Advice needed about baseboards

[Gingerbreadman]

Hello all , just about to build my baseboards and would like to ask two questions to help me along . (1) I have to decrease the height on my layout to account for a fixed roof beam at one end of our build , what is the maximum angle to drop the track down before the running of the locomotives is affected ( I'm looking at about 2" from the normal height that the top base is at ) to clear the beam and ( 2 ) the layout would be above a waiting area / office style set up ( in the eaves as it were ) accessed by a pull-down loft ladder . Do you have to leave a " Safe Space " at the top of the ladder and then build a layout or can you effectively just climb the ladder into the centre of the layout . The area available to me is 17ft x 9ft square and shall be building 8ft x 2ft sections then joining them together using bolts and fly nuts . Sorry if what I'm asking doesn't seem to make sense but before I start to construct base boards I need to know the space I have , after leaving a safe space for others working on the project with me .. best Gingerbreadman

[Flashbang]

Hi
The recommend gradient for a loco pulling coaches or truck to climb is 1 in 30.
1 unit of rise equals 30 units of length. A 'unit' can be any measurement - Inch, millimetre, Centimetre etc

So to get say 2" inches of rise between two baseboard tops a length of 60" (5 feet) is the recommended minimum. You can go steeper, but you'll risk locos slipping. Note slipping is also an increased problem where the gradient is on a curve and steeper than that recommended.

As for your access/safe zone, I feel that so long as somehow you prevent yourself and anyone else from accidentally falling through the opening, then it will be fine to enter the layouts operating well area directly from the ladder.
How you prevent this and provide a barrier is the question???
e.g. A wooden safety bar lowered and locked into place as soon as you're in the area etc?

BTW you may find a baseboard section made into 8 x 2ft to be too unwieldy! Personally I would be looking at sections made into 2 x 4ft then secure together once in place. Trying to get a 8 foot long piece of baseboard through a loft hatch and turned to get it into place will be quite difficult.

[Rog (RJ)]

If it was my layout I would try to keep the gradients as shallow as possible. The recommended maximum of 1:30 (some say 1:28) can lead to disappointment when some models aren't able to make the ascent with even a modest train. Modern diesels with all wheel drive are usually OK but steam models can struggle due to their lower traction.

As to the safety issue of a hole in the floor, the best solution is to cover it over temporarily while you are in the loft with a strong board, possibly fixed with hinges, which will stand your full weight, maybe 19mm plywood or thicker. There have been many cases of people (and models) falling through unprotected loft openings.

[Gingerbreadman]

Thankyou Flashbang for the information about the gradient of 1 in 30 wasn't sure and didn't want the loco's and their coaches to fail because of a simple error in the base board construction . Re the safe area , the reason I asked was that to have direct access to the center of the layout would involve the ladder itself on the floor under our feet when in the closed position as we'd try to enjoy the layout and wondered whether I should sacrifice size of layout to ensure that the access to the layout in the first place was sufficient ... thankyou for your advice .

[Gingerbreadman]

If it was my layout I would try to keep the gradients as shallow as possible. The recommended maximum of 1:30 (some say 1:28) can lead to disappointment when some models aren't able to make the ascent with even a modest train. Modern diesels with all wheel drive are usually OK but steam models can struggle due to their lower traction.

As to the safety issue of a hole in the floor, the best solution is to cover it over temporarily while you are in the loft with a strong board, possibly fixed with hinges, which will stand your full weight, maybe 19mm plywood or thicker. There have been many cases of people (and models) falling through unprotected loft openings.

Thankyou Rog (RJ) for your advice also , the last thing I want is for someone to get hurt for something that can be avoided . Will look into what to do with the gradient issue a bit more I think or maybe sacrifice that whole area , will keep all informed ... thankyou for your advice .

[Gingerbreadman]

Hi All ; Update

Well I have now built the baseboards using 9mm plywood and 3"x2" timber for the legs ( supported by 2"x1" timber framework ) . I got around the drop down of 2" to account for the beam and now have the full construction exactly where I want it . I have built it really strong with adequate cross bracing . Re: the access point , I have decided against the loft ladder and I am now working on other idea's , the well area is large enough for four people to stand comfortably and safely enough away from the access point which at present is covered by a sturdy section of plywood . Talking to someone the other day about the top covering and they suggested the white underlay , in rolls , the same as which you put under wood flooring . Has anybody tried this method ? More questions to come ... Bye For Now .