TRAIN TIME: Progress on The New Layout

While progress on the new train layout has been slow, some positive steps forward were taken during the past couple of weeks. If you remember I dismantled my old 3-rail O-gauge train layout last year. It took what seems like forever to pull out the tables I didn't want (the old layout consisted of five separate tables/filler pieces all connected to for an inverted 'U' shape), get rid of the large scenery pieces, and pull the two remaining tables together to form an 'L'. This newer, smaller layout still needed work as the surviving tables needed sanding, hole filling, more sanding, and painting. (see photos). Well keep you up-to-date as time permits. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

This table had the large Styrofoam block attached to it with glue. That Styrofoam is what formed the basis of the Plateau on the old Marxville and Plateau layout. Now the glue had to be scraped off and screw holes filled in.

Getting ready to paint the table top. That 1 gallon container of paint is the same one I used five years ago to paint the Plateau! It's a medium brown paint and was still in great condition after all those years just sitting. It's Wal-Mart brand BTW

I used the other section of the layout for storage while this was being painted

Next up...

Done!

My first thought was to set up a temporary track arrangemt on this leg of the 'L'...

8' (243.84cm) x 33" (83.82cm)

...but then I changed my mind because this leg is bigger

9 1/2' (289.56cm) x 44" (111.76.cm)

I wanted to set these up on the layout just to see once and for all how they look alongside toy trains

The signal bridges connect the backdrops to the foredrops but won't work with the plastic roadbed on Marx 0-27 track

So I replaced the track on the curve with standard track

The scenery is in place

Just enough clearance between panels to allow trains to run

My Built-Rite Business Block has a messed up base. The bottom of the set box serves as a base for the buildings but most of the side pieces on mine were missing...

...so I quickly built a balsa wood frame for the block to rest on

AND THEN, I started playing with trains

Built-Rite Business Block Pt 2

SURPRISE! Last week I said I only had a partial Business Block and was only able to feature pieces 1, 3, and 5. Toys & Stuff is happy to bring you the remaining sections: piece 2, 4, and the base. Many Many Thanx to Eric for the high-res scans of the remaing pieces!!!!  Eric states that the measurements for the base are: 397 x 235 mm or 9.25 x 15.6 inch. That should give you a baseline to make your own version of  The Block. I'd like to say that this completes the 1930s series of Built-Rite buildings but it really won't be complete until I build The Block and photograph it, but Heaven knows when that'll happen. Hey, something to look forward to right? :-) So without further ado here we go - Enjoy!

Piece No. 2 Front

Piece No. 2 Back

Roof

Base

Built-Rite Business Block - Partial Set

I've posted before about how hard it is to acquire a complete Built-Rite Business Block. The last time I bid on one over at fleaBay the darn thing went for about $250! GEEZ! That's w-a-y outta my league. That being said, it is after all the star in the Built-Rite series of buildings from the 1930s and is a very desirable piece. 

I've noticed that over the past couple of years there have been a number of loose ends on the blog - series of toys I just never finished, diorama's I said I would make and then didn't, etc., so perhaps today will be a small step towards tying up one of those loose ends by presenting the few pieces of the Business Block I do have. It'll also be a starting point for those interested in trying to make their own repo of this fascinating structure. I am confused about one thing though. The back of piece 5 shows the exploded view diagram of the structure and it clearly lists only five pieces: 2 long walls, 2 short walls, 1 roof piece. So where does the base come in? There is in fact a base to this and it should have been listed as Piece No. 6. As usual, because of the length of the pieces, hey had to be scanned in multiple parts so the walls are divided into a left, middle, and right. Perhaps one day I'll own a complete building to photgraph and - Enjoy!



CORRECTION (21 Jun 5:30PM EST) - The scans of Piece 1 middle and right have been replaced.  When cropping the scans I omitted one of the stores!! Geez, the economy is bad enough without me putting  a business out of work  :-)

Thanx to Eric for noticing the error!

Piece 1 Front

Piece 1 Back

Piece 3 Front

Piece 3 Back

Piece 5 Front

Piece 5 Back