Layout Cover

[mikeeyh]

SWMBO banshed my layout to the loft a while ago, but due to life I've only been up there twice this year (mainly due to not being physical able to use the ladders).

I've just spent the last hour cleaning the track but due to the heat have come down without even running a train :'(.

What would people suggest to cover the layout with.

I'm thinking an old curtain, I'm still expecting to have to clean the track but hopefully covering will save a bit of time.

[scotsoft]

I would think an old curtain would do as long as you can get it on and off without damaging anything but you do need some means of keeping yoursself cool when in your loft.

I can recommend these track cleaning pads, just fit them and run them round your track and they do an excellent job in keeping the track clean 

http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GM39&r=1

or Noch do a similar pack of five:
http://www.reynaulds.com/products/Noch/60158.aspx

cheers John.

[Southernboy]

For covering my layout I use that ultra-thin clear plastic the dry-cleaners put your suits in.

Because it's so light and thin there's little chance of it catching and damaging anything on your layout  - and because it's transparent you can still see the layout even when it's covered

[Luke Piewalker]

I'm contemplating using very thin plastic dust sheets. I suppose you need some way of holding it in place without crushing anything.

[Newportnobby]

Not sure old curtains are the answer
Curtains attract and hold a great deal of dust. You only have to take them outside and beat them like you used to beat rugs and you'd be amazed at the clouds you can produce

[RChook]

Maybe a plastic tunnel cloche as used by our gardening friends, seem to vary between about 45cm and 1m wide, so might need some sort of sub-frame to enable doubling-up.

[Luke Piewalker]

Or if there isn't anything crushable you could get a polyester tarpaulin/groundsheet (less than a tenner on ebay). Relatively light but pretty sturdy.

[mikeeyh]

Cheers All

Now looking on eBay for a Cheepo tarpaulin

[Paddy]

For covering my layout I use that ultra-thin clear plastic the dry-cleaners put your suits in.

Because it's so light and thin there's little chance of it catching and damaging anything on your layout  - and because it's transparent you can still see the layout even when it's covered

So where can one buy this sort of plastic from?

Many thanks

Paddy

[Phil Hendry]

If it was me, I'd go to B&Q and get their thinnest, lightest, plastic painting sheet.

[Paddy]

If it was me, I'd go to B&Q and get their thinnest, lightest, plastic painting sheet.

Ah already tried that but the plastic is rather heavy compared to the stuff that dry cleaners use.

Paddy

[Southernboy]

For covering my layout I use that ultra-thin clear plastic the dry-cleaners put your suits in.

Because it's so light and thin there's little chance of it catching and damaging anything on your layout  - and because it's transparent you can still see the layout even when it's covered

So where can one buy this sort of plastic from?

Many thanks

Paddy

From the dry-cleaners

You don't need to buy it - just either use the plastic that is wrapped round your own cleaning, or ask family/friends/neighbours to give you the plastic wrapping when they pick-up their own cleaning

[scotsoft]

Why not make a frame out of canes and cover it in clingfilm 

Very lightweight and very cheap to repair if you get a tear 

cheers John.

[H]

That's rather inconsiderate and unfortunate in being banished to the loft when you have physical difficulties using a ladder. It's not going to get any easier as you get older so perhaps you need to think about getting proper loft access stairs to make it easier. Then you'll get more time with the layout and use it more which will help reduce track cleaning requirements (especially if you run track cleaning trains).

H.

[mikeeyh]

That's rather inconsiderate and unfortunate in being banished to the loft when you have physical difficulties using a ladder. It's not going to get any easier as you get older so perhaps you need to think about getting proper loft access stairs to make it easier. Then you'll get more time with the layout and use it more which will help reduce track cleaning requirements (especially if you run track cleaning trains).

H.

That makes me sound so Oooooooooold.

I'm just about recovered from a badly broken leg (Fib & Tib were shattered, now on my way to being titanium man), but this year decided to have my hernia repaired, but it never went to plan 

Have you seen how much stairs cost, just think how many trains I could buy instead.