N Scale Model Railroad Table
admin | February 15, 2010
Here’s something we haven’t thought enough about, the surface where we’re placing our models. I know, you like those little N scale trains so it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Everything is so miniscule in N gauge that it just doesn’t seem like you need all that good a surface for it. But hold up. Give me a chance to set out my point. I believe it makes a significant difference what type of table you place your layout on. Here are some reasons why:
A weak surface will disappoint:
Straight off, you don’t want to choose a surface that is weak and that will tilt or that can be easily pushed over. When you display your new setup to your younger family members you don’t want the little tykes to be able to inadvertently derail your trains with just an accidental touch. Or even worse: what if your whole table gets knocked on its side. Imagine the possible damage and the amount of time you just wasted! No, you definitely must have a nice firmly constructed surface. You’re good with your hands, you could probably construct the table yourself.
Cool Tip: Here’s a cool tip. Remember that unused ping-pong table that lays forgotten in the garage? Sure you do, it’s the ping pong table that became your new toy train table. Ping pong tables are nice and big so they open up lots of choices for your layout. If you have HO or smaller, you will never need any more room than this. Even if you have a Lionel O or one of those new S scale trains, you’ll find that you can really do a lot with a table this big.
Portable tables for going places:
Be ready to unburden your wallet a bit for a strong hobby table. A quick web search will pop up a gaggle of leads geared to train tables.
Cool tip #2: Here’s a space saver: Lower your table from the ceiling. If you’re good with your hands and in need of extra space, the best way to save floor space is not to use it. You can use pulleys to raise and drop your train whenever you would like.
Interlocking tables:
The best bet when it comes to tables, though, is domino style tables that can be used in any setup. These tables can be united in any shape or layout. What these wonderful domino tables let you to do most however is to grow your locomotive layout in any way that you can imagine. You set out the dimensions of these tables. The light weight design is ideal for model train lovers. So light, its no problem to take your entire setup from room to room. If you want to take this over to your brother’s house to show his kids your track, it is easy enough to be hauled. In fact, you might find yourself altering your track design over and over.
A well designed toy train setup is only as sturdy as the foundation it is set on.
Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
