Lionel Fastrack Plans from the Experts at Classic Toy Trains

I n f o r m at i o n S tat i o n 10 Proven Lionel Fastrack Plans From the Experts at Classic Toy Trains

CTTPDF048 Figure-eight schemes can be Room to expand this railroad Scenery and structures for the more than just a gimmick. Here, a comes by way of a spur that runs to railroad should fit the mountain rail- 5½-inch-high overpass helps the edge of the layout. If you have road theme dictated by the tight- L R keep trains in continuous motion, space in the corner of a room, you radius curves and changing eleva- LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS without the peril of operating can easily form an L-shaped pike by tions. Also consider using smaller LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS through a 90-degree crossing adding another 4 x 8-foot board Plasticville structures to make the 2 Quantity Description/Number 5 Quantity Description/Number most of the limited space L R 1 1.375-inch straight (12073) Quantity2 1.375-inch Description/Number straight (12073) R 3 LIONEL 1.75-inch FASTRACK straight (12026)COMPONENTS 3 2 4.5-inch 1.375-inch straight straight (12025) (12073) 6 Quantity 5-inch straight Description/Number (12024) R R 3 3 5-inch 4.5-inch straight straight (12024) (12025) 16 10-inch1 straight 1.375-inch (12014) straight (12073) R R 133 10-inch 5-inch straightstraight (12014)(12024)

L R 4 O-363 curve, 1.75-inch 11.25-degree straight (12023) (12026) 4 13 O-36 10-inch curve, straight 11.25-degree (12014) (12023) L 18 O-366 curve, 5-inch 45-degree straight (12015) (12024) 144 O-36 O-36 curve, curve, 45-degree 11.25-degree (12015) (12023) R Lionel FasTrack L L L O-36LIONEL curves FASTRACK form COMPONENTS 2 O-3616 left-hand 10-inch track straight switch (12014) (12045) R 1 14 O-36 O-36 left-hand curve, 45-degree track switch (12015) (12045) theQuantity majority of Description/Numberthe 2 R O-364 right-hand O-36 curve, track 11.25-degree switch (12046) (12023) L R 3 1 R L O-36 O-36 right-hand left-hand track switch (12046)(12045) This short indus- layout, so it seems L 18 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) 3 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) trial spur also pro- logical 2to develop 1.75-inch a straight (12026) vides means for layout 1theme and 4.5-inch straight (12025) 2 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) point-to-point scenery6 where 10-inch straight (12014) 2 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) operation to the sharp curves are L spur situated expected14 – a rustic O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) below. With the setting3 in the hills O-36 curve, 22.5-degree (12022) addition of a com- or a busy mine mand-control sys- operation3 are two O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) tem, you can even fitting choices3 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) L Two loops make up this 5 x 9-foot layout that can easily run two trains at once. With connecting track switches, trains can move This larger oval is a great starting point. It provides lots of open space at the center of the layout, so you can consider adding yard consider two-train 1 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) operation 1 bumper (12059) between the loops for plenty of action. There’s even room to include operating accessories. tracks or building a town or industry. By including a reversing loop and passing siding, nothing gets shortchanged here!

1 R L R L LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS R L R 3 L Quantity Description/Number 6 Quantity Description/Number A passing siding doesn’t have to be on the straight and narrow. In LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS this instance, I placed a train-length siding along a curve. It’s near 8 10-inch straight (12014) 2 1.375-inch straight (12073) Quantity Description/Number A 4 percent grade routes trains up, down, and around the curves at each end of the the outer edge of the layout, so restricted speed operation is a 2 O-36Quantity curve, 11.25-degree Description/Number (12023) 2 4.5-inch straight (12025) layout. Don’t have a computer or slide rule handy to calculate the proper track eleva- must. Don’t forget, you can also use this location to reverse the 2 1.375-inch straight (12073) tions? Simply use Woodland Scenics’ foam incline and riser components direction of your train – just be sure to use a locomotive with 12 O-368 curve, 45-degree 10-inch straight (12015) (12014) 8 5-inch straight (12024) L 2 4.5-inch straight (12025) operating couplers on each end R 1 L O-362 left-hand O-36 track curve, switch 11.25-degree (12045) (12023) 17 10-inch straight (12014) R 8 5-inch straight (12024) 1 O-3612 right-hand O-36 track curve, switch 45-degree (12046) (12015) L 5 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) R 1 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) 14 17 O-36 curve, 10-inch 45-degree straight (12015) (12014) L 5 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) SMALL LAYOUTS BIG ACTION 1 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) 3 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) L 2 R 14 O-36 right-hand O-36 curve, track 45-degree switch (12046) (12015) 1 3 90-degree L O-36 crossing left-hand (12019) track switch (12045) 1 2 bumper R O-36(12035) right-hand track switch (12046) 1 90-degree crossing (12019) 7 proven plans 1 bumper (12035)

