The layout is being designed to fit into ONE of the apertures of an Ikea Kallax Unit. which governs the size to 334mm square.

Constructed from 18mm MDF for rigidity and most of the work done with a router as there are lots of circles involved!

The top disc is the actual layout baseboard which rotates above the square sub base, Rotation is aided by a microwave plate carrier and powered by a small 5v worm gear motor mounted under the sub base. The motor rotates at 0.5 RPM. The track layout is a simple small radius circle.

The sub base will be inclined, with the back higher than the front. Angle to be determined. The aim being that the train, sitting on the circular track will hopefully  follow gravity and remain at the front of the layout (lowest point) this means the engine will in fact be an un-powered dummy unit. This should give the illusion of the central scenery passing by, as if a camera is keeping pace with the train. Yes it will be compact! 

I foresee lots of trial and error getting the incline correct and the train weight correct. Part of the reason for choosing a low speed motor was to avoid inertia making the train lurch forwards and backwards, but that still may be a problem.

The track will have a center line radius of about 5.5" so short wheelbase is a must. Track is Peco 9mm Crazy track. and I am currently tron between scratch building stock in 1:48 or 1:76ish (basically 009 0r 09) the larger scale is easier to work in and fill some of the layouts available Kallax height.

Its been about 10 years since I was active here and have done no railway modelling during that time. I was then self employed but now employed with access to a full workshop with lathes and tools i could have only wished for previously. In addition my work team are already taking an interest so I will have the collective thoughts of several other engineers as we try and get this working :)

Progress will be in fits and starts. My idea may be crazy but be kind !!