Help a newbie: Table for N-scale

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just bought my two boys (and me!) an n-scale Bachmann spectrum set and found out we love model railroading. I am willing to dig deeper into the hobby and perhaps get better trains and tracks but have a basic problem – lack of space and skill to build a decent table and layout.

I am looking for a starter, ready-made table, about 32" wide by 72" inch long. Preferably something with a cross-over and a siding. I found dalesrrails.com and that may be the ticket for me (thinking a custom along the lines of the custom 88). Are there any other vendors I should consider? This is for an n-scale. Also, if you have tips on how to participate in this hobby with limited space, I am all ears! We live in San Jose, California (Bay Area).

Thanks in advance,

Pat

2

If you’re wanting something quick and dirty, try a hollow core door from your local hardware store. They make great tables but you’d still have to put together some legs (perhaps two sawhorses)…and of course it wouldn’t have terrain, you’d have to build that.

Brad

3

I’m with Brad. The hollow core doors come in a standard 6’-8" length, but in widths from 24" up to 36". They’re light but strong and stiff. If you don’t build the scenery too high, when you’re not operating you can even remove the rolling stock and lean it up against the wall.

You might want to get one and play with some track arrangements on it (not permanently fastened down) before committing to a layout design. Your ideas of what you want in a layout can easily change once you start operating.

My layout, which is still not finished, is on a 36" wide door with some extruded foam on top. Take a look at the website (shown below) and you’ll see some shots of it during construction.

Regards

Ed

4

Okay, a couple of more ideas.

  1. Check out this site for a lot of small N scale track plans. You’ll find some good ideas even if you don’t find one you completely like:
    http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm

  2. Check out this website for a lot of small layout plans. Not specifically N scale, but a lot of good ideas that can be incorporated in your final design:
    http://www.carendt.us/microplans/index.html

  3. Woodland Scenics new Mod-U-Rail system. I don’t know much about this new item, but it might have some use in your situation. Worth looking at anyway. Woodland Scenics is one of the most popular manufacturers for scenery materials.
    http://www.woodlandscenics.com
    (click on ‘layout kits’, then ‘mod-u-rail system’)

Regards

Ed

5

Thanks Brad and Ed. I guess I have a lot of research and planning to do.

----Pat