Thinking of hanging LGB “G” track around garage walls or close to the ceiling. Considered on using ¾" X 4" x 1/8" aluminum channel for the bed and then building some type of support system. Any ideas? Will the metal base cause trouble with any electrical? Any attachment ideas?
Most of us (but not all!) model in O gauge on this forum. You might get a better response on the “Garden Trains” forum.
Jim H
Can’t see any problems with metal base creating electrical problems as long as wires going through the base are well insulated. Only the noise factor would be a concern for me but it may not for you. Ken
I hung my “G” from my living room ceiling using thread rod. I put plastic anchors into the ceiling.
What you have to be concern with is if you want to run single or double track. Also what size engine you might want to run.
I started out with the idea of running smaller engines. Thread rod comes in 3 ft lengths. First I attempted to use 8/32 rod. It was hard to find. 10/32 was more available and cost the same.
I cut the rod into 1 ft lengths. Only my Bachmann shays height is a bit of a problem. It can be run by removing the stack.
I then decided to design it with double track. Now I had to figure in clearance between tracks. I laid out two 1/4 of a circle in 5 ft R curves.
I used my Aristo heavy weight passenger cars. I placed a sheet of paper on the floor and then the sections of track. I taped a felt tip pen to the outside corners and inside mid-point. I kept moving the cars back and forth to get the clearance between the two lines inside of curve. Then I increased the distance by ½ inch 1-1. Then I also added a ½ inch out for the hangers. I should have increased by 3/4 inch.
I let the track float (problem movement). I then fastened it down then needed some adjustment.
This ran great until I got my M.T.H. Challenger and then Big Boy. I had to add 2 inches to the outside clearance of the curves and adjust out the outside track.
Using metal of any kind for support, OK. You are building a trestle so you need a base everywhere. Wiring can be laid between the ties. Mine is only 18 X 13 ft loops. I just run up the feed wires. No others.
When I added a double cross over. I had to add over hang clearance in that straight section.
in the grocery store near me they made the roadbed from 1/2" emt. it bends well and is inexpensive. the 2 parallal emt loops are joined by crossties about every 6 inches which support the track. this assembly is hung by a thin but very strong wire about every 4 feet. the hanging wire is almost invisible. it works well and has been running for the past 10 years. the loop they have is probably about 150 feet of track. with this setup you can see under the trains.