My family has allowed me to use an very old storage building for my model railroad. Sadly, it is about 20 years old, but it will work. There is also an old fold-up table we used to use for yard sales in there, I am going to use it to support the layout. I found a piece of plywood at Lowes for eight dollars to use as my base. I also managed to get an old desk of mine back to use as a workbench. The process of cleaning the building will start as soon as my grandma gets her stuff out or when Christmas vacation starts for my job(Sub-Bus Driver) and my college gets out. I am hoping to have the building cleaned out and a piece of plywood down before Christmas. Pictures going soon!
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I suggest you start with.....
......searching the archives of this site, and the internet, for instructions, tips and examples of how to build the benchwork.
A piece of plywood on an old folding table sounds like a formula for disaster.
I would hate to see you have a disaster early in constructing your layout that would cause you to give up the hobby in frustration.
Moose
To further Moose's comment,
To further Moose's comment, not using the folding table as benchwork is sage advice. That being said, I think it would be worthwhile to use it as temporary 'legs'. Build the layout on a solid platform - a 1x2 frame with plywood sheeting so it can be removed from the top of the table and transported without the fear of warping / bending - much like a ntrak module. It will be easier to run wiring, the layout is 'portable' and you can start construction without having to commit to more permanent benchwork. The cost of adding the wood framing is negligible and will give you a much sturdier base. It won't take more then an evening to add the framing...
As well, might I suggest that you also add some extruded foam atop the plywood - there are several threads discussing the merritts of this and again I think you'll appreciate the benefits 'further down the track'.
I'm guessing that the wood framing and foam will cost you under $40 - which makes up for the savings you found with the plywood!
Have you an idea of a trackplan?
Best of luck.