Hi I am wanting to do a bigger layout than my 4' 2' board but just wanting to know if any of you have your layouts in the garage? and if so are they ok in there?
Thank you
Hi there, callteg4!
While I personally have not had a layout in the garage (nor a layout to begin with!) from what I have read it is generally not a fantastic idea unless proper insulation, wiring, and protection against extreme temperatures and moisture are features of the location. As you most likely know, heat expands and cold contracts, which can wreak havoc with your trackwork in a setting without temperature control. Safe, modern electrics in the garage's mains (wall outlets) are important as well, as is making sure moisture isn't introduced, which can warp baseboards, ruin scenics, destroy electrics, cause rot, and so on! It wouldn't be a good idea to house your layout in the same place you house your car, for example, because of the moisture a car can introduce.
I would not recommend putting a layout in the garage until you are certain that the location is adequate for use. Others will no doubt chime in with more useful, specific advice than I! Good luck and happy model railroading :D
I've had several layouts in uninsualted garages. None suffered from damage due to dampness but both garages did not suffer from excecessive dampness and the scenery only consisted of plastic buildings.
The major problems I experienced were extremes of temperature causing track expansion and contraction and the track needed cleaning more often. As I always use foam ballast with minimal pinning this mainly caused problems with electrical conduction through track joints or uninsulated section breaks closing up.
Both garages were wired before I purchased the properties and used standard domestic electrical fittings, I'm not sure if current regulations require anything else. However if your garage is not fitted with electrical power or modifications are required the current building regulations require this to be carried out by a person certificated to undertake electrical work in out buildings.
Another problem is that in winter you will get cold unless heating is installed.
I have my layout in the garage (and had an OO one in the garage before). The gas boiler that heats the house is in there but no other heating. The temperature is ok and last year, when it was -7 outside, there were no issues with the trains running.
The up and over garage door lets the draughts in (and mice). My layout made from foam (baseboard, scenery) so warping is not an issue.
I have the layout in a garage which is integral to the house and also contains the boiler, with no special modifications for the layout. I can get out there for a bit of tinkering on all but the very coldest evenings (domestic duties permitting) and I've not had any obvious running problems. This might be different if your garage is a draugty concrete free-standing one half way down the garden!
To me the big advantage of garages is that they are (very roughly) a standard size and shape. If you have a garage layout and have to move house you have a fair chance of finding another garage big enough. This is probably more difficult for a layout that fills a room in a house, and must certainly be so for a loft.
I would love to have a layout in the garage as nowadays who puts their car in there (throws brown stuff into fan and stands clear). However, it is not insulated, unheated and has an up and over door. Unlike Pendy who had a balmy -7 we had -18 and lower in Lancashire last year and my garage roof then drips horribly as the weak winter sun takes effect. I don't get mice but the place is overrun with spiders and the like, and I think they would be running the trains more often than I would >:(
Thank you for all the replys. My Garage is made of brick and is attached to the house but can only get to it by a door from the garden. it also has a up and over door. we do not put the car in there we have the tubmle dryer in there that gets used alot in the winter and it has full electrics and lighting just no heatting. I would only use the garage to store the layout and have it in the house to work on and play
I made a shelf for the layout years ago and that seems to of stayed as it is i am just worried for cardboard platofrms buildings etc
Thank you all again I will have to give it a try cos 4' 2' is just not giving me or my son what we want thanks again
I've had a couple of layouts (now joined into one) in the garage for about ten years. The only issue I've had was last winter when it was extremely cold (and I'll use Nobby's figures as I can't be that far from him) and I had to replace six points due to cracking. This year I've chosen to put a heater in there for a few weeks but fortunately haven't had to use it yet. Its a small price to pay though to be able to enjoy over two scale miles of running especially with a pair of Kato locos dragging 30 - 40 twinstacks or bethgons through the long curves in an undulating landscape.
The walls and roof have thin white board screwed over them, not to insulate from the elements but to keep the spiders out. Its a swine trying to clean webs from your forests.
Hi,
My layouts have all been in an 8x6 shed in the garden. It is only partially insulated as it was originally intended to be an aviary, but that never took off ;D
Despite the last two winters being baltic I've not had any problems with warping or any running issues. The shed gets locked up for the winter and re-opened about March-April and all the engines are taken indoors. Once the track has had a quick clean with a hoover everything is ready to go again for the train season.
