Using a Plywood Flush Door

[Carlw]

Hi,

Im thinking of using 3 Plywood Flush Doors to make a permanent layout in the loft and was wondering what people thoughts are with regards to using them?

Regards

Carl

[Newportnobby]

Not knowing what the 'climate' is like in your loft, I would suggest some strong bracing underneath the doors to try and prevent warping. You will also have to consider what to do if you intend to motorise any points

[PostModN66]

Go for it - they're great!   

Shouldn't have a problem with warping as they are inherently warp-resistant,  so won't need extra bracing, but as NN says, need to consider point motor options.

Fulgurex type motors with torque rod actuation are no problem. wire-in-tube is fine, but using Peco type motors under the points presents an issue.  I would mount them above the baseboard under buildings etc with wire in tube from the point motors to operate the points.  If you use Kato track with built in motors no problem.

My Lofthole layout is stored in the loft, hasn't warped by a mm or a degree in two years.

Cheers   Jon   

[Cooper]

My layout Horseblock Lane uses a door offcut and has been stood on end in front of the patio doors in the dining room for the best part of a year (don't ask, and yes she isn't happy) and is warp free.

Feeding wires through isn't a problem but like Jon says the mounting of point actuation needs a bit of thought, but is entirely solvable. Give it a go, saves a lot of wood mangling!

Cheers, Neal.

[Chatty]

Would endorse what everyone else has said.  The woodwork is done and very quick to get started.  As mentioned point motors can be a bit of problem but as others have said there are ways around it.

There is an excellent example of door modelling in the Model Railroader some years back.  Google "Carolina Central N scale layout" should bring up some images.

Kind regards

Geoff

[Carlw]

Thanks everyone.

This is something im going to have to look into a bit more.  i have just seen load of american using them and thought it might be a good idea.  didnt think about the Point motors, but the wiring should be too much of an issue as i want to do it DCC.

Regards

Carl

[4x2]

Carl,
This was my door layout...



...and this was a previous one where i used 2" foam to carve out cuttings etc, but it also hides point motors and wiring very well. This layout was also DCC, so i hope this ticks all your boxes !

[silly moo]

My door layout is nearly 30 years old and has shown no sign of warping, it spent 15 years stored on its end in the garage. I cut into the 'top' surface to make a lower level which is the sea. my door had cardboard webbing between the plywood but that was quite easy to remove. I had no problem with point motors as I don't have any, mine are changed digitally (by hand) 

[Carlw]

i like the foam idea. 

[silly moo]

The N Gauge Society is running a competition for members to design a layout that fits on a door, quite a few layout designs have already appeared in their journal.

[PostModN66]

The competition is over - I got third prize for my Deansmoor design!  (It's a bit like Monopoly where you get second prize in a beauty contest!)  Entries are still being published in the Journal however.

Here is a link to Deansmoor:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14741.msg146679#msg146679

My other layout, Lofthole Oil Terminal is also built on a door:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14792.msg147254#msg147254

As you can tell, I love doors!  They're cool...

Jon   

[Cooper]

For completeness here is the link to my door offcut layout.

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14461.msg143874#msg143874