Building a Lionel disappearing layout, using fastrack the layout is 10-feet long and 50 wide using a combination of 36,48, 72 fast track. (5 Modules) I was able to fit the track into the confined space with a little over 4" of clearance under the layout and between the tracks. The incline is steep but modern engines should able to make it with traction tires also Using PVC for the legs with an adjuster nut glued to the pipe.

The mountains will be molded from white foam and is stacked waiting for fiber glassing I will post some photos once I upload them to a server. This will be a traveling layout so the mountain will be made in fiberglass in using the lost foam techniques to conserve weight a method used to make kit car body’s in the 70’s their will also be a super streets incorporated into the layout with some animation a more 21st century version =.

All the modules are done just waiting on a warm day with low humidity to do the fiber glassing then on to completion. As always looking forward to ideas or suggestions as to the D27 Lionel disappearing layout. Has any one else here built a D27 Lionel disappearing layout?

I seem to remember someone on the forum built one of these (or maybe an acquaintance of someone on the forum).

Anyway, I look forward to seeing the pictures of your modern version.

Andy

I've seen three versions, all with tinplate track. Here's another:
http://www.lionellines.com/files/displays/D-27.jpg

Like Andy, I look forward to seeing pics of your Fastrack.

I built this layout and I used tinplate track. I tryed to make it look original as much as I could. I used old Lionel grass as groung cover. Had paint mixed as close as I could to the cream and green.Have fun with it.The original was buit in 3 sections.

Hopefully the new image server is working and you can see the photos of the center module. Then lay out of the track using elevated trestles attached track the modules with 1” dia dowels with #4 X1” screws at the recommended spacing. Cutout the horse shoe shape on foam panel then cut out of luan to be the mountain support underside a couple of downs hold it level then layers of foam to allow clearance for the standard trains limited track radius so figure a 36 radius maybe 40” this makes up the mold for the mountain.

Bryon- Email me your address and I will send you some photos of my layout.

Bryon, that looks like a fun and challenging project. Keep us posted.

stur-it, I've sent you an Email

Doug

This message has been edited. Last edited by: boomer0622,

Looks cool can you list the track or show a track plan. I have always loved the idea.

Can you use this idea to make it seem like the train is going under a City instead of into a tunnel?

I don't see why not a city. The buildings could hide it pretty well.

I always thought it would be a fun trick for a Halloween layout or the Harry Potter magic train.

I have always loved the disappearing layout. I've only seen it on small layouts(which is a great idea when space is limited). It should look really good on a larger layout like you are doing. Thanks for posting the photos. I can't wait to see your finished tunnel.

quote:

Originally posted by Silver Lake:
I don't see why not a city. The buildings could hide it pretty well.

I always thought it would be a fun trick for a Halloween layout or the Harry Potter magic train.

I really want to try it but I havent seen any real trains and how and why it would go under a city.

quote:

Originally posted by collectthem:

quote:

Originally posted by Silver Lake:
I don't see why not a city. The buildings could hide it pretty well.

I always thought it would be a fun trick for a Halloween layout or the Harry Potter magic train.

I really want to try it but I havent seen any real trains and how and why it would go under a city.

Well why would it go under the one mountain on the table? FUN.

I have seen trains go though buildings esp in the built up north east the Acela goes though the Providence place mall. It could also hide in road over passes. I think it is a fun little trick. When it does go though buildings it would be a good idea to cover the windows so no one can see the train through them.

I can see in your post that you haven't seen any real trains? Man you are really missing out.

quote:

I really want to try it but I havent seen any real trains and how and why it would go under a city.

collectthem- any time that you can give the illusion that your train disappeared and them came back(be it going through a tunnel, behind a wall, etc.) adds to the fun and excitement. In this case it can make a small layout appear big because it goes through what looks like a short tunnel but it doesn't come out right away.

I think going under a building sounds like a neat idea. In that case(if the layout is big enough) it would look good if the train entered and came out at 90 degrees. The loop would have to continue more. It would give the illusion that one train entered the building in one area and another train exited on the other side at a different level.

Like Silver Lake said "FUN". You will never get tired of seeing it vanish and then reappear.

Now I can't wait to do this.

Some more construction photos these are the support legs 3/8"x3" carriage bolt 1"x1" dowel 3/8 washer 3/8 nut some table leg tips 1" Adjuster nut. The 1-1/2" PVC is a m/f fitting and end plug center drill the square plug drill a 3/8" hold through the end plug and snug a 3/8 nut into he other end tension fit cover the nut with a cpvc pipe to keep the nut in place using epoxy then glue the end cap on the length of 1-1/2" PVC

The depth of the center modules 7-1/2 cut down 1X10 really should have left at 8” the other modules are 1X6 2 end modules bolt together on each side of the center module 5 total to make it more portable
Will have to make a special cart to move the center module later the center module track is made of fast track lengths of 36.48 & 72 makes a lazy horse shoe shape I refer this as the magic mountain helix

Their is no reason you cant adapt this to other projects really just a return loop to fit according to the information ½ “ elevation for every track piece the one end is number 1 the opposite is track 14

I had a few ideas on some variations of this idea

-#1It would be fun to do this on a layout with two parallel loops so you could have two pacing trains enter the tunnel and only one comes out.

