Baseboard for MidiMat

[Leeberry50]

Hi, my son has just got the industrial frieght set and an hst

the set came with the midimat and want to set this up on a portable base so that we don't have to build the track every time he wants to drive it. The board will either sit on the floor or on the table so doesn't need legs.

whats The best material for the top? Without overkill, he is still young so might change his mind about trains.

does it need bracing?

Does it need underlay for the track?

happy to construct myself.

thanks in advance 

[BreatGritain]

Morning

Most go for 9mm ply. I have screwed some battons underneath mine for strength. The track needs tacking to the surface so it can't move. Hornby sell their own tacks, but any will do.

I wouldn't bother with underlay. Most would recommend you don't use the trakmat, as it will likely have folds and creases, preventing the track being perfectly flat.

[Chrissaf]

..does it need bracing?

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I would say Yes.

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It sounds as if you will be lifting up the board and storing somewhere when not in use. No matter how careful you are, Ply is going to flex when lifted and moved. This will stress the track and track joints. Things might be OK for a while, but these stresses will lead eventually to poor running issues.

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Bracing will also provide a gap under the baseboard where wires can be routed.

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I agree with B.G ... don't bother with the track mat. The creases will prevent the track being laid perfectly flat. This is known to promote issues with the Hornby points if the creases are allowed to remain and are not adequately flattened.

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Everything you need to know about the track mat layout design is covered in my downloadable 'Getting Started' PDF. This can be downloaded from this forum page. Note that the PDF downloads in the background to your nominated browser download folder.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/track-extension-pack-guide/?p=1

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[Bulleidboy]

A sheet of 9mm ply with 2"x1" or 3"x1" bracing would be ideal. As to underlay for the track, the choice is yours - there will be dozens of answers on that! I agree, he may change his mind, so you don't want to go over the top in the early stages. With the bracing, I would suggest a framework which gives 12" squares - don't forget to drill some holes for the wiring. Best of luck and any questions just ask away. BB

[Leeberry50]

Morning

Most go for 9mm ply. The track needs tacking to the surface so it can't move. Hornby sell their own tacks, but any will do.

I wouldn't bother with underlay. Most would recommend you don't use the trakmat, as it will likely have folds and creases, preventing the track being perfectly flat.

Thanks for the reply, would the 9mm need bracing? or would it be ok just a sheet?

I think the mat is about 6x4

was just planning to use the mat as it's quick and colourful for my son. Haven't actually looked at it yet lockdown is preventing delivery of it at the moment.

 

thanks for the reply BB, I can't post any more so have to edit this as new account.

so the brace is made from softwood or ply? And glue and screwed? 

[Bulleidboy]

The problem with no bracing is that the board will warp or bend - even when you pick it up. The Trackmat can be fixed to the board with wallpaper paste. At 6x4, if you put bracing around the edge, and three lengths down the board and the same across, it certainly will not warp. Shouldn't take you long to do? BB

[Jimbo1707820979]

Hi Leeberry50. I have to disagree with some of the experts about the Trakmat.  I have used it successfully  without any wrinkles and it is an attractive starting point for a young child. If you take time to flatten it with weights and tensioning it as you pin down your rails  (I am not sure about ironing it) then your track can be laid down without problems IMHO.  I sense that you are keen to use it so hope this opinion helps.

[BreatGritain]

Hi Lee,

 

As others have said, yes, do screw some support to the underside. It's not ideal to use the trakmat, however I do have my trakmat on my board without major issue.

[Paulali]

Of course you can use the trackmat,just pva it down if its the pastic one,or if the trackmat is the paper one then use wallpaper paste on your baseboard,then you will have no folds or creases

[Leeberry50]

Thanks for all your help,

ans jumbopuff and PaulAli For your positivity about the track mat. I haven't seen it yet so don't know how creased it is but think will add some stimulus to the set up. 

best get building! Thanks everyone.

[morairamike]

You don't say how old your son is. The track mat is a good start point as it adds a third dimension to the layout, scenery, and thus points of interest, for him not just a bare wood surface. The other option is to copy it with houses stations and the other items that are on it. That takes a lot of time and he wants with your help to play with his trains now.

So I'd make the baseboard as others have suggested, use the track mat fixed down with pins and lay the track on it,  blow the whistle and play away.  In these days of stay home it will entertain you both. Then later if he is still into trains, expand the layout and adds scenery for real. Good luck

[Bulleidboy]

I have two Trackmats - I bought one (didn't we all?), then realised there was one in the box with the Flying Scotsman Set I bought in 2000 (R1039).  Although I have a room dedicated to my layout, I've often been tempted to build a board and attach the Trackmat - there are some good Trackmat layouts on YouTube. The FS set came with Track Packs A & B - so I bought packs C,D and E - so everything is ready to go - just space for a 6x4 board?

[Jimbo1707820979]

......and you can always paint out any features you don't like. Or add a wash of paint to tone it down or match something.

[Buz]

Hi Leeberry50

A model railway needs a good solid base board with the best materials you can afford..

A 9mm top will be fine but I prefer 12mm given you plan on moving it I would go with the 9mm ply.

You will need a frame the same size as the ply sheet with cross beams on 12", 300mm centers.This will give it a nice rigid frame I would also recommend screw and glue construction.

Don't forget a few 10mm holes in the cross beams to get wiring through this will come in handy later if your son takes to it, or you get bitten by the train bug.

You really do need a good solid base board so no short cuts that's the foundation of the railway and will contribute to reliable derailment free operation later.

Underlay is not needed and the foam stuff should be avoid like the plague it is hard to work with as far as getting a level track goes and cork underlay is only needed later when things get to more advanced methods even then it is personal choice.

Paint the board all of it, I would suggest two coats of an earth tone house paint this will seal it and moisture proof it, if trains are taken to any later scenery is a wet process that the board needs protecting from.

I am not a fan of track mats I don't like the designs on them preferring to design my own plan based on real real railway practices.

That said depending on paper or plastic a good quality wall paper glue or PVA glue will fix it down.

Track will need to be pinned down just enough to hold it in place DO NOT go down to hard or you will break sleepers or bend them putting the track out of gauge.

You mention placing the board on a table so get some sticky rubber feet space these evenly around the bottom so the board doesn't mark the table you don't want an angry Domestic Authority on your hands that will not be fun.

Hope this helps even if a bit long winded.

regards John

[Leeberry50]

thank you so much for all the advice, i am going to go with 9mm ply so can move it, and will brace it.

i am going to go with the track mat, but if cant get it flat will have to think again.

thanks for info about track pin and the rubber feet!

[96RAF]

You can get stick on felt pads in various sizes if the rubber feet are elusive. 

 

A tip to stiffen up your boards is to use a thin ply sheet on the bottom of your framework to make a closed box a bit like a cheap panelled door, but obviously you need to have finished all wiring before doing this. You may want the screw suitable handles to either the sides or ends to help with moving the board around.

 

The paper trackmat can be stuck down with wallpaper paste and the felt version can be tensioned and stapled down. I have heard of folk ironing them to get the creases out.