Dunham Studios "Family Heritage Lionel Layout"

There is a sharp turn in the stairs to the room where the layout will be going so the platform tops need to be made in easy-to-assemble- and-disassemble sections. (see green plan). Ray is building the framing for the base.

Barb

I like the planning that goes into these, looks like a lot of it too. I will be following along here. I enjoy all your build threads, very interesting.

Ray is assembling a the platform top for this layout for which you can see two sets of plans below. Roy has already built the wooden trestle as well as casting additional bridge and tunnel face pieces.

Barb

Looks great.  What is the approximate overall size (depth vs. width) of this terrific layout?

How many trains can be operated on separate loops?  Looks like at least 4 to me.

Looks like a great layout in the making

It's amazingly only ten by twelve in size.  And a real gem.  The client had already worked-out such a good trackplan that we blissfully copied it (see below), while adapting it to the MTH RealTrax System. This is our new design.   This is an "Original View"  The lower level that we added is set up as a "Six-year-old level" for the client's youngest grandchild.  It will have its own LionChief train and controller, as will all the four other LionChief trains on the upper level.  As there are also Period Classic "Lionels" in the mix, handed down now through four generations, every level will also have its own "Traditional Control" as well.  Even with traditional control you can run several trains on the upper loops if you throw your turnouts properly.  Wouldn't want to crash that 1930s Lionel Streamliner (see below).  About running four trains in "traditional-style", your guess is as good as mine, but we'll be careful on that "first run"---just in case.

Don't want to impose on your time too much as you are very busy, but could you expound a little on the the choice of RealTrax?  As opposed to traditional tubular track or Fastrack?

Ray is continuing with the assembly of the platforms. Note how he applies glue before nailing the pieces together. Makes the platforms strong. (As you can see from my other posted threads, we are able to walk on them as we're working...and do so.)

Barb

In reply to Mr. Landsteiner's request, answer #1 is that I don't feel that sectional track makes a nice appearance and further, all those track joints make for unreliable operation over time.  Answer #2: It was also the gist of the donor's wishes that the re-creation of his layout be made with the most modern of materials.  Granted that, in my long gone youth, putting sectional track together and keeping it together in spite of my very large and rambunctious Springer Spaniel named "Rippy" may have had something to do with it as well.  As to the matter of Brand Name, I just liked the look of RealTrax better; darker in color, more like the tone of the stone ballast that I prefer.  Nothing against FasTrack.  I'm sure it would provide reliable operation just as well.  In this day and age of "Brand Cross-pollination", the choice seems perfectly OK to me.  So, we have Lionel trains and Accessories blended with MTH Track and Accessories, blended again with new Williams Locomotives and cars as an addition to the heritage Lionel product.  During my many years at The Station at Citigroup Center I learned that if you wanted something that really ran--all the time, no questions asked--I'd buy Williams over all other Brands, hands down.  We ran virtually no Lionel at all, largely due to the fact that I was an American Flyer guy in the first place. Springer Spaniels and other childhood prejudices probably helped lead to some of these decisions as well.  But the Williams choice was made in the light of clear, plain, "Operating Facts".  As Mr. Landsteiner notes, I am very busy, in this case juggling the work here with a new New York City Opera production of Leonard Bernstein's"Candide", opening in January----but never too busy to answer questions on the OGR Forum.

The layout is coming along.

Barb

The base pieces are coming together with Ray and Bob continuing building and assembling them.

Barb

Bob and Ray continue to assemble both the low and mid-height platforms while the finished base pieces and platforms and frames wait in the wings (so to speak) in the carpentry shop.

Barb

Looks like fine cabinetry. I am still enjoying your build posts and all the pictures you post with them. Sure hope you keep posting these, I will be following along.

Bob and Ray brought the basic frame for the Family Heritage Lionel Layout out into the main barn and set it up. I reposted a drawing of what it will look like as a reminder of what's to come. But I think it's important and interesting, to say nothing of informative to see the development.

Barb

Supports are added before the platform tops are put on. Remember that the sectional wooden trestle parts have already been made as well as tunnel portals cast and base painted and a number of bridges have been cast and/or assembled and are waiting in the wings, so to speak, ready to go on when the time comes. Just as an aside, the layout that you see under construction behind the Family Heritage Layout is the Quechee Gorge Layout which has its own thread on the Forum and on which we've been working for several months.

Barb

I just saw this topic.  Very interesting to see how it goes together.  I like the idea of the lower level for the small grandson.  My new layout room is 12 x 12, so this is a practical one to see what can go in that size space.  Thank you for posting!

The evolution of the Family Heritage Layout is unfolding. First the supports were added. (The platform tops will top them.)And then the lowest platform tops were put in place. Take a look at the computer graphic several posts up and you'll see how this skeleton will support and become the Family Heritage Layout.

Barb

Ray has finished the upper level left platform on the layout. And he and Bob carry it out into the barn to place on the waiting frame. You'll notice that there is a one-step-up narrow platform to the left and right of the center front section. This will carry the track for the area specifically designed for the client's younger grandson, a level that he can deal with with no problem.

Looking at the larger platform you'll notice an odd cut in the right corner. This jog is built to go around an irregularity in the train room wall. In the construction photo you'll see that Ray has built another odd shape on. This is one half of a pop-up hole  built so that the person running the trains can get to any train disabled too far in from the perimeter to reach comfortably from the perimeter.The bundles of track in the last photo are checked out, wired and ready to go when the platforms are finished.

Barb

Looks like another great layout being built. As I told you (Barb) at York, I enjoy reading your posts and seeing pictures  of how you do it. Keep the posts coming, please.

Jay