My kids are getting old enough to want to run/ touch the trains and put the trains on the track and experiment with limits. My hi-rail layout is not really a good place for this and I am out of room for another permanent layout. I decided to build a floor modular layout (similar to the older kit works) that functions more as skeleton layout that is light, can be carried easily and could be stored behind our love seat. The goal was to be able to have a layout that can be set up in minutes. Here was the original track plan and blue lines represent the breaks in the plywood:
During my parent's recent visit from out of town, we decided to work on this project together. We picked up 4x8 finished sheet from Menards and worked to cut out the track pattern. The board breaks have alignment pegs from the festool domino and the edges have been routered to smooth. I ended up using fast track and picked up power switches and accessory track sections. I did end up changing the plan to move the end of siding to closer to the loop.
I intended the accessories to be modular as well. While the boards they are mounted on are modular, I still need to add plugs (next project). I added crane rails as well as giraffe car coat hanger wire as well (works great). The plywood it is mounted on is nice as it provides an additional guard for little kids who are close to the track from accidentally kicking them. Also, once assembled, the entire layout can be slid over the carpet to move around. I decided to use some light weight outdoor carpet under it as well so there is place to put engines and cars on with worrying about grease to house carpets. The cut out from between the passing siding I was thinking might be fun to do some real scenery on with kids.
I am happy with how things came out, but I am really disappointed with the fast track accessory sections. The buttons do not seem to be durable and quickly degrade in matter of a couple of days not allowing the operating train cars to function correctly. I have since ordered DPDT switches and small enclosures to replace them (another project down the road).
I thought others might be interested in this layout option as well. The layout is roughly 5’x8’.
Here it is behind the love seat.
), No contemporary touch though. Mom might have allowed me to be "lazy" more often had it looked like this.
