HOW TO BUILD O GAUGE LIONEL LAYOUT

How to build a Lionel O-Gauge layout. Video from 1994.
Produced by Tom McComas and Featuring Elliot Feinberg.
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I would like to take a moment to say: "THANK YOU" to the late, great Tom McComas who recently passed away at the age of 86 on August 8th, 2024 in Michigan City, Indiana, USA. While this is indeed heartbreaking news, his legend and legacy live on, not only in the hundreds of videos and books which he produced or helped create but also in the hearts and minds of countless toy train lovers who have gained so much from Tom McComas & his work.
Please remember Tom McComas & his family in your thoughts, prayers & life.
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Review the basics from table and benchwork supporting your layout to the fundamentals of scenery and track laying.
Using only Lionel tubular track and power supplies as were used in the Postwar era, this is a detailed, step by step look in a 35 minute video of how to plan, construct, set-up, wiring, scenery and much more. Be it your first layout or your next layout, this video can help.
Using a Lionel Postwar-era ZW transformer and O-Gauge tubular track, all available cheaply today. Used ZW's can be had for $100 dollars now. Menards Hardware does make brand new O-Gauge track and has introduced a new line of O-Gauge switches as well. Refurbished Lionel tubular track is available online from dealers and at train shows. Used Lionel tubular track can sometimes be had for free from those who have "upgraded" to Fast-trak or another brand/make.
Remember, with O-Gauge trains - the size is so large and layouts so big that there is little real need for digital command control. That works for massive, club sized layouts the size of a warehouse. But for the average O-Gauge railroader, it's not needed. Blocks with fiber insulating pins and several transformers or controllers for each block have been used for over 100 years.
Start your child or young family members out right. Put the phones down. Turn off the TV.
Shut down the computer. Get out some tools. Get out the tape measure. Make a plan.
Buy the supplies needed. Make an hour or so each time to work on the layout.
Make a plan for finishing it. Add switches and crossovers for more fun.
Personally, I do NOT recommend fastening track down so that it can not be moved.
You may want to change things around. That is part of the fun. But to each their own.
Most of us feel that the layout is never really complete, done or finished, it's always a work in progress. But for a kids layout, I think you want an end-game point in mind.
And remember to HAVE FUN! Run those trains, they are KIDS TOYS, not dust collectors!
:-)