There are many threads on this subject over the years. Here are links to two separated by about three years. Hopefully, either or both will help to answer your questions.
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/272788/ShowPost.aspx
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1107394/ShowPost.aspx
I recall my brother had a railroad of some sort in the garage and we would run trains in 10 degree weather with light snow on the ground outside. That was a long time ago.
We could not enjoy it very long because it gets too cold.
You can run trains on modular set ups without too much trouble in Arkansas, the weather being what it is. But pernament set ups with hyper precise trackwork and picky equiptment requires you to consider overbuilding the benchwork like use of Metal Framing or 3/4 Inch Oak backed by 3x6 framing or some such.
My test of the wood is to put it outside on the porch for a year. If it bends or breaks in the Arkansas heat it's going to do it sometime between May and August. If it does not, then it is deemed good to use in the layout room.
Sometimes it gets so humid that I wonder if I have to remove the shells from the DCC engines and dry them out. That is what Air Conditoning is for. This year is a good year because we upgraded to a digital home model that holds the temperature precisely where it is at all times.
And finally, I do know of a garage railroad nearby that does a good job being built strongly. It is assisted by an air conditioner unit in the wall during summers. It's not too cold in winter because of the portable heater. But you will need to consider the expansion and contraction of the materials used to build the railroad. You dont want to use a chemical that pulls in during cold weather and bends your track all out of line.
So far, so good in an attached 2-car garage that hit 35 in February and was 116 this afternoon.
The layout is framed with steel stud material, since dessication does less than wonderful things to wood. (I have a 2' x 4' sheet of plywood that would make a wonderful free form salad bowl.) I actually operated a couple of trains this afternoon, but usually hold construction for the hours just after dawn.
Speaking from three years of experience, a well constructed layout built to handle expansion and contraction issues will have no significant problems living in a garage.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September 1964 - in a Southern Nevada garage)
The primary consideration for any space to be used for a MRR is climate control. YOu can put one anyway if you can control/moderate heat, humidity and cold.
Think of it as a human space. Humans will be using/running it as well?? The RR needs to be as such as it can be very fickle. I have: heat for warmth, humidifiers to add humidity while heat is running and drying out the air; I have air conditioning to cool and dehumidifiers to reduce excess moister. A/C by nature also helps to dehumidify. May sound like a lot, but it keeps my home comfy. WHile I have my small layout inside, I shall be moving later, and may have to consider an external insulated climate controlled building.
Look in your local classifieds, people sell old heating/a/c stuff sometimes cheap, and some times give away old equipment. It doesn't have to be new, or even keep it at human temps all the time to reduce cost, (50* in winter when not in use for example) Just warm up slower. My brother got a 10 yr old central furnace/a/c unit for nothing!. The people's warrantee ran out, so they bought new!!loll.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
An insulated garage door can be a real plus, especially if the sun falls on it for a long time each day.
More ideas for garage layouts
Byron
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