Some background on my layout. Normally I am a shipmodeler, but railroad modeling has always been one of my primary hobbies. So when the wife asked me to relocate our big glass top coffee table to the library, I decided I was going to try to build a layout in it. We had previously displayed all kinds of memorabilia in the top drawer where it was visible under glass. But that's no fun. So I cleared all the junk out and laid down a basic oval of MTL track and hooked it up to a vintage Control Master X. Armed with a couple of AZL GP38's and two MTL SD40-2's, I was in business.
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The trains were a big hit with my two granddaughters. With me too as their quick little hands couldn't snatch any up any vital parts. But to do it right, I needed to have at least two trains running.
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So I experimented with what seemed like hundreds of layout options using the Any Rail 5 program. Finally after trying to make a limited selection of MTL track pieces fit in such a confined space, I came up with a plan. A basic over an under with a double track main, plenty of sidings and a small yard should give me plenty to work with. I printed out my track plan at full scale on my plotter and laminated that to a 31 x 35 sheet of 1/2" insulating foam sheet. Using a box knife, I cut around the track where the grade will rise and fall. I'm, leaving plenty of room on the sides as I can always carve it away when things are secured. The separated sections will be gently raised to reach a 1-1/2" clearance point for the track to clear a double stack car (and then some). I laid the track out to test the design. Yeah, it works. Now to run the wiring and other basics.
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