My stuff including my 25+ year old current layout have always been in my W. Texas garage with yearly swings from about 0 to 43 degrees.

Things are sluggish in the Winter and need more warming up, but things still work.

For what that's worth.

49 might be a different animal!

Quote from: PLD on July 11, 2026, 06:24:18 PMWhat some do panic over in hot weather is the expansion of track, but even those concerns are over-blown - the Coefficient of Expansion for Nickel Silver is 16 × 10^-16 /1 degree C, so you need around a 64°C temperature change, for a 1 metre length of flexitrack to expand by 1mm!

That may be the theory based on the material properties, but believe me I've had fiddleyard track start to snake in my conservatory at 30 degrees (only in there for testing before a show), and in hot exhibition halls.  It's only loosely pinned compared to the fully glued and ballasted track on the scenic parts of the layout - that's never suffered.

How hot does stuff get in a container on a ship passing through the tropics?
I suspect that's more of a test than a loft.

Well I'd certainly bring locos and stock down and out of that heat, I'd be concerned about plastic warping or cracking due to expansion of the metal chassis within.

I've always maintained that "raw" lofts, garages, shed etc. are no place for a model railway.

Quote from: Spanners70 on July 11, 2026, 05:36:03 PMAnyone know what the critical temperature may be before damage occurs to rolling stock and locos? My loft is currently 49'c most I can take is 5 minutes before I have to come down... got me wondering

I vaguely recall a lower limit being advised, but I don't think any manufacturer has ever stated an upper limit...

What some do panic over in hot weather is the expansion of track, but even those concerns are over-blown - the Coefficient of Expansion for Nickel Silver is 16 × 10^-16 /1 degree C, so you need around a 64°C temperature change, for a 1 metre length of flexitrack to expand by 1mm!

Anyone know what the critical temperature may be before damage occurs to rolling stock and locos? My loft is currently 49'c most I can take is 5 minutes before I have to come down... got me wondering

Yes, I didn't choose an easy one, hence deciding not to bother. I think the easiest would probably to be 3D print a new body on a Farish underframe; with toilet retention tanks added. Last think I need is another project though!

Quote from: njee20 on July 11, 2026, 12:50:25 PMChris your contributions are becoming a bit like Google's AI. Lots of words only vaguely related to what's being asked! 

I looked at doing E21249, Tornado's original one, but the unique window arrangement meant I basically couldn't be bothered! I also preferred the look with all carmine and cream, rather than having one maroon coach in the rake, even if prototypical.

E21249 is awkward as it has extra windows in the van end, grills on the sides, one side window half whited out, and various other underframe cases and boxes. Plus LED tail lights on the ends!

Generally though, they aren't too much modified externally, except the addition of toilet waste tanks nowadays. 21096 (60007's support coach - currently out of action have new tyres fitted) is I believe the only Mk1 currently running on BR1 bogies with roller bearings, rather than oil axleboxes.

Chris your contributions are becoming a bit like Google's AI. Lots of words only vaguely related to what's being asked! 

I looked at doing E21249, Tornado's original one, but the unique window arrangement meant I basically couldn't be bothered! I also preferred the look with all carmine and cream, rather than having one maroon coach in the rake, even if prototypical.

Support coaches for both Tornado and Sir Nigel Gresley are on the to-do list. I've done some very basic research. Haven't taken it any further yet. I'm focusing more on my aircraft modelling these days.