Do you cover your layout when not in use ?...

[Tracklayer]

I don't know about you guys, but we have somewhat of a problem out here with dust where I live, and though my train room is pretty well sealed, dust still manages to get in.
I finally went down to Walmart and bought a clear plastic painters sheet that I now cover my layout with when I'm not using it, and though it's a pain in the neck to have to take off and put back on all the time, it really helps keep the dust off. I don't have to clean the tracks as often as I use to either...

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

Right now my layout is on its side in a storage shed. I hope it doesn't turn into swiss cheese while its out there.

James

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

Right now my layout is on its side in a storage shed. I hope it doesn't turn into swiss cheese while its out there.

James

Sorry to hear that James. I hope you get it set back up soon and it's okay...

Tracklayer

[selector]

My basement reno is about to start, and my 8 X 11slab would fit through the doors if I cut it in three. So, it stays. I put it on casters this week (not all that big a deal), and will cover it in plastic before the work starts.

I don't normally cover mine, but I suppose I should. It is slowly getting dusty. No track electrical problems in 9 months, though, and have never cleaned the track. Go figure!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer
Sorry to hear that James. I hope you get it set back up soon and it's okay...

Tracklayer

The whole affair makes me mad. I had it set up in my parents garage, and had things somewhat operational.

Then my parents got a good deal on some wood shop tools. But then the first thing I know my parents are telling me "James we are tearing down your layout and thats final" I got them to take it apart into subsections. (Because I had built the layout to be moved) and they then rented the storage shed so they could stash my trains and their yard work impliments out there. Yet to this day (three years later) not one of the many spoken about pieces of furniture that dad was going to build with these woodshop tools has been built. And I am just left to sit and stew. Because it seems to me that while my parents do not object to the model building part of model railroading. (I am free to display locomotives and rolling stock in the big family display case.) They want no part of that turning the trains into a layout stuff.

Disgruntled and feels like a fraud.

James

[waltersrails]

nope out in the open

[icmr]

Nope. I dont need to. Cats are not allowed in the garage anymore.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking I'll build my layout sort of "shadow-boxed" where it's pretty much covered except for the front, which will likely have a curtain.

In my "California Basement" (i.e. garage), some sort of covering is a definite must.

I figure the next best thing to a dedicated, totally finished layout room is a dedicated, totally finished layout "box".

[Amtrk14]

I cover mine. It cuts down on the dust, but it is a pain to take off and then put back on every time I go out to run trains.

Sean

[waltersrails]

good one icmr cats never should be near a mr.

[ICRR1964]

In the summer months I cover mine with several sheets, because I don't even touch it do to my work. everything gets unplugged and it goes on idle until fall.

[PennsyHoosier]

I have an air cleaner that I run in the room. Keeps the dust WAY down.

[Anonymous]

Bit difficult to cover mine as it's a walk around design in a 12 x 16 foot room. :-)

[conford]

Covers work for me. We do have a cat that lives in the basement, and things have been better since I made some covers using 1x2 and plastic sheeting. Since the layout is a shelf, the covers are long and narrow. I only cover 16 of 46 feet, but it has mitigated the cat hair problem.

Regards
Peter
conford

[Roadtrp]

I don't cover my layout. It is at one end of my lower level family room and the room is fully finished with walls, ceiling, etc. The room really doesn't collect much dust. Just running my trains on pretty much a daily basis keeps my tracks in good shape.

The rest of the layout I vacuum (very carefully) about once every two months. I periodically take the locomotives and rolling stock off and dust them too. That I do by hand about once every 6 months. So far I've had no problem with anything.

[:)]

[Anonymous]

My layout is on the dinning room table. It has been up about four months and I am starting to notice some dust. I should cover. Good idea. My track is strange, the new Life Like Power-Loc needed cleaning right out of the package while my old Atlas snap track ( ten years at least ) had never been cleaned.
Sky Blue sorry to hear about your train problem, have you tried to bring up the subject lately. Phil

[Anonymous]

"...when not in use."

When does THAT happen? hehehehe[:D]

But the answer is no - too many tall pointy fragile things like water towers, trees, etc that wouldn't hold up well to having something draped over them, so I just have to accept a certain amount of "natural weathering"

[Big_Boy_4005]

Cover? How do you cover 38' x 46' double deck?

Truth is there's really nothing to cover, since it isn't scenicked. I do cover small sections that are below where I'm working, but simply clean up after I finish.

[Anonymous]

Short answer: no. couldn't be bothered.

[Anonymous]

I think the need to do it depends A LOT on the environment your layout is in.

Garage with bare studs, no dropped ceiling (my situation): super dusty - big mess

Spare bedroom, etc.: probably not nearly as much of a need for dust covers.

[FCnota]

When is it not in use????[;)]

No really, I leave mine uncovered, but it is in the house (not a garage or shed) in the main living area, so it stays pretty clean. I do clean the track pretty often though (use Goof-off & a track cleaning car)[:)]