New project: Child's Elevated train

[DocDan]

My HO layout is far from complete but I just couldn't resista new project. I recently purchased K-Line's O gauge girl's train set for my daughter's bedroom. I'd like to run it on a shelf about 6.5' high around her room. Since I am an HO-type, I am seeking help in O gauge issues I may not be aware of as well as advice from anyone who has done this or just knows how to do it.

My thought so far is to use prefab shelf supports from one of the home centers (Lowes) with 6 - 12 inch wide pine board on top topped with homasote (to reduce noise). One specific question is specing of the supports. Should I place the supports every 16" on each beam or could I space them further appart?

Also, is this just a bad idea to begin with? I must say my wife is just a little nervous (as am I) that the train will derail and konk our daughter in the head.

Any ideas at this point would be greatly appreciated.
Dan

[Anonymous]

Some things come to mind:
1) How are you doing with clearing doors, windows, etc? Is 6.5' enough?
2) How wide will the shelf be when you round a corner? It will probably have to be wider since the track will "cut across" the corner, how much depends on the curve radius.
3) My gut feeling is that you better stick with the 16" spacing for the supports.
4) You could try putting a transparent (plexiglass?) "derailment containment" along the edges of the shelves.

[DocDan]

Thanks for the reply. I have thought about the clearnaces for doors and windows and it works fine.

Since you suggest the 16" spacing (my gut agrees with you) do you suppose that aesthetically, that many supports will look imposing or even cluttered?

Great idea with plexiglass!

Thanks again
Dan

[vsmith]

Hello, I just completed a similar overhead layout in my study. My trains are G Gauge so are much heavier than O gauge stuff. I used 32" spacing with commercial shelf supports from the local hardware supplier. I also made sure that they were screwed into stud supports via an electric stud finder (very useful tool. On top of that I used 12"w laminated wood shelfs, they look like butchers block and are strong as heck with filler pieces to take up the overhanging track at the corners. As for protection you could also look around at any milling company for a cool wood trim called "Galley Rail" its two pieces of molded wood with small stanchions spaced between them. This was used on ships to line the edges of tables and shelfs so that when the ship rolled everything would stay put. It looks pretty good when installed on shelves but it cuts off views of wheels and valve gear. I used 1/8" rubber for my underlayment and it does a great job of isolating noise from the wood but watch out! I get alot of noise from the metal wheels rolling over metal track and you cant do anything that I know to counter that. Also think about how you are going to wire the setup. I am still trying to wire mine in an unobtrusive manner and I would have concerns over the powerpack being left on accidentally. good luck

[DocDan]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I think there's enough in these replies already to get me started.

Dan

[krump]

Hi Dan,

I was just surfing the forum and checked out the earliest post that I could find...
wondering how this project went for you? is your daughter enjoying the train?
have a great day

[pedromorgan]

you will have to make it pretty wide anyway because within about a week it will be used for storing makeup and other girly things!!!! lol

[Anonymous]

Hi Dan,

Do you have a link to that train set? I have a 2.5 year old daughter who loves trains - this could be a 3rd birthday present... ];)]

Thanks!

Andrew