tunnel. That sucker needs a lot of room as I am finding out, and if you want to pull State cars through it, it has to be just-so or they will hit. (It's an 45 degree corner tunnel.)  I painted the backdrop. I wanted a deco/vintage looking cityscape surround by mountains.  Of course this layout will be ribcage high and will feature a few more vintage stations, lamps, peeps, etc. Will post more photos as I progress.

I couldn't agree more. My layout has been in the planning stage on the computer for over a year, and now that I've started to lay track, there are definite differences between the virtual layout and the real thing.  Track planning software is a great place to start--and I'm glad I did that step--but the reality is you're not going to know important things like clearances until you start construction. Once you start laying track, it's OK to refer back to the computer, but the bottom line is you have to go with what fits in the space you have. 

Keep the pictures coming--looks great so far!!

I couldn't agree more also.  I have built layouts for people.  I always lay the track on the floor and build the benchwork around that.  Best of luck.

I love that tunnel, but sadly don't think I'd ever have a place for one on my layout I really like your deco style backdrop. Are these the Lionel 223 Std. Gauge switches?

Carey TeaRose posted:

I love that tunnel, but sadly don't think I'd ever have a place for one on my layout I really like your deco style backdrop. Are these the Lionel 223 Std. Gauge switches?

Thanks Carey! The backdrop took me weeks to do, and I still have another seven foot left to go. (I ran out of creative gas.) I wanted the background to be as stylized and deco looking as the trains themselves. I am happy with the outcome.

 Those are 222 switches. They operate very nicely and after cleaning/detailing one of them, I was pleased as to how they are going to look. All of them are missing the signal lantern, so I have to find some of those.

Thanks DH, I need a switch or two, but mine will be more of a "sort of a working prop" (hard to explain what I mean by that- but its the best I can come up with). As it/they will be used very rarely- and I will be probably hand pulling an engine onto them, I just cannot see the investment in newer ones.

Can't wait to see your trains, and this layout's progress