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Flyer display shelves

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  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 85 posts
Posted by hugoroundhouse on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 10:43 AM
Thanks, Tom. Good advice.

Jim E.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 42 posts
Posted by tdetmer on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 9:03 PM
Jim,
I used 1x4 boards like you have and it works great. I used a table saw to cut two grooves in the boards the right distance apart so that the wheels sit in the grooves. You need to measure the grooves carefully the first time to make sure the template for the groove widths is set up right. After that, just use a sample to set the fence on the table saw to cut the grooves the right widths. Also, I found it works best to move the grooves more to the outside (away from the wall) so that the cars and engines have enough space. It's a little counter intuitive but it works. Finally, I cut a thin slice of wood to block off the end of each board and then I paint them and I'm in business. Good luck! Tom D.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 85 posts
Posted by hugoroundhouse on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 10:12 AM
Thanks for the help. Think I'll just knock them together and use the old track technique.
Probably "over-thinking" the problem.

JimE.
  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 3,584 posts
Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Monday, October 24, 2005 6:37 PM
I use "junk" track for display on shelves. Don't need much depth.
Jim
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Monday, October 24, 2005 3:51 PM
I use tubular track mounted to the wall with metal corner braces--no shelves. So far, nothing has fallen. But these are on the walls behind an around-the-walls layout; so there's not much opportunity to bump into them and knock anything off.

I have seen grooved wood used--but only two grooves whether for Lionel or Flyer!

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Western New York
  • 193 posts
Posted by Richard A on Monday, October 24, 2005 3:49 PM
Jim,

I started out with a borrowed router and making grooves for my shelves. After several abortive starts (too much work due to inadequate shop area), I went back to my original idea of mounting tracks on the shelves.

Turns out this is the best look for me. The tracks add a nice touch. A little more expensive that way, but I like it.

Sorry I do not have pictures. Digital camera is on the fritz!
Whether your life is good or bad, trains will make it better!
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 85 posts
Flyer display shelves
Posted by hugoroundhouse on Monday, October 24, 2005 2:53 PM
Hi Guys -

I'm getting ready to build some shallow, wall-mounted display shelves for my American Flyer collection. (Seems I have more wall space than floor space.) This is going to be a relatively small project - not the full "wall of trains" some of you have. I am planning to use 1 X 4's for the shelving, but I am a bit concerned about how safe they are. Do you guys mount a section of track on your shelves to sit your trains on? Or, do you add a little "lip" on the front edge of each shelf for safety's sake? Have any of you tried putting two (or three for you Lionel-types!) grooves on the shelf to hold them in place, similar to the plate groove in the missus' china hutch? Not that my collection is extremely valuable, but it would make me sick to see them "take a dive" to the floor.
Thanks for any feedback.[:)]
Jim E.

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