Small Layouts And Insulation Boards

January 18, 2012

John kindly supplied this tip:

In keeping with Robert Anderson’s excellent Tip about using small layouts if you are strapped for space, a 2 x 4 N-Scale layout (or a Z-Scale empire!) is just the ticket. Get a 2 x 8, one-inch thick insulation board and cut it in half exactly, making two equal pieces that sandwiched together make a 2 x 4 super-strong two-inch base.

Paint the top, train-side part of the board with gray or earth-colored paint. Then the boards can go on an inexpensive 2 x 4 folding-leg table that is purchased at office supplies or home improvement stores. Put self-adhesive shelf paper on the sides of the boards, and secure the board-sandwich to the table with a few strips of the same shelf paper.

A small end table stored under the layout holds the power pack if you use one. Then the fun begins – use a good brand of track and trains, and even though it is a small layout, do not use too much track-to-scenery ratio (or vice-versa).

As a precaution, 11-inch radius N-Scale curved track comes too close to the edges on a 2×4 layout. Use 9-3/4″ radius curves, which lets you employ two-axle locomotives such as EMD F-Units and Geeps, ALCO RS models, and GE B-series U-Boats.