Hello all,
JamesNWR05...my family is moving next year and I can't bring the table...
Without getting into great detail is this a cross-town move or a move to another country?
I understand you won't be able to take the entire table but what about making a layout that you put on top of the table?
What I am suggesting is that you make a layout out of a base of 1/4-inch plywood and 1-inch foam. The table will be the bench work and if you do find a permanent location you could build bench work that supports this base.
Most home improvement centers sell plywood in pre-cut half-sheets (4'x4'). At my local Lowe's they also sell foam in 1"x8'x2' sheets.
You can glue the foam to the half sheets and then cut the foam at the seams. If you do have a 4'x12' table this would take three half sheets and three sheets of 2-inch foam.
Then you could build you layout on this base. You can cut channels into the foam to hide the wiring or just run the wires on the surface.
This also allows you to use sectional track with a separate; cork or foam, roadbed.
On my layout I used this same method; because it has to sit on top of the bed in the spare room.
To run the control wires I first cut channels and then used 1/2-inch split wiring loom to run the wires so I could senic over the wires without permanently burring the wires.
When moving time comes you can separate the layout into 4'x4' sections, put 1-inch sheets of 4'x4' foam and sandwich the layout into a tidy package using load straps.
This would be easy to transport or put in storage; depending on the move.
The only drawback to this would that you would not be able to build elevation changes because the panels would not be able to be sandwiched together for moving or storage.
As far as a track plan...
I began with a pencil, graph paper and a BIG eraser. From there it was a matter of making my own track list.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I liked this track plan it fits the 4x8. It's Kato unitrack a little better than Kato plan 3.
http://www.katousa.com/images/unitrack/3-0640.jpg
I enjoy it and looks fun.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Both of you have very good advice. I didn't even notice the dimensions I'll probably go with the E-Z track one. Thanks guys.
That Kato plan looks extremely boring compared to the EZ Track one. Much more fun switching and stuff on the EZ Track one. And the Kato one just won't fit your space.
Oh and Bachmann EZ Track is much less expensive than Kato Unitrak for something that will be temporary.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
JamesNWR05I'm changing my mind and going with KATO Unitrack instead. Can anyone alter this layout to fit on a 4x8 table?
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I'm changing my mind and going with KATO Unitrack instead. Can anyone alter this layout to fit on a 4x8 table?
Kato News Plan 3
The turnouts are obvious. The curve on the right is 22" radius (or something larger than 18" anyway) and the other curves are likely all 18" radius.
Any turnout leading to a curve directly are the STD turnouts. The one on the switchback at the top and the 4 at the bottom - the crossover and the siding on the pier, are the #5's, and the one just above and to the left of the tower is the wye. How do I know this? That may be the one piece of information you are lacking - the STD turnouts have a curve int he diverging route that matches 18" radius curves, like most brands of sectional track. A #5 has a 1 in 5 straight diverging route, not a curve. So all the turnouts where the diverging route comes out at an angle, with no curve, would be the #5's listed in the BOM and the ones where the diverging route is part of a curve like the ones inserted in the main line top and bottom left would be standard turnouts.
The straight and curve pieces should be easy enough to figure, what is a full piece and what are the shorter ones.
I can't tell which pieces correspond to which part on the layout- the picture is too blurry :/ any other ideas?
Track components listed here as well as some variations of the basic plan:
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/funlayez2.html
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
I've found this layout- it is Bachmann EZ track and will fit on my table. I can't find the list of track pieces though- could someone help me out?
I picked up a book at the hobby shop a couple years ago put out by bachmann that had different layout plans in them with the parts list of what you would need and an article about how to build it. I bought it for the cass senic railroad plan. Thought i might build that one some day.
mike
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
No I don't.
All the track I listed are in boxes. When I had built it, its laid on the floor. With no idea or design of plan.
Do you have any pics of this layout?
angelob6660 I have three sets of Bachmann track. Two sets of tracks I have 18" curves and 22" curve with a pair of switches. One of switches is struck to turn the points.
I have three sets of Bachmann track. Two sets of tracks I have 18" curves and 22" curve with a pair of switches. One of switches is struck to turn the points.
I have no problem with it. I run it on a yearly or bi-year basis.
I found this 4x8 layout, it can expanded into 4 extra feet.
https://www.thespruce.com/expanded-ho-scale-model-railroad-track-plan-2381693
I can't be of much help in finding a layout plan but I have to think even the Atlas and Kalmbach layout books could be at least helpful in finding something.
What I can tell you is that Bachmann EZ track can be reused, with some work, on a "regular" layout where the sectional or flex track is laid on cork roadbed. You have to elevate the HO thickness cork roadbed slightly with a subroadbed of N scale thickness roadbed, such as the Woodland Scenics black foam roadbed meant for N scale trains. The combined heights make the rail match just about perfectly. You'd cut away the plastic "claw" that mates one piece of EZ track to another.
I cannot recommend as between the integral track systems of Kato, LifeLike, Bachmann, Atlas, Peco etc. All of them can, with some thought and work, be mated with regular track.
