Is it me, or has there been an increasing interest in building layouts on hollow-core doors? Personally, I started on my N scale Arklatex Sub because of space restrictions (that, and the missus prefers N scale), and I'm seeing more posts on similar-sized layouts. One recent thread on someone having to downsize his railroad from room-size to a door was the trigger that started me thinking......perhaps, for grins & giggles, we should have a subgroup of modelers who are building layouts on hollow-core doors. Again, it's all in fun, but not a bad idea, IMO........ :tb-wink:
Well, the number of door sized layouts has certainly increased by at least one. I am currently building one. I agree, I have seen many more people building door sized layouts. Perhaps the word was just a little slow in getting out, I don't know. My primary reason for the door is that we live in an apartment. Space being at a premium, I am able to stand the door up against a wall and put the saw horses out on the balcony when I am not working on the layout. It certainly does leave one wanting for more layout space, and if I had the room I'd certainly be building larger. But hey, at least I have SOME place to run trains with my boys.
Originally I was going to use a 4' x 8' plywood, but it was a little heavy to move around, as I live in a small apartment. So, about a year ago, I decided to use a door, after seeing people talk about them on Trainboard. After I started building I decided I wanted more, so I added a second door in an L-shape. I had to re-arrange my apartment to do so, and now it's semi-permanent. If I ever win a lottery and/or buy a house, I have plans made to add 7 more doors, one or two at a time. I like the convenience of adding a door, laying the track, and doing the scenery before adding another door. Dave.
For light weight rigidity at a reasonable price, it's hard to beat a torsion box...which is what a hollow core door is. Add to that the minimal tools needed to get to doing train stuff, not carpentry stuff, and it's easy to see why they are becoming more and more popular. Another set of issues that may well be contributing to their popularity is the escalating cost of the hobby meeting shrinking disposable incomes...it's harder to justify the large pikes we'd love. For N scale, a door is a good downsized compromise. Just a few years ago, if you had told me I'd be building a door based layout, I'd have thought you nuts. I have the equipment and skill to scratch build any kind of benchwork I could possibly want, including my own custom sized to fit torsion box (been there, done that)...and went into building my N scale layout with that in mind. The problem is, my health did not cooperate. I have a a house with a full basement, thousands of dollars in tools (enough to build a whole house from the ground up)...and the closest I can get to them is a chair at the top of the stairs. I tried to build an all foam minimal tools required layout...for various reasons that did not work...the door was a natural next step. Hi Ho! Hi Ho! A dooring I go.
A 4X8 would be a luxury for me. I have one of the spare bedrooms as my office, but I had to go round and round with the zoning commissioner (my wife) just to get a 36X80 door, even though she rarely comes in the room. My dad is VP of a demolition and salvage company so he's going to have one of the crews save an old interior door for me on the next demo project they do, so it's the logical choice given the difficulties encountered at my "zoning change hearings!"
Well, mine is a "door sized" layout, but not on a door. I was dismantling a layout and it just worked out that the length of one section was 77" (but much narrower than door width) and I kinda randomly chose the width that ended up being 38". I wanted a "skinny" 4x8 but used existing layout parts instead of a door. The point about "downsized compromise" is right on with me. I saw a good 5 years whereby no significant layout funds or space would be available and realized that a well designed small layout could be as rewarding and would allow me to focus on superdetailing locos and rolling stock for that eventual "dream layout" should the opportunity come about. I'm extremely happy with how it is turning out, although I wish progress was going quicker than it is. But I'm having fun.
Yeah, you can't beat a door as a great base to build on for so many reasons, all listed above. My current project is two doors, now connected permanently. I'm thinking about a full around-the-walls layout with a lot of doors/door pieces as the primary substrates.
Hello to all, new guy here! Not new to model railroading, just here....lol. My decision to go with a door-sized layout was space, cost and my disability. My father on the other hand had an HO of the Enola yard that engulfed the entire basement.
Gee, I can't help but wonder how much of a Z scale layout someone could build on a door. Go to Photo search for Socalz44 and Z for yourself! Cheers, Jim CCRR
My newest isn't door-sized, but it's much smaller. I finally realized that I always got overwhelmed by my grandiose plans and never even got close to finishing. So this time it's going to be a simple rural branchline with separate small towns that can be worked on a little at a time. (Keep It Simple, Stupid...:tb-ooh
These are good for anyone, of any skill level. I believe it's a perfect starting point, for beginners. Requiring no benchwork construction, it bypasses that learning curve. Inexpensive, easy to move, and store. Boxcab E50
Priceless! Ok, decided to check the local Home Depot after reading this hollow core door post. I've been planning a layout and needed to get started. While checking the stock there was a damaged section of doors. I pull the one plain 80" hollow core door and it has two small holes the size of half dollars on one side. I check the other side and not a mark on side two. Imagine my surprise when I asked the clerk how much for the damaged door, $3.00 plus tax! (just so they have some paperwork) Now to finish the track plan! Allegheny
I'm lucky enough to have a dedicated space that has shelving attached to three walls (the 4th "wall" is actually a set of roll-up doors, so I have to leave quite a bit of room in front of them). To create the 4th "side" I explored a whole bunch of options and finally settled on 24" wide hollow core doors connected with hinges so if I need to provide access to the center I can just pull a pin or two and lift and carry a door or two out of the way. And they're not very expensive, either -- another plus.
Very creative! I like how one can stand HCD's (hey a new acronym ) up against a wall for easy storage or work. I've done paintwork, detailing, wiring, and even track cleaning with the doors standing straight up, makes it easier sometimes.
Holes in the door (even those pre-drilled for doorknobs) are no problem if you cover the surface with a shet of extruded foam- preferably 2" thick, but 1" will do in a pinch. I got my door from a local builder's salvage supply- I paid somewhat more than you did, but it was still way below MSRP for a new door. PS- please let us know how your layout's progressing.
My layout with an overall size of 8'-8" x 11'-8" is built on 3 each 30" x 80" hcd's along with one and a half 24" x 80" doors. These rest on 5 book cases that are 44" high. It is very strong and steady. While I was not able to find any "damaged one side", I consider that for the cost of stick lumber, I still came out ahead cost-wise. Besides, have you had a look at "stick" lumber recently? If you're allowed to pick your own pieces you can look at quite a few pieces before you find a one piece that doesn't look somewhat like an airplane propeller. And then there's the mess associated with cutting and fitting. I've done it a few times before and really don't want to do it again. HCD's are definitely a good way to go.
