[Robert Stokes]

Someone's got to ask the obvious question. Why are there so many doors?

Good luck with the project.

Robert

 

[Robert Stokes]

I use 3mm cork which I buy as floor tiles from Wickes. They are £8.99 for nine tiles each 305mm square. I cut each one into eight strips 38mm wide as track underlay so this gives me a total of 72 ft or alost 22m from each pack. They can be used like this for straight track sections or ones with a very gentle curve. For real curves I split them down the middle and each half curves much more easily and down to about 60cm radius without a problem. (I doubt this process would be suitable for set-track radii though.) Once fixed down with Evostik PVA glue, I use a craft knife to cut an angle at the edges which gives a reasonable shoulder.

Robert

P.S. I've just checked and they are currently £1 off.

 

[Robert Stokes]

I use it neat but only put a dab of it every couple of cm. This does stick it down really well as I've found out trying to lift it off the plywood of my old layout. I've had to use a paint scraper and hammer to get it off.

Robert

 

[Robert Stokes]

I used untreated plywood for my previous layout. When dismantled after about three years it showed no signs of warping and some of it will be used in the rebuild - again untreated. Having said that, my garage is part of the bungalow and perfectly dry and does not have too much temperature variation. This is because it has double-skinned walls with insulation, a pitched roof with plenty of insulation, and the car door permanently closed and sealed. In effect it is just a spare room of the bungalow.

Robert

 

[Robert Stokes]

I know that you have a larger space than the original plan but if you want 6" between levels then you could end up with gradients that are too steep. I have noticed that a lot of people writing about plans on this forum don't seem to realise how much length is required to get up a certain height with a reasonable gradient. As a guide I would say that anything steeper than 1 in 30 should definitely be avoided and try to keep to no more than 1 in 40. Also allow a little at each end for transition from gradient to level - you don't want a vertical dog-leg.

By the way, the original plan includes a storage loop on each of the two tracks going through the hidden section. With more space you could perhaps increase that number.

Robert

P.S. I don't particularly like that plan as it seems to have too many tracks in the amount of space but that's just a personal thing.

 

[Robert Stokes]

You might be referring to a helix. They need an awful lot of space as for it to work well you need a largish radius.

By the way. I've amended my last post.

Robert