building a suspended track

[Anonymous]

I would like to install a suspended platform from the ceiling or attach to the side wall. Can anyone give me some info or web site I can find some useful information? I would appreciate it

[Dad Howe]

I'm in the same situation- I am about to install a new staging yard about 20" above part of my present layout (helix at far end to reach it.) I can support most of the structure with wall mounted supports, but I need to install a return loop that takes the outer edge too far away from the wall to adequately support it from the wall. I am looking to possibly drop some supports from the ceiling to hold up the platform along the edges away from the wall. Any suggestions as to how to keep it level and how to build it would be helpful!

Dad Howe

[Anonymous]

I've planned a couple of ways to do the same thing. The one I'm leaning toward is using a light chain hanging from an eye screw with a turnbuckle into another eye screw. It's light, adjustable and less obtrusive than using all-tread (steel rod threaded from end to end) and toggles and nuts. ust make sure you get the screw eyes in a solid peice of wood, not just the ceiling.

Luck

[Sperandeo]

My friend Fred Hamilton suspended a loop of On3 track around his basement train room using hangers cut from 1x4s (maybe 1x6s) and screwed to the joists of the floor above. The hangers had cutouts in one side to fit under plywood track boards and give clearance to the trains. Fred had installed a suspended ceiling in the room, and he made neat slots in the ceiling tiles to fit around the hangers. He also stained the hangers and track boards for a neat, finished apperance. the loop connected to both ends of a pair of scenic modules, and allowed continuous running on what would otherwise have been a short shelf railroad.

Good luck,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine