Do you NEED a Train Table? O-Gauge Debate: Carpet vs TableTop!
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- Carpet VS Table! How do you want to run your trains? I’ve done it both ways and there are pros and cons and things to consider. So I’m going to arm you to the teeth so you can decide for yourself what the best route is for YOU!
Shout-out to my friend Ben for letting me use some footage of his layout during the video so hope you enjoy!
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I love having a layout, but there is a lot of charm and nostalgia about a floor layout. It reminds me of setting my grandpas trains up whenever I would visit
Seeing the track on the floor brings back some of the best memories from my childhood of making crazy layouts with my brio (wooden railway) - Ryan
We all need to do what makes up happy with our trains
Usually in early October I take over the 2nd floor and run my Lionel Fastrak into every room with the yard in the big room over the garage. M&Ms are my favorite so I have a string of Menard's hoppers (M&M of course) filled with candy which is expected to last through to January, grand kids love it. Everyday before running trains I walk the tracks with a cordless vac so I've never had any problems. I like long, very long trains and decided years ago I would never be satisfied with a normal layout, besides with the new controls all of the kids can be running their own train, I'm usually the traffic cop providing guidance.
A few years ago I got out my "N" scale stuff that had been boxed for 20 years, hadn't been run since we moved from the old house in Florida. Wanting to test I picked up some Kato track, then some more, and some more, and some more, and some bridges, and some more. I intend to build another N layout but wanting to work out the track plan it was all setup on the carpet, and tested for a couple of years. I worked it the same as Lionel, vacuum before running, no problems. I was told by an expert, professional model railroader with FOURTY years experience that I was DESTROYING my equipment,.. Oh well, once I have that N layout the Lionel will still be on the floor and on occasions, outside in the drive-way and yard. I do it my way,..
Enjoyed your video, good stuff,..
You are bang on. The comments section has no place in dictating another’s pleasure. I started with a loop of Fastrack under the dining room table. Graduated to a 2 loop carpet central in our loft…then laid claim to the basement. The current layout is 9x15 featuring 3 mainlines, a loop of Standard gauge and a little O31 loop on the mountain. It’s a blast playing with the opportunities as I adventure along.
Building layouts on the floor is tons of fun, especially with the kids. Creating fun scenes and having accessories is also fun. I've tried to have the best of both worlds by keeping my table top easily reconfigurable. We change the track and the scenes every so often. We always do a winter configuration for Christmas and then something else in other seasons.
That sounds a lot like what we try to do on our home rails. Very cool!!
In my experience, the floor causes a few challenges. Dust gathers on the track MUCH easier and if you’re running on carpet the track sinks a tad when you run a train over it
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My other issue with carpet was wiring, having feeders was near impossible and I would have spots with LOTS of volt dropping
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Now the upside? Cheap. Easy. You can change track plans in a day and have your trains ANYWHERE, but there’s something about having a table that you can build on and expand upon.
If you have pets, I suggest having a table. I set up a Lionel around my mom’s Christmas tree this past year and the pet dander, fur, and dust bunnies were magnetized to the track and pickup rollers. That was on a hardwood floor by the way.
I love a train around the tree during the Xmas season. I had 4x 8 layout in my parents house. I remember one time using almost all my tumbler track to run them on there basement floor. Always wanted just once to set something up outside on the ground for a short time of course. But my family pretty much gives me most of the basement for my woodshop/workshop and of course my train layout. At 54 I’m able to get down on the floor when needed. But it’s only when needed now. I can’t be on the floor comfortably for a long time. But I agree it’s what you want. Not what other internet people think you should do. That is one thing I’ve learned from u tube is. When it comes to model railroading. Your layout where ever it is. Is your creation. Good video Mike . Ken.
Carpet Layouts are certainly fun, but I must say having a permanent layout on a table is pretty special. O gauge is big, and a modest sized layout can require a good bit of space. I agree the broader the curves you can have in your space is generally an advantage. I wanted specific features in my railroad and chose to use O36 curves and switches in order to have those features. I am pretty happy with the decision. I always put a small layout, frequently just a circle of track under the Christmas tree. Fun video, Mike! Bill B.
