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TYCO offered the Track Layout Expander for most of the years of our survey
of "Brown Box" HO-scale model trains. The Track Layout Expander often was prominately displayed in the annual product
catalogs with pictures of a fully outfitted TYCO layout with multiple train sets operating in and around various accessories.
The Track Layout Expander is originally seen in the 1975-76 product catalog carrying the stock number 7901 and priced at $32.
It's contents, price and stock number do change over the years and are detailed below.
The Track Layout Expander included various track pieces and control
devices with wire to allow one to take the basic 36"-circle of track you might find in a typical train set and turn it into
a 4'x8' HO-scale empire with sidings and blocks that allowed for operation of two trains at one time. An additional
power pack would be required to make the two train operation a success and this extra power pack was not part of the contents
of the Track Layout Expander.
The No. 7901 Track Layout Expander is found in the 1975-76
and 1976 catalogs priced at $32 and included: 2-Remote Control Switches; 2-Terminal Rerailers; 1-Blocking Switch; 18-Sections
of Track; 4-Insulated Rail Joiners; 40-ft. of Hook-Up Wire; 100-Track Mounting Nails; and a 32-page Step-By-Step Instruction
Manual.
The No. 7902 Track Layout Expander appears in the 1977
catalog priced at $28 and included: 2-Remote Control Switches; 2-Terminal Rerailers; 3-Straight Rerailers; 1-Blocking
Switch; 18-Sections of Track; 4-Insulated Rail Joiners; 50-ft. of Hook-Up Wire; 100-Track Mounting Nails; and a 32-page Step-By-Step
Instruction Manual.
The No. 7903 Track Layout Expander is first found in the
1978 catalog and enjoys a healthy run unchanged through TYCO's 1983 catalog. This example is likely the first year to
include Tru-Steel Track and the black cover Manual. The '78 edition included: 2-Remote Control Switches; 2-Terminal
Rerailers; 1-Blocking Switch; 18-Sections of Track; 4-Insulated Rail Joiners; 50-ft. of Hook-Up Wire; 100-Track Mounting Nails;
and a 32-page Step-By-Step Instruction Manual.
Beginning with TYCO's 1984 catalog a No. 7903B Track Layout Expander
is found and is different from the 7903 example in that it includes a "FREE" 48-piece Accessory Set. The Accessory Set
had a 17-pc. Bridge & Trestle Set and 21 Signs and Poles and Autos. This final example stays in TYCO's catalogs
until 1990.
Track Layout Expander System
32-page Instruction Manuals
Whether one is a collector or actually interested in following TYCO's Track
Layout Expander plans, one of the most important inclusions to this item was a full-color 32-page Instruction Manual.
Found both with white and black backgrounds on its cover, TYCO provided a Layout Expander System guide that gave direction
on how to set up your track plan and general tips for better enjoyment of your newly expanded pike. This guides are
often found at swap meets and on eBay incorrectly labeled as catalogs. While some minor product is displayed in the
closing pages of this guide, these publications are really not what one might consider a product catalog. Those with
an interest in TYCO paper items should locate a copy, as they are nice additions to one's collection. The
white background cover is the original, first found in the 1975-76 catalog. The black background cover is the second
edition of the Instruction Manual and it is first seen in TYCO's 1978 catalog. The Instruction Manual is noted
as being available as a separate item at your TYCO dealer or could be obtained, at least back in 1975, by sending one dollar
to TYCO Customer Service in New Jersey.
Track Layout Expander System
Layout Mats
Found with the introduction of the Track Layout Expander in 1975-76 are
a pair of Layout Mats. The No. 7930 Decorated Mat for 4' x 8' Layout was priced at $18 and is the green
roll out mat seen in the above picture. This mat was predecorated with track roadbed, streets, lakes, and placement
of accessories and buildings according to the catalog. The mat is also noted as being made of "special foam material"
to make for "quieter operations." TYCO also lists No. 980 Undecorated Layout Mat in the 1975-76 catalog
for $10. This was a plain green mat, but still sized for 4' x 8' operation. One guesses these items were likely not
boxed by TYCO, but presented rolled in plastic wrap. Oddly, TYCO only lists these two mats in the 1975-76 catalog however
they might have been available into the late '70s. For all the accessories that TYCO did market, they did generally
stear clear of scenery items like these two mats. Another bit of an oddity, given that Bachmann, Life-Like and other
competitors had scenery materials available in their lines.
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