This simple oval with a secondary loop is perfect for construction under a Christmas tree. Place the tree stand inside the small cir- What began as a Lionel no. 12030 figure-eight add-on pack has expanded to include a large siding and loop. A long straight sec- for small spaces cle of track and add a Christmas village. Santa will never want to leave your house! tion and extra switches offer reversing options and multiple routes for your trains to travel. Add a few accessories for more fun. L L L Lionel FasTrack plans ranging from 4 x 8 to 5 Rx 9 feet LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS R LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS Quantity Description/Number 4 R QuantityLIONEL Description/Number FASTRACK COMPONENTS 7 Quantity Description/Number by Kent Johnson and David Baran • Illustrations by Kellie Jaeger L 2 1.75-inch straight (12026) 2 Quantity 1.375-inch Description/Number straight (12073) 8 10-inch straight (12014) 1 4.5-inch straight (12025) 2 2 1.75-inch 1.375-inch straight straight (12026) (12073) 2 LIONEL O-36 FASTRACK curve, 11.25-degree COMPONENTS (12023) 6 10-inch straight (12014) 4 2 4.5-inch 1.75-inch straight straight (12025) (12026) 10 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) early all of us have dreamt of track plans using Lionel FasTrack. For Quantity Description/Number building a large toy train lay- starters, I composed a 4 x 8-foot plan 14 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) 5 4 5-inch 4.5-inch straight straight(12024) (12025) 1 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) L R 8 10-inch straight (12014) out. The stark reality is that that has the initial appearance of a sim- 3 O-36 curve, 22.5-degree (12022) 13 5 10-inch 5-inch straight straight (12014) (12024) 1 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) L R 2 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) many of us lack the real estate, ple figure-eight scheme, but look closer. 3 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) 4 13 O-36 curve, 10-inch 11.25-degree straight (12014) (12023) 10 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) Nresources, or time for such an endeavor. You’ll see that the Blue Creek Ry. fea- 3 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) 10 4 O-36 curve, O-36 curve, 45-degree 11.25-degree (12015) (12023) L R R 1 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) But there’s no reason to be disap- tures an overpass rather than a typical 1 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) 1 L 10 O-36 left-hand O-36 curve, track 45-degree switch (12045) (12015) R 1 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) pointed. The process of designing, 90-degree crossing section that limits 1 bumper (12059) 3 R 1 O-36L right-hand O-36 left-hand track track switch switch (12046) (12045) building, and operating a small layout is the length of your trains. 3 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) often more fulfilling than the long In addition to my simple scheme, R grind to completing a large layout! David presents a spread of six other plans that are deceivingly basic. Be sure on the web Small layout smorgasbord to read the annotations – they’ll help Download a template of the Blue Creek Ry. by going to For the purpose of this salute to the you find many of the simple pleasures ClassicToyTrains.com and clicking on “Train Layouts.” And small layout, David Baran and I present associated with building and operating then clicking on “Layout Construction and Wiring.” A large oval with an inner siding and reversing loop will provide plenty of action on this 5 x 8-foot layout. By installing a few track This layout will fit on a single sheet of plywood or foam insulation board and offers a wide variety of options for future expansion. a smorgasbord of compact O gauge a small layout! switches along the reserving loop cut-off, you can add a small yard on the inner loop. Add another sheet of plywood to form an L-shaped railroad that fits nicely into a corner.

