A New Type of Layout Base?

[Brakie]

The other night at the N Scale club we was discussing layouts in general and I causally mention my temporary switching layout on my 30" x 60" dinning room table...After the usual good natured ribbing(yeah,I can see it now,here comes the mash potatoes express etc) the discussion then turn toward using a table/2" insulation foam combination..

Then the usual questions came up such as lighting,Fascia board,control panel etc-far more questions then I believe necessary and thinking well within the normal box of "proper" layout designs elements...I contend such a layout will call for out of the box thinking..

Lighting could be similar to to that of a pool table but,use a row of incandescent lights mounted on a overhead track.

Control panel..This could be mounted in the usual fashion.However,if one will be using Kato's Unitrack then all that would be needed is a schematic with the location and number of the turnout-the switch controls mount on the Unitrack power pack..DCC users would need to wire the controls for DCC or perhaps use the power pack for switch power.

As far as the Fascia one could use plastic or wood molding strips.

Then the cost of the table came up and many thought a HCD with folding legs would be cheaper..It was mention that the table could be bought use at a yard sale or perhaps a estate auction.

What do you think?

Would such a layout be feasible?

Frankly I am not exactly sold on the idea of a table layout because IMHO it would be no more then a glorified HCD.

[woodone]

OK I have to ask. What is a HCD? Or did I miss something?

[nachoman]

I remember a Model Railroader about 15 years ago when they used folding table legs for a portable layout. I don't think they used the table itself, just the legs. People use things like doors all the time, but I never fully understood this. (Perhaps because they are easier to transport?) getting a sheet of plywood or foam, cutting it to size, and building a simple support structure and legs isn't that difficult, and would probably be cheaper in the long run.

[Brakie]

OK I have to ask. What is a HCD? Or did I miss something?

Sorry..

Hollow Core Door..

A very popular N Scale layout base.

[Russ Bellinis]

I think it would be feasible. Uni-track or any other plastic road bed system would work, but I think a dining table would be difficult to mount under table switch machines such as a Tortoise to. Probably the most practical way to use an old dining table as a layout base would be to create an overlay that would fit on top of the dining table that would have the layout mounted to it. A dining table would be a good solid base for a layout, but heavy to move into a layout room. If you are looking to build an island type layout, and you found one cheap enough at a garage sale, it would probably work. I think the one thing to be on the look out for is the strength of the table. Some kitchen type dinette sets or even some cheap dining tables made with particle board that have become wobbly would not make a good solid base for anything.

[MountainMan]

Practically speaking, you can mount a layout on anything you feel like, be it a piece of plywood, a door, a table or an elaborate L-girder construct. People have built layouts in boxes, inside the tops of coffee tables, on CD's and everywhere else imaginable.

There is one and only one question to be answered: Will it work for YOU? If you answer "yes", then it is workable.

[BR60103]

I built a layout for my wife's Lionel set. I used 2 sheets of 2" core to get a 4x8 but surrounded it with an inverted L girder tray with extra supports across. This went fairly well on the initial 8" coffee table legs, but was shaky when I changed them to 18".

[woodone]

OK I have to ask. What is a HCD? Or did I miss something?

Sorry..

Hollow Core Door..

A very popular N Scale layout base.

Thanks Brakie, I just could not get my head around the HCD acronym.
Now that I know what a HCD is I can make a comment. Good quick and easy way to get started. Look at building second hand stores, you might find some good bargains there for used doors.

[MasonJar]

Have you seen this thread --> <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=947">viewtopic.php?f=19&t=947</a><!-- l -->

Andrew

[Brakie]

Andrew,That's a interesting modular concept..

[Sumpter250]

OK I have to ask. What is a HCD? Or did I miss something?

Sorry..
Hollow Core Door..
A very popular N Scale layout base.

An HCD has also been referred to as a "light weight mobile homesite for LPB communities".
:oops: LPB :oops:
Little Plastic Bankers
.................Barbers
.................Barristers
.................Burgermeisters
.................Bas---cule bridge operators
.................Bartenders
.................Bus drivers
.................Beggars
.................Bugswatters
.................Buggy drivers
.................Bog wallowers. . . . . .yeah, et cetera

[nkp_174]

Brakie, I'm slightly lost...so I'll take it in the same direction (or a different direction?) and mention my plans for a dining room layout for the Jr.

I like foam insulation. Nice, durable stuff. I plan on building a 4"x8" OO scale layout on it...possibly hand laying the track. For running, it will sit on top of the dining room table (3'x7' or so). The layout will be stored in the basement. It probably won't need a fascia. The buildings will all pop off. No legs will be needed since it will sit on an existing table. I won't start this until someone gets Jr the track supplies...last year he didn't get any for Christmas...but he did receive some large scale track, a 4-6-0 chassis, and a Thomas OO set from Santa (Santa new the perfect gifts!)