I am planning to incorporate a working water fountain, possibly mister, into my train layout. Anyone think I am nuts, or have suggestions to prevent short outs or other water damage?
First, you’ll have to find some water in the scale you’re using. Seriously, 1:1 scale water just doesn’t look right.
Your right about the scaling issue. What about using a fake lake that had real mist going over it?
I dont know about a fountain with the mist, but I went to a local hobby shop train show last week and there was an N scale layout with a river that went over a waterfall into a pond, it was painted correctly and the water looked good going over the falls, he was using a small pump the kind that they sell with a ceramic lighthouse waterfall and it appeared to be within scale, little stones and a fallen tree gave the water a more natural look in the flow. Did not ask him about moisture problems with the trains. Give it a try if it don’t work you can always change it.If I had the space on my layout I would consider it.
That’s sounds like what I would like to do. I have a small pump that I bought from Michael’s. Where was the show? Do you know the name of the guy?
I wouldn’t let the water just sit around…its gonna stagnate when its not being pumped around. I’ve seen a few display layouts with real water but it has to be changed and cleaned regularly.
Vic
Sorry I don’t know the guys name, the show was at H&R Trains, Pinellas Park, Florida they have 2 a year one in the Mar. & one in Oct. usually a good turn out $1500. prizes to the best layouts, got many a good idea from these shows.
Beeline
You could probably use a fi***ank style water pump/filter unit. Ther’re fairly inexpensive and you’d be killing two birds with one stone.
I have a small pump that I bought from Michael’s that seems to work real well in some trial runs I’ve done with the set. I didn’t think about having a built in filter like for fi***anks. That would save a lot of hassle in cleaning it on a regular basis. My next challenge has been figuring out how to water proof in an inexpensive way two custom lakes (one to pump into and the other where the water flows to). Home Depot has pond liner, but it is very expensive. I will try to use thick shopping bags from department stores. I do want to have the water go over painter scenery like rocks and a painter lake bed. Any suggestions on types of paint or ways to water proof the scenery so that it doesn’t get ruined by the water?
Use water-proof paint - several coats. Another problem you may or may not have - do you have any critters around (cats, for instance) that will think you are making a watering hole just for them?
Not real experianced with Real Water, but, I would probably look at making the river or stream just like you would if it were being FAKED in by making a river bed, but maybe use fibrer glass. Paint it, Stones added or whatevery, and them a thin coat of Epoxy or Hydrocal. I would make it look like If the running water wasn’t really needed, ut the added efect of the water would be an added effect. Just my thought on it…Jamie
I don’t have any pets yet, but I plan on enclosing the set as a coffee table with a glass or clear plastic top that can be taken off for shows, etc. With the several coats, would I need to recoat it every once in a while?
Suggestions on how to water proof the hyrdocal?? I didn’t think it was water proof.
Jeez - One thing after another! 
If you have it enclosed, won’t you have problems with the clear glass or plastic top fogging up? And could this case problems with the condensation dripping down evuerywhere? Anyway, I doubt if you would have to recoat the surfaces, epsecially if you use a liner.
Thanks for the ideas and help. I like getting others’ opinions. I may not be able to use the pump while the case is closed. (my wife and I are expecting a baby in July and we live in a very small apartment as a “dorm mom” in a univerisity housing complex. I wanted something that would fit in the front room, could have stuff placed on it and keep the kid out of it when need be). I have some ideas about helping the table breath like small drilling holes in the table or leaving gaps in some places. I’ve been trying to work out the workings of the set that I want and then try to accomodate the problems that it will create like condensation.
Personally,I would`nt use real water on a layout.Eventually it would cause corrosion,which even humidity is a problem.Many modelers use de-humidifiers in their layout room to cut down on moisture in the air.With water flowing,you would increase moisture.Corrosion can be a real bear! I agree it would be better to use one of the fake water products out there and can be detailed to look real.Lot of articles in MR in the past that shows techniques for realism.Flowing water looks great,but leave it in the sink.Just something to think about. Horailfan