Sayin' Howdy & A Question

[4-8-8-2]

I've been out of the hobby for 6 years after selling our house and everything in it and hitting the road in our RV full time. I have since found a great place to live with a big chunk of the full basement just beggin' to be filled with benchwork, mountains, streams, towns, and a few hundred feet of track... now the fun is about to begin.

I've started 3 HO layouts over the years, but never completed one as I moved around more than I wanted. I expect the currently unplanned layout will be in the 500 to 700 square foot range. I have not negociated the space with better half yet, but she understands my need for a large layout so should not be a problem.

In all my other homes, my basement was heated and temperature variation was never a problem. I think I may have some issues with this house. We use a wood stove on the main floor for most winter heating so basement gets pretty cool... in the 50 or so range during extremely cold weather. So...

How much trouble am I going to have with track expansion and contraction from temperature changes???

 

[Larry]

My metal building gets extremely hot in the summer & vice versa in the winter. Mine doesn't get as cold as in Nebraska, but I haven't had any problems w/mine. I use 1/2" plywood w/4ply & that base has been great. Give yourself a little space in the ends of your track about every other piece(HO scale is business card space) & you will have good luck. Now, if you use foam or something else I can't vouch for that base material.
Everyone that has their layouts will tell you the best way. Mine is quite large & I try to eliminate problems before they start.

Larry

 

[4-8-8-2]

Give yourself a little space in the ends of your track about every other piece(HO scale is business card space) & you will have good luck.

Larry

Thanks for the quick response Larry! The space you mention between track sections is for flex or snap track lengths? I've never used anything other than plywood base but I have been considering spline. 1/2" ply has always been easy to work with for me once I get past the splinters, and as you mention, gotta have the 4 ply stuff.