Help setup sons track

Matt,

 

I'd be happy to work on a track plan. Which train set did your son receive? Please list all of the accessories you have available and any you might be interested in getting to help in the design of the layout.

 

Also, I'd like to include anything of interest to your son on the layout.

 

 

Matthew has the Norfolk southern Lionel set plus some other cars that we have found at our local train show last fall. He has the following Lionel 12062 grade crossing with gates and flashers, train terminal and platform both Lionel, 1 MTH farm house and the big barn MTH as well,  airport and a operating helicopter and watch tower which I think are both Lionel. These 2 are set up with a separate accessory power pack as he doesn't like them to be on all the time. It would be nice if it could be set up that the house, barn would light up and swings activate only while train is going by them as he finds it over stimulating if everything is on at the same time.( I am guessing this is because he has seizures and may just be too much)

As far as what I think he would like to add would mostly be maybe an operation track to add some operating train cars as he seems to like to switch them out a lot and put things on them to drive them around. The actual buildings do not seem to be that important to him so new cars and different ones seem to be what he wants. He also has the lionel curve tunnel which he does like a lot.

I don't know what I can do But with that being said. I was thinking this is a great hobby and many people have helped me along the way. what if we put together some sort of collection. $10 $5 whatever to help him get a nice layout. if this is something more than myself feel is a good idea we would probably need to set up a pay pal account to send money too. what I was thinking is this t w trainworx and many other board sponsors build professional layouts. maybe just maybe if enough people pitch in we could get him a nice layout he will enjoy for a long time. if someone thinks this is a good Idea and gets the ball rolling I'm in for $100.00 thank you

 

put me down for $20...how do I pay?

 

-rog

not sure it was just an Idea who would like to handle it. me being new to the hobby and boards don't think I should. any Ideas. up to $120.00

 

 

Hey guys, in so many words, I have a couple of pokers in the fire, so can we let this little issue pass by for a while?  Thanks.

Ok i have a few calls out too. Let us know thank you

Matt24,

Are you located in CA? I have a 4' x 8' with homosote and detachable legs that you could have. No trouble to take a foot off of it. The shipping would be more than the materials if you are too far from New Jersey in the US. Thought I'd ask anyway.

If youguys get something together I will trow some money in.Nick

Here's an offering, I think it has your accessories and an activator track for the farm lights.

 

Thank you for the offer! We are in Canada and I already have the plywood and frame just need to add the soundboard. I just really need help to design something that will fit and be continuous operation. Thanks

Matt,

 

Here are three versions I drew up. Let me know which layout or which parts of each layout you like. I need to do some more research on the building dimensions and tunnel that you wanted included. Each design has the tunnel, grade crossing (designated by the road over the tracks), an accessory activation track to activate the barn and house lighting, and an operating track for operating cars.

 

 

This is the simplest of the three and is a stubby L shape. Lots of room for scenery. The track plan can be moved about to ensure the tunnel fits.

   

 

This design uses a 22.5 degree crossing. It pushes the edge of the layout. If viewed from the left side of the left side of the layout at table height, part of the view is blocked. The width of the tunnel will dictate where it will be placed as most of the track is near the edge of the layout.

 

 

This design uses a 45 degree crossing and has similar qualities as the previous layout.

 

 

Hope these help out! Again, let me know which parts of the layouts you like.

Thank you for the great plans!

He likes the 3rd one best but would it be possible to have the rail crossing and activation track still in the front but on the right side instead and the 45% crossing on the left side and with tunnel being left just on the opposite side then you have it displayed now? or if not enough room for the large tunnel I could switch him to a smaller one. Also on right outer circle I see a small piece but not sure if it is one of the tiny pieces you can buy, same as inner circle there is a little piece? Just want to be sure when I order track I order everything he will need. Is there enough room between the two tracks to place his helicopter tower? Thanks for all the help

Matt,

 

I'll work on the changes when I get home tonight!

Got to love this hobby and the people ho are part of it...
When it is up and running..message me..I will send a
Railroad car....

Nice design Chessie!

Matt, I reworked Chessie's plan to eliminate making custom tracks and to include your  requests for changes:

"He likes the 3rd one best but would it be possible to have the rail crossing and activation track still in the front but on the right side instead and the 45% crossing on the left side and with tunnel being left just on the opposite side then you have it displayed now?"

• 4' x 7' platform\table
• No switches
•  Lionel 12062 grade crossing with gates
•  train terminal and platform both Lionel
• 1 MTH farm house
• the big barn MTH
•  airport ????
• a operating helicopter car-Lionel?
• watch tower-Lionel?

The activator track is to turn on the farm lights. That can be in the back. Only turns them on when a train is there. The operating track for the helicopter car is in the front.

A parts list is attached to compare what you have to determine what you need.

 

Are we close now?

 

Thank you for all the help! I am very glad the Lionel customer service directed me to this site. So much helpful information to be found. And great people who are willing to help out.We are going to do the figure 8 design using the 031 track designed by Moonman to start as a train shop here in Canada has the parts for it at this time. Which will help as if ordering from the US we get hit with the customs and duty. Plus the Lionel Store is out of some parts for the other design by Chessiefan72 and Moonman and the other store we have ordered from also is out of one of the tracks needed. So we will keep watch and when we can get the other parts we will build the other track and perhaps even change setups from time to time to keep it exciting as a lot of the track can be used on both setups. Again Thanks I can express how grateful I am for the help!!!!

This look wonderful and exactly what our end goal will be

 

Wow that is wonderful and so very kind!

