Lionel/LCCA Fastrack Modular Construction

Nick12DMC,

Thanks for your post. I have taken a different route. I accumulated my track, power and trains and such this past year and will be building my modules this year. I am starting with the small corner modules and straights.

I have a L design planned. 6 corner modules and six straight modules. I am going to modify one corner module to make the inside turn or reversible corner module from one of the small corner modules. My layout is up and running on top of folding banquet tables. All the track and materials will transfer to the modules.

So, the bugger in scratch building from the plans is the leg bracket. My order is too small for a furniture bracket company to produce them for a reasonable price. What do the leg brackets look like that were supplied with the kits? Would you post a photo? That's my problem now.

I built a power table from the early news release in LCCA where TW Trainworx built a 30" x 24" module. There you can see that I welded two corner braces together and drilled and tapped a hole for a thumbscrew to hold the leg. The metal is barely thick enough to work, so that's needs attention. I cut a cable in half to create a way to quick connect to a module. I am using a ZW-C with 2 -180's. The command base just sits next to the ZW-C when setup. I have added an additional outlet on the bottom to power the command base first. I overlooked that with the original assembly. I have a 100' extension cord with a twist-lock connector to prevent accidental disconnects when set up in public.

The rest of the items are easily sourced here in the US from the suppliers listed in the manual. The wiring harness are a trailer type harness. I found a little WD-40 on the connectors made them much easier to connect and disconnect. I have also found a source for nylon machine screws with a wood screw type beveled head to use for attaching the track. I'll have to pre-drill a hole, but the nylon screw will assist is reducing the noise.

Hi Moonman,

                  Yea the leg brackets are a problem. I will post a pic of the bracket supplied

in the kit next time I am out in the garage.

 The brackets in the kit are made out of what looks like 6mm thick mild steel.

I think these are "Bomb Proof" probably a bit over the top. They will add a lot of weight.

Something to consider if you have to transport the modules. 

I would weld a nut on your bracket this will give you a good thread to hold the leg retaining bolt.

My plan is to use a local company who have a CNC punch that cuts up to 3mm thick

mild steel. Then they have a press to bend the bracket. This should keep the weight down. 

Nick

Well, they have some apron type brackets picture in the online items. So, you received the bomb proof. No need for pic then. They are actually about 6.5mm. The 3mm sound perfect. Those corner braces I used were close to 1.5mm and almost do the job.

Just before the holidays, I found a local metal supplier with breaks and shears. I figured I would drill all of the holes. In US gauge, I'll be closer to 3.5 mm. There just isn't a similar bracket used in any other furniture or such. It needs to be fabricated.

There is one forum member, tr18, that purchased the kits for their club's holiday layout. Small radius corner modules and 2 straights. They like the locks.

The weight of an assembled module is very light, even with the heavy brackets.

Nick, Moonman

We built a layout last year made up of 2 straights and 4 small radius corners. We bought all six as kits from LCCA since we had a deadline and didn't want to lose time experimenting. Here is a picture of it at a recent Greenberg show.

We plan to add more straight modules this year in order to make it wider and longer. After that we will put more time into scenery. Right now we are keeping it very simple.

These next 4 we plan to build ourselves and as you can imagine. the bracket is the issue. One of our members is researching it. If he finds something that works I will let you both know. Also attached is a picture of the bracket that comes with the kits.

Hi John,

           Those are the same style brackets that I received. I understand they are the updated version.

This is the closest match for a off the shelf bracket I have found on this side of the pond. It would mean modifying the top of the leg to fit 27x27mm.

And looking at the bracket it might need cutting back to miss the rotor lock.

http://www.swanseatimber.co.uk...pl/prod_3982245.html

Nick

Nick,

I don't like the apron style, but it is certainly easier to make. The bracket you posted is nice, but at £4, a little pricey.

I like the original Z style from the manual in a thinner gauge steel.

So, we have a common task.

tr18,

Thanks for the updated photo of the display in action.

Here are some photos of LCCA member Greg Dorsey's (near Pittsburgh PA) LCCA Fastrack Moudlar layout currently under development.

