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Chriskym

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Greetings.
I am trying to build a suspended g scale track near the ceiling, running along the interior walls of my house. I've never done anything like this before and I am new to electric trains.
I am looking for the least expensive way to build it.
Can I buy steel rail and attach it to homemade ties rather than buying pre made track? If so, where?
Would it be less expensive that way?
What's the formula to determine the size of transformer needed for the length of the track?
And finally, how do I determain the max weight my Bachmann locomotive can pull?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
 
Hi
In order
Steel rail not probably available, but track bits and pieces are more readily available your side of the Atlantic than ours. Still trying to remember the name of the best supplier..................... I might come back to that. Lagas Creek.
Transformer - you'll need one that produces 18-20v DC controlled, and preferably has an output of around 5 amps, unless you want to do a lot of double heading with USAT locos.
And lastly - which Bachmann loco do you have, and what radius curves do you envisage using - the tighter the curve, the more drag / resistance so the shorter the trains.

And welcome to the madhouse >:)>:)>:)>:)>:)>:)>:)
 
Hi and welcome!

Suspended ceiling tracks seems to be a US thing, not so common over here in the UK where the majority of our forum members reside, though of course we do have a few regular visitors from your side of the pond! You might get more help on this topic on a US based forum such as MyLargeScale.com ?

Yes you can make up your own track from rail and ties and it probably is cheaper, but quite laborious so maybe not the best approach for your first line? I'd say stick to prefabricated track to begin with. That doesn't mean only set straights and curves, there is flexible track available in longer lengths which is usually more economical and of course allows you to create curves and smooth transitions which exactly suit your line's requirements. Also, it maybe be that some of the suppliers of suspended ceiling track systems can offer prefabricated sections which match the available track system geometries.

The size of transformer/power pack doesn't depend so much on the length of track, it's more related to the power requirements of the trains you intend to run. A long length of track can result in some voltage drop but as long as the track joints are secure you can minimize resistance and voltage drop. We often say that in our large scale the sheer thickness of the rail is a better conductor than running lengths of wire around the place.

Which Bachmann loco do you have? There will be folk on here with first hand experience of what the various models can pull. It's not just the weight of the train, you also need to consider how freely the stock runs, what gradients to climb, how tight are the curves etc. It's not always a good idea to load your loco up to its maximum, as that can strain the gears.
 
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Welcome!
Let us know where you are in the US, and we can probably suggest a local supplier, or other G-scalers. - Nothing beats talking to those who have already done it!
There are specialist systems for a high-level track, or you can use brackets made for domestic shelving, and composite wooden boards. - Trying to be generic, rather than mentioning brand-names.
PhilP.
 
Personally I would stick with the ready made track. Since you are modeling indoors, you can get away using Bachmann track. the silver colored one that comes with starter sets. Check out what's available on Evilbay. As far as the supports go, look in Home Depot or Lowes for the gray metal shelf brackets, which sometimes are available in white. You can always spray paint the gray ones to match your wall color.

Fasten the shelf brackets to your wall with toggle bolts. The drywall is stronger than you think, provided it is drywall. If it's plaster it's even stronger. If, when you drill the pilot hole for the fastener, you hit a stud, use a wood screw in that location. If you hit a water pipe, you're on your own.....LOL

Use primed wood boards for the shelf. They are finger jointed white pine and will not cup and twist like bare white pine boards that are not finger jointed. Another material would be 3/4" thick plywood. It might make it easier for you to cut the curves from it over trying to use boards.

If you go with plywood, you might eat to glue a strip of thin white pine to the front edge. Oh and try to get a better grade of plywood for your use.

Before I confuse you any more, if you need more info I will be happy to give it. If you need hands on help, just let me know where to pick up the plane ticket.....:rofl:
 
hello, the cheapest way to make track are curtainrails. the cheap plated iron ones. but they are very noisy.
the second cheapest way, imho, are sharp curves, that you bend to the curves and straights, you need. (i recommend LGB R1 curves from ebay. you can find for three $s the foot, sometimes even less)

i have done both methods, but later replaced the curtain rails.
 
korm kormsen said:
hello, the cheapest way to make track are curtainrails. the cheap plated iron ones. but they are very noisy.
the second cheapest way, imho, are sharp curves, that you bend to the curves and straights, you need. (i recommend LGB R1 curves from ebay. you can find for three $s the foot, sometimes even less)

i have done both methods, but later replaced the curtain rails.
Click to expand...
So you can run trains, and have curtains hanging on the same bit of metal ??

