Just joined the forum. A little background first. I'm not a railroad hobbist and don't forsee that happening. I made a living in builrding homes, so I'm familiar with any type wood wook. My parents gave me a train set in 1947. Lionel engine, 8 cars from boxcars to log unloaders, all the track, gate guard, signal post and a 250 watt Type Z transformer. I put it up every ***** for years and got away from doing it for years. When the grandkids started coming, I started putting it up again. I have a grandson[3] that's absolutely crazy about trains. Since it's getting harder every year to get down on the floor and hook everything up, plus the fact the track tends to work loose and short or derail, I have decided to give him the set. I live in Roanoke Va, and grew up with the N&W and the Virginian. I worked part time and extra for Fruit Growers Express in the late 50's and early 60's. Now if you haven't got bored to death[wouldn't blame you atol if you did] and closed this post by now, hang on a little longer. Here comes the question. It will probably always be around the tree, so to free up the space after *****, it would need to be taken up and stored. I want to mount it to plywood and screw it down and prewire all I can before giving it to "Lil Hez" since his parents wouldn't have a clue how to put it up. A 4' x 8' layout would take all the track I have now and maybe smaller than 4x8. I want it as lightweight as possible and can cut the center out so it could simply be wall hung but sturdy enough so the PW didn't break. Need a rec. on 3/8" or 1/2". Which one would be better. Not concerned with do-das at the present and the youngen can expand it later if he decides. Thanks folks for suffering thru a long winded post.
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