I am relatively new to the model train scene. I have a 4 foot x 2 foot base board with foam on that I am working on. It is portable at present as I do not have space for a permanent layout. My wife has finally let me move the layout indoors, but I will have to install some sort of folding unit so that when I am not working on the layout I can fold it away.
Are there any designs around for something like this? One would have to bear in mind that that the layout will probably be in the region of six inches high when complete.
Would it be possible to make the baseboard a 2ft wide book shelf installed on shelf brackets?
There are several different types of wall brackets that would support the layout well. And you wouldn’t have to remove and replace rolling stock when train time is over. And you could install other shelves above and/or beneath the layout to hold your wife’s stuff or yours.
When I was a child my father built a drop-down 4x8 for me. Basically a wall unit with a set of hinges, a couple of chains and a stand alone desk (laminated) to use as an additional support. Since my HO engines were all Tycos the layout didn’t ever really amount to much, but it became a really neat place to play with 1/87 military minitures.
I have an American Flyer train set-up on a tri fold door. Its three 15" hollow core doors hinged together. Everything has to be removed to fold it away. Nice and sturdy when placed on my kids game table. Downside is that nothing is permenantly attached. But for this sort of toy train it works nice. Might give you some ideas though.
A company called Lifetime makes some pretty good folding light weight tables in various sizes and shapes. Here is a link showing one that seems to be what you are talking about.
I do not have that specific table, but I do have 2 of another style, and I’m very happy with them. Sometimes you can pick them up very cheap…we paid about $15 a piece for ours a few months back at Big Lots. I have also seen some of their products at Sam’s Club and Lowes.
Depend on John Armstrong to have a workable solution!
The very first layout design in John Armstrong on Creative Layout Design, the ‘Murphy Bed and Credenza,’ is a fold-against-the-wall design with a fixed yard masquerading as set of bookshelves. Dimensions would be subject to negotiation, but his basic design has the main (folding) part four feet wide and a few inches short of wall height long. The non-folding yard is about a foot wide and as long as you can get away with (the longer, the better.)
i too have a fold-away layout. 4x8 in HO scale. my dad built it from a sort of styrofoam. i think its something called foamcore. its very light and supported by hinges on the bottom with chains for additional support and adjustability. there is also a desk underneath for a work area and more support. my benchwork is just foamcore with a wooden frame around it. sadly, i haven’t figured out how to adjust it. hopefully i will find something. anyway, i think the fold-away concept is a great idea. i think there was something in an old MR magazine that focused on a layout that folded into a cabinet. sadly, i don’t remember what issue it was in. i will probably post back if i find it.