Acrylic Layout Extension (?)

[dbaker48]

I'm considering extending my layout, and would appreciate any feedback.

The first image below is the current track layout.  (I think I have utilized pretty much all available space.)  The layout is set up for DCS, TMCC and Legacy. 

The situation I would like to achieve is accommodating my conventional engines.  Of course, I have quite a few.  I really enjoy DCS and Legacy and most of my time is spent operating those.  On occasion I will dig out a conventional engine and run in with DCS using the variable track mode.  However, I'm SURE I would run them more IF I had a dedicated track.  So my wife came up with a good idea!  Why not make an elevated line for the conventional.  Elevate it about 10 or 11 inches and make it out of plexiglass, to minimize obstructin the view of the other tracks.   BTW on  the left side of the drawing the wall above the layout has shelving, and the wall on the front (near side) has all windows.  So I come up with this track idea, below.

I'm thinking I will use O 31 curves and only have 1 continuous track.  And then utilize two Wyes, to accommodate continuous operation.  Most of the conventional is MPC so there isn't a lot of weight, and then I also have quite a few of the post war motorized units. 

I'm thinking of either 3/8ths or 1/2 thick plexiglass, acrylic, or Lexan, to mount the track on.  Then using 1/2 clear dowels to support the track.  I think I could drill a whole in the bottom of the dowel and screw the dowel to the layout from the bottom.  Then use either a wood or clear cross member to stabilize the elevated track.  Then to protect all the equipment I would run a guard rail along the edge of the elevated section.  (Most likely us like a 60 or 100 lb test fishing line as the rail.

So what do you think acrylic, plexiglass, or Lexan?  Or maybe something different?

Thanks for your thoughts !

[lionelsoni]

Aren't acrylic and plexiglas the same thing?

[dbaker48]

Bob,

I believe what is commonly referred to as Plexiglass is a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate, and has been marketed under many names including Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex and more. 

As I am not a chemist, and somewhat lazy.  Was hoping to take advantage of someone else's experience with a similar task.  Also, as the forum reaches a national and international audience, I was trying not to restrict descriptive terminology relative to local marketing.  As frequently may occur with other materials, especially building materials. 

 And most important,  I am just trying to get some ideas regarding the concept, less importantly the word choice.

  Thank you for your thoughts, however.  I will keep that in mind.

[Plate Rail]

Don,

Here's my view of it, although I've never used plexiglass in such a manner.   I'm not saying it's impractical but merely food for thought.

Would using a clear material really help against blocking the view of your existing layout as compared to, say, an open metal trestle construction?  Is there a convenient source for plexiglass that thick?  How expensive is it?

 Sufficient support of flat material, no matter what the composition, can be increased dramatically by the addition of a vertical rib to form a T.  That would allow an increase in the length of any span you might encounter between upright supports. Upright dowels notched at the top to receive the rib and the dowels firmly mounted to the layout base would support, without much flex, just about anything you might throw at it.  With 2 ribs spaced at rail distance I think it could be safely constructed with thinner material...probably saving a lot money.  It'd probably be best to assemble the structures with some screws but epoxy all joining surfaces for ultimate strength.

Noise!  I hate it!  I couldn't say for sure but I wonder if plastic would set up more noise than tolerable.  The type of track you use would definitely affect the amount of noise too. One really quiet section of my Atlas track layout is the 8 foot, unsupported bridge span that is made of metal.  Had I known how quiet it would be I'd have built my entire elevated, around the wall loops using bridge spans.  There's a small expansion to my track plan I hope to construct of metal in the same manner and suspend from the ceiling.

Bruce

[lionelsoni]

Another possibility might be to let the track be the only support.  In a previous house, I had a high-up around-the-walls track that I made using only 3-foot O27 sections soldered together and supported by a bracket every foot.  I tested the track before building it and found that it would support my heaviest locomotive without significant deflection.  Even wider spacing should suffice for the much sturdier O31 track.  If you want a safety railing, it could be attached to and supported by the track, perhaps using a strip of sheet metal bolted to a tie, with a stanchion on each side of the track for a fence post.

[Plate Rail]

lionelsoni

Another possibility might be to let the track be the only support.  In a previous house, I had a high-up around-the-walls track that I made using only 3-foot O27 sections soldered together and supported by a bracket every foot.  I tested the track before building it and found that it would support my heaviest locomotive without significant deflection.  Even wider spacing should suffice for the much sturdier O31 track.  If you want a safety railing, it could be attached to and supported by the track, perhaps using a strip of sheet metal bolted to a tie, with a stanchion on each side of the track for a fence post.

Can't beat simplicity!  Whatever can be done correctly with the least amount of effort gets my vote every time.

Bruce

[dbaker48]

Bob & Bruce,

I really appreciate both of your comments.  You guys have some good ideas!  Going to be in the trainroom today investigating impacts of upright spacing.  (How they would fit relative to the current tracks.)  Another thing might check is using some small bar stock supported at each end.  Similiar to the bridge idea.

Thanks again, for your efforts I appreciate it.

[wallyworld]

Well..thickness of the material is crucial and it tends ( in my experience ) to be somewhat brittle. Anchoring the track might be troublesome.

You might want to use Plastistruct I-Beams with the plastic epoxies they sell.

They just added and rebuilt some sections of the Chicago El and so, what they used were cylinder like support columns and the same could be replicated cheaply with concrete painted wood dowels.

As for myself, I use MTH elevated supports that work with traditional track as well as Realtrax..no issues so far.

I have some seen some cut from 1/4 ply painted a concrete color, of course  depending on the weight it carries. They cut it ( the roadbed ) with a scroll saw for curves. There are other pre-built elevated structures but they can be pricey.

[lionelsoni]

From Wikipedia:

"Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate [Lexan] can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as bending on a brake. Even for sharp angle bends with a tight radius, heating may not be necessary. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which cannot be made from sheet metal. Note that [Plexiglas], which is similar in appearance to polycarbonate, is brittle and cannot be bent at room temperature."

[wallyworld]

lionelsoni

From Wikipedia:

"Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate [Lexan] can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as bending on a brake. Even for sharp angle bends with a tight radius, heating may not be necessary. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which cannot be made from sheet metal. Note that [Plexiglas], which is similar in appearance to polycarbonate, is brittle and cannot be bent at room temperature."

Thanks Bob..I meant Pexiglass (as  my wife reminded me ) inasmuch as some years ago I priced Lexan versus Pexiglass, and it was then more expensive...or at least thats what she said she remembered. I thought it was Lexan.