A bit off subject, but yeah, always a use for most older stuff. I've been collecting old rapido trucks (the ones with the metal retainer with the tabs) and using them to close couple my ore cars. You simply remove one coupler completely and then trim the rapido hook on the other end into a T shape (the size of the T end of a rapido coupler. I make 20 car sets out of them with a MT coupler on each end. In practice, you place a car with a MT and a T shank first, then you set the empty coupler box over the T shank and continue for the 20 car set. People look at me strange, when I ask for their ancient trucks, but they work great in this application..
Hi Norseman Jack, I live in a small Condo (by today's standards, my condo or apartment was built in 1942, but that's for another discussion) and have very little modeling space. That is why I choose a hollow core door layout that is setup in the spare bedroom. It has to remain portable, so when company visits the layout can be placed in the closet, allowing the sofa-bed to be used. My current layout has Atlas code 80 track so the larger flange wheels sets will not have an issue with the track. But I plan someday, to rebuild my layout making a few changes in the track plan and using Atlas code 55 track and turnouts, with maybe some Micro Engineering code 40 track on the industrial spurs. Anyway trying to keep a long reply short, I understand the lack of layout space and for me the Hollow Core Door layout was the answer. I've seen others create home portable layouts using T-Trak modules that use Kato Unitrack. The great thing with the T-Trak modules is they allow you to have a layout with scenery, that can still be taken down in about the same amount of time as taking apart Kato Unitrack. If you're interested in the T-Trak idea, shop around as there are several vendors who sell the T-Trak module kits. Sorry didn't mean to get so far off track in a Micro-Trains wheels thread, but thought those in the same space situation might like a couple alternative ideas.
