Thank you very much everyone! I didn't even realize that the homasote could go on top of plywood. I have lots to learn as we basically had a very basic layout growing up and now I want to make it look a little more authentic. I wish I had the room to leave them up all year long, I'll keep you posted as I get started!
Thanks again!!!
Broomall RR Hi Everyone, I'm new to the site and I hope to get some good information from the experts. I live in eastern PA and have Nicholas Smith trains less than a mile from my house. I've been working with trains with my dad for as long as I can remember. We have only set our trains up at Christmas time and we always had 4x8 platform that we sat our tree on (plywood). We had O gauge on the outside as an oval and then an HO oval on the inside. I just moved and when I was ordering some supplies for the house I ordered a 4x8 piece of homasote. I want to create a new set-up for this coming holiday (more realistic). I'm going to buy the Lionel fast track for new tracks. My question is, do you see any problems/issues with cutting a hole in the middle and setting the tree base underneath the platform (We put the platform on cinderblocks, laying flat so the platforms is only 8" off the ground). The goal is to build a town around the tree instead of always having it at one end of the platform. I would buy a taller tree but cut the bottom branches off the bottom so it sat lower but gave the same appearance as before. I'm hoping this will work but don't want to waste my time. Thanks! Bill
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the site and I hope to get some good information from the experts. I live in eastern PA and have Nicholas Smith trains less than a mile from my house.
I've been working with trains with my dad for as long as I can remember. We have only set our trains up at Christmas time and we always had 4x8 platform that we sat our tree on (plywood). We had O gauge on the outside as an oval and then an HO oval on the inside. I just moved and when I was ordering some supplies for the house I ordered a 4x8 piece of homasote. I want to create a new set-up for this coming holiday (more realistic). I'm going to buy the Lionel fast track for new tracks.
My question is, do you see any problems/issues with cutting a hole in the middle and setting the tree base underneath the platform (We put the platform on cinderblocks, laying flat so the platforms is only 8" off the ground). The goal is to build a town around the tree instead of always having it at one end of the platform. I would buy a taller tree but cut the bottom branches off the bottom so it sat lower but gave the same appearance as before. I'm hoping this will work but don't want to waste my time.
Thanks!
Bill
Hi Bill
I frequent Nicholas Smith almost weekly so I'm nearby.
If you want some idea's stop by St Albans RR on any thursday night at 7:30. It's in the basement of the thrift shop at St Albans church near the corner of rt 252 and Rt 3.
I would just use a 4.8 sheet of plywood. The hole for the tree wouldnt be a problem and would work fine.
Springfield PA
cowmanI have not done much with homasote, but I do know it is not strong enough to hold up your layout without some support.
The last N Scale Christmas Layout I did was with a 4'x4' piece of homasote with a box grid of (2) 2'x4' sections underneath using 1"x4" douglas fir. The tree stand was on top in the middle of the 4'x4' with ample room for a 2-track mainline, cross-over turnouts, and some side-spurs. This was a very strong benchwork.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
The only negative I could think of is to make sure you have a way to get water down to the tree stand.
JC
First off welcome to the board
I would split the layout in two and connect each piece by a small bridge that can be easily removed when you want to take the layout down after Christmas btw SHAME ON YOU for taking the train set down! yours supposed to build it bigger each year.
You can attach Homasote tot he plywood base with yellow carpenters glue or DAP 3.0 Latex adhesive caulking. I would make sides that are permanently attached to the base by using piano hinges. So when they are in the down position they look like a fascia board and hide your cement blocks or what ever you use for a base. When you take the tree down you remove the two little bridges and separate the two layout halves. use your imagination when it comes to latches or what ever to connect the tow layout halves by some sort of mechanical means just in case. This way you A: don't run the risk of damaging anything on the layout while putting the tree in place or when taking it down. B: by the use of the hinged side you create a box by flipping the fascia board up to create the sides of a box and attach lids to each box when your ready to store them away. C: by doing it this way you can permanently attaches things like structures, lights, trees people etc. Instead of laying on your stomach every year setting up Christmas town.
In my old house that had my 50'x 100' UP layout our first Christmas together I told my girlfriend I wanted to put some trains around the Christmas tree just because it's what your supposed to do etc. etc. When I was getting ready to bring some old stuff up from the basement/train room she comes up with oh will you run into town and get me bla bla bla. So I figured ok trains will ave to wait til i get home.several hours go by after i keep getting more phone calls saying oh i forgot this and forgot that. I finally make it home around *:00 that night to find no Christmas tree in the living room like she was supposed to be doing when I left. She called for me to come help her in the basement with something. I went down stairs to find the Christmas tree set up in the corner of the layout room. Now you have your trains and your Christmas tree, how cool was that.spending Christmas in your basement, got some funny looks form the friends and relatives..
I see no reason why putting a hole in the "board" would not work.
The thing I would worry about is the low branches on the tree. Personally I have had a problem with one of our trees where the lower branches are too low. I have to put the tree up on a 2" platform to give the trains additional clearance underneath. Totally depends on the tree style. I have several others that are no problem at all.
I would consider splitting the 4x8 into 2 sections each 4x4 with the hole cut to allow your tree to come through. That way you can decorate the tree, then slide the 2 sections together. That way you can decorate without having to worry where your feet are when you are concentrating on the tree. My experience is that train buildings and feet are incompatible. And I agree with others that homosote will NOT support your layout. Have fun and Merry Christmas
Kevin
Welcome to the forums.
I have not done much with homasote, but I do know it is not strong enough to hold up your layout without some support. If you are going to put it on top of a piece of 1/2" or thicker plywood, you should be fine with it blocked up off the floor. I would use six blocks or a frame, not just one block at each corner.
As for cutting a hole in the center, it should be no problem, though I would think it would be easier to disguise the tree stand if it were on the same level as your layout.
I had a Lionel under the tree for many years. Now we usually have a table tree. The table is a 4'x4' piece of plywood on a frame. Gave my wife an N scale a few years ago it runs around under the tree, but has to watch out for that huge deadfall when the needles fall on the track.
Have fun,
I can't see why it wouldn't work. If it doesn't there is always next year.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."