How Many Modelers Run Their Trains On the Floor

I have done a LOT of floor running since I started. I recently graduated to a ping pong table. And I briefly had a “permanent” 37x63 inch layout that i could move around. But hey, the track was screwed down! I felt like a pharaoh!

Eventually, girlfriend and I will get a bigger house for a train room. Right now she lets me run the trains in the master bedroom. Currently running two loops with 072 that goes around the couch, pass her closet and dresser and under my drum set.

Videos for Reference

Lionel 844 Excursion Train

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-7Tbh3pVHc

MTH & K Line Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1nclLzT6k8

Lionel Challenger 3985 Freight Train

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opHMYa_CwFk

I've got a floor layout that is a little under 13x7. All FasTrack, has three concentric loops (072, 060, and 048), with an additional half-loop of 036 that doubles as  both a passing siding and a yard lead (if I have my terminology right) for a yard on the inside of the layout. As an added bonus, the yard trackage runs into the other end of the 036 passing siding, allowing the yard to also function as a reversing loop for the small engines. Not a very exciting layout, but the three loops did allow for a lot of simultaneous running, which was fun.

I have not run trains on this layout recently as I am worried it may disturb the neighbors below me (living in an apartment for now). I've decided to take the layout apart and put everything away for the time being. I could turn all the sounds off and run completely silently, but that's just not nearly as fun for me.

I do. My trains are a secondary hobby and I’m not really interested in building a layout. I grew up in San Bernardino near Cajon Pass and only run scale or standard O stock for equipment I would have seen in the 70s. (With a an exception for two super Chief trains!).  I am quite content laying on the floor of the guest room watching those trains go by at eye level.

I am currently running trains on the floor as well.  I have two separate loops of fastrack and a trolley line taking up about a 6'x8' area.  One day I am hoping to build a layout off the floor but for now I am happy with what I have.

I would happily run all of my trains on the floor if it weren’t for our spirited Jack Russell Terrier who early on took out a Cab2 controller and damaged a “Neil Young” PRR set. The PRR set recovered. The Cab2 not so much. It has since been replaced. And I have been in the temporary table top layout, shelf display and planning mode ever since. This hobby began and prospered on our forefathers floors. Why do we look down (pun intended) on this application of this wonderful interest?

@ByronB posted:

I do. My trains are a secondary hobby and I’m not really interested in building a layout. I grew up in San Bernardino near Cajon Pass and only run scale or standard O stock for equipment I would have seen in the 70s. (With a an exception for two super Chief trains!).  I am quite content laying on the floor of the guest room watching those trains go by at eye level.

Same. I run mostly old Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and UP and Phase 3 Amtrak.

Last time I ran trains on the floor was in Perryton, Texas in 2001.  We had off white carpet and I got black on HER carpet. I had to sleep for weeks with one eye open.  The carpet was cleaned and it came out OK.  So when we moved to Arkansas she remembered the carpet train running SO she let me build this........

The carpet in the train building is brown. And she only goes into the train building one or two times a year.

If I get down on the floor now I would have to call 911 to get up.

@CBS072 posted:

Last time I ran trains on the floor was in Perryton, Texas in 2001.  We had off white carpet and I got black on HER carpet. I had to sleep for weeks with one eye open.  The carpet was cleaned and it came out OK.  So when we moved to Arkansas she remembered the carpet train running SO she let me build this........

The carpet in the train building is brown. And she only goes into the train building one or two times a year.

If I get down on the floor now I would have to call 911 to get up.

Thank goodness it’s three simple numbers to remember when dialing. Thanks for sharing this gem. I suppose we are headed to a house addition or small building out back to fulfill this need. Or we could just wait out Bugsy’s ultimate demise. He does love the trains.

Yes i do and I set up lionel fastrack on my floor in my bedroom and run trains!!

Yes, we still run trains on the floor all the time not having a permanent layout.  Have an 1888 house with no hallways so trains can run from room to room.  Also no rugs to deal with.

I used to set up a loop on the floor at Christmastime.

Unfortunately, nowadays getting down on the floor is much easier than getting up from the floor.

Rusty

Mine was a floor layout when I lived in Florida.

I also run my trains around my back pool table room.  Currently running three loops of Lionel 072 Fast track, 24' by 17' on the largest loop.  I use a star pattern 14 gauge wiring harness though out the room with MTH and Lionel wireless controllers. We have been collecting trains for the last five years and have not found the inspiration to setup a permanent track connecting the three back rooms yet. The difficulty is finding the balance between mounting the track for my hobby and spoiling the elegant look of the room additions we built.  I do have to keep a plastic lattice barrier up to keep my 100lb Golden from stomping my trains. Life is a balance....haha

Cheers!

