Moving into 1st house soon...Basement size big priority because......

[palallin]

That's what all the twisty turns and multiple layers are for.  Anybody up to roughing in the track plan?

[lionelsoni]

Well, not quite.  A 1/48 transcontinental layout would be about 50 miles long.

[palallin]

...now what size basement room do i need??...i run postwar lionel O guage trains.....

 

Not to be too flippant, but I'd think a basement approximately the size of a Walmart Distribution Center (the local one has over 11 acres under roof) would be about right.  And the multiple stories allow for good separation of the multiple levels.  That way you could run a 1:48 scale transcontinental layout with no compression!  Expect to spend a bit more than $300 - $400 for the benchwork, though . . . .

[lionelsoni]

I knew Euler Buckling.  Euler Buckling was a friend of mine....

Actually, Euler buckling is the effect when a column fails by bowing out from under the load rather than being crushed by it.  It greatly reduces the strength of a slender column.  I think I over-estimated the length of a short wood column as 6 feet; but I think a typical layout height would still qualify as short for a 2x4.

[Birds]

I don't know who Euler Buckling is, but..

Take a look at the book "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork" by Linn Westcott (might be at your local public library). 

He describes how to build benchwork that does not use massive pieces of wood, but can still hold the weight of grown men.

Good luck, 

Chris

[Anonymous]

A 2x4 leg should be able to support well over a ton.  Assuming a conservative allowable stress of 600 psi for SPF lumber and no Euler buckling at a typical layout height less than about 6 feet, the allowable load is 3150 pounds.  With the same assumptions, a 2x2 will support 1350 pounds.

Bob,
You must be loads of fun at the annual physics conventions!  LOL!

Just kidding... you are an incredible vault of information... glad you are available and willing to share your knowledge.

Brent

[lionelsoni]

A 2x4 leg should be able to support well over a ton.  Assuming a conservative allowable stress of 600 psi for SPF lumber and no Euler buckling at a typical layout height less than about 6 feet, the allowable load is 3150 pounds.  With the same assumptions, a 2x2 will support 1350 pounds.

[lionel2]

how do attach those 4x4 legs to the table??...and is it safe to have trains going up inclines and usign trestle sets and such???..thanks

[MartyE]

Personally I would get as much basement as I could afford.  You hate to think back later and regret it.

[dwiemer]

Lionel2,

     The sky it the limit with regard to the size layout and room to put it in.  I have seen some fantastic layouts in a 9x12 room with multiple layers and plenty of action.  A few things to consider:

First, I would worry more about making sure the basement is water tight and that you would not have too much trouble with access to boiler/water heater, etc.  Also, make sure you have good access to electrical supply(s) (service panel that you can add outlets off a breaker).

Second, Make sure the walls are not going to be too much work to make the "train room" look presentable.  My parents house was built in the mid 1800s and the walls are difficult to work on.  Also, make sure you have plenty of head room.

Next, the size of the layout, anything above a 12x12 should be able to handle most anything you can run/ put on it.  You have to be realistic though.  If you are going to place a number of accessories, you probably will not have any room for buildings, etc.  I personally have a layout that is about 12x16 and parts are 3 layers with track.  I have just about all the accessories and trains from the 1949 catalog, but will not have all on the main layout.  I intend to have a area that has some accessories that my kids can play with, separate from the main layout.

Also, know your limits with regard to what your capabilities are.  You don't want to build something you can't maintain.  Which leads to the next item: the bigger the layout, the more you have to maintain, etc.

good luck,

Dennis

 

[jefelectric]

You have the right idea, 2x4s are relatively cheap and the more mass you build into the table the less noise you will have.  The homosote is also a good idea, for sound and the ease of fastening track and accessories.  Just my 2 .

[Anonymous]

Hi Lionel2,

I'm building my table work in an area that is about 17'x17'.  The layout will be horseshoe shaped with perhaps bridgework at the top of the horseshoe connecting the two sides.  I'm planning on one side being at least 6'.  I'll have access panels so that I can work in the far corner area.  My long-term dream will be to have a helix that will bring the trains up to a level where they will leave the 17x17 room and travel into another part of the basement which is approx. 16'x35' where there will be a shelf layout.  The trains can circle the room and/or return to the other area and come back down the helix onto the main layout.  My Fiance (soon to be wife in July) thinks I'm crazy....but I think it would be very cool. 

Now I'm not expert...but I built the framing work out of 2x4 and placed the studs to support the 3/4" plywood on 16" OC.  I've also braced the heck out of it as well.  There is no side to side movement on this baby.  The table legs are 2x4 glued and screwed together to form a 4x4 post.  Some may say this is overkill....but the way I look at it..the 2x4 is the cheapest part of the benchwork so why not build it right the first time and make it last.  My benchwork will be strong enough for me at 210lb to crawl around on when I'm laying track and doing scenery work.  On top of the 3/4" plywood will be a layer of homosote. 

As for basement size...I would say go with as large as you can afford.  You'll always be able to find something to do with the extra sq footage. 

Good luck and keep us posted.

Jerry

[lionel2]

I am looking into buying a new house for myself..my 1st house.....and i want to have a permanant train layout in the basement...now what size basement room do i need??...i run postwar lionel O guage trains....i am only 26 years old but I have just about 1 of each thing there is....i like a layout with some action....right now i have 15 assessories and it will grow to about 21 soon enough...i am looking at a plan i did for a room that is 16x16 feet.....its like a 4 feet wide perimeter layout....with the platform all along the perimeter walls.....cause i was thinking that i can only make it 4 feet wide so i will be able to reach things that need fixing or adjusting....if i have it like 6 feet wide there are some spots i cannot reach....being big that i am i cannot go climbing on tables anymore..lol...i was thing of 2 lines of trains....one on the perimeter going all the way around in one big loop...and the 2nd loop inside of that going all the way around but with switches and turn in's all all types with fright yards and switchbacks...and how do you construct the platform...2x4 or what??...i was thinking of using 3/4" plywood 8x4 i need 5 of them...and 2x4 bracing on all the edges and down the center and across 3 times...now i have tried all types of methods with legs...whats the best??...i used 2 carriage bolts to hold on 2x4 legs ont he corners and in the middle too...6 legs per 8x4...i am guessing all the wood for the whole platform will cost...300 to 400...any help will do..thanks.