I am just starting out on a tabletop layout for my two sons and myself to enjoy. Right now it is just the two plain slabs that I will be bolting together as the base. I will post updates as I make progress. Last night to start the project off we brought out my two Blueline HO BNSF SD40-2's for some photos and video. Here are the results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Cx5p0HT5U
That is the only space we have right now and I am looking forward to learning and practicing the skills that we'll need to build a larger layout when more space becomes available...
Joe
Welcome to the forum. Great start on the layout.
I don't know how old the kids are, but my grandkids, ages 6 - 13 found that when they tired of running trains, they loved to make scenery out of pink(blue) foam , ground goop, Woodland scenics grass and everything else the could put on it. These scenes could take weeks and a few got pretty good. They got into buildings because they needed something for their scene. You layout offers wonderful opportuinities for scenes. One of the nice things about foam scenes is they can be built anywhere and set on the layout as needed and stored most anywhere.
I look forward to progress pics.
Hello. I too will be starting a small table top layout. When i get some pics i will post them.
Trainmaster1212
P.S. Nice engine.
Going to model a freelanced N&W branch line on the foot of the VA/WV Mountains.
Your definitely buying some nice equipment to start out with! Is this your first layout?
Yes, this will be my first layout. My sons and I have built plenty of layouts on the floor with their O Lionel and my HO E-Z Track. On the tabletop we will stick with HO though.
As for equipment I had been building up a collection of used, cheaper stuff from various places for the kids to start out with. Then I decided to buy a few nicer things and decided that we should have some sound in HO to go with the sounds from my son's MTH and Lionel O-scale engines. I have been very pleased with the Blueline SD40-2 and just picked up the second one last week along with a beefed up DC power supply to run them both. Still working out the power levels for when they both kick on the sound and then start moving so that I can achieve smoother results in the running.
Tonight I will be bolting the slabs together for stability and finalizing the track plan. I will have at least one siding and a few spurs when we are done. Maybe even a second outside loop but I think my wife wants to keep plenty of room for other features that she can work on with the kids as projects...
Joe,
to the forum! Good to have you aboard!
Good start so far. And you picked up a MRC power pack. Good choice! Looks like the 9500?
In you planning, it might be nice for the kids (they sound fairly young on the video clip) to have a "pop through" or open area so that they can access the middle of the layout. That's going to be a far reach for both you and them. 30" is usually the maximum reach to avoid strained muscles and broken scenery.
Also, try to keep you design simple - i.e. Avoid cramming in a ton of track. That will give you room to add buildings and scenery and structures and make it more "believable". The switching will add a lot of operational interest to the layout.
Keep us posted...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
UPDATE
Last night I glued down the green indoor/outdoor carpet. It looks real nice for our base. Decided to switch from regular track where I would have to lay a bed. Using Bachmann E-Z Track instead. Have run tests with a few different engines and I think I have all the kinks and bad connections out now.
We will be framing the sides tomorrow with edging that I stained this morning. And I need to pick up a couple of bumper pieces for the ends of the spur tracks. Might be modifying the interior spur tracks depending on how large the engine house turns out to be. Here are the results so far: