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5 Connected Tables Base For Model RR Layout

Gene sent in these photos and story for publication about his latest model RR project.

The newest HO layout that I’ve just begun consists of 5 connected tables set up in a 10′ x 14′ spare bedroom (including closet area). Table sizes are 36″ wide, and lengths are: 6′, 8′, 6’7″, 7′. The closet tables are 5’x 24″, and are arranged to wrap around the room.

Early track plans began with a Lizard Head idea, but was morphed into a final layout that accomodated the space, track radius needs, and buildings.

The layout includes an industrial area (coaling tower, iron ore mining, blast furnance, rolling mill, electric, and gas), roundhouse, miscellaneous (such as tire shop, junkyard, etc.) corner mountain/waterfall/lake, city section, farming, and county fair (including roller coaster, big top, ferris wheel, spinning tea cups, kiddie train ride using N scale track, engine & cars, western & spooky towns).
One section of elevated track runs the length of 1 room side, and another section runs the width of the room. Numerous curves, turnouts/crossings are in play to keep things interesting. Steam and diesel engines will be used to run through the mostly 30’s – 50’s era scene-scape.
Purists may find some aspects to critique, but due to the limited space and the irresitable urge to buy what catches my eye, I will rely on the old adage…”It’s my train set & I can do what I want”!
My wife is bringing her landscape design talents to the fore, and has used great imagination in adapting unusual items for my needs, i.e., cutting short pieces from the bendable section of a plastic straw, painting it gray, to use as “metal” culvert drains!
This raw work-in-progress shows the basic track layout. There are up to9 rail lines across the 36″ wide table span between the rolling mill andblast furnace, and 4 across the city/farm section. The ultimate goal isto have a balance of busy train activity and still leave space forbuildings/scenes.
There is another 7′ table that will hold the country fair and N scale”kiddie” ride, but work has not begun on that section yet, thus no photo.
I will be pouring the lake and finalizing the coal/iron ore minelandscape next week. The next step will be to complete the area infront of the blast furnace and install the roundhouse.

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