Just starting

[Clip]

Right so im just starting off building a railway in the back shed. Now i have knocked up a decent frame and have quite a large area to be putting the track down.. the only problem i have is waht to put on top of the bare wood.

Also will it matter much if it is a little uneven in places? Ive ran a test on it before i do anything permanent and there is just a small rise in one are but im worried that it wont happen when i get it fixed.


P.S i know i should have used a spirit level!!

 

[sprinterguy]

When you say a small rise, is it even across the baseboard or an undulation in a particular spot on the board? The latter is more likely to cause train derailments once track has been laid, but if it’s an even rise across the width of the board then it should cause less problems so long as plain track is laid across it: The main baseboard of my layout has a slight, even rise across the centre due to it being stored upright against a wall when not in use, which is less than a perfect situation for such a hefty lump of wood but it doesn’t cause any problems with the running of trains across it.

As to covering the wood, I would suggest painting it to protect the surface of the board and reduce any chances of damp setting in in the future: On my layout, the area surrounding track formations and roads are painted grey and scenic areas are painted green, fairly predictably. This also helps as a guide to where ballasting of the track should take place up to either side of the actual rails and sleepers.

 

[Clip]

Its just in the one place but i guess ill have to sort it out - its only where 2 boards meet so should be easy enough to do... Never thought of painting it to protect it but will do that once i have worked out my final layout.

cheers

 

[hairyhandedfool]

If there is a definate 'peak' it may derail your trains, especially where points and curves are involved. You might try raising another part of the board, or packing something under the track to even it out a bit.

 

[Clip]

I must admit its not too bad a peak and hasnt derailed anything on the test just when I start it off from one direction it doesnt make it over but after a good 2 yards of running then very engine makes it.

gonna trya and setlle it all this weekend.. Got pics from start to whenever i finish it too..

 

[YorkshireBear]

I made the mistake of not levelling mine in loft..... bad mistake... try to make any changes s gradual as possible, especially with larger steam engines they start to derail even on straights as the front wheels come up and move sideways.....