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Bedroom train set

Fallenoffthewagon

By Fallenoffthewagon
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Fallenoffthewagon Newbie

Fallenoffthewagon

Posted
Posted

My son has asked for a train set in  his room, after 2 years of thinking he might change his mind he hasnt, he is 9.   He has lots of track and engines of varying age and a mummy who does not have a clue. 

We have a space of about 195cm x 135cm. My idea was to buy some shelving units to rest the board on (he would like a hole in the middle which am not sure how I could make) Would this work? Or should I find a carpenter?

Am feeling v overwhelmed, what wood do I buy? 

Any tips or help would be appreciated as he is not wanting just a simple oval shape as he has asked for a turntable and a viaduct for his birthday. Any suggestions on layouts would be great to as he has been busy constructing foot bridges from the sets you buy.

Thanks for any help!

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Jimbo1707820979 Veteran

Jimbo1707820979

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But please don't be discouraged since 6ft x 4ft is bigger than the layouts of some members (albeit a minority I suspect

). Are you familiar with the Hornby Trak-Mat ? This gives a good initial perspective for a layout.

If you elect for a plywood baseboard, probably the best option, it would be possible to have a hole cut at one end to make room for a viaduct or small hand-operated turntable, I think. Best to get some advice on this. Also someone to build the baseboard for you if you are not handy with tools etc. And it must be RIGIDLY SUPPORTED and at the best height for your son.

There are many kind-hearted members on this forum and maybe one of them lives near you. 😀. At this point I will leave it to some of our more knowledgeable members to post their advice. Nice to hear that your 9 year old son is very keen on model railways. Good luck to you both.

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Guest Chrissaf

Chrissaf

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Just to add to what Jimbo has written above. He wrote:

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"it would be possible to have a hole cut at one end to make room for a viaduct"

.

The reason for the cut out, is that a viaduct is a high level bridge. A 6ft by 4ft base is too small to have slopes leading up and down to a viaduct. Thus the viaduct would need to be sunk down below board level so that the viaduct track bed was level with the surrounding board. So this 'cut out could for example be a rectangular recess that represents a river or a valley. As you can see, the carpentry required to accommodate a viaduct starts to get complicated.

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Jimbo also wrote:

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"There are many kind-hearted members on this forum and maybe one of them lives near you."

.

Now you can't post your address on this forum, but you can give a general area. As an example, I live in the DA1 post code area. DA1 does not in any way identify my exact address. So if you did give a general area location and there was a 'kind hearted' member as Jimbo put it prepared to help, then arrangements could be made to put you in contact via the Hornby forum administration.

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Fallenoffthewagon Newbie

Fallenoffthewagon

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Ah thank you all for your help, as you can see I am clueless and been sitting on my floor trying to work out just how to get a board! I think I have a little more space I can use, I had not thought of how the Viaduct could go in so thank you for that.  Who knew it could be so technical.

I live in Southend now wondering if there was a model shop nearby I could go and ask for some advice or put me in touch with 'an expert'!

We did have a mat but it got played with on the floor and got damaged though I presume you can get replacements. 

Apart from the odd screwdriver I dont have any tools so I think I need a carpenter, what shall I ask him to make the board from? Or does someone have a link I could show them to how it should be constructed? 

Thanks all again for your help.

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Guest Chrissaf

Chrissaf

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Fallenoffthewagon,

.

There are companies out there who specialise in making baseboards on a commission basis, there are others that just do a basic board build. Costs can be a high or as low as your imagination (layout design). But a basic flat board on folding legs is not that onerous to build and falls into the lower priced end of the market, however these basic flat boards would not necessarily be suitable for Viaducts (for the reasons outlined in my previous reply). And turntables ideally need to be recessed into a board requiring custom board cutting to suit the turntable in question. Thus your 9 year old sons expectations may need to be curtailed to fit in with your available budget.

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I did a basic Google search for 'Baseboard' building companies. One of the results led to this website (click link below), where there is a lot of pricing information shown. If nothing else, it gives you an expectation of likely costs involved for the carpentry element of the layout build. With regard to the boards this particular service provider below provides. I would avoid the 'Chipboard' top surface option and go for a Plywood top surface with the 3" x 1" frame option.

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http://www.pls-layouts.co.uk/html/price_list.htm

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I should stress that I am in no way recommending this baseboard supplier over any other. I am just pointing out that there are people out there who do this type of thing for a living and are more appropriate to employ than a 'General Purpose' carpenter. Sometimes, baseboard construction services are advertised in the Model Railway magazines, so worth investing in one from the local Newsagent.

