How to build a elevated "deck" layout

PhilP said:
If your raised track will have its 'feet' sitting on gravel:
Put a small slab / tile / block-paviour, under the foot to spread the load. - Else they will settle/sink, and you will be forever making adjustments.

PhilP.
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Totally agree Phil from past and present experience putting adjustable feel straight onto gravel or soil will necessitate constant adjustment as they will sink.
I used large concrete paving tiles sitting on the earth that I compacted to give a firm base.
 
stevedenver said:
Id consider guard rails where appropriate. Just enough to stop / catch a tumble.
While your layout will be on nice level framework, and track work should be great, things happen. Sectional curves that dont fit ‘perfectly’, slight gaps , etc.

String-lining, points, pushing a line of cars, can all lead to derailments. It’s high enough that a fall will likely cause damage. How might i know this?
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Oh no did you have a high crash….. ?
Yes I’ve been thinking of guide wires to stop a fall I could use bottle screws and wires to keep it thin xxx
 
I'm planning a small strip of thin ply with an embankment on the track side on mine.
 
Yes. During a lengthy remodel years back, my garden rr wasn’t running. So, i made a temporary, tiny 5x9 frr (R1) in the basement.

Occasionally, id run a stainz or forney. Long story shortened, cars can derail. If rail is close to the edge, they can topple off. All it takes, among many things, imho, is a slight rail gap. Had this happen to a forney. 3 ft down to concrete! Broke the outside frame rod cranks, nothing else, ….not much, really, but a real bummer.


Luckily for me, this was at a time that lgb parts were cheap and readily available from lgb.imho, not so simple, nor affordable anymore. Thus, my unsolicited, but well meaning, suggestion. I hate broken toys.lol

I do like the idea of wires. Ive seen these on other layouts, possibly in old LGB catalogs. They are less obtrusive and seem effective, so long as they are high and stout enough. Not giving it much thought, but a good quality elastic might be good too. Gentler regarding abrasions, possibly. Perhaps appropriate eye hook screws/?
 
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Well after completing two other projects that I needed to get done, I was finally able to start building the layout inside storage yard.

I did a quick design:

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The trains will exit through the house where the wider insulation between the boards. I hope it will fit through! haha.

It turns out there is not a comfortable amount of clearance for the large passenger cars on the back curve section.
Also, I am going to add some 1.5" spacers between the wall and decking so that they don't get too close the concrete wall.

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So I will try to update the track soon and finish adding the two remaining triangle support pieces, but after I have to clean up the mess in the other room so that the wife is happy.
 
POLO_Train said:
It turns out there is not a comfortable amount of clearance for the large passenger cars on the back curve section.
Also, I am going to add some 1.5" spacers between the wall and decking so that they don't get too close the concrete wall.

View attachment 348830

So I will try to update the track soon and finish adding the two remaining triangle support pieces, but after I have to clean up the mess in the other room so that the wife is happy.
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Concrete walls can be a little rough on rolling stock. My track planning software doesn't seem to automatically allow for overhang of long rolling stock. Looking back at your outdoor plan, which I'm assuming is still in the planning stages, you might consider a suggestion I made to DianeTape in her rebuild. https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/blassen-hugel-gartenbahn.322788/post-766720. JimmyB shows how he did it in his Tumble Down Falls after my post. (I may have gotten the idea from him in the first place. :D) I've included a suggestion just for the lower left part of your plan. You show all set track, and I cheated a bit by using flex. Aristo Craft doesn't seem to make partial curves in the 20' diameter, at least not in my planning software.
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My apologies for the links. I think there is a better way to embed them that I haven't discovered yet.
 
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FatherMcD said:
Concrete walls can be a little rough on rolling stock. My track planning software doesn't seem to automatically allow for overhang of long rolling stock. Looking back at your outdoor plan, which I'm assuming is still in the planning stages, you might consider a suggestion I made to DianeTape in her rebuild. https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/blassen-hugel-gartenbahn.322788/post-766720. JimmyB shows how he did it in his Tumble Down Falls after my post. (I may have gotten the idea from him in the first place. :D) I've included a suggestion just for the lower left part of your plan. You show all set track, and I cheated a bit by using flex. Aristo Craft doesn't seem to make partial curves in the 20' diameter, at least not in my planning software.
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My apologies for the links. I think there is a better way to embed them that I haven't discovered yet.
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It is a rough draft to make sure I have enough pieces of track for the full loop.

Thanks of the suggestion!
I do wish to try that example to get the most space available for my glacier express train. I believe it is little over 14' long with the engine and six panorama cars. I did run into the same problem with the cad software not cooperating well when I was trying to draft up the siding.

I did buy all my aristo/USA trains track used so I am not sure if I have the special curve piece or not.
I do need to get a rail bender so that I can adjust or bend some new pieces into position. I should get that sooner than later, haha.
 
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