Exhibition Layout design - any tips?

[Heppeng]

I am planning a modest 12V based layout that I intend to take to model railway shows and the like. I have the basic idea in place, and knowledge of OO/HO type set ups, but lego is just a whole new ball game! The layout features models from the 7740 to the Horizon express. The railway station is the main central feature, which comprises of two through lines, flanked by two loops serving the platforms either side like this:

Actually thats quite an old photo, (must take some more!) it now includes a bricklinked 2150 station building as well as being extended to take a six car Horizon express but hopefully you get the idea. The station would be towards the front of the layout, with a road running behind along which will be a row of modulars as a backdrop. The track consists of two circuits that form a double track with one train running in each direction, whilst another waits at the platform. I also have a harbour area with some sidings for a freight train made up from 7794 and 4645 to include also! I am anticipating having an operating area to stand in the middle of the circuit, with the harbour area behind.

Now on a HO/OO layout almost all things would tend to be permanently attached to baseboards which would then be bolted together to form the layout. With lego I expect that this would not be practical, espesially for the modular buildings which would need to be packed seperately and whole.

But what about the track? the sleepers come with holes so that they could be screwed down, so I guess anything from laying the tracks and buildings out on plain 6'x2' tables, perhaps with a cloth/felt cover, to purpose built baseboards is possible.

On the one hand lego is specifically designed with building/dismantling in mind, but on the other I don't want to spend hours assembling the layout!

So whats the collective wisdom about taking lego train layouts to shows, and any good do's/don'ts?

[baard]

Hello

There are a lot of factors that affect layout setup, but given that you will do the whole thing by yourself I think that the more modular you can make the layout ready, the easier it will be to assemble the layout.

Time consuming factors assembling the layout at the site are: modules that dismantle in transport, electric wiring enabling the layout to work properly, trial and error at the actual site (everything works fine at home and then....), the amount of detail you strive for (i.e. are there many minifigures that will inhabit your layout, what will they be doing, vehicles etc., etc).

IMO packing modules in bubble wrap surrounded by gladpack works well to avoid breakage in transport (you dont need tape and can reuse the packing materials), tools and materials to correct/repair tables at the site, tape and a good spirit will take you a long way in getting ready for a show.

If you are planning a layout with others, multiply time consume with 2...

Cheers,

Baard

[zephyr1934]

Any sane person would never do a public show (grin). Seriously though, there is a lot of things to consider. For your first time out I would suggest to keep your aspirations low, e.g., just the loops of track and rolling stock. I've seen very simple layouts (trains, track, table) and insanely complex layouts (all the modules have custom boxes and they fit together just so). For a nice looking town scene the detailing can take more than half of the setup time.

If you have time, you can do a practice dry run in your house. Make a detailed list of everything you need (it really sucks to show up at a show and discover you don't have enough curved track... I say knowingly), then bring a supply of spare parts to make on-site repairs, etc.. After you've done it once you'll have a list of tweaks to do next time.

[Andy Glascott]

My last layout (and next when I complete my house move) was largely 12v and across 4 modules. I used double-sided carpet tape to stick Lego baseplates to the chipboard base for each section (96 studs wide) and made sure the track sections lined up with the edges of the boards. It's incredibly strong stuff, the sections could be tilted through 90 degrees without anything falling off.

Lining up and connecting the sections is tricky with 12v; I used 1x8 plates at the end of each track section instead of the regular sleepers/ties and it's easier to take the connecting 12v power track out, connect the sections and then replace the power track.

When it comes to powering the sections for 12v adding signals, points etc just adds to the challenge but it can be done. I kept all the extras to two modules in the middle and built in all the control switches etc to the layout, that way I only had to add a 12v transformer to it on the day. It took me about 90 minutes to put it al together for the one exhibition I've done so far but needed 2 of us to transpoirt each section (I had bespoke cardboard boxes made for the sections to store it at home).

There are Brickshelf pics of the build and some details I've referred to here at this link.

[Heppeng]

Many thanks for the tips! I suspect running a lego railway single handedly at a show will be a piece of cake compared to what i have done before*. I think I will probably go 'semi modularised' - key sections of track mounted on boards, with the rest added to suit. I am also looking for tables to put it on - something like this perhaps?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cd6722874

*Single handedly running an O gauge Live steam railway at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Five consecutive days, around 6 hours steaming per day, and the loco's needed constant attention and monitoring whilst running unlike electric! I was knackered at the end - as were the engines!! See here!

[zephyr1934]

Those tiny live steamers are great