Outdoor Ttrack Support Material

[CUTLER2579]

As a new venture I would like to extend my "O" Gauge layout into the Garden at a height of about a metre off of the ground. I have been looking at different materials and came across :-  Egger Protect Grey Tongue and Grooved Chipboard Flooring 22mm x 2400mm x 600mm which is available from Travis Perkins, although I am sure there are other suppliers.

I think it would need covering with roofing felt,but I proposed doing that anyway. This is only a thought and I would be interested in comments from anyone who may have used it.

Regards, Derek.

[Stubby47]

Chipboard flooring sounds like it's for internal use, so might swell if outside, even if covered in felt.

 

Have you considered wood already treated for outdoor use, such as decking planks or creosoted fence posts?

[Fat Controller]

Use pressure-treated gravel boards from a specialist supplier (not a DIY 'Shed'). Paint all cut ends with wood preservative. I am lucky to live near Jackson's Fencing's HQ: if you have a lot of wood cut to size, they will even put it through the pressure tank. These gravel boards (about 1" thick and 6" wide) have stood the test of time better than anything else. Ply (outdoor quality) delaminated within a year. I would keep well clear of this, and other composite materials.

One product I've heard about is  in the form of 'planks' of recycled plastic, similar to those used for garden furniture, The problem might be fixing the track to it (self-tapping screws?)

[CUTLER2579]

Stubby47,

It is a special type of treated chipboard for wet areas in the home,so has some resillience to moisture and I was thinking of covering it with roofing felt to weatherproof it more. My original idea was to use Decking which is obviously treated to be exposed to the weather, however I used this for my deep beds where I grew my veggies. however this has rotted rather quicker than I hoped. it is of course exposed to the soil on one side which holds thje moisture against the timber for much longer than would be the case if it were a metre off the ground and exposed to a good drying northerly wind.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,Derek.

[CUTLER2579]

Fat Controller,

now that is not something I had considered, Unfortunately a long way from Ashford ,but I am sure I can source these from my local fencing guy. He is very good,found out I was putting up a fence for a little old lady in her 80's so sold me everything at trade price.

i like this idea and many thanks for taking the time to reply. Plastic Recycled planking looks superb,the price however is quite high and having obtained planning permission from SWMBO I am reluctant for her to see the cost. She does not realise the price of O Gauge track and how much of that I need. (40 Yards) . I am boss of my own domain when she takes the Dog out.

Regards,Derek.

[steve45]

38 minutes ago, CUTLER2579 said:

Stubby47,

It is a special type of treated chipboard for wet areas in the home,so has some resillience to moisture and I was thinking of covering it with roofing felt to weatherproof it more. My original idea was to use Decking which is obviously treated to be exposed to the weather, however I used this for my deep beds where I grew my veggies. however this has rotted rather quicker than I hoped. it is of course exposed to the soil on one side which holds thje moisture against the timber for much longer than would be the case if it were a metre off the ground and exposed to a good drying northerly wind.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,Derek.

Perhaps a membrane to separate soil from the decking would have helped.

 

Although the chipboard is suitable for wet areas, I would think that there would be a need for a covering such as tiles as well in bathrooms etc.

 

I presume that felt and track would be nailed and or pinned to the board, this will introduce holes through which water will seep to the board, so personally  I wouldn't use it.

 

Pressure treated gravel boards should be ok

[CUTLER2579]

Steve, 

I think I am already having second thoughts about this product,. I was going to use an adhesive to hold the roofing felt down to avoid water ingress,but I was going to screw down the track which would not really be a good idea.The cost of plastic decking needs to be fairly considered as the need for roofing felt is a saving as that would not be needed. However I think the treated gravel boards will probably see me out as I am 73 ?

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,Derek.

[daveyb]

Derek,,

 

The gravel boards are also known as ground contact pressure treated boards.  You can get them at a proper lumber yard like Travis Perkins or Buttles. Some of the lumber yards will do preservation pressure treating.

 

[Sturminster_Newton]

Recycled Plastic see:

 

https://www.filcris.co.uk/category/garden/garden-railway-products

 

cuts like timber fastens like timber but lasts like plastic...

 

At a metre in the air make sure you have adequate edge protection as not much survives undamaged from that height when landing on a solid surface.

 

IF you use timber make sure you use a decent quality preservative. From experience cut ends need a good soak in a bath of preservative Cuprinol Wood Preserver – Clear is my choice there are others Everbuild EVBLJCR05 Wood Preserver Clear. Every surface needs several good coats before construction and again once everything is erected only once you have it all completed should you start with a decent wood stain DO NOT USE PAINT.

 

Sikkens Exterior would be my choice, or Cuprinol Ducksback 5 Year Waterproof for Sheds and Fences.

 

Each alternative year a dose of clear cuprinol and the next restain.

 

That way the iffy rubbish that purports to be timber sold at warehouses might last long enough to enjoy a few running sessions in the grand outdoors.

 

My experience comes from assisting a cabinet maker construct a timber gazebo at a hotel 14 years on it's still standing...

 

My own line is founded on 50 tonnes of reinforced RMC and 2000 concrete blocks a somewhat different approach but then my railway is in bosky Devon woodland with a permanently high water table and winter flooding issues.