My thoughts on a folding baseboard

[REB]

Hi,
I'm thinking of a folding baseboard 8'x3' with the joint at 4'. It will be 9mm ply and constructed just like an inverted wallpaper paste board with hinges the same and closing to protect the track. It will be on trestles. Thinking of a couple of flat steel bars bolted under the join to stop it sagging or a third trestle
At the moment scenery is not essential as the layout is envisaged to be an end to end shunting yard not necessarily with a loop which MG said is difficult at 3' wide. The idea is to see if 00 is for me or change to N later.
I know I'll have to wire the track across the join but I will leave the electrics until I've decided on the layout by trial and error.
Really at the moment I'm wanting views on the board I'm thinking about then I'll go and buy the wood.
I hope that was clear to understand, all in my head at the moment.
Rob

[RogerB]

Have you considered how you will achieve the hinge design so that one board lifts up and away from its counterpart? A simple hinge will cause the track on one board to impact the track (and eventually scenery) on the other board. It might be better to separate the boards and join them up for use with dowels and clips.

Also 4’x3’ will become heavy to lift. My layout is two boards 5’x2’ (so 10’x2’ when joined) but on wheels.

Many on here have done what you desire and have discovered their own solutions.

R-

[REB]

Hello Roger,
I will use the same hinge as on a paste table, Fitted on the side walls, which will provide a gap between the bases, should work the same way methinks.
10x2 could be an idea, a nice length for shunting, Lots to ponder.
Thanks
Rob

[RogerB]

Ah, I see now. You can tell I hardly do any decorating can't you? Of course, a paste table folds down so that undersides meet not one up over the other. That will indeed work although you will have to be careful not to catch anything when its folded. Don't want all your hard work going down the drain. R-

[Walkingthedog]

REB says he wants the track inside when it folds to protect it so your thought about keeping the track apart still applies Roger.

[RogerB]

I'm confused of Dorset now. Perhaps he's going to put the hinges on the other way up then. R-

[Brian]

To allow two baseboards to fold track to track then use conventional Back flap or Butt hinges but they then need to be fitted onto wooden blocks which are at least the height of rail top to baseboard top minimum. Or use the wall paper table hinges, but they tend often to allow only ashallow gap when fitted with the circular portion uppermost and may not give sufficient spacing to be suitable?
This gives the basic idea re wooden block and hinges Link to hinged sections of baseboard Scroll down the item a little. Image is here... link

[REB]

I'd better clarify. I will put a surround of 18x34mm round the board, the hinges(paste table type) will be attached to the side of the surround and as in a paste table the legs are inside the surround when closed likewise the track will be. Can't post a photo of the paste table
I think most, RogerB excepted will now be familiar with what I mean. No high rise building will be attached so will close ok.
Rob

[RogerB]

Clarification is enormously helpful. R-

[REB]

I was only jesting Brian as you admitted to always being decorating.
Rob