Building a train track to run near the ceiling of my pool table room

[geedub]

Once in a while i see a train set that has a track running suspended from the ceiling - is there a kit you can buy to do this or is it basically built from scratch.   I want to build a track to circle the room of my pool table room.

[dougdagrump]

Check the advertisers in CTT, there are several that regularly buy space. If you are reasonably handy you can always make your own for much less. I made my own using Baltic Birch plywood for the subroadbed and 1x2;3;4 dimensional birch for the support brackets. If I were to do it over the only changes I'd make would be to make it wider for double track operations and extend the subroadbed edge flush with the wall for some scenic elements. 

 

[custom mike]

Geedub,

There are some nice systems out there that look great but they are not cheap.  If you are looking for a DIY techinque you can build shelves out of MDF, (medium density fiberboard) found at your local Home Depot or Menards.

1/2" MDF is acceptable since what holds the shelf is the glue.  Simply cut the MDF to about 5- 6"'s wide and then groove out at least 1/4" deep in the center with a dado blade.  Cut the straight shelving pieces that will fit into the groove.  Make sure the shelf and grooves are snug or your shelves will tilt downward.  Glue together and pin it from the rear with small gauge nails (18 to 21 gauge) just to hold it in place as the glue is the true binder.  With this type of system you can affix right to you wall studs through the front of the MDF without brackets!  I'm not supposed to mention my business name but this is something I use for my other products as I hate anchors and messing with brackets.  To visualize when you build this from an end view it will look like a T sticking out from the wall.  For the corners you will need some extra support using a hanger system from the ceiling.  Nothing fancy is needed.  You can profile the edges of the shelves with a router and stain or paint MDF.  When gluded, this is a strong system for a shelf of this nature.  With some effort depending on the size of your room  2-3 pieces of MDF will probably handle it.  

If you don't have the tools for this or the experience in working with MDF, you may be better off using something different.   Have fun and experiment.

If you have any questions your welcome to email me.

Mike

 

 

 

[lionelsoni]

Here are some pictures (which have shrunk for some reason) of my minimalist around-the-walls track, taken by David Vergun:

You can just see the track in the top of the picture:

 

This shows how the O27 track is supported just by a steel corner brace every foot, fastened here to a plywood panel, elsewhere to a small board fastened to the wall at the studs:

 

Here is a closer picture of the 1/2-inch-plywood corner.  The corner track is a spiral curve, O72-O27-O72, which allows the tangent track to be very close to the wall but doesn't use up much more space than a simple O27-O27 curve.  You could also use O72-O34-O72 to be able to run longer pieces:

 

Here is a General-hauled train moving among unpowered storage tracks:

[geedub]

I did some looking on the internet and prices seemed a little high - I am thinking of building my own with decorative braces and decent wood.

[dwiemer]

There is one manufacturer who makes the shelves out of thick Plexiglass. That would be a great way to do it. It is probably on the more expensive side though.
Dennis

[custom mike]

Geedub,

I thought I would check back on this post.  I see you are thinking of having  something that looks a little bit better than MDF.  Here is another idea I thought of.

What you do is tack to the wall a 2" X 2" at your desired height.  Cut some nice looking semi-furniture grade plywood  to the width of the shelves you desire.  From below you affix the plywood to the strip.  A end view would show a L sticking out from the wall.  So basically you do not see anything under the plywood from below.  For the corners you can shape the plywood to you radius.  Regradless of the method you use it is probably a good idea to use some type of mending plate to tie each piece together.  For the edges of the plywood you can edgeband it to gvie it a nicely finished look.  They now make self adhesive edgebanding that you just peel and stick.  You would have to buy an edgeband trimmer for $20. 

With this method you do not need any ceiling hangers which is a bonus.  You do not have to buy and mess with mounting brackets to the wall.  By edgebanding the plywood you can stain it all and get a reallly nice finished look.  Your trains will have a very strong surface to run on that looks great.  Best of all by doing it yourself and using these materials you can do your whole room for a very affordable amount of $$$$$$.

If you need a source for the edgebanding email me and I will provide that for you.  I also have a source for the mending plates.

Mike

 

 

[dougdagrump]

If you should use the "ledger board" method as described by Mike I would still consider some form of support system whether it be in the form of brackets or even a wide crown moulding. Especially if some of your engines and rolling stock are of scale size and/or diecast.