New Live Steam 12x6 Modular Layout but need 12x6 Plywood.

Rob1962

Rob1962

Happy Steaming.
Country flag
United-States

​

Model RailroaderLayouts and layout building




Rob1962
1m

I would like to know what wood to use for a new 12x6 Live Steam Layout in my basement. There is much heat and humidity and cold as seasons change.I purchased a modular frame, but I need to add a 12x6 top of plywood.I have ZERO, I mean ZERO, wood working skills. I can swap a car engine on a weekend but could not literally build my 3 young daughters a birdhouse.So what wood for the top and is there such a size top or will I need to have someone cut sections?This layout will be topped off with Astroturf and and must be 1/2 Inch thick someone i know mentioned to go to Home Depot and get this wood names Sandeply. The heaviest Loco would weigh only 5 lbs.Did I mention I have ZERO carpentry/measuring skills/tools?
Thank you for any help on my new layout.

Bobby.G. New York City USA.
 
Rob1962 said:

​

Model RailroaderLayouts and layout building




Rob1962
1m

I would like to know what wood to use for a new 12x6 Live Steam Layout in my basement. There is much heat and humidity and cold as seasons change.I purchased a modular frame, but I need to add a 12x6 top of plywood.I have ZERO, I mean ZERO, wood working skills. I can swap a car engine on a weekend but could not literally build my 3 young daughters a birdhouse.So what wood for the top and is there such a size top or will I need to have someone cut sections?This layout will be topped off with Astroturf and and must be 1/2 Inch thick someone i know mentioned to go to Home Depot and get this wood names Sandeply. The heaviest Loco would weigh only 5 lbs.Did I mention I have ZERO carpentry/measuring skills/tools?
Thank you for any help on my new layout.

Bobby.G. New York City USA.
Click to expand...
As Paul says Marine Ply an option, but oh you will not like the price. External grade ‘Particle Board’ will be more than adequate for your location, get your home depot to cut to base board width and lengths for you if your wood cutting skills are indeed zero.
 
What units are you using? I'm assuming feet. In the UK plywood comes in 4' x 8' sheets (1220 x 2440mm), or half and quarter sheet sizes (1220 x 1220, 600 x 1200). Not sure what sizes you get in the US, but Madman Madman will know...
 
The sizes will depend on the layout of your framing.. You want joints to be supported,so will need to adjust sizes for this.
Without knowing the size of the sections of the framing, and the centre-to-centre measurement, we can't give you more help than this.

9mm, 3/8ths in old money, should hold your weight if you have to walk / crawl across it, at all.
If using OSB (rough chipboard, shudder!) then go to 12mm or perhaps thicker?

Do you do mixed measurements in the US?
In the UK we still refer to 8' x 4' sheets, but the thicknesses are all metric.
9mm, 3/8ths
12mm, 1/2
15mm, 5/8ths
18mm, 3/4
21mm, 7/8ths

PhilP.
 
PhilP PhilP Bobby said he wants 1/2in = 12mm (roughly).
Any type of board is going to have to be in sections as I can't see a 12 foot board going in the car, even 6 feet is pushing it but 6 x 6 will also be impossible, unless maybe a supplier can deliver by lorry but manoeuverability will be a problem. The advice about having the baseboard joints over the frame members is good to prevent movement / warping of the wood rather than the weight of the locos.
Rob1962 Rob1962 Sorry but some screwing into place will be needed, do you not know someone who could help with the fitting?
 
Rob1962 said:

​

Model RailroaderLayouts and layout building




Rob1962
1m

I would like to know what wood to use for a new 12x6 Live Steam Layout in my basement. There is much heat and humidity and cold as seasons change.I purchased a modular frame, but I need to add a 12x6 top of plywood.I have ZERO, I mean ZERO, wood working skills. I can swap a car engine on a weekend but could not literally build my 3 young daughters a birdhouse.So what wood for the top and is there such a size top or will I need to have someone cut sections?This layout will be topped off with Astroturf and and must be 1/2 Inch thick someone i know mentioned to go to Home Depot and get this wood names Sandeply. The heaviest Loco would weigh only 5 lbs.Did I mention I have ZERO carpentry/measuring skills/tools?
Thank you for any help on my new layout.

