Let’s Take a Look at My Layout - postwar Lionel O gauge train layout

A quick review of my O gauge layout and my plans for the future.
Check it out!
There is a lot to come! More repair videos. More train run videos. More layout videos. And more more!
Thanks for joining me and thanks again for your support.
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#dagryffyn #lioneltrains #ogauge

[@stever.5092]

Like the design a lot. I think you will get a lot of enjoyment running trains on layout. Thanks again!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I know I will!

[@freedomlawnservice1987]

The old school trains will always be fixable unlike new junk

[@dagryffynhobby]

That’s what I like about em!

[@arthursogaugelioneltrains5744]

Like the curves on your layout.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks. I feel like they are as big as I can go without changing the complete layout shape.

[@arthursogaugelioneltrains5744]

@@dagryffynhobby ok cool

[@chicagolandrailroader]

You've got some great ideas! I really like the type of track plan you're going for. Nice work.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you!

[@timparhamsr9598]

I am looking forward to seeing your progress ,,,,,,,,,,, I too am putting together a layout - as I am working it into a bedroom , Putting the rear - most track higher than the one in the foreground .... including sidings and ( space permitting ) a turn-table .

[@dagryffynhobby]

Awesome! Good luck with it!

[@ajmayowskijr]

I love your ideas for your layout. It is exciting seeing a new O-gauge layout coming together. Keep us updated.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you. Building a new layout is always fun.

[@railchief74]

I hope the new layout design works out for you Dave.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m sure it will. If it knows what’s good for it! 👊

[@bobdutka1176]

Love your scenery overhang! Very nice! Look forward to more.👍🏻😁

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you! I’m looking forward to doing more of it.

[@carsonsogaugetrains]

Can't wait to see the new layout keep it up Dave!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! Just got the new track!

[@stevenmiller5696]

You got me hooked on old 027 boxcars also!

[@scpvrr]

Nice overview. Looking forward to progress videos.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! New track might be here as early as Thursday, so it’s almost go time!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

6️⃣0️⃣3️⃣🚂😎. Looks good. You got lots of good ideas. Keep on it You’ll get there 🚂❤️🚂❤️

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thank you 👍

[@dietmarschlichtherle7061]

I`m looking forward on further videos :-) Regards from Austria ;-)

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! Austria, neat, I have a little ancestry from there. I have a lot of plans, as long as I can avoid the home improvement projects my wife wants me to do, I’ll get some more videos out!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Like the new update hope there more

[@dagryffynhobby]

New track should be here tomorrow, I hope, so much more to come!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@dagryffynhobby Ok thanks

[@lenkubiak3051]

I am shure in the future i will see a lot of neat stuff, As a kid the only time i would see the train stuff was christmass time you know 6 rrom house with 6 kids,that means no room for train layouts

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks 👍 Sounds a bit crowded. When I was four years old, I had my Lionel set on a board in my room, then my brother was born, so the trains went away so a crib would fit in the room. I still like to give him a hard time about that.

[@geodot595]

i am thinking of menards also replacing realrtax, or combining with mth join pieces. im all conventional, so menards may fit perfectly.

[@thelionelcollector7447]

Sounds like a good plan! Do you know when you will be working on the 2343 Santa Fe f3’s again?

[@dagryffynhobby]

I ordered some parts to fix the motor in the NYC unit, after that I will work on fixing up the Santa Fe’s. They need a complete rewire at very least. I’m trying to clear off the workbench, so hopefully it won’t be tooooo long.

[@JJosephS1]

Your edge scenery looks great! What technique are you using to scour the foam? The low profile tubular track with the brown ties is commonly referred to as 027 as that is the smallest diameter you can get it in, even though it comes in various larger diameters. The higher profile tubular track with the black ties that you refer to as Menard's track is normally called 031 as that is the smallest diameter you can get with it, even though it too comes in various larger diameters from various different manufacturers. Many like 027 because the brown ties and lower profile add realism, but the switches (in my opinion) are less realistic and even more cumbersome. 031 has the advantages of much greater availability both in diameters and switch sizes as it has been made over the years by various different companies and is all compatible. 031 also has the advantage that you can run any rolling stock or locomotive Lionel has ever produced on it (respecting the diameter requirements of the larger stuff). Many pre-war cars and locos have very large flanges and cannot run on 027, Gargraves, Atlas, Fastrack, Realtrax etc. Using a buss wire and a spider wiring system, cleaning your track, and tightening your connections will greatly enhance even running over the layout. Great start!

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I’m actually putting a video together on my edge scenery for tomorrow. It’s a few steps, hot wire foam cutter, serrated knife, stiff brushes, etc. I never had a problem running pre or post war items on the O27, but I don’t have any early prewar, just some examples from the end of it. I’m mainly switching to the O31 due to the sturdiness of it over the O27. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@billharrold6038]

Well Dave I think switching to O track from O27 is great idea. You'll see how much better the trains will run on tbe new a sturdy O track. Whats your plan on mounting the track and roadbed to the foam glue? Or nails?

