Train Table Provides Play, Storage Space

There’s nothing like the jingle, the rumble and the roar of a passing train to get the imagination going, so it’s easy to see why toy trains have been around almost as long as the real thing. This do-it-yourself train table project is sure to become a favorite of the little engineer in your family.

The plan features a steam locomotive complete with smokestack and cow catcher, a coal tender, a box car, a tank car, a hopper and, of course, a caboose. Straight and curved sections of track, elevated track supports, a simple building and a kid-sized table for playing with (and storing) everything rounds out the set. The table features two big storage drawers and a lip around the edge keeps things from rolling off.

Full-size patterns make the project simple. Just trace the pieces onto wood, cut them out, assemble and finish. You can make as many train cars and track segments as you like and in any combination. When finished, the train cars range in size from 2-1/2 to 6 inches long and the table is about 20 inches tall by 38 inches square.

The Train Table plan, No. 876, is $8.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, construction diagrams and a complete shopping list.

A package of wooden toy plans, No. C125, is $17.95 and includes this project plus two other plans with a total of six wooden toys. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $3.95. Prices include postage and handling. Please allow three-four weeks for delivery (for rush delivery, add $1 per item up to $3 maximum and allow about seven-10 days).

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