-#2 You could also wire it with block wiring so the train enters the tunnel and triggers a second train already waiting in the tunnel to leave.
-#2 and1/2 If you wanted another trick based on the #2 idea you could assemble two trains that were identical and locked in forward but one train is with an obvious load like logs on flatcars and one without so the loaded train would loop around and on entering the tunnel trigger the second unloaded train to go around and the first would move into the hold section and stop inside the tunnel until again triggered.

#3 The Diabolic Trick Track Tunnel. Install two switches in the tunnel so sometimes the train doesn't disappear. Or you can send a train in and capture it in the hidden loop. Imagine Someone brings their train over or is driving one of yours and the whole thing disappears into the Bermuda Triangle. Very James Bond.

Fun stuff

Daibolic Trick Track:

James Bond? On a Hogwarts layout, one could say dementors or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named took over the layout!

quote:

Originally posted by BryonC_NCOG:

Has any one else here built a D27 Lionel disappearing layout?

Yes, they have.

This version, however, has attempted to copy, as closely as possible, the original D-27 Dealer Layout as constructed
by Lionel in 1950, as a demonstration of the effectiveness of their newly introduced Magne-Traction technology.

      AGTTA 40th Anniversary Lionel D-27 "Disappearing Train" Dealer Display
 

Additional commentary and discussion regarding its construction   can be found here.......  
 

Alan-Very nice,did you get what I sent you?

Wow, a layout that disappears. I could have used one of these in my office before I retired so I could play to relieve stress, yet make it disappear when I had visitors.

Oh! It's the train that disappears! How about putting a time delay in the track section that is under the table so the train takes a minute to reappear. Even better yet, put a siding under the table so you can run opposing trains, The train in hiding appears when the train entering clears into the siding. That would add some excitement to the theme of disappearance.

This is my D-27 that was Built by Toy Trains Unlimited in Dallas, TX
This is the original proto type.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZzBuVIvB5A

Progressing with the fiber glassing over the foam about half done


The disappearing train is the fun part, kids love that kind of stuff plus getting it to work is half the fun.

The original concept was to make use of magnitraction hugs the rails as they say!
Most modern trains with traction tires can pull a fair sized train.

But it is what happens whrn the train goes in the tunnel you expect it to come out, but the train goes and goes just as the caboose is almost in the tunnel the engine comes out fun, fun BryonC

quote:

Originally posted by stur-it:

Alan-Very nice,did you get what I sent you?

Yes.   You have email!  
 

Oh my, This gives me more ideas on changes to my in progress layout.
One of these days I gotta stop looking at these posts as ideas for layout upgrades.

Russell

The tunnel/mountain portion is almost complete. If I did this again I would buy the resin by the gallon like 45 bucks instead of the 12 bucks for 28 oz but that is hind sight, also I recommend that you place the cloth under the foam rather then allowing it to drape over the sides (thought) was to use this lip to blend it into the landscape turns out to be pointless idea :>)

The foam scape I did turned out great with the felt/polyester fabric bought on an internet search 1/8”or so about 3bucks a yard compared to (fiberglass too heavy and awkward)
The instant foam rocks gave the mountain layers that worked great looked kind of weird at first but it did work. I have a couple of seems to hide Bondo and smooth. the excess fiberglass resin (smooth areas) would make nice lakes and small wet spots like ponds or smaller areas of water. The rough areas resin that dried too fast flaky lumps should add contrast over all I am very pleased I will post some more photos shortly after I finish the edges NCOG_BryonC

these photes show the completed tunnel / mountain fiberglassing, did do some triming the roto zip worked great on the fiberglass any loose fabric was another problem

started covering the fiberglass with paint to provide some detail. Will need to get some water effects. Their are some perfect areas for a water detail and some landscaping. the track was removed and the piers shortend 3/4" to allow for adding a fixed platform under the track with a foam sile plate as a roadbed to reduce noise. The track and platform will be secured with #4x 3/4" screws.
more photos coming soon.

Made progress on the modules including wiring. The helix and mountain are complete except for mountain / Tunnel detailing.

I used RV trailer plugs 16 AWG 6 way square with long loops del city in Milwaukee great place for electrical wiring. I also made an isolator between each end of the track see pictures. Red is the helix and black is the remainder of the track. Fastrack is very simple to modify the curve was actually easier then the straight, rather then wiring or soldering to the wiring tab. I used the rail mounting tabs and bent the tabs to solder between. So much easier just make sure you indent the tabs to hold the track in place.

Connected all the modules together 5 A&B and Middle C helix and D&E
Laved out all the Fastrack then marked each section with tape and numbered by module. See the attached pictures

Pictures from the helix wiring, used a 6 way square 16 awg rv trailer plug and connector one shown.

