Connolly Shed + my bedroom circuit

[Flying Snail]

1 hour ago, josh_ said:

It came to me that with movements and extra weight of landscape and other extras that it would be prone to crack especially when there would be DCC wiring under the board for the tracks 

Yes, exactly - thats why bracing/framing is important

[Mayner]

I don't bother sealing or painting a baseboard before tracklaying its not really necessary unless you use a water/moisture absorbant material like MDF

I wouldn't worry about movement/weight of the scenery affecting the track wiring, the most important thing is to make sure the trackbase/baseboard is adequately supported/braced. Stripwood possibly 75x25 planed all round is probably the best option for baseboard framing for a 1st layout.

I would recommend 12mm ply B Grade (min surface defects 1 side good) as a minimum for a baseboard though I used some 9mm A Grade I had surplus from a job for this layout, it looked good was of adequate strength and free!

The ply framing on this layout was ripped using a powered table saw with the fence set to ensure the ply was ripped to a consistent width, I bought the saw when I was a jobbing builder.

All ply baseboard North Wharf layout started 2021, dense foam ground sheet used as track underlay.

Peco track laid on PVA(school glue!) loose ballast applied

Loose Ballast scattered on track, weights should then be placed on track to prevent movement until glue sets (a board with metal weights on top)

DCC wiring track bus/feeds black and red remaining wiring to Stationary Decoder used to operate Peco point motors.

 

I usually cover the baseboard edge with a painted hardboard fascia sometimes contoured to the profile of the scenery/landscaping.

Ground cover ash, ballast and grass is basically woodlands scenics scatter glued to a foam track underlay some on a bed of glue or dilute water/pva/washing up liquid using an eye dropper, embankments formed expanded polystyrene carved to shape with a knife

Edited May 13 by Mayner

[josh_]

Carpenter came and he told me MDF is the best to use as it won’t be going outside or near anything damp as it’s gonna be in my room 

MDF will be 18mm thick 

I was thinking too ahead when he first came but he finally got what I have in my head as I put it down, glad I did knowing myself

I also explained what will be onto him as he first thought I was building platforms like the station but when he realised I was building just the shed, it cleared a good bit of confusion 

All in all, satisfied with the plan but I’m hoping the build it with him but been told it’s gonna be done when I’m in school 

I will be doing the wiring, scenery, track laying, etc; myself ofcourse 

[Broithe]

MDF will be a bit 'quieter' than plywood.

 

[josh_]

I’m also installing corkboard as an extra bit of silence too and realism when I basalt the tracks 

[josh_]

Forgot to send this is well 

Rough concept sketch of the layout 

Ain’t no Picasso with sketches but least the ideas actually can make some what sense

[Flying Snail]

Enjoy the process, and share some pics of the build!

[josh_]

Ofcourse ill show the whole process 

[josh_]

I got my hands on a strip of flexitrack to show the carpenter what it’s like as I’m not after sharp corners and want it to be somewhat oval

It’s the track with the 60 cent coin standing on 

Im also planning to be adding a pre-made layout that was formally a display to the opposite side on my room from Connolly shed 

[josh_]

Whilst I’m here gents

Which size of basalt should I choose to get as I’m ordering 4 large bags for abt 8-9 ish quid from temu(a Chinese e commerce website for cheap stuff) which isn’t too bad for modelling stuff 

And I will be looking around at a lot more websites like temu especially when my laptop gets its memory back in it seeing as I’m buying a lot of what I need but also have a parents if I need them too but also don’t wanna be stinging off them iswell ofcourse

[josh_]

Update: 

Keep myself busy, I finally sorted my desk out or in other words my workbench 

This is the before and after 

What do u all think?

[Rob]

Looks very well- very clean at the moment.  You need to get it dirtied

[josh_]

Thanks so much

Speaking of dirty is planning on painting and detailing my hornby tri ang coaches to replicate laminates whilst I wait on the carpenter as he has personal stuff happening atm 

Also my laptop(not in the photo)is done and picking it up tmr and will get working on anyrails to give u all a better view of the circuit 

[LNERW1]

Plenty of progress up ahead so. Well I look forward to it.

[west_clare_wanderer]

You've got a great space there. Keep sticking at it and keep us updated on your progress.  

[josh_]

Ofcourse gents

Tomorrow after my exam as of today ive finished up school, im going to be swinging on down to marks in town to pick up a tub of basalt so when the carpender comes around and gets the wood done, I can get straight to it with the basalt, track, nails and main masterpiece, the shed

By the time he comes around id say for certain ill have connolly shed built and maybe detailed

Now im getting my laptop back tomorrow as it was in need of repair, I will then open up Anyrails and get working on a birds eye view of the track work to give a better visual presentation