Hello Russell,
Asas soon as I saw your topic and the reference to a ping-pong table, I thought of this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQojxGdBN0
If you can get past the "cringe worthy" part where his able assistant is helping to move the layout while in stocking feet, this shows a simple, but clever, traditional American Flyer layout in a form that can be temporary, and even allows the table still to be used for table tennis when so desired.
Here are a couple more videos of the layout in use:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHwk_aJ5Hs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=meXdlZx6XW4
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Cheers!
Alan