Hi there, Looking for some ideas for a suitable building material that would look good, be quick to install, FLEXIBLE, and could support a single N scale track width. I have looked at vinyl indoor moldings at Home Depot, but would have to laminate two pieces together to get at least 1' width. At the end, might be the best solution considering the flexibility of thin pieces, almost like spline roadbed, but I am hoping there is something even easier out there......
I don't think you'll be happy with any kind of flexible roadbed. It may be easy to install but will be nothing but headaches as far as running trains. This is why even N scale subroadbed is usually at least 1/2" plywood--with numerous supports.
Hoochrunners, that is what I am trying to achieve. I did the same thing in my HO days, plywood strips & 2" metal corner braces. The best looking and easiest material I have found is PVC trim molding. A rectangular cross section piece about 1/2" thick would go around the wall, screwed in, flowing around the corners with no support, and then I would laminate to it a piece of PVC Door Casing, with 1/2" thick part even with the top of the rectangular section piece. To make it wider, I could add another 1/2" rectangular section before the door casing. I figured I would screw the laminations together. Anybody else got any other ideas? Possibly use wood trim on the straight wall sections and matching PVC profile for the curves....just brainstorming here.....this is for a den where I'd like to sack out and have a train running around the room above my head. No room or time for layout of any kind with another child on the way.
I used 1" x 3". I had to span an 8' length in that picture. I routered the edges and was going to either stain it to match the cabinets, or paint white to match the walls, or both. I ended up selling the house and taking it all down.
No room for a layout, just want to lay back and run trains? Well, the roadbed is up, next step is to lay track.......
I like the quickness and ease of your system. The curves look nice. I would be a little worried about derailments from that height. By the way what materials did you use? Are they laminated? Terl
I used vinyl brick mold from Home Depot. Comes in 12' lengths. Using a laser level around the room, I screwed MDF primed door jamb along the straight sections of wall leaving about 2' to the corners. Then I screwed the brick mold to it. More than wide enough for N scale track. I calculated the quarter circumference of a 24' diameter circle and marked the length on the brick mold at the point where the MDF door jamb ends and tried to line up the other end at 24" point on the adjoining wall with a little wiggle room for easment. Last step for roadbed was to laminate some vinyl door jamb to the back of the curved sections to make it wide enough to lay track on. In the curves, the brick mold twisted a bit so the top edege was not level anymore. So, as I screwed the lamination layer to the back I used a mini level to make sure the surface would be level to lay track on ( I actually superelevated a bit). Next step is to lay Atlas code 80 flex using "no more nails" adhesive. One wall has an extra piece of MDF laminated so I will have an 8' passing track with two remote switches at each end. I have a guide made up so I can lay the track in the tacky glue and then run the guide along the top of the rails to keep the track at the same distance from the front edge of the trim. I will be using several rerailers in strategic places to catch any derailments before they get too severe. I need help with some ideas to put some kind of derailment protection in place. I am thinking of using thin plexiglass along the front held in place with white velcro, but need some more ideas. Anyone?
I probably would skip the superelevation if I was doing it. Let us know how this works for you. I think that the plexiglass would work well. Velcro is good. You might consider some kind of physical slot and just use gravity and friction to hold the plexiglass. It might be alittle cheaper. Keep us posted. Terl
Good idea about a slot to hold plexi. Wish I had thought of that before I put it up, could have run all the pieces through a table saw to cut the groove. Definately an upgrade for "around the walls and above the door version 2.0"
Ok...call me slow...or even duh. BUT...why would anyone want a layout at least 7 foot off the floor? I mean...who can see it? I realize if you are sitting across a big room ya might be able to see the train as it goes along one wall. You would have to be 8 feet tall to see it otherwise. OR...am I missing something? Like I said...call me slow...TIA :tb-wacky::tb-err::tb-confused:
Well, I had done it once before in HO scale, and discovered that I simply liked the sound of it running in the room. In my new place, I have 0 space or time for even a temporary layout, but have a desire to unpack some trains and just run em'. 7 feet also keeps it well out of reach of inquiring 1 and 4 year olds.... Some of my stuff (most) has never been run! I like running long trains, I think N scale is perfect for this. I am looking forward to laying back on the couch in the room, turning on a train and just zoning out for 15-20 mins.
Why? Well, why would I want to given the time and other resources? The sound - yes, can actually be like rain on the window - especially if you use metal wheels. Long trains - big time Fast trains - my bullet trains cruising along - Yes! No scenery - Major plus Simple track plan - no weeks and weeks anguishing over where to place what Conversation piece - off the scale attention getter Bridges - if you were so inclined - could be facinating The challenge - yummy - new territory - not gonna be easy Etc... - you name it One major draw back If it falls - it dies Ok, 2 draw backs Hard to construct
One more drawback...dusting and track cleaning could be a killer. I do however half understand most of the reasoning. BUT...a HC door 30 or 32 inches...with a simple oval...unsceniced could easily fit in a hall closet...or behind a couch...when not in use. Personally...I like to SEE my trains...as well as all that was stated. To each their own though...as long as its fun and enjoyed... ;-)
would be costly, but.. How much trouble vs worth would it be to encase the entire thing in plexiglass? I mean, long strips 4" or so running along side (the easy part) then capping it off with either a wood cap, or plexi cap? The whole thing would be protected from dust/dirt/cats/fatal falls. the cap could be sectional to where you can remove it easily to correct derailments, or maintenance. Just thinking outloud.
It's up and running! No derailments yet (knock on wood). Still developing containment system in the event of a mishap.
