Baseboard modules...Standard size(s) ?

[Peter Smith]

Is there a generally accepted size for baseboard modules ?
I'm about to start my first 009 layout and, inspired by my visit to the Mansfield open day,  I'm thinking to build it in modules.
Not wishing to re-invent the wheel, I thought I'd ask for members' views as to a practicable size for a module.
I've gleaned a lot of helpful info from recent posts, but nothing on size considerations.  I imagine I could cope with a board about 20 by 40 inches, in terms of lifting it into the car, etc, but is there a concensus view ?
Peter Smith

[Andrew575]

Hi Peter,

Many, many years ago we built a 009 modular exhibition layout on 4ft x 2ft boards (and 2ft x 2ft), mainly because the sheet materials (Sundeala, fibreboard etc) came in 8ft x 4ft sheets and this was the most cost effective route. The problem we later encountered was getting the boards into a smaller car as 4ft was too wide. A couple of boards had ovals built onto them, 2ft was OK for very small locos, but the radius was too tight for the larger ones. I think if I was going down the same route and building a layout with an oval then I would go for 30" deep. The width would need reducing to probably 42" to get into the car but again this would need checking. Two boards could even be used to gain a suitable width on the oval.
If you are planning just an end to end layout then any suitable depth for your scenic features would determine that dimension as each board could vary in depth.

Andrew
Barlborough S43

[Graeme Dunbar]

Putting Fremo etc. standards to one side, I think a practical size is one that suits you, your back, your car and your construction methods.

I have one 48" x 24" board. It is very lightly built (6 mm ply) and as it is a MERG electronics demonstration board it has no  scenery on it, just an integral backscene for attaching posters. It is easy to pick up with one hand, but if there was scenery it would be unwieldy.

I have a similar pair of modules for a LGB shuttle (two  48" x 12")  made of 6 mm MDF that are transported face to face, held apart with 4.5 mm ply end cheeks. (Actually I changed my mind during construction and and put the cheeks on the front/back with the added advantage that they protect the paint on the front edge.) That assembly is a lot heavier. However it is easy to tuck under one arm. The backscene is separate and replaces the transportation cheeks.

Unless your scenery is very mountainous, I can recommend building modules in pairs for transportation like that unless you go the whole hog and also build a transportation box or frame. Sure as anything something will get dropped on the scenery or it will get bumped. My LGB shuttle stands with its end on one end with its cheeks bolted on for storage. I must get around to adding end cheeks to keep the dust out.

Centre of balance is another thing to watch out for if you are carrying the modules yourself without a helper.

Other than that, a good starting point is to take a tape measure out to your car.

It is also worth considering where the joins are going to be on the layout and there may be some advantage in making the modules different sizes (e.g. separate fiddle yard or 180 degree curve sections at the ends - if they are part of the plan).

Another scheme I've seen is to build (smaller) modules to fit readily available storage boxes, e.g. the large "Really Useful Box" sizes.

Edit: seeing Andrew's reply - yes 48" x 24" was set by the size of ply from B&Q and the size that would fit in the car to carry it home. The whole thing was made from two sheets of 6 mm ply: top one sheet, the other sheet for  the edges (laminated to make 12 mm), backscene, cross braces and even triangular corner gussets and various gluing blocks from the other. I was determined to use just two sheets so the backscene was rather low - about 200 mm.

[Peter Smith]

Thank you, Graeme and Andrew,  both replies are very helpful !
I'm inclining towards 4x2 nominal size, (for economy), but trimmed to suit the car.
Alternatively, two 4x1 boards, with a centre divider as a backscene, would mean the back 'half' could be the fiddleyard, and easier to lift and carry each in turn.
I'm also taken by the idea of back/front cheeks for protection in transit or storage.
Right, I'm off to measure the motor !

[Graeme Dunbar]

I found the photos of LGB shuttle. Sorry, not 009!

Ready for transport:



Set up at an exhibition:

[JulienW]

I know that 'even' numbers of feet (2', 4') might be useful as the basic 'unit' of baseboard topping seems to be 8' by 4', but I've found that a 3' by 2' base board is a fairly easy to handle unit when it comes to moving baseboards through doorways and up and down staircases - especially at home on its way out to the car.

[Peter Smith]

Thank you Julien.
I've been moving a 4x2 piece of 1/2 inch ply around, and its tricky getting it through doors or into the car on your own.
3x2 may be a lot easier.   Where's my saw ?

[Graeme Dunbar]

If you are thinking 'modular layout' as well as baseboard modules, you might consider what was done on Hulme End (August 2015 009 News) and make the loop-back modules separate so the layout can be extended. They could be purely functional as in the article or 'scenicked' on the public side. Alternatively add a couple of points at one end of the layout to continue on to some future extension.