Availability? Usage? This is to complete a loop of an around 3 walls layout that will be in my living room. So, the overall specs / concept: N Scale Kato Track Visual Aesthetics is more important Complete a loop It may come to pass that I will build a 15' span across my living room. The intent is to make it attractive. I envision: 2 pieces of Plexi, 7.5'Long', 1' wide and 1/2" thick, Clear Plexi 4 pieces of 'i' Beam, 7.5' Long, 2"x2" , Clear Plexi 4 pieces of 2" thick Clear Plexi Rods I realize this is a long shot. Still, I'm open to all ideas including complete negative responses.
Yes, with bullet trains streaming across. Maybe a transparent station. Starting height about 56"s, maybe higher using the 'rods' for legs. I'm guessing it will be too expensive but who knows? Oh, see the layout thread here: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/grey-and-grandure-bullet-train-layout.128279/
A comparison to the plywood of the same thickness to get an idea of the plexi properties. Plexi is 2x heavier and 3.6x less stiff (flexural deflection and creep). It is susceptible to scratches. Probably you have to buy an outdoor UV resistant variation. The price is over 10$ per sq ft.. The I-beams must be expensive too. Maybe the L beams will be cheaper, but they need cutting and glueing. The advantage of L beams is that you can make them higher. What is the max span for the I-beams to have a deflection less than 1/500 of the span? This will determine the distances between the supports. If the supports are very close will cancel the aesthetical efect of a light and transparent structure. The beauty is in the details. I'm not against the idea, as i'm not paying , but you have some things to consider.
Personally I hate using plastic for protection for my trains. Are you protecting them from little hands or what? If you are wanting to stop trains from hitting the floor then your track work can be suspect. Cure for track is to raise the outside of the track near the edge then everything falls on the layout not the floor.
Envision a lalyout 2' deep around 3 sides of a living room. One line, (didcated to bullet trains), will be at least 6' from the floor. Envision a 4th 'leg' of the layout spanning across the living room over the chairs and couches finishing the oval. In an ideal would I would like to make that 4th leg out of clear Plexiglas.
The above link / image shows the established footprint of the future layout. I would love to connect the top and bottom by an 'elegant' bridge. One concept was something made of glass or Plexiglas. At the bottom 'left' is the door to the living room. To the left is the kitchen. The upper left is the pantry. I would really like to span to cross from just to the right of the door straight across the room approximately 6' off the floor. I think clear plexi would be very attractive. Most likely it will be on wood but I thought I would explore this first.
This is the one I meant to link. Mods, please feel free to remove the two attachments in the other posting.
