A Brief, hopefully rapid diversion.

[ScrewySqrl]

As many of you know, I'm in the middle of planning a door layout to go in my new house.

However, I'm going to divert briefly from that to make a small 2x4 figure 8 layout for my 7-year old nephew.

Heres a nice, animated view of the simple trackplan, courtesy of PW&NJ over at nscale.net



I had thought about an over-under figure 8, but since this has to store under his bed, I decided staying flat was best, and figure 8s are more interesting to watch than just an oval.  A 7 year old is probably not too interested in actual operations, so the sidings are mostly for show and parking cars.

This is planned to be quick-n-dirty (just one month to finish it before christmas) and for a 7 year old.  I'm going to keep scenery very simple, and will glue straight to the foamboard base.  I plan to post  construction pictures and get your advice on simple, quick, and inexpensive tricks that will stand up to childhood handling.

[Rich_S]

As many of you know, I'm in the middle of planning a door layout to go in my new house.

However, I'm going to divert briefly from that to make a small 2x4 figure 8 layout for my 7-year old nephew.

Heres a nice, animated view of the simple trackplan, courtesy of PW&NJ over at nscale.net

I had thought about an over-under figure 8, but since this has to store under his bed, I decided staying flat was best, and figure 8s are more interesting to watch than just an oval.  A 7 year old is probably not too interested in actual operations, so the sidings are mostly for show and parking cars.

This is planned to be quick-n-dirty (just one month to finish it before Christmas) and for a 7 year old.  I'm going to keep scenery very simple, and will glue straight to the foamboard base.  I plan to post  construction pictures and get your advice on simple, quick, and inexpensive tricks that will stand up to childhood handling.

First off, neat animation  I'm guessing you are gluing the foam to a piece of plywood and adding fascia to all four sides for strength? The only suggestion I'd make, since you are gluing the track to the foam, pick a spot on one of the two loops and cut out a small section the length of a girder bridge and either make a road that passes under the track or a dry river bed. Then trim the fascia so you can view the road or water way at eye level. It's just one of those simple scenery elements that adds interest to a layout.  Are you planing on using some type of track like Atlas True-Track or Kato UniTrack? I do not have any experience with the Kato UniTrack or the Atlas true track lines, but I did notice that Atlas has a boxed figure 8 set in their catalog, it's a add on set and it has a 90 degree crossing, which differs from your crossing. You'd then need the extra turnouts, etc. to complete the layout.  It appears the only Atlas track that has multiple degree crossing is the code 80 track.   

[ScrewySqrl]

I'll be using the Atlas Code 80 segmented track.  Should be simple wiring - just a couple terminal joiners - on a layout this small.

I'll take the bridge idea under advisement I'd guess replacing one of the re-railers with an atlas plate girder bridge and a small lake in the middle of the circle should work.  I'll see if I have time to carve it out properly, but I think if can be done.  The idea was a few buildings for a town and a freight siding on one circle, and a generic factory of the other, just for appearance, but carving a lake and stream on the 'factory' side would work

my basic idea for benchwork will be a 2x4 of chipboard or 1/4 inch plywood (available at home depot for $5.75 - $5.99), and a 1/2 inch 2x4 foamboard ($5.88 at Lowes), and a couple 1x3x96 boards. one cut in half, the other into quarters. and glued to the foam and plywood for a frame, with simple handles screwed into the wood for pulling it out from under the bed.

[ScrewySqrl]

a quick mod to add water and a bridge, plus roads and sample buildings

[tom mann]

Looks like a cool layout for a 7 year old.

[davefoxx]

I agree with Tom; a seven-year-old should love this layout.

Oh, and I built a small layout a couple of years ago, and all I did was build it on a 2" thick piece of foam.  It was strong enough that it didn't need any plywood support.   That also kept it light, which might be important for a seven-year-old child.

Also, if it's going under a bed, you might be able to sneak a few extra inches on to the length and/or width to give the track plan a little breathing room.  You also don't have to be perfectly rectangular, which could also increase some interest.

DFF

[ScrewySqrl]

getting started:

[ScrewySqrl]

construction is now underway:

All the stuff, lined up neatly.



A close up of the paint and glue.  Oops paint for the cheaps!  A nice biege/brown a green-grey, and  faded asphalt grey!  no need for anything fancy, I can jus paint roads.  The grey-green I'm hoping can be part of the water formation, but I'll get some nice blue as well.

[ScrewySqrl]

My incredibly simple work benches.  two TV Trays:


and the first layer down: a 2x4 x 1/4" fiberboard.  when its done I'll affix some furniture sliders to the bottom to make pulling it out from under the bed easy.

[ScrewySqrl]

first layer down:




and the second:

[ScrewySqrl]

and everything together ad weighted with books.



Next week, I will attempt to mount the wooden molding as a fascia and paint.

the thanksgiving week, I'll lay out the track, and add details through december.

[OldEastRR]

I assume no need for a runaround? Never too early to teach 'em operation!

[ScrewySqrl]

It's not prototypical, but not unusual for a small layout: the whole track is the runaround.

[davefoxx]

when its done I'll affix some furniture sliders to the bottom to make pulling it out from under the bed easy.

Genius!

[VonRyan]

I agree with Tom; a seven-year-old should love this layout.

Oh, and I built a small layout a couple of years ago, and all I did was build it on a 2" thick piece of foam.  It was strong enough that it didn't need any plywood support.   That also kept it light, which might be important for a seven-year-old child.

Also, if it's going under a bed, you might be able to sneak a few extra inches on to the length and/or width to give the track plan a little breathing room.  You also don't have to be perfectly rectangular, which could also increase some interest.

DFF

I started reading MR in March of 2003, when I was only 7. I knew then that I wanted to make a miniature of something that actually existed, and to operate it like the real thing.
Although, it did take me until 2008 to start an actual layout.