Regular reader Ed recently contacted me with an unusual question so I thought I’d throw it out to the ModelRailwayEngineer community.
Here’s Ed question:
“Does it make a difference if you keep your layout sheeted up?
I have an old sheet over mine when not in use but it is such a pain to take on and off, sometimes catching small components, but I am sure I read somewhere this helps prevent track oxidisation.”
Pictures of his layout, covered and uncovered, can be seen above and below.
Is it worth keeping a model railway covered up?
I suggested that for indoor layouts, such as those in a spare room, it’s not worth doing. If a layout is in a shed or exposed area however than it could be worth doing.
What do you think?
Do you keep yours covered?
I’ll throw this out to the ModelRailwayEngineer Builder’s community too and update this with any comments so come back soon if this is something that you also do.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.
House cleaning generates a lot of static and dust especially if one doesn’t empty dust bags regularly…cleaners lose efficacy if they are not cleaned themselves.
Houses can vary terrifically in air quality, humidity, and dust/pollen levels, the latter of course makes for much track grime over a period.
It’s because of this that I prefer to use polystyrene sheeting of the type that comes with flatpack furniture.
It’s lighter than anything else, doesn’t suffer static problems and it is entirely lint free.
How about adding an L shaped lid hinged at the back (car boot style)?
Great idea Neil! Although you’d need to watch the height for hills etc. Andy
I use thin plastic sheet does not snag when removed, used on my loft layout with no problems.
A fine bedsbheet.
Only the finest naturally 🙂 Andy
No brainer as keeps off dust.
Thanks Ras. What do you use as a cover, just out interest.