I totally agree with you, there are a lot of factors that contribute to deciding between carpet and a table. It really does comes down to what YOU want! I think a table is really good for people who don’t like constant change and want something more permanent and do be able to do expanses of scenery and towns. I too have seen Ben’s Trains and absolutely love his layout. He basically just has a train table on the ground, but with the scenery you do lose the ability to change things up once and a while. I also started on carpet and also miss being able to build a new layout every week or so! In the end I think a table is better for being realistic while carpet allows for a lot more flexibility, but both have a lot of fun!
Hey, I just want to give you a shout out for a very enjoyable and informative video! Your work is very professional: brisk edits, lots of trains in action, fun and useful narration. All in all, very charming.
I choose to set up trains on the floor/carpet for the same reasons you do. Layouts are wonderful, but not dynamic enough for me at present. Keeping it flexible is my preference. Also, I don't have permanent space to dedicate to a layout because my hobby room also doubles as a miniature wargaming command post!
I invested in a cordless hand vacuum to give my tracks a quick clean everytime the trains get rolling. Probably would be a good idea for permanent layouts as well.
Liked and subscribed. Best wishes from Aotearoa New Zealand!
For me I like having a tabletop
Great video Mike. I dealt with people being negative about me running my trains on the floor also. I miss running them like that. Although my table is in the same room, I have less space because I need access to the closet. When the trains were on the floor a had the track end at the closest because I could step over it. You made the great point of do what works best for you and have fun. That’s what I always tell people.
I TOTALLY AGREE. I HAVE 4 OVAL TRACKS THAT I RUN ON THE FLOOR SO I CAN USE THE SPACE WITHOUT TAKING DOWN A TABLE. THE FLOOR WORKS BEST FOR ME EXCEPT WHEN IT'S TIME TO PUT THOSE HEAVY STEAM AND DIESEL ENGINES ON THE TRACK. OH MY ACHING BACK. 😂
The “table” that I am using for my layout was originally made for HO trains.
Great video with some excellent points! I like the idea of a carpet layout where you can play with the track plan, that is how I approach Christmas under the tree. FastTrack does help a lot over the the old tube track when it comes to fuzz etc.
Im building a HO scale layout on a 4x8 custom table on my screened in back porch! Yes on my porch. I know this is gonna cause challenges but I’m ready to take them on! My step dad and I are gonna build a styrofoam cover to protect the layout from the elements and stuff like that. The reason for this is because this is the only space we have for a proper layout. Yes it’s not “Ideal” but it’s what works for us!
It depends on what type of climate you are in. If you are in a humid climate with four seasons your engines, track, and layout will be ruined by the moisture in the air and constant temperature variables causing warping and broken engines. HO trains were not made to run outside unless you live somewhere like the Southwest US where the air is dryer and temperature more stable. HO electronics especially modern locos are extremely sensitive to the elements. If you want your stuff to last, you want to keep it in a climate-controlled environment.
I agree do what will work for you
I enjoy my model trains on the floor mostly, absolutely love running my recent postwar O scale 2-6-2 that I got for my birthday. unfortunately I wasn't aware that the transformer I bought along with it too didn't have the air whistle button (huge mistake) but I wanted to test run it so bad I didn't care (runs like a dream!). As much as I want a table, I'm comfy with my trains on the floor for now, same goes for my HO steam locomotives.
Thank you love the video an thank you for the con confidence cuz I feel sometimes like to run up on the floor I have the ho gauge with the fast track but right now I have the O scale on the tubular track but I do want to get the fast track so that I can put on the floor I thank you for the confidence cuz now I feel much better that I can do that with the o-scale and I like what you said I have to do what's makes me enjoy it and not worry about what anybody else thinks so thank you and your layout is terrific keep the videos coming
On the carpet is I bet very quiet running. Yes, the track with a roadbed is most helpful for the train and the carpet. Also if the train comes off the track, it will survive very well on the carpet. On the table, then fall off the table, not good news.
i play trains on my bedroom floor and i wouldn't mind the floor if it was soft carpet and a large open space that i could spread out in but my current space is very difficult to work with
Hehe I have the best layout…
No layout!
