Building A Killer Train Table
So you’ve decided to bite the bullet and construct your own model railway layouts, and necessarily, the table sits upon the railway. Many people start by building their first layouts on a table top, and while this is simplicity personified, it does have its limitations. The biggest of these drawbacks is that everything must be on top, and nothing can be below ground level (or table level) that’s when most modelers realize the need to build their own tables to be able to accommodate any sort of scenery and landscape they could dream up.
First, you need to plan carefully the size, relative weight of different sections, and design of your new layout. If one section is more scenery intensive, it will require more attention as to support. An L-girder support system has become thestandard way to support your model layouts, and can be adapted to almost any configuration, thus providing you with all the strength your layout will need. L-girder bench work is very strong, and still about as inexpensive as you can do. It’s a very functional structure, and is easily put together. It is a platform consisting of cross braces and girders, joists, all working together to do the job. Most of the time the joists are about 18 inches apart, but they do not need to be equally spaced.
Try and use care when selecting the lumber for both the support as well as the actual tabletop. Obviously you’ll want flat pieces that will carry your roadbed without problem. Take care in the support pieces as well. Cheaper grades of lumber will warp over time, and I don’t have to tell youwhat that could mean to your layout. If your layout is larger than a standard 4 X 8 piece of plywood, you’ll still want to consider having each piece no larger than that for easier transport should you have to move the layout. Assemble all the joints between the bench work cross members as well as the support risers with wood screws accessible from beneath the layout. This way, you don’t have to ruin scenery when looking for some random screw lost in the trees! Make doubly careful not to split the wood in your supports by either using too large of screws or by poor placement of same.
Carefully locate any cuts you want to make for either access or for scenery, and make sure these fit into your overall support scheme. There are varying schools of thought as to whether to saw yourholes in the tabletop after the track is in place or before. For me, I think it is better to do it all beforehand, as the very act of sawing, regardless of the quality of your tool, can possibly send enough vibrations through your layout to loosen track and ballast, making your previously to smoothly running operation clackety-clack into a mess. Just my 2 cents.
Most tabletop layouts are at about 48 to 55 inches high. Obviously, this is something you can control, and if you’ve bolted the main support legs in place, (instead of screws or nails) you can even change it at the drop of a wrench! You’ll want to try and make it so that even the tops of the highest hills and grades are visible without a step-stool.
Construction Toys
Building a killer train table is nothing if not pre-planning. Take sometime with yours and you’ll be most pleased!
Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks Review
Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks Feature
- 60-piece standard unit block set allows children to build towers and towns
- Stimulates creativity and hones basic motor skills
- Features natural look; pieces are easy for little fingers to grasp
- Excellent tool for teaching math concepts, organizational skills, sequential skills, and spatial relations
- Includes 60 solid-wood pieces and wooden storage box
Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks Overview
Build a tower, a town or just about anything with these large solid-wood standard unit blocks. The 60 big, smooth-sanded sturdy blocks are naturally finished with a classic look for hours of classic fun. The handsome wooden storage crate makes clean up and storage easy. Measures 15″L x 12.25″W x 5.25″D.
Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks Specifications
Every toddler and young child should have at least one wooden block set in their toy collection. The Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Blocks include 60 precision-cut, standard-shaped, solid wooden blocks that will engage your child’s imagination for hours. Designed for ages three and up, these blocks feature smooth, rounded edges and are housed in a convenient, sturdy wooden storage crate.
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The 60-piece Standard Unit Blocks from Melissa & Doug provide hours of creative fun. View larger. |
Your little architect will love building bridges, towers and more. View larger. |
Hardwood Quality with Smooth, Rounded Edges
In these days of electronic toys, it’s important not to forget the fundamentals of childhood development. Wooden blocks offer children endless ways to exercise their imagination as they improve their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. They also help children establish important relationships between the “part” and the “whole,” and the help to provide basic lessons on engineering and gravity.
These Standard Unit Blocks feature Melissa & Doug’s signature focus on simple designs, safety and utility. Each block is sanded to an ultra-smooth finish and features smooth, rounded edges so your child can play safely. The blocks are made of 100% hardwoods, with no fillers, paints, or varnishes, adding to your peace of mind.
Includes Durable Wooden Storage Crate
Included in the set are all the classic wooden-block shapes that allow children’s imaginations and engineering skills run wild as they build bridges, towers, houses and more. The blocks are packaged in a handsome, durable wooden storage crate that will help you keep the blocks stored in between building sessions, and help you keep them in your family for years to come. Parents should note that when the storage case is filled with all 60 blocks, it will be too heavy for younger children to carry without their help.
The crate measures 12.5 x 15 x 5.25 inches (WxLxH).
About Melissa & Doug
Started in the garage at Doug’s parents’ house in 1988, Melissa & Doug has grown to become one of the most popular toy makers in the world. Their toys have garnered dozens of parenting and “best toy” awards over the years, and have been featured widely in national print media and on television.
One of the company’s points of pride is that their toys are thoroughly tested for safety, and meet all US consumer product safety regulations. The toys are tested at the factory of origin during various phases of the production process to assure that every toy meets the company’s stringent safety requirements every step along the way. In particular, the paints and coatings on Melissa & Doug toys are tested frequently to be sure they meet or exceed government recommendations limiting heavy metals and lead in children’s items.
Since day one, Melissa & Doug has been in compliance with every US consumer product safety regulation and will continue to stay compliant as the laws continue to evolve, assuring parents that their children can have a safe childhood while playing with Melissa & Doug toys.
What’s in the Box
60 wooden blocks and wooden storage case.
Available and Special Offers Check Now!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 30, 2011 18:50:36
Building A Killer Train Table
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