Please help educate a newbie

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in building an HO scale model railroad for myself and my son who is three and loves trains. He has his own Thomas table, so this will be a nice layout for both of us to enjoy for years to come.

I have been doing a lot of research, which I understand is a good thing, and feel like I am just about ready to "break ground" so to speak.

For the sake of saving a little cash, I have a 5' X 9' ping pong table in my garage with I would like to use it for the layout...with the intent of expanding. I also plan to cover the top of the table with foam for the layout.

Growing up in Cumberland, MD, I have a keen interest in either the Western Maryland railroad or the Chessie System since I watched these engines pass my house every day.

Will using the ping-pong table be OK?

Does anyone have any 5'X9' layout plans that have worked well?

thanks and all advice is greatly appreciated.

[ARTHILL]

Ping pong table size posses two problems. One is that the size does not fit 4x 8 or 4x10 sheets of anything. Also the legs on most tables are too flimsy for the weight they will hold. Also children under 10 to 12 are hard on railroads and need sturdy construction to enjoy them. They try to be careful but its hard with flimsy stuff. I would think a sturdy table out of 2x4 and 1x4s either at 4x8 or 4x10 with either 3/4 ply or 2" foam braced some would be just as cheap and much easier to work and maintian.

[HAZMAT9]

[#welcome] to the group! You're on the right track so to speak, although I would have to agree with ARTHILL in terms of finding a way of shoring up your railroad's foundation. The more creative ideas of adding on to your railroad, the more weight you'll have to deal with. On the foam, you can buy an extra sheet or two and glue them in to make up your 5X9' area. My railroad has grown from a 5X9' to 7X13' in a matter of months and I had to buy foam sheets in sections and glue them in together (which is the isulfoam type I wanted only available in 2' by 8' sections here in Arizona).

In terms of track plans, check out Mike's Track Plan page for some great ideas at:

http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm

Many are n-scale but can be adjusted to ho-scale. Good luck and happy railroading. [:D]

[dehusman]

Virtually any track plan for a "4x8" can easily be adapted to a 5x9 by just sticking an extra straight piece or so in each side, or you can angle a 4x8 plan on the 5x9 surface to make it look "better".

Using the ping pong table as a starter is OK, just be aware that as you get better and enjoy this more you may decide to toss the table and start over with purpose built layout benchwork. Ping Pong tables are usually partical board. They are heavy and very flat. If you look at a railroad (or even a road), notice how much is BELOW as is above. A ping pong table doesn't lend itself to cutting out parts to make depressions.

Here's some thoughts. You might want to lower the layout to make it viewable by your son. Use very rugged construction, painted on grass and roads to begin with. If you put a 4x8 plan on the 5x9 table it will give you an extra 6" to a foot along one or all edges that you can paint a road for your son to drive cars and trucks on. makr buildings out of blocks of wood. Paint them and glue photocopied windows to them for "detail" or glue wood strips on for detail. Very rugged. Put them along the edges for your son to use and rearrange. Put "your" plastic buildings on the inside more out of his reach. Another person in a similar situation used layers of MDF or particle board cut in two or 3 inch wide bands to build up "mountains" so his son could play on them without damaging them.

As your son gets older and can handle more finely detailed equipment, you can always upgrade.

Good luck!

Dave H.

[Janafam]

I think Dehusman made some very good suggestions to pique you young son's interest. A key will be the height of the table--do you want your son to have easy access or not. Then build legs or a foundation to support that height, keeping in mind that a three year old will lean on or fall on the table. Build around that thought so you don't have a collapse.

[IRONROOSTER]

I agree with the above comments about the legs, make sure they are sturdy and well braced. Many ping pong tables are really two tables 4 1/2 x 5. If that's your type of ping pong table you could arrange them in a 4 1/2 by 10 configuration. This would give you more length which is usually desirable.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I need some info on control panels[?] Can any one have any ideas>[e-mail]