Model Railway Forum

Hello All,

I've always been interested in the hobby but have never got round to actually building a layout. So I'm now embarking on a U-shaped terminus-to-terminus one in my home office.

It's going to run on top of book cases and shelving I'm putting together as time permits, around the back of my work desk. I'm also going to build a new work desk which fits in with the layout if that makes sense.

I have what I'm sure will be just the first of many questions. Part of the 'U' will run around 12" above a radiator. This will be a non-scenic section. Should I worry about the track expanding from the heat from it and distorting..?

I'm going to knock some holes in the baseboard to allow heat through. The board itself shouldn't warp as the top is well-braced MDF and the legs are made from stud, again well-braced.

Kind Regards,

Shunts

Welcome to the forum. I can't answer the question you posed, but I'm sure some opinions will be forthcoming very quickly.

Ask questions and they are frequently answered fully with great experience behind the answers.

Welcome to the forum Shunt. How can you have a model railway in your home office? I would never get any work done
Not sure about the radiator, but I guess if the temprature is stable in there it might be ok. If it fluctuates greatly then it might be a problem. Would silver foil under the baseboard help deflect heat?

Enjoy

Hi
Firstly welcome aboard.

I think I would make an elongated cut-out slot along the wall side of baseboard and directly over the radiator to allow warm air to rise unobstructed then lip that slot with suitable timber or board to make a back and lay the tracks in front of this.

I doubt the heat from a domestic central heating radiator would cause any issues, but when laying track allow around 0.5 to 1mm gap for expansion and contraction in each rail joint. I use a piece of postcard or a business card as a temporary spacer while pinning track down. Lay track when the rooms temperature is around 20C is best.

That sounds pretty sensible so will do.

Thanks Brian,

Shunts

Welcome to the friendly forum. If worried about the radiator you could always shut it down and get a stand alone electric heater. I have one in my 16 by 10 timber shed and it soon gets very warm. Just a thought.

Mine is over a radiator. Not a problem.

Hi Shunts and welcome to our forum.

Welcome Shunts, excellent forum.

Welcome Shunts - great forum.