Building a Train Bed

After looking all over the internet, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't happy with any of the train beds available. The only one I did like was super expensive. So I decided to make my own (I used a picture of the one I found on the internet to get approximate dimensions).

The bed is made out of 1/2 inch MDF, railing and trim is made with pine. All edges of bed are routered (except exterior edge of round part). I painted in latex paint and covered with acrylic satin gloss. Bed comes apart in several pieces...as all together it would weigh about 350 lbs and be unmoveable.

Major Tools needed:

Air Compressor
Brad Nailer
Staple Gun
Scroll saw
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Table Router
Sander

Materials (approx):

3 - 4x8 1/2" MDF
4 - 1x4 Pine Boards
4 - 1.3 Pine Boards
6 Lag bolts
Cap Nuts
Bolts/Nuts
Glue
Paint

 

Step 1: Making Mattress Base:

Go buy a mattress and measure the dimensions. Then make the top part of the bed where the mattress will rest in. This is pretty simple to do. I used some L brackets for support on the inside corners of the bed. Used a brad nailer and glue to hold it together.

Comments

[raptor23]

Thanks for your amazing work. As a casual DIY'er with limited tools/space, I modified your design into a much simpler version below. It may not look anything like your bed, but much of the design ideas were inspired by yours. So, thank you!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Thomas-Train-Bed/?ALLSTEPS

J

[rtrulove]

Sorry if I missed this, but do you have just the mattress on a platform? Or the box spring as well? This bed is seriously awesome!

[kevconard]

No box spring. Just the mattress. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[mattshack]

That bed is awesome. I would like to build one and was wondering if you could give me the dimensions of each piece.

[kevconard]

Sorry, but the bed is fully assembled right now and I don't have time to take it apart and measure it. All measurements are a derivative of the size of the mattress you are working with. So, if you go buy a mattress and just build a box for it to sit in (see step 1), the rest of the bed will come together for you.

[mattshack]

Thanks for the reply. I understand about not wanting to take the bed apart. I was really just wondering if you could tell me the height of the base (the part with the wheels), the height and width of the window panels, and dimensions of the bumper. If you do not want to take the measurements I understand. I think I can get close by using the pictures as a guide. Your bed is great and I just hope to be able to reproduce it.

Thanks, Matt

[kfishburn]

WOW! This is amazing!!!! I'm hoping between my husband and myself we can follow your instructions and make this for my 2 year old! He's been really into "choo-choos" recently and would NEVER get out of bed! ;D

[kevconard]

So...did you make one?

[kevconard]

Took a couple of weeks. Since you have plans and pictures...it'll shave off some time. But since there are no real dimensions, it'll be somewhat labor intensive. You just need to start with buying the mattress and measuring size of bed. All other parts of the bed will be a derivative of that. Not sure if I put in the directions, but you'll want to router all exposed edges of the bed.

[kfishburn]

How long did this take you from start to finish?

[kevconard]

Good luck. Send me pics on your progess. I'd love to see someone else make one!

[kfishburn]

Will do! My husband just got home from work and he is also super impressed with this. We just have to figure out how we can make it in the basement and get it upstairs. We might have to modify it so it can get up the tight staircase.

[kevconard]

After you paint it, it is designed to be taken apart into its separate pieces so you can move it....ie it is modular. Total weight of the thing assembled is probably 300 lbs...so you'll have to disassemble it to move it. Good luck. Feel free to email me questions.

[gdhenson]

awesome

[skiedra]

So cool! Cheers for the idea and the building advice!

[porcupinemamma]

Ditto!

[kevconard]

So, are you going to make one?

[skiedra]

I'm very, very tempted to ;)

[steve_tupper2010]

I think waht you have done is marvellous, not only in terms of the skills in making the train bed, but even more importantly - as a loving dad. These are memories that your sons will have forever. I take my hat off to you.

[kevconard]

Thanks Steve, very nice of you to say. I actually got choked-up when he saw it. The look on his face was worth every minute it took to make.

[steve_tupper2010]

Know what you mean. Made something for my nephew that he had always wanted. When he saw the result, he looked like a rabbit in headlights, frozen still, mouth open. These are great moment (for us too!)

[burnerjack01]

Yep, Dad of the Year!! You get my vote! Awesome job to boot!

[kevconard]

Thanks burnerjack01!

[farzadbayan]

Great !

[acarback]

You're a candidate for dad of the year with this project. Good job!

[kevconard]

Thanks acarback!

[Beatle4]

My grandson is a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine and he would love this bed. If I only had the room to try and build one.
You did a great job.

[kevconard]

Thanks! And you are right...it took a lot of room!

[niceribs]

Does anyone know of Thomas the Tank plans ? My nephew is 4 and Craaaazy bout Thomas the tank and friends

[kevconard]

I combed the web looking for plans and didn't find any (not that they don't exist...I just couldn't locate)

[the_burrito_master]

pwns every car bed. look up car vs train on YT.

[cdawisconsin]

Really impressive.

[gdhenson]

well done

[_-MacGyver-_]

Wow those are danged Awesome!!! Keep it up :D

[Rob O]

This is so cool. Your level of detail is excellent. I can tell your son loves it. I think it'd be easy to tweak your basic idea to make other types of beds like fire engine or something.