The Lionel FasTrack 5′ x 8′ Version 1 plan packs a lot of operating action into a small space by incorporating into the design 2 yard tracks, a reverse loop and a passing siding.

Bring this plan to life with the addition of an industry to the upper left section near the sidings, a small town or tunnel in the upper right area and a passenger platform along the main-line or passing siding at the bottom of the plan.  A Christmas tree stand will may fit within the reversing loop making this layout a candidate for placement under the Christmas tree.

The Lionel FasTrack 5′ x 8′ Version 2 plan packs a lot of operating action into a smaller space like the 5′ x 8′ Version 1 plan but incorporates an additional storage siding and expands the space between the passing siding and main-line to accommodate larger buildings or operating accessories.

As shown in the 3D depiction of this plan on the right, the addition of a mountain tunnel, a yard tower, a warehouse, station platforms and 2 Lionel operating accessories brings this plan to life.  The operating accessories shown in the foreground are Lionel’s Sawmill (Lionel product # 6-24147) on the left and Lionel’s Log Loader (Lionel product # 6-24115) on the right.  The PRR switch tower near the mountain tunnel is by MTH (MTH product # 30-9031).  The 3 passenger platforms just beyond the operating accessories are MTH Railking Passenger Platforms (MTH product # 30-9006) and the warehouse adjacent to the siding is MTH’s Thomas & Son’s Feed & Supply Warehouse (MTH  product # 30-90024).

Two train operation is possible on both of these 5′ x 8′ layouts using Lionel’s Classic Command Control or Legacy systems (using Locomotives equipped for these systems) or by using a less expensive isolated “block” system with a conventional transformer.   In both plans the isolated blocks are created using 2 methods.  The center rails of the track sections highlighted in RED are cut using a Dremel tool.   The track sections highlighted in GREEN are 1.375 inch track sections (FasTrack 12073) with the center jumper under the tracks removed.

For the beginner, the estimated MSRP total for all the track sections required to build these layouts may be a shock.  The reality is any O Gauge plan incorporating a number of remote switch tracks into the design will have a hefty price tag.  Those on a tight budget can build this plan in stages by eliminating the yard sidings and reverse loop from the initial build then adding them later.  An O Gauge model railroad project is one to be enjoyed over time so building a plan in stages is an entirely acceptable approach.

Downloadable track plans:

• Lionel FasTrack for 5′ x 8′ Version 1
• Lionel FasTrack for 5′ x 8′ Version 2

This Club is named to honor America’s railroad conductors, a well known and unique railroad profession….

The RMT® CONDUCTORS CLUB will be a yearly membership and includes for 2010, depending upon enrollment date, a special CC edition railcar available only to club members. Membership is open now and the special edition car will be available by Spring 2010. 2010 MEMBERSHIP cost is only $49.95…

The 2010 railcar offered is from original 1950’s era KUSAN flatcar tooling, upgraded with additional details…diecast metal trucks/couplers including a unique BEEP® diesel body load + BEEPeople® conductor figure. The flatcar load commemorates RMT®’s first offering…the BEEP® diesel. This special edition will be offered for sale only to clubmembers and is not listed on the RMT website.

The first 100 members for 2010 will be charter members and will receive their railcar with a unique ‘1 of only 100′ BEEP® CONRAIL body load.

View all the details of the club here.

The Figure 8 plan is a classic track configuration for small spaces.   The Basic Figure 8 and Figure 8 Plus layout plans are great next step options for expanding your railroad empire.

The Basic Figure 8 plan for Lionel FasTrack is perfect for a 4′ x 8′ panel of wood and makes a great starting point for later expansion as larger layout plans will incorporate the Basic Figure 8 as a design element for reversing loops.  Lionel offers a FasTrack Figure 8 Add-On Track Pack with everything needed to turn the oval of FasTrack included in Lionel starter sets into the Basic Figure 8.  Use this plan as a Christmas Tree layout by placing the tree stand in the center of one of the loops.

The Figure 8 Plus plan for Lionel FasTrack builds upon the Basic Figure 8 plan by incorporating 4 O36 switches into the design turning a Figure 8 into a double reversing loop.  While adding 4 switches (remote or manually controlled) adds significantly to the budget needed to build this plan, the added action will make running your trains much more interesting.  Like the Basic Figure 8 this plan is a great base for future expansion.  The double reversing loop is a design element found in many larger track plans.

Downloadable track plans:

• Basic Figure 8 for 4′ x 8′ Lionel FasTrack
• Figure 8 Plus for 4′ x 8′ Lionel FasTrack

Building your first Christmas layout?  Be sure to check out these posts:

• How To Build A Train Platform
• Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 1
• Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 2

After reading the page I grabbed my laptop and headed over to www.mthtrains.com to take in the new site.  Unfortunately I was presented with the same old slow, poorly designed site.  Ok, I thought, maybe one of MTH’s other domain names is pointing to the new site.  No luck.  Lets hope the site depicted on the back of the catalog is on its way some day soon.

…we’re making the program as easy to implement as possible.

This 2009 coupon will be available on the Lionel website - www.lionel.com - starting Tuesday, October 20.  To take advantage of the offer, here’s all consumers have to do:

• Print the coupon from the website
• Fill out the coupon with your name and mailing address
• Send in the completed coupon along with the original receipt from an authorized Lionel dealer that identifies the product purchased and its price to:

Lionel 2009 Rebate Program
26750 Twenty-Three Mile Road
Chesterfield, MI 48051

• The coupon will apply to the over 100 new items listed in the Lionel 2009 Volume 2 catalog. (Applicable products will be clearly listed on the Lionel website.)