Duncan

FV CA

I'm a member in good standing of the Broadloom Conspiracy and, because of lack of space, have been since day one - here's one of the many reincarnations of the Ophir and Oblivion.

My first years in the hobby as a teenager involved exclusively floor running. There was no room for a permanent layout in my parent's house so I set up whenever and wherever I could get away with it-- "right of way" was fleeting so I got very good at packing up quickly! I moved up from HO to O specifically because O Gauge trains are more tolerant of temporary track that is constantly being taken apart and reassembled.

I used to spend several holidays each year visiting with my grandparents on the Cape, who were always very generous in letting me take over their living room for a couple of days. I have many fond memories of amusing my relatives with my ever-larger setups.

For Christmas 2020 I decided to revisit my roots and build a proper layout underneath my tree. It was a figure 8 with a passing siding and a decidedly Marx theme.

I have run trains on the floor all my life and have never had any problems with running my more expensive stuff on the floor. That said, I do not have any pets so the only danger of hair is from my sister or mom

Monday evening looking around and I found this gem again. Thank you Eric!
https://ogrforum.com/...c/146142158533482422

I could do this but for Bugsy who likes to own our trains. My bride is game.

I had this set up a few Christmases ago, roll em..

No floors for me! If I got down that low my knees would never let me get up.

@A. Wells  Did you mean "ON' the floors because "IN" the floor is possible but hard to do:

My main 20 x 20 DCS layout is in the unheated attic.  I have an 8 x 10 oval on the third level for conventional running.  On days like this when it's in the teens outside, I get my train fix with my 8 x 10 test oval.

@H1000 posted:

@A. Wells  Did you mean "ON' the floors because "IN" the floor is possible but hard to do:

Interestingly enough, I've seen many times on YouTube where modelers have the best of intent when they start their subway motif but quickly halt their endeavor given the effort needed to build and maintain something that is not easily accessible.

Anthony

@third rail posted:

No floors for me! If I got down that low my knees would never let me get up.

Oddly enough, when I tried to reply to you the first time, it kept wanting me to report your post to moderators.  Go figure.  I have a friend who has the same issue.  Cleaning the tub is almost impossible for her.  I'm hoping that I'll be free of such impairments in the future especially since I like to garden.  Maybe by that time, cybernetic implants will be readily available.

Anthony

I just ordered a complete Lionel O96 Fastrack circle (since I'm unable to afford Atlas O81 or O90 sections).  That will definitely go in the floor.

As for my HO test track on fold up tables, it definitely is a slight visual impairment to watching the tv.  I'm debating on whether to raise the couch or the tv.  Unfortunately, one of the cats has made the area that I used for the Lionel Verdana Turbine (which may or may not work) photo shoot her bathing spot.  She has also taken a liking to one of the HO tractor trailers.  At least she hasn't puked on the trains yet.

Anthony

I sent up a Christmas Layout every year in my livingroom.

My current setup in an unused bedroom.

All FasTrack, mix of 060 and 048 curves. I have 4 connected loops with several industry/storage sidings.

I have a second child due in July and have been told this room will be put into service. Hopefully I can move over to the guest room, still working that option with my wife. Could be an all new floor layout in the next few months, actually pretty excited to build out a new setup.

Honestly that's the best part of floor layouts, you can tear them down and change things up. This layout has gone through several iterations to get to where it is now and for me that has been half the fun.

Cool setup @Jstewart204!

I have something similar that can be seen in my newest video:

Wow ... some really nice "carpet centrals!"

I do it just at Christmas. Fastrack goes around the living and dining rooms. The only time of the year I'm able to run my Legacy Y6b. Toddlers and dogs are all over it.

I had my layout on the floor for several years. It was always fun because I could quickly rearrange the design if I got bored of the track plan. Now the track has been moved to a permanent table and it is much more difficult to rearrange. I sometimes miss those days of constant creativity but it is a balance I suppose.

I used Fastrack with my carpet layout as I have young kids and they would step on the track. Fastrack was much more rugged for that application. I ended up moving the Fastrack to my permanent layout and it works really well (with the exception of the plastic roadbed which causes excess noise).

Enjoy those layouts no matter where they are!

I do, check my YouTube

🚂🚂

Nice setup @bigboy25

You have a really nice collection of rolling stock. I also like how you have your layout run behind the couch. Any plans to expand the layout?