46 Classic Toy Trains© 2012 • February Kalmbach 2010 Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.ClassicToyTrains.com Figure-eight schemes can be Room to expand this railroad Scenery and structures for the more than just a gimmick. Here, a comes by way of a spur that runs to railroad should fit the mountain rail- 5½-inch-high overpass helps the edge of the layout. If you have road theme dictated by the tight- L R keep trains in continuous motion, space in the corner of a room, you radius curves and changing eleva- LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS without the peril of operating can easily form an L-shaped pike by tions. Also consider using smaller LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS through a 90-degree crossing adding another 4 x 8-foot board Plasticville structures to make the 2 Quantity Description/Number 5 Quantity Description/Number most of the limited space L R 1 1.375-inch straight (12073) Quantity2 1.375-inch Description/Number straight (12073) R 3 LIONEL 1.75-inch FASTRACK straight (12026)COMPONENTS 3 2 4.5-inch 1.375-inch straight straight (12025) (12073) 6 Quantity 5-inch straight Description/Number (12024) R R 3 3 5-inch 4.5-inch straight straight (12024) (12025) 16 10-inch1 straight 1.375-inch (12014) straight (12073) R R 133 10-inch 5-inch straightstraight (12014)(12024)

4'-0"

8'-0"

C&TT Ry. locomotive-servicing area is a simple yet essential arrange- East tunnel portal ment. Here you’ll find an MTH no. 30-11007 water column used to supply water to the Lionel 0-6-0 steam locomotive

TIMBER TRAIL 4 percent LOGGING CAMP L grade In this company town, the MTH nos. 30-90008 Cascade work house no. 1, 30- Mountain 90010 work house no. 2, L and 30-90037 Elk River R Logging office share B common characteristics. Timber Trail Freight loading ramp The Bachmann no. 1625 R railroad work car is a key structure that serves as L B the camp diner

Add dimension to L the layout by stack- L U ing foam board to Log dump form Cascade L Mountain. L U

Control panel area isn’t large, but it does accommodate a Lionel LIONELWest tunnel FASTRACK portal COMPONENTSCW-80 set transformer, switch controllers, and an Atlas O heavy- Log pond duty connector used to turn lights and accessories on and off Quantity Description/Number LIONEL5 FASTRACK 1.75-inch straight COMPONENTS (12026) 1 R O-36 manual right-hand turnout (12018) Quantity2 4.5-inch Description/Number straight (12025) 2 L O-36 remote left-hand turnout (12045) 2 5-inch straight (12024) 1 U 5-inch uncoupler (12020) 5 1.75-inch straight (12026) 1 R O-36 manual right-hand turnout (12018) 1 10-inch straight (12014) 2 5-inch isolator (12029) 2 4.5-inch straight (12025) 2 L O-36 remote left-hand turnout (12045) 7 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) 1 B 5-inch block section (12060) 2 5-inch straight (12024) 1 U 5-inch uncoupler (12020) 2 1 O-36 10-inch curve, straight 22.5-degree (12014) (12022) 1 2 10-inch 5-inch terminal isolator straight(12029) (12016) 8 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) 1 grade crossing (12036) 7 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) 1 B 5-inch block section (12060) 1 2 O-72 O-36 curve, curve, 11.25-degree 22.5-degree (12055) (12022) 1 1 grade 10-inch crossing terminal with straight ashers (12016)(12062) 2 8 L O-36 O-36 manual curve, left-hand 45-degree turnout (12015) (12017) 3 1 track grade bumper crossing (12059) (12036) 1 O-72 curve, 11.25-degree (12055) 1 grade crossing with ashers (12062) 2 L O-36 manual left-hand turnout (12017) 3 track bumper (12059)

66 Classic Toy Trains© 2012• December Kalmbach 2008 Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.ClassicToyTrains.com TRACK PLAN OF THE MONTH

Industrial mite Small motive power has plenty of room to roam on this 4 x 8-foot O gauge track plan

