www.brian-lambert.co.uk

A new layout in the making!
This page is to be updated as work progresses.
Please call back to check progress
High Hopes
Baseboard configuration.
Basic track plan.
The first steps were to obtain suitable timber (Planed Square Edge - PSE) and sheet boarding for the tops. For this project I am trying 11mm thick OSB3 board (Orientated Strand Board). Underside outer framing will be of 69mm x 18mm PSE and cross bracing at 300mm intervals made of 44 x 21mm PSE. These will before fitting, have three 15mm dia. holes drilled in them nearer to their top edges. These holes will allow for later wiring runs.  The deeper outer framing will help protect the point motors and other underside electronic items and give good rigity and strength, while the smaller cross bracing timbers, when installed narrow edge to baseboard, give strength to the top but reduce overall weight. Fold up self contained legs will be added too.
The first frames and tops are constructed
Fold up legs are constructed from 44 x 21mm PSE and braced apart by two horizontal timber braces which are screwed and glued to the legs. Each leg has an adjustable foot and 200mm Tee hinges are used to act as the pivots.  Each leg is braced in the open position by a diagonal timber strut with Back Flap hinges at each end. See details below
To allow the fold up legs to be stored within the framing of each baseboard yet still allow the leg to be firmly locked in the down position 32mm Back Flap hinges are used at both ends of the strut. Each hinge has its original pivot pin removed and discarded and a split pin on a short length of chain is used to retain the struts firmly and securely. These make folding up the legs very quick and simple.
As of today 04-08-20 I have constructed five of the seven baseboards - Nos 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 are ready for a coat of varnish or dilute PVA to seal them and then once dry I need to make room for the last two boards in the garage by moving them all forwards.