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CARPET LAYOUTS vs Plywood layouts ?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Parma Heights Ohio
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Posted by Penny Trains on Monday, July 29, 2013 10:18 PM

Broadloom conspiracy!  Laugh  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!  SadSmile, Wink & Grin

What's life without a few oil stains?  Laugh

Becky

Becky

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by dougdagrump on Sunday, July 28, 2013 4:48 PM

We use them, "carpet central", as a "teaching tool" with the club's youth program.

They are given the track and a rough plan, then have at it.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

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Posted by arkady on Sunday, July 28, 2013 4:33 PM

It wasn't a choice for me.  I have a carpet layout because I don't have the room for a "real" benchwork layout.

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Posted by jwse30 on Sunday, July 28, 2013 3:27 PM

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

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Posted by railhead53 on Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:44 PM

MERSENNE6, great layout and photo!  Bo  Smile

 

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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:35 PM

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

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Posted by mersenne6 on Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:06 PM

Carpets - Broadloom Conspiracy Forever!!!!

 

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Posted by railhead53 on Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:06 PM

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  Smile 

 

You can visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com  

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CARPET LAYOUTS vs Plywood layouts ?
Posted by WRGMILW on Saturday, July 27, 2013 11:56 PM

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 !  

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