Check out the entire rebate offer announcement at Lionel.com

The Twice Around the Tree plan is a popular layout for small spaces and as the name implies a great layout that fits nicely around a Christmas tree.  At 5X6, it has no turnouts and low cost.  It’s extremely low maintenance, great for being placed on the floor if you use Lionel FasTrack or MTH Realtrax and the perfect next step for expanding the single loop of track included with O Gauge starter sets.  The addition of a few Lemax or Department 56 buildings and accessories will make this layout come to life.

Twice Around the Tree is available for all the popular O Gauge track systems.  If you’re on a tight budget try the Lionel O31 (O Gauge)  or Lionel O27 tubular track plans.  Tubular track is less expensive but you may find you need to mount it on a platform, especially the Lionel O27 track.  Choose a plan below and get working on placing this classic O Gauge layout under the Christmas tree.

• Twice Around the Tree - Lionel FasTrack
• Twice Around the Tree - MTH Realtrax
• Twice Around the Tree - Lionel O31
• Twice Around the Tree - Lionel O27

For more info on the popular types of O Gauge track for small layouts check out the Track section of Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 2.

Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive 1925 - 1942 HSL is pleased to announce the third release in the Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive Series.  This “prewar era” release contains 31 consumer catalogs including all regular and mini versions.  A Bonus Section contains many prewar catalog mailing envelopes and two dealer trade price brochures.  The archive consists of high quality scans of every page of every catalog woven together with easy-to-use HTML-based software.  A searchable table of contents allows you to search for engine and set names and numbers and other catalog sections.  Noted Lionel historian, Bill Schmeelk, provides an introduction entitled, “Lionel Trains - On Track and Full Steam Ahead!”  The CD-ROM will work on PC and Mac-based machines.  The LCCDA 1925 - 1942 is available directly from HSL for $50 + $5 s/h (www.hslinc.com or 800-779-2802 or HSL / 200 University Park Dr. — Suite 240 / Edwardsville, IL  62025-3636).

Lionel Postwar Service Manual Digital Archive HSL is also pleased to announce the Lionel Postwar Service Manual Digital Archive.  This product provides high-quality scans of Lionel’s original Service Manual pages that were distributed to Lionel Approved Service Stations (including parts/price lists).  Organized in the same manner as the original Service Manual, the archive contains the following sections:  locomotives, tenders, E-units, smoke generators, operating and non-operating cars, accessories, switches, RCS, lamps, trucks, transformers, HO, race sets, phonographs, and Helios 21.  The archive is searchable by item number or description and individual pages my be printed.  A Bonus Section contains many Lionel Service Bulletins and Sheets and examples of the Lionel Herald.  Noted Lionel historian, Bill Schmeelk, provides an introduction entitled, “The Lionel Service Network - Lionel’s Key to Customer Satisfaction”  The CD-ROM will work on PC and Mac-based machines.  The Lionel Postwar Service Manual is available directly from HSL for $50 + $5 s/h (www.hslinc.com or 800-779-2802 or HSL / 200 University Park Dr. — Suite 240 / Edwardsville, IL  62025-3636).

A new series of track plan posts will launch on OGaugeWatch.com just in time for the holiday model train season.  The track plans will range from simple to complex, mostly for the popular Lionel FasTrack O Gauge track system.  First up will be a classic Twice Around the Tree plan for various O Gauge track systems.  All the plans in the series will be available as a downloadable PDF complete with at track “shopping list”.  The track plans will be released throughout the month of November so stay tuned.

If you’re new to O Gauge and building your first layout this Christmas check out these posts:

How To Build A Train Platform

Building Your First Christmas Layout Pt. 1

Building Your First Christmas Layout Pt. 2

Lance is back in the Middle East for another tour and he and his unit are stationed in Afghanistan building an airstrip.  Walter with the help of other O Gauge companies has arranged for another layout to be sent to the Seabees.  The accommodations for the Seabees are a far cry from what they had in Iraq so space is a premium.  This year’s layout will only be 30″ by 48″.

So how can you help?  You may feel compelled to donate some train items for the layout but since the layout is so small there isn’t a need for that.  Instead, Walter is asking for you to show your support by sending the Seabees a Christmas card and he will make it very easy for you to do so.   All you have to do is send your Christmas cards and notes to Walter and he will take care of getting them to the Seabees in Afghanistan.

Send your Christmas cards (no packages please) to:

US NAVY Seabee Lance
c/o Ready Made Trains, LLC
P.O. Box 173
Bloomsbury, NJ 08804

Cut off date for your card to arrive at RMT®’s Bloomsbury, NJ address is no later than November 30, 2009. Cards and notes will be packed up unopened and sent off by Priority Mail to Afghanistan to arrive by Christmas.

Please take a moment to make this holiday season a little brighter for the brave soldiers volunteering to serve and protect our country.  A big thanks to Walter for coordinating this effort.

Atlas O announced the release of a Wisconsin & Southern pink “Fight against cancer” double door box car.  The box car is a replica of the actual Wisconsin & Southern boxcar.  Atlas O also announced donations in the amount of $500 each to the following organizations:

• American Cancer Society,http://www.cancer.org
• American College of Obstetricians, http://www.acog.org
• Breast Cancer Network of Strength, (formerly Y-NE), http://www.networkofstrength.org
• Men Against Breast Cancer, (MABC)http://www.menagainstbreastcancer.org
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure, http://ww5.komen.org

The product run of the Atlas O pink boxcar is sold out.