And it’s wonderful
Carpet central railroad is where we start
Carpet fiber and my old back make a table a necessity
Rule 1 of model railroading
My railroad,my rules
Can you imagine when a rivet counter sees me pulling Gunderson maxistacks w8th a mikado
It's supposed to be fun
Exactly! You do you!!
I am like 50/50 because when setting up a Christmas tree I like to put a train under my Christmas tree.
Do what works for you. Do a bit of both myself. My O and live steam in G have permanent homes in the train room inside and an elevated line in the garden respectively.
Been having a ton of further fun in G with a modular layout in a little gravel bed with Playmobil plastic track for all my battery powered G scale locos.
Like how I can rearrange the track every time I set it up if I want to, but it still accommodates all my G scale cars just as well as the permanent track. Lets me do all the decorating and scenic stuff my elevated line can't accommodate.
Just got done putting a little fish pond in, headed out today to get some O gauge track to use out there to run a few things my O-27 pike inside can't handle.
Sounds like a lot of fun! You’re winning at model railroading
Breaking even maybe. But having fun the whole long way, and that's what counts.
Benchwork this year after baseball season is over!
Can’t wait!!
At 75, it's getting difficult to get up and down off the floor.
I've got an O gauge square oval with O-72 curves set up under my HO scale layout, only exposed on one end, I've got it shown in a few Christmas train videos, planning on making a video explaining my O gauge
Very nice!
I work at a train store I will say I’m 50/50 on this but a table is better carpet get picked up in the wheels and running gear from experience
I didn’t notice that issue after 4 months of running on carpet before we built the layout. Have you noticed this with trains on tubular track? Ours was FasTrack and I assumed the roadbed helped reduce this issue.
@@Dadified86 honestly both style of track it’s mainly N & Ho scale that pick it up badly I’ve seen locomotive back for repair in about 2/3 months even some Lionel’s and other o scale products some people really love there trains so do it but I do repairs. I’ve seen rods bent from just carpet fibers it’s kinda crazy on both tracks .
Have you heard The Sioux City Railroad Museum is planning to restore Great Northern 1355 to operation
I sure have! They’re just up the road from us. Been following that story since the flooding hit very closely
I've just never gotten carpet layouts to work. The power drops constantly.
Larger longer lines have that problem. The few that I know that have solved this had to be very clever with how they set things up!
One of the main issues of a carpet layout is the discipline of putting stuff away IF you have the room. People will easily get lazy and bored of the constant routine of taking it out and putting it away saying, "it's fine" and start leaving their trains out. That is when the problems start of people and pets stepping on and knocking them over. I don't know about you, but I would have a heart attack if my $1000+ engine was knocked over even if the carpet absorbed the fall. It is even worse in smaller than O scales.
I suppose it’s the same discipline needed from when we were kids being asked to clean up. So… if you were good at that back then you’re probably good at it now.
Our grandfather and our layout used to be on the floor but it on IKEA table
IKEA was around when your grandfather started? 🤔
I think is better to ues a table and u don't have to worry about stepping on something
That was a potential danger we had but thankfully we could disassemble and out it away when company was coming over.
Carpets ok for starting out but a layout is def the next step.
Maybe for you, but not for all!
@@Dadified86 Ok....
what type of grass did you use on your layout??
Outdoor Carpet from Lowe’s… so I suppose I’m still “on carpet” 😂
I Would go Tabletop Cause You Run Carpet It’s Gonna Kill The Locomotive Even Wreck The Value Of the Engine.
Tell that to Ben! Haha he’s got some super fancy cars and trains but he takes care of em. All depends on how you’re using them
No way would I put a Layout down on the floor on Carpet. If you have that much room then put up a Table. Way easier on the Back and you don't have to step over things.
Nor have to worry about stepping on it, knocking it over in the middle of the night or coming home late. Last thing you want is a busted foot and a broken model. There is discipline involved in having to put your stuff away on the floor but people will get lazy and forgetful that is when the problems start. A table solves 99% of the issues.
@@OriginalBongoliath I agree 100 percent.