By Kent Johnson • I llustrations by Kellie Jaeger

n Allegheny, a Big Boy, a Centi- arrival of the Lionel no. 28450 CP Rail motorized unit. But even though I pede, and a DD40X. They make Trackmobile (see Bob Keller’s review in enjoyed operating the Trackmobile up just a sampling of the gar- the July 2011 issue), I was ready and along the K-Line SuperStreets on our gantuan O gauge locomotive rarin’ to start planning a small, yet fully Readers’ Choice layout extension (see Aofferings that have inspired toy train functional, O gauge layout specifically the September 2011 issue), I wondered operators to plan and sometimes build intended for this “Industrial Mite!” if most operators would soon long for a layouts of equally epic proportions. But continuous route. That’s when I chal- how many of us are motivated to “think Down to size lenged myself to design a small layout small” when we’re enamored of a I started sketching this track plan featuring both types of operation. diminutive diesel or slight steamer? with the thought that a basic point-to- Working within the borders of a Although I initially had doubts about point scheme might be the most appro- single 4 x 8-foot sheet of plywood, I this approach, the process of building priate environment for my new favorite included several rail-served industries, a CTT’s recent Readers’ Choice Railroad locomotive/car maintenance facility, a (see February through September 2011 ON THE WEB yard, and a loop of track that permits issues of Classic Toy Trains) helped con- unimpeded operation. Though it would vince me otherwise. After operating Looking for more toy train track plans? have been easy to employ tight-radius Ready Made Trains by Aristo-Craft Subscribers to Classic Toy Trains magazine O-27 track and switches, I instead chose (RMT) “Beep” locomotives on the now have access to more than 100 plans to work with our readers’ favorite Lio- maintained in CTT’s online searchable track 4 x 8-foot O gauge layout, I began to plan database. Find the scheme of your nel FasTrack system. A loop of broader see how a compact layout might com- dreams by visiting ClassicToyTrains.com. O-36 curves and track switches will plement a tiny train. Then, with the extend to the outer edges of the

42 Classic Toy Trains© •2012 May Kalmbach 2012 Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.ClassicToyTrains.com No room for a large operating Lionel no. 12953 accessory? Try adding an The continuous inner loop Linex tanks used Walthers no. 3305 Brook inline or compact animation, Lionel no. 12906 of track provides a place for to represent a Hill Farm Dairy requires such as a Lionel no. 34144 maintenance shed the local train to keep in bulk oil industry daily rail service operating scrap yard or no. constant motion 14145 operating lumberjack

Three-track yard

R L

This route represents a Two pairs of track switches If you’re looking for a busy main line that MTH no. 30-90047 represent points where good bit of work on the connects to points Fairview Feeds railroad, use a Lionel MTH no. 30-90032 trains traveling along beyond the edge of the Fairview Depot provides a place for different paths must cross. Trackmobile to shuttle layout. Simply remove shipping/receiving Locations like this add a freight cars between the one or both track dry goods moderate level of peril and yard and any of the three bumpers to expand intrigue to an otherwise lineside industries the line basic scheme

tabletop, but the ability to run more Of course, the ultimate challenge is standard-sized trains made the decision to perform both jobs at the same time, LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS easier to endure. which is possible if you’ve wired the Quantity Description/Number layout for control using two separate 9 1.375-inch tter (12000X) ‘Round & ‘round or to & fro electrical blocks and a transformer with 3 1.75-inch straight (12026) The Trackmobile is best suited for twin throttles, or you’ve installed a 3 4.5-inch straight (12025) shunting one or two cars from the com- command-control system. 7 5-inch straight (12024) pact, three-track yard to any of the Despite the industrial slant to this O 12 10-inch straight (12014) three distinct industries. By design, it gauge layout, there’s still plenty of can access two of the three industrial opportunity to incorporate passenger 8 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) sidings without traversing the mainline service. Perhaps the simplest option is 2 O-36 curve, 22.5-degree (12022) loop. An operator can make a job out of to add a trolley equipped with a bum- 11 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) swapping empty cars with loaded ones per reverse mechanism. Set it on the 4 L O-36 left-hand manual switch (12017) and then return the unit to the mainte- main line at the front edge of the lay- 5 R O-36 right-hand manual switch (12018) nance facility at the end of the day. out, and you’ve effectively added a third 8 bumper (12059) Next, it’s time for the local job, per- train to the action! If you prefer a more haps led by a small diesel switcher, to versatile mainline people mover, a Budd drop off and pick up freight cars spot- Rail Diesel Car (RDC) from Lionel, ted in the yard. That’s where the contin- MTH, or RMT will be ideal for getting uous operation over the loop of track laborers closer to the industries along comes into play. this not-so-big yet bustling scheme.

www.ClassicToyTrains.com 43 Quick and easy layout projects

12'-0"

12'-0" Plan a room-size figure-8 layout This 12 x 12-foot figure-eight FasTrack plan features a change of elevation and scenery

