Ceiling Train (HO Scale)

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K

kezug

New Member
My son, who is 8, loves trains. Since we do not have a room to dedicate for a permenant layout, we decided to do an Extreme Bedroom Makeover. Together, my wife and I modified his room; new paint, custom desk and a train track on the wall complete with 2 types of truss bridges.

Now I understand this is not the ideal way to present a model train, but considering our limited space, and my son's love of trains, I just had to make the most of the situation. Plus, we still have floor space in the basement for him to do ad-hoc setups for unlimited combinations any time he wants.

The materials
- 1/2" MDF for the track shelf (shelf is about 7" wide)
- brackets from Menards (6" version is menards, but this is the 10" version at lowes to give you a better idea of what they look like Click here for Bracket
- and many various sizes of "doll" rods (only the square ones, not sure what they are called)
- and some trim

Here is a link to a You Tube video

Here are a couple of shots:
Early Build Stage:
trainbridge.JPG

A shot of the arch truss bridge
trainbridge1.JPG

A shot of the Howe truss bridge
trainbridge2.JPG

Rest of room
Room1.JPG


Edited on 4/9/08 to add more shots.
I didnt expect to get such favorable feedback as I have so many errors when factoring in true "modeling" and I very much appreciate the responses so far. Thanks.
Shot of train on the Arch Truss bridge:
trainbridge23.JPG

and from under
trainbridge22.JPG


Shot of train on the Howe Truss bridge:
trainbridge24.JPG

and from under
trainbridge21.JPG


some cool shots from outside the room to show both bridges.
trainbridge26.JPG


trainbridge27.JPG


The transformer Hidden on the underside of his desk
trainbridge29.JPG


And a shot showing a corner piece which measures 22" from corner to end. The radius is then simply a trace of 3 curved pieces, eyeballed to allow for 2 tracks.
trainbridge30.JPG



Any my bridge inspirations:
QUEENSTON LEWISTON BRIDGE
QUEENSTON_LEWISTON_BRIDGE.jpg


KANKAKEE RIVER TRAIN BRIDGE
KANKAKEE_RIVER_TRAIN_BRIDGE.jpg
 
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Its a great way to let him get involved. Depending on how much room he has, he might also be able to build a floor layout in this room every so often.
 
MPCRR said:
Its a great way to let him get involved. Depending on how much room he has, he might also be able to build a floor layout in this room every so often.
Click to expand...

When my son was 4, I made him a track layout using plywood that fit perfectly under his bed. We put up some grass paper, painted on some roads and a lake and fixed a loop track with 1 inside turnout (switch) for parking a train. He slid it out from under the bed when he wanted to play with it and then slid it back when finished. It was perfect, but when he got to be about 6, he wanted to start modifying it (he was hooked). So then in the basement, he would setup his own track layout ad-hoc style. This allowed him to be creative without having set boundaries of a fixed track.

As for the room, this allows him to retire to his bedroom without the hassles of laying track on the floor (the slidout is now dismantled) and to simply turn on his train (the transformer is concealed under his desk).

If he is still into trains, when he is older, we may carve out space somewhere in the basement for him to setup a scene like layout.
 
CanuckMark said:
Looks awesome! Great job on the bridges too.

So how does he access it? Small step ladder?

Mark
Click to expand...

The transformer is concealed under his desk. I ran 20 guage wire behind the drywall and up through his desk (all the wiring is hidden). The transformer is mounted just under the desk where he can turn it on/off when he wants.

The rules are that he is to never fix any derailements (none so far!) and that he must get one of his parents to help. I fear that he may stand on his desk to reach a train on the bridge and lose his balance only to grab on to the bridge and tear it down :eek: . I just hope that doesnt happen!

So, this is more meant as a fixture, but I told him, that once a month we can swap out the cars/engine and put up a different train. He has about a dozen different types of Engines and plenty of cars.
 
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I do have a question: I ran 20guage wiring throught the wall (its your typical wiring with a single coating on it).

Its hooked up to a transformer that accepts 120v and outputs 16 DCV and 18 ACV.

This wiring is running through the drywall, under the baseboard and then thru the desk to the transformer.

Is this type of wiring safe to put behind the drywall? Is there a better wire that I should be using?
 


WOW!!! LOOKS GREAT! im only 12 but im fascinated with trains and model trains... i know i young but i have a small layout in my room... aint that great i new at it... maybe i can get some help:confused: .......
 
Looks like every kid's dream as long as nothing falls on his head while it's running. :) As far as the wiring question, I don't think you have a problem assuming you know all the insulation is in place and not kinked. Any short in the wire should pop the circuit breaker in the transformer long before the wire gets hot enough to start a fire.
 
kezug said:
I do have a question: I ran 20guage wiring throught the wall (its your typical wiring with a single coating on it).

Its hooked up to a transformer that accepts 120v and outputs 16 DCV and 18 ACV.

This wiring is running through the drywall, under the baseboard and then thru the desk to the transformer.

Is this type of wiring safe to put behind the drywall? Is there a better wire that I should be using?
Click to expand...




acutaly this is fine... if there happens to be a short it will trip the CB (circut breaker) as i call it, that is in thee transformer... but if you are worried about it just get some differnt wire from lowes or homedpot. but yes you should be fine.....:D :D
 
The wiring should be just fine. If you really wanted to be picky you could run conduit then the wire inside it, or redo it with plenum rated wire (designed with special insulation that does not "gas-off" if it overheats). But the breaker on the transformer should trip long before you have a wiring concern.

Mark
 
CanuckMark said:
The wiring should be just fine. If you really wanted to be picky you could run conduit then the wire inside it, or redo it with plenum rated wire (designed with special insulation that does not "gas-off" if it overheats). But the breaker on the transformer should trip long before you have a wiring concern.

Mark
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark! I may just do the plenum rated wire as I dont want to have to open up the drywall to run conduit.
 


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