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 

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

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

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

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!