Alex :wave:
Mine is in the garage and I've a couple of issues but nothing that has spoilt my enjoyment of it: my cardboard buildings tend to warp a little and the track needs to be cleaned regularly but overall not been a massive issue. Mine is separate to the house with up and over door
With regards to track cleaning. I don't use cleaning rubbers or any sort of specialised cleaning wagon or any cleaing spirits etc.
Near the end of every rake of wagons, one wagon has a Gaugemaster track cleaning pad clipped onto one of its axles and these are in continuous use keeping the track clean.
In using these I have not had any pick up issues.
Alex :wave:
You may want to try what a friend of mine has done. Half way along the garage he built a partition stud wall, insulated and plaster boarded it and got a chippy to hang a door for him, He then insulated the brick walls with 50mm insulation and put 12mm ply sheet over them. Bit of underlay and carpet on the floor, 2 x 4 way downlighters and a couple of sockets and he is as happy (and cosy) as the proverbial pig. And he still has the other half of the garage free for storing tools, gardening stuff etc etc
These mice are getting to be a nuisance. Went down to get some more poison from Robert Dyas - and they had sold out, must be a mouse epidemic! Have not noticed any unwelcome footprints on my newly painted scenery though!
Quote from: Lawrence on January 19, 2012, 08:34:08 PM
You may want to try what a friend of mine has done. Half way along the garage he built a partition stud wall, insulated and plaster boarded it and got a chippy to hang a door for him, He then insulated the brick walls with 50mm insulation and put 12mm ply sheet over them. Bit of underlay and carpet on the floor, 2 x 4 way downlighters and a couple of sockets and he is as happy (and cosy) as the proverbial pig. And he still has the other half of the garage free for storing tools, gardening stuff etc etc
Sounds expensive but a good idea
Quote from: Pendy on January 19, 2012, 09:11:36 PM
These mice are getting to be a nuisance. Went down to get some more poison from Robert Dyas - and they had sold out, must be a mouse epidemic! Have not noticed any unwelcome footprints on my newly painted scenery though!
We ended up with trails of coco-pops into the "friendly" traps but it works for the standard ones too. That was the advice from the council rodent destructor and worked a treat!
I have my layout in a partialy insulated shed, I was using it to keep tropical fish tanks out there which were ok over the winter and the fish survived but the in the finish the amount of tanks I was running needed to much of my spare time so I scaled down to the three I keep indoors and now hide out there with my layout, portable tv and the spare kettle. Home from home with no interuptions, absolute bliss and no problems with damp or mice, just the occasional spider but they don,t hang around to long. All this with a large padlock on the door to keep out the undesirables, just need more time now.
Quote from: callteg4 on January 19, 2012, 09:20:08 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on January 19, 2012, 08:34:08 PM
You may want to try what a friend of mine has done. Half way along the garage he built a partition stud wall, insulated and plaster boarded it and got a chippy to hang a door for him, He then insulated the brick walls with 50mm insulation and put 12mm ply sheet over them. Bit of underlay and carpet on the floor, 2 x 4 way downlighters and a couple of sockets and he is as happy (and cosy) as the proverbial pig. And he still has the other half of the garage free for storing tools, gardening stuff etc etc
Sounds expensive but a good idea
This is what I'm half way through and not really that expensive. I've spend about £250 on wood and OSB board. One stud wall across with a salvaged door. Walls and roof lined with OSB. Already had power so just had to extend for sockets and strip lights. I'm also putting a floor in using loft boards. All in all cheaper and already warmer than a flimsy shed.
