Progress on Mini-'Layout'

Ghanks Joe, it may make up for the time that I did not get with my son and trains. It should be ready by the next time my granddaughter comes. It will be fun. Alfred

I agree although depending on age there's a downside to letting little ones loose on modern command control trains. My grandson is train-mad (mainly Brio wooden track models) one of which has a remote but I have learned that that a Legacy remote is too much for him and his younger sister. I had to nab mine back from her just before she deleted all my engines! Since they press every key randomly just to see what it does there's a mortal risk factor. 

Post by atsda on May 3, 2024 at 11:49pm

I have a framed 4’ x 4’ train board that was painted white for an HO layout that never developed beyond one loop of the old style track. It was a project started two decades ago; however, my son was never interested, and there was little time devoted to the effort on my part. The platform is in the process of undergoing a transformation – to make it a play table / layout for my granddaughter – his daughter. It has been painted forest green (by my wife). I glued 8” wallpaper boarder around the surface on all sides – depicting a forest scene. Today, I finished the underside supports to raise it off the floor to a height of 2 feet. . I used 1” PVC pipe and fittings that I had from a garden irrigation system. I bought some elbows and toggle bolts and made the underside stand. I have a loop of HO track with plastic ballast around the perimeter for a trolley. I am now making a ‘dogleg’ loop out of o27 track, and placing all of it on 14 “A size ” piers (like the ones from the Lionel 110 graduated trestle set). I plan to run a Scout engine, tender and gondola (for her cows and horses). There will be Plasticville buildings, and plenty of room for her to build with her Brio train set. Alfred

The mini-‘layout’ is almost finished. I need to screw down the O27 track piers and the HO track. I decided not to make a ‘dog leg’ with the O27 track; it would have taken up too much room, and therefore not left enough play space. I put the O27 elevated loop in the corner, so that part of it would straddle the HO track. Due to the radius differential. The third pier is snug over the lower track – I may move it to the next tie. I used a hack saw to remove the strut that connects the lower parts of the ‘legs’ of the piers – otherwise the HO track would not have laid flat on the table. The piers were designed for O31 track and would ordinarily use metal ‘clips’ to secure the track. Since the ties on the O27 track are different, I screwed them directly into the plastic. The last item to take care of. Is to add struts to the table legs (from the bottom of each leg to the inner part of the frame) to increase stability. Pictured is a Brio freight consist, Nob Hill Trolley, and a Lionel Scout engine (#1060, 1960-62) and tender. I may try to find a small motorized unit or trolley for the elevated loop. Alfred    

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. It's too late now to respond individually - I will however. I will reduce the overhang, and not use 4" x 4" legs, and reconsider the table top thickness. I am re-planning. Alfred