We have liftoff?

Will that Boro system support any weight if it was used on a layout where you might need to climb onto it for any reason. Also how does it compare to the cost of Mianne Benchwork.

Bora rates the capacity of each table at 2,000 Lbs.  I have the 36" high version so a short step ladder would be needed.  I am building the layout in 6 tables at a time sections since there is no underneath access.

The accessory that I was waiting for from Bora will arrive today and I will show how that changes things up gap wise between the tables.

As for the Mianne system I do not know about the cost comparison as the criteria for this seasonal layout was to light weight compact storage when the layout was broken down.  IMO that pretty much eliminated dimensional lumber and sheet goods (4X8 plywood, Homasote,insulation boards) for the tops.  The Bora gives me that feature with the collapsable stands and folding tops.  I will show that aspect in future photos.

I bought all my Bora on Amazon and just watched for sales as I started to buy this system about 9 months ago I could be patient.


Once you get the hang of it (1 table) it takes less than 5 minutes to set up a 2X4 table.  

runamuckchuck, That is interesting about using the thin carpet pads. Have you used it before? If not, let us know how it works out. Alfred

My layout is permanent and I did use Mianne Benchwork this time. I’ve built numerous layouts in the past and until now tried to do too much in a small space. I learned my lesson after so many tries and greatly downsized and my new layout worked out very well.

My layout is 5x10 and 36 inches high. The top is homosote over birch vernier plywood topped with indoor outdoor carpet and is on coasters so it can be moved away from the wall to make it easier to work on. I also used the Mianne Transformer table to hold my ZWL, Legacy System and CAB1L System. I used a “Jones Plug” wiring system so I could easily disconnect the wiring if I needed to move the layout. This came in handy recently when we needed to move everything when we had a French drain installed in our crawl space.

It’s an amusement park themed layout with five Lemax amusement rides and two loops of Ross track. I don’t have nor do I have any need for switches. All I need now are some figures that would work with the Lemax ones for the midway.

The Mianne benchwork including the transformer cart was just under $700. The two pieces of birch plywood and homosote came to about $100 and the carpet was about $20. Everything went together in about a week including all the wiring. The best thing I did was using the “Jones Plug” to make the electrical connection.

I’ll post some photos in another post.

So, if anyone knows where I could get some figures that would work I be very grateful.

Quick update.
The vagaries of a seasonal layout for multi holidays!

I was vexed by the lack of grass mats that looked like late Fall i.e. mostly brownish. Plus the expense to cover the entire layout 12X12 caused me to consider alternatives. I decided to first cover the BORA table tops with 'tan' floor protective paper (sort of like craft paper thickness) from Home Depot to disguise the table top gaps and then cover that with tight weave natural burlap fabric from Joanns. Not exactly typical but inexpensive.

I am waiting for highway and parking lot pavement to arrive and then I hope to leap forward with the placement of the excursion departure point village/small town.
Unlike my original intention I may cut the Ikea thin carpet pad to dampen the Fastrack noise.

Photos to follow shortly.

Well, I would be very interested to see this and in particular how you worked an amusement park into that space.

There are a couple of other threads on OGF about figures, including one from PTC Brian, and I know Scenic Express do a few in O scale that are carnival type people. The Lemax structures are a revelation because I never looked at them before Emile the BCC posted a movie including them from the last York meet. 

They say slow and steady wins the race which I hope is true because the more realistic portion of the layout has proven to be a real monkey puzzle at least for me. These pictures are a mock up/draft if you will of how the town will be arranged. The buildings are still in their containers until the the final version.

You are looking at the front edge of layout/town. I took photos of to the side to avoid the glare of the work lights.

In the foreground is the track with the train station.
To the left of the station is a tavern/pub for the passengers only (hopefully).

Behind that we have the Main Street retail strip. The idea is to have a Main Street (a section is visible which I laid out for spacing) with curbing and a Super Streets run for a trolly on the curb side loop around the town in some fashion.

There is one intersection in town where you see the larger gaps between the buildings.

Parking will be behind the buildings accessible from the cross street.
All the buildings are set upon black plastic corrugated board from Michaels the seams of which will be black taped to hide. I figured it was easier to put landscaping on top rather than cut around.

I am using 096 curves to accommodate larger engines and 21" passenger cars which leaves a fairly large empty area. To the left of the depot I plan to place a USPS office. To the right I will likely place a water tower for the steam locos or maybe the Woodland Scenics gas station.

I know it is not much progress but hopefully now that I have the town placement all but finalized, the final execution can begin and move on to the next stage.