Advice for Total Amateur !

[Xmas Train]

Hi   we are a Restaurant in N west of ireland and i was hoping to do a Christmas type  train set for Xmas period. we are hoping to hang the tracks on a platform from the ceiling and be about 20/30 metres in lenght.

what shop would i go to for advise re trains / gauge size / controllers etc 

thanks in advance Damian 

[ttc0169]

2 hours ago, Xmas Train said:

Hi   we are a Restaurant in N west of ireland and i was hoping to do a Christmas type  train set for Xmas period. we are hoping to hang the tracks on a platform from the ceiling and be about 20/30 metres in lenght.

what shop would i go to for advise re trains / gauge size / controllers etc 

thanks in advance Damian 

If you are located in the Northwest-go to Modellers den shop in Enniskillian, it’s located on Darling street…they have a selection of appropriate train sets that could be adapted to suit your needs,

I would go with OO gauge train sets 

[Mayner]

Trains running on tracks suspended from the ceiling used to be fairly common in Bars & Restaurants in the States 20 or so years ago, though I never actually saw one running.

Train and tracks were usually LGB a quality German brand of 'large scale' model train often used on garden railways.

Trackbase may have been a proprietary system suspended from the ceiling by threaded rod. 

Don't know if anyone in Ireland stocks or distributes LGB or a suitable track base system.

Probably best to contact Garden Railway Specialists in Princes Risborough for advice, there is a 'Bunnings Workshop' (Australia) on suspend a model train from a ceiling    https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Living-and-Bedroom/How-to-suspend-model-train-from-ceiling/td-p/128218

LGB/Large Scale is probably the best option in terms of size and durability, though keeping the tracks clean enough for the train to run reliably may be the  biggest challenge in a restaurant environment. LGB may have a Christmas themed train set https://www.maerklinshop.de/en/detail/index/sArticle/7/number/L70308?__country=28  other brands are best avoided as they don't have the same level of durability.

'Baseboard Dave on this forum https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/15421-new-flat-pack-baseboards/#comment-223643 may have the necessary skill and experience to manufacture a suitable track base.

In you have the space Large circle of LGB track (approx 5' radius) round the Christmas tree also popular in the States would be a less expensive reliable low risk option.

 

Edited October 24 by Mayner

[David Holman]

Being up near the ceiling suggest larger scale, as 00 would be too small to be seen. LGB in shop windows seems to work well both in terms of size and reliability.

[Galteemore]

Another vote for LGB. Have a look on eBay too for LGB trains and track. It’s designed for outdoor use and is pretty robust. You may need an electronic shuttle unit if the train is running just back and forward rather than in a circle. Garden Railway Specialists can help with all that stuff - pity I moved away from the Risborough area last year or I’d happily have gone enquiring in your behalf! Lots of friendly advice on this forum - keep us posted! 

[skinner75]

Gertie Browne's pub here in Athlone still has the remains of a G scale track mounted up high in the bar, but I never saw it in action.