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Successful New Layout Platform.

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Posted by wallyworld on Monday, May 17, 2010 10:32 AM

 These are plastic.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by overall on Monday, May 17, 2010 9:42 AM

Ok, I was thinking about molded plastic table where the legs fold up into them. They are fairly easy to carry as they are hollow but still rigid. I don't see how scenary material would stick to that.

George

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Posted by wallyworld on Monday, May 17, 2010 8:46 AM

 I can post some photos later today as my daughter knows how to do this. The layout is in an unused bedroom so the overall dimensions were dictated by the available space, while provided a aisle way around it's circumference.  The layout itself is six feet wide by eight feet long, and each table is approximately 2 X 6. Each section bifolds when unlocked which makes for a compact section of 2 X 3.for movement up and down stairs around corners, etc.Each section has a carrying handle built in.

The width could have been selected wider but I wanted to make it easy to move the layout sections through a standard interior door way if and when it's disassembled without the potential of damage to scenery. The scenery material was applied with traditional diluted white glue and has stuck fast. Trees and shrubbery were tacked on with either "Tacky Glue" (if atop grass or preexisting scenery elements) or instant glue if directly to the surface. Realtrax sections are simply screwed directly on. I had to disassemble a short section recently and unscrewed it relaid the track with no lifting of the scenery fabric. The height is a standard household tabletop height which allowed me to use a desk chair at the control panel and be just a few feet above the activity ( I am six feet tall) without getting a rooftop view..I like the racket and since I can close the door the rest of the family isn't bothered, I could have glued nearly any material to the top without a problem as a sound deading tactic.....Personally, I love it..and it really speeded up the construction phase, to say the least.and most of all no mess..

 

..

 

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, May 17, 2010 7:44 AM

Please post photos or links to photos.

What are the dimesions, width and height, and how tall are the tables?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by overall on Monday, May 17, 2010 7:27 AM

How do you handle scenery on something like that?

George

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Posted by jcolonbc on Sunday, May 16, 2010 7:02 PM

I have the tables but I went with the old 4x8 foot home made tables.  I may try your way but would like to know what you use to dampen the noise from the plastic tables.

Put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket! "Mark Twain"

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Successful New Layout Platform.
Posted by wallyworld on Friday, May 14, 2010 12:59 PM

  One new twist that has been very successful for me was used in my latest layout design that may be worth sharing.  I was sick and tired of the necessity to tear down layout after layout not due to some dissatisfaction, but rather with moving out of state. Another was the least enjoyable portion of layout building which is the table top, supports etc. What a mess, especially if you are using an interior room instead of a basement or garage. So, I bought three "plastic" and very resilient portable tables at a home improvement store and simply bolted them together. They have been bulletproof, affordable and very easy to drill, glue or what have you versus wood. When and if I move again, all I have to do is detach the buildings disconnect a couple of track sections by unscrewing them (realtrax)  and fold up these bi-folded tables. I hope to post some photos and I think you will be surprised how you cannot discern any significant difference in their appearance in comparison to wood, unless you look at portability, cost and speed..( two minutes) in assembling them.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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