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N scale coffee table questions Benchwork and roadbed
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Regular poster 127 posts Roundhousecat Regular poster 127 posts
Roundhousecat

Looking to build one. I've seen a few threads here regarding them, but have a question:
How deep should the area be for the layout? I'm going to build my table 2' high and will use a solid piece of glass or plexi glass on a hinged top. I plan on a couple of pull out drawers underneath the layout so I can place cars, the controller and other stuff there. I plan on using 1" - 2" thick foam for the layout on a 2'x4' removable layout. This way I can lift the whole thing out if needed. See through sides all around. I plan on placing the layout on a sheet of plastic cardboard to be able to access wired switches.

Suggestions on how deep the layout should be? I don't plan any tall buildings, but a tressle will be possibly used. any ideas on how I should run with this?
Thanks.

Thanks.

____________________________________

Doug.

 
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dark2star Prolific poster 1,767 posts
dark2star

Trial run

Hi,

as there have not been any answers yet...

Do you have a plan for your layout? Go ahead, draw one. Figure out how much "head space" you need. If unsure, leave some room for minor adjustments Or do build the layout and once you have the major structures in place build the table...

Of course you could also build a model of your model, say in 1:10 scale, out of cardboard. This would allow you to check how much you need...

Please, do share your progress

Have a nice weekend!
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,948 posts
ctxmf74

any ideas on how I should run with this?

I think the first thing would be to find a glass top and then work down from there. Maybe one of those display cabinets that is wide but not tall would work then you could build the layout to slide in it? For a custom built or modified regular wooden table with hinged glass top I'd forget removable foam and just build on the wood and access the wiring by turning the table on it's side when necessary. In N scale it would be just like a small portable layout with a glass top so there's no reason to complicate it. The height inside would depend on the type of table or glass case you find but 6 inches should be plenty for N scale trains and scenery in that small space.....DaveB

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Roundhousecat Regular poster 127 posts
Roundhousecat

layout depth from top

since I'm going to add peco switches I'll have to build on foam to hide them. 1" should be enough for the foam. now how high or how deep should they layout be? 6" may not be enough. I don't plan on any tall buildings, and would like to build the structures in modules so I can easily change them if needed. what's the average depth used? 8"- 12"? or is that too deep? I'm going to build the table myself since I can't really find anything I like and I want to add a couple of d drawers to hide the controllers and wiring. suggestions please. thanks

Thanks.

____________________________________

Doug.

 
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AlanR Regular poster 236 posts
AlanR

Really, it is up to you...

However, maybe this will help:

You said you wanted see-thru sides all around, as well as the glass top, so the question becomes "What is a reasonable height for the side view 'windows'?"  This will be something you will have to determine, probably by trial and error - what looks best to you when you look at the layout through the side of the table?

I would suggest the side glass should be at least 6" high, maybe 8".  The table top will probably have to be about 3 to 3-1/2" thick (3/4" to 1" for the top plus 2" or so for framing all around), so assuming you set the finished layout height at the bottom of the side windows, you have 9 to 12" in depth from the top of the glass to the top of the roadbed.  Make sure your tallest building will fit in this depth and adjust (downward) accordingly, if necessary.  Add in the thickness of the foam and you have your table bottom.  Since you plan on the table being 24" in height, you have plenty of room for this and the storage drawers.

I wouldn't make the side windows too shallow, or the view through the side will be compromised.

Hope this gives you some guidance!

Alan Rice

Amherst Belt Lines / Amherst Railway Society, Inc.
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AlanR Regular poster 236 posts
AlanR

Mock-up

You might want to build a mock-up of the side of the table - a cardboard frame will do - set some of your equipment on the dining room (or kitchen) table and hold the table 'side' up to the 'layout'  This will give you a good sense of the view without building anything.

Alan Rice

Amherst Belt Lines / Amherst Railway Society, Inc.
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JimBrown Regular poster 113 posts
JimBrown

Some ideas...

Perhaps some of these YouTube videos will give you a few ideas?

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=coffee+table+model+railroad&sm=3

Regards,
...jim

 
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Roundhousecat Regular poster 127 posts
Roundhousecat

Talked to someone who built one

They're table is 8" deep and they stated that this was plenty of room. I'll do mine 10" I think so I can have some leeway with the foam and structures. This should work well for me.

I'll post some pics of it once I decide on a layout for the train. Building the table will be the easy part, deciding on a layout is the hard part.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks.

____________________________________

Doug.

 
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