Calling all Loft Modellers !!
Hi all I have been building my layout in a loft. Its a modern house so its all clean and tidy, but obviously it gets a bit cold in winter and red hot in summer. The summer one I can fix because in the spring a Velux window is going in which should solve the heat thing. In the winter I have a small radiator which takes the edge off the cold and its OK up there. However, this is the problem. The track gets tarnished very quickly, in maybe 3 days. A quick rub over with a Peco rubber gets the track shiny again in no time but I dont want to be doing that all the time. Now I imagine its because the loft is unheated and gets a slightly damp atmosphere. Has anyone else found this to be a problem. I have to say that the worst affected track is the part that has been ballasted for some reason. All I can think of is to insulate the loft space with boards on the sloping roof. Any comments? David

It rains for 185 days per year in the north west, so seal the loft against the ingress of damp, buy a de-humidifier and switch off the heater. Much cheaper to run than a heater and it will keep you cool in summer. If it is as damp as you suggest, empty the de-humidifier on a daily basis. Tim BTW, I will move this thread once everyone has had a chance to add their two cents as it really is a general question.

loft
HI Dave I have a word of warning when the window goes in. Make sure you install a blind straight away.Even if it's a make shift sheet.That sun is very hot no matter what part of the county you are in. If you are installing track now up to maybe March, then lay in "slack!" Try not to get to carried away with board and track laying. Put a block type of foam board between the joist and then spend time in boarding out with maybe fibre or insulation board. The reg's demand a vent system behind, but if your tiling is like mine and you can see out then it will be ok. But if your not sure check some building reg's