The track he currently has are:

8 o36 curve track

1 lighted and sound rail crossing 10" it also came with 2-5" pieces with a special track to activated it I think has a split in the track on one side of the rails. The roadbed comes out 3" on each side of this track.

4 10" straight track

1 10" straight terminal track

The tunnel is the large mountain kind from Lionel and is 11 inches wide across the bottom middle and 19 inches long on the inside curve. If there is not enough room to accommodate this tunnel we can build one down the road. Also we have been trying to find a smaller barn as we were too surprised at the size of it once it arrived. That was our lesson learned about checking measurements before order stuff. LOL

 

Here's what it looks like now. The tunnel and the big barn fit. Do you like it...Does Matthew like it?

 

 

Just showed him and he said yes  he likes it. He is glad his tunnel will work on it. I am going to take the barn off though and he is just going to have his fence with the animals in it beside his house. He said he is fine with taking the barn off as he mainly likes to take the animals for rides around on the train in a Gondolas car he has. And then on the other side of the inside circle or middle he can have his helicopter tower Lionel 6-14217. It needs room to go around on the pole that comes out of the tower. We have this attached to an accessory transformer as he can turn this on and off with a special button he has. Then if possible to have the operation track milk/dump bin on the inside as well. There is really no room in the hallway to have the extra parts sticking out as there is only room for his wheelchair and someone else to sit with him. I hope this will work with taking the barn off as he likes the setup of the track.

Thanks

Kathy

Just wanted to be sure you received Matt's and my response to this as not sure how I did it but it ended up in a separate box then this under this one.

Anyway that you would like the accessories is fine. It's Matthew's layout. I'll work with Chessie to move the operating track. Would you still like to light the farmhouse when a train passes?

Thanks for detail on the helicopter. We weren't exactly sure which one he has.

Yes if it is possible he would still like it to light up when the train goes by. We liked how it looked with the accessories in the front add on but just no room for it in the hall as he is in a custom mold chair and it takes up a lot of room. If it would help I could add an extra couple inches to the end. Probably not more then 6 as even with that I will have to take out his case that he keeps the extra cars on and it will just fit between the two walls. 

Hey Gang,

 

I've been busy with work and other matters (nothing like cooking deer meat on the engine block to make auto repairs a necessity.) I fiddled around with the layout this morning and came up with this version. Here are a list of changes and a couple of photos to help envision the new look...

• House moved to left top corner of inner circle.
• Fenced grazing area to put animals. (As impressive as that barn was, it just took over the layout. Removing the barn opened the layout to other possibilities.)
• Isolated block to light house.
• Moved the grade crossing to back of inner circle.
• Isolated block to activate grade crossing.
• Added Helicopter Pylon. Although the 3D image of the helicopter pylon blocks the station, the station will be able to be seen through the girders of the pylon.
• Optional isolated block to activate Helicopter pylon (in gray.)
• Milk platform/dump bin moved to between tracks. A traditional milk platform appears to be too big to fit, so a special platform will need to be built. (Sounds like a weekend project for me to complete.)
• Moved Watchtower to bottom left of layout to watch over the tunnel entrance.

Let me know what you think.

 

 

Matt24 & Chessie,

LOL. I just did about the same changes. I believe the milk platform will fit between as it is about 3.75". I also change the grade area and the activator track area to include the 5" isolator pieces that come with the crossing and activator pack.

 

Chessie,

I have an update I'll send you via email.

Looking Cool!

 

Matt24,

Will you contact me by email? Just click on my screen name on the side and it's in my profile. I don't see one in your profile.

 

We need some details that are better discussed off-line.

 

Thanks.

This thread is why I love this forum... all the helpful folks here with big hearts.  

Moon, I'm a little late to the thread, but can assist with trackage if needed.

thanks, Volphin. check your email.

It's looking really nice.  if you pass the hat, put me down for $20.

Thank you, tunelvr7. check your email

 

RogerC & 1 drummer,

Please contact me via email as you have none in your profile. (Mine is in my profile, click on forum name). We are finalizing the project and I have the information for you if you still wish to participate.

Thank you.

track looks good..how do I get your email? 

Mine is in my profile, click on forum name, Moonman next to post.

I think I found it. I sent you an email

please send pertinent information.to send a car

No mail yet. Try again

is it a hotmail account?

I added mine to my account see if you can see it

Called Frank & donated.  

donated. balance paid in full

 

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd post an update. They have received the package and are very excited. Work has been started on the table, but there has been rainy weather and that has prevented the painting.

 

We'll get updates and some photos when it's completed.

cool sounds good thought about it today wondering

 

Thank you to all whom have helped out! Matthew is very excited for me to get it up and running for him. This weekend the weather held out and we were able to get the table all painted and ready to go. Just need to get someone over to help to get it back into the apartment. Once that is done I will start putting it together for him and work on the lighting etc. Hopefully we can get this all done in the next couple weeks so he can start to enjoy it. I will post a pic as soon as this is done.

Train track is done next will be wiring. But he is having a grand time running his train on his new layout.

that looks fun and cool. your very welcome. nice job on the table

 

Nice work on the layout! I can see that the MTH barn would take up a lot of space.

 

Did the tunnel not fit on the outside corner or does Matthew like to watch the train go through from there?

 

Nice to hear that he is enjoying the new layout. 

The MTH barn was just way too big and took up too much space. The tunnel didn't fit on outside as it is so big but he really likes it where it is so worked out good.