As a few here might know, I am faced with a "lack of space" issue for a perminant layout. And with 3 large breed dogs, a floor layout isnt possible. Then I remembered the train table I helped my friend and his father build we I was around 10-12 years old. He had the same problem, no basement and no place for a layout. Together we build a layout that folded up into a frame mounted to the wall. His had a 1x6 frame work as he was into HO scale trains. I am using 1x10's to allow most buildings ect to be perminantly mounted. The picture below shows the beginning of the framework mounted to the wall. There are "L" brackets that will be mounted in the corners to reinforce the frame and another 4 that will mount the lower frame board to the wall studs. The tables overall size is 4x7 to give me room to reach the latches that lock it closed. Fold down legs will be along each side to drop down and hold up the front of the layout when open. The second picture below is the track plan. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Looks like a great idea
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
I like it! Looking forward to seeing your progress
Jim
The wall frame is finished now. Once I clean up, I will take another picture. I just came in from varnishing the wood that will make up the frame for the table surface. Hopefully it will be dry enough to turn over for the other side to get varnished tonight so they all can dry till tomorrow evening. I am debating what color to paint the table surface, green or white. I have some ceramic buildings that I could use, but they would set the layout in a Christmas/winter theme. However, I want more of a typical late 1940's/early 1950's layout look to match my favorite era of Lionel trains. I am trying to come up with the funds to get a nice ZW to run the layout with, but struggling to find a home for all the 2 rail O scale stuff I picked up thinking I might have room for it. Mike
Mike sent you a message
Here is a progress picture, along with a strange orange box I swapped an old Weaver GP-38-2 and some Marklin posters for. On the way home from my shop in Indy, I swung by Lowes and picked up some green paint. Pic is taken right after I finished the first coat. I am waiting on the second coat to dry while I post this and watch the debate on TV. Mike
Final picture for this evening. I laid all the track in place that I have. Still need eight 031 curved sections and nine straight sections to complete the track plan, if anybody has some that they would donate to me, that would be awsome. Only way I got the stuff I have so far is thru swapping off trains I do not need any longer. The 2 rail O scale stuff that I thought would sell fast, hasn't. Nor has the loop of AF wide gauge track I have. Anyhow, here is the layout as it stands right now, even dug out a few scenery items I had on hand. Mike
Making progress
Good job
Slow but steady progress. I have a member of another forum that is donating some track I can atleast have my outer loop running.The inner will need a couple more pieces of straight track to finish it. Mike
For inspiration...
http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/245835.aspx
Mike
Are you going to do something with the background inside the frame? If so you may want to do it before you get to far along with the table
backdrop painting isnt something I am able to do. May just buy one, then add more clouds above printed material. Once I manage to get the track and fitment issues resolved, the back drop is next. The original plan, may not work, as it puts the turnout motor mount in foul of the wall frame. I have to maintain a 3/4inch gap around the edge of the table to clear the frame. The part of the turnout motors that has the Lionel name plate on it sticks out past the track to far. I may "notch" the frame with my sabersaw to allow it to recess into the wood frame when its closed. I have the track set up without the rear crossover right now, which eliminates the issue, but I loose that crossover. Not sure I like that. either way,I will have 2 train running. Only other plan that I remotely liked was single train, blah! Merry Christmas. Mike
Did you get the track yet or did it not make it by christmas?
Yes I got the track, so the outer loop is running. I am so thankfull for getting the track, this whole week has been rough. My wife's father passed away last Saturday, so she took off to PA. We had nobody to watch our dogs, so I stayed home. So the stress was beyond overload. I had stopped into Lowe's to get the paint for the layout and while searching down one of the isles the stress got overhelming and I shutdown for about 10 min. I couldnt speak and could barely move, just standing thier with a blank look. When Lowe's employee stopped to see if I needed help finding something, I couldnt find the words to speak, I manged to point to my wrist band that I wear, says I am autistic, and they nodded. He asked if I was ok, and I nodded. In another min or two my brain turned back on, thats the best way I can describe it and I was able to function again enough to get the paint and get home. Took another hour or two to get the energy to go actualy paint the table top. After finaly being able to run a train again, I put 3 hours of running on those Santa Fe's and feel so much better, stress levels are down and I dont feel like I am on the edge of a shutdown or meltdown like I was. I do not expect everybody to under stand what its like being on that edge, not unless you have autism or have family with it and have witnessed a violent meltdown or a shutdown where the person is almost cataonic. Merry Chritmas everybody, im gonna go run some more trains! Mike
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