My first stab at HO table top design… feedback welcome before I do track layout

[diesel]

Easy and useful upgrade for those cars - metal wheelsets. They snap right in and improve smoothness. More realistic clickety clack too.

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Some pics of the support structure and base layer of Go Board... tomorrow foamboard gets cut and affixed

I have no clue why a couple of pics are rotated when uploaded... sorry

 

[DeaconKC]

1: I really like your forethought and execution.
2: I flat out love your flag display!

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Quick question...

After i put the 2" foam board on (cutting it to fit the base as shown above) and after I paint the foam board (before track laying and topography/landscape design)... I want to add a barrier/guard/railing/fascia about 5" high around the whole layout (except wall sides)

The Go Board is 1/2", add the 2" foam board and that means a "fascia type barrier" would extend 2.5" above the foam board....high enough (i think) to stop details from falling off the platform to the floor.

Given my small L-shape platform (8ft one leg, 7ft the other) and given I'll be running double tracks... I'll have track close to the edge.

What product to you use? (those who have "walls or barriers" around your layouts?)

Is there some kind of rolled flexible but relatively strong material I could glue around the perimeter?

Edit: I just found some “flexible molding” that might work… paintable and meant to be glued on. I had no idea they made such a thing.

2nd edit: would be more fun to build that “edging”… maybe some small railroad ties used to make the barrier all the way around…

3rd edit: just read a bunch of model train forum posts on the subject… lots of lots of ideas now!

 

[DeaconKC]

Hobby Lobby sells rolls of corrugated plastic that could probably be easy to glue to your layout edges.

 

[diesel]

Just wondering, I see the circular ends and you made a mention of double tracks. The very first reply on page one says some things about turning radius, have a second read. It's a good time to refine that part of things because, to me, it looks like you would be hard pressed to fit a single track loop in there in HO scale.

Given this space, what would I do? I would consider three possibilities and choose one.
1. As is, change to N scale.
2. Make it point to point or switching, no loops
3. Make it bigger

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Just wondering, I see the circular ends and you made a mention of double tracks. The very first reply on page one says some things about turning radius, have a second read. It's a good time to refine that part of things because, to me, it looks like you would be hard pressed to fit a single track loop in there in HO scale.

Each bubble measures 44" diameter (22" radius) so single track will work

the second track may be elevated if needed... or I'll run only very short engines (2-8-0 steamer?),and short rolling stock

it's all the space I can allocate in my shop

Hobby Lobby sells rolls of corrugated plastic that could probably be easy to glue to your layout edges.

Yep..
Thinking something in 4" height

Will provide approx 1.5" protection

Top of foam is 29" from floor (it's a low table)

 

[migalyto]

Each bubble measures 44" diameter (22" radius) so single track will work

Problem is with it being 44" your track is going to have to be right on the edge or hanging over a bit (since radius is measured from track center) to achieve that 22" radius. I know in previous posts you have mentioned a fascia board for protection, which is always a good idea.

You may find if you do this the overhang on some rolling stock and locomotives are going to hit that protector. may be a safe bet to dial that radius back to 20.5 or so and build in easement in and out of all your curves. It will make your equipment look and operate better. It might be difficult to deal with derailments. As we all know, these will happen in the worst area.

 

[diesel]

The inside return curve is what would concern me. Sure you can fit two separate loops but the tracks have to make an "S" leaving and entering the front side of the loop on each side. Have you mapped that out?

 

[migalyto]

The inside return curve is what would concern me. Sure you can fit two separate loops but the tracks have to make an "S" leaving and entering the front side of the loop on each side.

Great point! I didn't catch that when I was writing my reply.

I see it now!

 

[RetiredinIowa]

No doubt it’s going to be ‘exciting’ (aka a big challenge) to map something out with two separate tracks on this layout that will work!

I may have to run very close to the walls and table edges at times… and use elevation,, etc to try and smooth things out

Running short steam engines and rolling stock may be my only solution

We’ll see what my track design brings… just starting that now

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Something like this…

Looks like a couple of bull testicles hanging out of the corner…. lol lol

 

[diesel]

Is that a crossover or an up and over?

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Is that a crossover or an up and over?

good question… I’m unsure at this point… just wagging the design right now

Likely an up and over… since I want (dreaming about) elevation in that corner and with a tunnel or two

Second track something like this if possible

I need to do more detailed layout on graph paper or something similar to check feasibility and dimensions

Might just make some templates and layout on the table… maybe just some rope to see what is possible and measure distances of turn radii

 

[RetiredinIowa]

@TLOC

Per you question on the coffee forum about what my table top space looks like… here it is with dimensions

 

[ctclibby]

@TLOC

Per you question on the coffee forum about what my table top space looks like… here it is with dimensions

View attachment 253407

You might think about creating an inside curve; top right corner as the 42" reach will be impossible. 30" reach is also questionable. 24" reach could be doable if you have to reach over buildings or other scenery to do something. Those 44" blobs would allow 20.5"ish radii; maybe 21" depending on how you protect that great big canyon, that what you want? It is always something ... right?

L8r

 

[RetiredinIowa]

You might think about creating an inside curve; top right corner as the 42" reach will be impossible. 30" reach is also questionable. 24" reach could be doable if you have to reach over buildings or other scenery to do something. Those 44" blobs would allow 20.5"ish radii; maybe 21" depending on how you protect that great big canyon, that what you want? It is always something ... right?

L8r

Good thoughts and I already checked… I can reach relatively easily… I’m tall and have a very low table height… only 29”

But I am / will be conscious of what I’ll have to work on/reach in that corner!

 

[santafewillie]

top right corner as the 42" reach will be impossible.

But it's not likely that track will extend that far back. Do scenery first back there in case you have to lean on the table in front.

 

[DeaconKC]

If you shave 3" off each of the 30" sections you would lose a bit of scenery area BUT give yourself so much better access to trackage and wiring underneath. I'm just a firm believer in Murphy's Law.
PS, Love your signature Brother, Ps 91 right back at ya.

 

[diesel]

I need to do more detailed layout on graph paper or something similar to check feasibility and dimensions

100%, because when you fill in the corner details, you're always breaking your stated minimum radius.