A second level for Std. Gauge- Got pics?

You could have Tom make some nice pillars color keyed to the rest of the decor either paint or stain then finish them off in a high gloss finish. Natural wood would look good too depending on the wood used. Just make sure it's secured well to the table and a pillar at every track joint especially if you plan on running the 408 pink monster on that level.    Just some ideas.

Chris Lonero posted:

You could have Tom make some nice pillars color keyed to the rest of the decor either paint or stain then finish them off in a high gloss finish. Natural wood would look good too depending on the wood used. Just make sure it's secured well to the table and a pillar at every track joint especially if you plan on running the 408 pink monster on that level.    Just some ideas.

I was looking at the forum member (Atomic Punk on youtube)  O-scale tinplate video we all saw with the Count Basie soundtrack for inspiration previously...

I love the pillar idea, but if one pillar at every track joint-- there would be one or maybe two right over the lower track at the front area of the table- eek, posing a large design problem with a litho dollhouse very close to the back side of the track.

This circle will not hold the big 408E, but the 318E electric with two 300 passenger cars. 

One other thought is you could cut plywood the shape of the oval and you wouldn't have to worry about enough support. With the nice looking table and the tinplate buildings on the first level you probably want to keep all that as unobstructed as possible.  As you said the 318 and engines of that stature would be better off on top or even a nice trolley.

found this pic of a art deco pedestal table... wild but fabulous! Tom could construct a 8-3/4" to 9" wooden pedestal base to look like very similar to this, and use the same wood stains.

Trace off the Realtrax circle on the wedding cake diorama board as a perfectly fitting template for cutting a ring of wood for the USATrack circle. Then add a circle piece of high quality (beveled?) plexiglass, attaching the finished wood ring at the edges on top and attach the plexiglass to the pedestal base underneath. The wood edging and the base would conceal the wiring.

update: going to be using eight pillars  (thanks Chris!!) out of solid clear plastic, with eight pieces of wood 2" square for feet. A hole will be drilled into the square, to fit and anchor the pillars, and the wood will be painted (probably gloss black) and screwed from below to the table top. For the upper circle I've got calls out to glass sources. Need a 22" radius circle for the 42 curve circle of USATrack to sit upon. Tom says with being able to screw down the wood feet and pillars, the glass top may not need to be attached to the pillars.

The upper loop is 5 rail multi-gauge 72 radius. The inside loop is standard gauge.

Scott Smith

YOWZA!!!