Back To My Childhood(i Never Left It Really)

[Arty]

I chose to buy contiboard because it is instant shelf, ready to use. I did buy some half sheets of chip but it would have been a pain to set up my table saw ( and the dust ) that I picked the easy way out.
It looks quite nice, but is not a great surface for attaching "stuff"
I dont think I should get any probs with movement, the garage is attached to the house and is not damp, and as you can see, although it's really a big shelf, it is stiffened with extra framing.

 

[ceejaydee]

You've got a decent amount of space there Richard and are going to have a nice run for your locos and stock.
I'd agree with Jordan that the shiny finish of the shelves is not the best surface for glue to adhere to but a thin track base from mdf, hardboard (as suggested) or cork stuck down is going to help.
I'd probably consider Evo-Stick impact adhesive which whilst smelly and a 'one-shot' type of stuff seems to give good adhesion on the more temperamental materials, I had success with it on black rubber in the past; no kinky stuff, I used it whilst repairing a conveyor belt

Looking forward to the (albeit imaginary online) throb of Sulzer engines reminding me of my trainspotting days on the MML in the early 1980s.

 

[Arty]

Looking forward to the (albeit imaginary online) throb of Sulzer engines

This is another aspect that has snowballed since I first came up with the "test track" plan, it was going to be 2 or 3 continuous runs with DC controllers which I have got "in stock" - but with the possibilities of DCC, I've took the plunge, bought a controller and am waiting delivery of a Bachmann 25 with sound on board.

Where will it all end ?

Rgds
Richard

 

[Steve Cook]

Where will it all end ?

When you've run out of space
Quick progress since Saturday Rich, guess theres a bit of re-arrangement of 'stuff' required now

No experience of using melamine as baseboard here, Jordans suggestions to rough the surface up before gluing seem sensible. Its been a while since I bought some cork flooring tiles, but they may be of use for covering the surface. You'll prbably get two foot of run per tile - unless you go for more than 2 running lines!
Steve

 

[Arty]

After exhaustive research and a quick trip down to B & Q after work, I bought a pack of laminate floor underlay. 6mm thick, sheets about 2' x 3', made of paper, nice roughish surface and easily cut with a Stanley knife - instant answer.

 

[Jordan]

Instant scenery, too...

 

[Rob Pulham]

Hi Richard, I used them too on the baseboards that I built for my 7mm layout that didn't get of the ground before converting the garage. I still have two of the boards that I plan to use when I get on with the layout again. I found that giving them a coat of dilute PVA stopped them from getting knocked and shedding green stuff constantly.

 

[Arty]

Hi Rob
That sounds like a good idea, it can be a bit crumbly when you're trying to cut it to fit.
But because it's so light, but quite rigid you can cut and lay really quickly (although I'm having a rest tonight and compiling my shopping list for the Leamington show at Stoneleigh tomorrow -
Woodland ballast, one of those ballast spreaders, some sections of retaining wall, maybe a few s/h coaches or another diseasel ....................................

I still havn't decided the best, way to fix this underlay to my baseboards - D/S tape, impact adhesive, panel pins,
any suggestions ?

Rgds
Richard

 

[eastsidepilot]

Hi Rob
I still havn't decided the best, way to fix this underlay to my baseboards - D/S tape, impact adhesive, panel pins,
any suggestions ?
Rgds
Richard

Richard,
Panel pins probably won't keep it down for long, how about good old Resin "W", may have to weigh it down but it gives you time to position the panels, ware as tape or impact adhesive you will have to get spot on first time.

ATB, Col.

 

[Rob Pulham]

I still havn't decided the best, way to fix this underlay to my baseboards - D/S tape, impact adhesive, panel pins,
any suggestions ?

Hi Richard I just stuck it down with PVA albeit a bit stronger mix than that used to soak the top - nothing scientific like measuring it out though

 

[alcazar]

When you run out of space, can you knock a couple of bricks out and have a garden extension?

 

[Arty]

Current progress, all boards finished including a removable bridging piece across the door, all boards now laboriously covered with the flooring underlay , with contact adhesive - don't think they will be going anywhere.
Also sealed the lot with an acrylic varnish, really tedious to apply to such a porous surface, but it's not porous anymore.
I can now start to put some track down - tomorrow night maybe.

 

[Jordan]

I note that Sir is already testing the space for a larger Scale..... ​

 

[iploffy]

Love it , love it, love it good to see another plaything that we can all afford (not the wife either)

 

[BrushType4]

Love it , love it, love it good to see another plaything that we can all afford (not the wife either)

Sorry to go off topic, but you can actually afford your wife???!!

 

[iploffy]

Hah I got it made she pays for ME and buys me loco's she is one in a million

 

[Arty]

Well, we've been playing trains tonight, laid the first continous run and just been watching them go round and round - and nothing's fell off ................yet
.

HST passing what will be a grimy cutting with engineering brick retaining walls and lots of trackside furniture & bridges - approaches to St Pancras ?



9f clanking by and rattling off into the distance, only to come round yet again and passing through what will be a station - large, half an overall roof would be nice - Leicester Midland ?



It's interesting how an idea just to run some trains on a shelf has turned into something I can visualise in my mind, and it will be interesting to see how it turns out - more track and some sidings.

Rgds
Richard

 

[Rob Pulham]

Hah I got it made she pays for ME and buys me loco's she is one in a million

I didn't know we were related Ian, I married her identical twin sister!

 

[Simon]

Great to see those trains running - I'm quite envious of that HST set, our cobbled together 3 car set of differing vintages is pants in comparison

Look forward to seeing more, I spent a few blissful minutes this morning running the commuters from Marshcastle to Rowley New Street and back (several times) and then working out my next bit of brick papered cardboardery.

Great fun!

Simon

PS

My wife's one in a million too - and I met her on an HST

 

[Arty]

Simon, the HST set is more cobbled together than you might think, it has two power cars - otherwise it would sit there wearing out its single power bogie.
It had quite a lot of TLC on the power cars rear pickups, but it fair belts round now.
It's a bit modern for my era but quite like the look.

Richard