anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
Hi G Scalers, have just got Bachmann Thomas and want to run track at about 3 ft high along a fence. am told by one shop the best way is to mount decking boards and lay track on that. has anyone done this?
help!!! brand new to G scale, need advice
- Thread starter anthony jordan
- Start date
annieshalt
garden railways
hi and welcome to the mad house, quite a few on here have done this ,i did it once but have now gone the 2ft high way.
Gizzy
A gentleman, a scholar, and a railway modeller....
Hullo and welcome to the forum.
The method suggested is one way, but you could lay the track at ground level on gravel ballast.
The decking will eventually rot though. You could use glavanised metal electrical tray, although this doesn't look very nice to some?
Have a look on the threads here, and see the different photos that have been posted. Also, visit other G scalers or forum members. If you post your location here, I'm sure you will get an invite to someone near to you....
The method suggested is one way, but you could lay the track at ground level on gravel ballast.
The decking will eventually rot though. You could use glavanised metal electrical tray, although this doesn't look very nice to some?
Have a look on the threads here, and see the different photos that have been posted. Also, visit other G scalers or forum members. If you post your location here, I'm sure you will get an invite to someone near to you....
PaulRhB
This Way Up
Any weatherproofed timber, fencing timber etc, should be fine and probably cheaper. Decking boards would be ok too and probably last a little longer but I'd be wary of using them with the routed grip side up as it will retain water more. Some add roofing felt on top to look like ballast and keep the water off the wood too.
How were you going to support it? If its a substantial fence you could use brackets on the posts or use metpost holders and timber uprights.
How were you going to support it? If its a substantial fence you could use brackets on the posts or use metpost holders and timber uprights.
Ralphmp
Registered
Hello and welcome
I've recently constructed a raised layout that included decking (http://www.gscalecentral.net/Finchdale-Garden-Railway-if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-m276606). < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...succeed-m276606).
Couple of things I found that might be helpful:
1. Cheap decking warps and twists so use hardwood boards if possible
2. Keep the spans between your supports quite short to prevent sagging. I have a couple of places where the boards look likely to sag so I've screwed some 2x2 along the underside of the board to try and stiffen them up; not sure how well this will work
3. The wise men in the forum with vastly more experience than I have all advised me that covering the wood, as opposed to just using preservatives, is the best way to get a long life from them
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
I've recently constructed a raised layout that included decking (http://www.gscalecentral.net/Finchdale-Garden-Railway-if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-m276606). < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...succeed-m276606).
Couple of things I found that might be helpful:
1. Cheap decking warps and twists so use hardwood boards if possible
2. Keep the spans between your supports quite short to prevent sagging. I have a couple of places where the boards look likely to sag so I've screwed some 2x2 along the underside of the board to try and stiffen them up; not sure how well this will work
3. The wise men in the forum with vastly more experience than I have all advised me that covering the wood, as opposed to just using preservatives, is the best way to get a long life from them
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
BRStandard
Railways- large or small, preferably steam. Skiing
Anthony,
Hello, and welcome.
I have used decking boards for my past two layouts.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using them:-
+ Treated, tantalised timber that will last a long time
+ Will not delaminate, like ply - even marine play will give up the ghost.
+ Can receive track straight on to it (although I do lay shed roofing felt on top for added weatherproofing)
+ Strong and heavy, so does not need as much support as sheet timber
+ Screw fixings more durable than in sheet material.
+ Inserts, extensions or repairs can easily be effected.
+ Quick!
- Cost consideration.
- Can have a tendency to curve up at the edges (This is slight and not a problem with straight sections, but can be noticed when using boards side by side and tracks traverse the joints)
Having said all that I would not consider using anything else, were I building a new layout, apart from plastic (but that's eye-wateringly expensive)
What I have found is that at B&Q*, for example, they have two sections on offer - 120 x 20 or 150 x 27 (dimensions are from memory).
