N Scale Model Railroad Table
Here’s a part of the model train hobby we haven’t spent enough time on, the table where we’re setting up our trains. I catch your drift, you like those tiny N gauge trains so it doesn’t seem like such a huge deal. Everything is so small in N scale that it just doesn’t seem like you need all that good a table for it. But hold up. Give me a chance to set out my point. The type of table you have your N gauge locomotives on can actually be very significant. Here are some reasons why:
A weak surface won’t do:
You should have a table that can withstand the common jolts. When you display your new setup to your younger family members you don’t want the little whipper snappers to be able to easily derail your locomotives with just an accidental lean. One unlucky instant and your trains could be in fragments scattered around the floor. What a disaster! No, you surely need a cool sturdy surface. You’re good with your hands, you might probably make the table yourself.
Cool Tip: Here’s a cool suggestion. If you happen to own an old ping-pong table you don’t use any more, then stop thinking of it as your ping pong table and start thinking of it as your new locomotive table. Ping pong tables are nice and large so they free lots of options for your design. Think of how complicated you could make your HO track layout on a table of these measurements. Even if you have a Lionel O or one of those new S gauge locomotives, you’ll find that you can really do a great deal with a table this size.
Portable tables for going places:
If you plan on taking your N size model train setup around and showing it to strangers, you may want to shell out for a portable hobby table made especially for arts and crafts. There are a few different internet sites that specialize in making these types of train tables that are sturdy but light weight and easily portable.
Cool suggestion #2: Here’s a room saver: Lower your table from the ceiling. If you’re good with your hands and in need of extra space, the best way to retain floor space is not to use it. Attach your table to the ceiling with a pulley system and your problem is overcome.
Interlocking tables:
The best bet when it comes to tables, though, is domino style tables that can be used in any configuration. These tables usually come in 2’ x 4’ cuts that can be arranged in any shape so that you can make really long pieces by connecting the 2’ to 2’ sides or you can make thicker tables by connecting the wider sides. What these wonderful domino tables let you to do most however is to grow your train layout in any way that you would like. You control the shape of these tables. The light weight design is ideal for model train lovers. So light, its no problem to take your whole layout from room to room. Its even no problem to fit in your car trunk. In fact, you might find yourself modifying your track design over and over.
And these tables can grow with your model training experience letting you extend your surface design in conjunction with your developing toy railroad layout.
Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
