Ceiling Mounted Train/Airplane?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello all,

I’m preparing for the rapidly approaching arrival of my son (August due date) - I am preparing the nursery and had an idea.

Does anyone out there know of a ceiling mounted model train system (I guess the track would need to be suspended and run above your head) or a model airplane system, set up like a model train (just completely upside down) and the planes would hang down as they run around the room?

I haven’t been able to find it anywhere and I’m thinking of calling the paten office…yuk yuk.

Thanks in advance for your help.
spmlsu

2

Years ago there was a system that frequently appeared in model railroader issues. Primarily for G-Scale.

There is a hobby shop that I visit sometimes in Oldsmar,Florida. It’s called
“FRANK’S TRAINS AND HOBBIES”.

They have a very neat looking suspended track line from the ceiling that runs around the store. The supports look like real rust-colored girders even though they’re made out of plastic. The train that runs on it is G-scale size, but the realistic type. Locomotives are a pair of impressive looking, sound-equipped Alco FA units. They pull 15 freight cars on the track!

I haven’t visited this shop in over a year as it’s about a 30 mile drive from my house. Hopefully they’re still open. Here’s the phone number: (813)-855-1041.

Hope this helps!

3

There is a super market chain in my area (bi-lo) I think, that features a G scale train suspended from the ceilling. As far as I know, the few ceiling systems I’ve seen are custom built. A suggestion: Install a ceiling fan and attach model airplanes to the blades with lengths of fishing line. Use jets though as prop planes would never travel that fast and beware of the blast when they break the sound barrier[(-D][(-D][(-D][:-,][:-,]

4

Hello spmlsu, and welcome to trains.com…

There’s a restaurant in Houston that has a train that runs along a shelf near the ceiling.
I’m not sure, but I think it’s G guage. I wouldn’t mind having something like that myself.

trainluver1

5

spmlsu

You may be interested in some pix in my photo album:
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/thomasweber

I have a shelf-system for an O-gauge layout and also am constructing a ceiling suspension system for S-gauge.

Check it out … send me an Email if I can be of assistance to you! [tup]

Tom (Siberianmo)

P.S. You may get some additional help by posting your inquiry on

6

spmlsu;

The majority of ceiling mounted trains are custom built. I can also say that there is a restaurant in my area that features two ceiling mounted trains, both on shelves, both LGB G scale equipment. Working at a train store, we have a ceiling mounted train (also LGB.) This is custom built using shelving brackets, and other material (plywood, steel shelf bracing, and steel wires to support the outer edge), all of which is available at your local hardware store.

I would recommend using either G or O scale, anything smaller than that would be harder to see unless the tracks were lowered.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~