Rob’s been back in touch with his Lionel O Gauge trains:

“Hi Al,

Thanks for posting my corner cliff last week. The comments from the gang are all appreciated. Nice to know you’re doing something right.

Lot’s of questions were posted so I’ll try to do my best to respond.

First some history- I grew up in the 60’s-70’s with HO trains. My father had Lionel Tin-plate trains that we would set up occasionally. He built me a decent size HO layout when I was 8. I could run 2 trains and had a nice 5-track yard.

When I was a little older, we took this layout down and built a larger 12×8. We moved when I got out of High School and the trains got packed away, never to see a layout again. I’ve kept a few of my Rivarossi steam engines that I still run occasionally. I always had a loop under the Christmas tree each year.

I started building this layout 10 years ago this month. It took serious negotiation with the CEO but she has tolerated my obsession gracefully. Yes- 4×8 is small for any layout, especially O gauge, but I’m making the best of it.

My original plan was to incorporate some of Lionel’s classic operating accessories but my track plan and lack of space didn’t allow for them. I’m an operator, and enjoy doing switching operations, but I also like to sit back and let them run while enjoying a nice single-malt scotch.

O gauge and O scale are two different animals. Most people hear Lionel and think of the Post-war toys that many of us grew up with. Most of these are compressed and not true 1:48 scale. Modern O scale builders have joined the industry over the years further growing the hobby. I’m running both PW conventional, and modern trains. Also running Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS systems.

Since my layout is basically done (yea- no layout is ever done), I started to expand into engine builds and upgrades. I’ve added electronics to conventional locos and also modernized older command engines with the newer version boards. Lionel developed a Lionchief line several years ago that uses a Bluetooth communication system to control an engine. No added hardware besides a remote, or any smartphone/ tablet via their Cab 3 app.

Back to the layout. I had never done much scenery on my old HO layouts so I’ve really enjoyed the adventure this time around. My background as an electrical contractor certainly has helped as the layout has developed. I don’t have room for many buildings given the space, but I’ve squeezed in one or two. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I love your printed buildings and have used several on the layout.

First a full shot of the layout. Part of my real estate negotiations with the CEO was to win the air right over the file cabinets.

Factory siding (the background building flats are your paper prints)

Team Track- someone had asked about the retaining wall – also paper prints on cardstock.

Passenger Platform and Yard

Yard office- I repurposed an old Lionel caboose

Yard stuff

Corners are always a challenge. The rear left corner was particularly challenging since I had to climb on and over the layout to work on it. I built most of it as a diorama and then installed it on the layout. The retaining walls are also paper prints, I gave them some depth by adding balsa timbers. The hill is made from more rigid foam, covered with plaster cloth and scenic’d

Finally- the upper level. I built a girder bridge using Lionel bridge girders. I added a signal bridge that’s controlled by an infra-red sensor (Lionel 153-IR) on the right, that changes the aspect from red to green as a train approaches. I did some weathering with various powders on the girders and accessories. The center section is removable to access the main level tracks below.

MOW crew is on the job too.

This was a platform cutout that a switch sat on in my original track plan. Good spot for a couple of signal boxes.

That’s about it Al.

Thanks for all you do to keep the Blog running.

Bob from New York, USA.”

A huge big thanks to Bob for sharing his O gauge lionel trains.

I do love an update – and if you want to see his last post, it’s here:

4×8 O gauge layout.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you grab the bull by the horns, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.