O Scale wall layout help (Updated now with Pictures of layout)

[Anonymous]

Hello... Long time lurker.. first time poster ...

Have a quick newb question, My wife and I are doing a transportation themed room for my son. Well of course I can't do that without having a train in there can I...

My question is I am going to use 3/4" ply to secure the track to, but what is the best way to secure the plywood to the wall? Metal Framing type L brackets or???

Any help would be appreciated... Thanks in advance [:D]

[IRONROOSTER]

[#welcome] as a poster.

I have a couple of questions to help clairfy:
1. Is this an around the wall shelf layout?
2. If so, how wide are the plywood shelves going to be?
3. What radius are you going to use (affects corners) ?

Assuming an around the wall, shelf layout 12" wide or less, with 31" radius; I would use decorative heavy duty shelf brackets that extend out at least 3/4 of the shelf width. For 3/4" plywood I would put a bracket on every other stud for studs on 16" centers or every stud if they are on 24" centers. If your Metal Framing type L brackets don't include a diagonal piece, I would not use them.

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER



I have a couple of questions to help clairfy:
1. Is this an around the wall shelf layout?
2. If so, how wide are the plywood shelves going to be?
3. What radius are you going to use (affects corners) ?

Assuming an around the wall, shelf layout 12" wide or less, with 31" radius; I would use decorative heavy duty shelf brackets that extend out at least 3/4 of the shelf width. For 3/4" plywood I would put a bracket on every other stud for studs on 16" centers or every stud if they are on 24" centers. If your Metal Framing type L brackets don't include a diagonal piece, I would not use them.

Enjoy
Paul

Yeah it will be closer to the ceiling and just be a big rectangle... the curves I was looking at was probably O54's and maybe a O42 or two as I dont want tight turns since it will be up high and less chance for derail.

The shelf brackets are my problem as I was the 3/4" ply only really to extend out a little past the track.. So the track is about 3 1/4" wide (track w/predone ballast) so I was looking to have the ply about 4" or so. That should be enough to pull the train far enough from the wall and still have a little room on the edge. That is the only reason I was looking at L Brackets since they have them that small or can be cut to that length. The shelf brackets I have not seen anything really less then 7 inches really. Except for one wood one from like Lowes / Home Depot..

These are the wood ones:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=64386-1170-0195402&lpage=none

But last I checked those out the have a 10lb max...

Thanks for the reply any other ideas please let me know.. as I need to start this tomorrow for the most part...

[CMSTPP]

You should consider using a table like structure with shelves underneath. the table you should know how to construct but instead of brackets use legs. Screw the table to the wall and place long wooden legs to support the front and screw those into the table. If you wanted you could also make shelves to fit underneath the layout so that the stuff that accumilates can be place on the shelf and out of the way such as boxs of trains that are being stored.
James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CMSTPP

You should consider using a table like structure with shelves underneath. the table you should know how to construct but instead of brackets use legs. Screw the table to the wall and place long wooden legs to support the front and screw those into the table. If you wanted you could also make shelves to fit underneath the layout so that the stuff that accumilates can be place on the shelf and out of the way such as boxs of trains that are being stored.
James

Problem is I can't use a table like structure as it will be 6 feet plus in the air... and legs from the distance hmm would look kind of odd... Here are pics of an HO scale that someone did that is the same concept of what I want just in O and the added weight is what I am concerned about and wanting to make sure I pick the right brackets for the job..

http://www.the-gauge.com/thread16118-my-living-room.html

Thank you to everyone for the replys as I appreciate them all...anything makes me think to get a better job done for my kids room =)...

[ericboone]

I've seen similar designs in G scale in a local restaurant. It looked very professional and elegant. The roadbed was actually supported from the ceiling using threaded rod. The roadbed was some thickness of plywood (probably birch) with relatively sturdy edging for added stiffness. The corners of the edging were rounded and somehow the edging was bent around the turns in the roadbed. The edging was definitely not plywood as the layers of the plywood would have been visible. It was probably some form of a wooden corner molding that was thin enough to be bent around the turns in the roadbed but still looked thick from below. The wood was stained a relatively dark color (to match the wood paneling covering the rest of the restaurant) and the threaded rods were unpainted and appeared galvanized.
The neatest part of the roadbed was the bridges. The roadbed was gapped and the gaps spanned by wooden truss bridges. This allowed people to see the underside of the train through the bridges. I strongly recommend adding that touch if you can.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericboone
The roadbed was gapped and the gaps spanned by wooden truss bridges. This allowed people to see the underside of the train through the bridges. I strongly recommend adding that touch if you can.

I like that... Thats a good Idea...Have to take a look at some bridges that will work for that and look into adding them into the plan... Appreciate the idea...[:D]

[CMSTPP]

Ohh. I see what your up to. I've seen this at the Blackwoods restaurant and they use a bridge design. using a cable to hold the wood from the ceiling and then placing brackets every so many feet. I liked the design alot so that when you look up you see a train going around the room.

Sorry that I didn't understand your first message. I was thinking of the railroad at chest hieght and of the idea I used for my railroad.
James

[coorsdrinkr]

Stanley brand makes L 5x6 brackets which are reallt a tad smaller than that .
You can always use the other steel looking brackets and paint them

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the replies ... I appreciate it.. well since I had the holiday vacation, I got it put up and done... I'll post some pics as soons as I figure out how to.. hahah

[Anonymous]

Ok figured it out hopefully....

Enjoy let me know what you think.. A nice little train for my son to enjoy as he grows up =)

And thank you for all the replies and help... Made this project easier to do with it
















Still have a couple paint touch ups and wiring to finalize but basically its done.. Might add a little town on the planter shelf above his closet, even use it as a night light... have to figure out how to wire that separately though...

[Anonymous]

How wide is the shelf that the train is running on ?
Rich

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brkracin

How wide is the shelf that the train is running on ?
Rich

Just over 5".. actually 5 1/8" to be exact...