Just to clarify, in the one picture, modifying the Fastrack I show the cut in progress, of course you must cut all the way through between the wiring tabs thus separating them in two. This was like cutting butter with my multipurpose tool as seen on TV a knock off version available at your local tool surplus store :>)

Sorry for the delay in posting updates, we lost a club member to the heavenly express plus a lot of overtime at work traveling. Expect more update in the next week. Semper FI BryonC

quote:

Originally posted by stur-it:
I built this layout and I used tinplate track. I tryed to make it look original as much as I could. I used old Lionel grass as groung cover. Had paint mixed as close as I could to the cream and green.Have fun with it.The original was buit in 3 sections.

Thanks for the kind words, decided to use Fastrack and Super streets to modernize the layout while trying to maintain the same size profile. Had some left over smaller modules that I bolted together to make large modules and made the main helix deeper to allow for the helix height? Should have made it another ½” higher, and 6 “ wider to allow for the super streets. 7-1/2 instead of 7" making the module 8" deep with the top sheeting. but it worked out see the new photos I posted today BryonC

I built this layout about four years ago. I tried to make it look close to what an original as I could.I had the paint mixed and I used old Lionel Grass. I think it came out OK. I still have to do some wiring and tweek the running of it.Just another project I will finish some day.
Bryon your layout looks greay. I had mine at a Mall and the people loved it.

Here are some photos of my D-27.

quote:

Originally posted by Silver Lake:
I had a few ideas on some variations of this idea
-#2 You could also wire it with block wiring so the train enters the tunnel and triggers a second train already waiting in the tunnel to leave.

Wasn't there another Lionel display layout with a different D-# that did just that?



Byron and stur_it, great work and excellent pictures!

quote:

I had mine at a Mall and the people loved it.

Yes, we did

- walt

[QUOTE]Originally posted by stur-it:
I built this layout about four years ago. I tried to make it look close to what an original as I could.I had the paint mixed and I used old Lionel Grass. I think it came out OK. I still have to do some wiring and tweek the running of it.Just another project I will finish some day.
Bryon your layout looks greay. I had mine at a Mall and the people loved it.

Here are some photos of my D-27.
stur-it

Wow, those are great photos. You did a great job, looks like the original. Would have liked to seen these earlier. The Fastrack version is coming along I picked up the super streets yesterday got the prison set with tower and prison bus also a police van operation life saver. Have them chasing each other. Also a Mulligan van and Kline van.

One problem is the small amount of track you get with the set (tiny)
Each radius is about 17 “ across and the width of the two track is about 5”(good) for my narrow strip and is about 66” length overall (dogbane pattern)

Will need some more straights and curves Original idea is to have them intersect the Fastrack. Have to rework that idea. Once I layout the super street pattern I will post more photos BryonC

quote:

Originally posted by pennsyfan:

quote:

Originally posted by Silver Lake:
I had a few ideas on some variations of this idea
-#2 You could also wire it with block wiring so the train enters the tunnel and triggers a second train already waiting in the tunnel to leave.

Wasn't there another Lionel display layout with a different D-# that did just that?



Byron and stur_it, great work and excellent pictures!

Thanks Pennsyfan & Walt rapp good ideas and words
I did see another version with intersecting tracks with different mountain exists and was thinking of doing that one but I would need panel truck instead of my Van, as it was 12 &6? Larger any way still a cool idea BryonC

I agree. Threads like this make train forums rock!

quote:

Originally posted by BryonC_NCOG:

Thanks Pennsyfan & Walt rapp good ideas and words
I did see another version with intersecting tracks with different mountain exists and was thinking of doing that one but I would need panel truck instead of my Van, as it was 12 &6? Larger any way still a cool idea BryonC

Byron,
The other layout that I saw didn't have other exits. It was the same size as D-27; however train A would be positioned in the exit of the tunnel, and not be energized until train B entered the tunnel and stopped clear of the entrance so as not to be seen. When train A exited it would energize train B to allow it to move to the exit. All this is pretty simple wiring; but does depend on evenly matched locos and size/weight of cars.

Here is a link to some construction photos of the D-27 replica that my club, the All Gauge Toy Train Association in San Diego is building. There are four pages so you can click through. They are auctioning it off this fall as part of the 40th anniversary club fund raiser.

http://www.agtta.com/anniversary/anniversary.html

Alan H. the forum member is responsable for the website.

Very nice, seems like their are a few of the disappearing layout being built
Good thing as the kids at the shows love this stuff. Working to finish by early September (19,20,21)for the Steam power show at the SEWAPCS's Fall Harvest Days is held each year at the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Always good to have a deadline

I had to order more super streets stuff to complete the two loops at each end. Once I get the loops in then I can decide where to put all the accessories. My transformer box is designed to hang on the side or front like in the display held on by a wedge cut in a 2x4 And another set of 6 pin & 2 pin molded 16 awg trailer connectors these are great about 3 bucks each with wire loops or lengths BryonC

Some video of the magic mountain
BryonC

http://img198.imageshack.us/my...image=0822091755.mp4
http://img15.imageshack.us/my....image=0822091757.mp4
http://img190.imageshack.us/my...image=0822091942.mp4
http://img18.imageshack.us/my....image=0822091943.mp4