Ceiling Layout

Mike,

I have tested the track pulling 5 or 6 cars.  Since I don't have the loop finished, the existing track and some shelf space, became sort of a static display.  Otherwise all my equipment would have had to been stored in the boxes in the closet under the stairs.I supported the shelves over the doorways with L-brackets mounted on the wall above the shelves.  I would have rather mounted the shelves a few inches lower, but I have 3 doors; one to the outside, one to the laundry, and one to our daughter's art studio.  The art studio is destined to be my layout room once she moves out, whenever that will be.    That room happens to be 12 x 12.

That is very impressive!  You have quite an elaborate layout there in your garage.  It has been interesting seeing all the methods people have used to suspend the shelving from the ceiling or mounted high on the walls.

Dewey,

The shelving is very good looking.  You also made some elaborate shelves to handle tracks at different levels.  Thank you for the great photos.

I really enjoyed the video!  You went to a tremendous amount of work to put this layout in place.  I'm very impressed with your ingenuity!

I like how you put the telephone poles on the edge of the tracks.  Adds nice scenery, and something to help keep trains from falling off of the layout in a derailment.  I need to remember that when I do mine.

Thank you, Mike.  I do not know if the poles will keep the trains from falling off, but it is worth a try.  I thought they looked better than plexiglass, or some kind of railing.  The scenery is pretty basic so far, but it is amazing how much it enhances the overall impression.

Mark:  If you are concerned about falling trains you might put some fishing line between the poles.  It's very strong and you couldn't see it unless you were looking for it.  A small strip of plexiglass a few inches up would work to.  I don't think it would look bad.

my lhs has one on the ceiling the cool part it is g gauge.

John, I am not sure whether I am concerned or not.  I think about it, but haven't had issues.  My shelves have at least 2 inches to spare between the edge of the front track and the shelf edge.  I see lots of folks running with less edge than that and not having a problem.  Anyway, that will be a next winter project.   Thank you.

Hey Mark, its looking really good!  See you this weekend!

Thank you, Mike.  Yes, I'm looking forward to it.  IT should be a good event.

I hope you guys have fun up there in Butler 
Penn.  Isn't it as freezing and snowy up there as everywhere else?

Yes sir.  It warmed up a bit over the weekend, and melted most of the snow.  Now it is in the 20s going down to single digits and a little bit of snow.

They are talking about yet another large snow storm moving through Indianapolis from Sunday night late into Monday morning.  We have already experienced our record greatest snowiest winter ever in Indiana history.  Oh lucky us!