A Portable-Foldable-Storable Layout for Windup Trains

[lionelsoni]

Another possibility:  Attach the track to transparent plastic instead, so that drawings, in crayon for example, can be put under the layout.

[Penny Trains]

Fantastic!  What a great gift idea too!  Restore an old unboxed set and give it to a kid!  Kudos!

PSes:  1 Bending brakes:  I use yardsticks and clamps to bend flashing.

             2 Chalkboard paint is available and I agree would be a good idea especially where kids are involved.

Becky

[jwse30]

That's a really nice set up you've made there. Is the layout "tabletop" a chalkboard? That would be pretty neat to be able to draw roads and rivers and such with chalk on it before you set up the track.

 

I am already thinking in my mind how that would work with the Brio wooden trains.

 

Thanks for sharing this idea,

 

J White

 

[JamesP]

David,

Very neat idea, well executed.  I like the way you were able to make the track part foldable, with storage for the trains, too.  Great video!  I suspect I will be adopting some of your ideas to made a portable layout of my own...

 - James

[hscsltb]

Dave another great idea!

[overlandflyer]

a while back i salvaged a nice Glendale Depot off a corroded base, but since it still has all 9 tabs intact, i've been waiting until i get access to a sheetmetal brake to bend up a small footprint base and attach it using the tabs.  did you make a base for yours, or is it basically just free standing on the walls?  the roof looks different, but is the other small structure a bashed Erector shack?

great little project.

cheers...gary

[AF1963]

Wow, that is a terrific idea!

[dsmith]

I have found the simple joy in playing with old windup Marx trains.  Link many of us who have windup trains, we end up operating them on our electric train layouts.  But wouldn't it be great to have a small dedicated windup layout complete with mechanical windup accessories.  Since I don't have room for another layout and since windup trains are enjoyed as an occasional diversion for short periods of time, I came up with the perfect solution to my problem.....a portable case that will easily fold out into a layout on any small table (or on the floor) and will store all the trains and layout accessories.  And it can all be compactly stored away when finished.   Although I am not finished with the layout, here are photos and video of the basic idea.

 

Here is a link to a video of the layout in operation.

http://youtu.be/5XrUaxeDLLs