My dad had a Lionel set when I was very little. I don't know what happened to it - may have gotten rusty sitting in a box in the cellar and gotten chucked. I begged for an HO set when I was 12, and got it. Started out on a 4x8, grew to hand laid nickel/silver track on benchwork that filled a 12x12 room. That got abandoned when I turned 19 and full time work and other pursuits took priority. My sister may still have the parts of the layout stored in her barn.
When my kids were getting old enough to develop an interest in trains, I took some of the old HO snap-track and rolling stock and set up a slid out tray from the bunkbeds I built for them - measures about 42"x78" IIRC. Started as 3 simple loops with interchange turnouts between the loops and one siding (totaling 7 turnouts). Divorce left them with the former, and everything sat collecting dust for years. A few years ago, I revamped it and made it more of a switching layout bringing the total to 24 turnouts, with the 3 loops that can be run in series (as a main line) with a reversing loop, and with a cut on a long side "off-table" to a "Timesaver" layout (already built) that can be attached to it acting as an interchange yard with another RR. In theory, it could keep 3, possibly 4 operators working it. This in a space slightly larger than a twin size bed.
The farm has claimed most of my "spare time", so it has yet to actually run trains as designed, but I have run A train over it on a couple occasions. Structures, while started over the years, have a long (long) way to go and scenery is basically non existent. AB Micrologix PLC for signaling and turnout routing isn't in place yet either, though I have the PLC (and programing software) and some of the signal parts.
I'm thinking that for all the sitting it's done, and time I'm now devoting to fixing old farm iron, I may not ever get back to it. It may just go on Craigslist, or e-bay.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Hydraulic Basics - Part 2 - by Curtis Von Fange. In the last entry to this series we gave a brief overview of hydraulic system theory, its basic components and how it works. Now lets take a look at some general maintenance tips that will keep our system operating to its fullest potential. The two biggest enemies to a hydraulic system are dirt and water. Dirt can score the insides of cylinders, spool valves and pumps. Wate
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.