Coffee Table Train Set

Materials: Liatorp Coffee Table

Description: The hack includes the Liatorp coffee table with glass top and pull out drawer that was modified to include an N scale model train set.

I didn’t like the white so I painted about 95% of it black. Four coats of satin black furniture paint to be exact. I left the shelf that the drawer slides on unpainted for two reasons. One, the paint would just rub off as the drawer glides back and forth over the shelf. Two, simply to provide a highlight color to offset all the black. The last thing cosmetically, was I purchased two new pull knobs for the drawer as the stock ones did not match the black.

The drawer from the factory includes a cross in the middle of the drawer making four available compartments, and two particle board pieces that make up the drawer bottom. Now obviously this won’t work if you plan to utilize the entire space in the drawer. Leaving out the cross was easy but by doing so, the bottom particle board pieces are rendered useless. So I need a floor for the drawer. I took the necessary measurements and made my way over to TAP plastics, had a custom floor made, and I was good to go.

After assembly, the only thing left to do is design the train layout. I used a program called AnyRail available at anyrail.com. Once the layout is set, it’s just a matter of purchasing the engines, cars and scenery that you like to complete the look. Since this was my first attempt, I spent a little more than I probably would have liked but I think it was worth it. It’s definitely a conversation piece and fun to look at.

To see a video of the trains in action, check out this youtube video.

~ Jaxan, Sacramento, CA