N Scale Model Railroad Table

The table where you set up your toy train set up can make a significant difference as well.  I catch your drift, you like those small N scale trains so it doesn’t seem like such a huge deal. You could just set these locomotives on a regular surface, you say. Wait a sec.  Let me try to argue my point.  I believe it makes a big difference what quality of surface you set your set up on.  Here are some reasons why:

A weak surface can’t handle it:

First of all, you don’t want to choose a surface that is wobbly and that will tilt or that can be easily pushed on its side.  When you flaunt your new design to your tinier family members you don’t want the little tykes to be able to inadvertently bump over your trains with just an accidental touch.  Or even worse: what if your whole table gets shoved on its side. What a nightmare!  No, you definitely need a cool sturdy table. You’re great with your hands, you could probably make the table yourself.

Cool Tip: Here’s a cool tip. Remember that old ping-pong table that sits forgotten in the basement? Sure you do, it’s the ping pong table that became your new model locomotive table. Ping pong tables are nice and big so they open up lots of choices for your set up.  If you have HO or smaller, you will never need any added space than this.  Even if you have a Lionel O or one of those new S size trains, you’ll find that you can really do a great deal with a table this big.

If you like to go places with your locomotives, you should choose a strong hobby table:

If you plan on lugging your N scale model train setup around and showing it for strangers, you may want to shell out for a portable hobby table made specifically for arts and crafts. A quick web search will pop up a host of sites specializing in train tables.

Cool tip #2: Here’s a space saver: Lower your table from the ceiling.  If you’re good with your hands and pressed for space, the best way to increase floor space is not to use it.   You can use pulleys to lift and lower your locomotive whenever you would like.

Interlocking tables:

The best bet when it comes to tables, though, is domino style tables that can be used in any configuration. These tables can be connected in any configuration or design.  What these well conceived domino tables allow you to do most however is to expand your train design in any way that you can imagine. You control the dimensions of these tables. The light weight design is ideal for model train lovers.  If you want to play with your model train down in the basement, you can just carry the table down to your work area. Its even no problem to fit in your car trunk.  They are so easy to reconfigure that you might actually have difficulty keeping to one layout.

A good model locomotive lay out is only as great as the surface it is set on.

Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.