My Layout

When I decided to build an operating O gauge layout, the basic aim was to reproduce something like the layout illustrated in the Gilbert booklet put out in 1940 "Railroading with American Flyer".  The drawing is very detailed -- I don't know whether this layout ever actually existed, but it could have.  By counting pieces of track, it's easy to calculate that it would require a table 12 feet square - far more than was available.

In my case there were serious space constraints.  It had to go into the workroom, which was already crowded, so a fold-up system of some sort was needed.  Also, when I'm doing woodworking the air fills with sawdust, so obviously I wanted to avoid having the layout covered with dust.

The first step was to try out a couple of different plans on the floor.

With some modification, it wound up like this:

The folding part of the layout is 4' x 6'8".  The storage shelves in the back turned out to be impractical and were eventually removed.  When folded up, it looks like this:

(Of course, this could be made better looking, but it's in a workroom!)

When folded down, it's supported by the heavy-duty workbench.  The hinges have removable pins, so the layout can be disconnected and pulled forward to allow access to the rear of the layout.

As far as possible, this is supposed to be a 1940-era layout.  All of the equipment is American Flyer, and there's no modern technology involved.

For the track, I followed the recommendations in the booklet for creating "a Tru-Model roadbed".

The control panel is in one corner.  More buttons and switches have been added over the years.

For scenery, I've again followed the booklet as much as possible, given the space limitations.   This part of the booklet was transferred verbatim over into the post-war instruction books.

A cornfield made from corrugated cardboard.

River made from glass painted on underside.

In front, an oil tank made from a cardboard tube.
In the rear, a couple of tenement buildings and a cigar-box storage building.
Also a coal pocket and the 583 Electromatic Crane.
In the air, one of Balbo's Italian flying boats on its way to the Century of Progress.

In front of the station, across from Lake Veronica,
rails from an abandoned interurban line are still in the pavement.

The Graf Zeppelin (from an antique store) passes overhead,
also on its way to the Century of Progress.

With the abandonment of the interurban, we needed motorbus service.