GeoTrax Track Layout Ideas - Quick Tip #1

I am going to start a new feature on this site called the "GeoTrax Track Layout Ideas Quick Tip". A lot of people are posting pictures of their entire track layouts on the web which I think is great and very fun and inspiring for others to look at. However, sometimes an entire layout can mask or hide the one or two 'simple but powerful' ideas that make the layout unique from others.

With the "Track Layout Quick Tip" I will try to feature just one simple principle or idea for a layout. I hope visitors to this site will then take this basic idea and build on it in creating their own unique track layouts.

Track Crossing with Escape Route
I was looking at a train hobby book recently and read a few ideas about creating alternate routes or 'escape routes' for trains prior to reaching a railroad crossing area. The purpose being if two trains are approaching a crossing at the same time, one of the trains could opt for using the escape route as an alternate pathway. This allows the trains to avoid stopping and/or colliding with each other.

Here is what that looks like...


Here is another picture with the track pieces close together but not yet connected so you can make out what pieces I used.


Track required to build this part of track layout at a minimum includes the following:

• 2 Straight Tracks


• 2 Half Straight Tracks


• 1 Crossing Track


• 1 Left Switch Track


• 1 Right Switch Track


• 1 Curved Track.

GeoCAM - Enjoy the Thrills, Chills & Spills

Speaking of Brian and Max...they just posted a GeoTrax video on YouTube that is worth watching. What makes this video unique is that it features a tour of a track layout from the trains perspective. That's right they figured out a way to strap a wireless digital video camera to Geo (Motorized Starter Set).



A few comments from Brian:

This camera is powered by a 9 volt rechargeable battery that is also mounted behind the camera on Geo, the train that ships with the "All About Trains" set. The one exception is the final video segment in which it was attached to the remote controlled older fire truck train (which moves slow enough to not fly off the tracks!)

Included in the video are 3 track layouts, complete with a few spills.... (For example, Max removed a necessary rail in the 2nd layout... but the 2nd run (also shown) was successful... The straightaway lengthy shot was not successful, but the crash was interesting enough :) Finally the last track is run perfectly...

Enjoy the accompanying appropriateish music track.... My video editing skills are NOT so wonderful, though... it was my first video editing attempt in years!

Comments appreciated, as well as ideas of what to do with the modification.... I'll also be happy to give details to anyone who cares to replicate this project....

Watch on YouTube and leave a comment for Brian

GeoTrax Track Layout Ideas, Part III

In this post I would like to mention a couple online galleries that provide plenty of inspiration for building your next GeoTrax track layout.

* GeoTrax group on Flickr.com
* User Galleries on GeoTraxWorld.com

GeoTrax group on Flickr.com
This group is pretty small right now, I think mostly because it is difficult to find. There are currently 7 members and the majority of the pictures have been posted by the user "bmooneyatwork" (aka Brian).

Brian is one of the most creative contibutors to the GeoTrax community on the web, he has posted over 100 pictures of his truly one-of-a-kind track layouts. Check out his layouts for Stacked Bridges, Max-the Human Stanchion, GeoTower and his picture response to TechMan2553's GeoTower (aka product of severe boredom) video on YouTube. If you haven't seen the video I am including it here...have a look, it is quite amazing.



User Galleries on GeoTraxWorld.com
These user galleries are probably more like what the rest of us are capable of building. Some really nice layouts here--even some ideas for those of you who like to build your layouts on top of a train table.

Need more track? GeoTrax Track

Get a Great Deal on the GeoTrax Big City Lights Center, Only $19.99

Act now and get a great deal on the Big City Lights Center.Not sure how long this will last but order today and get it for only $19.99 (that is 41% off the list price--a savings of $14).

Big City Lights Center

Buy it with a second item and take advantage a FREE shipping.

Not sure what the Big City Lights Center does? Watch a video demo of the Big City Lights Center on Fisher-Price.com

Happy Holidays!!! Enjoy your new GeoTrax...

Buy Hard to Find GeoTrax sets on eBay:
* GeoTrax Mega Set
* GeoTrax High Chimes Clock Tower
* GeoTrax Mile High Mountain
* GeoTrax Deluxe Elevation Starter Set w/Blue Suspension Bridge
* GeoTrax City Track Pack
* or Buy your GeoTrax in Bulk

A reader sent me this picture of a track layout they did for a recent work party. Sounds like it was a huge hit with all the kids. Thank you Craig for sharing the photo with us. Merry Christmas everyone!



Here is another layout sent by a reader in Puerto Rico, thanks Carol and son.



If anyone else has a track layout they would like to share send me an e-mail...you will find the address at the bottom right of this page. Thanks to all the readers for your support...look for more to come in 2007 and be sure to tell your friends about the site.

GeoTrax Holiday Gift Idea List 2006

I decided to put together a list of what I think will be the hottest items for your little GeoTrax engineers this holiday season. So whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa check out what I recommend for the GeoTrax fan in your life:

Only on eBay.com
GeoTrax Track Layout Manual
GeoTrax DVD (Sold Individually)
GeoTrax Track Pack with Jumbo/Large Curve Pieces
GeoTrax Lots (New & Used)
GeoTrax Allbright Trucking Remote
GeoTrax Mile High Mountain
GeoTrax Bulldozer
GeoTrax Dump Truck

New Sets
GeoTrax Lift N' Load Quarry
GeoTrax City Track PackWith Special T-track Piece
GeoTrax Big City Lights Center
GeoTrax Rainbow Bridge
GeoTrax Beam Town Fire Station
GeoTrax Red Wing Jet Plane

Remote Control Vehicles
GeoTrax Dump Truck  Sold out? Try geotrax dump truck on eBay
GeoTrax Bulldozer  Sold out? Try geotrax bulldozer on eBay
GeoTrax Allbright Trucking
GeoTrax Big City RapidRail

Starter Sets
GeoTrax $99 Mega Set
GeoTrax Big City Rapidrail Starter Set  Fisher Price Exclusive
GeoTrax Workin' Town Railway
GeoTrax Play Packs

More Train Stuff...
Train Tables
Train Bedding
Thomas the Train Bunk Bed
Polar Express
Lincoln Logs Train Set
Wooden Train Sets
AAA Batteries
AA Batteries

Other Fisher Price Items
FP Kid Tough Digital Camera for Boys
FP Kid Tough Digital Camera for Girls
FP Shake N' Go Racers
FP Little People Playsets

Watch the latest GeoTrax commercial.

New GeoTrax Cement Mixer Truck

When I received my Lift N' Load Quarry in the mail, I noticed on the back of the packaging that there appeared to be one more GeoTrax new release that wasn't being talked about yet. It is a new Cement Mixer Truck.



This appears similar to the garbage truck, police car and ambulance released earlier this year. A push vehicle that makes different cement mixer truck sounds at the push of a button. I have only seen these for sale on eBay so far.

Search eBay: geotrax cement mixer