Steve

Baseboards Are Boring

To be honest, building baseboards isn’t my favourite aspect of railway modelling.

I’d rather spend my time doing other things.

I decided to take a shortcut and buy some laser cut baseboards.

They are easy and quick to build. Here’s how… Click on an image for a larger photo.

The boards are designed to slot together. Check the fit before applying glue.
These fitted together well, so I applied glue to the surfaces that make contact.
The sides were fitted in place.
It was quick and easy to create a baseboard.
I used masking tape to hold the parts together tightly. Then I made a cup of tea and let the glue dry.

This is a small 400 x 300mm (approx 12 x 16 inches) baseboard. The larger ones have additional bracing pieces that are designed to simply slot in place too. Click for a larger photo.

I left out one of the bracing pieces because I thought it might foul a point motor.
I used ‘butterfly wing’ bolts to connect the boards.
There are strengthening pieces for the bolt holes.
After a couple of hours work (and a bit of time to let the glue dry) I had made an 2.7 metre (9 feet) run of baseboards.

For me, this was so much easier, quicker and enjoyable than making everything from sheets of ply!

Creating something on these baseboard will be my big project for next year…

… watch this space 🙂

2 comments

  1. “My big project for next year”. Most intriguing Steve. I do note that the baseboard has a handy shelf for controller, glasses case, spare rolling stock, can of beer, sandwiches, copy of 009 News, various tools, mobile phone and any number of other items necessary for a good modelling experience.

    I am looking forward to 2025 even more now!

    Woody

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    • Hi Wody, Yes the shelf is essential for all of those items, plus ‘Snickers’ bars of course 🙂
      I have really enjoyed seeing the O9 models you are making on your blog. I’ve very interested to see where this goes 🙂
      Steve

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