Any Model Railroaders here??

I did some HO in the past. I helped a friend build a glasstop coffee table with N gauge. With the wood and plaster, the thing felt like it weighed 300 lbs. Before I pass, I want to do a coffee table N gauge railroad, but less wood and no plaster. Waiting until I retire, because model railroading is a way of life.

N is tiny, so have good eyes. But for a coffee table, the only choice. If you want to just have fun with it, HO.