The hurricane restrictions are as follows, collar braces for every other rafter (I do all of them), "hurricane ties" a thin plate of metal that is screwed to the top plate and the rafter, and a ground tie every 8 feet bolted into the earth.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Didn't we cover all this stuff here?
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/269384.aspx
NWP SWPI am however in a position to start construction on a building to put a layout in. I'm trying to figure out what size building I need to build a decent size layout. That's why I started this thread.
gmpullman riogrande5761 So you are going to build a shed? Sounds like quite a project. Don't forget building codes — especially in severe-weather areas such as yours: http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/pdf/UC_Codes_Amendments_2018.pdf Building to hurricane-resistant standards can add a considerable cost to your project. NWP SWP I think I might do that I'll go to HD and start buying lumber. You have stamped and approved plans already? Just sayin' Good Luck, Ed
riogrande5761 So you are going to build a shed? Sounds like quite a project.
Don't forget building codes — especially in severe-weather areas such as yours:
http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/pdf/UC_Codes_Amendments_2018.pdf
Building to hurricane-resistant standards can add a considerable cost to your project.
NWP SWP I think I might do that I'll go to HD and start buying lumber.
You have stamped and approved plans already?
Just sayin'
Good Luck, Ed
Just sayin' (again) Ed
cuyama This thread and this effort just don’t make practical sense. If one was really going to construct an out-building, the initial focus would be on budgeting, plans, permits, site preparation, running utilities, and setting a foundation. Not buying 2X4s. And parents who won’t allow the Original Poster to build a 2’X4’ model railroad diorama are fine with him spending $20-30K for this building ($90 per square foot building cost in LA)? Plus the costs of the layout itself? Someone is being strung along, either him or the forum. Like the multi-million-dollar NYC electric locomotive relocation to his backyard a while back, this is an impractical fantasy for this point in the Original Poster's life. Steven, it’s time to focus on achievable things at the club -- like building equipment, learning to do scenery, trying your hand at kitbashing structures, etc. Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry said it succinctly.
This thread and this effort just don’t make practical sense. If one was really going to construct an out-building, the initial focus would be on budgeting, plans, permits, site preparation, running utilities, and setting a foundation. Not buying 2X4s. And parents who won’t allow the Original Poster to build a 2’X4’ model railroad diorama are fine with him spending $20-30K for this building ($90 per square foot building cost in LA)? Plus the costs of the layout itself?
Someone is being strung along, either him or the forum.
Like the multi-million-dollar NYC electric locomotive relocation to his backyard a while back, this is an impractical fantasy for this point in the Original Poster's life.
Steven, it’s time to focus on achievable things at the club -- like building equipment, learning to do scenery, trying your hand at kitbashing structures, etc.
Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry said it succinctly.
Don't overlook seacans....stackable sea containers. Sometimes they can be had for a few dollars (few thousands, that is..., or less), and they will protect your stuff from rodents and intruders of other kinds, not to mention rain and wind. Might be about half the price of a reasonable train shed.
Short term goal: get train stuff out of house.
Mid term goal: have a place to work on MRR projects.
Long term goal: have a layout that allows for running trains and doing switching.
If your main short term goal is to "get the trains out of the house", you may look for a used enclosed utility trailer as a storage unit. Not big enough for a layout but keeps all your stuff in one place so you can move it easily when the time comes.
If it was big enough, you might even have space for a small table or fold down shelf on one side to hold a small switching layout. The down side of that is that it would be miserable to operate in during summer in Lousiana.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
I live in Louisiana in a small rural unincorporated community, as in the country.
Look at what this fellow placed into a single level NARROW layout...
[Link to another forum removed by moderator]
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Steven, what state do you live in? Do you happen to know if there are very restrictive permits required to put an unpowered shed into your parents back yard?As I understand it you need to get the MRR stuff you have collected out of their house,...and perhaps into a shed of some sort?
I put a 'watch function' onto Craigs list and picked up a 12x16 Handi House shed for $1500. Practically brand new. Lady had bought it and never really put it to use. Some people end up moving and selling off their sheds as separate items. you just have to be watchful, and not in a big hurry.
You could store your stuff in that shed until a much later time (after college) that you decide to build a layout. And these sheds not over 12 feet can be moved fairly easily to a new location, or resold for not a great lost if they are decent to start out with.Potentially you could start to build a big layout in one portion of that large shed you desire (12x24), , but maybe just put up a small temp one in the corner of the shed, with the other stuff stored over in another corner.
At that point you don't have a big investment that you can't recover in case many other 'life changes' come up.
Good move Steven. I know it's hard to wait but it is best you keep the main thing the main thing - that is focusing on moving ahead with life and keep hobbies on the said. I spent many years wanting to build a dream layout but having moved more times than I can remember and many bumps in the road, I haven't been able to really get very far. But with patience and perserverance, you will get there but can still enjoy the hobby along the way.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
OMG...rock and roll will never die, long live rock!
Bear "It's all about having fun."
You know I'd like to thank you guys for your perspective, sometimes a objective opinion is needed, and right now a building isn't a wise move, afterall I'm going to college in a year or so, right now I'll occupy myself with detailing and painting rolling stock.
