Hi I want to have train running around my cafe. And I don’t know anything about. How much would it cost for 250 ft.? I am in San Francisco area. Where can I find people to help me built it?
If you don’t get a better response here, go to a good magazine store and look for Model Railroad magazine, in the back of the magazine you’ll find a listing of hobby stores by state & city, a store’s personnel will be happy to hook you up wiyh the right local people.
Meanwhile, get ready for some posts…
By “T-bar ceiling” do you mean the stuff that holds up ceiling tiles?
I would say that stuff is structurally very light. It’s not going to have much stability. You can’t just hang track - it needs to have something rigid underneath to give it support. The track itself is generally pretty soft and flexible. (Well, duh, that’s why they call it flex-track, huh?) Also, you would want a reasonable “shoulder” on either side of the track so your cafe’s patrons don’t end up with a log car in their latte.
And then there’s the matter of San Francisco. Just thinking about having an elevated layout running around above me in a seismically-active city gives me the shakes.
I would mount this to the wall, not hang it from the ceiling, and maybe use a wide Plexiglass piece so the trains could be seen, but couldn’t fall if there were a derailment or a visit from Doctor Richter.
It’s a pretty safe bet that when the fire marshal or building code official shows up for a routine inspection he’ll tell you to get that thing off the ceiling. Check with an architect for appropriate methods for attaching the required shelving to the wall.
I’ve been out of the city for the past 6 weeks but there used to be a restaurant on the southeast corner of Polk/Pine called Polk Street Station Diner. They have (had) exactly what you are looking for and maybe someone there could help you. Their address is 1356 Polk, phone: 415-776-8899.
I’ve eaten there many time and the food is just ok but I did enjoy seeing the trains that were on display all over the restaurant.
Hope this might help,
Wayne
There is a manufacturer out there who makes a system for hanging tracks from a ceiling. I’ve seen it used in at least one hobby shop locally. I just forget who the manufacturer is…
Thank you all… I will go check out that place. Now, I know where to start… Thanks again.
You did not mention the scale you are considering; should we assume G scale?
There is a support system for around the ceiling G scale that attaches to the wall; I have seen one at a restraunt in Maine. It uses plexiglas for the ‘roadbed’ so those below can see the trains better. Get a copy of the Walthers Large Scale catalog from a local hobby shop or order it directly from http://www.walthers.com/ you may get some good ideas there; also look for Garden Railways magazine at the hobby shop.
Another thing to consider, besides the fact we live in a seismically active area, is to put some sort of safety rail along the edges of the supports in case of derailments. Large Scale equipment is heavy and can cause serious injuries or damage if it happens to derail and fall on someone or something.
Check out this overhead system
Go to talbot’s in san mateo, their hobby section has one up and running!!!
newkid,
Get a copy of Garden Railways Magazine, also published by Kalmbach, and look through the advertisements for “suspended railways.” There are at least 3 companies that advertise in it.
The closest to you is Jules’ Toy Trains, 3500 Winding Creek Road, Sacramento, CA. Their web address is http://www.julestoytrains.com