Newbie with Some Questions!

[GarethVB]

Hi,

I wonder if someone can give me some advice, I'm looking to get started on creating a layout for my train set using the Track Mat received with it, the questions I have is what is the best baseboard to use?  I've googled it and there appears to be so many options each with there own pros and cons.  I thought about plywood (I'm likely to be keeping it in a shed so assume this is OK), if this is suitable, what is the ideal thickness?

Over the course of the last year I've been bought all the track extensions so I can get the whole thing down at the same time, is it best to nail in place?  When I was younger and had my first set we mounted the track on the foam base, is this still the thing to do or have things advanced?

I'm sure I'll have more questions but these are the ones for me to get going!

Thanks for the help,

Gareth

[jane1707819582]

hi

If you are keeping your baseboard in the shed then it is probably best to seal the board against the damp during the winter , if you tack the track down with track pins then leave a little of the pin proud ,this will help you lift the track up when you want to change the layout. The minimum thickness would be about 12mm any thicker increases the weight you will have to lift ,the thicker the baseboard the less likely it is to warp ,swings and roundabouts.

[96RAF]

Jave a read of Chris’s excellent guide in the Track Extensions ‘sticky post’ at top of page.

[Buz]

Hi garathVB

If the layout is going in a shed then a good quality plywood 1/2" 12mm thick top on a good solid frame and legs.

The result will be heavy but will pay dividends later when you don't have to re make the board. more layouts fail due to poor board construction than anything else don't forget adjustable feet so the board can be leveled up..

Prime undercoat and top coat paint the whole lot, this will seal out moisture any boring grey, brown or black will do for that on top where the railway is to go I would suggest a Flat natural green color.

Forget the track mat by all means use the track plan but not the mat they are a plastic sort of stuff and nothing sticks to them well which will be a hindrance when it come's to scenic's later on.

Yes pin the track down but leave the pins a tiny bit proud so they can be easily got out in the event of mistakes also putting them in too hard can damage the track leading to derailment problems.

Get the track properly laid, wired and tested before final fixing ballasting or anything else that will make it hard to fix any track problems pay attention to the track laying, take your time make sure it is right again pays dividends later in reliable running.

No mater what track plan you use make sure there is a place where the layout can easily grow from they have the habit of growing to fill all available space over time.

One last thought often over looked at the beginning make sure you can reach every where so you can work,play on the layout and retrieve any derailments they do happen even on the best built layouts.

regards John

[The son of Triangman]

Also ditch the trackmat and buy the Hornby track plans book or another make of track plans book, there are some great little layout plans out there and these generally have more operations scope.

[Buz]

Hi garathVB

As noted by Margate-Richmond there are a number of good trackplans books out there.

By Peco, Hornby and others  just keep it simple and manageable to begin with.

Thats another mistake to avoid going to big and fancy with complex track work to soon.

regards John

[Fishmanoz]

You might also look at the freetrackplans website, it has all of the Hornby plans there.  Also take a look at Anyrail or SCARM for use in designing your own, they cost for a full licence.