When I was on an aircraft carrier we had nets to catch people that fell over the side, maybe a net all around the layout to catch trains would be a good idea.
Hmmm...What you might consider is simply extending the width and length of the layout by adding a horizontal shelf like extension of the framing, or alternatively, mounting some photo realistic backgrounds to a hard masonite or plywood backing as a decorative backstop or add this to the shelf like extension. I know there have been some previous posts on slowing trains down electrically on special sections as a fail-safe. I don't know how well this would work with modern engines and their touchy electronics.
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Wally - Photo on its way as soon as my response is "moderated." I run up the trestle counter-clockwise, so speed at the top is generally slower. Speed naturally increases on the decline, but there's plenty of a barrier behind it to prevent catastrophic loss in a derailment.
Scott, I don't know of any floor cushioning product that would be 100% effective in protecting an already delicate engine from a fairly substantial fall propelled by the momentum of it's speed. While banking or super-elevating the curve is the best assurance outside of a physical barrier, this can be a challenge with graduated trestles though it could be done. One possibility is to replace the graduated trestles with risers supporting a sub-roadbed and then have a rise in the terrain on the outside of the curve, a sort of scenic barrier..it's hard to tell without a photo if this would work. Even a couple of inches might help as far as a terrain rise on the outside of the curve.
Sure thing. The trestle set "on the edge":
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]
Scott,If you posted a few pictures it would be a great help!
2.5 inches sounds reasonable. The entire outer loop runs along the edge, then at the far left corner it begins its rise on the trestle, so at the very front of the layout it's at its full height, and then curves and crosses over the entire layout via the 111 trestle bents before entering a tunnel (the layout basically loops over itself). If I did plexiglass, to be effective at the height of the trestle, I would have to have plexiglass about 4 ft. high right at the front of the layout, hence my "viewing in a fishtank" comment. Was it just a custom-job or did/does Lionel still produce a girder system similar to what is in place on the left-hand side of their D-147 dealer layout:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/798309
I was thinking that'd be great because it looks realistic and would probably grab derailed engines/cars. Otherwise, I think I might have to plexiglass most of the layout's sides and then have some gym mats on the front of it :/ . -Scott
all of my elevated curves are banked and i can run my engines at full speed without derailment. not that i normally run them that fast but i did for testing while laying the track
Go with the plexiglass. It doesn't need to be any higher than 2.5 inches above the layout surface, and it only needs to be in there area where derailment could occur, not along the entire layout edge.ANY fall from 3 - 4 feet is going to cause damage to just about ANY steamer, and MOST diesels. Why would you want to risk a $500 engine to about $20 in plexiglass?Another thought would be to super elevate the curves. The outer edge only needs to be about 1/4 - 3/8 inch higher than the inner edge, the real RRs do this (also called banking the curve).
I like the plexiglass recommendation a lot.
I used plexiglass on my prior layout where the track was way too close to the edge of the layout for comfort.
The plexiglass only needs to be as high as the locomotive is tall, and maybe a little lower, so comparing it to "viewing the trains in a fish tank" is not really a fair comparison.
In my opinion, it would look fine and would spare a $1,000 locomotive any damage.
I just don't see putting a gym mat on the floor as a good alternative to plexiglass. That three or four foot fall is going to cause a lot of potential damage that could be avoided with a small plexiglass barrier.
Rich
Alton Junction
You could attempt to build some type of girder system attached to the trestle piers that would prevent the loco from dropping off the elevated track. I have had one $500 loco hit the cement floor from a 4 foot drop and it ain't pretty.
Bill T.
scottn941,
Put the mats and other soft foam, on built up platforms, this way the goodies don't fall far.
Ralph
Group - I've just finished a fabulous Lionel O-31 layout. Its only weakness is the Lionel 110 graduated trestle set that both starts its climb and climaxes on a curve right on the layout's edge. While it's awesome to watch, a little mishap can put a $1,000 locomotive(s) on the basement concrete floor. What do you all recommend as far as solutions to prevent a costly disaster? The hobby shop suggests plexiglass, but to me it'd be like viewing the trains in a fish tank.. I've thought about butting the layout up against the wall, so 90% of the trestle is against it, but then that limits viewing angles and access. Then I've tossed around putting gym mats on the floor so if I dump one, damage might be minimized. Any recommendations/products/solutions?? Greatly appreciated, thanks. -Scott in St. Louis, MO
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