For my first model since 1981 (ouch!), I am planning an N gauge layout and I thought I would support it on the 'undercarriage' of a table football which we don't really use any more:
IMG_2306 by PinkNosedPenguin, on Flickr
The plan is to support the layout on the legs underneath ...
IMG_2308 by PinkNosedPenguin, on Flickr
... in such a way that the two alternative 'tops' (i.e. table football and layout!) can each be removed and stored, allowing the other to be used when required. In practice the layout will be in place most of the time!
Do you like our stripy carpet by the way
Anyway, I am posting this as a way to spur me into action
. Now this post is here I'll feel I need to get started!First I will construct the baseboard - it will be 4' x 3' (1220mm x 915mm) and so will take up about the same amount of space in the room as the table football when taking into account the handles overhanging each side. I intend to use 9mm plywood with a 69mm x 18mm softwood frame underneath (and underneath that I will add a smaller rectangular frame to provide a simple 'fit' over the legs). This seems to be normal construction materials nowadays and will hopefully be strong but not too heavy.
My proposed track plan (see below) calls for a second flat higher level, which will be another piece of 9mm ply supported from the main baseboard about 40mm higher. I will have just one incline, connecting the two levels, at about a nice gentle gradient.
Ngauge_1_bare by PinkNosedPenguin, on Flickr
Green is the lower level, purple the upper; the light sections are reverse loops. Blue is the connecting incline. I intend to use DCC with reverse loop modules. Track will be Peco code 55 using small radius points (and one three-way point!) - in order to fit this into such a small space I will have a lot of 9 inch curves, so will have only small locos and short trains!
Hoping to make a start drawing the plan onto the ply this weekend. My wife said (with remarkable wisdom I thought): "won't you need to get a train first?" (I am starting from nothing you see). So, an NCE PowerCab and Dapol Pannier tank plus a couple of wagons are on order to hopefully allow me to check operation as I lay the track.
I will try to keep this thread updated with progress . . .
Thanks for reading,
PnP
P.S. if you think the plan looks a bit like a NG 'rabbit warren' style layout, then that could be because I drew it first as a 009 plan before deciding the lack of RTR locos (and the frankly poor couplings) of 009 prompted me to swap to N
looks like great fun though, I can certainly tell it was drawn up in OO9, it just has that feel to it. will there be lots of tunnels etc, it feels like there should be, if there are, make sure you have access!
But I would like to check alignment and conductivity using a loco as I 
