Where’s Best To Build Your Model Railway

Wondering where to build your model railway? Loft, garage, shed or spare room? Here’s the pros and cons of each.

Along with which wood to build your model railway baseboard picking where you’ll build your layout presents many challenges and I’ve seen them in each of these spaces along with, of course, the trusty spare room.  There’s even the option of of building under your kitchen floor – as the wonderful Dennis Parker has done with his delightful Glendower railway (via British Railway Modelling):

But most of us don’t have space under the kitchen floor so this isn’t achievable.

Instead, we’re stuck with the usual suspects: the spare room, loft, garage and shed. While researching these options I found a great post by Brian Lambert covering the benefits of each type of space for your railway.

A quick summary is below, with my thoughts included. You can read the full post here :

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Lofts

• Advantages: Out of the way and can offer a large area to use.
• Negatives: Temperature can be a problem as can lack of height to walk around; may be limited in the weight that can be supported.
• My Thoughts: Can be expensive to do properly and fit out with creature comforts although lower cost conversions and windows are available with some restrictions, take a look at Instaloft for windows etc. The biggest challenge I’ve had with lofts, is lack of height in modern buildings and annoying cross beams in old properties that hinder access.

Garages

• Advantages: Same as lofts.
• Negatives: Similar to lofts, plus prone to dust and insects.
• My thoughts: If not used for cars, garages can provide a great working space but check with local planners and deeds for the property as some restrict their use (this was a problem for a previous property I used). As one local council puts it, “A condition attached to a planning permission may also require that the garage remain as a parking space.” It’s also worth reinforcing the door as some garage doors can be broken open easily.

Sheds

• Advantages:  Similar to garages.
• Negatives: Electrical supply may be an issue and like garages, insects can be a problem but even more so given they are usually at the bottom of the garden. Environment issues can be fixed if a good electrical supply is available. [Good windows and insulation should also employed to help with condensation, heat and cold – Andy]. Security is also worth considering, does it have windows or a weak door that can be broken through to gain entry?
• My thoughts: The home for many a layout and man-cave; a well built, well fitted out shed, can provide space, comfort and privacy. It’s definitely worth paying the price to have solid base laid for the shed to sit on and raise it off the ground with airflow underneath to keep damp out. Having a qualified electrician fit the electrical supply is also vital. A good alarm is also worth installing if your wooden cave is, as most are, some way from the house. Sheds and garages also make great workshops for messy tasks such as airbrushing that might not be suitable in a spare room. Speaking of which…

Spare rooms

• Advantages: Great for comfort.
• Disadvantages: None.
• My Thoughts: The ideal location for a model railway but seek permission first 😉.  If the room is carpeted, putting sheeting on top of the carpet to protect it from paint spills etc will also save arguments later.

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Where do you have your model railway? Do you agree with mine and Brian’s observations? Add your thoughts below.

> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.

Picture credit, Glamhag