1 my parents have hobbies, well my dad collects autographs and records every sports event, my mom has extreme frugality.
2 I got into the hobby by stumbling across it.
3 again there's NOWHERE to put a layout in the house.
That's my situation, I thought the biggest thing was a model railroaded needs to have a module/layout?
Well I'll keep collecting money for a building and still work on some projects.
NWP SWP Is adequate but my parents want all my MRR stuff out of the house, hence the shed and layout.
Is adequate but my parents want all my MRR stuff out of the house, hence the shed and layout.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Just checked for the framing it's about $1,000 that's for 8x16, so not quite $30,000 it might be that for a contractor but I know how to do it so there's money saved.
The foundation is posts cemented into the ground, bolt the floor to the posts and that's it.
I'm going to keep working on some projects, I'll post updates as they move along.
Rich
Alton Junction
7j43k NWP SWP I am just trying to get a operating layout. What's wrong with the club that it isn't adequate? Ed
NWP SWP I am just trying to get a operating layout.
I am just trying to get a operating layout.
What's wrong with the club that it isn't adequate?
Ed
Stop being so practical, Ed. It's taking this thread down the wrong path toward common sense.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
OK 12x24 is not achievable, maybe a trailer is a better idea, if not 8x16 may be achievable.
College is not happening for another year (when I'm 18).
If I was a "kid" (which I actually was, I'm pretty sure), and I was in a club that I was pretty happy with, I would:
put my time into rolling stock--building some of those "kits" I keep hearing about--and scratchbuilding--assemble a train so wonderful that the Old People at the club would scratch their bald heads in awe (but that's just me)
build a switching module to my OWN standards, not the club's--I'd try to design it to fit into a larger someday layout--I might even make it a Free-mo module, 'cause I could take it with me wherever I went and plop it right into a Free-mo setup--and superdetail it to perfection
PS: and I would assume that, if the shed I started on didn't quickly turn into a shed-work-of-art, my parents would be reminding me that it was an eyesore, and would be coming down soon--Yikes!
cuyamaSomeone is being strung along, either him or the forum.
Mike
I'm reminded of an old Far Side cartoon where Ginger was being told something by his owner and the outcome was pretty much the same...
riogrande5761This reminds me of that old song: "I said son you're going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop driving that hot - rod - Lincoln."
Wisdom from a band with one of the all-time great names, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
And you're right, the topic is perennial on forums
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Byron. Yes. Well said. Fantasy vs. reality. Dreams are ok, but you have to do thngs in the right order to achieve them. In this case, winning the lottery might be one of the only short cuts. Ideally it is the parents who are responsible for guiding young men (and women) along a wise path to life and success. I have to wonder who is at the helm here keeping things on track, or not.
But haven't we here at the forums been led down this merry path before so many times. *sigh* How quickly we forget.
Steven, if it is somehow possible, listen to the "sound" advice Byron has.
This reminds me of that old song: "I said son you're going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop driving that hot - rod - Lincoln."
As noted before, sooner or later you will be moving. Plan your layout so it can be moved to a new location. Does not mean that you must use typical 2x4 modules but it means that you can dismantle it and get the pieces thru the doorway, halls and any other obstacles to get it outside then into your new space.
A layout the size you want will cost MUCH more than you expect and making it moveable will allow you to salvage a lot of your investment.
With the info you gave, sounds like you are headed toward HO scale. If you are willing to shift to N scale, you can get a lot more track into your available space. As long as you are still dreaming, you may want to consider making the whole layout portable in a trailer so you can move it more easily. I have done that. I have a N scale layout in a 92" x 23' space in a old RV trailer I gutted. Plenty of space for a generous N scale layout.
NWP SWP a central peninsula and returning loops at each end. The question is how much space do I need? Would 12x24 be wide enough? Or do I need more? Minimum radius is 30 inches and preferably no less that 30 inch aisles. Any ideas? This is what I'm going for. http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database/2016/10/ho-scale-west-virginia--southern-ry
a central peninsula and returning loops at each end. The question is how much space do I need?
Would 12x24 be wide enough? Or do I need more? Minimum radius is 30 inches and preferably no less that 30 inch aisles. Any ideas?
This is what I'm going for.
http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database/2016/10/ho-scale-west-virginia--southern-ry
nevermind
- Douglas
i suggest you read Koester's book. He discusses the length of track needed to reach the 2nd level and the various reasons why you need flat areas at sidings and for switching
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Dave, thanks. I don't know what the best approach is here, and I am certain many have good intentions regarding advise, but when you look at Steven and where he is in his life, it seems like building a large shed and a layout is inappropriate, to say the least, at the stage of life where he should be focusing on his future and independance.
Most of us know a train layout is a HUGE boat anchor that requires money, time, and most of all, a fairly long term stable living situation. So unless Steven is basically expecting to be taken care of by his parents as a long-term "disabled" dependant, this endevor is one which he has no business pursuing at his age and stage of life.
There is an old song by the Byrds from back in the 1960's - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose ..."