Eilif's evolving layout. Update 5/31

Update: 5/31, Post #16. Current (3rd) Generation layout.

Here's one of my first layouts, from a couple of months ago. Not counting little setups at grandpa's house for my son.

At this point, most of my collection was a Thomas Ultimate set, and a few bits I'd picked up at a local train shop.

This was also my first attempt at using Duplo to stretch my collection of girders.

This particular Duplo solution is workable on it's own, but really doesn't allow quite enough room for trains to move easily underneath.

[Super]

Fantastic layout Eilif

Very imaginative making those risers with the Lego's. Enough risers was something that I found hard to attain early ion as our layout got bigger. Buying only a few at a time got quite expensive on Ebay with all the shipping. Is all that set up on a Murphy Bed?

Good job!

Thanks, I've worked out an even better LEGO riser solution that I'll post up in a while.

I'm not sure what a Murphy bed is. It's a cheap pine IKEA bed with a few pieces of hardboard placed over it.

This edition of the layout didn't last long because it could change the direction of the train from counter-clockwise to clockwise, but not visa/versa.

Love the layout ! ah now i have those pieces here with the green bridge but i cant put them together!

[Super]

I'm not sure what a Murphy bed is.

A Murphy Bed folds up into the wall. The workings at the head of your bed reminded me of Murphy bed hardware. Murphy Beds

Chrisf,
I don't know what to tell you, except that the pieces sit in the supports and on the ground.

Super,
I learn something everyday...

[Super]

Murphy beds are a fantastic space saver and great for a guest room that you seldom have guests in. They are much better than trying to sleep on a sofa bed. If you ever slept on a sofa bed you know what I am taking about.

My idea is to have a Murphy bed, remove the mattress, fix some type of plywood or hard surface to it, screw some Tomy tracks, buildings and more on it and you will have a great fold away train layout.

Sounds like a good idea. The fold away table is a very well-proven concept among train enthusiasts and wargamers. However, I do shudder a bit at the idea of permanently attaching the tracks and such. It's the change-ability of the Tomy system that appeals to me. Maybe hot-glue would be a semi-permanent option for attachment?

Definitely know what you mean about sofa beds. In most cases I'd rather (and sometimes do) sleep on the floor.

I'm just lucky enough to have an extra attic bedroom that I should be able to use until the my kids get old enough to request separate rooms.

awesome layout, love the mock up risers. very clever idea.

Here's the second iteration of the layout. Actually the third, but the second was simply the addition of a second level.

I'm rather interested in functionality within the one-direction limitations of the plarail system. The key to this layout was being able to have both trains running simultaneously and change the direction of either without interfering with each other. Also, I wanted them to be able to exchange levels. Hence the multiple exchanges from top to bottom and several direction changing roundabouts.

Overall shots.



I had to pull one of the pieces of Masonite over a trunk to accommodate the new size and it's still not quite enough.

Having one level atop the other required a new girder system as the duplo system didn't offer enough space underneath. As a result of my own hobby and formerly running a small LEGO educational program, I have a ton of LEGO. I settled on this design, which uses mostly pieces I have in bulk.


A few features of the railway.
A lucky bulk buy on ebay netted me the Tidmoth style engine sheds.

They weren't shown assembled (but I counted the pieces in the picture) which is probably why I was able to afford the lot, which also got me my big red bridges.


I think this is the only Engine I've ever purchased new. A nearby train shop still had the Super Freight Liner set, so I snapped one up. Strongly tempted to buy another as there won't be any more realistic Tomy trains in the USA for a while and the engine is one of my Strongest and nicest painted.


Stopping off at Maithwate.

I've also begun acquiring the more realistic and less gaudy Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. There aren't nearly as many ordinary, everyday cars as I'd like but the collection continues to grow.