Cudders
Quote from: callteg4 on January 19, 2012, 09:20:08 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on January 19, 2012, 08:34:08 PM
You may want to try what a friend of mine has done. Half way along the garage he built a partition stud wall, insulated and plaster boarded it and got a chippy to hang a door for him, He then insulated the brick walls with 50mm insulation and put 12mm ply sheet over them. Bit of underlay and carpet on the floor, 2 x 4 way downlighters and a couple of sockets and he is as happy (and cosy) as the proverbial pig. And he still has the other half of the garage free for storing tools, gardening stuff etc etc
Sounds expensive but a good idea
Depends how much of it you are prepared to do yourself, and it gives you a great space isolated from the rest of the world, get a nice chair in there, radio, beer fridge (or kettle) and it's happy days. Consider it an investment in your well being and the missus will love it because she wont see any of your "junk" or "mess" so she'll be happy too ;D
Quote from: newportnobby on January 19, 2012, 03:34:07 PM
I don't get mice but the place is overrun with spiders and the like, and I think they would be running the trains more often than I would >:(
Quite a good name for a railway - "Arachnidrail" - has that Scottish feel to it :evil:
Quote from: scotsoft on January 20, 2012, 10:56:07 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on January 19, 2012, 03:34:07 PM
I don't get mice but the place is overrun with spiders and the like, and I think they would be running the trains more often than I would >:(
Quite a good name for a railway - "Arachnidrail" - has that Scottish feel to it :evil:
:smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: Nice one, John, welcome back :wave:
Quote from: Lawrence on January 20, 2012, 09:28:22 AM
Quote from: callteg4 on January 19, 2012, 09:20:08 PM
Quote from: Lawrence on January 19, 2012, 08:34:08 PM
You may want to try what a friend of mine has done. Half way along the garage he built a partition stud wall, insulated and plaster boarded it and got a chippy to hang a door for him, He then insulated the brick walls with 50mm insulation and put 12mm ply sheet over them. Bit of underlay and carpet on the floor, 2 x 4 way downlighters and a couple of sockets and he is as happy (and cosy) as the proverbial pig. And he still has the other half of the garage free for storing tools, gardening stuff etc etc
Sounds expensive but a good idea
Darn you, Lawrence. First you stop my track laying with a suggestion about the rubber underlay, and now since you posted about the railway room in the garage I can't get the idea of a 'pod' in my garage out of my head. I have a concrete bonded panel garage but am now thinking of either getting someone to build me an insulated room at the back half, or even building a big shed in my garage and insulating/powering it. Whatever I have would need a waterproof roof as condensation is the biggest issue I have. At this rate, I'm not going to get anything done at all :'( I really think I'll have to bash on with my current layout while I investigate the garage possibilities/get a quote ???
Depends how much of it you are prepared to do yourself, and it gives you a great space isolated from the rest of the world, get a nice chair in there, radio, beer fridge (or kettle) and it's happy days. Consider it an investment in your well being and the missus will love it because she wont see any of your "junk" or "mess" so she'll be happy too ;D
hi all :wave:
Newport if you are thinking of getting a quote for building a shed and fancy a nice concrete base then be aware
a friend of mine is trying to build a "tropical fish house" to house his vast collection of fish
the shed isn't the problem it's the concrete base :-\
as he isn't in the best of health he can't do it himself so has tried alot of concrete pouring companies and everyone comes back with the same reply
"sorry mate the job aint worth doing"
just a heads up just incase you fancied a nice concrete base :-X
or if anyone knows of a company that deals with small concrete jobs in the N.W England area please P.M me with the details
dave :thumbsup:
davie try a local brickie they will do it :thumbsup: if i was closer i would do it :thumbsdown:
thanks for the reply gwrwill :thumbsup:
as far as i know my mate has gone through every "brickie,builder or other suitable trades person" within 50 miles of his home in bolton
and they either aint interested or come back with a rediculous quote
if i was fit enough i would go and give him a hand it's not a difficult job
and his so called "friends" that he has done jobs for in the past have vanished without trace :thumbsdown:
will keep trying
dave :thumbsup:
Have you thought about laying paving stones or flag stones or paving slabs as they are known round where I live.Laid on a hardcore base with a sand bed to level the slabs on is just as good as concrete.Just a bit more effort is required due to the weight of the slabs.
Only a suggestion mind,when I was a kid my dad always had a shed and made a base from paving slabs.The base never moved or anything and the shed remained totally plumb and upright,even with all the crap that was kept in it,including the wasps.nest from a couple of years ago.My parents split up 12 years ago so my dad moved out of the family home,he left the shed and its detritus and bought a new place.This has a shed in the back yard and using his tried and tested shed base of slabs,hardcore and sand,it has endured all sorts and is absolutely rock solid with a nice firm base.
