Copyright 2002 T. Sheil & A. Sheil  All Rights Reserved

All Gauge Model Railroading Page

Fun Action Layouts for Standard Gauge

5' by 9' track plans

Reproductions of Tinplate and Standard gauge equipment has opened a whole new realm to the hobby. With Standard gauge within reach of many more people, there is small but steady growth in the large tinplate trains.  The layouts shown here make the best use of track ,scenery and action accessories to provide a classic railway that is fun to run.

Why are these layouts sized at 5' by 9'?  In the old days, the 4' by 8' plywood sheet was not standard.  Plywood was a very new concept then.  Many model railroaders used ping pong tables as benchwork.  The size of the ping pong table is why so many older layouts are sized at a "regulation" 5' by 9'.

Be aware that the availability of accessories may change.  Popular accessories are usually reissued.  However, any accessory shown here can be replaced by another one.

This simple railway served both freight and passengers  You can have a lot of fun with this one! (12) Standard gauge straight (15) Standard gauge curve, 42in (4) Standard gauge Lionel #210L turnout (4) Standard gauge Lionel #210R turnout (2) Standard gauge cut straight (2) Standard gauge half-straight (2) Standard gauge #25 illuminated bumper (1) Standard gauge ½ curve, 42in	(1) Lionel® 32996 #362 barrel loader (1) Lionel® 49807 #752 seaboard coaler (1) Lionel® 12713 gate man and shed (1) Lionel® 12734 passenger/freight station (1) Lionel® 2133 freight station (1) Lionel® 12731 station platform (2) Lionel® 2129 freight station (1) MTH 10-1160 #165 magnet crane (2) MTH 30-1080 #47 double crossing gate (1) MTH 10-1096 #87 railroad crossing (1) MTH 30-1036 #69N warning bell (1) MTH 30-1094 operating street clock
Classic tinplate and oversize structures make for a fascinating action railway (12) Standard gauge straight (11) Standard gauge curve, 42in (7) Standard gauge curve, 72in (2) Standard gauge half-straight (2) Standard gauge MTH St-72 lefthand turnout (5) Standard gauge Lionel #210R turnout (2) Standard gauge ½ curve, 42in (1) Standard gauge medium-straight (5) Standard gauge #25 illuminated bumper .	(1) Lionel® 12892 automatic gateman (1) Lionel® 12713 gate man and shed (1) Lionel® 2323 operating freight station (1) Lionel® 14152 #133 station (2) Lionel® 12731 station platform (1) Lionel® 49807 #752 seaboard coaler 1 (1) Lionel® 12728 freight station (1) Lionel® 32905 Lionel factory (1) MTH 10-1160 #165 magnet crane
This railway makes good use of available tinplate accessories that are large enough to accommodate Standard gauge. (11) Standard gauge straight (12) Standard gauge curve, 42in (3) Standard gauge medium-straight (3) Standard gauge Lionel #210L turnout (5) Standard gauge Lionel #210R turnout (1) Standard gauge ½ curve, 42in (4) Standard gauge #25 illuminated bumper (6) Standard gauge half-straight	(1) Lionel® 32921 #96 coal loader (1) Lionel® 12915 log loader (1) Lionel® 14152 #133 station (2) Lionel® 2323 operating freight station (1) Lionel® 2129 freight station (1) Lionel® 2133 freight station (1) Lionel® 2125 whistling freight shed (2) Lionel® 12731 station platform (1) Lionel® 12748 illuminated station platform (1) MTH 10-1160 #165 magnet crane (1) MTH #437 switch tower (1) MTH #436 power house (1) MTH #438 switch tower
Here you get another variation which fits trolleys alongside freight trains. (16) Standard gauge curve, 42in (6) Standard gauge straight (4) Standard gauge medium-straight (2) Standard gauge Lionel #210L turnout (6) Standard gauge Lionel #210R turnout (5) Standard gauge half-straight (2) Standard gauge #25 illuminated bumper (1) Standard gauge ½ curve, 42in (1) Standard gauge cut straight	(1) Lionel® 32921 #96 coal loader (1) Lionel® 12915 log loader (1) Lionel® 14152 #133 station (2) Lionel® 2129 freight station (1) Lionel® 2133 freight station (1) Lionel® 2125 whistling freight shed (1) Lionel® 12713 gate man and shed (1) Lionel® 2156 station platform (1) Lionel® 49807 #752 seaboard coaler (1) MTH 10-1160 #165 magnet crane (1) MTH #437 switch tower (1) MTH #436 power house (1) MTH #438 switch tower

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