I’ve been waiting the past six months or so for Tomix to release its 1799 Crossing Track X37-90-WT set so I could proceed and build a tram layout. I started out planning a conventional Japanese tram layout, but somewhere along the line I switched to a HOn30 layout based on Lisbon’s 900mm trams.
With the arrival of a parcel from Rainbow Ten with six packages of S140-WT straight track earlier this week I created the new layout. Today I cut 5mm black foamboard (which I’ve had on hand since December) to provide a base for buildings.
Next project is to motorize one of my yellow Amarelis Lisbon trams with a Kato 11-103 or Bandai 1 four wheel power chassis. The Amarelis tram comes fully painted, with an interior and a red under carriage including fenders. I need to cut an opening into the tram chassis for the power chassis.
The two turnouts need more work. Tomix doesn't offer a 90 degree turnout, so you have to create your own by cutting and filing to create a 90 degree turnout. I have a scan of the rough cuts I made on the first turnout to create the 90 degree turn. Once the Canadian Postal situation is resolved I can acquire the pieces I need to do more precise measured cuts. But these are $2-3 pieces of track, so this is not a great loss. The old Tomix 3076 pieces on the PL-140-30 will get a coat of gray paint later.
I can't find any suitable HO structures, so I may have to build some myself. I am still in the process of researching exactly what I will do for structures. Nothing I've seen comes close to Lisbon's simple and elegant
Pombaline buidings. Vehicles will include some classic vehicles like the Citroen 2CV and Renault 5 which can still be seen on the streets of Lisbon along some current European vehicles.
Images:
1. The current track plan
2. Possible future plan with a siding for the red Hills Tram Tour cars.
3. A scan of the rough cuts to create a 90 degree turnout. To be cleaned up later.
4. The layout as it looked earlier today with some of the foamboard cut and in place.
