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So I'm going through with a coffee table layout base on N Scale and I need some suggestions on how to go about building this table. Here's the track plan I'm going with, so it's going to be 2' x 4 1/3'.
I'm going to run BNSF equipment and have it based as either running coal hoppers or just manifest freight with a grain tower and grain hoppers on the sidings.
I need help on a design for the table though, I have no idea how I want to go about building it or designing it. I still want it to look tasteful, and I'll end up staining it.
If someone could through out suggestions, or even your own design based on my needs I'd be more than grateful. I'll post some pictures of stuff I've already bought later on today.
Model Railroader magazine published a series of artlcles on the "East Glasstop" IIRC in the late 70's. I think the articles have been reprinted with some of the other project layouts. Try checking the Model Railroader and/or Kalmback websites.
Model Railroader magazine published a series of artlcles on the "East Glasstop" IIRC in the late 70's. I think the articles have been reprinted with some of the other project layouts. Try checking the Model Railroader and/or Kalmback websites.
Mike, not Mark. I checked up and down google, and failed to find anything on it. I'm going to just hit up Home Depot either tomorrow to Tuesday and just go in by the seat of my pants and make a table of some sort. Trains.com has an absolutely horrible search engine, not to mention you have to be subscribed to their magazines to get any useful information from what you did manage to find.
Here are some other pictures.
What track I have at the moment, going to hate buying the turnouts at $27 a piece.
I've been wanting to build a coffee table layout for years. I look forward to seeing your build progress.
Have you considered using smaller equipment? A six axle locomotive will make the layout feel even smaller than it is. Something like an SW1200 or RS-2 might look really good. And smaller cars too, like 40' box cars and such.
If I ever get around to making a coffee table layout my plan is to start with a prefab table. I've seen quite a few options but this one is the first that had a reasonable amount of depth to it.
I've been wanting to build a coffee table layout for years. I look forward to seeing your build progress.
Have you considered using smaller equipment? A six axle locomotive will make the layout feel even smaller than it is. Something like an SW1200 or RS-2 might look really good. And smaller cars too, like 40' box cars and such.
I did before I even thought about the layout, originally there were going to be two trains, and it was going to be based on suburbia chicago with a metra and bnsf manifest freight going through a small town, but I changed my mind and wanted heavier equipment because that is what I like. It's going to be in a coffee table for show, not really for operations or running with friends. So I'm going to stick with the ACe and probably get some coal porters or grain hoppers to go along with it. Also, I like the ability to build my own table because I can make it to my dimension, no something IKEA gives me for $250. Although I do appreciate the suggestion.
I bought some wood today at Home Depot. Not going to give away the design just yet. I'll post updates as the build moves along. Don't really have a free day until Friday but I'll try and sneak some work in this week.
Going to make a wiring harness for it all tonight, and I'll get some pictures up of it all later today.
Also, this thread doesn't have much traction in this forum, so I suppose if a mod could move it to the N Scale forum people would probably rather read it there.
It looks great. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I do have a suggestion. At the normal viewing angle, it will be impossible to create a convincing backdrop on the four interior walls of the table. So, I suggest lining the inside of the table with mirrors. It solves the backdrop problem, looks nice, and creates the appearance of an extended countryside and an extended water surface. There are two drawbacks. One is that the edge of the mirror will be plainly visible, and the other, of course, is that it duplicates everything in the scene, including the train and the track. While I would not want that on a regular layout, I think it actually adds interest on a coffee table layout like this.
