How to suspend model train from ceiling?

Finished project

To save space in our kids' play room, we would like to install some sort of suspension model train from the ceiling, like the one in the picture. We're just not sure about what material we could use to lay under the track itself. I'm not sure what they used in this photo, it was an old one I found on the Internet, but we'd like to do something similar that can accomodate bends (room corners).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Suspended Train Set.jpeg

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @deb4981. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about constructing an elevated railway.

Do you think that this raised platform serves any functional purpose? If not, then cutting the lower section out of MDF panel would make the job a lot easier. I can only think of constructing the boxed section with two MDF panels, one on the top and bottom and a 3mm panel for the sides. I've constructed a rendering for you below, which should illustrate better. Alternatively, if you didn't want to create the boxed raised section, it might be easier to glue a few 18mm cutouts of the track together.

Let me know what you think of using the MDF panel.

Mitchell

deb4981

Hi @MitchellMc!
Thanks so much for your suggestion and effort putting together the fabulous rendering. No, we don’t need it to be a box shaped platform so we could probably just use the MDF panel. We’re not all that experienced using a jigsaw though. A good excuse for hubby to go shopping! Any suggestions for the ceiling brackets at all? Thanks again!

MitchellMc

Hi @deb4981,

It looks like they've had some custom frame welded up, which they've suspended from the ceiling with a length of threaded rod. It has two nuts and washers at the top of the frame to adjust its height and level the track. I suspect they are suspending from quite a high ceiling here. I've included a quick rendering below.

You could create these rectangular frames out of 42 x 19mm DAR Pine and screw them directly into your ceiling timbers. I would think that would work sufficiently and should be easy to create. I popped another rendering below of this.

Mitchell

Tim Hanger.png

deb4981

Great suggestions! Thanks so much for your help @MitchellMc ! 👍🏼😊

MitchellMc

Keep us updated on your project @deb4981. I can't wait to see it come together!

Mitchell

Noyade

Hi @deb4981

Interesting project!

Have you exposed beams as seen in the photo you posted above or will you need to punch though a gyprock ceiling?

Cheers.

deb4981

Hi @Noyade !

no, no exposed beams. We’ll have to go through the gyprock.

darrkon79

Hi all, just an update on this project. I ended up doing a much simpler design which is basically upside down shelf brackets to make a shelf around the room.

I used MDF cut to track measurements in the corner and the 110x18mm DAR skirting board from Bunnings for the straights. It’s a bit rough and ready, but finally the track is complete and the train is running. Just going to put some strip lights behind it and good to go.

Next stop is through the walls into my daughters room and basically mirror this layout. Here’s a picture of part of the layout!

cheers.

EricL

Hello @darrkon79

What a beautiful railway project. I'm sure this is going to look awesome once the strip lights are in place. I'm sure everyone in the family will enjoy the train run once the railway is complete. Please make sure to post an update, I'm sure our members are looking forward to the final reveal.

Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful project.

Eric

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @deb4981

@darrkon79 train setup looks the simplest and strongest to build not to meantion pleasing to the eye addition to the room,

darrkon79

Thanks guys.

I’ve attached a few pictures with the lights up. The light strip is some 10M Arlec grid connect from Bunnings. It’s not quite long enough to go around all four sides of the room so I’ve settled for three sides (not sure if I can extend this past 10M)

In the corners I used the included joining strips to move the lights from the top to the edge since you can’t easily bend the strip horizontally.
I’ve also used adhesive clips to attach, not the backing strip so it’s easier to remove/adjust.

Cheers

Dave-1

Afternoon @darrkon79

Seriously want this as a kid! 🙂 Love the effort you have gone to in creating it 🙂 Even as an adult id just be happy sitting back watching the train trundle around the track! 🙂

It looks straight out of a storybook!

Dave

MitchellMc

That's one of the best things I've ever seen @darrkon79! Well done, and thanks ever so much for sharing your results.

Mitchell

TedBear

Hi @deb4981 , ( this is just a personal viewpoint, not advice): although I agree with @Jewelleryrescue that the design of @darrkon79 would be easiest to build, strong and looks great, I find that the view of looking up at the sleepers overhanging the steel (or other material as suggested by @MitchellMc ) support adds a sense of drama to the look of project. Which effect you choose will depend on where it's going and the effect that you want of course.

stackhat

@darrkon79 & @deb4981 You guys have to stop. You’re making all the other parents look bad! Haha. Well done though. I’ve always wanted to do something like this but with Scaletrix. Maybe if I snag the 200 million powerball next week…

darrkon79

Hey @TedBear - 100% I agree the original picture looks more professional and almost somehow realistic, especially with that exposed sleeper type track. I suspect it is as was suggested two layers of MDF with thin ply to form the box shaped support section.

I am not sure how stability would work suspending something like that from metal rods either - It must work though as it is not the only suspended layout I have seen online for sure. Other people suggested i should make the track shelf floating with I guess metal rods into the beams and holes into the side of the shelf so there is no visible bracket.

When tacking this project though - one of the main considerations was simplicity and ease of build. If this was going to require very precise cutting and accuracy it would end in frustration. I was able to go from a couple of test brackets with a plank of wood to the finished project between the 9th of December and late January in my spare time only. I had to buy and learn to use a Jigsaw for this project!

As it was, trying to use a doweling jig so that I could have dowels between each board section was giving me heart palpitations from frustration. In the end I re-did all of the dowels twice using two different types of jig and they still don't line up very accurately. But I went with the old saying 'Do your best, silicone the rest' and just pushed on. The track is not exactly centered on the shelf, but the shelf is wide enough to accommodate some leeway and still keep things working. Also the track I have used 'Lionel FasTrack' although costly and only available from US (Amazon), it clicks together and is very strong when making fine adjustments, it won't kink or buckle like other exposed sleeper track types.

I ran our larger Christmas train 'The Polar Express' up here to check track clearances etc.. and dang - a big train with a lot of details and illuminated carriages REALLY looked awesome running around the room. I think Thomas will be relegated to a crash test train and we will replace him with something a bit nicer.

Cheers!!

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