Baseboards are for the long haul: get them wrong, and the layout will forever suffer. I have aimed to have a solid set of baseboards from the start. They need to survive design, construction and operation: this includes "normal" loads, and unforeseen events such as someone tripping over and colliding with them. What I've ended up with is certainly solid!

Frame Construction

The railway has not been intended to be moved: it will stay in its "home". However its home is ultimately a timber shed - no matter what other words I use - and it does move with the seasons. The railway is self supporting, and attached to the wall only for stability.

Construction has followed relatively "normal" methods. I used 2.5"x1.5" constructional timber from the local DIY supplier; this was solid but (not being planed) relatively low cost. The legs are made from 1.5" square section, braced together into leg "pairs". All legs have adjustable feet, to make levelling a simple process. All joints are glued and screwed for strength. Don't skimp on materials: my timber has always been bought in packs, and PVA glue by the gallon. Believe me - it's cheaper in the long run!

I have the benefit of a range of power tools, most of which have been used at some point or other. The timber sections have all been cut with a mitre saw - that way assures square joints which is an important requirement for strength. Power drills and screwdrivers are a must.

My baseboards are freestanding: all of the weight is taken by the legs. They are then attached in places to the wall to prevent them being pulled away, for lateral rigidity. The "peninsular" section is also attached to the floor. Levelling was a challenge: I used a rotating laser level, but couldn't rationalise what it led me to do and what the spirit level said. Towards the end I read the section in the manual on calibrating the laser level, and found out that it wasn't even close to parallel to the ground. We got there in the end!

At the end of a tedious process, there is no part of this railway I can't jump up and down on, or hit hard sideways; it is solid!

baseboards