Model Railroad In A Coffee Table

A superb job you made of the coffee table Ray. With my eyesight it would be a big problem for me, and clumsy fingers.

Ray,

This is absolutely incredible and shows what can be done with a little imagination. I would have thought a coffee table much too small, but you have demonstrated that is not so!

I’m starting off and have a little more space than a coffee table, probably about 1.2 metres by 1 metre. I was thinking of N scale. Obviously, the main thing before one even starts is to use some imagination.

Thank you for the encouragement. Raymond.

It is beautiful and gave me several ideas to try out. Have been trying to figure out how to build a tunnel and what you did will work for me. I set up 10 N scale tracks in my Carolina Room and use Styrofoam covered in landscaping material to set my buildings on that way I can just remove everything at the end of having it set up and store everything flat . I really like N scale as you can do so much more in a smaller area. PS I am 69 years old and didn’t start building my set ups until I was 61.

Good effort, best micro layout I have seen. Must be a talking point for visitors. Hope my first effort turns out as good!

Very well done Ray I have six N gauge layouts which I exhibit up and down the UK and also in Holland and Belgium Brian Silby Wellingborough

Really nice work!

I’ve several of these and they are very nice. If one wanted a Z scale nearer eye level, an aquarium could house a layout as well.

Ray super job, looks really great. Showing us that limitations can be conquered when you plan your entire train experience….Dan you are showing all this planning need….good going boys.

Really good. And it is very neat, and nicely detailed.

Great compact setup. I would not have come up with that idea.

Great job Ray, congratulations.

Very nice work for first. Am 75 disabled & with poor eye sight, but starting my first. Can only hope it is half as nice. @Nancy, after cutting out the tunnel portal, I covered with tile grout & after it had dryed a little I drew in the brick with a exacto knife. Then painted the lines I drew to look like grout lines. You can color the grout any color you wish.

Ray, fantastic small layout.

Was the N gauge track set track,and all the building purchased or did you make some of them.

I myself work in HO gauge DCC, in the loft 10ft x 8 ft with a well in the centre.

that is amazing; very creative; if the straights were wired, they could be the holding tracks to add an extra engine or something (just thinking out loud, so to speak). This makes me wish I had some N gauge stuff

WOW! It’s hard to believe that is your first effort.

Very well done Ray.

John

This is an excellent example of allowing yourself to do what you want and not take a great deal of space and still show off a working layout and keep it in front of you and not hidden away if you are in a small suite – flat – house – etc. and if there was a hole in one end there could be a connection to a larger layout for other activities… and “N” scale is just large enough to have fun with at a reasonable cost…
Thanks for the “Work” Ray,
Sincerely,
Zol

Ray

Excellent layout, the big issue is how much enjoyment do you receive showing to friends and family. Very imaginative and superb use of space.

I wish I was smart enough to build something as great looking as this coffee table, WELL DONE Ray!!!!

Thanks Ray. Was already aware of coffee table layouts, had to search long for a glass topped one suitable. Now just trying to find the time! (I’m 40′s)

Ray,

Thanks for giving me a great example of your work! You started your 1st project when you turned 60. I will be 60 in March, and I believe it’s time for me to start one. Received my O class Lionel train from my dad when I was in 3rd grade…1962. Still have the train in my possession, and my wife and I have been decorating our living room with it and my wife’s village collection every December for the last 10 years. When it’s done this December, I’ll also submit it too…thanks!

Cool!. I have been working on a N scale coffee table design, but stalled due to lack of money. I suggest “Model Railroads in Small Spaces” by Kalmbach Publishing as a reference Does anyone else have additional resources?

very good!!!! wayne

I once started a small coffee table layout with a 2 foot by 4 foot track layout. It was a folded dogbone with part elevated over the bottom loop. I never had it completed though because I had to make a sudden, unexpected move so I put into the trunk of my car and left. I finally gave it to my son-in-law because I did not even have room for that much of a layout in the mobile home I moved to.

GREAT JOB Ray this keep’s me insired to not give up on my ‘OO’ lay out, hope that your next project turns out just as good for you