Hi all, We are likely moving in about a year. We're in a condo right now, it was a hard adjustment after living in a good sized home with finished basement (had a nice layout during that time). I've got the itch to build a temporary layout to tide me over until we move. I did have a switching layout for a while, which I enjoy. But darn it, the desire for a roundy rounder has come up. I really can't do much with tools here. Sure, I have a friend or two nearby that would let me come over and use their garage to cut wood etc. But I hate to ask favors, and I'm somewhat determined to do this with what I have on hand. Which is either a 2x4 piece of 3/4 ply, or a 27x54 piece of 2" foam. I am obviously leaning towards the foam for a little more breathing room. But I know it would be best to frame it for support. Or should I not worry about that and just build on the 2" foam, knowing that it just temporary? I know I should be thinking modular or sectional, and that is the plan for the next home. But for now I just want a single track loop with a couple of sidings to tide me over. I will be using roadbed track (Atlas True-Track), the noise factor of that track/foam combo is a bit of a concern. Think I'm okay just using the foam? Thanks for any tips/advice etc.
Maybe you could find an inexpensive table (yard sale, flea market?) to put the foam on. If you've still got your switching layout, you might tie it into the roundy-round for added operation. Since you mentioned 2'x4', I assume you're modeling in N scale? Either sheet + the switching layout could make something fairly satisfactory in N.
I do have a 2x4 folding table I could use. I also have two bookshelves that I can put together. That’s what I did with my 15”x72” switching layout. To muddy the waters...the switching layout started out as N but then I stuck an HO Inglenook on it. Yes, I’m a bit of a rubber gauger! I do consider N my primary scale though. I just wonder how the foam would hold up without a frame. I wouldn’t be moving it around, it could reside on the table and be out of the way. Maybe that’s the way to go. Unless I get some dimensional lumber and hand cut it to make a rudimentary frame. Boy have I gotten indecisive as I’ve gotten older. Thanks for the reply.
Heck, I'd go with the 2" foam. It's easily paintable, light in weight, it won't flex and will be a cinch to cut to size with a simple handsaw. Then when you build a more permanent layout, you can recycle the foam in it. I know what you mean about indecision. I spend far too much time mulling over details and design elements that probably don't matter.
The foam should be just fine. Or, just glue it to a 2’x4’ piece of 1/4” or 3/8” plywood under it for support.
I’ve been using 2” foam for my HO layout all the way down to a 2x5 n scale layout. It’s hard to beat that stuff for what you’re talking about. Smaller layouts are really starting to grab my attention.
Thanks to all, you’ve given me enough confidence to just go ahead and use the 2” foam. Sounds like it will be stable enough. It won’t be much of a build but I’ll start a thread on it. Going to detour from my usual Northeast modeling and base it on UP in the Southwest for something different.
You could get pre-cut benchwork from a supplier such as Mianne: http://www.miannebenchwork.com/ If you want a wood top, the big-box home centers will cut a sheet of plywood to the approximate dimensions you want. Or, you could get a hollow-core door and attach legs to it. Or, you could get a folding "banquet" type table and build a few T-Trak modules, which use Kato Unitrack roadbed type track. Basic module kits are available from Masterpiece Modules: http://www.masterpiecemodules.com/index.php
I did think about a HCD but they're a bit long for the available space. I agree that there is some intrigue to building a smaller layout even if you have room for a larger one. In HO the highly detailed HO shelf layouts have really taken off thanks to guys like Lance Mindheim. I did enjoy mine, but there are days when you want to come home stressed out and just want to railfan your layout and not work it. Ultimately I'd like a point to point with option for continuous running. I have become interested in T-Track, the last couple of NMRA shows I've gone to have featured very nice setups. There is a group in my area, I should join in and build one or two modules. Thanks once again to all, this thread has been very helpful. I'm by no means a noobie, I've got over 4 decades in the hobby and work in the model railroad industry. But ever since moving out of our house 1.5 years ago and dismantling a decent sized layout I've been feeling a bit lost.
I've seen some model railroaders do some amazing work on one of those wood "spools" that wire comes on! They come in about any size, although the bigger ones are a tad heavy! The Z and N scaler's are doing cool stuff on the smaller ones.
Lots of good thoughts, thanks to all. I am going to forge ahead with the 2" piece of foam, I think for the size of the layout it will be more than adequate. Now that summer is pretty much over I expect to start building very soon. It will be good to have the capability to get dizzy watching trains again!
