I am going to be moving into an apartment and have been thinking of trying to build one of those coffee table layouts in a table with a glass top/sides. Does anyone know of a good source of the tables, minimum table size needed, any plans or photos, etc. Appreciate any help you can give. Thanks!
I used to drearm of doing a coffee table layout, but the thought of spilled soda, leaks. Would want 11" curves - maybe 26"x56" - got to get glass or plexiglass sheets for top.
It never got built, too complicated. I also don’t like looking down from above on a layout, is like looking from a 10 story building. So, I would skip the glass/clear top and just build the coffee table base about 6-8 inches lower than the desired top, use block supports at the 4 corners to hold a solid tabletop to fit over the base part. Lift off the cap for a layout, sit on the floor for eye level. The “cap” part would be plywood and 1x3 pine. Wood might be nice, but I like ceramic tile on the top and side panels, dark color grout. Eliminates glass questions, some nice vinyl floor tiles are suitable as a nice cover too. Could put a window in, but more trouble than it’s worth. I think I’d rather build a HO/N scale trolley line closer to eye level or fold out of wall.
Another possibility might be a rotating top with the layout upside down. That would help keep the top clear of more than one item. 
We tend to like trains at the same eye level as fi***anks. Coffee table layouts might be ideal for a subway.
Here’s a link to a nice table layout built in a table from Cosco.
http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=11150
Here’s another one that he has for sale:
http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=11150
Wayne
the Kalmbach book, “MODEL RAILROADING IN SMALL SPACES” has information and plans for small layouts in HO and N scales including where to get materials.