0/027 modular layout

[GG1Jack]

For those who cannot have a permanant 0/027 layout but still wish to operate periodically and then put it away what works well? I have used plywood but if it is thick enough not to warp it is then painfully heavy, and difficult to store. I have heard of modulars. Any ideas? Thanks, Jack

[overall]

Try www.T-TRAK.org . They have a good design, although I myself had never built one.

 

George

[thankey]

You may want to consider a door layout.

http://www.thortrains.net/marx/drlay271.html

[GG1Jack]

Thank you Geroge and Thankey.

Any success with doors?

[thankey]

They are strong, light and inexpensive.  Depending on the look you want to achieve and how much effort you want to expend, you may find that running the wires on the surface or fishing them through the door less than desirable.  For me, they work great.  

Some grass mat or paint can help hide the surface wires but I don't mind seeing where everything goes and how it's hooked up.  It is a "toy" train after all.

[cnw1995]

There's all sorts of ways to do this - dependent on your 'givens and druthers' like Does the layout have to be put away every time when not in use? Where can you store it? I've put together a door layout - on sawhorses (for a garage) Also a simpler 3 ft. by 5 ft. layout on folding legs (that slid behind the couch). Also a 4 x 5 ft sheet 'o plywood that was placed atop a 'permanent' table - and placed against the wall when removed. I needed a system to put things up and set things away - places to store items, etc.

[GG1Jack]

I think you understand. Portability. Light. Storability. I get talked into "bringing the trains out" How can you say no to such young innocent eyes? Then not having dedicated space they have to be put away till the next time.

Storage can happen in the attic, garage, basement, closet, under the bed, and the kids can even take it with them and combine it with neighbors and cousins.

Operating on the floor takes gravity and the plunge out of the equation. These are glorious toys full of nostagia and wires are good. To see a 3 year old's reaction to milk cans dumped on the platform.....well, they don't care about wires and neither do I.

Thanks for your input-j