in case anyone is interested IKEA Hackers: Coffee Table Train Set ive always wanted a coffee table layout. this one from ikea seems to have everything handed to you already, all you need is to do the layout!
Very creative. I could make use of such an item.... But there's no store within less than 550 miles, one way... Boxcab E50
oh wow ikea has a rectangular one. thats even better...... IKEA | Coffee & side tables | Coffee tables | LIATORP | Coffee table doesnt seem like it comes with a drawer though. ill have to check this out in person.
If you can find a used one, the IKEA Vinninga coffee table (no longer available at IKEA) is 30"x40" and has a slide out drawer with 5" of clearance without hacking. Perfect for a small N scale layout or Z scale. I think my wife is finally catching onto why I chose that model coffee table. Here's someone's hack of a Vinninga. It looks like he extended the bottom of the display drawer. IKEA Vinninga Model Railroad Andy Tetsu Uma
LOL mine got sick of the sounds so she stuffed me in a back bedroom in the basement where she can't hear them.
I love it and I also wanted one of these for years. I’m going to IKEA in a few weeks and I’m going to take a look at this table. The last time I was going to try this, I was looking for something with a hinged glass and I never once thought of a drawer. cool: :thumbs_up:
ohhh yea that one looks great too! however i do prefer more rectangular layouts. maybe because teh train will have more of a straightaway to travel instead of always turning...especially on those tight curves be sure to post some pics of what you guys are doing with this table! i wanna seeee!!
These are perfect for a streetcar layouts. Running streetcars instead of trains will make the space look a lot bigger. You'd even have enough room for two separate loops with independent running. If you used Tomix Wide Tram Track the street running areas would be no hassle at all and the tight curves would be quite natural looking. Mini Fine Track would used to build a yard and interchange tracks. Many switchers have no problems with the 140mm radius curves and switches of the line.
Years ago, about 1993-2000 prox, I lived in my neighborhood to discover one of the most fanatic and gifted model railroaders I have known in my life lived 3 doors down from me. In Boca and SE Florida, it is rare that you get to know who lives around you and our meeting was totally an accident. A few weeks after we met, we formed a work group that lasted until 2001 of 11 very talented guys of which I was least gifted, but we all had layouts and on Tuesday nights we would visit one of our home layouts and work on it until about 10 the meet in the kitchen for coffee and snacks and BS trains until whenever. My glory days of great model railroading memories for sure, but even today isn't that bad. My neighbor, Dennis Kelley was a multi-scale, HO modeler who also had a dining room table made of a large N scale layout, had his paintings of trains and hot rods grace his walls throughout his house and had several shelf and table displays of his latest works. He was incredible. Even now a lot of his art and touch still remain, although his marriage ultimately failed and he moved away. But one day after he left his wife, I saw that dining room table layout out in the garbage to be picked up. Being the ultra-hoarder I am, I went over to pick it, but is was too far gone, broken glass, track base all gone, etc. I asked his ex wife what else was left with railroadiana and she said he took everything else, thank God, and she was tired of seeing trains in every nook and cranny. But that dining room table N layout gave us many hours of fun just watching that little Trix 0-6-0 with a small consist run through its path. Whoever is planning the IKEA piece, I wish you many many hours of enjoyment. I am sure you will if you make the decision. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
one could also bash two of these tables together to create two layouts....with a tunnel connecting hehe
Seeing this makes me even more thankful for the woman I married. She is not only supportive of my hobby, she is also demanding she build at least a few of the buildings for my current layout. My hat is off to all the ladies out there who support our "n" sanity.
