which type do you have ?
if you have time , please post a picture of your carpet layout (PAST or PRESENT).
I see pros & cons of both types.
CHARTER MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE FALLEN FLAG MODEL TRAIN CLUB . I COLLECT HO, N , O-3rail & On30 Trains & run them ! I Use KATO HO & N scale Track . I also Use Lionel Fast Track ! I change track layouts Often !
I've had carpet layouts in the past, but currently (for the past 9 years) have been working on a "plywood" layout. It is built on girder benchwork. Some of the track rests on flat plywood sheeting and homasote, but much of it is supported by risers which allows for various elevations in the topography.
I certainly enjoyed the carpet layouts because they let me run my trains and easily change things up whenever I wanted to do something different. The "plywood" layout though is up off the floor which is much safer for my 3-rail scale equipment and it has allowed me to focus much more on scenery work than I was able to do on the carpet. I really enjoy creating scenery as I believe it allows me a more realistic environment in which to run my trains.
It seems to me the path one takes is really a matter of personal preference. You can build a nice railroad regardless. It just depends on what it is you are trying to achieve. Bo
You can visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com
Carpets - Broadloom Conspiracy Forever!!!!
Carpet layouts are a bad idea. Static electricity and carpet fuzz in your engine will ruin your day.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
MERSENNE6, great layout and photo! Bo
Carpet layouts are a great idea. Laying down watching trains go by at eye level will make your day!
The only time I have a carpet layout is during Christmas season. My plywood empire stays up year round though.
J White
It wasn't a choice for me. I have a carpet layout because I don't have the room for a "real" benchwork layout.
We use them, "carpet central", as a "teaching tool" with the club's youth program.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Broadloom conspiracy! I forgot about that!
If I had the (any) money, I'd love to rebuild my table into a scale oriented wonderland. But, since I can't even afford decent track, I decided to focus on running on the floor. I have one "permanent" (on a cardtable) layout and I do 4 seasonal carpet centrals. 2 special layouts for Christmas and one on my bedroom floor that has both Christmas and summer configurations. The Christmas version uses a 1/4" plywood base and the summer runs on "turf" mats from the 60's but otherwise I run on the carpet. Nothing gets you back to your hobby roots like flopping down on the floor and turning the handle on a vintage transformer or rheostat!
What's life without a few oil stains?
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
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