I live in a military base housing. Much in the same manner as renting, I can make no permanent or even semi-permanent adjustments to the house. What makes matters worse, I dont know where I'll be this time in two years. I've been in the service for 8 yr's and lived in 6 houses. Some homes have ample room, while others (current situation) allow for almost no spare space. Even given the circumstances, I really want to model a layout though.
Can anyone suggest a layout/modelling surface that can be easily transported, stored in non-layout-threatening manner, and still allows an opprotunity to indulge in model railroading?
Try building a Timesaver. You can build in HO or N and either way you should be able to take it wherever you go.
You'll have alot of hours of fun just playing with the switching puzzle and if you want later on you can add to it.
Dave
If it is the modelling you are into, then check out the module options, build a module or two if you need more. Easy to transport (aprox 4' x 2'). Most anywhere you go in North America, and some places elsewhere have clubs built around modules.
Carolyn
Does your PMQ have a basement? Even if it doesn't, there is the option of building a small switching layout that could go up against a wall over some furniture like a desk and dresser.
Paul
One solution I recall reading about was "modeling" the operations of a railroad's division without building any actual models.
You read that right. The person was, IIRC, a clergyman in one of the Protestant religions, and the nature of his job didn't permit construction of a layout due to factors such as budget, short-notice relocation, and the like, so he built a magnetic track diagram of the division, and used magnets to represent individual trains.
Dieter
I have been in the same situation while I was on active duty for 30 years.
I was always was able to have at least a HO scale switching layout sometimes built as modules each 4 ft long and approx. 20-24 inches wide or I just hung a piece of plywood to the walls using large shelf hangers to support the top much the same as a bookshelf.
You just need to be imaginative and limit your modeling to something that is readily movable.
Bill
When I was in the base housing, I built an HO layout which could be best described as a double dust ball express. Not much more than a double track loop with sidings. It would store under the childrens single bed. You could build one to fit under the double bed but seldom are those rooms large enough to pull it out from under the bed.The double dustball express would pull out and unfold. The box in which the track was laid had spaces cut in the ends so when unfolded a piece of track would span the gap. The box structure limited the height of structures, scenery, trees to about 7 inches if you were careful in placing them. The boxes were made of 1/4" plywood with the sides being 1x4 's. Dont make it any larger than your available floor space . My boys just loved it. When it came time to leave we just sold it lock stock and barrel to another family. When we got to our new airbase we would build an improved version. Believe me the neighborhood kids will sell it for you. Have Fun.
Jim
To me, it seems like what you need is a small (Z or N) layout built into a "suitcase", as that's something you could quickly set up on a table.
If shelf layouts and/or fiddle yards are more what you want, an almost enclosed box with a drop down front side which could fit on a book shelf could be for you. The fiddle yard could be sliding casettes.
Exhibition layouts are often built sort of like that, only larger and with their own legs and so on.
Well I have certainly decided on N-scale, as I have always been interested in N-scale. Not to mention, I have most of my cars and track from when I was younger. I'm unfamiliar with the 'TimeSaver', but will do some looking around and see what comes up. As for modules, tha reminds me of a layout I saw some time ago in a Model Railroader. It was a 4x8 layout that broke down into a few sections, that bolted together to form an enclosed box. Hmmm...had forgotten about that! :) Thank you for all the great information. If you have any more, feel free to throw it my way! Thanks...
Nam
Don't dismiss the idea of a very small layout. It allows you to practice techniques that you may want to use in later projects. I've heard of several modelers who even build a small section of a layout just to test different ways to construct scenery, lay track and other stuff like that.
How about a modular design with three or four sections? That way, it could be easily disassembled and reassembled at a new location. Best part is that if you have some kind of grand scheme in mind, you can use the sections in your future layout.
Dan
A number of years ago I saw a concept you may find useful. The fellow was in similar circumstances but wanted a layout. Since he had no room for one he began making "components" for one. He built towns, factories, scenic sections, etc. none had any track on them. This seemed odd until he explained, when he finally got settled in a place where he could build his layout these "components" would be integrated into his finished layout. (his idea was making 2X2 sections and, when ready to connect, they would be bolted together with the "new" layout to form a complete system) He had one component with him at a time and, when completed, shipped them to a relative to store until he was able to use them.
While this is not a way to be able to run trains, I thought it was a good alternative to the module concept or if the idea of a real small complete layout is unpalatable.
cat
Another idea would be to look at modular design. (I model in Ngauge and therefore do N-Trak). Also the smaller scales lend themselves to shelf railroads which also can be built in a modular format. By building shelf layouts in this fashion you can go from a smll space to a large one fairly quickly. At one post it could only be a small switching layout, and then a larger point to point layout. Also, see if there are any other personnell that share the interest and see if there is an unused area on base that could be used for a club layout. Thereby allowing off duty hours to be used constructing it. As well as entertainment for dependants and the local community by hosting open houses monthy or bimonthly.
WRI