I don't know the weight of the HO board

but I have a z gauge suitcase layout about 2 ft x 18 inches
and that only weighs 2k including the suitcase

alan plymouth

Robert, your link goes to a basketball league.

The correct link would be www.iblproducts.com

Hi Dan,

I have just the frameless plastic moulding of 81710 that I am incorporating into a larger layout. It is very light and no problem to handle on your own, and can be held by one hand and whilst the wooden underframe, which in the factory ones is approx 40x40mm timber, it still should not be a challenge, if your reasonably able bodied. That said the 81610 is 2m x1.2m and the size of carrying it up and down stairs could present a problem, especially once track and buildings are added. I would guess that the track with wiring and electronics, would add another almost 50% to the weight, !
Even a not so strong helper would be advisable to assist you if possible. In standard form the layouts need a table or frame with legs as per the Noch metal base frame system to stand on !
I am building my underframing for the whole layout in the "open" style using approx 120 x 12mm, dressed, timber. to which legs can be bolted in the corners !
No where can I find a weight quoted for these layouts, but suffice to say, the bare layouts are quite managable, size and space being the main concern !

Good Luck !

I think you can only buy them individually with the frame, and it did cross my mind that as they can be bought much cheaper in Germany from the likes of Lokshop or other Noch dealers, if I lived in the UK, and had a van or Estate Car, I would probably consider picking one up when over there for a holiday or other reason.
However they do actually come from Noch in a large reinforced box !

Different question on Noch pre-formed layouts: I've been advised by an acquaintance here in the Far East that Noch layouts do not handle the heat and humidity that well over time. for example if you want to drill a hole in the mould to add something, the entire mountain may split open after being exposed to the climate for a few years. Does anyone have any experience in this regard because I'm planning to acquire the Noch Silvretta layout at the end of Q1?

The frame and layout by itself is roughly 15lbs (<7kg) ... if you have tracks and buildings on it, I might not recommend moving it around so much unless you have everything well-secured to the layout... however, it will still be quite lightweight. The girth may be difficult to easily maneuver through doorways and the like, so it is best to have someone helping you.

May be a dumb question ... but why do you need to go up and down with the layout?

Frank Daniels
z.scale.hobo
Irvine, California, USA

You might want to consider the Heidelberg type modular layout if you want to be able to move it around in sections

Regards

Mike C

My one I bought second hand, rather cheaply, came without a frame and the owner had stored it in a van and one coner was help up by something allowing the summer heat inside the van to distort it. I have a flame throwing heat gun which I hope will help bend it somewhat back to shape, but appropriate framing could also cure the problem. I am considering suspending it in a periferal frame and applying the heat to the affected corner but it has been suggested to me by the owner of the said heat gun, that too much heat could totally deform it & I could end up with a melted mess on the floor
Bare in mind those layouts are made from a sheet of plastic, heated in an oven then vacuum formed over a mould. Too much heat is not friendly to them
I could imagine they may possibly harden with the heat and humidity, but have no evidence of such Mine is probably 10 years old and still seems quite flexable

I had originally planned to repair and frame mine, fit some track and basic scenery then sell it. However since getting Winrail and playing around in the total space I have for a layout, I've found some suitable extensions pretty much suit my needs, and the size will be 2.7x1.5m with a 800x1200 toe which will accomodate the round house. These Noch layouts do allow for extensions , both their's and whatever you can dream up

(hope you don't all fall asleep waiting for My Layout" thread which will be done once I've got it sorted, but it will be slightly historical, but photographed )