Club Layouts & Facility

The Houston Tinplate Operators Society (HTOS) has always maintained an operating layout. We are fortunate to have had space made available to us by several of the area malls.

The original club layout was created by each member building and designing a module of 47-3/8 inches long by 36 inches wide. This allowed for one whole Lionel long O straight and two connecting standard O straight tracks that overlapped onto the next module. Each module was required to have three main lines of standard Lionel O-Gauge tubular track. If a club member wanted to do more, this limited space and the geometry of sectional track constrained most members to just a stub siding or a small passing siding on their modules. If a member had more than one module, they could deviate from the standard track placement as long as the entry/exit lines were back on standard placement. Aside from the placement of rail line entry/exits, each member was free to create his/her own domain. Later design changes introduced the allowed usage of Gargraves track and switches. This gave a little more design freedom, but all tracks were on one grade, and most modules consisted of little more than straight thru trackage.

The club built and maintained four corner segments consisting of 88 inch, 80 inch and 72 inch diameter curves in Gargraves track, and was used to tie all the member segments into one large oval layout. For train shows, some layout segments would be chosen, removed from the layout along with the the corner segments, and re-assembled on the show floor. This practice had several problems:

• Each module segment was usually unique in style and construction.
• The main layout was unable to be operated with so many sections missing.
• The key corner sections also had to be removed for the shows.
• Getting a layout up and running for shows was an extreme chore.

Later, in 1993, one of our members decided to create a set of modules to become a large yard. A special club segment was created to connect the yard entry, and could only be placed on one end of the layout. The layout at that time consisted of over thirty modules, and eight modules containing the yard lines.

Setting up our old modular layout was getting to be such a chore for train shows that it was taking eight, or more hours to set up, and, at times, just to get one line running. Realizing that moving and setting up for shows was so bothersome, one of our members came up with a suggestion: Create a separate layout, make it interesting, but simple. Design it from the start to be a portable layout and take that layout to shows. Most members thought that this was a great idea, and plans were proposed by several members. Construction of the portable layout was started in 1994.

In September 1995, the Town and Country mall management decided to rent the space we were occupying. We had to disassemble our club layout and arrange for storage. Unfortunately the yard sections were not complete and most of the track on them was not fixed down. As a result, the yard had to be completely dismantled. In fact, a great deal of the layout modules, some disconnected for the first time for this move, ended up getting damaged either by the disconnection, or the move to storage. The mall finally gave us a new smaller space just days before we were scheduled to move out. Our choice was limited and this space was about 1/10th of our original area.

Lucky for us, our portable layout was mostly functional by this time, but not complete. As a result, it became our primary layout during this time. The downside was, during shows, we now had no layout available for public mall days. Another problem for some members was that some of the motive power they owned would not run on the regular O gauge, 31 inch curves that were used on our portable layout.

It was decided that we would select some existing modules and try to create a new, smaller layout to fit this constrained space. Since we were starting basically from scratch, we thought it would be interesting to design a more complicated, eye pleasing, and operationally interesting layout. To do this meant abandoning our 'modular' concept. This seemed like a good time to make the break. Some of the damaged modules could be stripped and started over. New members that were coming in did not have modules, and everybody thought that a more interesting layout could be achieved.

Today, our club operates two layouts: The smaller portable layout we take to train shows and special events, and the much larger permanent layout that we are still in the process of building.

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The Permanent Layout

The permanent club layout, as we call it, is a basic construction unit table. To this basic table width have been added some 'sidecars' to make each existing table one foot wider. While not really designed to be taken apart, we have insured that we can break the layout up into the individual tables for moving.

The current club main layout has its initial roots in our old modular layout. The original basic table size and height were carried over to the new layout.

We had the following design elements in mind for creating the new club layout:

• Gargraves track is used exclusively, with Curtis, Ross or other compatible turnouts.
• Concept was to have it be a more of a HI-RAIL design.
• Attempt more scale scenery and design.
• Some automation of operation was desired.
• Ability to run in an 'Operations' mode to give a more prototypical feel to the layout operation.
• Have a more interesting track plan by having unique modules that only fit one way.

Our new club layout has been a real challenge for our members, and to get it to its current state has taken a little over a year. This layout stays at our main club location. For shows we now take our smaller portable layout.

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The Portable Layout

The portable layout, as we call it, is 13' wide by 19' long. It breaks up into ten (10) smaller tables. Each table is one of three sizes:

• Seven modules of 6 1/2 feet long by 3 feet wide.
• Two modules of 7 feet long by 3 feet wide.
• One module of 3 1/3 feet long by 3 feet wide.

Each table is able to be paired up with another table module and bolted into some specially designed carts for moving. We have designed the smaller portable layout with the following features in mind:

• Concept was to have it be a showcase for Lionel equipment.
• All mainline track is standard 'O' gauge Lionel tublar track.
• Additional elevated and special trolley track is O27 Lionel track.
• Each table module would be able to fit in the back of a Ford Explorer in the long direction for easy transport.
• Able to be assembled and disassembled easily by two people.
• All modules must be as light as possible.
• All track, except that which spans tables is fixed.
• Some major senic elements are also fixed.
• Fixed elements must not be so tall as to interfere with the table pair when bolted to our carrying carts.

Our portable layout has been a real challange for our members. It has taken a little over three years to build. As with any layout, there are some design flaws that we wish we could change. The table tops are only 3/8 inch plywood. As a result, the light table has a tendency to vibrate more when running trains and makes it louder than we would like.