Pete
Quote from: davieb on January 20, 2012, 10:20:14 PM
hi all :wave:
Newport if you are thinking of getting a quote for building a shed and fancy a nice concrete base then be aware
a friend of mine is trying to build a "tropical fish house" to house his vast collection of fish
the shed isn't the problem it's the concrete base :-\
as he isn't in the best of health he can't do it himself so has tried alot of concrete pouring companies and everyone comes back with the same reply
"sorry mate the job aint worth doing"
just a heads up just incase you fancied a nice concrete base :-X
or if anyone knows of a company that deals with small concrete jobs in the N.W England area please P.M me with the details
dave :thumbsup:
Hi Dave - the base is not an issue as the (large) shed would be constructed inside my garage which already has a concrete flooring. I can see many advantages in this and no disadvantages, as it would also free up what is supposed to be a dining room in the bungalow ;D
i hate to steer the topic more away from garages and more toward sheds but i have a 10x6 shed thats sits on a hefty wooden groundframe the groundframe has 8 spiked feet into the ground and a dampproof membrane protecting the underside of the frame and then again the underside of the shed,,,, from what i remember these bases arent two expensive and can easily be done by one person let alone the advised two,
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/9853/threaddirection.gif)
HAHAH great pic!!!
what about 4 met posts then a 4x4 frame with a shed on it. kinda like decking
Seriously considering a purpose built room in the garden myself, not sure what form it will take yet probably brick but need it to house modelling equipment books, TV, Playstation etc. I am being fully encouraged by the missus with only two stipulations - 1) It looks fine from the house 2) There is a big comfy chair her her in there...
:Class414:
sounds like you need a MAN CAVE!
Quote from: polo2k on January 21, 2012, 10:09:42 PM
sounds like you need a MAN CAVE!
A Man Cave, nice name, thats what I have, Its got trains, tv, kettle and heater, when the outlaws decide to visit its time to hide out there for the peace and quiet!!!!!!!
Steamerdave,
You need a fridge for the beer...... I am defo gonna have a fridge in my Man Cave....
:Class414:
Well you know how you start something and time just flies away?
This is what you need for those times, I was sent a couple from my cousin in Australia and they are really good :thumbsup:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTOGP-NEOPRENE-CAN-COOLER-TWO-PACK-BIKEIT-BIKE-MOTORCYCLE-/370568517158?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item56479ad626 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTOGP-NEOPRENE-CAN-COOLER-TWO-PACK-BIKEIT-BIKE-MOTORCYCLE-/370568517158?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item56479ad626)
cheers John.
Scotsoft,
Stubby holders - Have a couple both Neoprene and Polystyrene lined... Really great invention...
Having said that there is not often a problem with keeping your beer cpold in Dublin.... :beers:
:Class414:
Wasn't sure where to put this, but seeing as my layout is in the garage, I thought I'd post it here. I posted a photo I took of a poster in my garage showing the Flying Scotsman in apple green livery hauling BR blue & grey coaches in the NGF raffle thread, in relation to the LNER B1 I was lucky enough to win. I just thought folk may be interested in a couple of others I have up there (also old and faded due to the harsh Aussie sun shining through the garage door, which is usually open when I'm working on the layout).
The first is a print of a painting by M.A. Turner which apparently was included with a copy of 'Rail Enthusiast' magazine. It is entitled "All change at Crewe, 1961" featuring green diesel D214, electric locomotive E3001 and Duchess 46248. How wonderfully atmospheric and indicative of the change that was occurring at that point in BR history! Just the era I am trying to portray! Faded as it may be, I love it!
[smg id=3470 type=preview align=center width=400]
I also have another faded print entitled "Pause at Rugby: Princess Beatrice about to depart" by Jim Petrie which is also brilliantly atmospheric, showing the 4-6-2 in LMS livery. Will take a pic when the leftovers of the Queensland cyclone stop raining on us here in the south!
Finally, I have this stuck on the wall also, which shows what I believe to be a very dirty unknown 'Standard' (or 8F) of some description hauling minerals through a VERY narrow gorge, which to my (long time ago) geology trained eye looks to be limestone. Any ideas as to location, anyone?
[smg id=3471 type=preview align=center width=400]
Hope this isn't hijacking the thread too much, George.
Oh, and plenty of stubby holders in my garage, by the way. :beers: