Clear + Bendable Guardrail For Elevated Shelf Layout

[SFSC]

New to the board...seeing lot's of great information! Just getting (back) into the hobby following a 35 or so year absence since childhood.

Over the weekend finished 90% of carpentry and installation work on an elevated, around the room shelf layout in my 5 year old son's room. Roadbed built out of "1 by " Poplar for the straights, and 3/4" plywood cut for the corners. I want to put up some form of guardrail/wall to prevent the train from falling in the event of derail, etc. Given the elevated nature of the shelving, the guardrail/wall should be clear in order for the train to be visible from the floor. The straght sections are no problem as I could use Plexiglass, but is there a bendable clear material (of sufficient thickness) to be an effective guradrail that would work around the O-36 curves on the layout? Perhaps Lexan?

Thanks...Any and all suggestions appreciated!!

[csxt30]

[#welcome] SFSC !! I think Lexan would be perfect for it, though I used to work with Lexan years ago when I made signs at a sign Co. I think Plexiglass may be a little cheaper, though. Lexan was a product of GE then .I think I used to cut the stuff with a bandsaw. You'll have to check & let us know how it turns out !!
Thanks,

[Dr. John]

Look for a plastic company in your local phone book. Many of them will not only sell you Lexan but will cut and drill it for you as well. I had a Lexan backsplash for a stove when we lived in Mobile to protect the wall from grease, etc. I gave them the measurements and where I wanted holes for screws and they got it for me pronto. You can cut and drill your own, but Lexan has a tendency to split easily if you're not careful.

[Anonymous]

You can get a variety of clear acrylic sheet materials at home improvement and plastic specialty places. Some real hardware stores cary this type of material as well.

[SFSC]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

You can get a variety of clear acrylic sheet materials at home improvement and plastic specialty places. Some real hardware stores cary this type of material as well.

I've bought plexiglas before, and it's easy to use...on the straights. Question is, what material can be curved? I know from experience that plexiglas can't.

[Anonymous]

The stuff used for poster frames is pretty flexible. I think those are made of a buterate material, possibly CAB.

http://www.k-mac-plastics.com/cellulose-acetate-sheet.htm

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dr. John

You can cut and drill your own, but Lexan has a tendency to split easily if you're not careful.

You must be thinking of Acrylic (plexiglas), not Lexan. I work with Lexan almost everyday and have never split or cracked it, unless I was trying to (like putting it on a concrete floor and hitting it with a hammer, and even then it wasn't easy). The stuff drills and shapes very nicely. Plexiglass is too brittle, I wouldn't use it for the shelf. 1/16" Lexan would be perfect for what you're looking to do. It'll bend easy and is very strong. A 4'x8' sheet of 1/16" is less than $100 ($60, I think) and yes, they will cut it for you. Good luck with your project!