Ingenious :clap::clap::clap::clap: :p
 
Chriskym said:
Greetings.
I am trying to build a suspended g scale track near the ceiling, running along the interior walls of my house. I've never done anything like this before and I am new to electric trains.
I am looking for the least expensive way to build it.
Can I buy steel rail and attach it to homemade ties rather than buying pre made track? If so, where?
Would it be less expensive that way?
What's the formula to determine the size of transformer needed for the length of the track?
And finally, how do I determain the max weight my Bachmann locomotive can pull?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...
Hi and welcome to the Forum.

Making Home made Track is certainly only worth while if you make points. The effort and materials required for curves and straights hardly stack up as a saving. Steel is not the best bet either, it does conduct the juice somewhat better but if it gets Rusty you will have a constant Service Issue.

Would suggest an LGB Cheepo Starter Set, this would give you a Train, some Track and a Controller. A great start. Second hand track to complete your project is easily sourced at Train Meets or from Ebay.

Good luck and please post some pictures of your efforts. As has been said 'High Lines' are unusual though not entirely unknown in the UK. Have been considering one in my Dining Room for some time now.
JonD
 
I have to nail my colours to the mast here. Having been a railway modeller, in different scales, since time immoral, I have never understood the concept of suspending a model railway from the ceiling. The whole idea of having a model railway is to watch trains, either going back and forth or around and around. How can you possibly appreciate something that is literally above your head. Most of the time you cannot see it, and when you can, you get a stiff neck trying to watch it. Someone needs to explain it to me, and don't say 'space' because there has to be a better way of having a model railway, however small/large, than suspending it a foot from the ceiling. From my experience most ceilings in the US are higher than in the UK, making the stiff neck a bigger problem.

David
 
I suppose the attraction is you can sit in your arm chair in warmth and comfort in the cold winter months and watch your favourite locos go by. Sitting at one end of the room looking up to the ceiling at the other side is not too much of a stretch. Not a substitute for a more conventional layout IMHO but could be a nice addition.
 
Chriskym said:
Greetings.
I am trying to build a suspended g scale track near the ceiling, running along the interior walls of my house. I've never done anything like this before and I am new to electric trains.
I am looking for the least expensive way to build it.
Can I buy steel rail and attach it to homemade ties rather than buying pre made track? If so, where?
Would it be less expensive that way?
What's the formula to determine the size of transformer needed for the length of the track?
And finally, how do I determain the max weight my Bachmann locomotive can pull?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your availability is like there, but in Australia a common and very cheap way to make track is to use flat aluminium bar, slotted into wooden sleepers. The 10x3mm flat bar comes in 3m lengths for a few dollars at the local hardware store, but it's even cheaper if you get it from a metal supplier. Using the hardware store aluminium this type of construction is about 1/4 the cost of brass track.

IMG_8347%20Medium_zpsrhbginry.jpg


The wooden sleepers are untreated 10x12mm pine, with slots cut in them for the rails to fit into. Points can be made this way too, but it's a bit time consuming so you might be better off buying them depending on how your time to budget balance is. The aluminium conducts electricity well if it's clean, I doubt there would be any difference from brass for inside use.
 
David1226 said:
I have to nail my colours to the mast here. Having been a railway modeller, in different scales, since time immoral, I have never understood the concept of suspending a model railway from the ceiling. The whole idea of having a model railway is to watch trains, either going back and forth or around and around. How can you possibly appreciate something that is literally above your head. Most of the time you cannot see it, and when you can, you get a stiff neck trying to watch it. Someone needs to explain it to me, and don't say 'space' because there has to be a better way of having a model railway, however small/large, than suspending it a foot from the ceiling. From my experience most ceilings in the US are higher than in the UK, making the stiff neck a bigger problem.

David
Click to expand...
It all depends, we all have to get our fix some way, and if it works for some people, don't knock it. Viewing across the room makes it easier :nod::nod::nod:
 
A
[QUOTE="Melbournesparks, post: 464243, member: 3078"

IMG_8347%20Medium_zpsrhbginry.jpg


. The aluminium conducts electricity well if it's clean, I doubt there would be any difference from brass for inside use.[/QUOTE]

As the layout may be a high level suspended one cleaning may not be so easy. Maybe stainless steel or nickel silver rail is worth considering.
 
Are those rails some sort of extrusion ? They look like upside down rails.
 
Keep up Dan! We are on to curtain rails now.:D
 
Ally Rail will work OK, just be sure that it is not Anodised. This is a coating that is difficult to remove and STOPS the ally from Conduction Electricity. How do I know this? Well I was constructing Fiddle Yard Cassettes for my 00 Railway and..........

Did not know you could still get Brass Curtain Rail, but can it really be cheeper than 2nd Hand LGB Track?
JonD
 
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