Railway modelling has many and varied interpretations and objectives. Some people just have an interest in running trains around a simple layout; others are more interested in getting as much track as possible on to any baseboard. Other people are more interested in creating an overall scene through which model trains happen to run, whilst still others are interested in reproducing a specific location and year in absolute accurate detail. Some are mainly interested in shunting wagons, whilst others prefer a main-line operation. Some want end-to-end operation, but others require continuous operation. Whilst American rolling stock and massive layouts are ideal for lots of modellers, there are just as many, if not more, who are only interested in British stock or even just Great Western locations and stock. The choice is yours. There are a range of modellers who are pushing the boundaries and creating layouts in a variety of containers and there are those who compete to create a layout that is more compact than any other.
Just as there are a wide variety of types of interest, there are almost just as many track sizes, from TT and Z gauges, through N and OO, HO and O, as well as all the narrow-gauge and fine-scale variations that exist. To the newcomer there is a bewildering array of choices and always someone on hand to tell you that their choice is the best, the most realistic, the most widely available, and so on.
One aspect that brings everyone together is the need for a solid baseboard on which to build a layout. This book is a guide to the design and construction of a variety of types of baseboards for railway modellers. It cannot be totally comprehensive as every single modeller with have his or her own needs for their layout in their situation.
As you have selected this book it is fair to assume that either you have decided to move on from a simple track that is taken up after each use and to put it on a more solid structure, or, more likely, that you wish to move into railway modelling with all that implies.
This book will take you from the very beginning through to the design and construction of a completed baseboard or set of baseboards for use in the home or for exhibition purposes.
Railway modelling requires a wide range of skills at different levels. These include design, choice of materials, woodwork, wiring, electrics, soldering, scenery construction and painting. This book will deal with all the skills required in the construction of the most important part of a model railway – the baseboard.
A baseboard is like the foundation of a house: if you do not get it right there could be movement, either vertically or horizontally, and the operation of the trains will continue to create problems. It has always been the case that the baseboard should support the track and be totally rigid. In the past this was achieved by using heavy timbers, especially if the layout was to be a permanent fixture. Modern thinking has totally moved to lighter and thinner materials, using effective design to provide the rigidity in just the same way that motor cars have moved away from a solid steel chassis to a lighter monocoque construction for their rigidity.
It is unlikely that any one person will have all the skills required for all aspects of model railway construction and operation, but knowledge and skill can be gained in a variety of ways. It is hoped that this book will see you over the hurdles of baseboard construction. Help is available from other sources. There are numerous monthly magazines and also a range of simple pamphlets on almost every topic you can think of. You can buy commercially constructed baseboards in a variety of stages of completion. Your local model railway shop is also an excellent source of help, but the widest range of assistance can be obtained by being an active member of your local model railway club. Most clubs will have a membership with a wide spread of expertise and members who are willing to help each other. If you share your expertise with others, they will share their expertise with you.
Another great source of information is the series of model railway shows. By visiting a show, you will be able to see a variety of different baseboards in use and you will be able to chat to a multitude of enthusiasts who will be able to give you a wide range of tips and guidance. It is also an opportunity to make contact with local club members, so that when you go along to your first club meeting you will already have made contact with several members. Local shows are far more use than the big national shows, as you will have greater opportunity to meet local people and they will have a greater opportunity to spend a little time with you. Some clubs have their exhibition layouts totally designed for exhibition viewing and their members are keen to explain to anyone asking; but there are others who admit to using exhibitions as an infrequent opportunity to run a full layout and have little interest in making it entertaining for the paying public. If you feel you are not wanted, pass on to the next layout where you will more than likely receive an enthusiastic welcome. I gained most of my initial knowledge from visiting shows and then quite a bit more from joining a local club. Even now I still gain information from shows and local club members.
Only recently I helped a member construct half a dozen baseboards, which had been purchased in flat-pack form and we both learned a great deal. This book, although designed to help you in the construction of your own baseboard, does have a section dealing with the problems and pitfalls of commercially purchased baseboards.
Finally, you can often purchase a second-hand baseboard via eBay or some other source. Just like buying a second-hand car, there are pitfalls and things to check out before committing to purchase, and these are also covered in the book.
I have constructed several baseboards specifically to allow me to illustrate this book and I have shown, in the detailed construction instructions, that there is more than one way of achieving the end result. In the descriptions of the basic, flat-topped baseboard, and the instruction on construction of the folding baseboard, I have shown two entirely different ways of gluing the cross-members in place. There are other examples of different methods of construction and you will probably find that you will discover an alternative to what is suggested in the book. My aim is that the book will have given you the information you need to construct a variety of different baseboards. I have kept strictly to baseboard construction and only referred to track design and layout as a source of information to enable the boards to be constructed.
The boards described are all designed for continuous running in N gauge, but for end-to-end running or for OO gauge the sizes of the board will vary, but the basic construction methods and requirements will be identical.
I hope that this book will guide you through all the pitfalls and enable you to make decisions about what you want to build and how you want to construct it. If, having used this book as a guide, you build a layout that is easy to operate and meets all your requirements, this book will have achieved its objective.