Bobby.G. New York City USA.
Click to expand...

Bob, I may be able to help, even if it is via messaging and sketches. Let me sketch some ideas for you and I will post them here. By the way, how high off the floor do you have in mind for the platform ? Do you have a way of getting the material home ? What type of access do you have to get into basement ?
 
I am grateful for the exceptional assistance I have received. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

In the meantime, I am planning to purchase a modular train table setup from a company that specializes in such products. The table can be expanded, reduced in size, and disassembled for easy relocation. I have ordered a 12x6 table, which is expected to arrive in three weeks.

I am uncertain whether I am permitted to disclose the company’s name or share images of the table. There are videos available on YouTube that provide further information. The manufacturer has recommended that I exclusively purchase Sandeply plywood from Home Depot. The table’s height can be adjusted to any size but mine will be 40 inches tall and it is expandable.

As I gather additional ideas and refine my plans, I will update this post. I would also appreciate any suggestions you may have for my live steam layout. Your input would be greatly valued.

Additionally, I have decided to cover the table with plastic or astroturf, include one HO Oval, and one 45mm LGB Track. I will not be adding any scenery or other elements to the layout.Would like to cuching the sound of the Locos running on the table corkboard or???
 
Rob1962 said:
I am grateful for the exceptional assistance I have received. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

In the meantime, I am planning to purchase a modular train table setup from a company that specializes in such products. The table can be expanded, reduced in size, and disassembled for easy relocation. I have ordered a 12x6 table, which is expected to arrive in three weeks.

I am uncertain whether I am permitted to disclose the company’s name or share images of the table. There are videos available on YouTube that provide further information. The manufacturer has recommended that I exclusively purchase Sandeply plywood from Home Depot. The table’s height can be adjusted to any size but mine will be 40 inches tall and it is expandable.

As I gather additional ideas and refine my plans, I will update this post. I would also appreciate any suggestions you may have for my live steam layout. Your input would be greatly valued.

Additionally, I have decided to cover the table with plastic or astroturf, include one HO Oval, and one 45mm LGB Track. I will not be adding any scenery or other elements to the layout.Would like to cuching the sound of the Locos running on the table corkboard or???
Click to expand...
The width of your table will be inadequate for the smallest radius of LGb track, R1 at 1286cm or 4ft 2in. The means a slight overhang on each side of your board that would ideally require some sort of support.

As for noise, many lay track on a Cork bed to help deaden sound, however using pins to hold the track down can transmit sound to what is in effect a speaker box’. Laying on Cork and then Astro turf would help with sound but how would you hold the track inplace?
 
All a bit "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted". Might I offer the following. Especially where wild seasonal variations on humidity and temperature are mentioned. Firstly, install decent ventilation and means of stabilising the climate (humidity/temperature) in the chosen area. Advise given to me by a chartered surveyor friend some years ago when discussing a similar project, abeight in a loft. If you don't, don't store anything in there, for any period, if you wish it to remain operable or retain its resale value.

The remainder culled from the 16 mm NGM Association

Self explanitory Modular Layout Standards - Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers
Different take on materials. UK business but I wonder if there is a US equivelent ? Garden Railway Products, Eco-Friendly Recycled Plastic
Oh, and make sure your fake grass is fire retardant Extinguish
Just a different perspective. Max.
 
Live steam inside:
Ventilation.
Fire blanket.
Fire extinguishers.
Bund for flammable liquids.
Two routes to escape.
Carbon monoxide alarm.

Then build the railway.

Keep the plastic grass away from the track.
Clad the are where you steam up with aluminium sheet. Have an area where the track is suspended above a steel tray. Fuel and dispose of engines here.

PhilP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom