Porch Suspended Track Plan

[dmacmitchell]

Hi,

I’m new here, and I decided to jump into G Scale with both feet. I have a front porch which is about 40 feet wide. One day I thought, that would look awesome with a train going back and forth. I am looking for opinions, suggestions, tips, warnings, etc. before I make a big mistake.

I have acquired the trains and track which I need (LGB), and am approaching the time when I will start to build the suspension system. My plan is to build it from scratch out of stainless steel and rubber. I don’t want to use any wood, because of how it might not hold up to the elements, and how it will block some views of the train.

Please see below photos:



The one schematic is just the start. A list problems to be solved: (before even cutting or buying any material. Problems will multiply as I progress)

1. I can’t find any setups similar to my plan which has suspended track, but is also outdoors. I’m going to have to do some trial, error, and testing to figure out what works.

2. Do I have the correct size of square tubing? I’m going to have to bend it to follow the curves. I need something small enough to bend well, but strong enough to support the tracks without too many suspension points. Maybe 5/8 would be better?

3. It is not shown in the diagram, but my plan is to have short pieces of tubing between the two main supports at regular intervals. I plan to attach these with pieces of sheet metal and sheet metal screws. (I’ll make a drawing for that sometime.) I’m not sure the smallest stainless sheet metal screws I can buy. The attachment will look like the steel plates riveted to the side of beams on actual bridges.

4. Similar to 3, I need a plan to attach the tubing supports end to end. I need a design which can be dismantled at some point when we sell the house. I don’t want to weld anything, and I don’t know how to weld anyway.

5. The supports around the edge of the porch should be straightforward, as I can use upside down stainless steel shelf brackets and threaded rod. The suspension points on the interior of the porch are trickier, as I have studs in the ceiling which are further up. Do I suspend things with wire and turnbuckles?

6. Wind is a load which I need to consider. My set up has to survive winds of up to 60 mph or so. We get a storm like that at least once a year. Will the attachment of the track to the supports give me enough lateral stability? Maybe I will need support wires going diagonally into the ceiling.

7. I need some way to catch trains when they derail. Maybe a net? Is this only necessary on turns?

8. Birds and wasps may want to nest in or on the tracks. My plan is to keep an eye out and spray the track with water on a regular basis. (Another reason why I want only stainless and rubber)

9. I would love to build a garage I can park the trains in, but that will have to wait for the next version. I’m going to have to get on a ladder to put the trains up and take them down all too often. Is there anything in the design which would make this easier?

How crazy am I to think I can complete this before the weather gets too cold this year in CT?

I will take pictures and post updates when I can. I thank you in advance for your advice.

Dave

P. S. I’m going to cross post this on other G Scale forum websites I can find.

 

[dunnyrail]

Nice place for a high line, you may like to think of a nut both sides top and bottom to keep things secure. Imm threaded rod will be plenty strong enough, oh and a little grease when you thread the nuts on.

 

[PhilP]

Don't underestimate the weight and load on your fixings.

I think you will need a 'U' bracket, rather than an 'L', as the lateral load may well cause the bracket to sag and pull out the top fixing.

Do a little research on 'basket tray', as used by electricians. You get various depths of this, so it adds rigidity. It has clips to join sections together. By cutting-in from one side, you can form curves. It can be suspended from a central hanger, or both sides, normally on threaded studding, and is quite stable.

PhilP.

 

[peterpavuk]

Hi,

I’m new here, and I decided to jump into G Scale with both feet. I have a front porch which is about 40 feet wide. One day I thought, that would look awesome with a train going back and forth. I am looking for opinions, suggestions, tips, warnings, etc. before I make a big mistake.

I have acquired the trains and track which I need (LGB), and am approaching the time when I will start to build the suspension system. My plan is to build it from scratch out of stainless steel and rubber. I don’t want to use any wood, because of how it might not hold up to the elements, and how it will block some views of the train.

Please see below photos:

View attachment 355854View attachment 355855View attachment 355856

The one schematic is just the start. A list problems to be solved: (before even cutting or buying any material. Problems will multiply as I progress)

1. I can’t find any setups similar to my plan which has suspended track, but is also outdoors. I’m going to have to do some trial, error, and testing to figure out what works.

2. Do I have the correct size of square tubing? I’m going to have to bend it to follow the curves. I need something small enough to bend well, but strong enough to support the tracks without too many suspension points. Maybe 5/8 would be better?

3. It is not shown in the diagram, but my plan is to have short pieces of tubing between the two main supports at regular intervals. I plan to attach these with pieces of sheet metal and sheet metal screws. (I’ll make a drawing for that sometime.) I’m not sure the smallest stainless sheet metal screws I can buy. The attachment will look like the steel plates riveted to the side of beams on actual bridges.

4. Similar to 3, I need a plan to attach the tubing supports end to end. I need a design which can be dismantled at some point when we sell the house. I don’t want to weld anything, and I don’t know how to weld anyway.

5. The supports around the edge of the porch should be straightforward, as I can use upside down stainless steel shelf brackets and threaded rod. The suspension points on the interior of the porch are trickier, as I have studs in the ceiling which are further up. Do I suspend things with wire and turnbuckles?

6. Wind is a load which I need to consider. My set up has to survive winds of up to 60 mph or so. We get a storm like that at least once a year. Will the attachment of the track to the supports give me enough lateral stability? Maybe I will need support wires going diagonally into the ceiling.

7. I need some way to catch trains when they derail. Maybe a net? Is this only necessary on turns?

8. Birds and wasps may want to nest in or on the tracks. My plan is to keep an eye out and spray the track with water on a regular basis. (Another reason why I want only stainless and rubber)

9. I would love to build a garage I can park the trains in, but that will have to wait for the next version. I’m going to have to get on a ladder to put the trains up and take them down all too often. Is there anything in the design which would make this easier?

How crazy am I to think I can complete this before the weather gets too cold this year in CT?

I will take pictures and post updates when I can. I thank you in advance for your advice.

Dave

P. S. I’m going to cross post this on other G Scale forum websites I can find.

There is a guy on YT who developed a suspended 3D printable system in G scale - I don't recall his handle, but try to google.

He used a 8mm threaded bars for suspending and 3D printed brackets to support rails.

 

[Paul M]

As Phil says, don't underestimate the loading. Large scale Garden trains ARE large, and heavy, the movement of the train alone could cause problems. Electrician's tray would work well, properly supported.
The other problem would be access for track cleaning. That high up, would the trains be easily visible?

 

[GAP]

Don't underestimate the weight and load on your fixings.

I think you will need a 'U' bracket, rather than an 'L', as the lateral load may well cause the bracket to sag and pull out the top fixing.

Do a little research on 'basket tray', as used by electricians. You get various depths of this, so it adds rigidity. It has clips to join sections together. By cutting-in from one side, you can form curves. It can be suspended from a central hanger, or both sides, normally on threaded studding, and is quite stable.

PhilP.

A "Gallows" bracket would overcome that L shaped with a 45 degree brace. Just need to figure out how to get the vertical past the breac but as it is in the centre of the bracket the rod would most likely be offset to one side. Get the widest one possible to give some width.

This is the 3D printed suspension system

Suspended Track System by 512Designs

System for making suspended track. Designed for G Gauge track but can be used for anything. It works with 3/8" threaded rod and 3/8-16 nuts. Lower attachment uses #6 screws. Upper Attachment uses #8 screws. Connector uses #6 screws. I used 3/4" plywood for the track bed.Tip: Print Lower...

www.thingiverse.com

Instead of timber you could use cable tray like this.

3. 30-October 2021 Cane Farm (Nicko's Farm) Line Construction Begins

The line is a single out and back loop at one end with a 'Y' point that will move as the trains run through it. The other end runs into th...

ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com

4. 23 December 2021 Cane Farm Loop and Mill Run Construction Finished

The track loop that forms the Farms end and the Mill Run to the mill precinct of the cane farm line has now been laid and tested. The track...

ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com

I used galvanised tray with galvanised metal screws, keeps the cost down and spray painted the cut ends. A wider type is available which will help with derailments as will a fence around.

 

[dunnyrail]

As Phil says, don't underestimate the loading. Large scale Garden trains ARE large, and heavy, the movement of the train alone could cause problems. Electrician's tray would work well, properly supported.
The other problem would be access for track cleaning. That high up, would the trains be easily visible?

Very true but it depends very much on what is to be used, a Stainz will clearly have less load then an early Harz 2-10-2 tank. Plus of course the train which in comparison will have quite a low load. My proposed High Line was going to have a perspex bridge over the window area to both not stop light but allow good views of the trains. Trams and Steam Trams were proposed for the line which still may ir may not get built. Using just one track for most of the line, ally L angle each side of the perspex would give ample support.

 

[maxi-model]

Ok, silly question. Why up in the air above the porch ? I'd call that a verandah, bit bigger than a porch. I remember seeing someting similar some 40 years ago in a London restaurant, "The Chicago Meatpackers", in Charing Cross rd. It wound its way above the diner's heads lazily. Max