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HO Stanard Gauge Lightweight Retractable Platform
Richard is reasonably new to the hobby and is seeking advice from those who have more experience. Richard asks:
“I have limited space for a 6′ x 10′ platform. I haven’t constructed it yet. My space is in the garage but the car has to be in there too. I want to hang a track table platform from the exposed rafters. I’m thinking about some siccor hinges along the perimeter of the platform so that it can be pushed up & out of the way. I need very light weight & strong platform.
Is there some “super foam” or combination of plywood/foam, or some material that could satisfy this desire? The boarder frame could be either wood or flat metal bar (the kind with holes along its length). I’m still open to suggestions about this aspect too. In any case there will have to be some bracing underneath the platform itself. Any ideas? Any thoughts would be helpful.
I have not been involved with model railroading for a very long time, so I know that many innovations have occurred over the years that others may have found useful for or adaptable to such odd situations.”
To help Richard, please add your thoughts using the green comments link below.
2 Responses to HO Stanard Gauge Lightweight Retractable Platform
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Model Railroader has an article in their April 2009 issue, on building lightweight waffle-style bench work it mat fit your needs . You can buy single issue @ http://www.modelrailroader.com
Hi Richard, You could build a nice
shelf lay out around your garage and add 2 or 3 or more levels that would remain stationary. That being said, you could use 3/8″ plywood and 1″ styrofoam insulation
board glued to the 3/8″ ply. But first I would build a frame made out of 1″ x 4″ finish plank cut lengthwise in 1/2, so for each 8′ 1″x4″ plank you will have 2 pieces, you could use the full 1″ x 4″ for added strenth and ridged.
Once it is all together it will be strong enough and yet light weight enough for what you want to do, and then glue the styro to the ply.
How ever dont forget the weight of all of your finishing products of the lay out, mountains, trees, buildings, track, trains, vehicles etc. the list goes on and on. The frame work that Jack spoke about is a real nice set up. By the way a 6′ x 10′ layout is a real nice size with a lot of potential depending on the scale you are going to model. Getting back to the shelf lay out before you get started check out some of them in
model railroader mag. Tony P