By Terry Thompson • I llustrations by Kellie Jaeger

ooking for a room-sized layout Any track that’s on a grade is at the To get this much operation into the with space for scenery, room for front of the layout, and all the track space, I needed to include a few O-36 trains to roll, plus a passenger switches (O-36 and O-48) are within curves and design the grade on the depot (or freight yard, if you pre- arm’s reach. There’s one hidden track, inner track of the left-hand loop to Lfer)? Then this 12 x 12-foot O gauge under the town area, but you can easily nearly 4 percent. The other grades are track plan, made with Lionel FasTrack, construct the benchwork to provide more forgiving. may be exactly right for you. access to that track from underneath. The wiring can be nothing more than While the plan forms an L shape, it’s The town area can be built as a four- one transformer with on/off switches for actually a modified figure-eight scheme, track passenger station, a four-track yard, the yard tracks, passing siding, and cut- with an overpass at the center of the or some combination of the two. Use the off tracks. This way you can run two action. The cutoff that runs along the two tracks with the “locomotive escape” trains, although not at the same time. front of the layout lets you run out-and- crossover for arrivals and the other two back, and a passing siding allows for for departures or as your coach yard. Building the layout running one train in both directions or The only way to turn a locomotive is If I were building this layout, I would two in the same direction. About the by using the cutoff track and one of the probably choose an eastern theme and only thing this design doesn’t have is an loops. However, it will be a simple proj- use a hill in the center of the left-hand area that’s filled with accessories, ect to extend the benchwork a bit on loop to add some interest to the scen- although it would be simple to add a the right and to add a turntable, per- ery. Of course, western scenery would few in the rail yard. haps with a roundhouse. work just as well.

44 Classic Toy Trains© • 2012January Kalmbach 2012 Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.ClassicToyTrains.com TRACK PLAN OF THE MONTH

Leave an opening in the Crossover arrangement allows Use these two benchwork and scenery to access locomotive to uncouple from train and tracks for arrivals tracks along the back of the escape via the adjacent track layout

R R L Space permitting, L L layout can be expanded from this location

1 5 ⁄4 inches L Track switches are R all within reach of Overpass the layout perimeter substitutes for 3 percent the crossing grade Potential location used in a Tunnel portal or traditional R for small operating accessories structures disguise track figure-eight An approximate 1 percent routing under yard scheme 4 percent grade grade R

Zero inches LIONEL FASTRACK COMPONENTS Quantity Description/Number 3 1.375-inch straight (12073) 1 1.75-inch straight (12026) 5 4.5-inch straight (12025) 5 5-inch straight (12024) 59 10-inch straight (12014) 2 O-36 curve, 11.25-degree (12023) 1 O-36 curve, 22.5-degree (12022) 8 O-36 curve, 45-degree (12015) Add hill or 2 O-48 curve, 15-degree (16834) mountainside scenery at center of 25 O-48 curve, 30-degree (12043) loop to hide track 1 L O-36 left-hand track switch (12045) from full view 2 R O-36 right-hand track switch (12046) 3 L O-48 left-hand track switch (12065) 4 R O-48 right-hand track switch (12066)

Either way, you’ll have a fun, scenic layout that fits in a space of roughly 100 Five Tips for a more satisfying scheme square feet, leaving nearly 50 square feet of room for a desk and chair – or, To help you understand what makes a Mystery and intrique better still, an easy chair and a TV, so good track plan “good” or a decent 3A continuous loop of track keeps you can watch those trains go by as you scheme even better, here are a few trains in constant motion, but hills, catch the game. layout design factors that I think are tunnels, overpasses, and crossings When you’re ready to start construc- significant. – Kent Johnson help break up the monotony. tion, be sure to review the benchwork tips Room to grow All within easy reach presented in this special section. 1Look for areas on the layout where 4It’s best to keep tracks within arm’s you can either continue the main line reach. On larger layouts, it’s tempting ON THE WEB or extend a yard or spur to include to bend this rule, but it’s never worth Looking for more toy train track plans? new destinations for your trains. the agony in the long run. Subscribers to Classic Toy Trains magazine More places to play Park, pass, and run can now access more than 100 plans main- Adding an operating accessory will Look for plans that have a provision tained in CTT’s online searchable track 2 5 plan database. Find the scheme of your enhance the play value of a layout – for operating a train around one that’s dreams by visiting ClassicToyTrains.com. even when the trains aren’t running! parked – either a yard or siding will do.