CTT and LCCA track planning contest

In 1960, Lionel announced a layout contest on the back cover of their catalog and in a TV commercial. To enter their contest, you had to choose one of three layouts, actually construct it, and then send in a photo. Unfortunately, no follow up was ever published. Now, 64 years later, here’s a new layout contest that’s much easier to enter and winners are sure to be published.

Here’s a fun project whether you have an operating layout or hope to build one in the future. Classic Toy Trains and the Lionel Collectors Club of America invite you to share your creative layout planning with readers of Classic Toy Trains and The Lion Roars.

Rules

Each entry must be an original work and include a scale layout plan and a written description. This plan can be of your own layout or a layout you may wish to build. Other criteria are:

1. The plan must be drawn for O gauge track, using Lionel FasTrack pieces only.
2. The plan must include only commercially available FasTrack pieces. No custom-cut pieces are allowed.
3. The plan must fit within a 100 square foot space. Interior aisles, all walkways around the outer edge of the layout necessary for operation, and access openings in the surface of the layout all count toward the 100-square foot maximum.
4. The following features must be indicated on the layout: all track, structures, turnout sizes, curve radii, and placement of room walls and sizes of aisles and access openings, when applicable.
5. The finished plan should be either neatly drawn in pencil or ink or made using track-planning software. If using track-planning software, we request both a printout of the track plan and an exported PDF document of the plan.
6. A written description must accompany the plan. Please include both a printout and a text/Word document with your submission. Topics of the text may include: special features, construction or design techniques to solve unusual problems, operating concept, control system, period or place represented, and scenic features.
7. Extra illustrations, such as schematic diagrams, maps, grade profiles, and cutaway views may be included.
8. All entries must be received in CTT’s offices no later than October 1, 2024.
9. Winning entries will be published starting in the Spring 2025 issue, both in Classic Toy Trains and The Lion Roars. All entries will be paid at our standard publishing rates. The top three winners will also receive a free year’s membership to the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA). Other layouts may qualify for Honorable Mention.
10. All winning entries become the property of Kalmbach Media Co. CTT will share the first, second, and third place winning entries with the LCCA for publication in The Lion Roars.
11. CTT reserves the right to purchase any non-winning entries at our standard rate of publication.
12. Non-winning entries will be returned only if appropriate packaging and postage are supplied by the entrant with the original submission.
13. Kalmbach Media Co. employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible to enter this contest.
14. In the event no winning layouts are submitted, no prizes will be awarded.
15. Mail entries to: Classic Toy Trains magazine, Track planning contest, PO Box 1612, Waukesha WI 53187-1612 or upload to contribute.kalmbach.com
16. Entry deadline: October 1 ,2024

If you have questions, please email editor@classictoytrains.com