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Hi Friends:

I run O trains (MTH and Lionel, modern and post war) and I run them for the toy value, not the scenic building. Therefore, my layouts are all temporary, and change with a whim or circumstances. I'm not a big fan of switches, I like figure 8s, and self contained loops. Scenery is Plasticville, figures, cars, some animated things, and the top of the board is green fabric. 

I dismantled the last layout for work in the garage. This time. I'll have 6 to 8 Cosco 2.5 x 6' tables. I want to run as many trains as possible. I'll want dedicated Fasttrack loops for Lionchief and another for conventional running, and an old style 0-27 figure eight. 

Anybody else do that? If so, I'd love to see what you came up with!

 

 

 

Last edited by pdxtrains
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Yep, that my method as well.  The largest I have done was on 6, 6ft banquet tables and a couple of 2x4ft tables.  On that one I had two turnaround loops as well as turnouts for independent loops and spurs, at either end (using the 4ft tables to widen it out)  and a couple of long runs connecting them, and in the middle of the U layout, I had a Bascule bridge that served as a transition piece between the two halves.  On one side was Snow village with Super O and on the other was North Pole Village and Fastrack.  The bridge made it easy to connect the two.  I ran the Polar express and GN (Rotary snowplow)  on the Super O side and NPC on the NP side, but of course the PE also made the trip over to the NP side ... 

Most of the NPC serviced all of the activities going on in the NP.  I ran conventional with independent transformers (CW80 for the NPC and an LW for the PE.   

Its been a few years since I had all of the villages and trains in one place so I am just playing with trains this year and prototyping a layout using three to four tables in a smaller space here in FL.  I usually top the tables with the interlocking child mats which seem to fit nicely.  It quiets the FT well and also makes for a comfortable rest for the elbows, and smooth's out any unevenness in the tables.  I cover with fabric. 

I enjoy coming up with different layouts each year. I am behind on my plans for this year, but it will likely be 8 x 8 using four 4x4 plywood sheets to expand on the tables a bit.  Here are a few photos of the work in progress including a possible layout (just trying out the table size.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Yes, I took over the dining room this year and last as we will not have family visiting.  Just holding out until my wife retires and I can take over the bonus room office.  Looking forward to having all of the villages in one place.  Its great how easy it is to assemble a nice layout in very little time, and tear it down, although my wife insists it comes down by Easter!

PDXTRAINS,

Flash built one in his garage using those tables. He screwed fascia boards to the side and turf carpet on the top. Where needed, he put a few screws to hold the track in place.  Flash's layout

In Flash's layout, we figured out the track fitment for one table between two for creating an end. This leaves a 6' space in the center for an 11' wide layout.

If you cut-out some 2.5" x 6" rectangles from paper or something, you can try different configurations of the tables. 5' wide 11' wide, square, rectangles, L's.

Then you can work on track designs.

Forum member eddiem has small wooden modules that are designed to sit on the tables that he takes to events.

Have Fun!

I used the tables at a local historical society for a display of running trains for their Christmas exhibits.

3 - 6' tables covered with a 6'x9' piece of bound carpeting works as the base.  The track easily bridges the gaps between tables.

I also set up a Polar Express train around their Christmas tree.

 

Thanks for the examples of temporary layouts above.

Greg

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