I ordered both of the BNSF graffiti beer cars a few weeks ago. They look great and go great with my brewery building. Were you able to find the other BNSF graffiti car you were looking for? I just checked where I ordered mine and they are out of stock.

I set a loop to loop on the floor of our TV/Bonus/Spare/Office/Art room several years ago just to test out some track designs.  My intention was to build a layout in our walkup attic space.   Eventually it was clear that what I wanted wouldn't fit where I was hoping so after several rearrangements and additions of loops, sidings, etc the floor layout is still in operation.  Several sections have strong finished wood tunnels which protects track and equipment from feet and such., plus provide on track storage for equipment.   

Structures are set on flats and are mostly stored on bookshelves except when doing lots of running.  I enjoy watching trains work their way behind the TV console, under the desk, around the rocking chair, etc.   On occasions I'll extend one siding out and down the hallway to the master bedroom to another large end loop which goes under the bed, past the closet, behind the sitting area, and back out to the hallway. This one is always for just one day to keep the wife happy.  My support wiring stays in place since it runs tucked under the baseboards and kept out of sight by the carpet, the long loop is stored out of sight inside the hallway linen closet.

We have another unused small bedroom at the end of the hall that I might use to set up  semi-permanent staging tracks, laying down the hallway connector as needed.   Either that or build another N scale switching layout for which I still have lots of buildings and track.   I really like to run long trains on large sweeping curves so the space required for an "O"  permanent layout is just not possible.

I've also been working on some outside ground level modules for summertime that I can easily setup in a few hours for a garden type railroad, might get some stainless steel track and see if it survives the outside.  Will probably need a "blower" car to clear debris and maybe a vacuum car to get the tiny stuff so it doesn't mess the locomotives.  Inside I just use a handheld to collect dust and the occasional hair.  The yard and staging would be setup in the garage and then a long,...   long loop to the front yard, through the landscaping and back into the garage.   I also bought a small RunCam2 4k camera that I  attach on a car or locomotive to record the journey.  My first attempt was using a small handheld video camera pushed on a flat car,  but the quality wasn't good.   I eventually used a rubber band and some extra weigh to attach my cell phone to a caboose,  that worked but wouldn't fit through the tunnels and bridge structures.  The view from the back as a long train winds it's way through the landscaping should be fun,..

Thank you, @Jstewart204. I seem to like collecting modern rolling stock almost more than engines! I don't have any plans to expand the layout currently, as I am happy to have 072 curves for the first time which will be necessary for an upcoming preorder. Although, a passing siding might be nice . . . ?

I have not found that BNSF beer car w/ graffiti yet, but I just posted a WTB on the forum here, so hopefully that will turn up some leads. Thanks for checking for me though!

I'm guilty of running mine on the floor also. I also run them outside in the springtime when the weather is cool, once the summer time heat hits and the sun hits tracks on the concrete,those rubber tires are goners. I won't say ask me how I know, I just know and I'm not about to prove my theory. But although I have a modest size house, there really is no room to set these up, I have light gray carpet on our living room, and forget the wife about that, I'm the one who worries. As far as she is concerned "eh, it'll come out don't worry about it honey". The second place is the garage floor, but I agree with some of the others here, once I'm down on the floor I really don't want to get up. But I at least get my train fix a couple of times a year.

@Jstewart204 posted:

My current setup in an unused bedroom.

All FasTrack, mix of 060 and 048 curves. I have 4 connected loops with several industry/storage sidings.

I have a second child due in July and have been told this room will be put into service. Hopefully I can move over to the guest room, still working that option with my wife. Could be an all new floor layout in the next few months, actually pretty excited to build out a new setup.

Honestly that's the best part of floor layouts, you can tear them down and change things up. This layout has gone through several iterations to get to where it is now and for me that has been half the fun.

That's such a great and expansive layout.  I'd be sure to trip over everything and fall and break my neck. A

@A. Wells posted:

That's such a great and expansive layout.  I'd be sure to trip over everything and fall and break my neck. A

I have come close to doing that a few times! So far I've managed to avoid damaging anything 😁

i do all the Allegheny and Western operation on the floor and the only track i have is a 40 x 70 inch oval of fastrack. i have 3 operational engines with a forth coming hopefully later this year. i need more track and a cw80 soon. i also like to pull out my hotwheels and put them on the auto carrier i have. i hope to build a layout soon but right now i just like to play. it brings me peace and i can't wait for my new engine a csx lionchief dash 8