[@dagryffynhobby]

I never realized how flimsy the o27 was until I had it on this layout and started running bigger heavier engines. I’m excited about the change. I’m going to continue to use caulk to hold everything in place. Secure but removable.

[@markstrainstation]

I really like your layout and that your are using Menards track in place of your O27 Marx I assume. 4 years ago all I had was Marx but gradually shifted to mostly to MTH track. I actually miss the look of the tubular track.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I like the tubular track, partially for nostalgia and partially because it’s a lot cheaper than the realistic track options out there. My 0-27 is a combination of Lionel, k-line, and probably a few other brands. I’m still going to use it for the upper loops.

[@geodot595]

so do i. sorry i sold all my lionel tube track for realtrax.

[@gmaneis]

What a great layout! Thanks for sharing it. I'd like to know: Where did you find your ZW transformers? They look to be in really good shape.

[@dagryffynhobby]

Thanks! I got my ZWs through Facebook marketplace, $50 each. They both need work but that’s fine with me.

[@gmaneis]

@@dagryffynhobby I'm bad at repairing electrical stuff, but you seem to be good at it, and I know you can find lots of YT videos to show you how to improve ZW's and KW's. Good luck.

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@gmaneis I’m ion with the basics. I guess I’ve been hesitant to take them apart for repair.

[@billharrold6038]

Whats the plan for the track and roadbed attachment to the foam board? Glue or nails?

[@dagryffynhobby]

I used caulk for the road bed, it held it very well but still allows me to remove it without damaging the foam or the roadbed. So I will do that again. Caulk the roadbed to the foam and then caulk the track to the roadbed. Secure but removable. That’s the plan anyway.

[@billharrold6038]

Thats a great idea , the cauk acts as a noise cushion adhesive. Your track plan is great, whats the plan for the upper level? I see you have a ZW for each mainline. What do you use to power accessories and lights ? I use a 250 watt Z transformer for accessories and fixed voltage for the switches and 2 ZW's for the maiinlines.

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@billharrold6038 thanks, glad you like the track plan. At present I don’t have any accessories, not even switches. There will be lighting. Eventually. As far as the upper levels, I have a basic idea in my head but won’t know what it’s going to look like until it starts to develop as I work on it. So, I’m thinking each ZW will run one of the main loops and one of the upper loops. No real plans beyond that.

[@billharrold6038]

Well one things for sure if you have no switches your chances of a derailment is much less. As far as accessories, if you do get some have them on sidings or spurs if possible they sometimes " get in the way" on the mainlines. The remote controlled track sections dont always agree with some of the older rolling stock, they tend to uncouple the cars by themselves. Especially the coil couplers.

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@billharrold6038 i like to run the trains, so that’s why I’ve eliminated as many things as I can to reduce likelihood of derailment. The upper loops may be different, may not. I’m trying to remain as open as possible to let it evolve as I go.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Simply because Lionel used standard gauge Rail and ties for the 0 31 track that is ridiculously tall and unrealistic. Nobody complained so he continue to use it. I find the 027 profile tinplate track to be much more realistic in real size and rail height. Marx Meto 27 profile track and radius has up to o42. After all a real railroad track is not 4 ft tall.

[@dagryffynhobby]

The O27 does look better but I like the stability of the hi rail.

[@jamesdenny4734]

Say, is this the same layout you have at present day? 🤔

[@dagryffynhobby]

Yup. Always a work in progress

[@elleryparsons5766]

Don’t Rush Perfection.

[@dagryffynhobby]

There are two things I don’t do, rush, and perfection! I do plan on taking my time, I really want the track work to be as reliable as possible.

[@elleryparsons5766]

If you need to work the track to prevent Collisions that would be smart to do.

[@elleryparsons5766]

I hope All goes well for the Track plan. Don’t forget that track plan my change more than once.

[@dagryffynhobby]

I don’t have to worry about collisions, there are no crossings or switches. So as long as I space the tracks far enough apart this time, I should be good!

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@elleryparsons5766 my track plans, and most of my plans are fluid, start with an idea and let it develop from there.

[@kensbackshop6399]

Lionel engines that will run on 054 with ease from 1950 to 1997 scale hudsons ,,,nyc mohawk,,chessie t-1 ,,reading t-1 made 1990-1992 ,,,mth hudsons ,,northerns ,,pacifics,,,,,lionel scale pennsy turbine made 1991-1992 does need 072,,,,just trying to help ,,,Ken

[@dagryffynhobby]

Cool! That’s more than I thought would work on 54. So I have more room for growth than i thought 👍

[@gregbruns8633]

What are the dimensions of your layout?

[@dagryffynhobby]

22’ across the back, left comes out 13’, right 10’

[@SteveRenon]

Hi Dave. What are the dimensions of your layout?

[@dagryffynhobby]

22’ across the back wall, left side comes out 13’ and the right 10’

[@SteveRenon]

@@dagryffynhobby Outstanding!

[@dagryffynhobby]

@@SteveRenon thanks! And I’m planning to bring the right side out another ten feet

[@SteveRenon]

@@dagryffynhobby Mine is going in the garage. Starting at the typical 8x4 ft layout. Gonna need more outlets and lighting. Have to show off the new layout.