Build A Train Table
When you build a train table for the kids to enjoy, it doesn`t have to be a monumental and difficult task. Most train table plans can be made into reality in a single Sunday afternoon. The kids will love it and the best thing is that the train table will get Thomas and Gordon off your floor: no more stepping on them in the middle of the night on your way to the bathroom.
The first thing to do when you want to build a train table is to look at the space you have available and adapt plans to fit there. The plans that follow are for a 52” X 30 “ table, but you can change the dimensions if you need to.
The materials you need for this project are a 4 X 8 foot sheet of half inch thick plywood, 2 X 4 lumber, screws, paint and some tools. First, start from the top left of your plywood by measuring 52” along the length and make a cut. Then starting back at the corner where you started to measure the 52”, measure down 38” and make a mark. This rectangle will form your play surface. After you have done these mark two parallel lines of 5” X 52” underneath the rectangle. These 5” X 52” shapes will form the sides of the table.
From the 52” point where you made your first cut you need to measure a further 39”, you should have about 5” of spare plywood now on the far side. Within your 39” mark, mark 5” on the 5” and 34” points. On the right side of your plywood, measure down 32” and make a mark. Within your 39” by 32” square, you need to make another square which is measured exactly 5” within the square. The external square part is going to form your table legs and table ends. On the extra plywood that you have, you need to mark an area of 38” X 4”, this will make your brace to strengthen the underside.
The next part of how to build a train table is to cut six 4” bits of 2X4 wood. When you screw together the table, the screws are going to go through the half inch plywood and into the 2X4 pieces. There will also be one bit of 2X4 on each end of the brace. The 2X4 wood strengthens the train table and supports the play area. Screw together the train table frame first. The play surface will be placed on top of the screwed in 2X4 pieces.
The final part of how to build a train table is to paint your table. Of course you can paint it any color you desire, but a royal Thomas the Tank Engine blue or a dark green probably look the best.