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Big big train Collaborator

Big big train

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Hello Fallenoffthewagon,I live in the dt9 area and we've just built a baseboard with a suitable frame underneath it,to stop it bowing in the middle when it is standing on its legs.To start with,I phoned my local timber merchant and ordered a sheet of 8x4 ,12mms thick plywood,enough 2x"x2" timber to make the frame and also the legs for the board to stand on,the delivery charge was £5.Of course,if 8x4 is to big,you can cut it down to whatever size you require.I'm an electrician by trade,not a carpenter,but we managed to build the baseboard.I reckon that with the cost of the baseboard,wood for the frame,screws etc,it cost is in the region of £100.Once you've got your baseboard built,of you go,enjoy this wonderful hobby.Have a look in your local paper for carpenters or on the internet.It took us two days to build the baseboard,any questions,feel free to adk.

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Guest Chrissaf

Chrissaf

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I would just add that at a cost of about £100 just for the timber & materials, the prices on the link I provided on Page 1 for 'ready made' baseboards starts to look very competitive.

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Urbarm8 Contributor

Urbarm8

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I built my dad an 8x4 baseboard. It was made with 9mm plywood on top and braced (supported) on a 1x1 frame. I'd ordered a sheet of 3mm plywood as well, to cover the underside up to hide wires, but it didn't get used. 

 

The timber yard cut all the wood down to the size I needed which i think cost £64. This also included delivery which was free. I'll check the costings to be sure. 

 

Are you planning to have it on legs and out all the time or are you hoping to lean it against a wall when not in use?

The latter is a bad idea if so. It can warp the board and also it'll be quite heavy to be moving around. Plus you run the risk of damaging any track or buildings.

 

I forgot to ask, is the hole in the middle just so he can pop up and do something?

Would there be enough space so could be able to walk around the board?

 

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Augustus Caesar Mentor

Augustus Caesar

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@Fallenoffthewagon

 

Welcome to the forum.

Here's a link to a big list of Model Railway Clubs in Essex for you to possibly pop along to and see how to do things 'live'. All relevant contact and meeting detail is found for each one by simply clicking the link for each club.

 

Often these clubs welcome visitors who seek advice and they'll almost certainly entertain some basic or deep questions from folk. A model shop can advise on product and builds but a model rail club or group can often show you physically what they use and how to use whatever. They'll go through tons of stuff if you only ask.

 

http://www.modelrailwayclubs.co.uk/Clubs/essex

The link will open in a new window so you can come back to this page with no loss.

 

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

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Kevin Hodges Proficient

Kevin Hodges

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Hi Fallenoffthewagon,

 

Don't forget foam insulation board (I think its called XPS or similar). 50mm thick and it comes in 8x4 sheets.

 

The benefits are it's lightweight and you can carve out rivers and things. Doesn't need too much in the way of bracing, or just sat on a large table or a couple of ironing boards that can be height adjusted.

 

It actually states somewhere in the product description, that it can be used for model railway basing, amongst other uses besides insulating.

 

You could easily cut it down to the exact size you want. And being foam, a knife or saw is all you'd need.

 

Good luck.

 

Kev.

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Spongebobash Apprentice

Spongebobash

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Hi I have just started a simlar project

I had a 5x3 table for a fiver from ebay I then went to B&Q selected what badr I wanted (mpf/ply ect) took the massive big sheet of wood to the in store cutter and he did me a 6x 3 and 2 inches sheet (small size due to available space) took it to the till £15 ive bolted it to the table there is obviously some overhang but this was intentionally done so I could install wires ect if needed 

The result is a base board thats strong and easy to store (behind unused door or under bed) thats ready for track

Regarding track I have planned 2 x loops one is 1st radius the other is 2nd this gives nice long runs down either side plus room for an outer siding as well as inner ones if needed

I thought about a turn table but the space would be tight plus I only have one steam engine the rest are diesel so dont really require turning.

If I can figure out how to put a picture up I will 

The other idea was to have it on 2 hinges attached to the wall with 2 fold down legs but a house move next year and the fact that mine will be fully portable ment I didnt do that route.

Dont be put off by thinking you need a massive layout build what you or your son want.

As regards the hole in the middle I personally see that as giving away engine shed space plus I can easily reach across if needs be.

With the viaduct the only way would be to buid the whole layout aroud it so put viaduct on board then build up around it so there are no slopes required again I have a smilar situation on my n gauge layout which ill try and put photos up of .

Hope some if that helps

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Gricer Contributor

Gricer

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You write that you live in Southend. We are without local model shops nowdays but I suggest that you take your son to the Shoebury model railway club exhibition at Garons Park Southend  November 17 / 18. It is a good way to get into the hobby and full details are at the club site http://www.shoeburynessmrc.co.uk/. People are always friendly and there is always plenty to see and to get ideas for the future. I may see you there! 

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