The larger section, whilst more expensive, is the one I prefer - the extra width means there is more edge to the side of the track (the cess, or "the two foot") and the depth offers a more robust span.
Any questions?
Regards
Nick Wood
* Other DIY stores are available!
Hello, and welcome.
I have used decking boards for my past two layouts.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using them:-
+ Treated, tantalised timber that will last a long time
+ Will not delaminate, like ply - even marine play will give up the ghost.
+ Can receive track straight on to it (although I do lay shed roofing felt on top for added weatherproofing)
+ Strong and heavy, so does not need as much support as sheet timber
+ Screw fixings more durable than in sheet material.
+ Inserts, extensions or repairs can easily be effected.
+ Quick!
- Cost consideration.
- Can have a tendency to curve up at the edges (This is slight and not a problem with straight sections, but can be noticed when using boards side by side and tracks traverse the joints)
Having said all that I would not consider using anything else, were I building a new layout, apart from plastic (but that's eye-wateringly expensive)
What I have found is that at B&Q*, for example, they have two sections on offer - 120 x 20 or 150 x 27 (dimensions are from memory).
The larger section, whilst more expensive, is the one I prefer - the extra width means there is more edge to the side of the track (the cess, or "the two foot") and the depth offers a more robust span.
Any questions?
Regards
Nick Wood
* Other DIY stores are available!
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
thanks so muh for all the info, am trying to open the picture from ralphmp, I've chosen this height of approx 3' so the children have it at chest height and i can get a lawn mower underneath- so somehow I'm going to attach it to the fence posts - I have a hard wood timber yard near me and will just check out the differnec in price over B & Q decking
it'll be a straight track- does anyone know of a gadget I can set at the end of the track that'll stop thomas and send him back?!
thanks, anthony
it'll be a straight track- does anyone know of a gadget I can set at the end of the track that'll stop thomas and send him back?!
thanks, anthony
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
thanks for that info. please can you send me the pic again, as I can't open the link. TVM.Ant
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
anthony jordan said:
As I assume you're running simple analogue (DC) rather than digital (DCC), then there are a number of automatic shuttle units you can buy that will do exactly that for you; the LGB one is built into a buffer stop, you might well be able to pick up a second hand one of these quite easily, in fact it's well worth asking on here if anyone has a spare one to sell?
http://www.champex-linden.de/lgb_pr...0467cf6/12506c1bef7f2118852569e7005429e7.html < Link To http://www.champex-linden...8852569e7005429e7.html
Welcome to the forum, and to the hobby!
Jon.
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
great news. thanks
and Massoth (http://www.gardenrailoutlet.co.uk/massoth-analogue-shuttle )3Valve said:
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
toptip. thanks
Hi Anthony,
I have used decking boards for parts of my layout. Some has been in place for three years with no issues so far.
I always use two bits of 2x1 underneath the boards to give extra rigidity. This may be belt and braces, but has served me well and gives the boards a solid look which I like. Everything treated with a liberal coat of wood preservative in a colour of your choice. I have used a combination of brackets to fence posts and posts into the ground as appropriate.
Curves are also possible.
Good luck!
I have used decking boards for parts of my layout. Some has been in place for three years with no issues so far.
I always use two bits of 2x1 underneath the boards to give extra rigidity. This may be belt and braces, but has served me well and gives the boards a solid look which I like. Everything treated with a liberal coat of wood preservative in a colour of your choice. I have used a combination of brackets to fence posts and posts into the ground as appropriate.
Curves are also possible.
Good luck!
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
that is brilliant. thanks so much. but am worried the tomatoes won't rippen being that close to the track! Am going to put my track higher, maybe 2-3 foot higher- so its at my kids chest height, and i can get a lawn mower underneath. I'll somehow build brackets that support the track from above - rather than posts from the ground- or use the existing fence posts The photos are a real help. do you have any other tips?
anthony jordan
trains, boats and kenya
can i see the bracket to fence post you used?- have just found some window box ones on ebay