Carport layout. Is that a thing?

It's a thing now! Depending on your climate, you may have different issues to contend with to keep the layout in reliable working order. Be sure to use track that will resist rust and mildew - stainless rails, plastic ties for example. I kept a layout in the garage in Illinois and the Lionel tubular and Gargraves track all had issues. I like your idea of using a ping pong style table to get it out of the way. 

I knew a guy in Houston whose house was built on stilts.  He had a layout under the house for many years, it might still be there.

Look inside for a place to put a long narrow layout along one wall, high enough to clear typical furniture, using O27 or O31 curves to keep the width (depth) down. I had a temporary O27 layout like that for a couple seasons. I built it to wedge between the end walls of the room 10'8" apart with framework that required no attachments into the walls. It had just enough clearance underneath for my computer workstation. Plus it included a storage shelf above, so I multiplied the available space.

https://ogrforum.com/t...ith-easements?page=1

If you don't have room for turn-back curves, run bi-directional push-pull trains along a long narrow shelf. A fold-up layout in a carport is going to be inconvenient, insecure, and more likely to have dust and temperature problems.

The folding ping-pong table would allow an interesting track plan. (5' x 9') You can find those on craig's list at varying prices. You could make scenic items and such removable and store those elsewhere in containers. I would suggest Atlas sectional track for this.

Another thought is to build a modular layout. Assemble it in the family room for a run day and store it when not in use. A 5' x 9'(105") in the LCCA/Lionel modules would be 4 small corner and 2 straight modules. Each is 3.5" thick and very lightweight. FasTrack would survive outdoor protected storage, like a shed, but not open air in the carport. Scenic items would still be detachable and stored in containers. I have attached the specifications for you.

Some have built fold-downs into the walls. Pull an outlet cover and check the exterior walls for use of 6" wall studs. This option is a lot work.

Above:

"I knew a guy in Houston whose house was built on stilts."

Actually, they are called "pilings" (common here in hurricane-prone areas - mostly found under beach houses); "stilts" are for circus clowns.

Y'know - those beach cabins/houses built on pilings (my family had one for many years) create what amounts to an "open-air-basement" - try that in Minneapolis in the winter! 

People have built layouts in garages that use a system of pulleys and counterweights to allow the layout to be pulled up towards the ceiling when not in use, to allow cars to park underneath it. Obviously, if the ceiling on the carport is too low this won't work, but it would allow you to have a decent sized layout yet get it out of the way when you needed to use the carport. 

The Nickle Silver rails and plastic ties of Atlas O track, are rust/corrosion resistant and not affected by UV rays, and can even be used in permanent outdoor layouts(maybe a thought?) The carport would offer fewer weather related operating issues, the outdoor layout could offer greater scenic opportunities. Either carport or full outdoor options though leave security as an issue. A backyard maybe fairly secure, but most carports are open to the street, leaving theft and vandalism as concerns.

Doug

I think I would look at joining a club first.

I live in Spokane,  Washington. It's pretty dry here in fact I think there is probably more humidity in my house than outside of it. My ping-pong table idea is gaining traction in my mind. Although it's left my wife with some storage space trepidation. But I'm excited to get something off the floor that I can add a few buildings to.

If you have a place to park it, here's one, it may even leave room for the buildings to stay on...

http://spokane.craigslist.org/tag/5722420232.html

HI TOM

You said you have a carport . is the carport only covered only by a roof ?  Does it have a side panel ? does it have rear panel?  Is the carport attached to the house ? 

Better yet can you take pictures of your carport & show us ?

You might be able to make curtain walls for your carport .  That keeps out the rain & snow !  & WIND !

The curtain walls would be made out of plywood, 1x & 2x boards .  You could make windows from Plexiglass if wanted .

Keep us posted .