I found this at Walgreen's the other day - a locomotive, caboose and a circle of track packaged on a card for $1.99. With a green locomotive, yellow track and sticky Santa Claus decals, it was enough to make a serious connoisseur of model railroading



But I looked at it and said, "Hmmm, for $1.99, I could make another pizza layout and make the rivet-counters hurl at the same time. It's just too good to pass up!"


When I got it home, I unpacked it and gave it a test run. The locomotive is powered by a AA battery and is controlled by a sliding switch below the cab. It ran pretty well for a cheap locomotive. I figured that the plastic track would not stand up to being put together and taken apart very many times, so I decided the best thing to do would be to stick it down permanently. Before I did that, however, I treated it to a couple of coats of rust colored spray paint. While the paint was drying, I cut out a square foot of laminated board that I had on hand. I used white adhesive caulk to attach the track. Meanwhile, I picked up some half-price Christmas figures from Wal-Mart to populate the layout.

I also removed the decals from the locomotive and caboose and repainted the locomotive. When you take off the decals and paint it a more realistic color, it looks so much better. I haven't decided what to do with the caboose, yet. I'm considering repainting it or reworking it into a tender for the locomotive.

Put everything together and this is what you get...



I envision this as being an amusement park train that somebody bought and set up in their backyard. They've got the barbecue fired up and the girls are singing - must be one of those "get-togethers"!

And, of course, I couldn't resist this...



Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to run. The prototype police are beating down my door!

Neat little set-up, Route 29, and forgive me for asking but is that Fred reading the paper in the outhouse???

Bob/IG

Sure looks like him, doesn't it? He's been in there a long time. Either he's real interested in the paper, or...

Dude!!!!! That even beats my budget.

shaygetz wrote:

Dude!!!!! That even beats my budget.

I'm learning at the feet of the master!

I think it's pretty neat! And yes, that's Fred alrighty. He's reading some of his "Bathroom Literature". It'll be a while before he vacates!

I picked up a little loco like that from Dollar General back in the early 80's. I repainted it and set it on a narrow gauge track on a mine scene. It actually looked pretty good there as long as you didn't look too close.

A couple of years before she passed away my Mom put one of those on a birthday cake for me. It ran good until the icing gummed it up. Since I don't put a whole lot of stock in my birthday I was "plum tickled" with it. But the best was yet to come...she handed me a small wrapped box and inside was a Sunset K27!!!

And yep that is Fred in the outhouse...no one else would be so blatant as to leave the door open!!! I think that the cookout that's going on on the other side was canceled due to "air pollution"!!

I like that

Thanks, Guyz! Thankfully, the festivities are upwind of the outhouse, otherwise many appetites would no doubt be lost. However, in consideration to Fred's condition, I thought it best to add this sign:



I also posted a video of the layout in operation:
Squarefoot Hoedown

Hey that train is so fast it made the curtains wiggle too!

1charlie1 wrote:

:insane: Hey that train is so fast it made the curtains wiggle too!

Thanks, Charlie! Actually, it was the cats, but it makes a neat effect!

I added some Christmas decorations and made another video. The railroad had a little accident which was caught on camera!

Merry Christmas!

ROFL! And what a cool little LO you made outa a sows ear! Dang Fred, what's that I smell through my speakers?

oh man that's great! I'm with Jon, cool layout with minimal effort and cost. My little nieces and nephews would just love it!

Baked Beans