Hi modelrailroaders.[:D] I would like to hear from all of you what is the best layout is for two 4x8 tables which are joined together to form an 8x8 platform. What good advice do you have for me and my dad.
Sincerely
Ryan LaPlaca
I’d suggest not joining the tables to form an 8x8. You’ll not be able to reach the center of the tables and so a derail would become a major problem, so would maintinance.
Let me turn you on to a site that has taught me tons, and still does. It’s;
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/BFSpages/LDSIGprimer/TOC.html
This is some good stuff. Read through a few articles and you’ll get a much better idea of what you’re after.
Next, I’d buy or download some track planning software and start planning. You can download the Atlas software for free at http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm . Some people like it while others like Xtrakcad (also free) at http://www.sillub.com . The leaning curve is a bit steeper for the Xtrakcad but if you do the tutorial it’s not too bad. Whichever you get, make sure you register it (it’s free) or you will be very limited in what the program will let you do.
The center of an 8 x 8 table – unless you cut in an access hatch – is entirely wasted. How can you reach in, even if it is to scenic or place structures, much less track. Walk up to a wall with your arm straight out – that is the absolute deepest you can go and I bet it might not even be 2 feet…
Those two 4x8 sheets give you the raw material for any number of really good track plans – check out any of the good track plan books by Ian Rice or Linn Westcott or Atlas – but the first step is to get over thinking of the 4x8 sheet as sacred territory that cannot be altered, only combined.
Cut each 4x 8 in half length wise, or cut a 2x4 ft piece out of each end, use those two 2x4 ft sections to connect the other parts for a sort of “water wings” or dogbone plan or even go around a corner.
Dave Nelson
If you have room for 8x8 and walk all round it (which you will need to be able to do just to reach the outside 2’ all round - you can forget the middle - ) then slice the boards up and fix them all round the outside of the space. this will give you much more usable track base, greater length and more ability to come up with a railroad like track plan instead of a spaghetti bowl. It will also save you wearing your legs out walking round the monster.
Have fun.
These guy’s are right about the 4x8 thing. Give this a read and see if it won’t work for you;
http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id28.html
This may also help;
Ryan;
I cannot help but notice that you keep bombarding this forum with questions on every aspect of this hobby. No real problem here, that’s what this forum is for.
Instead of spending so much time on this forum asking whatever pops into your head, it might be a better learning experience for you to pick up some reference materials that will hopefully guide you on your way through the hobby. Kalmbach Publications, owners of this forum, have plenty of books and other materials on this site - just take a look around.
Here are a few that I would suggest:
Building Your First Model Railroad Video - 60 minutes long, and a great help:
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/10002.html
Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby - this is a book with lots of stuff:
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12197.html
Learning by doing is a lot better that keeping on asking questions every time something new appears.
Good luck!
Bob Boudreau
Hi Ryan, welcome to the club! I guess if you are joining the 2 tables side by side, maybe an over/under folded dogbone layout might be good for that 8x8 space. Best to map out on a large sheet of paper how you’d like the layout to lay, and then go from there to the table. Or you could go to an “L” shape with the 2 tables, and expand from the ends when you want. At any rate , good luck!
Bob Boudreau is a wise man; take his advice. A beginner has too many questions to be answered by even a full years’s worth of Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman, or to be addressed one at time in these forums, but there are excellent books out there for beginners and then books on each topic where you want to know more. Your local hobby shop should have those books. It might seem like spending money you’d rather spend on cars and engines and track but it is money well spent.
Dave Nelson