Moley48

Oh damn it! Just noticed one of my sander pipes is missing. :(

Uses concrete but not a concrete pad... The rod system uses a 600mm x 200mm hole with a large washer plate around a handspans distance up an M24 threaded rod to stop the rod from piling through the concrete once set. Which is why I'm considering ground screws. No concrete at all providing the initial foundation is suitable.

I'm the OP from the other thread about log cabins/sheds. I've not started on my build yet and it will probably be some time before I do get round to it..Although I have done a fair bit of research into it already. There is a chap called Grant williams who is building a model railway room on youtube and I cant for the life of me remember his youtube channel. Anyway, he built his own fully insulated "shed" following tutorials and guides from another channel called garden room gurus. Liam, the gentleman behind garden room gurus can if needed provide build packs (£100ish) with all the necessary parts including screws, roof materials, ground rod system, timbers and cladding etc. Aswell as places to get those parts and part #. I am going it alone having drawn up in cad a proposed design and then with a little bit of guidance from the above channel should be relatively straight forward. I was thinking of using a modernish ground screw system (in terms of garden room use) as my support work for the base. However, we had an old greenhouse removed years and years ago which has left alot of loose hardcore underneath the ground. Not ideal for the screws at all as they definitely need a solid consistent foundation to screw into. Although I know you plan to pour concrete this was not an option for me. Another thing is you can, depending on your area although seems pretty much the same nationwide from what I can gather. Build upto 30sqm providing you stay under the 50% restriction incl any other sheds, added bits from the original property design. I may need to inform about my planned room due to boundary restrictions. I need to get the plan off my other PC but I'm 400mm left and right of mine and my neighbours fence so a specific fire retardant exterior finish may be required. If I turn the whole thing 90deg and run it length ways down the garden this is no longer and issue. As I say not an expert by any means and have no experience of my own build yet, still learning.

I certainly wouldn't mind that from a modelling perspective but I need to run it by the boss. So I would guess probably not. Its going to be slow moving larger light engine movements too and from something to something. We also have an I-train license so it can also include automated movements where my dad can just sit back and relax. I'd love to get a semaphore on the layout too although not sure how to include yet. But I have a programmed Merg servo board with bounce and I know he likes the added realism of seeing the semaphore operate with the bounce program. I've got the book coming by Iain Rice this week so will have a good look at that. I'm sure it will help me out alot aswell.

We have a larger 16x10ft layout in the loft. So we have a collection (maybe 40 locos) already. The big issue is due to ill health my father cannot safely get in and out of the loft. So the big plan then was to create a generously sized garden room to transfer into but that is a big job as the garden alone needs quite alot of work before we even get to the stage of building the room. So thats how the current plan came about. I dont know how things will pan out but atleast he has this albeit small layout to enjoy in the living room.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've just purchased a copy. 👍

Primarily the layout will be for my dad to keep him occupied until he can get back up to good health and I know he would be happy to have anything I make but operational interest would probably be it's key feature. But I love sharpening my modelling skills with detail butbthat is secondary to the track plan and operations. I might have a little bit of room off main baseboard to have a traverser. Almost as if there is a portal that brings light engines onto the layout. Maybe move onto the layout from behind an engine shed

Yes very commited to the gauge. I know it's probably going to near impossible.

Sorry OO gauge. I know it's overly optimistic in such a small space but it's the best I can do at the moment.

Hi, We have plans for a large layout at some stage but at the moment my options are limited. The main focus right now is something end to end over an 8x2 baseboard for my Dad to use. I really would like to find something I can base off real life as that is so much easier than "what if" stuff with my lack of imagination. I am thinking shunting area with sheds that has its fair share of locomotives from a wide range of eras including steam. Heritage related or not. I'm not sure at the moment myself. Any ideas welcome it would be great also to find something with alot of documentation to back up the location aswell. So I can try and replicate alot of the details. Thanks David

Whatever the problem was it has cleared this morning. Pre-ordered 👍

You guys are prob aware of it already but I'm Just trying to pre-order 7714 on the accurascale site and I get this at checkout -

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.