Attached are some photos of the Golden Gate Lionel Rail Roaders Club LCCA FasTrack Modular Layout taken during a recent LCCA Special Event 

Thanks, Al. It's interesting that Golden Gate chose all reversible corners. They gave up a lot of scenery space. It's nice to actually see them in use.

I am wondering if you could pose the leg bracket issue to the LCCA committee for the Modules. I believe eliminating this problem for an affordable and easily sourced leg bracket would assist with the adoption of these modules and expand the participation.

The new apron style that Lionel now supplies doesn't seem to be as sturdy. The apron style really requires a rod mounted in the leg. They too went for a less expensive fix.

The module specifications and materials are well thought out. The leg mounting bracket seems to be the only unfinished item.

Again, thanks for the photos. I appreciate the chance to see how others are using them. 

Nice pics Al. Thank you for posting. 

 I am using 4 reversible corners. Thought they may add flexibility further down the road.

If some other people (or me) build some more modules. They also use less materials to build which is attractive from a cost aspect.

Nick

Nick, moonman, and others building their own LIonel/LCCA FasTrack Modular layouts,

Please contact me at agkolis@comcast.net or by phone at 248 709-4147.  We are interested in your stories, progress and experience with this new national standard modular standard.  We may be able to publish in our club publications and/or website.

Thanks in advance.

Al Kolis

President Elect & Special Events Manager

Lionel Collectors Club of America

Hi Guys,

          Update on corner brackets, A couple of friends of mine work at a fabrication

shop. Offered to make some brackets if I topped up the shop beer fund.

They bent these up using 50mm wide, 4mm thick mild steel flat bar. They put in the two holes for the frame fixing screws. I drilled and tapped the leg retaining bolt hole.

I have gone with M8 course thread as the bolts were easy to get over here.

Imperial is still common in certain things here but with general bolts/threads Metric

has taken over.

Top bracket is my version, bottom is LCCA/Lionel kit

Tapping drill for M8 is 6.8mm. Don't forget to use some cutting fluid/tapping grease.

I prefer the old school grease although it is a pain to clean off.

Here are the brackets installed in a completly scratch built full corner module.

Nick

... and now for something completely different.

I built a modular that was designed right about the same time the LCCA standards were being developed.  Amazing similarities, even though I designed mine independently.

For legs, I opted to use plastic folding tables.  3 tables will hold a 5' x 15' layout.  Basically, the tables are located to support the joints.  Track to edge distances are the same as LCCA.  I used 1/4-20 bolts that match brass inserts to join modules together.

Here's a few pictures to illustrate the tables, and once I got a skirt to hide underneath.  We visited a few nursing homes over the holidays this year and everyone enjoyed the visits!

Currently the modules will make a 5' x 15', 10' x 10' square, or a one-sided 5' x 25' layout (with reversing loops at each end).

Ed

Nick,

If you have a flat template would share it with me? Email is in my profile.

How do you feel about the bolt pushing on the corner? Does it feel secure?

Once you make a mark on the leg with the bolt, you can insert a wood screw at that point to prevent the bolt from tearing up the wood over time.

Thanks.

Eddiem, That looks good. The skirt is a great idea. I used that on my home layout.

Moonman,

              If I had a template you would be welcome to have it. I gave the guys a Lionel/LCCA bracket of each "hand" to use as a template. So a paper template was not needed.

 With the two kit built modules I have completed. I used the enclosed No10x 1/2" screws to provided the area for the bolt to bite onto. 

 The legs appear to be secure and sturdy. When bolted in place.

I have to pick up some of the screws this week so I can complete the legs.

Nick

Nick,

If you have an L and an R still loose, anyway you could stand it on edge and trace the shape? Then send me a scan.

Thanks.

We will soon be experimenting with two different corner brackets which we found commercially available.

One of them is shown here. I don't have a picture yet of the other one but will post as soon as I get it.

We plan to retrofit two of our modules to see how they work.

Here's a pic of progress so far. Just wiring to complete on 6 modules.

Nick