I'm daydreaming about making a coffee-table layout. Its main task will be continuous unmanned running- ie hypnotise my three-year-old Is a coffee table (presumably around 2x4 ft) big enough for two levels of track, preferably with one crossing over the other? I've seen several plans but they seem to tend towards the flat (understandable, in such limited space). I also have a pipe dream of being able to connect two coffee-table layouts, but that's just plain silliness until I build at least the first one
Try this link - Mike has several very interesting 2 X 4 layout plans http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm Hope this helps
I would suggest making your layout a different size. The 2X4 footprint really leaves lots to be desired in any layout. Even going 3.5x2.5 would be preferable. On my current design i'm thinking of doing a small 3x3.5 layout. Sq footage for 2x4= 8 sq. Ft. Sq footage for 3x3.5= 10.5 sq. ft. If you break away from the 2x4 crutch you can get lots more scenery potential for your layout and wider curves too. Coffee table sounds really cool though. Especially for dust protection.
I would make the coffee table layout 2.5x4'. You might be able to make two levels of track on this size layout. Do a "Google" search of coffee table layouts in N scale. BTW, there was a thread about this on Trainboard about one week ago. have fun...
As a side note: in HO there are many good 4x8 plans but they don't convert to a 2x4 in N. The conversion factor is 55% not 50%. So 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 is a closer conversion.
Hey, Keep an eye on eBay.They have one every now & then.Also, soneone will sell a plan for one.There was one there(coffee table with layout) last week.
Possible, but half the fun is building it myself. Assuming that I ever build it... so I'll watch eBay as you suggest. But the ideal solution would be to find a layout (the ones at Mike's look great!) and build it with my father-in-law's carpentry, my wife's painting skills, my trackwork and my son's enthusiasm.
This is my variation on one of Mike's track plans and it allows continuous running around two loops. It uses a 15-degree crossing rather than an up and over design but I’m sure you could convert it you wanted to. That way you could have 2 levels of track. On mine the outer loop is just ½” lower than the inner loop.
Coffee tables can run considerably larger than 2 x 4. My Queen Anne-style dropleaf, when the leafs are raised, is 60 inches by 34 inches. I believe these were also called "Long Johns." I've made a number of these replicas for family over the years. If you are going to use the table as furniture, however, remember that it gets effectively larger if there isn't considerable "toe/knee space" beneath it. A solid two-foot cube, in other words, appears larger and needs more space around it than a four-legged table of similar size. Standard coffee table height is 16-17 inches. I've thought about one many times, but am involved in building a much larger railroad right now. One thing I personally would try to do is minimize the vertical depth, so there would be space underneath the table. If I built a 5-foot by 3-foot table, I would also leave a ledge all around (an overhang) of at least 3 inches. This would leave me with a modeling space of about 4.5 feet by 2.5 feet. I think I would keep the depth at about 6 inches, total. All this calls for light construction--but you're not going to being standing on this railroad, I think. A 1/4-inch ply box, suitably reinforced with small struts, should be fine. Well, that's my $0.02 worth.
If I were doing a coffee table layout..... I would keep it to a simple loop with a center partition dividing contrasting scenery themes (i.e. winter/summer, urban/rural, mountain/plains, etc. I think that would give a much bigger impression of the train actually going somewhere instead of just running in loops. Ideally, the long sides could have glass, etc. to allow side viewing as opposed to the "airial" views typical of these types of layouts. Just some thoughts....
Hey bighammer, imho, a 2x4 can give you an "over and under" continuous run layout.... (of course may limit operations)... e.g. the 6th layout on the page recommended by jim (prince)... one word of caution... calculate the required grades to allow this... as such, a high grade will limit/determine the length of your train... i'm also looking into the possibility of making a layout as a coffee table affair.... the only people who are interested in my trains are the children of my friends.... and as such, i feel it would be prudent to make it so that their "prying' hands can't get into causing any mischief. oh, also, I hope you're carpentry skills are good on the whole...i wish you luck on your endeavor... and keep us posted
My input? Build it in Z. Yes, Z scale. The amount of cool stuff in Z available now is expanding by the day, it seems. From nice rolling stock, to new engines on the horizon, Z has never had it better. And in 2x4', a Z layout would have plenty of operational opportunities. Tell me what you think, this IS a Z scale car. But it sure doesn't look it! The amount of detail now on Z rollingstock is really quite good. And if you may argue that Z is more expensive, yes, a little bit. But most nice Z rollingstock and engines are about equally priced with their quality N scale counterparts. Yes, it IS very small, and if you have good eyes, go for it!
One quick and easy idea might be to build a terrain for trains module into a coffed table. Quick and easy and thier basic track plan might satisfy your needs. Here's a link. http://terrainfortrains.com/Hisiera.htm
I have the great advantage of a father-in-law who taught high school shop for a million years. He's doing the coffee table part, leaving me with the railroad part. My plan includes a glass top that is secured, so that little hands can't get into it, but openable so that my big mitts can. Right now I am kicking around the idea of maknig it look like a godola, from the side. My father-in-law has already told me how he can make wooden wheels for it... I'll post a drawing tonight, if time allows. And as to Z... my budget, alas, just doesn't go there. N is still considerably more affordable, as far as I have seen. I like Z, as an idea, but this one will be N.
Have fun with whatever you come up with is what I say! Here's my attempt at a coffee table layout in Z Scale. Dimension's are 36"x36". The top drawer has all of the controls in it. It's still a work in progress. The second is a bird's eye view of the track plan. Simple and easy to maintain.
Brian, your craftsmanship shows in these pictures. It's a table that I hope to match. I'm working on a variant of the up&over dogbone that Mike has shared ( sixth plan down). Now that my rolling stock has arrived I have incentive to give it somewhere to roll, so I hope to be reporting progress soon
