Convert a Train Table to a Construction Zone Table

My little guy likes trucks more than trains, so I thought I'd convert his old train table to something more construction oriented ...

Step 1: The old Train Table

We had this really cool train table ... which he still uses, but he really like trucks.

I realized that the train surface pops out quite easily and has a nice frame for adding other things.

So I made a new wooden surface and painted it with acrylic paint to look like dirt and stone.

Comments

[bigtreehouse]

I have been thinking about doing this same thing for monster trucks... I was going to use paper mache.

[wisconsinjimmy]

I am going to make one for myself always liked playing in the dirt but after knee replacment hard to manuver and yes I am an old kid and I know the grand babies will love it.
JimG

[gunman15]

lol

[gunman15]

is it destroyed yet

[jarrod.leslie.taylor]

This looks great. My son has a train table as well. I'm a little concerned that mine would not come out looking as good. My son is more into race cars. I am wondering if I can do this, but make it into a high banked oval race track, either dirt or black top... We'll see...

[SandyWalsh]

That's a great idea ... I bet that would look awesome. The Styrofoam cutter would make an excellent banked turn. Easy to paint and the grass would look awesome on it. Be sure to post pics if you do it!

[rrrmanion]

some scenery in the middle might go well with the grass, plus things like spectators would add to the effect.

[karamo81]

Can you email how you did this? Just wondering...

[SandyWalsh]

Uh, it's in the instructable.

[Omega Supreme]

Great Work. I'll have to make my own version for my son now.

[Cthulu]

First off, The great Cthulu does not play with toys, but if he did I.. I mean he, would giggle like a girl with this project. Great Job!

[Maxx1]

Cool +1

[ejk00]

You're selling yourself short on the paint - I think you did a great job! I really like the creativity you put into this, and I'm wishing I had one when I was a kid - sure beats tearing up Mom's flower garden and leaving the toys outside. Good job (and good instructable, too!).

[watermelon]

Sir... can you direct me to the office so's I can place an order for 30 tons of bed rock? Wish my dad had had as much talent. Super nice job.

[caledonian]

That's awesome. I need a kid as an excuse to play with toys again.

[GorillazMiko]

Nice! It looks like something that would be expensive in a store, now I know how to change mine (if I had one) by myself! Great Instructable!

[squeej84]

Not to long until those little rocks are all over the house, but nice instructable anyway, looks great!

[SandyWalsh]

haha ... no kidding. I'll be stepping on them for the next three months.

[canida]

That looks great!
Here's another Instructable on Mini Island Gaming Terrain that really focuses on painting and detailing for a similar type of project.

[SandyWalsh]

Thanks ... and dang, I wish I had seen that before I got started ... very nice. The flocking and dry-brushing were my weakest things. I think I need to practice on smaller pieces first. Thanks for the feedback.

[shortbus]

cool

[keng]

there's a better way to carve out those hillsides....I think Jimmy JJ Walker said it best.....DY-NO-MITE!!!

[trustmefada]

Nice end product. Its always better to build than to buy, and home projects like these are great for kids creativity. Elaborate more on the styrofoam wire cutter construction and the rest is up to imagination.

[SandyWalsh]

Thanks! I added a few more notes on the wire cutter as per your suggestion. Please let me know if there is something more specific you'd like to know. Cheers!