| On a 4' x 8' table you can handle every layout | | | | examining layouts that willfit a 5' x 9'table. |
| possible on a 4' by 6' table, with plenty of other | | | | Layouts with grades of enough height to allow one |
| variations. There are also many interesting layouts | | | | track to pass under another areexciting, but inclines |
| that can't possibly be managed on a 4' x 6'. | | | | must be fairly steep, even a 5' x 9' table, although it |
| Of these, one of the most popular is the Figure Eight, | | | | can easilybe done with the power and traction found |
| to which you can add a sidingor two if you want. | | | | in the latest locomotives. |
| Another good 4' x 8' layout consists of two | | | | Some train manufacturers also put out trestle sets, |
| connected circles. | | | | each trestle a little higher thanthe next one, so that |
| There is a lot of variety here, but even more is | | | | you can make one track elevated above another |
| possible when your table can be alittle wider. Five by | | | | easily. |
| nine feet is a popular size. This is the size of a | | | | While these may not be as realistic as graded |
| regulation ping-pong table. | | | | landscaping, they enable you to havemore variety of |
| Most lumber yards don't carry plywood panels of | | | | operation and layout before you reach the stage of |
| these dimensions. They canusually special order panels | | | | building sceneryand sculpting your own bit of earth. |
| made specifically for ping-pong tables, 5' x 9', but | | | | Regardless, there's plenty to keep the new builder of |
| theycome in only 3/4" thickness, which is heavier | | | | a model railroad busy andhappy, even when he |
| than you need. | | | | works on a small table. In addition to the laying of |
| They're also fairly expensive compared with other | | | | track in achosen pattern and the running of trains |
| plywood panels. None of thewallboards are supplied in | | | | over it, there are accessories, buildings,signals and lots |
| this size. | | | | more. |
| You can build your table of tongue-and-groove fir or | | | | And in each of these categories there are so many |
| pine, and make it any size youwant. Or you can add | | | | possibilities that you may have ahard time deciding |
| on either side of a regular four-foot-wide plywood | | | | which to get or make first. This decision will be easier |
| panel astrip six inches wide, attached with shelf | | | | after youhave done some thinking about the nature |
| brackets, to bring the width of your boardup to five | | | | and special character of your privaterailroad empire. |
| feet. You might consider this possibility when | | | | |