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After many years away from the hobby, I'm planning a Christmas tree layout in HO scale. Previous attempts were more trouble than they were worth due to falling needles. So, I've decided to raise the trackbed above the fray and run it around the room's beams 8' above the floor. The room is the cathedral-ceilinged living room of our post and beam home. The living room is about 14x20, but has a 14x11 open rectangle formed by the beams. My plan is to build the layout in 8 sections using 1/4 x 1 1/2 splines to support the roadbed. The four corner sections will include the 24" radius 90 degree curves and the straight sections will join them. I'm thinking of a curb on the "inside" to help minimize the possibility of a derailed train falling off the sections, with a higher curb on the "outside" of the curved sections. I plan to pin the sections to get accurate and consistent joints and I will prewire each section with power and accessory wires with appropriate multi-conductor connectors at each end. I will support the sections with appropriate hangers attached to the beams. Access to the south section is available from a landing (between the railing spindles) that goes the length of the rectangle. Emergency access to other areas will be via ladder. Major work will, of course be done with the railroad sections in the shop, rather than installed in the room. That includes scenery, structures, signaling, etc. (I figure I can add width to the layout as necessary by putting plywood pieces in where desired.) I plan to use Atlas nickel silver Code 83 flextrack attached to cork or mastic(?) roadbed. The initial trackplan will be a simple oval with a passing siding at the south straight section. Initially, I'll have the passing siding and mainline section wired as separate blocks to enable a "local" switcher to run around the room with a short consist, alternating with a road engine pulling a longer string. A small portable control panel with the necessary controls and power pack will control things. It will plug in from below as well as from the landing. I do have some questions that maybe someone can offer some advice on. The first is: does this sound nuts? I think it will work and my wife buys into it. But more experienced builders might see a major pitfall I'm overlooking. The second is: I was planning to use cork roadbed, but then I saw some advertisements for a mastic material 1/8" thick that doesn't require nailing the track to it and can hold ballast without glue. Any thoughts? Any comments in general would also be appreciated!! Thanks in advance! Steve
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