Have any of you built tables to be used at a show to run the trains on? It is getting where my open house at Halloween is rained out a lot and I was thinking about making layout tables to run the trains at the arts and craft show in the spring and fall. I was wondering if any of you has had any experience in that and how much effort does it require to construct them, set them up and strike the set so to speak afterwards. Thanks.
https://largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/29108/opinions-wanted-portable-modular-oval?page=1
Greg mention using beer pong tables
and
What you build/run depends on the space you get.
At the ECLSTS there was room to run many modules. Modules were built in 4 foot long sections on the straights and in troom I saw over 50 modules in use.
If you build to the standard you can merge with other peoples modules in a club.
NHGRC is a group in New Hampshire as is the cctgg.org in Connecticut. They once merged there layouts in the past in York, PA.
Ron,
Send me your e-mail and I can send you the specifications which most clubs follow.
The beer pong tables are very compact, lightweight and inexpensive.
If you can keep people from sitting on them, they can be a great alternative.
This image is foreshortened, but the top dimensions are 2 foot by 8 foot, $76 each…
Greg
Thanks for the help. At Crosstie, there will be plenty of room. At Octoberfest, things will be somewhat different because it is downtown instead of at the courthouse. There is no clubs within a hundred miles of me so merging with a club is not likely. I had thought of maybe 20’ straight away with 8’ curves. That would make a layout 36’X16’.
Beer Pong Tables would be a good choice. I found some for $45. Would need to cover the table with a piece of plywood so the track would have something to mount to. Also, you would need to double the straight sections to have something to set the building on. Otherwise, half the building would be hanging off the table.
I screwed the track to the 2 center units, I think you can get away without plywood if you want to save weight.
Also the beer pong tables won’t handle a lot of weight and plywood won’t help unless pretty thin.
Greg
Greg, what is the deck of the beer pong tables made from? What about covering the tables with something that looks like grass, will it stick? And how about ballasting the track? Thought about 1/4 BC plywood. Pong tables will support 88 lbs.
88 pounds. how much does your locomotive weigh, on track, with a few cars in tow?
Yes, they are light, yes they will handle the loco weight Dave…
The surface appears to be some thin kind of masonite and often there are some crosswise supports, depending on the table. Yes, 1/4" luan plywood would be good, and you could put the grass right on the tops.
I’d say, plan out your layout, get the tables, set it up and see what you need to add.
I worked hard to make the lightest, most portable unit I could, so I would try setting the tables, perhaps c clamps to hold them to each other, throw the grass on top and then the track and see if it stays put.
Greg
Greg, The layout would be two parallel loops. I would set the tables up in a rectangle formation.
So you might have to put a couple of squares in the corners, with a single support in the inside corner, to allow the curves.
Did you decide on your goals for the curved radius/diameter?
Greg
They will be 8’ radius curves.
I think you may have meant 8 foot diameter curves as 8 foot radius will not fit on 16 feet of layout. Curves are center to center measurements and you need almost 2 more inches for clearance therefore the setup would be 16 feet and 4 inches. And trains would run on the edge of the table, not good for a show, little hands will derail a train and perhaps customize your rolling stock.
I did mention you would need to fill in the corners with some plywood, like a square sitting on the “corner” and then a leg for the “inside corner”
With the tables 8 foot long, on the ends, putting one 8 foot table, flanked by 2 tables gives a total width of 12 feet should be plenty wide enough to adopt 2 parallel tracks, with the inner one 8 foot diameter curve and the outer maybe 10 foot or so (you may have to tweak the rails.
If you really meant 8 foot radius, then you need more tables ha ha!
Greg