Hi. I recently relocated within los Angeles to a new apartment . I have use of one stall in an very old garage. The wood structure is from the 1940s so is very dark brown and dry. It's a 4 stall structure but has no stall doors. The shelves in it are filthy, covered with loads of dirt and dust and sagging. Some wooden wall areas show daylight through them. There is conduit in it for the light. I'm pretty sure I can build a layout in it. What I envision for the layout room is to build a new frame within the old frame with perhaps insulation between the two. I'd also build a plywood floor above the slab floor and of course front wall would have a new door. No windows. Within this new frame I'd add insulation then sheet rock. It'll have to have an air conditioner..The RR is irrelevant at this time. I would like some imput from those knowledgeable with building this type of train room. What's a ballpark figure for the cost ? Is there something I may not be aware of, pursuing this type project ?... Mark
Can your designated area be secured from access by others? Critters? Will your landlord approve of such alterations to their property?
I would save yourself some trouble and just build some modules that you can keep inside your apartment. That way when you get to a more hospitable environment you already have a nice start.
Why not just join us at the PMRRC? $35 a month or Mark, you live 5 minutes from me, build some modules and we can link them up. You have too many animals in that area racoons, possums, coyotes, field mice,rats all you need is a racoon to run off with a locomotive lol Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Thanks all for advice. Landlord is no worry. He lives elsewhere and very old. Fellow I rent 2nd bedroom from is a really cooperative person. I know he'll OK it. I am looking for some ballpark figures from you as per OP. As would be an up to code room, basically separate from, but within the old walls, I see no problem with critters causing havoc. Where garage door would normally be there'd be a lockable entrance about one step up from driveway...Just supplies ( ply, 2x4s, insulation, door frame and door, and benchwork) I'm gut guessing at $500-800.00. Maybe less than that. AC unit has to be roughly $200. Any dibbs ? M
I am aware of this Justin. But, for me, I must have a home layout before anything; a RR of my own. Also $35 mo is high for me. I am looking forward though to seeing PMRRC with its new control system.This could trip my trigger to join. I have NCE (now collecting dust).. M
I do not know where you'd prefer to purchase your supplies. You could use the Big Box Stores on line search, to get cost ideas. They do have sales on drywall, 5 gallon buckets of mud, etc. Just take your area measurements, figure out how many sheets. And try it from there.
Licensed architect/engineer here; first thing that comes to my mind is seismic safety; from your description this building (and your layout) may not withstand even a moderate earthquake. The other thing is dust; you may have a hard time with dust control. A plywood floor over a concrete slab will need to be put over pressure treated sleepers. We shouldn't put the plywood in direct contact with the slab. If you do build a new interior wall, if you could install plywood over the new studs along with new 5/8" anchor bolts before the gypsum board, that would increase its strength to resist earthquakes. But if the other stalls are not upgraded, then it could cause damage anyway. What is the condition of the roof? You'd want a good roof so there are no water leaks. Might also want to check with LA Building & Safety before doing the work; they are among the strictest I've worked with before. John
I'm 5 minutes away from you lol build some cassettes/modules and we can connect em up sometime. I too use NCE and the club uses digitrax. If your on the LA side of Monterey road like the previous poster getting or going through LA is a pain in the behind. Same with if your on the South Pasadena side of Monterey road. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
You can build your layout in the environment you mentioned. A layout where ever you can build it is better then no layout at all. However, the downside is it will never be the perfect place for a train layout. My metal shed, here in Big Bear Country, isn't the best place but it's the only place. With two mousers to help me out, we keep the smaller pests at bay. It's closed up well enough to keep the visiting raccoons out of it. So, it's possible but not recommended. I do like the idea of club layout and building modulars. Storage could be a problem. Best of luck.
Justin, I have no clue as to what you're getting at above. 'LA side/ S. Pas side ' ?! What is the problem that is any dif than going thru any other neighborhood in Los Angeles ? !! I live in an apartment in S. Pas. now; on a typical Rd. in S Pas. IE, What does it matter what street I'm on ? Also, I never ever liked modular. And I used to belong to the club which invented modular MRRing, the Belmont Shore MRRC in San Pedro for many years whilst living in Glendale back in the 80s or so.. M
Boxcab 50 (above). I did not ask where to purchase supplies. I know where many lumber yards and hardware stores are in Los angeles. I asked if someone out there, someone knowledgeable about this type of idea I have, know what the supplies might cost.... I gave my pall park figure at 1:54 PM yesterday. JOSTA, read my 3rd line down (also at 1:54)...I said it'd be a step uP from driveway...meaning floor beams would be on the slab, insulated, with plywood floor on top of beams. Please explain 5/8" anchor bolts clearer..Where are these ? .... In a nutshell, I want to build an up-to-code shack within a, seemingly no longer up to code, shack...(garage)...
I was not suggesting where to buy! You asked "What's a ballpark figure for the cost ?" I was suggesting perusing their web sites as being useful for getting ideas on those costs.
Just stating that both citys are a nightmare for permits if you needed any. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
OH ! Didn't get that. Guess you meant I may need a building permit or code inspection if I do it... Cool.. Wish PMRRC chose NCE.. Speaking of which, be careful putting too much pressure on the speed wheel. The axle gets faulty and you can then only use the buttons.. They sent me a new wheel, free. I have yet to install it. M
Meant to get back to say thanks for all the postings and important construction advice. With what I've gathered it may be less possible than I'd imagined .. I will get back if and when I have actually begun the project.. Mark
Can the garage be locked as it stands? Hang the layout from the ceiling and a suspend plastic tarp over it. Make sure the visqueen hangs at an angle that allows water to run off. Suspension keeps the critters off, and visqueen keeps the water off. And lay track only on hot days, when the track is expanded. Make it modular enough to be moved to civilization next time you move. Or if you can't go primitive, choose between your room and a club. But you can take it from a graybeard--you can go primitive and make it work. Got Pioneer Spirit?
acptulsa, thanks for further advice. Reason I would not suspend layout is I am one, die-hard, a permanent-layout guy..Although in my N scale years I was a member of the club that invented NTrak, the Belmont Shore MRRC , I myself never did care for modular. Plus I am solely a point to point MRRer. Only a 'roundy-round' layout could be suspended in air... Not for me....I like having the work to do at each end of line..In HO, the space I perceive as having in the garage is enough to build perhaps another switchback, branch. Even if I chose instead to do a belt-line RR (which has always attracted me), it still would be permanent.... M
