Model Railway Forum

I have started my layout in my ‘shed’ as I call it which is in a concrete sectional garage with an up and over style garage door as the only access. I have recently had power provided to the shed which is a great boost. It is a maximum of about ten metres from my house.
I would like to try and up security on it but I am not sure of what is best to do. I will not be leaving any locomotives in it although I will leave my other rolling stock which will be 95% wagons. It is covered by a LED floodlight and PIR sensor on the house side and the other side is tight to my back fence.
The vast experience of members on here will I am sure be able to offer many suggestions on what I need to do to up my security and I look forward to hearing them. Thank you in advance.

Realistically if someone wants to get in, nothing will stop them, so all you can do is make yours ‘difficult’ to persuade them to look for an easier target.
For an up and over door, how about looking at something removable but lockable at the base to prevent the door from opening, maybe one of those fold down posts you often see across parking spaces?

Attach 2 X Pad Bolts to the Door near the top so the door can not slide inwards the one i have listed is Stainless steel but galvanized ones can found for around £5....https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Stee ... B00W5IIINQ

It will depend on how much you're prepared to pay - your burglar alarm system may be capable of being extended to the garage - it won't prevent them getting in, but it will let you know something is amiss.

If it can't be extended (wireless ir sensors are available) think of using one of the many systems to monitor the inside that are intended for either 'baby monitoring' or monitoring the house. Cost, as always will control what you do.

I believe that the most security door you can fit is a roller shutter door. They must be good or so many shop premises would not have them fitted.
But as said if they want to get in they will but a good roller shutter door will make it as hard as possible. Then of course you have the problem of locking it. There are many types of locks from padlocks to other built into the doors. Pad locks come in a huge range but in most cases a pair of large bolt croppers will over come them. There are some very good padlocks which are very hard to cut, but they cost the earth.
So the old story of you pay your money and take your choice. You do have one thing going for you is the fact you shed is concrete which has to be more difficult than timber to get into. Because most timber sheds are broken into via the back or side walls rather than the doors. Using a simple saw.
When I was in the fire service there were not many buildings that my trusty bolt croppers could not make entry to..... Even concrete walls can be cracked with the use of a hefty sledge hammer or cutting disc.

A very loud alarm coupled with additional security lights triggered by an internal motion sensor would be my choice.

We had our shed broken into Terry, and they waited till we went out. They can soon put a hammer through an alarm or drop it in a bucket of water. Often the lice who do this sort of thing are local or have done their home work.

teedoubleudee wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 1:05 pm A very loud alarm coupled with additional security lights triggered by an internal motion sensor would be my choice.

That sounds as expensive as a good roller shutter door. Trouble with an Alarm is people say that bl##'y Alarm is going again and get on with lunch, taking no notice... And does an Alarm have to switch itself off after a certain time these days.

footplate1947 wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 2:54 pm

teedoubleudee wrote: ↑Mon May 27, 2019 1:05 pm A very loud alarm coupled with additional security lights triggered by an internal motion sensor would be my choice.

That sounds as expensive as a good roller shutter door. Trouble with an Alarm is people say that bl##'y Alarm is going again and get on with lunch, taking no notice... And does an Alarm have to switch itself off after a certain time these days.

My shed has a very loud, motion activated alarm, professionally supplied and fitted for £50 - but I do live next to an alarm engineer, which helped. PIR security lights ain’t expensive either. Dread to think what a roller shutter would cost though.

Lockable security posts (post#2) from Screwfix are only £25

They range from about £300 (B&Q) to very expensive depending on the level of security you want. You can get a decent one for the cost of 6 locos aprox. When you look at it that way it is not so bad is it. I am told you can get a decent one for about £1000 upwards fitted. But doubt that includes locks.
My info is from local farmer friend who has 2 of the £1000 types, and he thinks they are good.