N Scale Switching Layout

[railfan]

I'm considering making a semi-portable layout, the base will just have track on it, and would be stored in a closet when not in use. When operating I will place it onto a table, and then put any buildings in place, power it up, and start running trains. If this isn't a good idea then I'm not sure how I can make this work, I'm still a big fan of model railroading, but my friends and parents aren't the biggest supporters and I'd like to keep my hobby as private as possible. Something like a door would be too big, what about a plain old piece of plywood?

Plywood is fine....if you have a piece then use it. Your plan to make it portable is perfect for a switching layout. If you still need to get material to use as a platform....the soundboard (celotex) Nmaniac was refering to costs only half what plywood costs....and it's very lightweight...Not quite as stiff as plywood though....but you can brace it with cheap 1" x 2" pine sticks.

Sometimes a lumber yard will have scraps or smaller pieces of plywood or celotex for cheap. Or a construction site dumpster might be full of usable stuff but I always ask someone before taking anything. Just some ideas here.

 

[ElPresidente]

Plywood is fine....if you have a piece then use it. Your plan to make it portable is perfect for a switching layout. If you still need to get material to use as a platform....the soundboard (celotex) Nmaniac was refering to costs only half what plywood costs....and it's very lightweight...Not quite as stiff as plywood though....but you can brace it with cheap 1" x 2" pine sticks.

Sometimes a lumber yard will have scraps or smaller pieces of plywood or celotex for cheap. Or a construction site dumpster might be full of usable stuff but I always ask someone before taking anything. Just some ideas here.

Thank you for the tips. I've decided to go with plywood, and plan on cutting it to fit my "final" trackplan.

I'm planning on using this as my trackplan:

I may make a few modifications, like the addition of a second track at one of the industries. Credit for the plan goes to this site, I believe someone on here linked it to me. http://www.cke1st.com/Trkplans/30x21_1.gif

Right now I'm stuck between ordering the track, or ordering the locomotive + rolling stock first. I'd like to have my track up, running, and ready to go, but then again I'd really like to get a feel for my stock and start weathering/painting/decaling