Elevated track issues

[Anonymous]

I am planning to run an elevated track around my son's bedroom. One suggestion I got from my previous post was to use wire shelving because it doesn't collect the dust as readily. I think this sounds like a good idea for cost purposes as well, but I have two more questions (for now[:D])
1. what width shelving would be appropriate for G scale?
2. Should there be some type of ballast between the track and the wire shelving?

....Darn kid making me interested in another expensive, time consuming hobby...[;)]

Dave

[Anonymous]

Dave, I would consider using some type of subroadbed, like maybe 1/4" plywood or 1" foam and shaping it to the grade. Aside from the noise issues, it would give you a base to put the ballast on for a more realistic look.

Depending on how you plan to run the train, I'd guess that 12" shelving wouldn't be wide enough for the curves, and you'd probably have to go to 18". I might be wrong, especially since you don't mention the locomotive and rolling stock you'd be running. The length of those units would also factor into the width of your shelving.

Hope this helps somewhat. I'm not much into G-scale.

[ndbprr]

There is another issue you haven't thought of and that is what happens if the train derails? Dependent on the size of your son and the height it could be deadly to get hit by one or at least suffer possibly even a broken bone or two. I frequent a restaurant that has an LGB train running around near the roof and they have it on a wood shelf and a fence made with vertical pieces and a strand of vinyl coated clothesline in the event of an derailment. I don't find the noise level to be particularly loud in any event.

[ndbprr]

There is another issue you haven't thought of and that is what happens if the train derails? Dependent on the size of your son and the height it could be deadly to get hit by one or at least suffer possibly even a broken bone or two. I frequent a restaurant that has an LGB train running around near the roof and they have it on a wood shelf and a fence made with vertical pieces and a strand of vinyl coated clothesline in the event of an derailment. I don't find the noise level to be particularly loud in any event.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of using the Bachman Ringmaster set, seeing as my son loves animals, too. As far as the corners go, I was thinking about building them out so I could put a bit of scenery.
I was going to use shelving with a lip on it for derailment issues, and hide the lip. Would this be sufficient protection, or will I need something more substantial?