Baseboard for a circular N gauge layout

[rprodgers]

Hi

I had an idea for sometime to make a circular N gauge layout that folds in two, allowing maximum length trains to run on two circuits.

 

The circle being approx 4 ft in diameter.

 

The obvious thing would be to use chipboard without framing but this would make it very heavy.

 

I want this to be as light as possible and to be easy to put away. It will be cumbersome as it is.

 

Has anyone any experience of building something similar and if so how did they arrange the " framework" etc?

 

Thanks

 

R

[Guest]

Hi

I had an idea for sometime to make a circular N gauge layout that folds in two, allowing maximum length trains to run on two circuits.

 

The circle being approx 4 ft in diameter.

 

The obvious thing would be to use chipboard without framing but this would make it very heavy.

 

I want this to be as light as possible and to be easy to put away. It will be cumbersome as it is.

 

Has anyone any experience of building something similar and if so how did they arrange the " framework" etc?

 

Thanks

 

R

 

No no no no no no no no no. And erm, no. Chipboard is the Devil.

It's heavy enough on its own and used for a layout without bracing, it will simply warp. I've used loads of chipboard on a house renovation, but only tongue and groove 3/4" panels used as a sub-floor. Chipboard was popular, granted, but the only other use I can think of for it is to cut it into strips and feed a log-burner.

 

Consider an open frame ply construction, bracing is essential. You'll need the bracing to conceal wiring runs and point motors, not least that it will stiffen the whole structure. Also consider having it in two halves that can be completely separated for storage or transport, rather than one whole layout that just folds on itself.

There are a few circular layouts around. Google (and RMWeb search) is your friend.

[bigP]

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[Kris]

I have created a circular layout very similar in design to what you have described. I cut the circle then added the braces, I then added the edges to stiffen the board up. Getting the edges to bend was the challenge, and I used MDF. I created a multi layered layout which was fun. Unfortunately it was never finished. 

 

As has been said previously you do not want to use chipboard. 

 

Below are a couple of pictures of the layout early on in construction.