For a temporary beginners layout, I gave a clinic to my NMRA division's "Beginner's Meet" showing how Bachmann or LifeLike integral track from train sets can be kept in place, at least on a semi temporary basis, using pieces of double sided transfer tape. I used transfer tape for a piece of track on a piece of plywood and showed how I could hold the plywood upside down and shake it and the track did not come off. So you neither nail nor glue it down (doing that can make the track difficult to reuse). When you want to remove the track, you just spatula the track up. Easy and the track is good as new. An alternative to transfer tape are the "glue dots" for sale at craft stores. They are actually small ovals of transfer tape.
Dave Nelson
Griffin,
I'll have to agree with just about everything the ''Bear'' said....just not the accent. LOL.. When I was younger living in the city (Chgo) I started out with an American Flyer trainset a smokin' 4-6-2 with freight cars.....of course the only way to play with that was on the floor, We lived in a two bedroom apartment, that My sister and I shared one of them. It was a rather long room, but not as wide. She had the left side, Me the right. We had started out using bunk beds, which We took apart. My parents decided to get Her a better bed. I declined and wanted the bunk beds. Then I was hit with the HO bug.....1950 and I was eight yrs. old. That Christmas I got a Varney trainset and a whole new world opened up. I did not enjoy running that on the floor at all. Then like a bolt of lightening I was struck with an idea.....take the springs out of the angle iron frame from the unused bunk bed frame and put the bunk beds back together with a piece of plywood on top for My very own 4x8 layout. I did exactly that. Could not afford a full sheet of plywood, but made it from numerous pieces, with a hole cut out in the center so I could work on parts without having to climb around on the top....worked like a charm. When We moved 3 yrs. later, the layout went with Me and become a starting point for a much larger layout that I built in My parents attic. The bunk bed layout was to Me pretty unique, did not take up any more space than the bed, did not have to put it away or shove it under the bed, when done playing or working on it and I built it all by Myself......Although young, I was pretty good with hand tools for My age. I did not have a Father that was into hobby's......Hunting/fishing only.
Just thought I would pass My story on to You to say with a little planning almost anything is possible. ''What ever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve'' I forgot who said that...but I believe it.
Good luck!
Take Care!
Frank
JamesNWR05 I'm only sixteen years old without my own steady source of income.
JamesNWR05(Not a true layout, Bachmann track.........I probably won't be able to use it in the future
JamesNWR05 I like watching trains run.....
HI Griffin,
I was just checking through stuff and found I have made the same offer to you before... sorry mate!
Personally I would use either Peco set track or Atlas track rather than the Bachmann track but that it a personal opinion. I like the idea of very long sweeping curves rather than dead straight track so I would use set track curves and flex track for the "straight" sections.
Although the front sections of my own layout appear straight and parallel, they are in fact slightly offset and (I think) give an appearance of extra length.
Good luck with your project and your projected move...
Regards from Oz
Trevor
Hello Griffin,
The following link may help you and you may be able to get the base for next to nothing as we did
http://xdford.digitalzones.com/quicklayoutconstruction01.html
I have an article that I based my own layout on http://xdford.digitalzones.com on as well as a couple of articles on "growing" a layout on a limited budget as well as operating a small layout, all free/gratis/nothing/all of the previous if you care to PM me or direct at xdford47@yahoo.com.au
Enjoy the railroad... I've been at it for 50 plus years and never lost interest!
Cheers from Australia
Noted at the bottom- wasn't sure if it was able to be moved or not. thank you very much!
BigDaddy You already started an identical thread, different title, 2 hours ago. Steve will move it when he gets to it. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/263395/2970678.aspx#2970678
You already started an identical thread, different title, 2 hours ago. Steve will move it when he gets to it.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/263395/2970678.aspx#2970678
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hi all,
I have a dilemma.
As of two weeks ago, I had planned to use Woodland Scenics SubTerrain system on a 4x8 board for a summer layout project. Sadly, that won't be happening anymore. Now, I have no other option for a summer layout. I have a table, but my family is moving next year and I can't bring the table, so it seems silly to set up something super permanent there. Ah well, I was sad about not having a summer layout to build for about 32 minutes before I realized WAIT! I know just what to do!
I decided that, for this summer, I would purchase a bunch of Bachmann E-Z track and put a temporary setup on the table. Easy to remove when it's time, and gives me a place to run my trains/add scenery around just for the summer. I know for the majority of the folks on here, it's a net loss because of all the downfalls (Not a true layout, Bachmann track has a ton of faults, I probably won't be able to use it in the future, etc), but for me, it's absolutely a net gain. I'm only sixteen years old without my own steady source of income. I like watching trains run more than building the physical layout (at least I think so...). Once we move, I'm planning to be way more serious about building an actual layout. At this point though, I just want some minor scenery and a cool trackplan to run my trains on.
That being said, I've done a ton of searching and I can't find a single Bachmann E-Z track layout that I like that could fit on the 4x12 space I have. I was hoping someone might have a layout for me, or would be willing to draw up one. I'm useless with planning softwares myself, and I want to make sure I buy only the track I need. If anyone could help, I would really appreciate. Even better, if you have a better solution, I'm absolutely all ears. I haven't purchased anything at all, so nothing is final.
Hoping for help! Griffin
P.S.- This was originally posted in the "Electronics and DCC" folder unintentionally, my apologies.