Housing a Model Railway

[first timer]

I,m thinking of buying a shed to house my model railway, can anyone advise me a cheap way how to insulate the shed and the cost if anyone has done it, also fitting mains electrics the shed will be 8 foot x 6 foot

[Bob Tidbury]

My shed is 24ftx12ft and I put polystyrene sheet .between the uprights and then the plasterboard with the silver foil on over that then we wallpapered over it all to hide all the joints .
If you insulate the roof as well remember to leave an air gap and air vents either end otherwise you will get some condensation on the ceiling, dont ask me how I know but I came down one day and found I had a water feature that I hadnt planned.
Bob Tidbury

[The Q]

I too fitted polystyrene between the battons for insulation, I then clad the interior of my shed with cladding boards(thin pine planks) not the cheapest but easy to manouver in a small space. Building your own shed rather than a kit is Cheaper, but that depends on your skills and tool availability.
Polystyrene sheet a 2400mm by 1200 by 25mm is about £7 you might need 10 of them or 20 if you can get a double layer between your battons. so thats £70  or 140.
What you cover them with is, is up to you, plaster board is cheapest but soft weak and liable to absorb damp if you are in a damp area thats about another £70. My preference would be thin ply, but that would cost you double that.
If your Shed has a window don't forget to insulate that with a clear sheet of plastic, it makes a suprising difference.

Shed electrics, Are you a qualified electrical technician? what skills do you have that way?
If not, then if you want a permanent electrical connection you'll need some one who is.
How much? that would cost depends on how far you are from the supply, whether you need armoured cable under ground or a suitable cable overhead. Then what sockets and lights you'll want inside the shed. That will not be cheap...
The cheapest way would to be a proper extension cable run it out to the shed each time you want to use it.

[cohort]

here's a tip for insulated windows. Keep your eyes open for a local window installer in your neighbourhood who is replacing someone's double glazed units. Ask all concerned nicely and you could walk away with a freebie double glazed panel or two. It certainly beats putting clear plastic sheeting up at a single glazed window. I did it on my shed and it worked a treat. It looks smart with Georgian inserts. 

[first timer]

Sorry I,m a bit late thanking you all for your info but thank you. Can anyone advise me how high my layout should be when I eventualy get my shed, I,ve been advised it should be 1 mitre from the floor for an ideal working height, would that be correct?

[Newportnobby]

That's a bit difficult to answer as we all have different body heights and lots of us have back problems.
I'm 5ft 9in tall but am prone to putting my back out so my main layout is 44" from floor to baseboard top. I can crawl under the layout to do something provided I am very careful

My end to end layout is carried on 3 x height adjustable trestles so I can adjust things to how I feel at the time.

[cohort]

I have opted for a little over a metre. I find 42 " to be a comfortable height and that just gives me that little bit extra wriggle room for any work I will have to do underneath. If you are of average height and suppleness then it would be just as well to bear that need for extra space underneath in mind


     Steve

[The Q]

Because both stations are built on gentle hill sides.
The Base level of my layout is 36 inches, the minimum and normal track level is roughly 40 inches, but will go up in places to 44 inches.

So thats about the Metre height at 40 inches. I am 6ft tall, but will not be crawling under layouts, as all the wiring / pointmotors will be brought to the front or back of the layout.

[Bealman]

My layout is 48" off ground. Always been happy with that, but
with advancing years, find even that hard to get under.

[first timer]

Thanks for all your advice, I,m 6 foot and have a bad back problem and dodgy knees so higher might be better do you think !!!!!!!!

[Bealman]

There are a lot of enthusiasts (popular in America) who like layouts at eye level.

[The Q]

Eye level in most uk sheds, will leave no room for a railway on top of a layout!!!

[Bealman]

 

[Newportnobby]

Thanks for all your advice, I,m 6 foot and have a bad back problem and dodgy knees so higher might be better do you think !!!!!!!!

That's a 'Yes' from this old scroat

[Delboy]

Hi first timer,
With your back problem, I think you would be wise to build it at eye level. IMO it is great to view the locos at that level without stooping and certainly makes wiring beneath a lot easier. I am just under 6ft tall, do not suffer from a back problem myself but as mine is a large layout, to hopefully fill my retirement years, I have opted for eye level and modified a wooden chair (slightly cut down but castors added) which makes wiring underneath a dream as I can remain seated and do not need to duck when messing about below the layout.
Regards Dennis.