table sides

[mtrcyclu]

have just about finished my 8x12 table that I am going put a track layout on. Looking for ideas for the sides of the table for something to help stop the cars from flying off the table. maybe sometype of nettting, wood boards, foamboards etc,. any ideas or pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[4424ever]

Use what ever is cheap and handy a couple of inches above the track surface is all you need unless the car is really flying

[chappyman66]

Yup, there are lots of options. 1x6, 1/8" plastic, floor cove base edging. I used gutter screen with bamboo skewers threaded through the screen. It's all about the look you want.

[bobbyraz49]

I used gutter screen as well and am happy with the results.

[Racer944]

I used corroplast sign making material. It's corrugated plastic so it's easy to cut, light, looks clean, and can be decorated easily. Home Depot has it amongst other places...

Cheers;
Eric

[mtrcyclu]

Great ideas guys, thanks. How about ideas for covering the table top? Looking for something to cover the plywood top. Felt, carpet, green outdoor carpet? Thanks

[BRS Hobbies]

I like to use green outdoor carpet. You can usually find it sold by the foot or yard at Lowes.

Best regards,
Brian

[chappyman66]

If you are running plastic then cork or carpet will quiet things down. Indoor outdoor carpet is pretty common. I liked cork because it was easy to mount scenic items but it's all about what you like and how much space you have.

[Aloha]

Building (or should I say attempting to build) a track and have actually used rain gutters cut on a table saw for walls around the track. White in color and has a little flexibility. Sit 2 1/2" above the track surface. Just a thought for another option. Have carpet runner as well and makes everything look finished. Good luck....

[RichD]

My track has 1X4 boards around the edge, but many of our club tracks used Sintra, which is easy to bend if you want to do that. The top of my table is covered with green foam backed carpet runner, that helps to damp out the sound that the cars make as they go around the track. The runner extends up on the inside of the table boarders so it acts as padding to minimize damage to the cars.

[chris]

I use small Christmas trees that were picked up really cheap in post Christmas sales. They vary and range in height from about 10 inches to 4 inches but the common factor is they all have a twisted wire "trunk" so just a simple matter of drilling a hole and shove 'em in.

My track is about 12 x 5 so now the trees pretty much line it completely. Tried for that nostalgia look when tracks were manly and the only thing to stop the drivers going into the boonies were trees, telegraph posts or rock walls :o

Chris.

[ccobra]

When I first set up my Eldon track on a table with the long straightaways, I used plastic Lawn Edging stapled to the table. I used the stuff that was flat with a rounded edge on the top side. This kept the cars from flying off when the Grandkids were over. It also works well mounted to the mower to put stripes in the yard.

[TuscoTodd]