Moley48

Thanks for all your input guys 👍 I dont know how quickly things will progress but I think a Custom self build is the way I am going to go. I think the foundation of choice will now be ground screws. Perfectly sturdy and strong with the right structural timbers on the base.

thanks again @Andymsa Just out of interest. Anyone used Project timber sheds? It could be modified with insulation of a certain thickness. https://www.projecttimber.com/garden-sheds/24-x-14-garden-sheds/pressure-treated-traditional-windowless-apex-grandmaster-workshop/#size

Thankyou @Phaetonand @Andymsa Its great to get info from people who have been there and done it! I did look into the Progrid and pea shingle option for the base but as you have found long term he many not be such a good option. I will probably go for 600x600x50 concrete slabs instead of poured concrete. It still provides a solid base providing the prep of the foundation is adequate. The cost difference wont be too much of a difference from what I gather between a concrete base and slabs but something solid but semi permanent would be better for me. I like the cabins but I'm also liking the idea of fully custom built shed and built by me without the extra "customisation" cost! For instance I am considering skylight windows in the apex instead of side windows so I can run the baseboards at a decent height with full backscenes. Also have a centralised double door so I can have a lift up section in a better position when entering the room. Good insulation all round and ventilation should also mean better performance at similar prices to something inferior. PD wise I think I will be OK but will probably run it by planning regarding the 50% rule due to two other sheds. If I go 24x16 I am also under 2m from the boundary so a maximum total height of 2.5m which is fine as that makes it less conspicuous to the surrounding area. I had a trial run on a layout build in the loft but due to a low pitched roof its less than desirable and its not easy now for my dad (who's the main reason for the layout 3yrs ago) to get up/down the loft. Anything I do now, has to be right from the off.

Yes, I'm edging towards a self build. Once I've got a full shed in cad I can determine materials and cost. I've seen people insulate cabins with floating stud work with sliding fixings but I don't fancy that idea.

Just messing around in CAD - 24x16 base. changed to 2x6 joists.

I'm going to look into DIY cost and draw up a bill of materials. The build wont happen that soon anyway so plenty of research time.

The site has gone very slow all of a sudden. Its normally OK. Ground prep still looking into. Concrete base or maybe Concrete slabs as I have some 600x600x50's already that I can relocate. Dunster do a progrid that you can fill with pea shingle. I know the cabin wont have a great deal of weight (no heavy machinery with a small footprint) so the grid may be an option providing its man enough (also not sure about degradation). I will do everything myself so saves a few £££s.

Thanks. Whatevers decided in the end it needs to be an improvement over the loft space. The more stable (temps) the better.

Hi, I am researching everything from the ground up. As well as starting a new anyrail plan for a new layout that should eventually be in a space 22x12ft... I've noticed a few people now are using log cabins for their model layouts. I just want to know how well they have handled the seasons from your first hand experience? If you have an alternative setup to the log cabin I'd also be interested to hear about your experiences.. I dont want to go to the expense and hassle of buying and building a large cabin only for it to not be upto the job. However, at the moment I am looking keenly at the dunster Rhine Grande Log cabin with floor and Roof Insulation only. Standard 45mm log wall thickness. They do a 62mm log with sandwiched insulation at considerably higher cost but may be worth it? Base wise I was considering dunsters progrid as we wont have anything that heavy in there. OR, concrete slabs. I'm not too concerned about expansion issues of a log cabin. Alternative to the above idea is get a similarly sized shed and buy insulation for floor, walls and roof and get better overall insulation at a fraction of the cost. But that does come with its own downsides too. Any thoughts appreciated!

Nope, I'm useless with stations/roads. I knew banksy tunnel and also snowhill only because I'm looking at a girder bridge not too far from Snowhill station. Any others (a small handful) I could think of were at the end of the platforms. My dad knows is stuff but he is dealing with health issues at the moment. I'm trying to crack on. In the hope he will get better and he can enjoy the layout. 👍 PS. I'm very grateful for all the suggestions!

Yes. No excuses now!

This is brilliant! Gives me so much more scope with a mix of artistic license but yeah. Should be able to make something reasonable now.

Well it looks like I've got plenty of research material. Appreciate all the suggestions. Its definitely kickstarted my enthusiasm.

These are excellent suggestions. Will definitely help! There are some new ideas to be taken from rugby and Leeds that is for sure. Thanks alot!

Hi, Roads under stations? Does anything like that exist in the UK? We are to keep three large platforms (I'm under strict orders!) which means one of the roads that use to pass under a girder bridge will now go slap bang underneath platform 5/6. I'm looking to keep our scenery as believable as possible but I think this might be a stretch too far. Cheers David