79 Year Old Builds O Gauge Train Layout

January 19, 2010

Franks sent in this story and photos for publication:

Building a lay out for my O Gauge train set seemed an impossible task. However, when I purchased the set, in the box was a brochure entitled “Rail Road in a Box.” Wow this was something I knew I could do. I called the company and asked a lot of questions and decided to purchase the plans. The plan came in full sized sheets that you laminated on 17 sheets of 32x40x3/16 core board. You cut out the pieces and assemble. It takes some doing. But I found it to be worth the effort. Of course I am 79 yrs old and retired.  From then on it’s kind of up to your imagination. Mountains, lakes, town etc. I had my moments.


The lay out is two levels layout. Starting at the lower level it goes up a grade through a mountain to the second level. It then switches to go around a small town switches back on to the main track goes through a second mountain down a grade to the first level where it switches to go through a mountain pass and back to where you started. All this within a space of  40 x 64 inches. And you can run two trains at the same time.

Now they try and tell you it’s so easy a kid can do it. To that I say - I’D RATHER DO IT  MYSELF. Now all of you may not have a sweet wife who allows you to build it in the living room … but … I DO.


You may enough of an engineer to venture out on your own. GOOD LUCK! For me, I say thank you RR in a BOX.